Citizen Centennial 7-5-13
Centennial
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 33
July 5, 2013 A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcentennialnews.com
Slaying suspect seen as ‘a loner’ Family members describe Kuroki as stressed, suicidal By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon gets breakfast on the fly at a ceremony June 28 at the Arapahoe County Open Spaces Shareback and Grant award ceremony, held at the 17 Mile House Farm Park in Centennial. Courtesy photo
County distributes Open Space funds Districts, towns, cities share $12 million in tax revenues By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com With more than 70 acres of park space as a backdrop, the Arapahoe County commissioners distributed $12 million in open-space sales tax revenues to local cities, towns and eligible special districts during the Open Spaces Shareback and Grant award ceremony, held each June. Awards ranging from $7,000 to $5.9 million and were shared among 12 cities, towns and special districts, based on population. “Arapahoe County is home to some of the best parks, trails and recreational areas in the Denver metro area,” Commissioner Rod Bockenfeld, who serves as board chair, said at the June 28 event. “These amenities are what make our county so Space continues on Page 16
The 17 Mile House Farm Park, located at 8181 S. Parker Road, adjacent to Cherry Creek and the border between Arapahoe and Douglas counties, is just one of the unique open space projects that have received funding from the county’s voter-approved Open Space sales and use tax. On June 28, the Arapahoe County commissioners distributed $12 million in Open Space sales tax revenues during a ceremony held at the historic farm. Photo by Deborah Grigsby
Summer is the season for water safety South Suburban offers classes to get kids ready for the pool By Savanna Walker Special to Colorado Community Media
On his third day in swim class, Terrance Kelly paddles his way across Centennial’s Holly Pool using a foam kickboard as support. The 10-year-old Centennial boy is just one of many area kids enrolled in a variety of swim programs offered by the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District. Photo by Deborah Grigsby
As summer hits its peak, pool attendance increases dramatically. However, children’s safety in the water is always a constant concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 1-14. JoAnn Gould, director of Recreation and Community Services for South Suburban Parks and Recreation, shares these concerns. “It’s vital for children, re-
gardless of where they live, to learn how to swim,” she said. “It encourages socialization and athleticism, it’s a life skill, and it’s a life skill that could save their life.” In addition, Gould recommended that children be educated early. “In general,” she says, “whether it’s learning to swim or any other activity, from skate boarding to mountain climbing, it’s best to learn before you develop fears. It comes easier to young children.” Terrance, Torin and Emilia Kelly are three young children taking advantage of South Suburban’s swim-instruction classes. Terrance, 10, was enthusiastic about his progress so far. Swim continues on Page 7
David Wayne Kuroki, the man police suspect killed his 81-year old mother in her Centennial home, suffered from depression, and according to court documents, he tried to commit suicide 15 years ago. But as Kuroki awaits his July 11 appearance in an Arapahoe County courtroom, more details have emerged surrounding the days that led up to his April 2 arrest in connection with the death of Mae S. Kuroki. Sworn statements from family members suggest the 53-year-old former lab technician may have been under great stress. David had been unemployed for approximately six months and was helping his mother — who had recently been diagnosed with the onset of dementia — make the transition from her condo on East Dry Creek Road to a nearby assisted living facility. The elder Kuroki seemed receptive to the move, agreeing with family members it would be best for her. In an affidavit filed April 9 in Arapahoe County District Court, a statement from David’s cousin, Dean Iwasaki, described the former lab technician as “a loner” who didn’t really have a lot of friends. Iwasaki added that while pregnant with David, Mae Kuroki had contracted measles during her second trimester, resulting in him being born completely deaf in one ear and approximately 60 percent deaf in the other. In the same affidavit, Gary Kuroki described his brother as “currently suicidal,” having poor social skills and depressed due to the fact he was unemployed. David was taken into custody April 2, hours after Arapahoe County sheriff’s deputies were called to the 8600 block of East Dry Creek Road to conduct a welfare check on an elderly resident of the Saddle Ridge condominium complex. When deputies arrived, they found the body of an elderly woman under a blanket with a bloodstained pillow over her face and stab wounds to the center torso. When the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for medical service near a golf course south of C-470, they found David Kuroki in his car with multiple cut wounds. Statements from responding DCSO deputies say Kuroki had cut both sides of his throat, both wrists, his stomach and had attempted to cut his femoral artery in his leg, also telling deputies “I just killed my mom.” A large “butcher-type knife” and an apparent suicide note were found in Kuroki’s 2005 Honda Civic. Kuroki was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Investigators had asked Gary Kuroki if David or Mae had ever discussed “mercy killing.” Gary responded, “No,” in a sworn statement. Kuroki is charged with first-degree murder.
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