Summer Social A Special Event

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Chairman Bob Epstein 303-470-0438 President Ed Shackelford 720-353-3775 Treasurer Secretary Karin Hall 303-794-0799 Immediate Past President Michael Drake 303-862-8555 Board Members at Large Ky Agnew

1 Chairman Bob Epstein President Ed Shackelford Treasurer Secretary Karin Hall Immediate Past President Michael Drake Board Members at Large Ky Agnew Kip Bishop Seth Greiner Jeanette Hensley Kelley Horton Christina Johnson Rich Mauro Harvey McWhorter John Stoffel Summer Social A Special Event The Colorado Senior Lobby Summer Social and Annual Meeting, held on August 20 at Covenant Village in Westminster, was proud to feature former Governor Roy Romer as the keynote speaker. He was joined by several state legislators as honored guests. At this rare public speaking engagement, Governor Romer talked to an audience of over 125 people about his concerns with the current state of politics. As reported in the Colorado Statesman, Romer said he s frustrated that the 2016 presidential campaign has been eroded by lies, lies that Romer said the mainstream media has been all-too-willing to rebroadcast. I believe so deeply in democracy. When campaigns are almost totally filled with lies, it not only destroys the debate, but it destroys the structure of democracy. The governor added, television news outlets that are trying to be fair and balanced in their coverage of the campaign end up promoting falsehoods. He urged the crowd to dig deep to find the truth before making up your minds about an issue, and listen to others who may have differing viewpoints. The audience especially appreciated his assertion that we need political campaigns that don t smear and destroy the personal integrity of the person we oppose. This is a very important message, one that applies equally to all political campaigns a message that needs wide circulation. Our web page: ColoradoSeniorLobby.org, has a video of the entire event and a separate edited video of Romer s speech. We strongly suggest all our members play the videos and then encourage their family, friends and neighbors to do the same. September 2016 WEB Master pro bono SeniorsResourceGuide.com Karin Hall P.O. Box , Denver, CO Reproduction of newsletter provided by Ed Shackelford, REALTOR : Real Living CO Properties National Award Winner, Premier Service president@coloradoseniorlobby.org

2 LEGISLATION BEGINS WHEN THE FEAR OF DOING NOTHING AT ALL FINALLY TRUMPS THE TERROR OF DOING IT BADLY, OR NOT AT ALL. Paraphrased from Alain De Botton, author A SPECIAL THANKS TO COVENANT VILLAGE IN WESTMINSTER FOR HOSTING OUR EVENT We were honored to have Congressman Ed Perlmutter in attendance to give us a synopsis of Congress. He noted that there was some success with revising the Older American s Act, but that Colorado is still not benefitting to the extent it should, considering the rate of growth of its senior population. State Representative Dave Young (a member of the Joint Budget Committee {JBC}) also spoke. Colorado has a weak governor system. The JBC prepares the budget and the governor makes his recommendations. So it is a very important committee. There are three senators and three representatives. For each house: 2 from the majority party and one from the minority. Representative Young commented that one of the budget issues being reviewed by the JBC is the Senior Property Tax benefit (The Homestead Act.) The cost to the state last year was about $133,000,000. This is available to property owners 65 and older who have lived in their home for 10 or more years. This benefits homeowners, but not renters. It is available to all who comply with the age and length of residency requirements without any means restrictions. Pictured at left: Ed Shackelford, President, CSL Representative Dave Young, Bob Epstein, Chairman, CSL Pictured at left: Kip Bishop, Director CSL Kelly Horton, Director CSL Kerri Bishop 2

The picture above starting on the left are: Moderator Rich Mauro DRCOG, Representative Coram, Senator Martinez Humenik, Representative Ginal,

3 This year we honored six legislators for their work on senior issues. Three are Republicans and three Democrats. We also presented a lifetime achievement award to Senator Pat Steadman. The picture above starting on the left are: Moderator Rich Mauro DRCOG, Representative Coram, Senator Martinez Humenik, Representative Ginal, Representative Landgraf, Senator Steadman, Senator Kefalas. Not present because of scheduling conflict: Representative Danielson: shown at left with Ed Shackelford. Ed Shackelford, Senator Kefalas Beb Epstein Legislators displaying their plaques of recognition 3

4 Representative Pettersen Representative Sias Representative Ginal Ed Shackelford Governor Romer Bev Shackelford Seth Greiner Director 4 Directors Ky Agnew and John Stoffel and audience.

5 Senator Martinez Huminek Ed Shackelford Jeanette Hensley, Director Ed Shackelford Left: Congressman Perlmutter Center: Westminster Mayor Herb Atchison Governor Romer Right: Jerry Pifer, Director of Constituent Services and Outreach for Perlmutter Seated: Vivian Stovall 5

6 & Bolts of Inﬂuencing Legisla on INFLUENCING LEGISLATION BY CONTACTING LEGISLATORS By David Barclay A B C D E WHO TO TALK TO WHEN YOU CAN T MEET WITH THEM ALL 1 Your friends in the legislature, first. 2 Your own legislator, second. 3 The committee(s) that is handling the bill, third and forth. 4 The kingpins for your issue, third and forth. MEETING WITH LEGISLATORS 1 The most effective way to meet with a legislator (with the most effective listed first). a Meet with legislator at his or her home. b Phone calls to his or her home. c Meet with the legislator at the statehouse. d Phone calls to the statehouse. 2 Contacts of little or no value. a Form letters. b Form s. WHEN TO MEET WITH LEGISLATORS 1 Don t contact your legislator only when you want action. a Meet with during interim. b For lunch or coffee. c Get acquainted socially, if possible. 2 Compliment when appropriate. COORDINATING YOUR CONTACT EFFORTS 1 Don t duplicate. Know what other members of your legislative advocate network are doing. Coordinate your efforts and divide up what needs to get done. 2 Send copies of your legislative correspondence to your coalition s legislative coordinator, and to the secretary. Report all contacts with legislators and what transpired. FOLLOWING BILLS WITHOUT BOTHERING LEGISLATORS Call the Colorado Senior Lobby. Alternatively: Go to coloradoseniorlobby.org. Under the heading Get Involved click on BILL SHEET. RULES FOR CONTACTING LEGISLATORS A B C D E BE PRACTICAL: Find out what can realistically be accomplished. BE AS BRIEF AND CONCISE AS POSSIBLE IN PRESENTING YOUR CASE. LEAVE BEHIND A ONE-PAGE OUTLINE SUMMARY of your position (also leave one with the administrative assistant). DO NOT THREATEN with political or voter retaliation. FOLLOW UP YOUR VISIT with a letter to the legislator. 6

7 SAVE THE DATE SENIOR DAY AT THE CAPITOL MARCH 15, 2017 This newsletter is intended for entertainment purposes only. Credit is given to the authors of various articles that are reprinted when the original author is known. Any omission of credit to an author is purely unintentional and should not be construed as plagiarism or literary theft. Copyright 2016 Colorado Senior Lobby. This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for legal, financial or tax advice. Any and all financial decisions and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a qualified attorney, financial advisor and/or CPA. We cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without proper financial, legal or tax advice. 7

8 Colorado Senior Lobby P. O. Box The ultimate folly is to think that something crucial to your welfare is being taken care of for you. Robert Brault, American operatic tenor Denver, CO Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have. Winston Churchill Go Green: Recycle This Newsletter! After you ve enjoyed our newsletter, please recycle it by passing it along to a family member, friend, neighbor or coworker. Colorado Senior Lobby Nonprofit, non-partisan, volunteer organization MEMBERSHIIP: Single $30 Family $40 Organization $75 $ Organizations: Attach three names and contact information Additional contribution to support our vision for seniors quality of life $ Total (This payment is not tax deductible) $ Name/Business/Organization: Address: Street City State Zip Code Phone: Home Business Cell: Address: Circle one: BILL ME or CHECK ENCLOSED payable Colorado Senior Lobby P. O. Box , Denver, CO DATE: Newsletter by or SNAIL MAIL Join or renew your membership online at8coloradoseniorlobby.org

ANNUAL MEETING AUGUST

ANNUAL MEETING AUGUST WEB Master pro bono SeniorsResourceGuide.com Karin Hall 303-794-0799 Chairman Bob Epstein 303-470-0438 President Ed Shackelford 720-353-3775 Treasurer Karin Hall 303-794-0799 Secretary Open Immediate Past