Be safe. Stay Strong.
Disturbed by Meyers
“I was quite disturbed in reading Robert Wallace Meyer’s “You want a riot! I’ll give you something to riot about! Mr. Meyer starts his column stating “Must we torch and loot a couple of great American cities each time a black person is killed by police, or even by another citizen in self-defense?”. Obviously, the answer is no, but posing the question is disingenuous and implies that the statements have truth. They do not. We do not torch and loot a couple of great American cities each time a black person is killed by police. The statement just inflames passions and promotes hate towards the other. There are presently major demonstrations which are predominantly peaceful and respectful. No doubt there are your young white and black vandals and provocateurs that are performing despicable acts, but they are very much in the minority and seem to only come out at night. The media will, because it sells, report and show violence as opposed to the almost totally peaceful protests. Black organizers have made efforts and continued strong statements opposing any violence or looting. The demonstrations are due to an indefensible
and senseless killing of a black man by police. Have you seen the video? Watch it. There is also the implication that if a black person is killed in self-defense, there are riots. What is Mr. Meyer’s proof of such? Mr. Meyer seems to desire to inflame passions and paranoia. He further states there should be a sober, measured evaluation of our laws rather than a lust for vengeance. Again Mr. Meyer attempts to inflame. Why are the protests considered a lust for vengeance as opposed to a desire for justice? It should be pointed out that there were no arrests of any of the police officers until after the protests commenced. Mr. Meyer does not seem to understand the institutionalized racism in our law enforcement system. This is not a partisan issue. There is a plethora of Republicans who support a change in the system, including former high-ranking military, who I dare say favor America. The last paragraph of his article states “We should favor candidates who favor America--You get the idea”. Unfortunately, I do.” Mark Lewis Englewood
Fatal accident clean-up interrupted by DUI arrest BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER
On June 3 at 6:07 p.m., Greenwood Village police (GVPD) received numerous 9-1-1 calls about a multi-vehicle accident on northbound I-25 just past the Arapahoe Road exit. Seven vehicles were involved including two motorcycles. One of the motorcyclists was declared deceased at the scene and the other one passed away in the hospital the following day. GVPD is still completing its investigation of the accident and has not released any further information. I-25 northbound was closed from Dry Creek Road to Orchard Road for several hours to allow GVPD officers to process the seven-vehicle fatal crash. While they were doing so, at approximately 8:30 p.m., they noticed a dark-colored Chevrolet driving directly toward the accident scene. Multiple police vehicles with red and blue lights flashing were all around. It is unknown how the driver was able to access the interstate since it was fully closed. When officers contacted the male driver of the Chevrolet, he identified himself as a police officer with the Denver Police Department. GVPD officers recognized signs of intoxication and began the process of a DUI investigation. They soon discovered that the driver was in possession of a hand gun while intoxicated and open containers of alcohol were inside the car, which turned out to be an unmarked Denver Police vehicle. After completing their investigation, GVPD arrested Denver Police Sergeant Bryce Robert Jackson on charges of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Prohibited Use of Weapons,
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June 11, 2020 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 9
Careless Driving, and Open Alcoholic Container in a Motor Vehicle. Jackson was booked into the Arapahoe County Detention Center and GVPD resumed their investigation of the fatal accident. Michael Howanitz’s 18year old son Christian was driving one of the vehicles involved in the accident. Christian, who recently graduated from high school in Boulder and is going to play junior hockey, did not sustain any physical injuries but he “saw things an 18-year-old should not have to see,” his father told us (the motorcyclist who did not survive the impact). Howanitz explained that the accident occurred when a vehicle became disabled in the left lane on I-25 and the first two cars that came up behind it were able to stop, including the one Christian Howanitz was driving, but the third car was not able to stop, resulting in the high-speed crash and pile-up of five cars and two motorcycles. What Howanitz most wanted to share with The Villager was that “the level of professionalism, caring, kindness, and dignity for injured people and others that was shown by the Greenwood Village police officers was exemplary. I could not be more appreciative.” He was particularly complimentary of GVPD Officer Cristy Floerchinger, who was a lead officer at the accident scene. This father was especially grateful that police officers, despite dealing with a chaotic situation, were calm and thoughtful enough to immediately get someone to take his son away from the horrific site of the accident and stay with him. Fmiklin.villager@gmail. com
Tom Trent and his staff at Adame Travel have over 75 years of combined experience helping their clients plan great vacations. They understand that people want to do something that will be fun and also safe. The Villager reached out to him to get answers to the questions people might have as they consider their options. We asked, “Why use a travel agent when it’s easy to book online yourself?” Trent responded, “Why not? It doesn’t cost you anything and we are available 24/7 to help our clients. Look at what just happened. In today’s world, anything is possible. We had clients on an 18-day cruise to South America when the pandemic hit. It took ten days to get them home. We talked to that client multiple times per day. We coordinated with Celebrity to make sure they could get refills of their prescriptions. Celebrity was helpful but we were there to assist our client every step of the way with their individual needs.” Trent added, “We provide a lot of amenities. Our agency is part of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, which was established over 25 years ago and allows us to add amenities that aren’t otherwise available, including using American Express points. We are one of the relative few that believes in brick and mortar We have great online technology but we also have offices people can walk into and sit down. Our local office is at 8400 E. Prentice Avenue in Greenwood Village and we are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Of course, our phones are answered 24 hours a day and we have a mobile app and a website with a chat feature.” We asked Trent about travel insurance. He said, “Insurance is something that I’ve always believed in very strongly. It covers medical expenses if a traveler becomes ill with COVID-19 while on their trip. Trip cancellation and interruption benefits are also included due to the traveler becoming ill with COVID-19 either before or during their trip. Cancel at any time coverage used to be good enough to get 80% back but may not if it’s COVID related. All the insurance companies are still trying to work out how to handle issues around this virus. It is im-
portant to have a travel agent who can get answers to those sorts of questions for you.” Where to go? For maximum safety, many who are traveling this year are heading to destinations in the United States. “We’re seeing some segments of the U.S. market that are very strong. There is renewed interest in travel to Canada for hiking and national park travel. We also have a few tour providers who put together unique, personalized trips to places on the east coast like colonial America, Washington D.C. and throughout New England. People are even taking another look at train travel with bedroom compartments.” he told us. “Las Vegas hotels and casinos have begun to open up. They have robust policies to ensure social distancing and cleanliness.” Trent explained, “Like everyone else, we had many cancellations during the past few months, but we are seeing very strong bookings. Everyone in the travel industry, especially cruise lines, recognize that travelers need to feel safe or they are not going to come back.” Specific steps cruise lines are taking include strongly encouraging online check-in to minimize touch points at the cruise terminal, where medical staff will be in the building to evaluate anyone who shows a temperature of over 100.4 after checking it twice. For those who pass basic health screening, the abbreviated check-in process will be done with masks and social distancing. On board, buffet restaurants will no longer be self-service. Ship culinary staff will dish out all food and seating in the restaurants, as well as in activity areas, will include social distancing. Special air filtration systems are being added to ships to absorb airborne particles that could transmit virus. Health screenings will be conducted for guests upon returning to the ships from ports of call.” Mexican resorts are also starting to reopen, Trent told us. He explained, “Cancun largely escaped the COVID-19 pandemic. As they reopen, resorts are installing lots of plexiglass for added safety. If we don’t know exactly what is going on with a particular port or resort, we will find out and tell our clients before they book. Major properties in Mexico and Caribbean give people a greater sense of comfort.” Fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
The Villager welcomes Adame Travel as our contributing travel columnist! Stay tuned for their monthly travel tips LET’S GET YOU THERE BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE TODAY WITH THE HELP OF YOUR LAND AND CRUISE EXPERTS
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