[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E961-E962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO RONALD A. HELLBUSCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Ronald A. Hellbusch, Director of Public Works and Utilities for the 
City of Westminster, Colorado. Ron is retiring after 32 years with the 
City. Combined with the 16 years as the City Manager of Brighton, 
Colorado, Ron has provided 48 years of dedicated service to these 
northern Denver communities.
  Ron began his career at the City of Westminster as a seasonal laborer 
in the street, water, sewer and park divisions while finishing high 
school and college. In 1960, he was appointed as the assistant city 
manager for the City of Westminster and was instrumental in developing 
the city's surface water supply system from its previous groundwater 
system when he was appointed water development coordinator by the City 
Council in 1963. Hellbusch left the City of Westminster in 1966 to 
serve as city manager for the City of Brighton, Colorado, where he 
served for 16 years.
  He resumed his career with the City of Westminster in 1984 as the 
Director of Public Works and Utilities, directing the water 
distribution and wastewater collection systems, water and wastewater 
treatment, water supply acquisition, long range water supply planning 
and development, street operations and maintenance, street replacement 
and rehabilitation, and concrete replacement. The Department of Public 
Works and Utilities has 128 authorized employees, has an annual 
operating budget of more than $24 million, and a capital improvement 
project budget of approximately $7 million annually.
  In 1996, Ron was selected as one of the American Public Works 
Association's 1996 Top Ten Public Works Leaders for his outstanding 
contributions to the public works profession. Ron also received the 
William E. Korbitz Award presented by the Colorado Chapter of the 
American Public Works Association at the 14th Annual Awards Luncheon in 
January 2000. He represented the city on various city and community 
groups including the Woman Creek Reservoir Authority Board, American 
Public Works Association Colorado Chapter and National Committees 
including the Leadership and Management Technical Committee, State 
Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) Roundtable Board Member, and the 
Colorado Water Congress serving as its president in 2003.
  In the community, Ron has served the Westminster Presbyterian Church 
as a ruling elder and as the chairman of the Church's corporate affairs 
committee. Also, Ron chaired the stewardship committee over a four-year 
period and was a Sunday school teacher. In addition to the Westminster 
church activities, Ron was active during his years in Brighton, 
Colorado, both in the Presbyterian Church and community.
  Ron's accomplishments with his Public Works and Utilities team 
include acquiring and developing a long-term, build-out water supply; 
the reclaimed water program; the completion of the Standley Lake dam 
renovation in collaboration with the cities of Northglenn and Thornton; 
employee driven quality service/competitive service program; the long-
term street improvement strategy plan; utility planning and funding; 
developing a highly motivated and skilled employee team; encouraging 
innovation in membrane water treatment; use of technology in utility 
planning; a department-wide maintenance management program; numerous 
intergovernmental and regional cooperative agreements on water and 
public works programs; outsourcing programs such as street sweeping an 
annual trash pickup; and employee success in numerous national awards 
for programs and facilities, including recognition by the American 
Public Works Association, American Water Works Association, Water 
Environment Federation and the Denver Regional Council of Governments.

  Ron has also been involved in the cleanup and closure of the former 
Rocky Flats nuclear

[[Page E962]]

weapons facility just west of Westminster. For the past couple of years 
he has represented the City on a number of issues associated with the 
cleanup of this site, protecting surrounding drinking water supplies, 
ensuring worker safety, and with the site's future use. He was an early 
and strong supporter of preserving the acres of open space and 
,vildlife habitat that exist on this site. He was instrumental in 
helping win the support of the neighboring communities for the Rocky 
Flats National Wildlife Refuge Act so that this site could become an 
asset not only to the citizens of Westminster, but all of the 
surrounding communities.
  Ron is an example of the important role that our local officials play 
in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for our Nation's 
citizens. His dedication to his community and collaboration with 
neighboring communities stands as a shining example of the rewards that 
come from such service--not only to the community leader, but the lives 
touched by that service.
  As Westminster City Manager Brent McFall stated, ``Ron Hellbusch has 
had a distinguished career with the City of Westminster and in the 
field of public works and utilities. He is nationally recognized as a 
leader in public works and as a water and wastewater provider. His 
shoes will be very hard to fill. We appreciate Ron's efforts over all 
these years on behalf of Westminster. He will be missed.''
  I join Manager McFall in those comments. In Ron's retirement letter 
to City Manager Brent McFall, he indicates that ``there are streams and 
lakes not fished, outdoors to explore, stories to write, vistas to 
photograph, music to enjoy, books not read and tennis games to play. . 
. it is time to retire.'' That may be true and I am envious of the 
opportunity he now has to enjoy those activities. But we cannot forget 
that Ron helped enhance the lives of people who live, work and raise a 
family right there in Westminster and Brighton.
  I wish Ron well in his retirement and know that he will stay engaged 
in community affairs no matter where his retirement may take him.

                          ____________________