Phelps introduces himself

Open Letter to Centennial Voters in District 1: My name is Ron Phelps, and I am running for Centennial City Council. This is my invitation for you to cast your October 13th mail-in ballot vote for me. If you attend the City Council meetings, you’ve probably seen me on some of the subcommittees or at neighborhood events. Based on my observations and all that I’ve learned, I think the city’s first priority should be to ensure that your tax dollars are spent wisely. After that, I think we have an obligation to honor the original vision for our city - small, citizen-focused government, low taxes and low government intrusion in our day-to-day lives.

SMALL, LIMITED GOVERNMENT - As our city continues to grow, we’re beginning to experience some growing pains as we find the balance between individuals’ rights and thoughtful policies that benefit our entire community. Keeping Centennial’s government small and limited in its authority is important. I will fight to protect against big government.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - We need new, creative ideas to entice small business into our city. For example, one businessman suggested that waiving some initial startup fees might be enough to entice more growth. More growth means more jobs and a broader tax base. More business-generated tax revenue will help all of us. I will work to bring new business to Centennial.

QUALITY OF LIFE - Maintaining our quality of life includes keeping us safe and protecting our property values. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Department does a great job of protecting our kids, homes and neighborhoods. I will work to ensure that the city upholds its responsibility to work closely with the Sheriff to monitor the changing needs of our community.

THE BOTTOM LINE- I’m a small- and limited-government kind of guy, and a fiscal conservative. I look forward to continuing to work with residents and Centennial’s businesses to address these and other important issues (seniors’ issues, better transportation, open and transparent stewardship).

I have experience as a businessman, and am a United States Air Force veteran. I volunteer on two Centennial citizen committees: the Open Space and Parks committee, and the Land Use Southglenn Area Steering committee. Additionally, I am currently serving on the Arapahoe County Citizen Budget Committee, an appointed position, and I represent the Southglenn Civic Association at CenCON.. Together, all of my experience enables me to add value quickly in doing the business of City Council.

I am 50, a father and grandfather. I’ve enjoyed serving my country, city and neighborhood. I look forward to further serving you and the city of Centennial on City Council.

I'm Ron Phelps and I need your vote. Let’s work together to keep our government small and limited, fiscally conservative, and keep Centennial a great place to live.

Respectfully, Ron Phelps City Council Candidate Centennial – District 1 Website - www.ronphelps.com email - ron@ronphelps.com

Phelps for Centennial Council, again

I have a favor to ask and it’s political in nature. I need your help to get elected to the Centennial City Council. I am running in a special election to fill a vacant seat. Editor: I was very impressed with Republican businessman Ron Phelps when he ran for this same seat in 2007. At that time he stepped aside late in the race to prevent splitting the vote with GOP veteran Betty Ann Habig and missing a chance to oust Democrat incumbent Vorry Moon. She won but has now had to resign in midterm for personal reasons. It's now Ron's turn, and I am pleased to be supporting him - JA

Centennial has only been around less than 10 years – and our new city is having some growing pains. Did you know that the decisions made by our city council have more of a direct impact on the way we live than any other form of government? Many of these issues I’ll address in future emails.

During the past several years, I have been active serving on the County budget committee, the city land use planning and city park & trails committees, and the neighborhood civic organization. I have worked to preserve our individual rights and balance those with the greater needs of our growing community.

I realize that not all of you receiving this live in Centennial or in my neighborhood. Even so, I hope you might be willing to help me.

First and foremost for my neighbors, I need to know I can count on your vote.

Second, I need your financial help. I hope to raise $3,000 by Labor Day.

Finally, below is a list of other ways you can help me win this election:

- Support me by endorsing me with your friends who live in District 1

- Place a yard sign in your yard

- Support me by hosting a meet & greet “coffee” to help me raise campaign funds

- Wear an ‘elect Ron Phelps’ t-shirt at public meetings or a neighborhood function

- Walk a neighborhood area

If you can help me out financially by sending $50, $100 or $200 to Citizens for Ron Phelps, I would be very grateful. Mail checks to 1156 E Davies CT, Centennial, CO 80122.

I will be providing updates over the coming weeks and months on how we’re doing and the issues facing the City of Centennial. Drop me an email at phelps4citycouncil@gmail.com if you'd like to be on my list.

Thanks again, and if you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 303-809-9230.

Deficit clouds mayoral race

Editor: Randy Pye, the only mayor the young city of Centennial has ever had, can't run again. Two hopefuls are already in the field to succeed him, Councilman Todd Miller and former Charter Commission Chair Cathy Noon. The election is this November, and others may jump in. Local taxpayer advocate Ron Phelps offers these thoughts: =====================

Like other municipalities, the city of Centennial faces tough financial decisions in the coming months. The City recently held a special meeting to ponder how to deal with the tough times ahead.

The City Council’s initial steps include cutting approximately $3M from public works from the 2009 adopted budget. Some public works will go forward, and no services or staff will be reduced. With anywhere from $200K to $1.7M more to resolve for 2009, they will meet again in July to make additional decisions.

For 2010, the City also needs to resolve the projected deficit of approximately $3M. This will also be discussed in July.

All of this falls right smack into the upcoming City elections. With two announced candidates for Mayor, I think it’s essential that all of Centennial’s citizens learn how the candidates propose to solve the City’s financial challenges.

GOP must keep defending marriage

Standing up for your principles is as important as knowing what they are. That's a key post-election lesson for Republicans. After 2008 we’ve learned that we need to know who we are and then not betray the party faithful. But that also means we must be careful to choose wisely the principles we adhere to and defend. For political expediency, and to increase the size of the tent, our political leaders condone, and some even advocate, abandoning some long-standing social principles (i.e. Log Cabin Republicans). We should take pause and carefully consider our individual action or abstaining in this area. We must be thoughtful when we stand up and take ownership of this party.

Bending with the gale of social passions is something the left is comfortable doing. Power is their only purpose and the fuel with which to feed itself more power. They abandon any principle they feel will hamper their drive for complete social power. For example, in Ben Smith’s recent blog on civil unions and marriage, he writes how in a few short years, the political correctness of gay rights has moved dramatically ‘pro’ and become more socially acceptable. He writes:

“Here's a marker of the warp-speed change in the politics of same-sex marriage: Back in 2000, Howard Dean was a gay rights hero for signing a civil union measure -- forced on him by the courts -- into law. Four years later, civil unions are the fallback for the center-right, and Vermont is considering same-sex marriage, and Dean was campaigning for it in Burlington last weekend.”

Those who are agnostic with their social principles will continue to hammer on those who are not. Why should anyone take a stand and go against the tide of social convenience? Because it matters.

Actions show who really cares in US

Mr. Obama encouraged us to all be part of making America better. I can get behind that because I am a compassionate conservative, and that’s what we do. Liberal-minded Arthur Brooks, in his 2006 book Who Really Cares, documents that conservatives, from sea to shining sea, give more than liberals in volunteer time and charitable contributions. Here is a review of the book.

Mr. Brooks begins by “discussing and dismissing the implicit notion that you are ‘more or less compassionate simply because [you] support taxing wealthy people’ or are ‘dissatisfied with the adequacy of government social programs’.”

He then draws his conclusion from 10 data sets, making four main points:

1 - The four forces in American life primarily responsible for making people charitable are “religion, skepticism about the government in economic life, strong families, and personal entrepreneurism”.

2 - Conservative principles are most congenial to the four forces of charity.

3 - Liberals, who often claim to care more about others than conservatives do, are personally less charitable.

4 - Policies that displace (crowd out) personal charity are harmful to the nation because charity is good for the giver.

The next time someone wants to demonize or criticize a conservative, remember these facts about compassionate conservatism and helping others.

So yes Mr. President, I will support you by continuing to offer my time and resources to help others.