Littleton Independent 012413

Page 1

LITTLETON 1/24/13

January 24, 2013

Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 124, Issue 1

75 cents

A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourlittletonnews.com

Police chief leaves hazy legacy Controversy has followed career of Coogan, who will retire in spring By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com Littleton Police Chief Heather Coogan, the metro area’s first woman to hold the title, will retire effective April 1, along with the next two highest-ranking officers in the department. The announcement came on the heels of a record-breaking year of homicides in the city. There were five in 2012, the most since three people were murdered in a bowling alley in 2002. It also comes four months after a survey of city employees showed the police department was less satisfied with its direct supervision and senior leadership than other departments.

“The responses indicate opportunities for improvements, specifically in supervision, which we can focus on for the upcoming year,” said City Manager Michael Penny at the time of the survey. “The good news in the areas of ‘senior management’ and ‘supervision’ is we have control over those areas and can work toward positive change.” Coogan and division chiefs Bill Christensen and Bob Brandt are taking advantage of an incentive offered to all LPD sworn officers ages 57 and older. In exchange for retiring now, their health insurance will be paid until they’re 65. It’s anticipated other officers might take the deal as well. Coogan took the helm in 2007 after controversial Chief Gary Maas retired; an independent study had concluded Maas was ruling a department in turmoil and there was great dissatisfaction with senior staff among rank-and-file officers. Christensen and Brandt had also served as Maas’ commanders. Chief continues on Page 10

Heather Coogan, who has been Littleton’s police chief since 2007, will retire effective April 1. File photo

River project about to start Equipment will arrive for work near Red Tail Lake By Tom Munds

tmunds@ourcoloradonews.com

Kristin Skordahl, an instructor at The Ballet Physique in Littleton, is the lead instructor in the “Amped Up” workout DVD released by the studio. Photos by Courtney Kuhlen

Studio combines ballet, strength training DVDs let clients take workout on road, home By Ryan Boldrey

rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com Creating the ability to take barre fitness — a blend of ballet and strength training — on the road or into the living room, Littleton’s Ballet Physique fitness studio has launched a pair of DVDs for dancers. Barre fitness, around for 50 years, is hitting a stride of popularity of late. Designed

to work one’s muscles to the limit using ballet-inspired positions, the method increases flexibility and is perfect for those just starting to get in shape or those already there. “We’ve seen many of our studio clients rapidly transform their bodies and gain confidence, energy and grace through our workouts,” said owner Kristen Zurek, the lead instructor on the 60-minute “Signature Sculpt” DVD. “I wanted to produce our DVD collection for people who aren’t able to take our classes regularly, so everyone can have Ballet continues on Page 10

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Kristen Zurek is the founder of The Ballet Physique in Littleton and the lead instructor in “Signature Sculpt,” a workout DVD released by the studio.

Tentative plans call for equipment to begin moving into place later this month so work can begin on improving a section of the South Platte River south of the Carson Nature Center. “We finally have the long-awaited approval from the Army Corps of Engineers for this project so I expect, weather permitting, for work to begin before the end of January,” Debbie Brinkman, Littleton mayor and chair of the South Platte Working Group II, said during the Jan. 10 Tri Cities meeting. “Equipment will move in to deepen the channel, create ripple pools and calming ponds for the fish and clean up the silt choking off Red Tail Lake from the river.” The upcoming river improvements will be the latest in projects that have been spearheaded by the South Platte Working Group. Susan Beckman, then Arapahoe County Commissioner, was the moving force behind forming the group in 2006. The group planned to work on improving recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat along the South Platte River through Littleton, Englewood and Sheridan. In about five years, the group secured $25 million in grants, including a $5 million Legacy Grant from Great Outdoor Colorado, and used the money to complete more than 20 projects. The projects included everything from building five bike/pedestrian bridges across the river to enhance connection with existing hiking and biking trails to acquiring about 40 acres of land to preserve green space along the banks of the river. In late 2012, with the grant money spent and planned projects improving parks and recreational amenities along the river completed, South Platte Working Group I “retired.” But, almost immediately, the South Platte Working Group II was established. Brinkman, who was a member of the original group, helped get the second group going. It has received a $5 million Arapahoe County Open Space grant to continue to make improvements and enhancements to areas in and around the river. As with the original group, the membership of South Platte Working Group 2 River continues on Page 10


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