November 15, 2012
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 123, Issue 43
75 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlittletonnews.com
Fire study nears finish Veterans lined up behind the flags of their respective branches of service at Littleton’s World War II Memorial on Veterans Day. Photo by Jennifer Smith
Emotional rite honors veterans Community gathers at WWII Memorial By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com Despite the cold weather, church and a Broncos game, Littleton roused a proud battalion of residents to the World War II Memorial in Ketring Park at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, when Veterans Day has been observed since World War II. “Our gathering here is just one small spark in the flame of pride that glows across the nation today,” said Jack Woodman, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Pat Hannon Post 4666. Woodman thanked the veterans present, and those who were there only in spirit, for making America’s armed forces the most respected in the world. “They didn’t go to war because they loved fighting,” he said. “They felt called to be part of something larger than themselves.” Right on cue, three warplanes graced the crowd with a flyover, garnering cheers and thumbs-up from the boots on the ground. In one of them was a member of Littleton’s deep-rooted Trujillo family. Air Force Lt. Col. Pat Hanlon has flown an F-15 over the ceremony for the last several years. “We’re very proud,” said his aunt, Phyllis Trujillo. “We think it’s wonderful, and he’s doing a good job.” Michael Romero, commander of the
American Legion George C. Evans Post 103, said the tragedies of war are not without great benefits, having liberated slaves, stopped genocide and toppled terror around the world. “Without our veterans, America would not be America,” he said. Romero’s voice broke as he implored those present to always tend to the needs of the country’s vets. “Today’s tattered veteran in the street was yesterday’s toast of the town,” he reminded them. “We can do better. We must. … Remember that next time you see a homeless person in the street or a man in a wheelchair or a difficult co-worker that’s experiencing PTSD. … Nothing they ever do will eclipse their military service, and they do have the right stuff.”
Newell wins state Senate re-election bid Democrat will return to Colorado Senate By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com
State Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton, speaks at the Democratic election watch party in Aurora on Nov. 6, moments after the national race was called for President Obama. Photo by Ryan Boldrey POSTAL ADDRESS
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Democratic state Sen. Linda Newell kept her seat in the hotly contested District 26 race. Newell got 54 percent of the vote to 46 percent for Republican challenger Dave Kerber, according to unofficial results of the Nov. 6 election. “I’m just grateful that it was decisive enough that I don’t have to wait two weeks,” said Newell, a Littleton resident. “The people saw through the negativity, and they saw the spirit and the integrity of what we were doing in our campaign. I’m honored to continue to represent a purple district in a purple way.” Though only one candidate could win, they’re probably both glad the down-anddirty race is over. While the candidates themselves kept their ads positive, their backers did no such thing. Colorado Citizens for Accountable Government raised $800,000 it spent on ads suggesting Newell hates kids and didn’t pay her taxes. In turn, Coalition for Colorado’s Future raised more than $4.4 million to hint that Kerber hates Medicare and mammograms. “I do believe that in Colorado, we have a lot of very difficult problems we have to face,” Kerber said on Nov. 12. “The election Newell continues on Page 31
Councils will get results after finishing touches By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com
When it comes to what to do with Littleton’s and Englewood’s fire departments, opinions range from “hands off our fire station” to “merge police and public works too.” Representatives of Emergency Services Consulting International held forums in Englewood and Littleton last week to listen to the public before putting the finishing touches on their study. They’re looking at possibilities for sharing, consolidating or even merging the two departments. Results will be presented to the Englewood and Littleton city councils jointly on Dec. 10. “The amount of money that’s been available in the past is eroded; it’s not there,” said Jim Broman, ESCI associate. “And the cost of doing business has not followed the same path.” Broman and his boss, Martin Goughnour, were careful not to reveal any specific suggestions before presenting the final report to the two city councils, causing frustration for some attendees. But the two used a lot of words like “regionalization,” “cost avoidance,” “efficiencies” and “no longer sustainable” throughout both evenings. Asked whether jobs would be lost or stations closed, Goughnour said, “At this time, there is nothing in our work that suggests either of those.” Options on the table are doing nothing, forming a fire authority, linking with an existing authority, forming a new district, both departments annexing into Littleton Fire Protection District, forming an intergovernmental agreement between Littleton and Englewood, and Englewood contracting for services from Littleton. Goughnour said they’re all possible but not necessarily feasible. It’s possible some of those would require initial cost outlays or raising taxes for the long term. “I have a feeling this is a way to create another revenue stream for the city,” said Littleton’s Carol Brzeczek, Sunshine Boys activist. “It’s a shell game.” Pete Webb, Littleton resident and noted public-relations entrepreneur, enthusiastically supports consolidation. He worked on the new authority formed by Parker and South Metro Fire Rescue, and he sits on the new entity’s board. “The days of municipal fiefdoms should end,” he said. Englewood resident and former Dillon Valley Fire Protection District chief Jim Jordan said he sees both positives and negatives to change. “I think it will be OK as long as you get more people out in the trucks and not in the offices,” he said. “Our goal is to keep as many people on the street as possible,” said Broman. “There’s a very strong emphasis on that.”