In the spring of 1997 Nike, Inc., a manufacturer of athletic shoes, considered developing to top of South Table Mountain. South Table Mountain is an 800-foot mesa just east of Golden. It appears on the right hand side of the above photograph.Nike had proposed a large office complex with the actual production of the shoes to continue in Southeast Asian sweatshops. Apparently, at the time Mayor Schenck's public and private positions were at odds with one another.
Below and to the left we reproduce Mayor Schenck's August, 1997, letter to the president of the Jefferson County Economic Council which was obtained through a Colorado Open Records Act request made by a member of the conservation group Save the Mesas.
To the right we reproduce the mayor's February, 1998, guest column in the Golden Transcript. We have taken the liberty of underlining the salient passages. Readers may draw their own conclusions.
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August 19, 1997
Sam Cassidy, President Jefferson Economic Council 1536 Cole Blvd., Suite 100 Golden, Colorado 80401-3413
Dear Sam: Thank you for the briefing on Company X's plans to build a major facility on South Table Mountain. The potential for an environmentally conscious company to develop that location is truly awesome! The City Manager, Planning and Development Director, and I are eager to bring the concept to reality. I am confident that when you authorize me to take this to the entire City Council, they will share our enthusiasm. As you know, Sam, I am only one of seven votes on the City Council, but I know how my colleagues have reacted to other business proposals and I can predict great support for this proposal which includes so many positive developments for the City. I can without any hesitancy, confidently predict that Company X will be very impressed with our annexation and planning systems which respect the democratic process without red tape or unnecessary delays. We recognize that clear, straight answers, delivered quickly are important to today's business. You may not always like the answers you receive but you will respect and understand our reasoning. Company X will enjoy working with the City of Golden. and I personally hope they select us as their new home.
Sincerely, Jan C. Schenck Mayor
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"I will not deny anyone due process." by Jan Schenck This column is solely my comments and observations. It is not representative of my fellow council persons. We (council) allow and respect each others' individual opinion. After reading all the hearing rumors, I feel it is time I express my position about the perceived issue of South Table Mountain. First, I cannot respond to anything of substance without a plan being before the council. Second, they (the group which even has a few attorneys involved) seem bound and determined that we should commit publicly to a statement that would throw us all into the courts and violate due process deserved by the landowners and the buyer (if there is one). Third, my belief has always been and will continue to be that every person deserves the opportunity to receive a fair and impartial hearing or judgment. I am sure you would want a fair and impartial process if your home or land was at jeopardy. Would you be willing to give up your front yard for a wider street without due process or just compensation? In the 10 years I have been serving on council we have always gone far beyond what is required to hear both sides of an issue and have even allowed at times a strong minority voice to help us in forming our decisions, but not without hearing all sides of an issue. The opportunity for fairness for everyone is in the process. Let's not remove that opportunity by denying either side their right guaranteed by our laws. The group "Just Don't Do It" would have us deny people their rights. And that to me is outrageous. I will not deny you or any person their rights. They would have you believe that landowners should either give away their property or sell to Open Space (possibly against their desires) all out of the kindness of their hearts. I ask you, if land was part of your family's future and your hard work, would you give it away? Yes, we all contribute to Open Space, but now that doesn't seem to be enough. Why is it that a group such as Just Don't Do It can't focus their energy in doing this community and themselves a positive service? Why is it they have not stuck it out all these years and sought funding through the feds, the state, the county, foundations or put more pressure on Jeffco Open Space or even worked out a reasonable land trade? Why is it all they want to do is expend energy threatening city staff and accusing everyone of wrong-doings? What has this group done to present a positive solution to the landowners or owners to make purchase or trade of this land possible?Where has this group been since the last concern they had was a mining operation? I have always encouraged volunteerism. Since I was old enough to flip pancakes and go door-to-door, I have been associated with or worked with many nonprofit organizations. I associated with these groups because they chose to have a positive impact on our communities and societies in which they serve. But, being a volunteer carries with it responsibility. A true volunteer, a genuinely concerned citizen, is willing to come forward and be part of the day-to-day process. He stays informed. He stays involved. He concerns himself with facts instead of rumors and takes the time to find out the differences. He seeks ongoing solutions. He doesn't just show up every furor five years with special interest groups to condemn others for how things are handled. My response: As long as I am on council, council and staff will continue to represent the city and its citizens to the best of their ability and within the laws of this great nation. I will not deny you or anyone their right to due process. I will continue to look after the city in a professional and ethical manner. And, I will continue to listen to all the citizens including the group. I would not presume to know the answers to my questions, and that is why I won't answer on someone else's behalf. Now with all this said, I feel much better.
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