June 5, 2015 VO LUM E 1 4 | IS S U E 28 | FREE
CentennialCitizen.net A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Safety panel hopes work continues Issues need more than six months, say members By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Families swing on the playground at Centennial Center Park. The park will host Centennial’s Summer Kickoff June 6. Photo by Taryn Walker
Park kicks off summer of fun Music, movies and food will be on tap at Centennial venue By Taryn Walker
twalker@colorado communitymedia.com If all you have planned this summer is hiking, biking and swimming, you might try Centennial Center Park for a change of pace. The park will host a series packed with music, culture, movies, laser shows, art and food starting June 6. The park at 13050 E. Peakview Ave. opened three years ago and encompasses 11 acres, with a capacity of up to 4,000 guests. Last June, a major addition was
installed: a large amphitheater. “It used to just be a concrete stage, but after our first summer season, we realized we needed some sort of cover, electricity and lighting to attract talents,” said Allison Wittern, public information manager for the city of Centennial. “We want it to be a destination for people to come and have fun and to attract acts from all over the world.” The amphitheater was among more than $1 million in improvements made last year to the park, which cost $5.3 million to build. The events are budgeted from the city’s general fund, which comes out of the communication budget comprising sales and property taxes and business licenses. To offset high costs, the city also finds
sponsorships to help fund the events, Wittern said. “We are seeing an increase in attendance, and last summer we had amazing events,” Wittern said. Here’s a look at some highlights of this summer’s events at the park:
Summer Kickoff From 6 to 10 p.m. June 6, the community can attend the Summer Kickoff and move and groove to the music of the Trippin Billies. The band is the nation’s most renowned, original and longest-touring tribute band to the Dave Matthews Band, according to a city brochure. Park continues on Page 9
With just one meeting left to go before presenting its findings to the Littleton Public Schools Board of Education on June 25, the district’s safety and mental health advisory committee has come to at least one major conclusion: Its work is not done. “This committee, or something like it, should go forward,” said Jim Stephens, committee chairman, on May 27. “There is way too much work still to do. … We need to take all the great work that’s been started here and give it a place to live and to grow.” Timing was of concern when the group started meeting last December, as Superintendent Scott Murphy had asked for a final report before he retires at the end of June. The board urged thoroughness over timeliness, however. “I am concerned you might not have enough time,” Jack Reutzel, now board president, said at the time. “It’s important we do this right and not try to fit into any prescribed timeframe.” The committee, formed as a result of the killing of Claire Davis and suicide of Karl Pierson at Arapahoe High School in December 2013, was asked to tackle the following questions: “What are the recommendations and best practices for the future based on current practices, protocols, procedures, training, staffing, and crisis management? What changes have been made or are planned as a result of lessons learned? In what areas are there opportunities for improvement?” From that research, one thing the members hope the committee will pursue further in the future is the effect of stress on kids. Because LPS is a high-achieving district, its children feel a lot of pressure to succeed, the group discovered. But the group ran out of time to research the effects of that pressure on mental health or to pursue solutions. Safety continues on Page 9
Getting pumped for the fire muster Annual event parades to ACC on June 20 By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com Although Southwest Adams County Fire Rescue is no more, having merged with North Washington Fire Rescue this year, Garry Aranda is keeping its sirens blaring. Aranda, a founding member of Mile High Hook and Ladder, was SACFR’s fleet-maintenance officer, meaning he touched virtually every fire engine that rolled through. When he saw the department’s first new truck, a 1949 International, was for sale, he jumped at the chance to bring it home. “It had gone to another department in Penrose (Colorado),” he said. “I thought, I want to get that truck back to the department.” Then, when the departments merged, Aranda took the truck in lieu of overtime he was owed. Due to its age, the vehicle had to be decommissioned anyway. “So now this is my truck,” he said with a hint of pride. He’s also acquired a 1928 Hale
IF YOU GO Engines begin assembling at 7:30 a.m. at Littleton High School. Parade begins at 9 a.m. and ends at Arapahoe Community College. Concessions are available from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Activities include a water ball contest, drafting and pumping, water bucket contest, Jaws of Life demonstration, helicopter landing, visits from the stars of the Colorado Firefighters Calendar and the Sertoma Soap Box Derby, and more.
and a 1973 American La France along the way. Aranda and other club members visited the Littleton Fire Rescue Training Center for a “pump in” on May 30, to make sure all the hoses, bells and whistles were in good working order before the vehicles’ big moment in the spotlight, June 20 at the 30th annual Fire Muster, presented by the club and
Julia Sweeney, left, and Izzy Aranda, granddaughters of founding members of Mile High Hook and Ladder, take advantage of the chance to splash at the group’s “pump in,” in preparation for the annual fire muster. Photo by Jennifer Smith Ralph Schomp Automotive. The “pump in” is an informal event hosted by Littleton Fire Rescue Capt. Mark Gorman. He’s been the keeper of Littleton’s first fire engine, a 1914 Federal, for years. But
he’s retiring this summer, so someone else will have to learn to tame the temperamental engine and conquer the cranky hand Fire continues on Page 9