Sentinel
LAKEWOOD 3.7.13
Lakewood
March 7, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlakewoodnews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 89, Issue 30
Mayor looks to future in State of City W Rail Line key to new opportunities By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com
Mark Kelly speaks to reporters during a state Capitol press conference that preceded testimony on several gun control measures. Kelly’s wife is former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was shot during a political event in Tucson, AZ. Following his remarks, the retired astronaut and Navy captain testified before the Senate’s State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, in support of a bill that would require universal background checks on all gun sales and transfers. Photo by Vic Vela
Gun-control bills advance Two sides stake out positions in lengthy hearing By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Seven Democratic-sponsored gun control bills passed state legislative committees on March 4, following a remarkable day where swarms of people filled the Capitol to make their voices heard on the most polarizing political issue of the session. The seven bills passed two Democraticcontrolled Senate committees on party-line votes, following lengthy hearings that often became emotional Report — and sometimes got a little rowdy. The first bill hearing began just after 10:30 a.m., with passage of the seventh and final bill of the day taking place about 12 hours later. There was plenty of buzz in and around the Capitol throughout much of the day — including honking vehicles that drove around the Capitol in circles all day long, in what was a grating display of displeasure from some opposed to the gun-control measures. Those in favor of the bills also made their opinions known before the hearings started. A press conference was held by gun violence victims and family members whose lives have been affected by mass shootings, all of whom called for tighter gun laws. One of them was Mark Kelly, the space shuttle commander and husband of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona. On Jan. 8, 2011, Giffords was seriously injured in a shooting rampage while she was hosting a constituent event outside a grocery store near Tucson. The shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, used a Glock 18 semiautomatic handgun to fire more than 30 rounds in a matter of seconds into the crowd, killing six people and injuring many. Loughner ended up pleading guilty to several federal charges and is now serving
Capitol
life in prison. After the press event, Kelly testified in support of House Bill 1229, which requires universal background checks for gun sales and transfers, telling members of the Senate’s State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee that the bill would help keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous people like Loughner. “Behind every victim lies a matrix of failure and inadequacy,” Kelly said, referring to issues such as poverty and mental health. “The breadth and complexity of gun violence is great. But that is not an excuse for inaction.” But Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, did not take up Kelly’s call for action. “Public policy should not be based on emotion,” Harvey said. “Public policy should be based on logic. Even if this (law) was in place in Arizona, it would not have stopped the shooter from getting the gun.”
Horns honk for firearms
Disputes of the Kelly and Harvey kind were hardly unique on March 4. All day long, through several hours of testimony and hallway conversations, there were point-counterpoints being made on a day of frenzied activity at the Capitol. The two large committee rooms that held the hearings — including the Old Supreme Court Chambers — felt more like phone booths for much of the day, as concerned citizens and members of the press packed the standing-room only affairs. That’s not to mention the phenomenal lines that wrapped around the committee rooms, which were full of Coloradans — predominantly Second Amendment advocates — who showed up well in advance of the first hearing in hopes of having a chance to testify. Mark Dunham of Conifer — who was sporting camouflage gear and an “I Vote Pro-Gun” sticker on his chest — was sitting alone in a hallway, after having arrived at the Capitol about 9:30 a.m. It was 1 p.m. in the afternoon when he spoke with a reporter, and he was still waiting for his name to be called. “This is nothing,” he said. “These are just the people who could make it today. There’s a lot more of us, and I plan to stay in here the whole day, until it concludes.” Meanwhile, there was wild theater go-
ing on outside the Capitol. Vehicles made continuous circles around the building, with drivers who opposed the gun bills participating in what seemed like an endless horn-honking display. The blaring noise from outside was muffled, but was certainly audible from inside each of the committee hearing rooms. One of the vehicles, a large-sized truck, flew a Tea Party flag and the Stars and Stripes as it circled around, and around and around. “It’s just a zoo out there,” said Juliette Hidahl of Denver, who showed up in support of the legislation. “People driving around, blasting their horns. And it really bothers me, them driving around with big (American) flags on their cars, because it’s supposed to hang in glory.” As if that weren’t enough, a biplane flew above all the noise and hubbub, pulling behind it a sign intended for Gov. John Hickenlooper that read, “Hick, don’t take our guns.” As for the activity where all the action was taking place, committee chairpersons at times had to pound their gavels whenever applause or the occasional commentary rang out from members of the audience. One of the more lively encounters occurred during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, when committee member Sen. Jessie Ulibarri, D-Commerce City, asked Dudley Brown of the pro-gunrights group Rocky Mountain Gun Owners if the organization had ever donated money to any members of the Judiciary Committee. “Yes, senator,” Brown said. “And we’re going to give money to your opponents, too.” Brown’s comment was followed by applause from the audience, and a pounding of the gavel from the committee chairwoman, Sen. Lucia Guzman of Denver.
Bills moving forward
Each of the following seven gun-control bills passed their respective committees on March 4, on a 3-2 party-line vote. The bills are expected to go before the full Senate on March 8. Democrats hold a 20-15 voting edge in the upper chamber, but it remains to be seen how many members end up Guns continues on Page 17
Connect, collaborate and catalyze change. That was the theme for Mayor Bob Murphy’s annual State of the City address at the Denver West Sheraton Hotel Feb. 28. “This is the one chance we have to gather as business, government, education, nonprofit and faith-based communities to focus on and celebrate Lakewood,” Murphy told the audience. In his speech, Murphy celebrated the city’s accomplishments in 2012, while looking ahead to the future, especially in relation to all the changes that the W Rail Line will bring. Murphy began by examining both the positives and more difficult moments of 2012. “2012 was, in part, a year of exhaustive, roll-up-your-sleeves, legislative work,” he said. “2012 was also a year of unimaginable tragedy within our organization. On Nov. 9, Agent James Davies, a six-and-ahalf-year department veteran, lost his life in the line of duty.” Financially, Murphy said that Lakewood has never been stronger. In 2012 the city’s savings account reached its highest point in the city’s history, and it was the eighth year in a row that more money was added to the reserves. Some of the other changes Murphy touched on was the increase in graduation rates for Lakewood’s high schools, as well as Colorado Christian University’s new increased campus plan. When it came to discuss the future, the light rail was the keystone. “The West Line, or what RTD now calls the W Rail, is the place where our vision for Lakewood’s future begins,” he said. Murphy said the W Rail Line will not only increase residents ability to easily travel to Denver, but perhaps more importantly, will make it easier for others to travel to Lakewood. “Our real estate will be more accessible, adding to its value. We will have new options for shopping, entertainment, work and housing,” he said. “We’ll have more choices for where and how to live.” Some large, and international companies have been investing in Lakewood, like Terumo BCT, DaVita Clinical Research, EMP and Weston Solutions have all set up in the city, many near St. Anthony’s Hospital. The Lamar Station Crossing and Village at Oak Street are two examples Murphy listed of housing developments being built near the W Rail Line Putting more effort into areas now open to development thanks to the recently passed zoning code update is also a priority in improving the city’s future. “Let’s encourage live-work units, office, restaurants and housing along these busy corridors,” he said. “Not only will it bring new life, but it will also help preserve our single-family neighborhoods by steering this new urban-style development to more appropriate locations.” Mayor continues on Page 17
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.