$2.00
Week of March 16, 2023
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
VOLUME 134 | ISSUE 34
Check out
SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS In this week’s paper!
Voters overwhelmingly reject Ballot Question 300 Both sides react to results BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
At the event, South Metro Fire Rescue recognized 19 Arapahoe County law enforcement officers for their efforts in helping save Bennett’s life. Sgt. Robert Chase, one of the first people to arrive on the scene of the emergency, was among those recognized. “It was clear that Shirley was
Littleton voters overwhelmingly rejected Ballot Question 300 in initial results on March 7. Unofficial results released at 9 p.m. showed 71% of voters opposing the measure, which proposed changes to the city charter’s sections about initiatives and referendums. Specifically, the measure would have reduced the signature threshold needed for citizen petitions that aim to add new laws or challenge ordinances. The measure would also have shortened the timeline for when special elections based on those petitions must be held. The ballot item started to take shape when a group of residents felt the city ignored their petition and votes regarding the rezoning of the Aspen Grove shopping center for new housing last year. John Marchetti, who is part of REVision Littleton, a group that led the ballot 300 petitioning efforts, said the measure came up as an effort to “increase (citizens’) ability to be heard by city council.” Opponents of the measure expressed concern that the measure would do the opposite, giving special interest groups an “outsize say” in the city while forcing expensive special elections that tend to have low voter turnout.
SEE THANK YOU, P12
SEE ELECTION, P15
Shirley Bennett hugs one of the Arapahoe County deputies who helped save her life when she went into cardiac arrest on Feb. 13. PHOTOS BY NINA JOSS
A ‘thank you’ from the heart Woman offers gratitude to those who saved her life at courthouse BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Shirley Bennett was going through the jury duty selection process at the Arapahoe County Courthouse when officials called a recess. She and other potential jurors walked into the hallway. “I remember walking outside (of the courtroom) and sitting on a bench,” Bennett said. “And I re-
member waking up four days later.” Between the moments she remembers, Bennett, who is 69, went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to the rapid response of dozens of court deputies and other bystanders on scene that day, she is alive to tell the story. On March 9, Bennett returned to the courthouse to express her gratitude to the first responders who saved her life in February by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. “I don’t know you all one by one or name by name, but I love you and appreciate you,” she said. “You’re in my prayers and you’re in my thoughts. I know we hear
the prayers and thoughts thing so much with all the tragedy and things that happen. But I mean that from my heart — no pun intended — that I love you, I appreciate you.” First responders
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 24
T S E B F THE O T S E B
2023
VOTE NOW through APRIL 15th LittletonIndependent.net