Centennial
Citizen
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 48
A WET PATCH
October 19, 2012
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcentennialnews.com
School district turning to voters
Cherry Creek seeks $150 million total in two ballot measures By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
Phoebe Petrash, 4, loses control of her umbrella Oct. 13 during a rainy Saturday afternoon in the Littleton Museum pumpkin patch. The annual Harvest Festival and County Fair featured wagon rides, concessions, entertainment, old-fashioned games, a pig roast and fresh-pressed cider. The next fall-themed event at the museum is “Walking With the Dead,” an after-dark tour of the 1860s farm that will be held a few days before Halloween on Oct. 27. More information is available at www.littletongov.org/museum/events. Photo by Courtney Kuhlen | ckuhlen@ourcoloradonews.com
The Cherry Creek School District is asking voters for help in the form of a pair of ballot measures. One of those is 3A, a $125 million dollar school bond measure put forth by the school district seeking additional funding help for new construction, as well as upgrades in technology and security throughout the district. Specifically, ballot wording indicates the budget election would provide for operating expenses to maintain class size in kindergarten through 12th grade, provide curriculum and instruction necessary for success in college and the workplace, continue the district’s commitment to academic excellence and utilize technology to ensure student success in the 21st century. Another is 3B, a $25 million milllevy override the district thinks is necessary to keep class sizes from growing and fund instructional materials, among other things, according to district officials. School officials point to budget reductions and a growing student population as prime reasons for the initiative, citing having to operate on the same funding levels as the 2006-07 school year, despite adding 2,700 students. Combined, the two measures would cost the owner of home valued at $300,000 in the district about $8 per month, or $96 School continues on Page 9
Centennial honors its business all-stars
‘Best of ’ awards give nod to operations based in city
By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
The City of Centennial held its fifth annual Best of Centennial recognition dinner recently at The Embassy Suites, Denver Tech Center. More than 100 local business leaders, elected officials and staff were in attendance Oct. 10 to honor the companies and individuals who have made a contribution to their field and have a demonstrated continued commitment to the city.
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More than 100 local businesses were recognized with a cocktail reception and formal dinner, but only seven official awards were presented. The Citizens’ Choice award was presented to Nourish Family Center, a momowned and -operated small business specializing in lactation consulting, training and hand-picked retail products for families. Plastics Design and Manufacturing, makers of custom plastic components for high-tech industries including medical, aviation, technology hardware and food, was named Entrepreneur of the Year. The award for Environmental Stewardship went to Tagawa Gardens, and was presented by the Centennial Youth Commission. As part of its efforts toward environmental stewardship, Tagawa Gardens’ outreach department visits schools and teaches children the importance Best of continues on Page 9
Centennial founding father John Brackney is joined by Mayor Cathy Noon as he is honored with the Mayor’s Award of Excellence at the fifth annual Best of Centennial business recognition dinner, Oct. 10 at the Embassy Suites, Denver Tech Center. Photo by Deborah Grigsby