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PAGE 2 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
Technology giveth and technology taketh away BY DOROTHY ROSBY
According to the manufacturers of Cascade dishwashing detergent, using a dishwasher to wash your dishes saves 30 minutes a day over handwashing them. I read a fascinating article on the subject while I was wandering around the internet today frittering away the half hour I’d just saved using my dishwasher. The author went on to say that we save 230 hours a year by letting our dishwashers do the work. I wasted another half hour trying to understand how saving 30 minutes a day washing dishes would save me 230 hours a year. It doesn’t add up, even when you count leap year. The only thing I can figure is that some dishwashers also clear the table, load and unload themselves and put the clean dishes away.
Mine doesn’t do any of that, but at least I have that extra half hour every time I use my dishwasher. The question is, what am I doing with it? And what am I doing with all the time my other modern conveniences are supposedly saving me? Theoretically I should have all sorts of free time to accomplish great things—or nap. I have a washer and dryer so I don’t have to spend entire afternoons beating my clothes on a rock and hanging them up to dry. My refrigerator defrosts itself so I don’t have to stand in front of it for hours with a hairdryer and an ice pick. Quicken saves me 10 or 15 hours every month balancing my checkbook. I know that sounds like a lot, but I’m not any better at math than the good people at Cascade are.
I even save time every day not tying my tennis shoes because they have Velcro fasteners. This is lucky because I spend so much time looking for them. I won’t try to tally up all the hours my modern conveniences are saving me because I can’t find my cellphone. Among its many timesaving apps is a builtin calculator which saves me a lot of time adding and subtracting—when I can find it. The point is, I should have a lot of extra time. So why don’t I? I can’t be spending it all looking for my cellphone and my tennis shoes. To make sense of it, I went to Google, that fount of all knowledge and time waster of epic proportions. I was horrified by what I found. One article said that if we’re average we
use two and a half hours every weekday going through our personal email. They didn’t break it down, but I estimate two hours and 20 minutes of that are spent deleting spam. One website claimed the average American spends more than two hours a day on social media which means social media has replaced solitaire as the most common way to avoid doing actual work on the computer. Another website said we spend just over three hours per day watching television and more than four and a half hours a week looking for our remotes. I didn’t make that up. That’s about 40 minutes a day looking for our remote if my math is correct. It may not be because I still haven’t found
New bicycle safety signs going up on state roadways
With bicycling season in full swing, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Bicycle Colorado are teaming up to remind motorists to give bicyclists their fair share of the roadway when traveling the state’s highways. Signs reminding drivers of Colorado’s “Three-Foot” law,
requiring motorists to give bicyclists at least three feet of space between the widest part of their vehicle and the widest part of the bicyclist, are being installed at various locations around the state, either as part of a road construction or sign replacement project. Drivers are allowed to cross a double yellow line to pass
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when it does not put oncoming traffic at risk. “These new highway signs are designed to remind drivers that they are legally required to maintain a safe space when passing people biking on a shared roadway,” said Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Studies indicate that regulatory signs for the three-foot law are much more effective at enhancing safety. They also help make it clear thatdrivers bear the responsibility for safely passing a bicyclist.”
my cellphone. I’m just lucky I have a dishwasher otherwise I wouldn’t have time to look for our remote. Suddenly I understood. When it comes to time, technology giveth and technology taketh away. And some technology taketh a lot more than it giveth. It only took all the time my dishwasher, washing machine and Velcro tennis shoes have saved me over the last month and a half to figure that out. Dorothy Rosby is the author of three books of humorous essays including Alexa’s a Spy and Other Things to Be Ticked off About, Humorous Essays on the Hassles of Our Time. Contact drosby@rushmore.com.
Thirty-five states currently have statues in place requiring at least a three-foot clearance between a motor vehicle and bicyclist. “We thank CDOT for making the change to the new State Law 3-Feet to Pass signage,” said Bicycle Colorado Director of Government Relations Piep van Heuven. “Words matter, and these signs leave no doubt about what is expected of drivers when passing bicyclists on any roadway - 3 feet of space, and no less. It’s exciting to see CDOT leading on best practices in bicycle safety signage.”
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June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 3
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Why is mental health being ignored?
Elected officials of both parties are reluctant to discuss or address a problem that is apparent almost daily in the news and during a visit to any large American city, namely wanton violence and shootings, and the plague of homelessness. They propose Band-aid solutions of banning scary-looking weapons or creating homeless camps to sweep the problem under the rug, but these so-called solutions ignore the root causes of these societal blights. The elephant in the room is mental health care in America, a problem that makes people uncomfortable and which they would rather not talk about. How bad is it? A Johns Hopkins University study found, “26% of Americans age 18 and older – about 1 in 4 adults – suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.” Is there any doubt that if 1 in 4 Americans suffered from breast cancer or AIDS, the attention currently devoted to these illnesses would increase by orders of magnitude? But with mental illness, society and elected officials yawn or awkwardly look the other way. Some of those suffering from severe mental illness should be hospitalized or institutionalized, particularly if they pose a risk to themselves or others. But psychiatric beds are in short supply, like so much else these days. According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, “By early 2016, the practice of closing state mental hospitals, often called ‘deinstitutionalization,’ had eliminated more than 96% of the last-resort beds that existed in the mid-1950s .” How does this affect homelessness? According to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, “Research shows that 71 percent of people experiencing homelessness have a mental illness or post-traumatic stress.” If quality mental health care is not available, self-care through street drugs becomes the only alternative. What about mass shooters? As Pew reports, “Roughly one-third of acts of mass violence — defined as crimes in which four or more people were killed — since the 1990s were committed by people with a serious mental illness.” A Stanford University reviewed 35 mass shooting cases and discovered that 28 of the shooters had a mental illness diagnosis, 80 percent. It’s not only mass shooters but other random violent crime. As the New York Post recently reported, a man diagnosed with paranoid schizo-
phrenia who does not take his medication regularly was arrested after brutally beating a cell phone store employee in PhoeBY BRIAN C. nix. Decades ago, JOONDEPH he would have been hospitalized or institutionalized if he was a danger to himself or others. Today he is free to terrorize people. What actions are government officials taking? For the homeless, “sweeps” or “cleanups” are the solution, shuffling the homeless out of downtown into the suburbs, as Denver officials are doing, ignoring the root problems, preferring a Band-aid covering a festering sore. Addressing shootings, Congress’s first reaction is to ban so-called “assault rifles,”
shrink magazine capacity, as well as raise the age limit for the legal purchase of firearms. They miss the irony that an 18-year-old can legally use far deadlier weapons than any civilian, as long as they are wearing a U.S. military uniform, but out of uniform, they are deemed incapable of owning a basic pistol. Until this becomes a national priority, creating a functional mental health care system that can identify, treat, and if necessary, hospitalize those who are mentally ill and dangerous or incapable of self-care, expect to see homelessness and mass shootings continue. It should not be that complicated unless these are problems elected officials prefer to use as campaign issues rather than actually solve them.
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ARAPAHOE COUNTY C NVERSATIONS
County offices closed In observance of the State’s Juneteenth holiday, all Arapahoe County offices will be closed on Monday, June 20.
Ballots are on their way! Keep an eye out for yours and return it by 7 p.m. on June 28. Your local, trusted source for election information.
Get your tickets now for Pictures on the Plains, Arapahoe County’s outdoor summer movie series at the Fairgrounds. Tickets are just $5 and include free popcorn, movie-themed activities for the entire family, and a movie under the stars. Featuring Jurassic Park (1993) on June 23, Jumanji (1995) on June 30, and Frozen (2013) on July 7. Brought to you in partnership with Arapahoe Libraries. Tickets and information at www.arapahoecountyfair.com/picturesontheplains Bike to Work Day June 22 Get ready to shift gears, hit the trails, and bike to work on June 22! Stop by our breakfast stations at the Arapahoe Road Trailhead and along the Mary Carter Greenway. Pick up a trail map, hot breakfast, cool swag, and more! Details and stations at www.arapahoegov.com/biketoworkday
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Visit arapahoegov.com/osmasterplan to read the DIVE summary report.
PAGE 4 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
Registered voters have received primary ballots along with plenty of surprising mail about Republican candidates distributed by Democratic sources. This is a result of mass mailing ballots to Democrats, Republicans, and Unaffiliated voters who vastly outnumber political party members. The Republicans have numerous primary contests, especially at the top level for U.S. senate and governor. Apparently Democrat leadership has been clever enough to capitalize on these numbers to attempt to influence who wins the GOP primary elections. Note the small disclamers on the political ads. This is something new with mass mailings and TV ads paid for by Democrat sources about Republican primary candidates. I’m not sure voters will figure this out and in some ways it may boost the identity of the winning GOP primary candidates, whomever comes out top line for the Nov. 8 election. The Democrat primary ballot is full of incumbents, with few primary contests, making that ballot shorter. The Republican ballot is full of primary contests that may be more exciting and challenging for unaffiliated voters. There are many unaffiliated voters that are turned off by current and past leadership, policies, Roe vs. Wade, immigration, inflation, and rising energy prices, especially gasoline and natural gas. In the past, only party members could vote in their own primary elections where candidates had to get delegates at the precinct level and then receive 30 percent of the votes at the county and state assemblies to be on the ballot or run by petition. (Conventions are only held every four years in presidential election years.) The GOP held their assembly in Colorado Springs April 9, and the Democrats had a
video on-line assembly due to lack of the top-level primary competition. I attended the Colorado Springs assembly and heard the many speeches, including eight candidates for Governor. Only two candidates, Greg Lopez, and Heidi Ganahl, made the final gubernatorial primary ballot with so many candidates splitting votes. Danielle Neuschwanger missed the ballot selection by only a few votes under 30 percent and is now running as a third-party candidate in November. Lopez garnered 34.03 percent of the votes to Ganahl’s 32.63 tally, a very close contest. Ganahl had already petitioned onto the primary ballot but also chose to go through the assembly process. Controversial Secretary of State candidate Tina Peters received top line vote with 61 percent of votes in spite of the Mesa County turmoil over 2020 voting machine issues where she challenged the voting machines accuracy. (Dick Wadhams, in Sunday’s Denver Post, blasted her candidacy.) Michael O’Donnell finished with 39 percent of the votes, making the primary ballot. Former Jeffco County Clerk, Pam Anderson, skipped the assembly, petitioning onto the ballot. The U.S. Senate race pitted Canon City state legislator Ron Hanks against five other major candidates. Hanks received top line at the assembly with the vote split receiving 39 percent, the only candidate to make the ballot. Senate candidate Joe O’Dea petitioned onto the primary ballot by statewide petition and skipped the assembly. He was present and campaigning at the event. Hanks had a large floor demonstration that was impressive for the 3772 delegates. Hanks has been a strong Trump supporter, along with Tina Peters.
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Trump appointee, and former Parker mayor, Greg Lopez, received top line votes over Heidi Ganahl, indicating that Trump supporters were in control of this GOP assembly. Now enter the recent mass mailing to unaffiliated voters this month. Apathy reigns, and the majority of “independent” voters have not been privy to the assemblies or precinct caucuses. How will unaffiliated candidates vote? There is a very competitive Arapahoe County race in District 2, pitting former Centennial city council member Mark Gotto against Arapahoe law enforcement officer, Jason Presley. (See their stories and ads in this week’s Villager.) We are not making any political endorsements in this primary election. I have long friendships with many of these candidates. Overall, we see well-qualified candidates on the primary ballot, and it will be up to party members and unaffiliated voters to select future candidates for the November 8 election conclusion. Seems that there is way too much emphasis on this year’s primary election that should have been handled by party leadership. So many candidates at the assembly has resulted in knocking off some very good candidates who should be on this year’s primary ballot. Some sidelights: Congressman Ken Buck (R-4) did not win top line in his eastern plains district and is facing a tough primary contest from Bob Lewis who appeared recently at the Arapahoe County GOP breakfast. Lewis made a strong appeal for support against the former Colorado GOP chair and incumbent congressman. Will Buck survive this primary challenger? You will see Cherry Creek high school and CU graduate Molly Lamar unopposed, seeking an at-large seat for state school board. With five other candidates for the United States Senate, only Ron Hanks was the sole survivor, receiving 39 percent of the 3772 delegate
votes cast. Arapahoe County favorite, Deborah Flora, failed to achieve the 30 percent level, falling short with 29 percent of the votes. Colorado Springs Olympian, Eli Bremmer, received 15 percent, and Ft. Collins real estate developer, Gino Campana, garnered 11 percent, Greg Moore and Peter Yu, at 3 percent each. Former Aurora city council member Republican Bob Roth is seeking election as a county commissioner candidate from Aurora District 4 to replace term-limited Democrat Nancy Jackson. He will be joined on the ticket by past Aurora mayor pro-tem Marsha Berzins seeking the Arapahoe County Treasurer’s position, replacing term- limited Sue Sandstrom. There will be candidates from both parties on the Nov. 8 ballot where there are incumbent office holders. There are many candidates seeking congressional seats and state office positions on the Nov. 8 ballot. Keep reading The Villager for further information on the election and primary contest winners. Subscriptions welcome. Call 303773-8313. Here is an explanation for ballot voting procedures: With the mail ballot system every registered voter in Arapahoe County will receive at least one ballot. Voters affiliated with the Democrat party will receive a Democrat ballot. Republican affiliates will receive a Republican ballot. Unaffiliated voters, who do not claim a preference, will receive a packet that includes both Democrat and Republican ballots. The voters may cast a ballot for only one of the party slates. The ballot can be mailed or dropped off at county drop box locations. Joan Lopez is Arapahoe County clerk and recorder; further election information can be obtained at www. arapahoevotes.gov
Office: 6972 S. Vine St., Suite 363, Centennial, CO 80122 • (303) 773-8313 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Arapahoe County, Colorado. (USPS 431-010) Published weekly by the Villager Publishing Co., Inc. 6972 S. Vine St., Suite 363, Centennial, CO 80122. Available for home or office delivery by U.S. Mail for $52 per year. Single copies available for $1 per issue. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID IN LITTLETON, CO. AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. A Colorado Statutory Publication CRS (197324-70 et al). Postmaster: Send address changes to The Villager, 6972 S. Vine St., Suite 363, Centennial, CO 80122 Deadlines: Display Advertising, Legal Notices, press releases, letters to the editor, 4:00 p.m. Friday. Classified Advertising, noon Monday.
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Gerri Sweeney gerri@villagerpublishing.com PUBLISHER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR Susan Sweeney Lanam 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com VICE PRESIDENT/MARKETING Sharon Sweeney sharon@villagerpublishing.com LEGALS Becky Osterwald legal@villagerpublishing.com NEWS EDITOR Gerri Sweeney 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER Freda Miklin fmiklin.villager@gmail.com 303-489-4900 REPORTER Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com FASHION & LIFESTYLE Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com DESIGN/PRODUCTION MANAGER Tom McTighe production@villagerpublishing.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Susan Lanam — 720-270-2018 susan@villagerpublishing.com Sharon Sweeney — 303-503-1388 Gerri Sweeney — 720-313-9751 gerri@villagerpublishing.com Scottie Iverson swan@denverswan.com Linda Kehr — 303-881-9469 linda@villagerpublishing.com Valerie LeVier — 303-773-8313 valerie@villagerpublishing.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Susan 720-270-2018 PHOTOGRAPHER Stefan Krusze — 303-717-8282 octaviangogoI@aol.com EDITORIAL COLUMNIST Robert Sweeney bsween1@aol.com The Villager is an award-winning, locally owned, independent newspaper. All letters to the editor must be signed. The contributor’s name, hometown and phone number must also accompany all letters to the editor for verification and we reserve the right to edit contributions for space. We attempt to verify all matters of fact but hold contributors liable for the content, accuracy and fairness of their contributions. All submissions become the property of The Villager and may be reused in any medium.
Reverend Martin Niemoller “In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak for me!”
2020 Member
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QUOTE of the WEEK Alwaysofbethe yourself, QUOTE WEEK express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it. – Bruce Lee
June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 5
Opinion
M
Some things are better in private any laws across the country
outline that sexual expression be done in private. Social norms of the past have reflected that sexual talk remain private. Most of us believe that children should be shielded from explicit sexual images. This is one of the areas we value as civilized behavior and human dignity and worth. After all, aren’t we, as humans, living in a higher biological order than animals? A topic worth noting is that private acts have public consequences. Reviewing social science literature, sexual relationships, although private, are not separated from the community at large. What people do in their private intimate lives affect families, taxpayers, and neighbors. The effects of sexual relationships have
consequences for schools, hospitals, law enforcement and social services. In a variety of ways, each of these government institutions must deal with the negative consequences of who had sex with whom and under what circumstances. Community health flourishes when responsible adults have sex only with the one they are publicly and forever committed to. This responsibility extends to employment, career building and involvement in the lives of their children. Early sexual activity in the lives of adolescents affects academic performance, graduation rates and future choices regarding life trajectories. We know from robust literature reviews that early sexual debut also affects behavior, and the mental and emotional health of adolescents. One way to operationalize
this is to think about choosing a school for your child. Would you, as a concerned and involved parent, choose a school where 90 percent of the children in that school are in father-absent homes? Or would you choose a school where most of the students reside in an intact 2-parent family structure? Why or why not? The answer is intuitive and self-evident. The relational status of people having sex within a given community also drives up the level of crime and safety. Take a local park, for example. Let’s say the park is utilized by families who take their children to picnic and play. On the other hand, what if the park is utilized by singles who utilize the park for “sex and go” encounters in the bathrooms or amorous play on blankets in full view of the public? Is that a park where the public would want to go? Why or why not? Child innocence and well-being is at stake when, as a culture, we condone
behaviors that should be private. Those who announce their sexual identity to children, whatever that identify is, is not healthy. Sexual preferences and attractions are a private matter for adults. Those who would have children participate in parades, dances, library readings and events about sexual preferences and attractions are not healthy
and is a sign that we do not value the innocence of children. Civilized societies must bridle sexual impulses, learn to self-regulate around this private behavior to honor our collective humanity, national character, and societal norms. The incredible power and goodness of human sexuality can be used to destroy a nation. Let’s work together to keep private things private. joneen@myrelationship center.org
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The constitution – Roe v. Wade revisited BY WILLIAM M. BANTA
Assume that a woman brought a case today challenging the constitutionality of a State statute outlawing her personal choice of an abortion. Assume further that the State law allowed abortions for preserving the mother’s health or life, but not for other reasons. That was Roe v. Wade in the original. Based on the United States Constitution, what should the Supreme Court of the United States do with such a case today? Since the Constitution has not been amended over abortion, the answer is that today’s Court should deal with the case the same way the Court in Roe v. Wade should have, but did not. The Constitution is the law that applies to any Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. The Constitution says that it is the
supreme law of the land and all American judges are required by oath or affirmation to support it. Based on the principles explained in The Federalist Papers, the Constitution is limited to what it says. The Federalist Papers also explain that while the Federal government has few (but important) national powers, State governments are the only general governments with broad powers over our personal lives. Therefore, if the Constitution does not delegate a power or case to the Federal government, then it belongs to the States or to the people themselves. To find out whether the United States Supreme Court should decide a case challenging a State law concerning abortion, we need only look at the Constitution. When we review the supreme law, we find noth-
ing about Federal power over abortions. Therefore, the Supreme Court would lack jurisdiction to decide such a case against a State law. Had the Supreme Court in the original Roe v. Wade followed the Constitution, the Court would not have taken it upon itself to decide Roe v. Wade. Instead, abortion laws and policies would have remained for each State and for the people to decide locally or individually for themselves. The United States Constitution is understandable and reliable in its application to legal issues. That is why the people ratified it as the supreme law of the land. Under the Constitution, Roe v. Wade was never for a Federal court to decide. Nor is it today. billbanta@msn.com Attorney
The Villager welcomes news tips and/ or photos & stories from our readers 303-773-8313 gerri@villagerpublishing.com
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PAGE 6 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
Annual Western Conservative Summit held at Gaylord Rockies Ticket sales for 2,000 attendees and 300,000 attending virtually representing all 50 states It was time to saddle up and ride for faith, family and freedom when the convention center at Gaylord Rockies opened its doors for the exciting two-day, two-night multi-faceted, showcase of superior, inspirational, fired up for a “Red Wave” speakers, awards, workshops, exhibits, book signings and sharing of conservative spirit! For 13 years, Centennial Institute, the nonpartisan, think tank of Colorado Christian University (CCU) has hosted this amazing gathering. In addition to local and state voices, officials from other states and nationally renowned spokespeople were welcomed and celebrated. Even local pastor of Brave Church – Jeff Schwarzentraub had a message.Former White House Press Secretary, serving President Donald Trump – Kayleigh McEnany closed out the Friday evening session. She mentioned that her dad and Van Jones had said: “Kayleigh, maybe you were made for a time such as this!” One of the best
political operatives of her generation Sarah Huckabee Sanders – candidate for Governor of Arkansas closed out Saturday evening. Many (including one woman form Texas) came to hear Frank Gaffney talk about the serious, comprehensive and dangerous threat to the U.S. from the Chinese Communist Party. Deb Schmidt from Greenwood Village told us that she and her husband attended several times because of their support of conservative values, CCU and this year especially to hear Tulsi Gabbard. Lis Coors, whose husband Jeff is on the CCU Board, puts together a group each year including some from their church. . The printed program alone was a valuable keepsake and fountain of information. The Straw Poll gleaned from participating attendees was fascinating as well. For president: 71.01% favored Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and 67.68% for former President Trump. No one else came close. For U.S. Senator – Ron Hanks scored 59.20% and Joe O’Dea 51.40%.For Colorado Governor – Heidi Ganahl 61.70% and Greg Lopez 47.90%.
LEFT: Nicole and Jeff Hunt (Director of Centennial Institute and CoChair of WCS) with his parents Janice and James Hunt
U.S. Congressman Ken Buck and former Coloradan Congressman Jim Banks of Indiana were on stage discussing Biden’s wide open border policies with radio personality Steffan Tubbs
U.S. Senate candidate Ron Hanks U.S. Senate candidate Joe O’Dea Photos by Scottie Iverson
ABOVE: Winner of the Armstrong Award (named for the late CCU President Bill Armstrong) - media man Cal Thomas, his wife CJ Thomas with CCU Board member Wil and Kristy Armstrong RIGHT: Colorado Christian University President Dr. Donald Sweeting (Co-Chair of WCS)
“We’re getting it right in Oklahoma – faith, family, freedom! Come visit.” – Governor Kevin Stitt “Colorado is broken and we have lost our moral compass. I am one for all of us!” – Greg Lopez, candidate for Governor
Former U.S. Congressman and Lt. Col. Allen West
June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 7
“This is our 1776 moment, our Matthew 5 obligation!” - Chad Connelly, proponent of registering voters in churches
Our nation’s leading advocate for education freedom – former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos
Taylor Dolan, Boo Dixon, Molly Lamar (running for state Board of Education) and Steven Monahan (running for CD 6 against Jason Crow)
Ian, a sophomore at CCU with his grandfather John Andrews – founder of Western Conservative Summit
“This year’s Summit was unique with females leading the conservative movement.” – Jeff Hunt, WCS Co-Chair
U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert drew crowds
Former Congresswoman and 2020 Democrat Party candidate for president Tulsi Gabbard
“It is such a time as this for all that we hold dear. I will trust you to make your own decisions!” - Heidi Ganahl, candidate for Governor
Former U.S. Senate candidate Deborah Flora and hubby Jonathan Flora
“If it’s given by God, no one can take it away!” – Jimmy Graham
Harry and Deb Schmidt of Greenwood Village
Biff Gore is on the CCU board and entertained both evenings
GenZ conservative Isabel Brown “GenZ is GenFree!”
“Freedom is worth fighting for!”America is worth fighting for!” – Congresswoman Lauren Boebert
The “Under 30 Speech Contest” winner Jessica Holmes
PAGE 8 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
“I am a Deputy Sheriff in Arapahoe County, not a politician. I consider myself to be one of you and I WILL BE YOUR VOICE for District 2.” – Jason Presley
VOTE FOR JASON PRESLEY FOR ARAPAHOE COUNTY COMMISSIONER To learn more, or to donate visit: presley4 commissioner.com Paid for by: Citizens for Jason Presley
a
June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 9
PAGE 14 | THE VILLAGER • June 2, 2022
Vote in the primary June 28th for Republican Joe O’Dea running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent all of Colorado To find out what Joe stands for visit:
www.joeodea.com Paid for by Joe O’Dea for Senate
Paid for by J
PAGE 10 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
GV Council votes 5-3 to stop issuing new permits for gun stores in city’s homes—each had their own reasons BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENT REPORTER
On June 6, after years of complaints from Greenwood Village residents about Tomcat Tactical operating a retail store selling high-grade firearms, including AR-15s and components for homemade guns, plus ammunition, in a residential home in GV, City Council Member Donna Johnston introduced an amendment to city code section 16-22-130 to prohibit any new retail sellers of firearms in homes in the city. It does not shut down any currently existing retail gun stores in GV homes, nor does it prohibit the sale of gun components or ammunition. When the vote was taken, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kerber of GV district two and both GV district one representatives, Dave Bullock and Paul Wiesner, voted against the code change and in favor of continuing to license new retail gun stores in GV homes. Council members Anne Ingebretsen, Donna Johnston, Tom Stahl, Judy Hilton and Libby Barnacle saw it differently. Their five votes were just enough to cause the change in the city code to be adopted on first reading. Before the code modification becomes law, it must be passed on second reading and signed by Mayor George Lantz, which cannot happen before July 11, the date of the next regular city council meeting. After Mayor Lantz made it clear to the audience that the council would only be discussing the proposed zoning code change “and not firearms in general,” fifteen citizens came up to speak. Twelve were GV residents who asked that the code change be passed. They were from all four city council voting districts. First to speak was Randall Spires, a resident of Sundance Hills for over 20 years. “I don’t agree with allowing anybody who’s already had this type of business selling weapons designed for the mass killing of human beings to be allowed.” He concluded with, “With ten mass shootings just this past weekend, these guns should not be sold anywhere in the country,
much less where I live.” Jackie Kirby, a resident of Orchard Hills 3, one of the people who has been trying to get the city council to address this problem for years, told the council that after the petition
Martin Berliner, a practicing attorney for 45 years and resident of GV district three, said, “The sale of guns and ammunition doesn’t belong in a residential area.” Voting district one resident
implied message is that Greenwood Village is unsafe and our police force so overwhelmed that citizens of Greenwood Village are left with little choice but to arm themselves with military grade firearms.” She
This ad from the Tomcat Tactical website is for an AR-15 rifle.
signed by 250 GV residents demanding action on Tomcat Tactical and residential gun shops was turned in to the city in February, “The threats that I received were frightening and disturbing and they came from all over.” Kirby pointed out that GV residents living near Tomcat Tactical didn’t feel safe and the fact that nothing has happened yet does not make it OK. Karen Chapman, a 30-year resident of GV who lives in voting district one, pointed to the large number of prohibitions and restrictions already in GV’s code for home businesses, including, “Restricting home day cares, prohibiting motor vehicle businesses, limiting porn shops to a specific commercial area, and outlawing marijuana businesses from the entire Village…. Nobody wants a commercial gun shop next door any more than a porn shop or a motor vehicle business.” She continued, “Firearm dealers are a high-value target for criminals with increasing rates of burglaries and robberies. The ATF reports that the number of firearms stolen from Colorado gun dealers in 2019 was 157 and it increased in 2020 by 18% to 186.” Pointing to the fact that, “This ordinance has nothing to do with the Second Amendment,” she quoted the late conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who said, in a decision, “Nothing in this opinion should be taken to cast doubt on laws imposing conditions… on the commercial sale of arms.”
Jeannine Snyder, who lives in GV district one, said she was very surprised that Tomcat Tactical was allowed to operate in close proximity to multiple Cherry Creek schools. Ralph Wileba, who lives in GV voting district two’s Greenwood Hills neighborhood, pointed out that, “If you’re going to go into a residential neighborhood and buy a gun, you’d want to test it out and make sure it works, which would be horrendous.” Gary Kleeman, a former GV City Council member, said, “We need our neighborhoods to feel safe and be safe. If you’re selling a gun in a neighborhood, somebody who doesn’t live in your neighborhood is leaving your neighborhood with a gun. Everyone who I’ve spoken to about this is flabbergasted. How is this possible?” He addressed the council, “Gun shops are a target of crime. You just talked about crime. More brazen robberies are happening all the time. They are more likely to happen at a gun shop than a quilt shop. I sincerely hope you vote yes on this ordinance.” Shannon Barbery, who lives in GV voting district one, said she opposed Section Two of the code change that grandfathers in existing businesses that sell firearms in GV homes because it, “specifically legitimatizes the activity that is the source of citizens’ concern.” She explained, “The retailer’s website features assault rifles, silencers, and short-barrel shotguns. The
noted that she did not agree with that, “But…High Plaines Elementary is located within 3,700 feet of the firearm retailer, and as recent and recurring events have shown, our schools have somehow and sadly become the targets of legally purchased, military-grade firearms. Greenwood Village citizens are seeking common sense safety measures and this is an opportunity for the council to acknowledge citizen concerns and govern accordingly.” Sam Winegrad, a resident of GV voting district one for over 20 years, pointed out that, “If you don’t pass this, GV will attract more home gun businesses. At what point do you stop it?” Chapman, Kirby, Berliner and Snyder all said that the code change should also prohibit new sellers of ammunition and/or components to build guns. One GV resident, Todd Fair, spoke against the code change, saying, “We haven’t had a problem with home-based gun businesses so I don’t think it’s appropriate to pass this ordinance.” Jason Pratt, the owner of Tomcat Tactical, which he operates from the home he rents at 9638 E. Powers Drive, spoke against the change in the code, telling the council that this issue was a test of its conviction, courage and leadership. He said he provides “unique services to women who are…intimidated about going to a firearms store.” He said he also sells to “high profile celebrities in the area
Moms Demand Action members were happy that GV will stop allowing new residential gun stores.
“My home has not been targeted… The likelihood of any kind of attempted burglary, they know that they will be met with extreme force if they come into my residence, unlike many of the other homes in my neighborhood.” – Jason Pratt, owner of Tomcat Tactical, operating out of a home in Greenwood Village
that don’t want to be seen or deal with the crowds of going to a local gun business.” On the subject of neighbors’ concerns, Pratt said, “This is not about whether or not it is in a residence. This is clearly against the rights of individuals that honor the laws,” adding, “Now, I have mounted no counterattack against this unwarranted attack against me, against my character, and against my service to this country. If I did, I think you would see a much larger crowd. I may pursue that, and I would encourage the City Council to maybe take some more time to consider this, and if you want, I can mount a counter work against this discriminatory action…I will pursue all legal options should this follow through.” Later, Dave Bullock asked Pratt if his home had “ever been targeted for a burglary?” Pratt responded, “My home has not been targeted…The likelihood of any kind of attempted burglary, they know that they will be met with extreme force if they come into my residence, unlike many of the other homes
June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 11
Wiesner, elected in district one seven months ago. He said that he believed his duty is to, “Pass laws and regulations that solve problems for safety and to protect individual liberty,” and he had concluded that, “I don’t find there’s any evidence that residential-based FFL (federal firearms license) sales lead to unsafe neighborhoods, more crime, or deleterious effects… This amendment is not going to reduce gun violence… There are other solutions. It does eliminate the individual freedoms of the homeowner and the customer that wants to go to this type of setting to purchase a gun”… Wiesner concluded, “I will vote no on this zoning amendment and I encourage you all (fellow council members) to do the same.” Dave Kerber, who represents GV voting district two and is Mayor Pro Tem, said, “People say it’s good to have police officers living in your neighborhood. Why? Because if there’s a problem, then the police officer goes and gets their gun and protects the neighborhood. I would make the same argument for federal firearms dealers. If their neighbor was at risk and there was gun fighting going on, I suspect that they would run toward the danger rather than away from it… Our police are good police, but friends, when seconds matter, they get there in minutes. And sometimes, you have to protect yourself. Sometimes you have to protect your neighbor…” Kerber continued, “None of us want to have people killed. None of us want to have our children at risk…We’re having a debate right now as to whether the answer is to make more gunfree zones and reduce weapons, or to give teachers an opportunity to defend themselves so that they don’t have to defend their children with their bodies.” That statement drew an undercurrent of jeers from the roomful of people who came to the meeting, many of whom were wearing Moms Demand Action red tee-shirts. One member of the audience said, audibly, to Kerber, “You just advocated vigilantism,” followed by, “Represent the will of your constituents. That’s why you were voted in.”
“Our police are good police, but friends, when seconds matter, they get there in minutes. And sometimes, you have to protect yourself. Sometimes you have to protect your neighbor.” – Dave Kerber, GV Mayor Pro Tem
Residents from every area of GV showed up for this meeting.
This ad from Tomcat Tactical’s website is for a component kit to make a Glock 9MM gun out of polymer, a component of plastic.
After Mayor Lantz restored order, Kerber continued, “My point is made…We’re passing an ordinance that doesn’t matter.” Focusing on the city’s zoning code, Kerber pointed out that Tomcat Tactical had not been shown to directly impact its neighbors by increasing traffic, making noise, etc. He said, “Many of you said you’d like to see he or his business go away…What’s next? Are we going to ban oil landmen because they’re engaged in a business that produces carbon dioxide, which will extinguish the planet? Why not? Are we going to ban builders who build abortion clinics? ...Whether I’m comfortable or not, how can I impose my values on someone else?... Sadly, in our history, we have had circumstances where people, good people, make the same arguments. It’s the same arguments that were made in the 1920s when the city councils and the homeowners associations banned Jews and Blacks. They said, oh, our property values will go down. I feel unsafe… We can’t just do what’s good for how we feel, what’s good for what we think family values are. We have to see, is there is an external harm to the neighborhood and the community that we can remedy?... I would urge that we not take this step, the first step to impose our personal emotional values on other people on zoning issues. Dave Bullock represents voting district one and is currently serving his last term on the council. He pointed out that the ordinance was going to pass,
since it already had five votes, so he planned to vote “on principle, not outcome.” His principle, he said, was his belief that, “Only one municipality in Colorado (having) passed a similar ordinance (to the one proposed) is telling,” referring to the City of Brighton. Bullock did not mention that the sale of firearms as a home occupation is also prohibited in Denver, according to the memo provided to GV by its outside expert in municipal law, Geoff Wilson, on March 21. Bullock agreed with his fellow district one representative, Wiesner, that the code change “does not solve a problem” and “won’t make our neighborhoods safer,” adding that he personally “knows a person who has 120 guns in his home” and, “If there’s ever a problem in a neighborhood, more than likely, (this person) is going to be part of the solution and not the problem.” Bullock concluded with, “If I’m trying to make common sense legislation and decisions as a council member, I have to remove the emotion of, is this going to reduce violence and mass shootings? The answer is no.” He noted that, despite the fact that most of the speakers that evening spoke in favor of the code change, he had heard from constituents who were against it. Pursuant to an open records act inquiry, The Villager received copies of all emails and voicemails received by the city and city council members that weren’t contained in the documents for the meeting. Six of those came from residents of GV district one. All six stated they were in favor of the code
change. Ten emails were from residents of GV district two. Nine of those supported the code change, as did all four emails sent by district three residents. The remaining three messages the city received were against the code change, however the sender did not include their address or say whether they lived in GV. District Three Council Member Donna Johnston pointed to the fact that Tomcat Tactical has an advertisement on Google Maps “that will pop up” if someone is looking for directions to her home or a house nearby, which neighbors feel negatively impacts their property values. She noted that neighbors and many on the city council were surprised to find out that “we allow commercial gun sales in neighborhoods.” Johnston continued, “Overwhelmingly, people do not want a commercial gun business in their neighborhood,” recommending that the city “just have commercial gun dealers in commercial areas.” Anne Ingebretsen, who represents GV voting district two, pointed out that it was longstanding GV policy that home businesses “needed to be in harmony with the residential areas.” She added, “I’ve been on this council for 13 years. I was shocked to find out that we had these businesses that were operating out of our residential areas. I think everybody on this dais was shocked to find that out.” Ingebretsen closed with, “I support this ordinance.” Libby Barnacle, who represents GV voting district three where Tomcat Tactical is located, said that she became aware of this issue when she was first campaigning for the city council in 2019. She said, “I believe in listening to my constituents… I want to keep my constituents happy… I absolutely support this ordinance as written and I also support the continued existence of Tomcat Tactical because… Mr. Pratt has not violated any laws and is a good neighbor, and I will vote accordingly.” Council Member Judy Hilton said, “I’m going to vote based on my emotions.… I was a high school principal when Columbine happened and I will
never forget it… I don’t believe that we are at terrific risk, but I don’t want to risk it.” She described the significant systems and procedures in place in the Cherry Creek School District and by Greenwood Village police to keep students safe. She credited Pratt and other gun sellers for following the law, but, she said, “The potential for harm is what bothers me. I don’t want the risk. If you were up close and personal with the 40% of 2,900 kids who came to school between April 20, 1999 and the end of that school year, scared out of their wits…” She described the procedures that school administrators like her followed during those weeks and said, “I will never get over it, and I just can’t run the risk.” Those words drew applause from the room. Tom Stahl, like Hilton, represents voting district four. He said, “This has been a huge topic in our area, district four, since before I ran for city council last summer.” He said that he would be proud to have Jason Pratt and his business as a nextdoor neighbor, but that, “Maybe the next person who started up a business might not be as qualified as he is.” Stahl said he would support the proposed code change. The12 letters to the city council that were included in the documents for the meeting were split two to one in favor of adopting the code change. Eight of the 12 letters all came from voting district one that is represented by Bullock and Wiesner. That group was split five to three in favor of the proposed change to the city code. Multiple residents of GV voting district three have told The Villager that, despite them having raised home firearm sales as an issue with their council members starting in 2019, no action was taken until it became an issue in the November 2021 city council election, followed by the submission of a petition asking the council to do something with 250 signatures from GV residents in February 2022. fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
PAGE 12 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 13
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PAGE 14 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
BE INFORMED Vote with confidence
Local GOP candidates are looking toward November BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENT REPORTER
State Rep. Rod Bockenfeld began his address at the June 1 meeting of the Arapahoe County Republican Breakfast Club by pointing to a book written by former presidential candidate Herman Cain in 2011, “They Think You’re Stupid.” Cain died in 2020 of complications from COVID-19. Bockenfeld described Governor Polis’ State of the State speech earlier this year as, “After three years of the most liberal policies that you could ever inflict upon a group of citizens in this state, the governor…talked like a fiscal conservative…because everything was falling apart
Bob Lewis is challenging U.S. Rep. Ken Buck in the June 28 GOP primary for CD4.
Caroline Cornell is the GOP candidate for Arapahoe County Clerk in November.
for the Democrats,” adding that the TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) refund that Coloradans usually get in February is being sent out be-
fore the November elections, “So that he can make you believe that...he’s giving you some money back.” Bockenfeld blamed Polis and the Democrats in the general assembly for SB22230, which he said “inflicted collective bargaining on your county governments.” That law, in its original form, would have allowed employees of local governments, public schools, colleges and universities, library districts, fire districts, and more, in addition to county employees, to organize. After the governor made it clear that he would not sign the law in that form if it passed, the bill was pared down significantly. The final form of the bill, which will go into effect on July 1, 2023, allows employees of counties with over 7,500 residents, except for Denver and Broomfield, to organize. However, it does not provide for binding arbitration, hence county commissioners cannot be forced to agree to union contracts. Home rule counties can also opt out of SB22230 by a vote of the people. Another criticism leveled by Bockenfeld against state government was its letting a $90 million contract to a company called Curative Labs for COVID testing in 2020, during the early months of the pandemic. On January 4, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety warning that Curative’s tests could produce a false negative result if not administered as instructed on its label. Two weeks later, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) announced it would no longer use Curative’s tests, based on the FDA advisement. Bockenfeld and others have alleged that Curative only got the Colorado contract because the owner of the company was a donor to Governor Polis. It was also reported that “an influential backer and investor in Curative Labs” was also a “financial donor for Democrats.” That report did not name
Paul Archer (R) is running for HD37, an open seat.
Rod Bockenfeld(R) is running for re-election in HD56.
Governor Polis, and after Curative received emergency approval for its COVID-19 tests from the FDA in 2020, multiple other states, including Florida, Texas, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Nevada, Delaware, Illinois, Oregon and California purchased and used their tests, in addition to Colorado. After the contract was canceled, CDPHE released information describing the steps it took to perform its due diligence prior to contracting with Curative. Several months after Curative’s tests stopped being used in Colorado, state Sen. Rob Woodward (R), asked the Legislative Audit Committee to perform an audit of the contract. That request failed on a 4-4 party line vote. Bockenfeld, who represents HD56, is currently the only member of the GOP who represents Arapahoe County in the House. He will be opposed by Kathleen Conway (D) in November. Other GOP candidates in the June primary and the November general election also spoke to the group. Bob Lewis, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Ken Buck (R) in CD 4, which includes Castle Rock and Parker, told the crowd that his platform consists of 1) energy independence; 2) food and agricultural independence, because “the federal government is interfering with our farmers and our ranchers;” and 3) parental independence, because “the government is not raising your kids with you.” He differentiated himself from the incumbent, saying, “His (U.S. Rep Ken Buck (R)) approach is to make sure he gets on certain types of committees and that he gets on FOX News,” whereas Lewis, if elected, would be closer to the residents of the district. Paul Archer (R), candidate for HD37, which includes Greenwood Village, said that Colorado has become “less and less friendly to families,” because the cost of living is too high and “our crime
wave—this place is not safe the way it used to be. I have kids in Idaho and Texas. I feel safer when I’m visiting them than I am here. We lead the nation in auto thefts. We lead the nation in bank robberies. We are number two in property theft. Our murder rate is at a 30-year high, and all of that is because of the policies of this governor and his Democratic legislature.” He continued, “In education… In many ways my kids did better when (the schools) were shut down and their moms were teaching them, than when the schools were open.” Archer will face economist Ruby Dickson (D) in November. Mark Gotto, candidate for the GOP nomination for Arapahoe County Commissioner district two, said he really cared about the county and would work hard to fix the high crime rate if elected. Gotto’s opponent in the June 28 GOP primary that is currently underway is Jason Presley, 17-year veteran Arapahoe County Deputy Sheriff who is also president of the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. The winner of the primary will compete with Jessica Campbell-Swanson (D) in November. Caroline Cornell (R), who is running against incumbent Joan Lopez (D) for Arapahoe County Clerk, told the crowd that Lopez recently said that only one percent of Coloradans are concerned about election integrity. Cornell said that she is a community leader and dedicated professional, and “Joan (Lopez) isn’t.” Cornell said she learned about customer service, an important part of the County Clerk’s responsibilities, when she worked at Sears, beginning at age 16. She suggested that ballots could be “posted online for free, so that if somebody has questions, they can pull them and count them,” as an example of how to improve accuracy and transparency in voting. fmiklin.villager@gmail. com
Photos by Freda Miklin
June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 15
BE INFORMED Vote with confidence
Mark Gotto and Jason Presley are running for Arapahoe County BOCC BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENT REPORTER
The five-person Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) manages county departments and administers services in the unincorporated portions of the county. They are responsible for roads, public safety, land use, and all other regular duties of local government in those parts of the county that aren’t part of a city or town. They also oversee public health policy throughout the county, along with the budget of elected county officials, including the District Attorney, County Clerk, Sheriff, Treasurer, Assessor and Coroner. Commissioners interact and coordinate services with federal, state and local officials on behalf of Arapahoe County and appoint members to multiple boards and commissions, including Arapahoe County Open Spaces, that provides revenue-sharing and individual grants for open space projects. The five commissioners each represent different geographic areas of Arapahoe County. They are elected in partisan races. This is considered to be a full-time job, as each commissioner manages one or more of the county’s operating departments, including finance, human resources and public works and development. According to the 2022 adopted budget, Arapahoe County’s five BOCC members will each earn $123,742 this year. BOCC members are elected for four-year terms and may serve up to three terms. District two Commissioner Nancy Sharpe and district four commissioner Nancy Jackson are completing their third term on the BOCC in 2022 thus are term-limited and cannot run for re-election. Mark Gotto and Jason Presley are running in the GOP primary on June 28 to be the designated Republican candidate for the position presently held by Nancy Sharpe on November 8. The Villager sat down with both of them this week. Mark Gotto is originally from Iowa and attended the University of South Dakota on a track scholarship. He was elected
Ting executive Mark Gotto is a candidate for the GOP nomination for Arapahoe County Commissioner District 2 on June 28.
to the Centennial City Council and served one term there from 2013 to 2017. During that time, the city engaged Ting Internet to install fiber optic cable throughout the city that made one gigabit of broadband service available to Centennial residents, who buy it directly from the company. Since January 2018, Gotto has served as Ting’s internet city manager and liaison for the City of Centennial. Gotto believes he will be ready to be an effective BOCC member on day one because “a city councilman is a training ground for county commissioner.” While on city council, he told us, “I acquired experience with finance, budgets, dealing with the Sheriff’s department, land use planning, zoning, roads and construction. It’s an executive-level position and I am an executive.” Arapahoe County, unlike most local governments, does not have a county manager. Gotto thinks that’s fine for now, depending on who is on the BOCC. His concern with having a county manager is, “When there is a manager, you can’t go to staff, you can’t do anything as a commissioner on your own without going through the manager. With my experience, I’d like the opportunity to manage and I think that would be best for the county. In the long term, though, I think it would be an advantage to have a county manager, as long as it makes sense financially.” The biggest challenge Gotto expects to face as a BOCC member is the formation of the new Arapahoe County Health Department. He does not want to repeat what he views as a mistake that
was made by Tri-County Health Department (TCHD). He explained, “In a crisis, one person (the executive director) had the autonomy to make all these decisions (regarding the pandemic).” He continued, “I never knew that an unelected board could force these policies on us, force decisions on us like masking.” Gotto believes, “The TCHD board failed. Their decision to force kids in school to mask at the second wave of COVID was wrong because the data started to come out that showed that there were a lot of variables involved, but they treated masks as the only way to beat this virus. It was hurting our kids in the schools. They should have let them learn and be together socially, instead of causing them to be academically and developmentally behind because of masks.” Going forward, Gotto feels that there should always be at least one county commissioner on the new Board of Health, along with a businessperson and someone from the field of education. The other important issue Gotto is concerned about is crime. He told us, “It’s the sheriff’s job and responsibility to drive down crime, but we run their budget. That’s how a county commissioner drives down crime. We hold them accountable for how they spend their money. It has to be a well-thought-out plan. I will look at the budget and see where our resources are being utilized today. Are they in the neighborhoods where there is the highest crime? Gotto believes the county needs a new jail but would help lead a better public information campaign than the one that failed to get voter approval in 2019. Jason Presley is from Kentucky and attended Murray State University before joining the United States Navy, where he became a hospital corpsman and spent most of the nearly ten years he served, attached to the Marine Corps. After serving, Presley returned to Colorado and became an Arapahoe County Deputy Sheriff. He has served in that job for 17 years and is currently president of the Arapahoe Coun-
Deputy Sheriff and Arapahoe County F.O.P. President Jason Presley is a candidate for the GOP nomination for Arapahoe County Commissioner District 2 on June 28.
ty Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. His campaign website contains the statement, “Born to Serve.” Presley told us that, in Arapahoe County, “The number one issue is the rise in crime.” He made it clear that, “I will support the Sheriff’s office no matter who the sheriff is, and I will support every municipal police department in this county.” Being in law enforcement, he explained, gives one an opportunity “to know what’s going on in the community and what people need.” As a county commissioner, he would work to increase the sheriff’s budget to get more officers on the street, which is a deterrent to crime. Presley is focused on bringing the theft of cars and catalytic converters under control. He also believes that many recent laws in our state favor the perpetrator, not the victim, and not law enforcement. He would work with the legislature to address that. Like his opponent, Presley believes that a new Arapahoe County Jail needs to get built, but in 2019, he said, “There weren’t enough study sessions and explanations before it was thrown on the ballot. If you’re asking for half a billion dollars, it takes more than just one year to explain it well enough that the public will support it.” Presley is not ready to say that there is an immediate need for a new courthouse, but expects that that will change as our population continues to grow. A major concern of Presley’s is whether there will be enough water to support the exploding
Primary Election June 28th
growth in eastern Arapahoe County. He believes new development should require the use of xeriscaping, as well as considering the use of turf. He pointed to the decline in water in Lake Mead and Lake Powell as indications that Colorado needs to act or it will face a huge water shortage within the next 20 years. Presley, too, does not believe that a county manager is needed. His view is that, “I know the area. I know the people. I know the problems. This is about the people. If they trust you enough to vote for you, it should be your responsibility to run the county,” adding, “We need more workers, not more managers.” Presley is concerned that the new Arapahoe County Health Department will be more expensive to operate than some people expect and could strain the county’s budget, so commissioners need to be vigilant. He is paying close attention to the bylaws that are being considered, including term limits for Board of Health members, and feels that he is prepared to help lead the effort. As part of his job doing community policing, Presley sees and interacts with many homeless people. We asked for his thoughts on that subject. He said, “For some, it’s a lifestyle choice. For others, it’s a mental health issue. Some have come upon hard times.” The solution? “We all need to work together to figure this out. Until we work together, it will continue to be a revolving problem that just moves from one jurisdiction to another.” On school safety, Presley explained that there are two school resource officers who are sheriff’s deputies assigned to every high school served by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office and one in every middle school. He would like to see one full-time deputy assigned to every elementary school, as well. Presley holds two advance certifications from the National Association of School Resource Officers. Both Mark Gotto and Jason Presley have vowed to support whichever of them wins the GOP nomination. Ballots for the June 28 primary have been sent out and must be received in the County Clerk’s office by election day in order to be counted. Registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters who live in Arapahoe County District Two will find this race on their ballot. fmiklin.villager@gmail.com
PAGE 16 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 17
Here’s hoping Avs-Lightning play clean hockey Now that the Stanley Cup Playoffs have reached their climactic series, I’m wondering if the Avalanche are in for more of the kind of punishment inflicted on them by Nashville, St. Louis and Edmonton. The best-of-seven with two-time Cup champ Tampa Bay will be bruising, for sure. That’s hockey, especially championship hockey. But Samuel Girard is done, out with a broken sternum, and Nazem Kadri is questionable, at best, after surgery on a thumb—both caused by vicious checks into the boards, one arguably clean, the other dirty. Also, Goalie Darcy Kuemper, No. 1 all season, missed several games, first because of a stick that—seemingly unintentionally—found its way inside his face mask during the Nashville series, then, in typical hockey fashion, an unspecified injury. And Andrew Cogliano is doubtful following surgery that was necessary after he blocked a shot with a hand against the Oilers. Will Tampa Bay decide, too, that the best hope of beating the Avs is by reducing their ranks? In that regard, hockey is a mystery to me. With players moving at often breakneck speed across the ice before crashing into one another, and pucks flying through the air faster than the fastest pitch in baseball, it is easily, in my opinion, the most dangerous of the four major sports (five, if you count soccer). And while the players willingly participate in, and often initiate, the mayhem, they’re
surprising gentlemen off the ice. An experience I had several years ago illustrates my point. I was writing a magazine piece about Jarome Iginla, who was in his second season with the Avs after a Hall of Fame-worthy career in Calgary. I attended a preseason practice and had to wait until he was off the ice to interview him. Standing in a hallway part of the time, I encountered numerous cleancut young men, all players, arriving for that practice. To amazement bordering on confusion, I was offered some kind of polite, respectful, cordial greeting by nearly every one of them. Unsolicited. I’ve mentioned this many times since then, often to those who know hockey players much better than I. Without exception, the reaction was some form of “What else would you expect?” or “I’m not surprised.” Seeking to reconcile my experience with the roughand-tumble play on the ice, I asked Iginla about it during our time together in the dressing room. “It’s just part of the game,” he said. “Nothing personal.” Remember that, as you watch the Avs and Lightning knock each other silly at high speed. All of that said, I do feel it would be a better game without the fighting. I realize that, just as many NASCAR fanatics attend the races hoping to see a spectacular crash, many hockey fans show up for the fisticuffs. And, like auto racing’s rabid followers, hockey faithful hope no one is seriously hurt.
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But really. Shouldn’t all of the clean, hard contact—emphasis on clean—be enough? I marvel at the ability of these guys to skate better than I can walk, much less dance, and their skill at handling a sliding puck with a curved stick while darting and racing around the rink. Their split-second decision-making in the face of such helter-skelter movement is unlike anything I’ve observed in any other sport. The way to stop fighting in hockey seems pretty simple to me: Throw a punch and you’re out of the game. And while they’re at it, eliminate the intentional assaults in the course of play, such as the one that has sidelined Nazem Kadri. Any player who initiates that kind of hit should be suspended for as long as the player he injured is unable to play. Will that ruin hockey? Diminish the intensity of games, especially in the Stanley Cup Playoffs? I don’t think so. To the contrary, I think it would make the game better because it would allow these incredibly gifted individuals to fully display their talents. And it would enable fans to focus on the wonder of everything the players do with skates on their feet and long sticks in their hands. Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron, who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in Game Seven of the 2011 finals against Vancouver, put it this way: “The intensity increases right away, from the first game of Round One all the way through . . . Every puck matters, and every battle matters. You can feel it, you can sense it, from the drop of the puck on . . . . It’s always a battle of will . . .” As for Colorado versus Tampa Bay, I, of course, hope the Avs prevail. And I think they will. I’m not a hockey savant, but they look faster and deeper, though TB’s goalie is nearly impregnable, and the defending champs have that experience. But more than a favorable outcome, I’m hoping for games devoid of fights and cheap shots. Denny Dressman is a veteran of 43 years in the newspaper business, including 25 at the Rocky Mountain News, where he began as executive sports editor. He is the author of 14 books, eight of them sports-related. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@ comcast.net.
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PAGE 18 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
How to choose a Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) policy and Wisconsin), Medigap plans, which are sold by private health insurers, are available to new enrollees in eight different standardized plans. These plans are labeled with the letters A, B, D, G, K, L, M and N, with two more, C and F, that are only available to those Dear Almost, eligible for Medicare BY JIM MILLER If you’re enrolling in before 2020. original Medicare, getPlan G is the most ting a supplemental policy (also popular policy among new enknown as Medigap insurance) rollees because it covers the most too is a smart idea because it will comprehensive range of benefits. help pay for things that aren’t Monthly premiums for Plan G covered by Medicare like copay- typically range between $100 ments, coinsurance and the Part and $300, depending on your A deductible. Here are some tips age and the state you reside in. If to help you choose an approprithat’s more than you’re willing ate plan. to pay, there are also high-deductible plans that have lower Medigap Plans premiums but impose higher outIn all but three states of-pocket costs. (Massachusetts, Minnesota, For more information on the
SAVVYSENIOR
Dear Savvy Senior, I’m planning to enroll in original Medicare in a few months and have been told I probably need to get a Medicare supplemental policy too. Can you offer any tips on selecting one? Almost 65
different types of plans and coverage details, including Medigap options in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, go to Medicare.gov/publications and type in “choosing a medigap policy” in the Keyword box, and download their 2022 guide. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask them to mail you a copy.
How to Choose
To pick a Medigap policy that works best for you, consider your health, family medical history and your budget. The differences among plans can be small and rather confusing. To help you choose, visit Medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans and type in your ZIP code. This will give you a list of the plans available in your area, their price ranges and the names, and contact information of companies that sell them. But to get specific pricing information, you’ll need to contact the carriers directly or call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program. See ShipHelp.org
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What is the order of payment of claims against an Estate? Under Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 15-12-805 regarding classification of claims, the allowed claims against the Estate of a decedent shall be paid by the Personal Representative in the following order: 1. Property held by or in the possession of the deceased person as a fiduciary or trustee of a trust, which shall include a resulting trust, as long as the reasonable expenses of administering such property and of investigation and determining such claim shall be paid from such property as determined by the Court; 2. Other costs and expenses of administration; 3. Reasonable funeral and burial, interment or cremation expenses; 4. Debts and taxes with preference under federal law; 5. Reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last illness of the decedent, including compensation of persons attending him or her; 6. Debts and taxes with preference under other laws of this state; 7. The claim of the depart-
or call 877-839-2675 for contact information. Since all Medigap policies with the same letter must cover the exact same benefits (it’s required by law), you should shop for the cheapest policy. You’ll get the best price if you sign up within six months after enrolling in Medicare Part B. During this open-enrollment period, an insurer cannot refuse to sell you a policy or charge you more because of your health. You also need to be aware of the pricing methods, which will affect your costs. Medigap policies are usually sold as either: “community-rated” where everyone in an area is charged the same premium regardless of age; “issue-age-rated” that is based on your age when you buy the policy, but will only increase due to inflation, not age; and “attained-age-rated,” that starts premiums low but increases as you age. Community-rate and issue-age-rated policies are the best options because they will save you money in the long run.
You can buy the plan directly from an insurance company, or you can work with a reputable insurance broker.
ment of health care policy and financing for the net amount of medical assistance, paid to or for the decedent; and 8. All other claims. No preference shall be given in the payment of any claim over any other claim of the same class, and a claim due and payable shall not be entitled to a preference over claims not due. All claims must be paid, or resolved, prior to any payment to beneficiaries or heirs. In determining how to make a claim against the estate of a deceased person, and in calculating the priority of the payment of claims, it is best to consult with an attorney experienced in probate matters.
your spouse’s behalf, even in an emergency. To avoid this problem and to help others care for you and to achieve your overall estate planning goals, the following documents create an effective medical/estate plan package: 1. Healthcare Power of Attorney; 2. General Financial Power of Attorney; 3. Advanced Directive for Medical/Surgical Treatment (“Living Will”); and 4. Will (or a Will with a Trust). Careful medical/estate planning should include preparation and signing of these documents, to accomplish your goals and protect you, both during your lifetime, and at the time of passing. The Power of Attorney documents allow you to designate those agents whom you authorize to help you on your behalf during your lifetime, and the Will/Trust documents allow you to nominate others to help with your estate after your passing, as well as to identify the beneficiaries and the distributions to them, to accomplish your estate planning goals.
What are the four key medical/estate plan documents you need now? Many of my clients have asked what are the critical documents needed, particularly in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simply being married does not give you the legal right to gain access to your spouse’s medical records or make medical decisions on
Drug Coverage
You also need to know that Medigap policies do not cover prescription drugs, so if you don’t have drug coverage, you’ll need to buy a separate Medicare Part D drug plan too. See Medicare.gov/plan-compare to compare plans. Also note that Medigap plans do not cover vision, dental care, hearing aids or long-term care.
Alternative Option
Instead of getting original Medicare, plus a Medigap policy and a separate Part D drug plan, you could sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan (see medicare. gov/plan-compare) that provides all-in-one coverage. These plans, which are sold by insurance companies, are generally available through HMOs and PPOs that require you to get your care within a network of doctors.
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June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 19
Eat, drink and dance like a Greek at the 55th Annual Greek Festival
C
ome eat, drink and dance like a Greek at the 2022 Denver Greek Festival, June 17, 18, and 19, on the grounds of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral (the big gold dome), located at Alameda and Leetsdale. For 55 years, the parishioners of the Assumption Cathedral have hosted the Denver Greek Festival and invited Coloradans to celebrate Greek culture, authentic homemade food, and dancing. Fun for all ages; enjoy live entertainment, sample delicious Greek foods, beers and wines. There will be live cooking demonstrations using recipes which have been handed down through the generations and are available in the Festival of Greek Flavors cook-
Festival features traditional Greek foods such as a gyros sandwich, souvlaki, pastistio, dolmathes, keftedes, and spanakoptia, as well as desserts including baklava, kourambiethes,
paximadia, and koulourakia.
book for sale at the festival so you can make your favorite Greek dishes at home. The festival will also offer a ‘mezes’ (Greek tapas) menu near the bar to keep the celebration going while everyone is dancing and enjoying Greek music. The Greek boutique will feature authentic Greek jewelry, clothing, Orthodox icons, and art, displaying the best of Greek artisans from around the country. Denver’s Greek
New this year, we are offering baklava ice cream as one of our dessert options in the Sweet Shop. Each cup of traditional Greek coffee is made-toorder, and we are offering frappes, a popular iced coffee drink in Greece. Ingredients this year are farm to table with local Colorado produce and meats! There will be live Greek music throughout the festival, as well as youth and adult dance performances on all three days, throughout the day. The Assumption Cathedral Choir will perform Hymns of the Orthodox Church and other Christian Music on both Saturday and Sunday in the Cathedral. Please check www.thegreek festival.com for exact times. Admission is $5.00 for an all-day pass, $3.00 for Seniors and children under 12 enter free. Admission tickets can be purchased on the website or at the door. The festival is open from 11:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. on Friday, 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 A.M. on Saturday, and from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Sunday. For more information, please visit the festival website at www.thegreek festival.com.
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PAGE 20 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
Rick Miranda named interim president of Colorado State University Board of Governors Announces Launch of National Search
The Board of Governors of the Colorado State University
System announced that Rick Miranda, chief academic officer for the CSU System, will serve as interim president of the CSU flagship campus in Fort Collins while the Board
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undertakes a national search for the 16th president of CSU. Miranda, who will assume the interim role July 1, will not apply for the permanent position. Miranda's appointment will ensure stability and help keep key initiatives moving forward on pace during the search process, Board of Governors chair Kim Jordan said. "Few people have the deep
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understanding of all aspects of CSU academics and operations that Dr. Miranda brings to the table," Jordan said. "He has a strong personal dedication to the people and programs that make CSU a great University, coupled with a deep commitment to ensuring the campus is welcoming for all Coloradans. The Board has great confidence in his ability to lead thoughtfully and maintain the University's momentum through the transition to a new president." The Board also moved to establish a Presidential Search Advisory Committee that will include faculty, staff, student, and community representation. The committee will provide input in development of a candidate profile, job description, and leadership statement that will be used in a national search that results in a qualified and diverse candidate pool. After identifying and interviewing applicants, the committee will recommend qualified candidates for consideration by the Board, which is the hiring authority. Miranda joined the CSU faculty in 1982 and served as provost and executive vice president for 12 years. He has also served as chief academic officer of the CSU System - which includes CSU Fort Collins, CSU Pueblo, CSU Global, and initiatives including the CSU Spur campus at
the National Western Center, CSU Todos Santos Center, Sturm Collaboration Campus, and CSU Mountain Campus since 2012. He earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics from the College of the Holy Cross and his Ph.D. in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Following postdoctoral appointments at the University of Chicago and the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, he joined the mathematics faculty at CSU. His administrative career started in 1997 when he became chair of the Department of Mathematics; it continued with his appointment as dean of the College of Natural Sciences in 2002. As provost, he helped launch and lead efforts to address persistent faculty salary equity issues and to improve compensation and benefits for adjunct faculty. He also was instrumental in implementing the Colorado Tuition Assistance Grant program, a signature scholarship program that ensures the lowest-income Coloradans can attend CSU without taking on excessive debt. After serving as provost and executive vice president from 2009 through July 2020, he returned to his faculty position as full professor of mathematics, in addition to his role as System CAO.
June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 21
Bebe Kleinman
Heather Signorelli, DO
Shawn Davis
Nancy Sharpe
Nancy Jackson
n June 14, the Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners announced the members of its Foundational Board of Health (BOH) who will be responsible for governance when the county’s new health department takes over all public health responsibilities from Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) on January 1, 2023. Those responsibilities will include hiring all employees for the new health department. The BOH will hold its first meeting on June 15 at 3:00 p.m. at the county’s Administration Building at 5334 S. Prince Street in Littleton. Making sure that BOH is completely transparent from the start, the meeting will be livestreamed through Legistar, as are BOCC meetings. The board will choose a chair and vicechair at its first meeting. It
also expects to approve bylaws and consider steps toward naming a public health executive director, as well as set a schedule for future meetings. Two county commissioners, Nancy Sharpe (R) and Nancy Jackson (D), who are in their twelfth and final year of service on the BOCC were each appointed to a one-year term to help the fledgling organization get off the ground. Appointed to three-year terms were Bebe Kleinman and Dr. Heather Signorelli. Shawn Davis was appointed to a five-year term. Bebe Kleinman is the CEO of Doctors Care, President of the Board of the Colorado Safety Net Collaborative, Vice-Chair of the South Metro Community Foundation, and a member of the City of Littleton Housing Task Force. She issued this statement about
her appointment: “I am passionate about supporting and creating a more equitable, just and fair society for all members of the community. I continue to innovate solutions to strengthen the nonprofit sector and ensure that everyone has the health care and health coverage they need to live happy and productive lives.” Dr. Heather Signorelli is a pathologist who serves as the Vice-President and Chief Laboratory Officer for HCA Healthcare, owner and operator of Sky Ridge Medical Center, Centennial Hospital, Swedish Medical Center, The Medical Center of Aurora, and four other major hospitals in metro Denver. She was in charge of the COVID-19 testing program for over 190 HCA hospitals around the country during the pandemic. Of her appointment, Dr. Signorelli said, “My main focus is to
help build a strong health board process that serves the community. I am passionate about all areas of the health of a community which extend well beyond COVID.” Shawn Davis is a commissioner of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) Health Equity Commission. He has worked in public health in Arapahoe County for two decades, including with TCHD. He is also a former commissioner of the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships. Said Davis, “I have a passion for addressing health, honesty, commitment to equity, and a personal commitment to making the community a better place to live. In this role, I hope to give input and voice to underserved populations in Arapahoe County.” As a member of the BOCC, Nancy Sharpe cur-
rently serves on the county’s Board of Social Services and has served on the Health and Human Services committee of Colorado Counties, Inc. As the mayor of Greenwood Village from 2003 to 2011, she acquired a deep understanding of public health. Nancy Jackson is the BOCC’s current liaison to TCHD and has focused much of her time on the issue of behavioral health for many years. Jackson also serves on the Board of Social Services of Arapahoe County and was a previous member of the Governor’s Behavioral Health Task Force. TCHD will continue to oversee public health in Arapahoe County for the rest of this year before the BOH takes over on January 1, 2023. fmiklin.villager@gmail. com
O
Arapahoe County announces its Foundational Board of Health
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PAGE 22 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
Legals
FIRST PLACE 2018 2017 FIRST
COUNTY TREASURER NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record in or to the said Premises and To Whom It May Concern, and more especially to JACK WELL CLARKE, CHUCK FARISH You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 1st day of November, 2018, A.D., the then County Treasurer of the County of Arapahoe, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to C.O.T.A. RESOURCES, INC., the following described real estate situate in the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado, to-wit: 3/3072ND INT IN M/R ONLY IN SE 1/4 & SE 1/4 NE 1/4 IN SEC 20-5-60 aka mineral rights as described in schedule 2061-00-0-99-808 and said County Treasurer issued a Certificate of Purchase therefore to C.O.T.A. RESOURCES, INC.; That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent general taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2017; That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of JACK WELL CLARKE for said year 2017; That said C.O.T.A. RESOURCES, INC., on the 23rd day of December, 2022, the present holder of said
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Gary L Perry, aka Gary Lynn Perry and Gary Perry, Deceased Case Number 22PR30603 All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe, County, Colorado or on or before October 10, 2022, or the claims may be forever barred. Tia Fears 2051 Glenkirk Drive Burlington, NC 27215 Published in The Villager First Publication: June 2, 2022 Last Publication: June 16, 2022 Legal # 10800 ___________________________ NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Carol L. Roper, aka Carol Louise Roper and Carol Roper, Deceased Case Number 22PR30602 All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to District Court of Arapahoe, County, Colorado or on or before October 3, 2022, or the claims may be forever barred. Gail Salazar 95 Abajo Drive Edgewood, NM 87015 Published in The Villager First Publication: June 2, 2022 Last Publication: June 16, 2022 Legal # 10801 ___________________________
Best Public Notice Section
PLACE — Best Section
Certificate, who has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate; That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said C.O.T.A. RESOURCES, INC., on or about the 12th day of October, 2022, A.D., unless the same has been redeemed. Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 3rd day of June, 2022, A.D. Sue Sandstrom Treasurer Arapahoe County Published in The Villager First Publication: June 9, 2022 Last Publication: June 23, 2022 Legal # 10802 ___________________________ NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record in or to the said Premises and To Whom It May Concern, and more especially to C J POWER, INA GROUP LLC You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 5th day of November, 2015, A.D., the then County Treasurer of the County of Arapahoe, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to RUC, LLC, the following described real
CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE ORDINANCE 12, SERIES 2022 A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE VACATING THE CITY’S INTEREST IN A PORTION OF THE CREST ROAD RIGHTOF-WAY LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, ARAPAHOE COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO
COURTS Arapahoe Juvenile Court Arapahoe County, Colorado 7325 S. Potomac St. Centennial, CO 80112 IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF: JEVONI AARON HORNBUCKLE FOR THE ADOPTION OF A CHILD The Court, having considered the Motion and Affidavit of the Petitioner(s), is satisfied that the Petitioner(s) has/ have used due diligence to obtain personal service on the Respondent(s) at any address available; and that such efforts have failed or efforts to obtain same would have been to no avail1 that the Respondent(s)
estate situate in the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado, to-wit: 1/88 INT IN M/R IN SE 1/4 SEC 34-5-62 (MINERAL RIGHTS ONLY) and said County Treasurer issued a Certificate of Purchase therefore to RUC, LLC; That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent general taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2014; That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of C J POWER for said year 2014; That said RUC, LLC, on the 23rd day of May, 2022, the present holder of said Certificate, who has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate; That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said RUC, LLC, on or about the 12th day of October, 2022, A.D., unless the same has been redeemed. Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 3rd day of June, 2022, A.D. Sue Sandstrom Treasurer Arapahoe County Published in The Villager First Publication: June 9, 2022 Last Publication: June 23, 2022 Legal # 10803 ___________________________ NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION Copies of the Ordinances are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours. Published in The Villager Published: June 16, 2022 Legal # 10808 ___________________________ CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE ORDINANCE 13, SERIES 2022 A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE AMENDING SECTION 16-3-20 OF ARTICLE
cannot be found for personal service, and that the address of the Respondent(s) remain(s) unknown. Therefore, the Motion is granted. The Court orders that the Petitioner(s) shall complete service by publication in a newspaper published in this county or as otherwise specified by the Court. Such publication shall be made as follows: Date: May 18, 2022 Dan Toussaint Judge Published in The Villager First Publication: May 26, 2022 Last Publication: June 23, 2022 Legal # 10794 _______________________
FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record in or to the said Premises and To Whom It May Concern, and more especially to ALVA REEVES AND DILLARD REEVES TRUSTEE, INA GROUP INC, BRYANT DANIEL SMITH You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 1st day of November, 2018, A.D., the then County Treasurer of the County of Arapahoe, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to MCCULLISS OIL & GAS INC., the following described real estate situate in the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado, to-wit: 1/176 INT IN M/R IN NE 1/4 284-62 aka mineral rights as described in schedule 1983-00-0-00-858 and said County Treasurer issued a Certificate of Purchase therefore to MCCULLISS OIL & GAS INC.; That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent general taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2017; That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of ALVA & DILLARD REEVES TRUSTEES for said year 2017; That said MCCULLISS OIL & GAS INC., on the 10th day of March, 2022, the present holder of said Certificate, who has made request upon the Treasurer of said County III OF CHAPTER 16 OF THE CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING RECREATIONAL STRUCTURE SETBACKS IN THE O-1, OPEN SPACE, PARK AND RECREATION AREA ZONE DISTRICT Copies of the Ordinances are on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours. Published in The Villager Published: June 16, 2022 Legal # 10809 ___________________________
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for a deed to said real estate; That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said MCCULLISS OIL & GAS INC., on or about the 19th day of October, 2022, A.D., unless the same has been redeemed. Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 10th day of June, 2022, A.D. Sue Sandstrom Treasurer Arapahoe County Published in The Villager First Publication: June 16, 2022 Last Publication: June 30, 2022 Legal # 10806 ___________________________ NOTICE OF PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AT TAX LIEN SALE AND OF APPLICATION FOR ISSUANCE OF TREASURER’S DEED To Every Person in Actual Possession or Occupancy of the hereinafter Described Land, Lot or Premises, and to the Person in Whose Name the same was Taxed or Specially Assessed, and to all Persons having an Interest or Title of Record in or to the said Premises and To Whom It May Concern, and more especially to JACK WELL CLARKE, CHUCK FARISH, JOSEPH HUSS You and each of you are hereby notified that on the 1st day of November, 2018, A.D., the then County Treasurer of the County of Arapahoe, in the State of Colorado, sold at public tax lien sale to MCCULLISS OIL & GAS INC., the following described real estate situate
GLENDALE CITY OF GLENDALE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE The following ordinance was passed before the City Council of the City of Glendale, Colorado, on the 7th day of June, 2022, and was ordered published by said Council: CITY OF GLENDALE, COLORADO ORDINANCE NO. 3 SERIES OF 2022 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
in the County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado, to-wit: 3/3072THS INT IN M/R ONLY IN SEC 32-5-60 aka Mineral Rights as described in schedule 2061-00-0-00-881 and said County Treasurer issued a Certificate of Purchase therefore to MCCULLISS OIL & GAS INC.; That said tax lien sale was made to satisfy the delinquent general taxes assessed against said real estate for the year 2017; That said real estate was taxed or specially assessed in the name(s) of JACK WELL CLARKE for said year 2017; That said MCCULLISS OIL & GAS INC., on the 11th day of March, 2022, the present holder of said Certificate, who has made request upon the Treasurer of said County for a deed to said real estate; That a Treasurer’s Deed will be issued for said real estate to the said MCCULLISS OIL & GAS INC., on or about the 19th day of OCTOBER, 2022, A.D., unless the same has been redeemed. Said property may be redeemed from said sale at any time prior to the actual execution of said Treasurer’s Deed. Witness my hand this 10th day of June, 2022, A.D. Sue Sandstrom Treasurer Arapahoe County Published in The Villager First Publication: June 16, 2022 Last Publication: June 30, 2022 Legal # 10807 ___________________________ GLENDALE, COLORADO, ADDING SECTIONS TO CHAPTER 3.20 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ENACT THE VOTER APPROVED MARIJUANA TAX WITH A COMMENCEMENT DATE OF AUGUST 1, 2022 A copy of the ordinance is on file at the office of the City Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours. Dated the 9th day of June, 2022 City of Glendale, Colorado Veronica Marvin, City Clerk Published in The Villager Published: June 16, 2022 Legal # 10810 ___________________________
SPECIAL DISTRICT HILLCREST WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING AND NOTICE AS TO PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO 2021 BUDGET June 21, 2022 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the HILLCREST WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT (the “District”) Arapahoe County, State of Colorado, will hold a regular meeting (the “Meeting”) 7:30 AM on June 21, 2022, at 7995 E. Prentice Avenue, Suite 103E, Greenwood Village, CO for the purpose of conducting such business as may come before the Board. The District requests that members of the public join and participate in the Board meeting
via telephone and/or video conference. The telephone conference may be joined by dialing +1 (720) 707-2699, Meeting ID: 813 1949 4126, passcode:582218. The audio/video conference may be joined using high speed Internet connection to: www. zoom. us/j/81319494126
at 7:30 AM on June 21, 2022. Any interested elector within the District may inspect the proposed budget and file or register any objections at any time prior to the final adoption of the 2021 budget amendment.
FURTHER, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed amended budget has been submitted to the District for the fiscal year of 2021.A copy of the proposed amended budget has been filed in the office of Community Resource Services of Colorado, where the same is open for public inspection. Such proposed amended budget will be considered at the meeting of the District to be held
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HILLCREST WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICT
The contributor’s name, hometown and phone number must accompany all letters to the editor for verification and we reserve the right to edit contributions for space. We attempt to verify all matters of fact but hold contributors liable for the content, accuracy and fairness of their contributions. Letters deadline 10 am Monday. Please limit to 300 words.
The meeting is open to the public.
By: Community Resource Services of Colorado, LLC Published in The Villager Published: June 16, 2022 Legal # 10811
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Submit your letters by email to: gerri@villagerpublishing.com 303-773-8313
June 16, 2022 • THE VILLAGER | PAGE 23
WHAT’S HAPPENING BECOME AN ARAPAHOE COUNTY ELECTION JUDGE Election judges will be needed for the June 28 Primary Election and the Nov. 8 General Election. Form at arapahoe votes.com/election-judges
ARAPAHOE COUNTY FAIR JULY 28-31. Volunteers needed. Apply at arapahoecountyfair. com/volunteer SOUTH METRO DENVER CHAMBER RTD STATION EVENTS JULY 13, 11 a.m. - 1 pm. Belleview Light Rail Station; JULY 27, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Dry Creek Light Rail Station. Fun, food, chances to win Rockies tickets, golf games, gift certificats to local restaurants, breweries, retain and more. WESTERN FANTASY SCHEDULED FOR OCT. 15 The 29th Annual event will be chaired by Pat Robinson and will feature country star Justin Moore! Table sponsorships available before June 30. Visit Western. com or contact Michael James mjames@voacolorado.org or 303297-0408. “TAPS” COLORADO CELEBRITY CLASSIC SEPT. 10, 5 p.m. Denver Songwriter Show & Dinner at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver. Featuring singer/songwriters Frank Myers, Anthony Smith,
Wynn Varbel, Brice Long & Jimmy Nichols. Ribeye dinner prepared by the Coors cowboys. Meet TAPS Founder & President Bonnie Carroll. Silent auction westernconservativeconference.com
COLORADO BIKE TO WORK DAY SPONSORED BY ENGLEWOOD CHAMBER JUNE 22, 3-6 p.m. Water Station, bike tune-up and live music. Swag bags for riders! Info: Lindsey@ myenglewoodchamber.com Make a pledge to ride. CHERRY CREEK CHORALE SEEKING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Cherry Creek Chorale is seeking an individual to help lead the organization as an Executive Director. Park-time position averaging 40 hours per month. Send resume by June 30 to P.O. Box 3272 Greenwood Village, CO 80155 or email to info@cherrycreekchorale.org WHAT’S NEW? PUBLIC COMPETITIONS AT THE FAIR Enter your best work at the Arapahoe County Fair. Registration began June 1. Details at arapahoecountyfair. com or call 303-730-1920. HIGH LINE CANAL CONSERVANCY TO HOLD WALK FOR THE CANAL WEEK JUNE 20-26, Fundraiser along the 71-mile High Line Canal. Daily events; a birding walk, sunset solstice excursion, happy
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Test new vehicles, I just enjoyed the best model so far in 2022. The Lexus ES/300h.F Sport is outstanding and has the hybrid fuel economy of 44 mph along with 215 horsepower; that combined with the electric drive and eight-speed variable transmission is indeed a sport driving experience. The F Sport model has a manufacturer’s suggested list price of $45,450 with a number of desirable options that can move the price to $52,950, such as an advanced navigation system. The ES350h has the softest seats of any vehicle tested; soft and comfortable and with a finely tuned suspension system, it is like riding on a cloud. Lexus has given the F Sport a sleek sports car profile but still remains a six-passenger sedan with ample rear seat leg room and a large cargo area.
The ES/300h has both a 4-/300hcylinder profile and V6 with slight differences in horsepower, fuel economy and price. The 2.5L / four-cylinder model was more than powerful in the sports mode, with additional choices of “normal” and “eco.” I’m often asked what is my favorite vehicle? The answer real-
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hour walk, Dog & Donuts event and much more. Register: highlinecanal.org/walk
DENVER CREEK FESTVAL JUNE 17, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., JUNE 18, 11 a.m. - midnight, JUNE 19, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4619 E. Alameda Ave., Denver. Eat , drink & dance like a Greek. CITY OF CENTENNIAL BREW-N-QUE JULY 9, 3-7 p.m. Local BBQ food trucks & Colorado Breweries in the park. Centennial Center Park. Admission is free with food & beverages available for purchase. Live music and local fare. Register & purchase your beer sampling tickets at centennial co.gov/events 10+local craft breweries. WALK AT DENVER AUDUBON JUNE 22, 8-10 a.m. South Metro Denver Chamber Health & Wellness Group presents their June activity. Meet in the Events Center for complimentary breakfast & a quick briefing before the nature walk. RSVP: 303-249-8407. RIBBON CUTTING AT ENT CREDIT UNION JUNE 22, 5-7 p.m. Sponsored by South Metro Denver Chamber at the Quebec Service Center. Cocktail celebration, ribbon cutting, and tours of Ent’s new Quebec Service Center. Food provided by Flying Horses Catering. Door prizes, beer & wine. RSVP: 303-249-8407.
coming with radar cruise control and an assortment of warning features. The rear cross-traffic alert is really useful at grocery stores or any location backing into traffic. Paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel are especially useful in mountain driving to provide powerful acceleration or to downshift on descending roads. The vehicle rides on 19” alloy wheels with a fine-tuned suspension system and front and rear performance dampers, and a rear spoiler to signal high performance. Safety is of top concern with 10 airbags and all of the latest safety features that earn the ES/300h a five-star overall safety rating. The vehicle carries a 6-year/ 70,000 miles powertrain warranty. Top performance, exceptional seating comfort with 10-way front heated and cooled ventilated seats, and a 10 speaker Bose sound system adds to the luxury of this fine sedan. The factory can leave me this model.
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CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AUGUST 22, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Hosted by Cherry Hills Village Police Department at the Joint Public Safety Facility. Officers give tours of the Facility, showcase of police vehicles such as traffic cars, motorcycles, bicycles and community service vehicles as well as fire trucks from South Metro Fire Authority. Festivities include face painting, Papa John’s Pizza and Kona Shaved Ice. Info: contact Officer JohnNorman Flaum at iflaum@ cherryillsvillage.com
CANCER LEAGUE OF COLORADO GOLF TOURNAMENT JUNE 20, Colo. Golf Club, Parker. Registration breakfast, 8 a.m. Shotgun start at 10 a.m. Format: Four-person scramble. Lunch, awards, & drinks to follow golf. All golf, cats, caddies, locker room services, prizes, food (2 meals) & all drinks included throughout the entire event. Questions: Zach Hansen 303-921-8529 zacharyhansen@gmal.com or Jeff Reece 303-378-9711 reece11@mac.com/
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PAGE 24 | THE VILLAGER • June 16, 2022
Botanic Gardens in Summertime
N
BY LISA J. SHULTZ
ow is the time to visit the Denver Botanic Gardens! The peak blossoming of different varieties of flowers, bushes and trees change each week, and each stage is glorious! If you have not been to the gardens in the last few years, you may not know that there is a beautiful new addition to the property, the Freyer-Newman Building. This center fuses science and art together. The building was named for
Robert and Judi Newman and Ginny and John Freyer, who together contributed the final amount of funds to make possible the construction of the new center for science, art, and education. The Center houses the Helen Fowler Library, art galleries, herbaria, classrooms, the School of Botanical Art & Illustration and a coffee shop, the Copper Door. Art exhibits are rotated on a regular basis. The center features temporary art exhibits, and it is included in your garden admission price. The current exhibit is by artist Ursula von Rydingsvard, her first solo exhibition. The col-
lection entitled, The Contour of Feeling, features large cedar sculptures and is available to view until September 11.
Photos by Lisa J. Shultz
While at the gardens, you may wish to enjoy lunch or a snack at two cafes on the premises. The gift shop is brimming with enticing items, which often make the perfect gift or addition to your garden. The York Street location also features Music in the Gardens, a favorite summertime event in years past. After a two-year hiatus, the summer concert series is back. Choose a concert from June 12-July 27. A picnic dinner with an outdoor concert is an experience not to be missed! You may also choose Evenings Al Fresco. These are reduced capacity events on se-
lect Mondays and Wednesday in June and August from 4:308:30 p.m. Local musicians and small ensembles perform within the gardens that visitors can enjoy as they stroll. There are a plethora of educational events and programs at the gardens as well. Plan your outing or check out the music and exhibit schedule at botanicgardens.org. Lisa J. Shultz is a Denver native. She loves to inspire exploration of the city’s treasures in her book Essential Denver. Find out more about her and her book on her website LisaJShultz.com or call her at 303-881-9338.