Citizen Centennial 3.28.13
Centennial
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 19
March 29, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcentennialnews.com
City manager looks to build on first year Roads, business and community top Danielson’s list By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
Centennial City Manager John Danielson still hasn’t gotten over the view from his office at Centennial Plaza. Danielson, who is approaching his first anniversary with the city, describes his tenure so far as a “building block” year. Photo by Deborah Grigsby
In his first year as Centennial city manager, John Danielson has been the quiet engine behind the city’s movement toward its second decade as a vibrant, new municipality. The former interim city manager of Atherton, Calif., has reorganized city staff, made key hires and squeezed more than $250,000 back into the city coffers through vendor contract re-negotiation. “It’s been a good year,” said Danielson, who took the city’s helm May 1, 2012. “This has been a good council to work with, good community, and there have been very few really adversarial kinds of situations — which is always a good gauge of where you
stand.” Focused on the future of Colorado’s 10th most populous city, Danielson reiterated his commitment to leveraging Centennial’s core competencies, smart planning and creating a desirable place for both family and business.
Roads not sexy, but important
According to Danielson, the foundation of a great city rests on its infrastructure. “Roadways and infrastructure are the most valuable asset that a city will ever own by far,” he said. “Its value is in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and if you look not only at the cost of the asphalt, but at the underlying easement and utilities that are underneath, it’s a biggie.” Danielson said the city has committed to maintaining a consistent pavement maintenance index (PMI), a type of roadway condition snapshot, over the next 20 years. “Roadways aren’t sexy, but they’re necessary,” he said. “Sure, we’d all rather go buy a Danielson continues on Page 12
Two target council seat Whelan, Turner throw hats in ring during meeting By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com Two candidates have tossed hats in the ring to fill the seat vacated by termlimited District 4 City Councilmember Ron Weidmann. Democrat Charles “C.J.” Whelan, and Republican William Turner will vie for voter support in this year’s election, which will see four of eight city council seats up for grabs. Both announced their candidacy at a March 14 district meeting at the Smoky Hill Library in Centennial. Holding degrees from Whelan M.I.T in engineering and finance, Whelan is no stranger to city government, having served on the city’s budget committee, city manager search committee, the liquor licensing authority and the Centennial Council of Neighborhoods. Turner Safety, economic development and infrastructure top his list of priorities. “I want to continue to keep Centennial ranked among the safest cities in America,” said Whelan. “Ranking as the safest city in Colorado for eight straight years is a reflection of this value, and maintaining that means continuing a strong partnership with Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office and Cunningham Fire Protection District.” Whelan currently serves as the board president of the Cunningham Fire Protection District. For Whelan, a self-described serial entrepreneur, economic development and infrastructure go hand-in-hand. “We need to keep a focus on our aging infrastructure, meaning our roads, and Candidates continues on Page 9
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When not announcing guests at the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, Dex handles a few high-level tasks for chamber President John Brackney. Dex, a 14-month old Havanese, serves as the official door greeter and director of canine relations. Photos by Deborah Grigsby
Chamber dog digs chamber digs South Metro Denver pooch pampers staff, business partners By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews. com
S
ome posh offices have a door chime, alerting staff to arriving clients and customers. The South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce has something better. They have Dexter. Dex, as his friends call him, is the chamber’s 14-month-old Havanese director of canine relations. Less than 12 inches tall, the cream-colored furry ambassador wields the stature of a tiny field marshal, investigating every corner of the chamber’s
Dex is the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce official door greeter at the chamber’s spacious Streets at SouthGlenn office. Dex, short for Dexter, has been with the chamber for about a year. At left is Dave Wright, a marketing and visibility consultant, and at right is Taren Shuck-Boehler, a strategic events planner. Deborah Grigsby Streets at SouthGlenn office. Although he officially belongs to Taren Shuck-Boehler,
strategic events planner, Dex has officially become a member of the chamber staff, roam-
ing freely — relatively freely — around the office, welcoming guests and screening them for “turkey-flavored contraband.” Shuck-Boehler said it all began when she began bringing Dex to the office just a couple of days per week. “But then people began to ask about him when he wasn’t here,” she said. “Now, he’s part of the office and serves as the official door greeter.” A breed of Bichon, the Havanese is the national dog of Cuba and is known for its small but sturdy body type and ability to perform tricks. They are sometimes referred to as Cuban circus dogs. Fawned over by men and women alike, Dex commands attention much like a mini furcovered rock star. He’s very active in chamber Dex continues on Page 9