April 15, 2016 VO LUM E 1 5 | IS S U E 21 | FREE
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Grief for a healer
Dr. Kenneth Atkinson, killed on April 4, is remembered with love
By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com The phone rang incessantly at the office of Dr. Kenneth Atkinson in the days after his death. Some patients had questions about memorial services, some wanted to know how the staff was holding up, some just wanted to say how sorry they were. “Overwhelming,” said Mari DeLapp, who worked with him for 17 years, as a medical assistant and office manager.
“
He went out of his way so much for people.” Mari DeLapp, office manager for Dr. Kenneth Atkinson
“The care and the love that’s coming from all of these patients … It is phenomenal how much people cared about Doc.” Atkinson was shot to death in his Centennial neighborhood April 4. Two women also were shot, but are ex-
Dr. Kenneth Atkinson 1950-2016
pected to recover. The suspect, Kevin Lee Lyons, was arrested and is being held without bond on multiple charges, including first-degree murder. Atkinson continues on Page 5
Colorado workforce demand in focus A special report by Colorado Community Media Staff report With the fourth-lowest unemployment rate in the nation, 3 percent, Colorado has made mountainous gains when it comes to economic development following the recession that struck in December 2007 and lingered for years. Businesses are flocking to the Centennial State, and Coloradans are finding work. But employers increasingly are finding it difficult to find the right workers to fill their jobs. Metro North Chamber of Commerce President Angela Habben said, at least in her organization’s part of the Denver area, the workforce isn’t meeting the market demand. “Either employers can’t find workers willing to do the job or they INSIDE can’t find prospects with the training required to On pages meet position qualifica6 and 7, we tions,” she said. take a look at Simon Fox, deputy the Colorado director of Business and Ready to Work Funding Initiatives for package, and the Colorado Office of at what is Economic Development being done and International Trade, now to train said the demand is great the workforce for wokers in the fields of in the face information technology of growing and skilled trades. and changing “There aren’t enough demand. welders or carpenters,” he said. Democratic and Repbulican state lawmakers are working together to address this. The 10 bills comprising a bipartisan package called Colorado Ready to Work are making their way through the Legislature. The overriding theme is creating partnerships between the business and education communities, with the goal of developing a workforce that can meet Colorado’s growing and changing demands. For many business leaders, measures like these can’t be passed soon enough, given the massive growth the Denver metro area figures to see in coming years. “That’s a real supply-and-demand dilemma if we don’t act soon,” Habben said.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The Nelson family explores the new “Little Free Library” at deKoevend Park on April 9. Families are encouraged to take a book and leave a book. Photos by Alex DeWind
Take a book, leave a book Two ‘Little Free Libraries’ are in Centennial parks
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com Two parks in Centennial have miniature models of schoolhouses with free children’s books inside. They are called “Little Free Libraries” and serve as public book exchanges. “We just think it’s awesome,” said Wendi Palmer, of Englewood, at one of two public dedications April 9. “It’s nice that it’s in a park and not tucked away.” The Rotary Club of Centennial partnered with South Suburban Parks and Recreation to open the Little Free Libraries. One sits near the tennis courts at deKoevend Park, 6301 S. University Blvd. The other is adjacent to the playground at Willow Creek Park, Libraries continues on Page 11
MOUNDS OF TALENT
Mary Alice Jackson, right, plays the part as she reads a Dr. Seuss book to her grandchildren at the “Little Free Library” unveiling.
The Arapahoe High baseball team takes advantage of strong pitching against Chaparral. PAGE 24