A lot has happened since Castle Pines North officially became a city in March. Since that time, our volunteer city council has been working non-stop to ensure our city is fully functional by February, 2009 when services provided by the county will then become the responsibility of the city.

The recent failed ballot questions pertaining to CPN, while a disappointment, will not result in a sacrifice of services, nor, as some have incorrectly stated, is the city bankrupt.

The CPN ballot questions, while not tax increases, were complicated and difficult for many to understand. That the library initiative and school bond issues also failed signified an across the board rejection by voters of all questions perceived to raise taxes in this current volatile economic environment.

For the past 10 months the city has continued efforts to forge a working relationship with the CPN Metro District that upholds the premise of the incorporation feasibility study. The goal of that study, conducted in 2007, was to consolidate services between the city and Metro District in an effort to minimize duplication of services, provide cost savings, combine resources to acquire long-term renewable water, and ensure efficiency of services to citizens. The overwhelming vote in favor of incorporation was due in large measure to that purpose.

While efforts to that end continue, it is no easy task, but we remain committed to working through the obstacles in order to provide utmost efficiency of services to CPN, as well as to increase the options for securing renewable water.

While a tremendous amount has been accomplished in the short time we have been a city, much remains to be done in building a service-oriented approach to the business of running our city government, serving our citizens, and ensuring a strong and viable economic base.

Just as we have witnessed the Lagae development begin as a conversation years ago now come to fruition with the beginning of construction of American Academy Charter School and Lagae Park, so, too, will all we hope to see our city become takes time. None of what we hope to accomplish as a city will happen overnight, but the work has begun.

Our city will succeed in large measure because we have citizen activists who refuse to take no for an answer when it comes to having a library in CPN, who persevere in having Xcel lower soaring utility poles, who are dedicated to working on safety issues that benefit and keep our community safe, who volunteer on their local HOA boards to find solutions to problems, and who are there with their input and involvement every step of the way.

Our city will succeed because of the incredible number of people involved and committed to working together and finding solutions. This is a period of change and transition for our community, which is never easy but worth the effort for what this will mean for our future.

We encourage citizens to keep involved and informed with the facts through our city website at www.cpngov.com. Your elected officials, beyond their twice-monthly council meetings, have Ward meetings throughout the month for their constituents, as well as a monthly Meet the Mayor forum. There are opportunities for every voice to be heard, and we welcome and encourage you to do so.

With the trust you have placed in us, we will continue to enhance, increase, and streamline public services for greater efficiency and cost savings.

As this New Year begins, our work continues in order to put into place those pieces that will make our city as strong and economically viable as possible in the years ahead. We have embarked on an extraordinary and exciting journey that will result in great things for our city if we continue to work together through the challenges and keep focused on what is best for the greater good of our city.

Happy New Year!
For our city,
Maureen Shul