HomeMy WebLinkAbout20181150.tiffApril 10, 2018
OFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PHONE: 970-336-7204
FAX: 970-336-7233
1150 O STREET
P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, COLORADO 80632
Dr. Leah Bornstein, Aims Community College President
Carol Ruckel, Trustee
Gene O'Hara, Trustee
Ray Peterson, Trustee
Mark Hout, Trustee
Lyle Achziger, Trustee
Aims Community College
P.O. Box 69
Greeley, CO 80632
Dear President Bornstein and Aims Community College Board of Trustees,
To say the Board of County Commissioners was stunned by the news that Aims Community College
has decided to move its aviation program outside of the county and outside the district would be a
gross understatement.
In the 50 years the aviation program has called the Greeley/Weld Airport home, we have always felt
we have had a great partnership. Not once were we made aware of any issues at the airport that
would limit the program.
It is very disappointing that neither the Aims Board nor the Aims President contacted the county, or
to our knowledge the City of Greeley, to discuss the possibility of partnering on ways to make
changes or improvements to the city/county run airport.
Weld County Government has a strong history of thinking regionally to find solutions to problems
while still bringing value to our Weld County taxpayers. The Northern Colorado Regional Crime Lab
is a prime example of Weld County working to fund a solution to the benefit of both the region and
the county.
It is disheartening that you did not reach out to us to explore ways we could work together for the
betterment of this program. Instead, you choose to invest local and state tax dollars intended for the
Aims District and Weld County in Larimer County. It is the equivalent of Weld County moving
Health Department Services to Larimer County.
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2018-1150
Since 1967, when Aims first opened its doors, Weld County property owners have put more than a
half billion dollars into the Aims Community College coffers ($652,499,340); nearly $400 million of
that total has come to you in just the past 10 years. Taxpaying residents of the district and the county
were blindsided by the announcement and quite frankly we are bothered by the statement that "this
decision for a change in venue was made with the student at the heart of it."
When Weld County voters approved your mill levy all those years ago, it was to ensure affordable,
convenient access to higher education opportunities for Weld residents. In fact, your own web site
recounts that on January 24, 1967: "The voters in 11 of Weld County's 12 public school districts
approve the creation of the Community College District by a solid 4-1 margin."
We encourage you to remember your foundation and to carefully consider how and where you decide
to utilize the funding Weld County taxpayers have provided to their institution. We urge you to
reconsider your decision and bring the program and the financial benefit back to the citizens of Weld
County who have supported you for over 50 years.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Steve Moreno, Chair
c: Don Warden
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