A recall petition targeting Brighton Mayor Ken Kreutzer is currently undergoing signature verification by City Clerk Natalie Hoel.
The recall committee formed when the City Manager uncovered $70 million in overcharges on water bills to residents that may have gone into a slush-fund. The City Manager was subsequently fired after he uncovered the fund and revealed his findings in a public meeting. During this process, the Mayor and the City Council violated state open-meetings laws. This all led to the formation of the committee attempting to recall the Mayor.
We’ll see how this all plays out, but on the surface, it appears the City Manager was fired for doing his job and doing the right thing. This does not happen that often in government.
The Recall Brighton Mayor Committee collected 1,782 of the 1,136 signatures required to trigger a recall election. With that kind of cushion, it seems the recall petition will likely succeed.
The decision to launch a recall effort came after the firing of City Manager Philip Rodriguez, who uncovered the excess water fund money. Strangely, unspecified personal reasons were cited during his suspension and firing.
According to Rodriguez, it sounds like there is a gross level of corruption within the Brighton city government. Rodriguez claimed Brighton falsified debts, charged residents for fake projects, and handed out multi-million dollar contracts without a bid process.
These are concerning accusations coming from the city manager.
Rodriguez had this to say during a City Council meeting:
I know what I’m about to say, honestly, I could foresee myself losing my job over, but I’m going to say it anyway: we have had challenges in at least six city funds between the years of 2016 and 2017,” Rodriguez said in a council meeting July 2.
Former Brighton City Manager, Philip Rodriguez
Whether it actually comes down to corruption or just horrible mismanagement, the people of Brighton deserve answers. This fiasco clearly demonstrates the shortcomings of the government when it comes to setting budgets and following through on projects.
Yet, we see more and more politicians who want to regulate and control industries outside of their domain. Like admitted communist and Denver City Council member Candi Cdebaca, who believes we need wealth redistribution by “any means necessary.”
The City Council did eventually authorize a forensic audit of the budgeting process, but it may be too little too late. Only time will tell how much damage occurred due to the alleged corruption in the Brighton government.
Let us know what you think, and please share!
Remember to check back with the Colorado Citizen Press. We’re always looking for good stories. Please use our “Citizen Tip Line” early and often. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@COCitizenPress)!
While they are at it they need to check the Storm Water Department for Adams county and the way its funding is being used. I think it became a slush-fund too.