Loitering at the State Capitol, without Getting Thrown Out

Lobbying at the Colorado State Capitol. From left:
Meghan Storrie, CML Legislative & Policy Advocate,
Christina Rinderle, Durango City Councilwoman,
Joe Gierlach, Nederland Mayor
photo by: Joe Baker, Dacono Mayor Pro Tem

Lobbying has been going on longer than Colorado has been a state, and there are very specific rules associated with the process. For example, lobbyists are not allowed on the Senate floor, or even touch anything in the chamber for that matter. Over time, customs have been established to address the rules. Continuing our example, the lobbyist can write a message on a slip of paper, and have it delivered to a senator on the floor. The senator can come out into the lobby and speak to the person.

So, the term "lobbying" derives its name from hanging out in the lobby outside the Senate Chambers or the House of Representatives.

Paid corporate lobbying has given the profession a bad reputation, but lobbying can also provide a vehicle for protecting the interests of minority groups (small municipalities in my case) against being oppressed by the majority rule – the tyranny of the majority.

This year's legislative session has been a bit arduous for our state legislators, with last Friday's session lasting past midnight, and most other days until eight or nine in the evening ... even during snow storms. I'm grateful that they are taking the time, to work through the issues.

Events in Ned

Mayor Joe Gierlach at the
Grand Opening of Frozen Dead Guy Days

This is the second year I've been the ribbon cutter of the Grand Opening of Frozen Dead Guy Days. (The ribbon was actually duct tape.)

Frozen Carnival Barker:

As I stood next to Dave Felkley, I felt a bit like a 'carnival barker' which is becoming a dying art form through the Homogenization of America. As long as I have lived here, Dave "Bigfoot" Felkley (74) has emceed every parade and festival in town. His personality is infused in a tradition of announcing events consistently for over 20 years. After having heart surgery, he said to me, "Just wheel me in, and give me a microphone." I am grateful, that our town (with an authentically restored carousel) also has its own 'carnival barker'.

Nederland Energy Independence Day Shaping Up:

Last month, the Board of Trustees (BOT) determined that fireworks are unsustainable, both environmentally and financially. Facing potentially a major drought year, the BOT decided that if we are to adapt to climate change, we need to create a new way to celebrate Independence Day, and come up with a new tradition.

A Call from the White House – A Lesson in Democracy

Listening to President Obama's remarks. — in Denver, CO.

After finishing a solid week of skiing with my daughter for spring break, I get an email from the White House that says, "The President will travel to Denver, Colorado for an event on gun violence reduction. You are cordially invited to attend President Obama's remarks as a VIP guest."

I assume that this is because one year ago, (April 17, 2012) the Board of Trustees approved my signing-on to the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition.

The next day, my daughter and I are packing because she takes off on a plane, on the same day the President is coming to Denver. She is enrolled in a gifted program in Florida. The grounds are gated. They have had lock-down drills. She knows about the school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary.

Opening Day – Indians vs.Yankees

It is opening day for the Cleveland Indians vs. the New York Yankees, and time to dust off an article I co-authored in 2007:

Milton Berle in F-Troop

[Joe] I grew-up in an upper middle class suburb of Cleveland, Ohio in the 1960's. If I had a chance to ask my parents now, I assume that it was quite convenient that I was never placed in a situation to interact with, or perhaps even see, people of color. I was unaware of this and certainly nobody ever talked about it. Consequently, my racial opinions were largely shaped by television stereotypes. Flip Wilson, Bill Cosby, Sidney Poitier, Diana Ross, Hank Aaron, Mohammad Ali and Stevie Wonder were my examples of African Americans. For Native American examples, Hollywood only offered fictional characters like Tonto on the television show "Daniel Boone" or the silly American Indians in the television show, "F-Troop" where Indians were played by Don Rickles, or Milton Berle.

Our neighborhood (which happened to be mostly girls) did not play "Cowboys and Indians" preferring to play Kick-the-Can, SPUD, tag, kickball, baseball, football, dodgeball, or soccer.