You're an inspiration, Jen. Great work on this.

A group of citizens did the impossible.... collected over 6000 signatures in 21 days to put to the vote of the people, a referendum on an annexation of a questionable development. The city council voted to annex, even though there are many unanswered questions about this development by a 4-C corporation formed by the LifeBridge Christian Church. Go to whatsinitforlongmont.org to learn more. This can serve to restore our hope and faith in the power of people with a noble cause and purpose.

Nita

Brother Bobby understated the importance of this accomplishment. Cities and counties all across Colorado (Douglas County and Loveland, especially) should take notice of events in Longmont.

Real advocates of free-trade, and pay-their-own-way development should take note of Longmont's shotcomings, and figure-out ahead of time how to accomplish the same in their own localities. Jen and company's accomplishment is a lesson and inspiration.

Such sour (sweetheart) deals should not be allowed to go through unchallenged. Any time that corporate welfare bloated developers arrive at the public-tax trough City Councils and County Commissioners should now think twice and make critical changes before rubber-stamping their Tax-Increment-Financed (TIF) plans.

Yes, we did the impossible, and, it's not over. Our courts are leaning heavily toward religious organizations finding huge loopholes for not paying their share of taxes. This is happening around the country. Stay tuned to any such issues going on in your own hometown. The Liberty Counsel is a legal (tax exempt) organization that is taking on the battle for these religious groups and is often winning court cases against the ACLU for example. Any taxes not collected due to the exemption status for such things as religious sports arenas, amusement parks (Zion's Hope in Orlando, Florida) end up being paid for by the citizens. Someone has to pay for the infrastructure