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December 13, 2013 North Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 12, Issue 49 A publication of
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Academy teaches the ins, outs of police work By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com
Children play on the train during the Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 7 at Westminster City Hall. The event featured the lighting of all lights and decorations and performances from the Mesa Mustang Chorale, Crown Pointe Academy Choir, Betty Adams Elementary Choir and the city of Westminster Dance Company. Photo by Ashley Reimers
Holiday tradition lights up City Hall By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com
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t was a cold and festive evening Saturday night during the Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Westminster City Hall. With temperatures hovering around just 7 degrees, people braved the weather to see the building come to life, illuminated by thousands of lights. “I love seeing all of the lights. It really is sight to see,” said Westminster resident Kathy Andrews, who attended with her two small children. “Although it’s really cold tonight, we never miss this event.”
Outdoors activities included a fire pit, hay rides and the arrival of Santa by fire truck, but it was the indoor performances that stole the show. The Mesa Mustang Chorale, Crown Pointe Academy Choir, Betty Adams Elementary Choir and the city of Westminster Dance Company all performed in the council chambers, filling the building with holiday spirit. In the lower level of city hall, children took photos with Santa and the Colorado Chorale performed. Mayor Herb Atchison thanked residents for attending and mentioned the hard work of city employees in making the evening possible.
“This is the 26th year of this event; thank you to all of you who came out,” he said. “It was the hard work of our parks and recreation employees who got all of the lights ready for this event to happen. “ A couple performances were cancelled due to the cold temperatures, including a performance by the Standley Lake High School marching band, which normally leads the arrival of Santa in the fire truck; and music from carillonneur Robert Gift, who plays the bells in the city’s bell tower. The holiday lights will be on display in the evenings at city hall, 4800 West 92nd Ave., throughout December.
Police officers have a diverse job with many duties and responsibilities. The Westminster Police Department is offering the community a glimpse into their world in the next session of the Citizens Police Academy, coming up in January. The academy offers one-on-one contact with police officers and instructors during a 14-week program from Jan. 22 to April 23. Participants will learn the duties of a police officer through lectures and hands-on demonstrations. Topics to be covered include the SWAT team, K-9 unit, criminal law, police pursuits, arrest control, investigation and patrol procedures. Westminster investigator Kate Kazell said the goal of the academy is to promote citizen involvement in the community and familiarize the public with police functions. “We have a wide variety of people who attend the academy,” she said. “Some just want to get involved in their community, and some want to eventually pursue a career in law enforcement and want to learn more about what officers do. We just want the community to have the opportunity to have a better understanding of police work.” Kazell said the biggest benefit to the department and the officers is being able to educate the public, ending up with well-informed residents who can share their knowledge with friends and family. She said all the lectures are taught by officers or officer instructors who encourage feedback and questions from the community. “I think people are inherently curious as far as police functions and what we do,” she said. “The academy is probably the best way to get some insight on how the department operates.” Although much of the academy is lectures, Kazell said people will also have the opportunity to experience hands-on police duties, including mock traffic stops Police continues on Page 15
Seitz appointed to Westminster city council By Ashley Reimers
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com After a unanimous vote Monday night, Anita Seitz was chosen by Westminster council as the newest member to represent the city for the next two years, filling the vacant seat created by Herb Atchison’s election to mayor. The vote was part of a City Charter appointment process requiring the council to fill the vacancy within 30 days by a majority vote of the remaining members of city council to avoid a special election. Seitz was up against 13 other people who applied for the seat, each person interviewed by city council a week before the official vote. During a Dec. 2 study session, council discussed the candidates and took an unofficial poll to gain a consensus on the top two candidates council was leaning towards. Seitz and David Aragoni were unofficially polled as the top two candidates. Another poll was taken between Seitz and Aragoni and although Seitz name was
not said, it was clear who the council chose as their top candidate in the unofficial vote. “I think she is a very promising young lady and I think she’ll be an asset and will work well with the group,” Atchison said during the study session. “And although I think we had 14 viable candidates, I think some were better than others and I think the best rose to the occasion.” During Monday night’s meeting, no discussion was done before or after the official vote. After Seitz was sworn in by Westminster Municipal Judge John Stipech, she immediately took her seat, the meeting was adjourned and council reconvened as the Westminster Economic Development Authority. Seitz, who recently graduated with her MBA from Regis University and serves on the Board of the Colorado Association of Healthcare Executives, moved to Colorado in 1987, growing up in the Boulder area. She moved to Westminster in May of 2011 and said she fell in love with the city. She said it was her love of the amenities and
quality of life that inspired her to apply for city council. “I want to work with the city to promote everything it has to offer,” she said. “I’m excited to serve the city I love and I have every confidence I will be able to do that.” Seitz said due to her busy schedule this year finishing up her MBA, she chose not to run in the November election. Now that she’s graduated, the timing is right to serve on the council, she added. And although she has a short history in Westminster, Seitz believes that will be a benefit to council. “I think because I haven’t lived in Westminster for a long time, it gives me a new perspective to see things from a different vantage point,” she said. One person who doesn’t see the benefit is David DeMott, a longtime Westminster resident who ran in the November election and also applied for the vacant seat. He came in fifth place earning almost 7,200 votes. He said he was surprised by the unanimous vote because he knows very
little about Seitz, and wonders why city council chose a person who has only lived in Westminster for a couple years. “I don’t fully understand the choice. Who is Anita? I don’t know anything about her,” he said. “She could end up being a great choice, and I hope that she is. But I thought I was a good choice earning as many votes as I did and having support throughout the community during a solid campaign.” Councilman Alberto Garcia said Seitz was specular during her interview with incredible knowledge on the issues of Westminster. He said council was impressed with her ideas and her preparation coming into the interview.
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