December 13, 2012
50 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwestminsternews.com
Group considers airport
Adams County and Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 68, Issue 8
HOMETOWN CELEBRATION
Resurrected committee addresses ongoing future development concerns By Darin Moriki
dmoriki@ourcoloradonews.com
Richard Cherrington, right, with Order of the Arrow (a branch of the Boy Scouts), grills brats and hot dogs during the Westminster Historical Society Hometown Christmas Dec. 6. Photo by Andy Carpenean
‘A beacon of light’ Menorah lighting ceremony dedicated to Jessica Ridgeway By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews. com At this year’s annual menorah lighting ceremony in Westminster, the tradition of lighting the lights for Chanukah, had more meaning than year’s past. The ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Jessica Ridgeway, the 10-year-old girl who was abducted and later killed in early October in Westminster. Sara Ridgeway, Jessica’s mother was in attendance and lit the center candle. “We don’t stamp out darkness with a broom but rather by lighting a candle,” said Rabbi Benjy Brackman with the Chabad of NW Metro Denver, who also organized the event. “And therefore the message of the menorah is for each of to remember Jessica by becoming a beacon of light to those around you and to society at
large.” Brackman said by dedicating the ceremony in Jessica’s memory, those feeling hurt and sadness because of her death will have the opportunity to remember beautiful memories of the little girl and feel strength during difficult times ahead. He said he hopes those who attended the ceremony will also do good deeds in her memory. “The soul lives on after a person has been deceased,” he said. “The way we nourish the soul is through good deeds.” Mayor Nancy McNally was in attendance and thanked the Ridgeway family for their ongoing strength during a tragic time. She said the ceremony is an opportunity for the community to come together and remember Jessica in a fun and positive way. “You are a strong family, what can I say,” she told the Ridgeway family. “You have nurtured this community and kept us strong at times where we haven’t known what to do. What an appropriate time tonight to remember Jessica with
POSTAL ADDRESS
Westminster Mayor Nancy McNally, left, and Sara Ridgeway smile after embracing during a menorah lighting ceremony on Sunday at The Orchard Town Center in Westminster. The ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Jessica Ridgeway, Sara’s daughter. Photo by Ashley Reimers the lighting of the menorah.” This was the 10th year the Chabad of NW Metro Denver hosted a menorah lighting ceremony in Westminster. The event at Orchard Town Center featured music from
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Steve Brodsky and traditional Chanukah fare of latkes and donuts was served. For more information on the Chabad of NW Metro Denver, visit www.thechabadhouse.com.
A meeting of about 30 to 35 Adams County and neighboring city officials convened last week for the first time in five years to address looming concerns about proposed development around Denver International Airport. Members of the Airport Coordinating Committee, including Westminster and Thornton officials, met in a two one-hour executive sessions to discuss future plans outlined by Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock in June to build an Aerotropolis and Airport City surrounding the 34,000 acre airport. Adams County Commissioner Erik Hansen, the designated interim Airport Coordinating Committee spokesman, said these concerns stem from alleged violations of a 1988 intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between Adams and Denver Counties to construct the airport city portion of the plan. That agreement spells out the creation of the Airport Coordinating Committee and restricts the development of “accessory uses,” confined to “only those land uses which are necessary for or directly related to the operation of the new airport,” such as parking structures and retail or concession space. The agreement also limits residential, commercial and industrial development to areas south of 72nd Avenue, and south and east of an open space buffer along Peña Boulevard, requiring Denver to actively limit development north and west of the buffer. Existing plans for Airport City Denver plans calls for the construction of five business clusters within a 9,000-acre area, targeting the bioscience, renewable energy, aviation and aerospace, logistics, industrial agriculture and perishable-foods industries. The proposal includes areas where the agreement restricts development. Hansen acknowledged the committee and Denver County “are united in the belief that we need to work together toward the common goal of economic development for the region,” but said more must be done. “I think the message is pretty clear,” Hansen said. “There were promises made in the 1988 IGA and we expect them to be kept, and we’re unified in making sure that economic development benefits the entire region.” The committee — consisting of Adams County, Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Thornton and Westminster officials — reinforced this commitment by unanimously passing a memorandum of understanding during the public portion of the meeting. The document spells out “a structure to carry out the purposes articulated in the original agreement” through collaborative discussions and open communication. “This is really very important to me that we are here all together in the best interest of Adams County,” outgoing Adams County Commissioner Alice Nichol said. “I’m really going away feeling good, because the mission was accomplished here in that we would all be united for a common cause for the citizens of Adams County.”