August 11, 2016 VO LUM E 1 2 | IS S U E 1 1
LET PEACE RING OUT Area churches sound bells to honor victims of gun violence on PAGE 12.
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
A publication of
Local airport brings new business to county
Swiss-based aircraft company among new tenants creating jobs
By Christy Steadman csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com With the additions of a Swiss-based airplane company, a convenience store and a fast-food restaurant, the Jefferson County-owned and -operated municipal airport is continuing to live up to expectations as a positive economic force in the community, county and airport officials say. Pilatus Aircraft, a Swiss company that develops,
produces and sells aircraft to customers around the world, broke ground in July at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. Not only will it generate jobs locally, airport director Bryan Johnson said, the company also plans to start an apprenticeship program at the airport. “As an airport, we’re thrilled to invest in them and have them on board,” Johnson said. Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, spanning about 1,870 acres, is home to about 300 tenants and customers and 400 aircraft, and pumps $460 million into local coffers. About 2,600 jobs, from maintenance to administration, are based at the facility, which
occupies mostly unincorporated county land, but is partially located in Broomfield and borders Westminster and Superior. County Commissioner Libby Szabo described the airport as an economic and community driver, providing jobs and attracting businesses, as well as being a place for recreational flying, flight school and fun community events, such as air shows. “People are fascinated with aviation,” Szabo said. The airport should “be something in the community — in Jefferson County — that is worldrenowned.” Airport continues on Page 6
Jeffco voters asked to ‘close gap’ in funding School board approves $568 million bond and mill levy package to improve schools and programs By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com Jefferson County voters will be asked to approve a $568 million bond and mill levy package to repair the school district’s aging schools, build new ones, hire new mental health staff and update technology and other school operations. “We have got to make sure that we become the masters of our own destiny in this district and that we maintain the funds to retain the very best teachers in this district…,” said Brad Rupert of the Bond continues on Page 8
Mike Sexton watches as Ahmad Ghais of Arvada sets a flower on a Muslim-American tombstone, which is represented by the symbol of a crescent and star. The brother of the 78-year-old Ghais died in 1968 fighting for the U.S. in the Vietnam War. He was 24 years old. Photo by Alex DeWind
‘Decorate the grave of someone’ different Man issues call to honor Muslim-American soldiers at Fort Logan Cemetery
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com Ahmad Ghais, 78, standing in Fort Logan National Cemetery, hugged a framed photograph close to his chest.
The photo was of his younger brother, Taher, a Muslim-American soldier who died in the Vietnam War in 1968 when he was 24. So when Ghais, an Arvada resident, learned about an event called “Honor for the Fallen,” asking people to show up to Fort Logan to decorate the graves of Muslim-Americans who served in the military, he had to come. He’s personally offended, he said, by
recent rhetoric against Muslim-Americans. “This is not the country we signed up for,” he said with tears in his eyes. “Have we forgotten the value?” Mike Sexton of Highlands Ranch organized the Aug. 7 event. On a Facebook page last week, Sexton invited people to Fort Logan to honor Muslim-American Cemetery continues on Page 5
AROUND THE FIELD Turning a double play in softball can also turn a team’s momentum. Check out this story and others as we kick off three weeks of fall sports previews on PAGE 22.
August 11 - 14 2016 Jeffco Fairgrounds
See ya there!
CelebrateJeffco.com