Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Job Fair - Thursday October 2

Thursday, Oct 2, 10am to 6pm

There will be a JOB FAIR for JACK IN THE BOX at the

N. Carefree and Powers area. (3690 New Center Point
Colorado Springs, Parking lot of JC Penny)



JACK IS BACK !!!!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

No "Retail Food Establishment" requirments for fund raisers

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT September 15, 2008

Last week, I was concerned that the acting director of the El Paso County Health Department tried to justify “Retail Food Establishment” inspections on a small volunteer fire district in House District 19. For over 37 years, Hanover has enjoyed sponsoring a monthly community breakfast to help the fire district raise money for equipment that is essential to safe lives and property in El Paso County. And now it appears as if the El Paso County Health Department was trying to require “Retail Food Establishment” inspections of these non-profit, community based breakfasts.

Mandating “Retail Food Establishment” practices on a once-a-month non-profit fundraiser is ridiculous! Clearly, I felt the El Paso County Health Department was misinterpreting the law. This disagreement of policy between the local health department acting director and locally elected officials needed immediate clarification by the State Health Department.

When I notified The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in Denver of this local policy, they were very concerned the El Paso County Health Department was over stepping it’s authority. They contacted the El Paso County Health Department and stated they had NO jurisdiction in these cases. Upon my request the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment notified the El Paso County Health Department of their gross misinterpretation of the law.

In a letter dated September 9, 2008 by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, it states the El Paso County Health Department DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY to mandate “Retail Food Establishment” inspections on nonprofit and charitable organizations and referred the local health department to The Food Protection Act, C.R.S. 25-4-1602, which basically states;

The donation, preparation, sale or service of food by a nonprofit or charitable organization in conjunction with an event or is exempt from “Retail food establishment” inspections.

I appreciate the media allowing me to set the record straight. It is reassuring that the state law reflects a common sense approach to these types of events. Our district relies heavily on these important organizations for firefighting, search & rescue, faith based services and community support. Please join us at the next Hanover Fire Department Breakfast, Sunday October 12th from 7:00 to 10:00 am, to support this wonderful community based event.

Respectfully,
Marsha Looper
Colorado State Representative HD#19
Email-MarshaLooper@gmail.com, Website: WWW.GOMARSHA.ORG, 719-238-5600

Mike Merrifield Receives Honor from Colorado Community College System

Today, Dr. Nancy McCallin, president of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) announced the selection of Representative Mike Merrifield (D-Colorado Springs) as one of four Legislators of the Year for 2008.

Each year, CCCS selects several legislators that have demonstrated a strong advocacy for the issues that affect community colleges from a policy standpoint and funding needs. To recognize those efforts, the legislators are invited to the presentation of the awards at the September meeting of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education, the CCCS governing board.

“Representative Merrifield’s willingness to help community colleges to secure additional funds in his role as House sponsor of Senate Bill 08-85 shows that he is supportive and understanding of the vial role the colleges play in economic development and in improving peoples’ lives,” said McCallin. “This show of support merited our recognition of his efforts. Also, he has recently endorsed the Coloradans for Community Colleges ballot initiative, Amendment 50, showing his further support for the community colleges.” Senate Bill 08-85 was legislation that would have provided $16.3 million in additional funding for community colleges.

As chair of the House Education Committee, Rep. Merrifield also assisted in the passage of the Colorado Vocational Act legislation which was important to community colleges in aligning state law with federal changes and streamlining financial processes.

Other recipients for the 2008 award are Representative Cory Gardner (R-Yuma), Representative Buffie McFadyen (D-Pueblo), Senator Josh Penry (R-Grand Junction), and there is a special recognition for Senator Abel Tapia (D-Pueblo).

The Colorado Community College System comprises the state's largest system of higher education serving more than 107,000 students annually. CCCS oversees career and academic programs in the 13 state community colleges and career and technical programs in more than 160 school districts and seven other post-secondary institutions.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Colorado Contractors Association Announces New Representatives

CCA Press Release

Centennial, CO – The Colorado Contractors Association (CCA) has announced the selection of a new team of highly regarded government affairs experts to represent the association and its approximately 400 member companies across the state. Representing CCA will be: David Foster of Foster Graham Milstein Miller Calisher LLP; Ken Smith; Bill Skewes of CLS Public Affairs; and The Capstone Group LLC.

“We are enthusiastic about our new team,” said CCA Executive Director Tony Milo. “These
professionals are capable, passionate about their work and effective. We are confident they will work well with legislators, Governor Ritter’s administration and all stakeholders in helping to build bi-partisan consensus and a broad coalition of support for making strategic investments in Colorado’s rapidly deteriorating infrastructure and stagnant economy.” “With 126 structurally-deficient bridges, 40% of Colorado ’s highway system in poor condition and a host of other serious public infrastructure challenges, Colorado ’s consumers, commuters and business community no longer face some obscure quiet crisis,” said CCA Board President Don Hanneman of Castle Rock Construction. “ Colorado faces severe economic and public infrastructure maintenance challenges. We need the best possible team on the ground working with Governor Ritter’s administration, legislators, CDOT, RTD, local governments and Colorado’s congressional delegation to build consensus and problem-solve on a bi-partisan basis. This team’s capacity, strong relationships on both sides of the political aisle and record ofsuccess are well-suited for the job.”

“CCA is a full service association that works to protect its members’ interests on many fronts including business and labor issues, regulatory affairs, and funding for all infrastructure projects,” said CCA Vice President Joe O’Dea of Denver-based Concrete Express. “We believe this team has the wide array of experience and skills we need to be effective on all issues that impact CCA members.

Colorado Contractors Association was established in 1933 and is today comprised of
approximately 400 professional civil construction and public infrastructure
construction/maintenance companies and related equipment, materials, goods and service
providers throughout the State.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

6TH ANNUAL PPWFC CAREER FAIR

Colorado Springs, CO -- The Pikes Peak Workforce Center (PPWFC) today announces its 6TH Annual Career Fair. There is no cost for job seekers to attend.

WHAT: PPWFC Fall Career Fair

WHERE: Pikes Peak Workforce Center main office, 2306 E. Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80909

WHEN: The PPWFC Career Fair will take place over the course of three days, September 16, 17 and 18, 2008. Different employers and educational institutions will be present on each day.

WHO: For all job seekers who are registered with the Pikes Peak Workforce Center.

Companies and organizations that plan to attend and the date and time of their participation follow:

September 16, 8:00 a.m. to noon: ADD Staff, Stevens Transport, Westwood College, USAF Reserves
September 16, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: King Soopers, World Financial Group, Express Personnel, University of Phoenix
September 17, 8:00 a.m. to noon: HSS, City of Colorado Springs, CS Police Department, Intellitec College
September 17, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: HSS, Renewal by Anderson, World Financial Group, REI, L-3 Communications, University of Phoenix
September 18, 8:00 a.m. to noon: Wendy's, Chef's Catalog, University of Phoenix
September 18, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Colorado Army National Guard, US Truck Driving School, Swift Transportation

HOW: Job Seekers must be registered with PPWFC and must have a scan card to enter the Career Fair. To register, job seekers should go to at www.ppwfc.org, view the Tour of Services and then click on register for work at the bottom of the Tour of Services page. Once registered, job seekers can pick up a scan card the day of the event.

BOOTH SPACE: Booth space is still available for companies that want to participate. Please call Duke at 667-3839.


About PPWFC

The Pikes Peak Workforce Center supports business and promotes employment by providing market-driven solutions for our community to succeed in the global economy. PPWFC helps businesses solve their workforce-related business problems and helps residents with career transition. More information about the Pikes Peak Workforce Center can be found online at www.ppwfc.org.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

What's Happening With Spectranetics?

Opinion:

Spectranetics, a high tech medical device company in Colorado Springs, rebounded a bit from their 47 percent Thursday plunge after announcing they were cooperating with federal investigators from the FDA as well as ICE.

The company did not give a detailed explanation, only that the investigation involved parts purchased from and payments made to overseas interests.

This may be a tempest in a teapot. We'll have to wait and see. However, this is a company I've been aware of for many years and never felt compelled to invest in for a simple reason. The company puts out press releases almost daily, sometimes several in one day. This can be an overzealous PR department, but it also enables the "pump and dump" crowd among stock brokers. Even if the company is not complicit in any kind of scheme, brokers love press releases and can overstate their importance to seal the sale and help drive the price. For some types of companies, frequent press releases are warranted. For example, if you have 4,000 stores across the country, something of note is probably happening at at least one of them on any given day.

Companies with a handful of offices or one central location that make a public pronouncement every time they have a relatively good day are a red flag. Whether by design or by poor judgement, the practice can lead to a price that is a total disconnect from the company's actual value.

Maybe nothing dishonest or criminal has occurred at Spectranetics. That's the best case scenerio. But even with that, any hype that was built into the stock's price is gone for the foreseeable future.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Pikes Peak Urban League Relocates

From Denise Wisdom, President, Urban League of the Pikes Peak Region

The Urban League is moving to 1322 N Academy, Suite 201 (Office Building between Palmer Park and Galley - on the west side of N. Academy next to the US TaeKwondo Center. We appreciate all your patience during our move. We will return all phone calls and emails as soon as we can. We value our communication with you and we are grateful for all your support. Same phone number, fax number, and emails.