HomeMy WebLinkAbout20132153.tiffSheri _ f John B. Cooke
August 2, 2013
Headquarters
1950 "O" Street
Greeley, CO 80631
Ph. (970) 356-4015
Fax (970) 304-6467
Fort Lupton Substation
330 Park Avenue
Ft. Lupton, CO 80621
Ph. (303) 857-2465
Fax (303) 857-3027
Southwest Complex
4209 WCR24 %2
Longmont, CO 80504
Ph. (720) 652-4215
Fax (720) 652-4217
North Jail Complex
2110 "O" Street
Greeley, CO 80631
Ph. (970) 356-4015
Ext. 3922
Fax (970) 304-6461
...to provide an
environment
designed to
maintain and
enhance the
general health,
welfare, and safety
of the people of
Weld County."
Weld County Commissioners
1150 O Street
Greeley, CO 80631
Re: Letter Dated July 26, 2013
RECEIVED
AUG 072013
WELD TY
COMMISSIONERS
RS
I have reviewed the letter you sent me regarding "Parking on County Property of
Yellow Motor Vehicle Saying Reams for Sheriff" In the letter The Board requested
that I ask Mr. Reams to park his vehicle off County property during County work
hours. After consideration I have decided not to comply with your request. I will not
speak to Mr. Reams and will not request him to refrain from parking his vehicle in the
public parking area.
I believe that The Board is being disingenuous and hypocritical with regards to the
request. For several years Commissions Conway had a Conway for Commissioner
bumper sticker on his vehicle and parked that vehicle in the administration parking
lot.
It also appears to me that The Board is engaging in petty politics. As we are all aware
Steve Reams is a candidate for Weld County Sheriff. A few of the commissioners are
supporting a different candidate and one is even on the candidate's committee.
Another factor that leads me to believe The Boards intent was purely political is the
fact that The Board would rather air the complaint in public as opposed to open and
honest one-on-one communication with me. The Board didn't have the decency or the
professionalism to contact me directly to discuss its concerns. Instead of reaching out
to me personally The Board sent the letter to the Greeley Tribune on July 26th The
letter was not delivered to my office until four days later, July 30th I was informed of
your complaint when I received a phone call from, Greeley Tribune reporter Sharon
Dunn.
I read the Weld County Code you cited and believe your interpretation is wrong.
Sec. 3-2-20. Political activities
In accordance with Section 4-2(B) of the Home Rule Charter, no employee shall,
during working hours, engage in any political activity. This includes requiring an
applicant or employee to divulge political beliefs or to make contributions to political
parties or groups.
Mr. Reams is not engaging in political activity during working hours. He is simply
driving his personal vehicle to work and parking it in a public parking lot open to all
citizens of Weld County. Parking his personal vehicle in a public parking lot in no
way requires an applicant or employee to divulge their political beliefs nor does it
require them to contribute to a political party or group. This is no different than a
County Commissioner placing a bumper sticker on his personal car and parking it in
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the administration parking lot.
Section 4-2. Department of Finance and Administration
(B) The Division of Human Resources shall:
(2) Such system shall include at least the following:
(1) No employee shall, during working hours, engage in any political activity.
Once again, Mr. Reams is not getting paid to drive to and from work. On his own time he is entitled to drive
his personal vehicle and park it in a public parking area. He is in no way engaging in political activity while
on duty. I believe there is no violation of Code Section 3-2-20 and Charter Section 4-2 (B)(2)(f).
You stated that The Board has received several complaints from persons who see the parking of the vehicle
as inappropriate political activity. The Sheriffs Office has a policy to investigate every and all complaints
from citizens. I am requesting that you send me the names of the complainants so that we may contact them
and investigate their allegations.
Please feel free to call me at (970) 356-4015 ext. 2801, if you wish to discuss this letter.
y,
eriff John Cooke
July 26, 2013
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
1150 O STREET
P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, COLORADO 80632
PHONE: 970-336-7204
FAX: 970-352-0242
John Cooke, Weld County Sheriff
1950 O Street
Greeley, CO 80631
Re: Parking on County Property of Yellow Motor Vehicle Saying "Reams for Sheriff'
Dear Sheriff Cooke:
The Board of Commissioners of Weld County ("the Board") has been informed that a yellow
motor vehicle with the saying, "Reams for Sheriff," on its side in big, bold lettering has for the
past week or two been parked during County work hours in the parking lot in front of the Weld
County Law Administration Building at 1950 O Street. Some of the Commissioners have seen
the vehicle parked there. Pictures showing the vehicle are enclosed. It is the Board's
understanding that the vehicle is owned by Mr. Reams.
Please note that Weld County Code Section 3-2-20 says the following:
Sec. 3-2-20. Political activities.
In accordance with Section 4-2(B) of the Home Rule Charter, no employee shall, during working
hours, engage in any political activity. This includes requiring an applicant or employee to
divulge political beliefs or to make contributions to political parties or groups.
This Section is based upon the directive set forth in Weld County Home Rule Charter Section 4-2
(B)(2)(f), which says the following:
Section 4-2. Department of Finance and Administration.
(B) The Division of Human Resources shall:
(2) Such system shall include at least the following:
(f) No employee shall, during working hours, engage in any political activity.
Letter, John Cooke, Sheriff
July 26, 2013
Page 2
The Board believes Mr. Reams' parking this vehicle on County property during County work
hours is a clear violation of Code Section 3-2-20 and Charter Section 4-2 (B)(2)(f). We have
received several complaints from persons who see the parking of the vehicle in the Law
Administration parking lot as inappropriate political activity taking place on County property.
The Board requests of you to ask him to park the vehicle off County property during County
work hours.
Please feel free to call me at (970) 356-4000, ext. 4209, if you wish to discuss this letter.
Sincerely,
BOARD QFCOUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CT)
William F. Garcia, Chair
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