April 3, 2014 Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 9, Issue 44 A publication of
arvadapress.com
APEX election in motion Three seats open up on the APEX board of directors By Crystal Anderson
canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com Giving back and innovative ideas are key points for candidates in the 2014 APEX Park and Recreation Board of Directors election. “I want to give back, represent the citizens of Arvada and present fresh new ideas to the table,” Ken Haack, a first-time candidate for the board said. This year, three seats of the five-member board are up for election, and five individuals; Haack, Jim Whitfield, Tommy Skul, Ken Harrell, and Kristen Larington have announced their candidacies for the available seats. According to Luann Levine, APEX’s designated election official, while important, the elec-
tions have historically had low voter-turnout. “The board is very involved and listens to the community, and they make the district what the residents want it to be,” Levine said. “It’s important to their (APEX district residents) future and the community, but we usually get a small turnout.” The elections are held every two years and will fill three, fouryear term places on the board. They will be held May 6, and are open to all Colorado-registered voters who reside or own property within the district. For current board member Jim Whitfield, these elections represent an extension of his work, specifically renewing cost sharing agreements, helped the board become financially stable, among other works over the past eight years. “I would like to complete achievements like these over my third and last term,” Whitfield said. “If I can earn enough votes and be re-elected I hope to work collaboratively with other stake-
holders to the benefit of our community.” The board makes decisions regarding new projects such as the East Side Arvada recreation center and the newly-opened Pickleball courts, and provides upkeep, maintenance, and repair of facilities such as the Community Rec Center. “I see this as one, a way to give back to the community, and two a way to create an environment where my young kids, myself and my aging parents can use those facilities to stay healthy,” Skul said. For more information on the elections or to reach out to the candidates, visit www.apexprd. org/board-directors-election-6. To vote in the May 6 elections, stop by The Apex Center, 13150 W. 72 Ave., or the Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd. to cast a ballot. Residents can also request an absentee ballot via: www.apexprd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/AbsenteeBallot-Application.pdf.
Taking advantage of a sunny spring day, Michael Hill, a senior at Pomona High School, practices his bike tricks at the Arvada Skate Park, as skaters and bikers look on. Photo by Crystal Anderson
Consciously
green United Methodist Church installs rooftop solar panels
By Crystal Anderson
canderson@ coloradocommunitymedia.com
Construction workers place solar panels along the roof top of United Methodist Church.
Three hundred and fifty-one solar panels line the rooftop of United Methodist Church, the latest in a string of projects designed to make the church more energy conscious. Photos by Crystal Anderson
Three hundred and fifty-one solar panels line the roof of Arvada’s United Methodist Church (AUMC), making a difference in the environment and the community. “I think we looked at it (solar paneling) as pie in the sky, the cost was overwhelming,” Melinda Reed, a member of AUMC’s Green Team said. “But then Wynne (AUMC member) connected us with these guys who talked to us (about solar paneling).” During a weekend retreat three years ago, members of United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr St., decided to make some ecological changes after hearing a lecture by Rebekah Simon-Peter, a Methodist pastor with a degree in environmental studies. Since that time the group formed a “green team” and has put forth practices that have changed the way the chruch views the environment reducing their environmental footprint. “We talked about being more green, not only in our church but in our homes, that’s when we started the Green Team,” Pastor Rusty Butler said. The project, which is valued at $400,000, is being installed by Renewable Energy Ventures, a Texas energy efficiency company, and will help the church save on their $2,100 monthly energy bill. Under a power-purchase agreement, the church is currently paying a reduced costs on energy bills, and using the difference to pay
rent on the solar panel system. “We’re open 365 days a year, and we’re always using energy,” Butler said. “We felt this was a good move to be more energyconscious.” The panels are weather resilient and have a 50-year lifespan. Throughout their life, the panels will supply 130,000 kilowatt hours per year, which is the equivalent to providing energy to 144 homes for a month. “We’ve done so much more than we could with the help of this entrepreneur,” Bob O’Connell, a member of the Green Team on the solar paneling said. Since their retreat, the Green Team has initiated a recycling program, decreasing the amount of weekly trash by 30 percent; switched out florescent light bulbs with low-energy electric bulbs; installed LED lighting; set up solar tubes to let more light in and several other environmentally-friendly projects to help reduce their impact on local landfills and the environment. “If we could set an example for the community, that we’re not just serving ourselves, but we’re serving the community, and taking care of God’s creation,” O’Connell said.
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