Colorado Springs Mayoral candidate Mike Coletta, keeping with
his theme of Internet related prowess, will be video taping himself at his “I
LIKE MIKE” campaign headquarters / basement office on election night and will
capture his reaction when the unofficial ballot totals are announced on the
Colorado Springs city website,
www.Springsgov.com, at the announced hour (beginning at 7 p.m., 3 April
2007).
Coletta will place the video on the very popular website YouTube and will embed
that video onto his campaign website. The video will also include an official
statement from the candidate.
Coletta’s campaign website is located at
www.mikecoletta.com and the video will be under the NEWS tab of that site.
Along with the video taping of election results reaction I
will also be turning on a webcam on election night at 6:30 p.m. The webcam will
be at the desk where I will sit and watch election results on 3 televisions and
the computer (City website). The webcam website page will automatically refresh
every minute as the webcam takes a picture each minute. The webcam website
address is
www.mikecoletta.com/colettaformayor_webcam.htm
The webcam will only be active from 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. on
Tuesday, 3 April.
Closer oversight of city police and the judicial system would
help ensure minorities are treated fairly, two candidates for the Colorado
Springs City Council said Tuesday.
The candidates were Mike Coletta, who’s running for mayor, and Bob Null, who’s
seeking an at-large seat on the nine-member council. Voters are returning
mail-in ballots now in advance of an April 3 deadline.
Coletta and Null spoke to about 14 people at a meeting of People For Justice,
a group that promotes civil rights. Eight other at-large candidates and three
mayoral hopefuls did not attend.
Coletta said if elected he would support an audit of criminal sentencing to
ensure jail time, probation and other punishments are imposed fairly. He said
he suspects the court system discriminates against some people.
“There is no equality when it comes to sentencing,” he said. “A lot of people
in there aren’t guilty, I’m sorry. They just aren’t able to get the right
lawyers.”
Null said as a council member he would push for the formation of a “civilian
review board” to monitor police policies and behavior. He said he’d also like
to see a review of judges’ actions to help voters make decisions when judges
come up for retention.
Null and Coletta said they would support other ideas for reducing
discrimination against racial and ethnic minorities and the poor.
Responding to a question from People for Justice, both men said they would
lobby the Legislature for laws consolidating school districts. That would help
even out differences that leave some students in well-funded schools and
others in schools that struggle for money, they said.
CONTACT THE WRITER:636-0187 or perry.swanson@gazette.com
My picture appeared
in the Gazette, YourHub section
Four Mayoral
candidates (left to right) Tony Carpenter, Mike Coletta, Lionel Rivera, Tony
Tyler
Photo by Frank Ohlin,
shown in Gazette YourHub
The above photo was
shown in a Gazette YourHub article about what candidates have said so far during
their campaign. Although I was not mentioned in the article, a photo of me
talking at one of the nine forums I attended, was shown. Thanks Frank for taking
and using it.
In the
news:
Colorado Springs
Mayor Candidates Debate
3 of the 4 candidates for Mayor discuss the issues in an hour long debate
Mar. 26, 2007
By Political Reporter Marshall Zelinger
NEWSCHANNEL 13, NEWSCHANNEL FM 105.5, AM 1240 and KRDO.com hosted a live Mayoral
Candidate Conversation. Tony Tyler, Mike Coletta and Tony Carpenter all took
part. Current Mayor Lionel Rivera had a scheduling conflict.
To watch the 54-minute Mayoral Candidate Conversation, go back to our homepage
and follow the links.
The following are some highlights from the debate:
Question: This weekend NEWSCHANNEL 13 reported on a number of Subway restaurant
robberies in the month of March and they've happened in all parts of the city,
what will you do as Mayor to make sure that it won't happen anywhere, especially
in secluded shopping centers?
Mike Coletta suggested using motorcycle officers because they're more mobile.
"Motorcycle officers can go into areas where cars cannot go to," says Coletta.
"We also need to beef up our police department, we need to possibly pay our
officers more."
Tony Tyler agrees with the use of motorcycle cops.
"If they (police department) actually took them off traffic patrol and put them
on patrols actually with the motorcycles, I think that that would be a lot
better situation for the community," says Tyler. ‘We don't need more police
officers," says Tony Tyler. "We just need them doing their job."
Tony Carpenter disagrees.
"We need more police officers on the street, they're overworked and
understaffed," says Tony Carpenter.
Question: Should we expect you to ask us for additional tax money to cover more
needed road construction?
"We need to use every nickel wisely prior to ever going to the citizens and
asking for more money," says Carpenter. "If all funds are used wisely and we
need to ask the taxpayers for more money to improve our traffic situation, I
would not hesitate to go forward and ask them, but as long as we're continuing
to waste their money, why should we ask for more of their money?"
Question: We saw arguably our worst winter that many of us can remember, what
are your thoughts on this past year's snow plow response and how can you make it
better?
"We got caught with our pants down this time," says Coletta. "We need more
people on the streets, we need more equipment."
All candidates agree on this issue.
"They don't use all of our assets wisely," says Carpenter. "Our management, our
council is not looking out for our well behalf, we need to put every asset we
have on the street."
Question: We've seen plenty of potholes no matter what road you drive. There's a
hotline people can call to report potholes, but what else needs to be done?
"Citizens think their cars are a priority, and I agree," says Coletta. "People
want to get safely from point A to point B, we can't do that right now. We need
to dedicate a lot more resources, a lot more funds to take care of these
streets."
"We are not sending enough funds to the street division obviously, I've
mentioned that a couple of times," says Carpenter. "It's a band-aid, these
potholes, if you look at them all they've done is thrown hot mix in a hole. We
need somebody with a little bit of common sense to realize a band-aid is not
fixing a problem, and that's all we're doing is putting a band-aid on our
streets."
Tyler was just as critical about the road conditions.
"They'd almost be better off making them all dirt roads the way there are, it's
a joke," says Tyler.
Question: Colorado Springs residents are getting their Stormwater Enterprise
bills, how do you make sure the city collects what it expects to collect?
"I think it would be great if nobody paid," says Tyler. "It would send a message
to our city council that this is something we didn't vote for, it's something we
didn't want, or we weren't even informed on it."
"Mike Coletta does not support the fees, they are taxes, bottom line," says
Coletta. "(People who don't pay) get a lien put on their property is what
happens, but you know some of the people that I work with says I don't care."
"If Mr. Rivera loses this race, as well as the (city council) incumbents, it's
going to be because of the ‘rain' tax (Stormwater Enterprise)," says Carpenter.
To see the full answers, click on the links on our homepage.
In the
news:
Survey: Green is
golden, council candidates say
By PAM ZUBECK THE
GAZETTE
March 24, 2007
Green is in, growth
is going fine and businesses should get a tax break, according to Colorado
Springs City Council candidates’ responses to a Gazette survey.
All but two of 13 people seeking office in the April 3 city election said they
supported developing more renewable energy sources, even if it means higher
energy bills.
A recent city-owned Colorado Springs Utilities customer survey showed 72
percent rank renewable energy as a top item of importance and three out of
four are willing to pay at least 5 percent more for renewables.
This is the first local election to involve global warming with the formation
of the Climate Change Coalition of the Pikes Peak Region, which endorsed four
candidates.
As for growth, only three candidates — Dave Martin and Bob Null and mayoral
candidate Mike Coletta — think the city is growing too fast.
Lack of infrastructure is Coletta’s concern. “Being able to get safely from
point A to point B, it’s obvious from conditions of the roads, the
construction zones, that planning wasn’t thought out properly,” he said.
He also cited this winter’s storms, which he said revealed the city’s shortage
of adequate equipment to plow the city’s expanding street network.
“Some people say they didn’t see a plow for five days,” he said.
Jan Martin, a council candidate, said growth should be better managed. “As I
drive east of town and see seas of homes, it really concerns me,” said Martin,
a Springs native. “I’m not one who wants to slow growth, I just want to do a
better job of managing it.”
Are businesses taxed too much? Yes, according to most candidates. Eight said
they favor lifting the business personal property tax on equipment and
machinery.
If five of them are elected, they would represent a majority on the
nine-member council, and businesses could expect to get a break, like they did
from El Paso County in the 1990s.
Jan Martin, one of three candidates against ending the tax, said she favors
individual incentives over the tax break.
“I don’t believe the city should be considering removing taxes without a way
to replace that revenue,” she said.
Forgoing the tax would cost the city about $3 million annually in revenue at a
time when city officials have complained of a lack of funding for street
resurfacing and park construction.
Most candidates also are willing to look at other options to the Southern
Delivery System water pipeline from Pueblo Reservoir.
“I think we need to explore all available alternatives,” said Councilman Randy
Purvis. “The SDS is certainly one system and it has a lot of advantages to it,
but I’m willing to consider any way to get the water to Colorado Springs.”
CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazette.com
For
Your Information:
22 Mar
2007
I have found the
affordable housing the incumbent candidates have told us about
In many
of the recent candidate forums we have been participating in, some of the
incumbent candidates have bragged about the affordable housing throughout the
City. I have spoken out to the fact that I think there is not enough affordable
housing in this City, and it's because of the developers and builders greed for
large profits. The same developers and builders who are supporting the incumbent
candidates as well as some of the new candidates.
But while driving around the City today I think I found that affordable housing
the incumbents have been talking about. And it was right in front of my nose...
and theirs.
A couple sits in their affordable house, with shopping carts filled with their
only possessions
This affordable housing is directly in front of City Hall
In the
news:
21 Mar
2007
Council candidates talk about Utilities at forum
By
PAM ZUBECK THE GAZETTE
A
full slate of Colorado Springs City Council candidates spoke to about 40
people Tuesday night, offering a range of opinions about city government and
reciting slogans from their campaigns.
“I’m just an ordinary Joe,” said incumbent Tom Gallagher,
one of nine seeking four atlarge seats. “I ask the hard questions.”
“No bull,” declared challenger Bob Null, a retired Air
Force officer. “It’s time for a change.”
“I want to make a difference,”
Tom Harold, another challenger, said.
“I’m the guy who talks a little different than the other
guys up here,” said Dave Martin, Falcon School District 49 board member.
While the common denominator at the forum held at Lon
Chaney Theatre downtown was a pitch for votes in the April 3 election, the
contenders possess diverse views.
For example, should Colorado Springs Utilities continue
giving $650,000 a year to nonprofits, including the Economic Development
Corp.?
“No way,” said mayoral candidate
Tony Tyler, a political novice, calling the program “foolish.”
Mike Coletta, also a novice running for mayor, said
customers should be able to check a box on their bills to give to charities.
Another mayoral candidate, Tony Carpenter, said the utility
shouldn’t give away money unless citizens want it to.
Other candidates questioning largesse to charities included
Jan Martin, Dave Martin, Tom Harold and Gallagher. But they and candidate
Greg Timm supported backing economic development.
In a surprise move, incumbent Randy Purvis called the
nonprofits program “a mistake” and said he’ll vote to overturn it if
re-elected. But he defended supporting economic development, saying it’s
good for
business to grow the customer base.
Mayor Lionel Rivera, Vice Mayor Larry Small and incumbent
Bernie Herpin support the entire program.
Noting the cost equates to a penny a day per customer,
Herpin said, “If I can’t afford one cent a day to help someone else, I don’t
deserve to live in Colorado Springs.”
The evening wasn’t without missteps.
Carpenter cited Springs Utilities’ bonus program, saying it
pays workers $14.8 million annually. Records show the program peaked last
year at $12.6 million. After this year’s payout, it will decline because a
change made the program less generous. CONTACT THE
WRITER: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazette.com
In the
news:
11
News calls me a "Candidate for the people"
20 Mar
2007
On Monday
I was featured on the KKTV 11 News 4:30 p.m. newscast. Don Ward
interviewed me about my Mayoral bid. My focus was on being a Mayor for the
people. Don picked up on that and ended the interview announcing me as a
candidate for the people.
Did you
see me in the St. Patrick's Day parade?
I was walking pretty close to the front… in the number 10 spot. Me and my little
hand-built float. And I had some friends supporting me by walking and passing
out candy, pencils and buttons. Were you lucky enough to get one of the special
St. Patrick’s Day shamrock buttons we were passing out? Yesterday’s Gazette
article mentioned them.
Press
Release
14 Mar
2007
Contact: Jennifer Trujillo-Sanchez
For
Immediate Release
The Democratic Latino Initiative of El Paso
County Endorses Tom Harold, Jan Martin for City Council and Mike Coletta for
Mayor.
These candidates, endorsed by the DLI, have
shown a real concern for the Issue’s important to Latino’s in Colorado Springs.
These three candidates have displayed an
honest concern for improving the immigration situation. While the immigration
issue may not be a direct concern for the Mayor or City Council, we feel these
three candidates can help to create a positive environment that will go a long
way to insure immigrants are treated in a safe and humane way here in Colorado
Springs.
Coletta, Jan Martin and Harold also displayed
concern about the intolerant image many people have of the City of Colorado
Springs, and all would be willing to approve an employee-plus-one benefit
package for city employees.
The Democratic Latino Initiative is very proud
of these three candidates and looks forward to the breath of fresh air they are
sure to bring to city government.
In the news:
ON
THE RADIO
13
Mar 2007 -
News Radio KVOR
Popular KVOR radio talk show host Joseph Michelli offered to host an on-air
discussion between me (Mike Coletta) and Mayor Lionel Rivera. I sure hope Mayor
Rivera is agreeable to this. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
I called into his show today. Listen to my on-air talk with Joe about campaign
contributions and more:
Give it a minute or so to load, depending on your connection speed.
Press Release:
10 Mar 2007
Announcing the release
of Mayor-mercial # 5 - Where are the accomplishments?
In his Mayor-mercial #5,
Colorado Springs Mayoral candidate Mike Coletta talks about his participation in
recent candidate forums and how the accomplishments talked about by incumbent
candidates at these forums differ from what the local news is reporting as
accomplishments. Who's got it right?
Incumbents are getting a run for their money in this year’s
Colorado Springs City Council election.
Challengers flaunted qualifications, ideas and promises at a candidates forum
Thursday night sponsored by the Organization of Westside Neighbors at West
Middle School.
Retired Air Force officer Bob Null, who has served on 10 citizen committees,
vowed to “build our future.”
Lifelong Springs resident and businesswoman Jan Martin, a civic volunteer too,
said she’s a “champion for arts and culture.”
Springs native Tom Harold also is active on city boards, and he pledged to
work toward “progress, not politics” and make the city a place his two young
daughters will want to live out their lives.
Harold, 40, added a note of levity, saying, “If you elect me to City Council,
I’ll bring the average age of the City Council quite a bit lower.”
Greg Timm, an attorney and developer who runs a motorcycle shop, said he wants
to add a business perspective to council.
The other council challenger, Dave Martin, didn’t attend.
The incumbents held their own during the debate, noting their community ties
and commitment to residents.
Tom Gallagher emphasized the west side is “where I fit in” and pledged to keep
asking hard questions.
Randy Purvis said he has fought to keep government open, citing his efforts
last year to unlock city audits for the public to see.
“When everyone else was prepared to make you, the public, sign in at City
Hall, I opposed it,” he said. Now, individuals don’t have to give their names
to enter the building.
Larry Small listed several boards he serves on by virtue of his council seat —
housing, transportation, home-building. “It’s an honor to work for you and I
enjoy doing it,” he said.
Bernie Herpin didn’t attend but sent written responses to four questions asked
of those attending. All dealt with westside issues, except one about future
water supplies.
On several issues, the candidates agreed, such as questioning the need and
design of a proposed overhaul of U.S. Highway 24 on the west side.
In closing, mayoral hopeful Mike Coletta was straight forward. “I want to be a
mayor for the people,” he said. “I want to bring focus on the basics. Our
streets are coming apart.”
Tony Carpenter, another mayoral challenger, campaigned on accountability, or
lack of it, at City Hall.
He said the city is wasting millions of dollars on indigent health care,
pavement overlays that don’t last and Colorado Springs Utilities employee
bonuses.
Contender Tony Tyler and Mayor Lionel Rivera didn’t attend.
In the news:
ON
THE ROAD
By
PAM ZUBECK THE GAZETTE
6 Mar 2007 - Colorado Springs Gazette
Mayoral candidate Mike Coletta is running his campaign on a
shoestring, or maybe exhaust fumes.
Over the weekend, he drove his vehicle around the city with a
sign on top saying, “I LIKE MIKE.”
“I traveled beaten paths as well as less-beaten paths,” he said
in a statement.
Photos of his excursion are at
http://www.newsblab.com/blabbingmikesblog/nfblog/?p=1459
In the news:
Pay-raise ballot issue polarizes mayoral, council hopefuls
By
PAM ZUBECK THE GAZETTE
6 Mar 2007 - Colorado Springs Gazette
If a proposed pay raise for Colorado Springs
City Council members were decided by those running in the April 3 election,
it would be a tossup.
Only six of 13 candidates favor raising annual pay to $12,000 from $6,250.
Four oppose it, and three won’t say.
The six who want to fatten council members’ wallets include three incumbents
and three challengers.
Councilman Bernie Herpin, appointed last March to fill the unexpired term of
Richard Skorman, said in an e-mail poll conducted by The Gazette that he
spends 30 hours a week on city business — attending meetings and talking
with citizens.
Vice Mayor Larry Small, a supporter of the raise, noted that council members
aren’t reimbursed for expenses, such as mileage or meals at events they
attend as council members. He said current pay was set in 1993 for what he
calls “nearly a full-time job.”
Mayor Lionel Rivera, seeking a second term, also supports it.
Challengers backing the measure are council candidates Tom Harold and Jan
Martin and mayoral hopeful Mike Coletta.
“First, it may help bring in more competition in future elections,” Coletta
said. “Second, although it appears to be a big raise, a base of $6,250 is
not much to begin with. A person still couldn’t quit their day job.”
Harold and Martin agreed that more money could draw more candidates. Martin
offered to postpone the raise, if it passes, until the the next election
cycle, in 2009.
Council challenger Dave Martin objects to the raise, noting he serves on the
Falcon School Board without pay.
“I expect nothing in return for my service except knowing that I have done
the best I can for the community,” he said.
Mayoral candidates Tony Tyler and Tony Carpenter also oppose the raise.
Councilman Randy Purvis doesn’t necessarily oppose a raise, but this one is
too big, he said. If adjusted for inflation, council pay would increase to
$8,500, he said.
Although Councilman Tom Gallagher voted to place the measure on the ballot,
he’s not taking a position.
“If the citizens of Colorado Springs believe our performance merits a raise,
they will vote ‘yes,’” Gallagher said. “However, if the citizens are unhappy
with the performance of council, they will vote ‘no.’ The only opinion that
matters is how well the citizens of Colorado Springs think we are doing the
job.”
Council candidates Bob Null and Greg Timm didn’t express opinions. Null
suggested that the city cap expense reimbursements. Timm said pay didn’t
play a role in his decision to run.
In 2005, voters defeated a measure that would have paid council members
$12,000 and the mayor $18,000.
COUNCIL PAY RAISE
IN FAVOR Mike Coletta* Bernie Herpin Lionel Rivera*
Tom Harold Jan Martin Larry Small
AGAINST Tony Carpenter* Randy Purvis
Dave Martin Tony Tyler*
UNDECIDED Tom Gallagher
Bob Null
Greg Timm
*Mayoral candidates
SOURCE: Gazette poll
Press Release:
4 Mar 2007
Thousands exposed
to I LIKE MIKE
Yesterday the “I LIKE MIKE” mobile campaign sign was seen by thousands in the
Colorado Springs area. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the sign affixed atop my car was
driven around the city. I traveled beaten paths as well as less-beaten paths.
Heavily populated roadways… to not so heavily populated. All around the town.
And I plan to do it again today (Sunday, 4 March) So, if you see me out
there, give me a wave.
Are political
endorsements worth the paper they’re printed on?
I’ll give you my answer to that question in a minute, but
first let me explain something.
I didn’t really follow politics much until I decided to run for Mayor of
Colorado Springs. Since throwing my hat in this ring I’ve learned a lot.
Politics is alive and well in this town. It’s thriving as a matter of fact. And
a big part of our town politics is what are known as political endorsements.
In today’s Gazette there is listed a number of organizations
who have announced their support (political endorsement) for Mayor Lionel
Rivera. None of these announcements should be a surprise to anyone. They sure
weren’t a surprise to me. I interviewed with a couple of the endorsing
organizations before they made their decision. I pretty much knew during the
interview, based on the questions, that they already had Rivera in mind, but
wanted to hear what I was going to say anyway. In some cases my interview almost
turned into a debate because I could tell they didn’t agree with my answers.
They were showing their bias right away.
Most who will be endorsing Rivera already have “their agenda
“set in stone. They feel Rivera will continue with the statuesque that the City
has been seeing. They don’t want their boat rocked… so they endorse him.
BUT…. and this shouldn’t surprise you either… Just because an organization gives
a candidate an endorsement, doesn’t mean all the members of that organization
will be voting for that candidate. It ONLY means the board members, a very small
percentage of the endorsing organization, have voted to back Rivera.
They may say… as one told me, “Our members will vote the way
we lead them”. I say, “I don’t think so”. I have been told, by many within these
organizations, that they plan to vote for me because… they don’t like the
statuesque the City is pursuing. They don’t like the way Rivera and others on
Council have been doing things. They don’t like the fact that “certain groups”
have controlled things for this long, only to feel they are so in control and
confident that they walk around with their nose in the air.
They, like me, want to take back control of this City… to make
it a place for ALL the people again!
Organizational endorsements don’t impress me…. it’s the People’s endorsement
that I care about. And those aren’t printed in the newspaper… they are expressed
on the election ballot. The PEOPLE are the important ones in this community!
So… to answer the original question, “Are political
endorsements worth the paper they’re printed on?”, my answer is YES. They are
definitely worth the cost of the newspaper, 50 cents. And that’s about it…
Please vote for me, Mike Coletta, in this election. I really
am for the people! And I’m NOT a politician… www.colettaformayor.com
When Lionel Rivera made an awkward landing in
fourth place among a field of six Republicans running for Congress last
year, the folks who pay attention to this kind of stuff predicted the
Colorado Springs mayor was in big trouble.
Just wait until April 2007, many uttered in ominous tones. Rivera,
who just a few years ago was portrayed as the most conservative guy in
the field, would be picked off like some scab by a newer, even more
conservative rival.
Six months later, in an election that so far seems as dreary and
lackluster as this winter, it's looking like a cakewalk for Rivera into
a second term.
That's right. In two short weeks, voters will receive mail ballots
asking them to select a mayor, plus four at-large city councilors, to
lead the state's second-largest city forward.
No offense intended to the three others who have stepped up to run
against Rivera, but when the most challenging competitor goes by the
moniker "Blabbing Mike," well, you finish the sentence.
This is a huge departure from just four years ago when, of seven
candidates running for mayor, four were already members of City Council.
All of them quit to run; only Rivera remains. The others were Dr. Ted
Eastburn, a cardiologist; Jim Null, a UCCS political science
professor since 1970; and SallieClark, the former
president of the Organization of Westside Neighbors and now a county
commissioner.
Here's the lineup this year:
Tony Carpenter, who currently lists his occupation as
"Frito-Lay." He is a veteran of past council elections, having run
unsuccessfully for mayor in 2003 and the council two years ago.
Carpenter, fired a decade ago from a job as a city truck driver, said in
2003 he was running to expose waste and cover-ups in city government.
Tony Tyler, an insurance agent, also is devoid of previous
political experience, but he does have a snappy e-mail address:
Onemillion@juno.com. So far Tyler has spent $225 on the campaign,
including $25 for fuel.
Then there's the aforementioned Mike Coletta. For many years,
Blabbing Mike has followed members of the local media around, taking
innocuous photographs of them covering the news and posting them at his
Web site. Dubbed the "Moose Watcher," Coletta was interviewed at length
by KOAA Channels 5/30 in late 2000, when a moose showed up and spent a
month hanging out in Monument Valley Park.
This year, Coletta has videotaped several of what he calls "Mayor-mercials,"
including one in which he criticizes Rivera's "streets of gold," which
actually are riddled with potholes like the one that claimed one of
Coletta's hubcaps.
Coletta may not have all four hubcaps, but at least he has a Web
site. That's right. This election is so laid-back that the incumbent
mayor doesn't have an Internet presence, though
riveraformayor.com ——the site he used four years ago — is currently
listed as under construction and coming soon.
In the meantime, let's consider the issues of four years ago.
How far have we come?
Well, back then, the airport and synchronized traffic lights were
both hot on the list. Of all the candidates, Rivera in particular
stressed the importance of drumming up business by landing a low-cost
airline for Colorado Springs.
Like Southwest, for example. Which subsequently has launched flights
in and out of ... Denver.
Another big issue that Rivera embraced was water — specifically,
patching things up with Pueblo, which has been mad at Colorado Springs
over water issues for many years — so the city could move forward with
the Southern Delivery System water project.
Four years and many hundred thousand gallons of spilled sewage down
Fountain Creek later, it's pretty safe to say that Pueblo still is upset
with Colorado Springs.
The caveat: It would be unfair, and unwise, to blame Mayor Rivera for
all that's broken.
The good news for Rivera: He'll likely have four more years to fix
everything.
Announcing the release
of Mayor-mercial # 4 - Animals are my friends.
In his Mayor-mercial #4, Mike Coletta
visits the Cheyenne
Mountain Zoo to see the new baby gorilla, Asha, and Rafiki. While there Mike
gets a very special treat. He gets to witness the new gorilla family leave the
enclosure of primate world to take a romp outdoors, playing in the snow and
enjoying the fresh air.
Check out this fantastic video, an animal lovers delight... Enjoy!
Mayor-mercial #4 - Animals are my friends
In the news:
27 Feb 2007
By Marshall Zelinger , KRDO News 13 (From the KRDO website)
Colorado Springs
Candidates On YouTube
Mayoral Candidates Ditch Door-To-Door For Online Campaigns
By Marshall Zelinger
How do you decide who you're going to vote for? Coverage on NEWSCHANNEL 13?
Fliers in the mail? Town hall debates? Or do you make your decision from your
computer chair?
Political campaigns are now right at your fingertips, thanks to the Internet. If
you don't know the candidates for Colorado Springs Mayor, you haven't checkout
out YouTube.
"My name is Tony Tyler. I am going to run for Mayor in April of 2007," says
mayoral candidate Tony Tyler on one of his YouTube videos.
"Hello, I'm Mike Coletta and I'm running for Mayor of Colorado Springs," says
candidate Mike Coletta on one of his "Mayor-mercials."
It's the new wave of political campaigning in the 21st century. Instead of
showing up at your door, Tyler and Coletta are part of the 100 million video
clips on YouTube.
"This is probably financially the best way I can get the word out," says Tyler
on YouTube. "Some of the bigger candidates in America were doing it, so I went
ahead and duplicated what they did."
Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama are just some of the 2008
Presidential Candidates who have video comments available online.
"It's actually better than door-to-door," says Coletta. "It can reach a large
volume of individuals in a quick time."
"It's a good way for a person with minimal budget to be able to get the word out
on equal terms with the bigger candidates," says Tyler. "To be able to canvas an
area of 400,000 people in the community is virtually impossible."
College kids who are very familiar with YouTube disagree with this type of
campaigning.
"Just putting something online is really easy, anybody can do that," says
19-year old Colorado College student Tyler Doane. "(Door-to-door's) more
personal, it shows that maybe they're trying to make a bigger effort."
"I'd like to look online better than having to open the door for somebody," says
18-year old Colorado College student Cameron Todd. "It's really accessible and
everyone's always online."
Coletta also has video on his own website.
Candidate Tony Carpenter has a website as well.
Current Mayor Lionel Rivera promises he'll have a website up-and-running by the
end of the week.
Ballots for the April 3rd mail-in election will be sent out starting March 9th.
News For Your Information:
25 Feb 2007
Wearing my new African
kufi hat I'm standing with Colorado Springs NAACP President Rosemary Harris at
tonights NAACP Founder's Day celebration, held inside Friendship Baptist Church
on Dale St.
This was a truly
remarkable Black History Month program honoring the founders of the NAACP, as
well as a presentation of Living Legend Awards, Music, youth presentations,
featured speaker Rev. Clarence W. Davis, and much more.
Friendship Baptist Church was not only filled with many wonderful people but
also with so much spirit... I was amazed, wowed and most of all deeply touched.
Thank you to Rosemary Harris, the NAACP, and all the people involved in making
this a night I will always remember.
Press Release:
23 Feb 2007
Announcing the release
of Mayor-mercial # 3 - Rivera's streets of gold. This Mayor-mercial shows you
those beautifully maintained roads Mayor Rivera has been telling us about.
Except, what I found were bumps, potholes, and hubcaps.
Mayor-mercial # 3 - Rivera's streets of gold
Press Release:
21 Feb 2007
Black Chamber of
Commerce / NAACP Candidate Forum photos available
For any candidate
interested, there are photos now available which I took at the Black Chamber of
Commerce / NAACP Candidate Forum held on 20 Feb 07. You have my permission to
use photos (where you are visible) for your websites or candidate material (No
photo credit is required). Courtesy of your friendly Mayoral candidate
Mike Coletta.
21 Feb 2007 - From
today’s Metro section of the Gazette:
By Pam Zubeck
Candidate posts ‘mayor-mercials’
Mike Coletta has fired back after Mayor Lionel Rivera
accused him of making irresponsible statements accusing the city of allowing
“build and run tactics.”
Coletta, trying to unseat Rivera in a four-way race in the April 3 election,
made the statements on a television interview last week, drawing criticism
from Rivera.
On Monday, Coletta issued a video statement posted on his Web site, the first
of a series of “mayor-mercials” he promises during the campaign. In the video,
made in his home office, Coletta said recent snowstorms demonstrated the city
hasn’t kept pace with the needs of a growing city. It lacks enough snowplows
to clear city streets, he said.
“Building is continuing in Colorado Springs when our infrastructure is not
planned out,” he said. “A community should grow for the good. I will not allow
build and run tactics.”
His second “mayor-mercial,” titled “no religious agenda,” will be posted this
week.
Others running for mayor in the mail-in ballot election are Tony Carpenter and
Tony Tyler.
Press Release:
20 Feb 2007
Announcing the release
of Mayor-mercial #2 - No religious agenda. This video addresses the reason I
will not be responding to a recent candidate survey from Focus on the Family.
The Mayor-mercial #2 video can be seen below. Click on the play arrow to
start it.
Press Release:
18 Feb 2007
Starting today I’m
going to be producing a series of on-line “Mayor-mercials”. I guess that’s a
combination of political commercials and infomercials. But since I’m not a
politician I don’t want them to be stuck in that category. So “Mayor-mercials”
sounded much more citizen friendly.
These “Mayor-mercials” will be aimed at a variety of subjects. This first one is
aimed at Mayor Rivera who said my “build and run” growth comment was
irresponsible on a recent Fox 21 interview. This piece will better help open the
Mayor’s eyes on what other citizens are also seeing.
So… here is the first in a series of “Mayor-mercials”.
Some people may already know Mike Coletta, just by a
different name. He runs a website about the local media called "Blabbing
Mike."
"Now I'm doing the political reviews, before I was doing the
media review," said Coletta. The 51-year-old logistics manger at Peterson Air
Force Base says the internet is a huge part of his life, and will play a
huge role in his campaign. "The internet is probably the main tool I'm using
for the campaign," said Coletta.
Coletta is also on YouTube and owns several campaign websites.
He uses them as forums to discuss the problems he sees with the current Mayor
and City Council. "I can't stand politics," he said. "That's why I need to
run for mayor because politics are being inserted in Colorado Springs right
now and it's not right. People don't deserve that."
As a government employee, Coletta can't align himself with a
party. So far, he's funding everything himself. "I don't want to be in
someone's pocket. I'm the people's man. That's what I want to be."
In the news:
8 Feb 2007 -
3 challenge Rivera
for mayor
8 candidates, including 4 incumbents, seek City Council spots
By PAM ZUBECK THE GAZETTE
Colorado Springs voters will choose a mayor from a field of four candidates,
including incumbent Lionel Rivera, and select four atlarge City Council members
from eight contenders, among them the four incumbents.
Wednesday was the deadline for candidates to submit nominating petitions to the
City Clerk’s Office to be on the April 3 ballot.
Ballot positions will be drawn Friday.
Vying with Rivera will be Tony Carpenter, Mike Coletta and Tony Tyler, none of
whom have previously been elected to public office.
Former mayoral candidate and city watchdog Carpenter ran for a district seat in
2005 and interviewed last year to be appointed to replace Richard Skorman, who
left the council to work for Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo.
Carpenter told the council: “What better way to enhance confidence than place
one of the top critics on City Council?”
Coletta, a civilian logistics support worker at Peterson Air Force Base, is best
known for his blog, Blabbing Mike’s News Blab, which follows Springs journalists
and comments on coverage. Coletta wants to expand the city’s news coverage of
itself on its cable television channel.
Tyler, an insurance agent, is a political novice. He joined the race because he
disapproves of what he perceives as using traffic fines as a money-making
scheme. He said fines for speeding and running red lights are especially
onerous.
The at-large council field includes incumbents Tom Gallagher, Randy Purvis,
Larry Small and Bernie Herpin, who was appointed last March to fill Skorman’s
unexpired term.
Challengers are Bob Null, a retired Air Force officer and businessman and
brother of former Councilman Jim Null; Dave Martin, a contractor who has served
on the Falcon District 49 school board for three years; Tom Harold, a
small-business owner who has served on various boards and commissions; and Jan
Martin, a Springs native and small-business owner who has served on several
commissions and committees and spearheaded the effort in 2003 to recall two El
Paso County commissioners.
The ballot, to be conducted by mail, also will include several charter changes,
including one to increase annual council pay to $12,000 from $6,250.
In the news:
8 Feb 2007 - From the KOAA
website
Council and Mayor nominations are in
Posted By: Abby Lane
We now have a good idea of who is in and who is out for mayor
and city council in Colorado Springs. The City Clerk's office announced four
possible candidates for mayor, and nine for the at-large city council seats.
Nominations for mayor are -- current Mayor, Lionel Rivera; Tony
Carpenter, a former city employee; insurance agent, Tony Tyler; and Mike
Coletta, a Peterson Air Force Base employee, media watchdog and blogger.
Four city council-members are running for re-election Tom
Gallagher, Bernie Herpin, Randy Purvis and Larry Small. Also on the ballot are
consultant Tom Harold, general contractor Dave Martin, small business owner
Jan Martin, retired colonel Bob Null and Greg Timm, a member of the airport
advisory board and a commercial developer.
Candidates have until Monday, February 12, to withdraw their
nominations.
Voters need to remember this year's ballots will be sent by
mail. Ballots need to be turned in by 7 p.m. on April 3. The deadline to
register to vote is March 5.
In the news:
8 Feb 2007 - From the KRDO Radio
website
Mayor To Face Three Opponents In
April Election
(Colorado Springs, CO) -- Three
candidates are challenging Lionel Rivera for his mayoral seat in April. Former
mayoral candidate and city watchdog Tony Carpenter, local journalism blog author
Mike Coletta and insurance agent Tony Tyler met yesterday's deadline for
submitting nominating petitions. Four councilmen are seeking re-election: Tom
Gallagher, Randy Purvis, Larry Small and Bernie Herpin. Their challengers are
retired Air Force officer Bob Null, Falcon District 49 school board president
Dave Martin, and small-business owners Tom Harold and Jan Martin. The mail-in
ballot will also include several charter changes, including one to increase
annual council pay to 12-thousand-dollars.
Press Release:
20 Jan 2007 - It’s official! Today I
received a letter from the office of Kathryn M. Young, Colorado Springs City
Clerk.
That letter stated the following:
Dear Mr. Coletta:
Nomination petitions submitted by Michael (Mike) Coletta for the office of
Mayor on April 3, 2007, have been determined to be sufficient.
Accordingly, you have met the statutory requirement pursuant to Section
5.1.106 of the Code of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended.
Notice is hereby given that your name will appear on the ballot for the
April 3, 2007 election.
Press Release:
19 Jan 2007 - Today I was a guest on
UCCS radio. You can listen to my one hour interview by clicking on the
links in the
left window of this page.
Photo taken during my UCCS radio interview
Press Release:
14 Jan 2007 - As a Colorado Springs Mayoral candidate in the 3 April 07
election I am pleased to announce I have obtained over double the required
signatures on my Mayoral Nomination Petitions. I will be submitting those
petitions sometime next week to the City Clerk so they may review, count and
certify the signatures required for a candidate to be placed on the ballot.
By obtaining over double the required signatures I hope to encounter no
problems when the official count is made. Even though the due date for the
petitions is not until 7 Feb 2007 I was advised to turn them in as soon as
possible so, if the required number is not met the City Clerk's office could
advise a candidate before the deadline so additional signatures could be
obtained prior to that deadline.
Press Release:
25 Dec 2006 - Colorado Springs Mayoral candidate Mike Coletta is pleased to
announce the creation of a NEW two way communication venue between Your
Mayor and the Citizens of Colorado Springs. SpringsMayor.com will become a
reality if Coletta is elected. Below is a screenshot of a possible website
design to be used. SpringsMayor.com will allow Citizens real-time/two-way
communication with the Mayor, rather than the usual and typically unreliable
e-mail route. Included will also be a daily blog that will be kept by the Mayor.
Citizens will be encouraged to read and comment on all entries. Also, direct
communication input forms that will be read ONLY by the Mayor so as to eliminate
any “filtered delivery”, will be used. Any replies you receive will be from the
Mayor himself.
As Mr. Coletta has said since the start, he wants to be a conduit of
communication with the Citizens of Colorado Springs. SpringsMayor.com will be
just one way he will be that conduit.
Read more about Mike Coletta’s Mayoral candidacy at:
http://www.colettaformayor.com
20 Dec 06
I have started a
thread on the Gazette Your Hub page asking
users to
let me know what changes they would like to see.
