Arvada Press 1027

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October 27, 2016 VO LUM E 1 2 | IS S U E 22

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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

Debate was ‘interesting and crazy’ Students watch third presidential debate, then debate the results By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Kenny Levan, a homeless man in Olde Town Arvada, helps unpack food for The Rising Church’s food back. He has volunteered with the pantry for four years. Photo by Shanna Fortier

Homeless on the rise in Olde Town Arvada Police see influx from Denver looking for shelter in library, church

By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com Kenny Levan has spent seven winters living on the streets in Arvada. Just over four years ago, he met Rebel Rodriguez, who runs the food pantry at The Rising Church in Olde Town. “Rebel came down to Snake Park one morning and asked if I wanted to help out,” said Levan, referring to a line of shrubbery that used to be along Vance

HOW TO HELP The Rising Church said it needs donations to help the nearby homeless population survive winter. Donations of blankets, sleeping bags, winter coats, men’s clothing, socks and towels can be dropped off at the church, 7500 W. 57th Ave, Arvada, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 303-422-1174.

Street, as he loaded food into the freezer at the church one Thursday morning. “I was here the next day.” Volunteering at the pantry has given

him something to do and connected him with his love of cooking, Levan said. He cooks lunch for the volunteers occasionally and has been enlisted by the church’s pastor to cook for a fundraiser. “I enjoy it,” Levan said. “It’s just my nature helping others and all. It’s satisfying.” Now, instead of sleeping in the woods in Arvada, where he did last winter, Levan and seven other homeless men and women consistently sleep outside on The Rising Church’s property. It is not required to work at the pantry to sleep at the church, but many do. Homeless continues on Page 5

County candidates face off at Arvada forum Republican Frank Teunissen, left, and incumbent Casey Tighe — who are vying for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners, take turns answering a question at a county candidate forum on Oct. 21. Photo by Christy Steadman

Six candidates attend Arvada chamber’s Third Friday Breakfast

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com About half of the attendees at a Jeffersoun County candidate forum raised their hands when asked if they had already voted this year. Still, more than 100 people came to the Arvada Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast forum at the Arvada Center on Oct. 21 to learn what candidates had to say about local issues. “Jefferson County is the fiber of who I am,” said Libby Szabo, incumbent for the District 1 county commissioner position. “I knew the local issues before I started serving at the local level.” Participants in the forum were: Szabo, a Republican, and challenger, Marti J. Smith, a Democrat; Frank Teunissen, a Republican, and incumbent Casey Tighe, vying for the District 2 commissioner seat; and Republican Pete Weir, the incumben District Attorney for the 1st Judicial District, and Democrat challenger Jake Lilly. Each candidate had five minutes for an opening statement and 90 seconds for a closing statement. Moderator Jim Siedlecki, director of communications for Adams County, asked

five questions selected at random to each candidate. Questions included future growth of the county, impacts of marijuana, homelessness, the needs of an aging population and transportation and infrastructure funding. Weir and Lilly addressed marijuana, but were also asked their viewpoints on prison population, contracting for private prisons and the challenges facing the district attorney’s office. Questions were answered cordially — each of the candidates respecting each other’s time. However, Weir did bring up the large outside advertising campaign of political activist and billionaire George Soros in support of the Lilly campaign. Lilly has previously stated that he had not requested Soros’ assistance, and that he had not condoned any of those ads. He did not comment about the Soros ads at the forum.

Weir mentioned his 37 years of experience as a public servant, and in argument, Lilly suggested “it’s time for a new generation of prosecutors.” Candidates also brought up the county budget. “The county budget is a bit stagnant,” Smith said. It’s important to understand how to manage the county’s half-a-million dollar budget. I’m a solutions provider … a builder of consensus with bipartisan solutions.” Fair and competitive pay for county staff is important to Tighe. Jeffco has “great employees you can be proud of,” he said. All candidates promised a commitment to Jefferson County. Both Teunissen and Tighe stated that, if elected, they will focus on sensible economic growth while protecting the county’s open-space assets.

When the live feed of the third presidential debate froze, students in the auditorium at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada quickly blamed the Russians. There were some laughs and then silence as the feed started again and they continued to watch presidential nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump talk over each other on the debate stage. At the end, students like 15-year-old Sabrina Reinwald were at a loss for words. “It was really interesting and crazy,” she said. “There were too many different opinions and I didn’t know where to go.” Reinwald was one of 30 Ralston Valley High students to join the debate watch party hosted by AP government teacher Brian Bohnert. In class, Bohnert’s students have been studying the electoral college and following the presidential race since the beginning of the semester. “You’ve got students from all over the political spectrum,” Bohnert said. “They can’t identify with a party, but they know their philosophy.” For example, Bohnert said some of his students identify as economically conservative but socially liberal. “You do have people who like Trump and those kids are very vocal about it,” Bohnert said. “A lot of times that comes from home or a peer group. Clinton fans have reacted about how the adult population has reacted. And surprisingly, there is a third-party contingency that identifies with the Libertarians. The students have responded in a variety of ways. They are just as passionate as the voting population is.” That’s why Bohnert wanted to give the student body a chance to watch and discuss the recent debate in a scholarly setting. Election continues on Page 4

STATE Jeffco’s softball teams, found it tough going in this year’s state tourney. SEE PAGE 25

PEACE IN OUR TIME

Local groups want to bring end to violent conflicts on the planet. SEE PAGE 14


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