DEDICATED TO FITNESS
July 7, 2016
CrossFit games allow offer excitement, chance to prove mettle. PAGE 12
VO LUM E 1 2 | IS S U E 6
ArvadaPress.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Arvadans voice opinion Hundreds attend meeting on proposed gun range By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Friends and family said Kathryn Mastropaolo was a woman with an attractive laugh and a personality that drew you in. Courtesy photo
Arvada woman had ‘a heart for children’ Gregarious mom and people person dies in car accident By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com To those who knew her, Kathryn Mastopaolo was a gem among people. To those who had just met her, in seconds she knew how to make them smile. “She just loved people,” said Eric Ponicsan, her 38-year-old son. “She didn’t care who they are or where they come from — she was just very friendly and wanted to bring out the best in everybody.” Mastropaolo, 58, died in a three-car accident at 80th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard the afternoon of June 21. The accident is under investigation. Mastropaolo was laid to rest on July 2. She was a mother of five, a grandmother of four and a great-grandmother of one, all of whom adored her, friends and family said. She was a woman of many talents, but her deep adoration for others, friends and family said, stood out above the rest. “She had an unbelievable ability to connect with people,” said Jay McAvoy, her employer and owner of the McDonald’s restaurant at 80th Avenue Memorial continues on Page 5
A family woman, Kathryn Mastropaolo loved her five children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild deeply, her family said. Courtesy photo
One Arvada resident spoke on birds singing and the tranquility of the area while walking the nearby trails. Another asked people to close their eyes and imagine the sound of fireworks constantly going off, disrupting the peacefulness. A retired military veteran mentioned he suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that he would be greatly affected by the sounds of guns going off if a proposed shooting range is indeed built. Hundreds of people filled the auditorium of Ralston Valley High School on June 28 to attend a second presentation on an outdoor shooting range proposed to be built on land owned by the City of Arvada. “We live there for the tranquility,” said Arvada resident Susan Bennett, who continued to add that it’s also a safety issue. “There are people and schools way too close.” The planned location for the shooting range is just east of State Highway 93 and south of 82nd Avenue. It would be roughly six acres on the far northwest corner of a 1,600-acre property that is currently primarily undeveloped. The closest residential area part of the City of Arvada is about 1.3 miles away, unincorporated Jefferson County residents are about a quarter of a mile away from the proposed area, said Tom Hoby, director of Jeffco Open Space. The biggest concern is noise, Hoby said. According to a poll done at the meeting, nearby homeowners are uncomfortable with the idea of the outdoor shooting range. About 300 people participated in the poll, which determined that 78 percent of the meeting’s attendees reside in a residential area in proximity to the shooting range. So for some residents, not only is noise disturbance a major issue, there is also a big concern for a decrease in property values. “These homes were here first,” said resident Mark Merline. He continued to say that “it’s too bad it wasn’t built before the homes” so homeowners would have a choice to purchase a home near an outdoor shooting range or not. Gun range continues on Page 19
Looking for lead in Jefferson County Schools Water at 154 sites to be tested this summer By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com Jefferson County Schools is hunting for lead this summer in its buildings. In a matter of weeks, the district has found sinks, drinking fountains and hose hookups that tested positive for elevated levels of lead at the following schools: Lead continues on Page 19
SUMMER TUNES
CONCERNED ABOUT LEAD? As test results are collected, the district will post any findings that show levels above the EPA 15 parts-per-billion guideline on www. jeffcopublicschools.org. Any families that might be affected will be contacted directly.
yogurt, cheese and green, leafy vegetables like spinach. Iron is in lean red meats, beans, peanut butter and cereals. Vitamin C can be found in oranges, green and red peppers and juice.
Families with other questions should call 303-982-6808.
Concerned parents can meet with their primary care providers. If unable to meet with a primary health care provider, families can call Jefferson County Public Health at 303232-6301 for resources in the community.
Providing children with healthy foods high in calcium, iron and vitamin C may help keep lead out of the body. Calcium is in milk,
Arvada Center launches third year of the Summer Stage Concert series. PAGE 13