NORTON

ditioned to saying “no” that it really has become our rst response instead of rst taking the time to learn more, so we know what it is that we are really saying “no” to or refusing to do. I do believe in saying “no” to more of the things we shouldn’t be doing so that we can say “yes” to more of the things we should or could be doing. However, not at the expense of missing an opportunity to get done what needs to get done.

If you are leading a team, you probably wouldn’t want them to stop coming to you with questions. If you are a part of a team, you also wouldn’t want to be left out of opportunities to collaborate and problem solve. And any parent certainly wouldn’t want their child to stop coming to them with questions or requests, instead, just taking actions into their own hands and dealing with the consequences later. When the “no” monster inside of us is unleashed, we invite

About Letters To The Editor

Colorado Community Media welcomes letters to the editor. Please note the following rules: that we also identify the challenges and barriers we face in reaching this goal. But make no mistake, it is achievable.

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First, let’s focus on why Arapahoe County is so special and the successes we’ve had. We can con dently boast a unique diversity of landscapes, industries, recreation and business opportunities, exceptional schools, strong economic growth and thriving communities. More than 655,000 residents call Arapahoe County home, making it the third largest County in Colorado. By 2030, the County will be home to 800,000 residents, surpassing the population of Denver and El Paso.

As my fellow commissioners and I noted on our Telephone Town Hall in January, our County has done an extraordinary job of managing our funds and using them wisely and e ciently. However, despite a long contempt and disharmony in any relationship.

Years ago, I had a coworker named Frank. Frank would say “no” to everything at rst. But not for the reasons mentioned above or that you might be thinking. He taught me one of the greatest lessons of my life when it came to decision-making relative to both the person asking for something and the person being asked. He would say “no” if the request wasn’t supported with the “why.” Or Frank would say “no” if the person asking didn’t really understand everything involved in what they were asking for.

What Frank taught me and I hope to pass along to you is this: Before saying “no,” take the time to ask more questions and get as much detail as possible before making your decision. And before you ask for anything, know the “why” behind your request, and what it is you are really asking the other person or team to do for you.

Are you saying “no” simply out of habit? Is the “no” monster hurting your relationships at home or at work? Do you understand the

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• Keep it polite: No name calling or “mudslinging.” record of responsible budget management and good scal stewardship, current revenues coupled with this anticipated growth will make it challenging for the County to continue meeting the needs of our residents. Essential services that the County provides – public safety, human services, mental health programs and road maintenance –are at risk. ese are complex issues that we’ve collectively identi ed as priorities and that we are committed to addressing, in partnership with County sta and residents.

We all are very aware that families across Colorado and the U.S. are currently faced with rising in ation and an uncertain economy, and we are forced to make the most of every dollar. County government is no di erent. We pursue e ciencies, innovations and cost-savings with our available resources. But the reality concept of including your “why” behind your request? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@ gmail.com, and when we can take the time to know before we say “no,” it really will be a better than good life. is that we will be unable to meet the needs of our growing community without making a concerted e ort to stabilize our funding sources and modernize our nances.

Again, make no mistake, it is achievable…together.

In the coming weeks and months, your elected leaders look forward to connecting with you as we take a thoughtful approach to this journey ahead. Look for future telephone town hall events at www.arapahoegov.com/townhall, follow us on social media, or subscribe to e County Line newsletter to stay informed and get involved.

Leslie Summey is on the Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners representing District 4, which includes the unincorporated area in north Arapahoe County and portions of the City of Aurora.

Make-A-Wish Colorado alumni, volunteers celebrate its 40th anniversary

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

2023 has already been a big year for Make-A-Wish.

Wish Week fundraisers have been in full swing at local schools this winter, and basketball legend Michael Jordan donated $10 million — the largest individual donation ever — to the national organization last month. And spring 2023 could be even bigger.

Make-A-Wish Colorado celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and is hosting an anniversary celebration and fundraiser in April in Denver. Since it started, Make-A-Wish Colorado has granted more than 6,000 wishes for children with critical illnesses as a way of giving them hope and something to look forward to during their treatment.

Golden’s Ben Bontrager, 10, went to Hawaii for his wish last spring. He was diagnosed in early 2020 with Burkitt’s lymphoma and was sick for almost a year, with his mom Sarah saying, “We almost lost him a couple times.”

Ben, who’s now in remission, said going to Hawaii was “the rst thing idea that popped in my head,” because he wanted to get out and do something fun.

“I was sick of being home,” he continued.

Now, Ben and his family are becoming Make-A-Wish ambassadors so that they can help other families through the same process.

Dad Je Bontrager said Ben’s wish was a “bright spot” to think about during those long days at the hospital, adding, “ e thought that (MakeA-Wish) has done it over and over for people, it’s really pretty amazing.”

For Jennifer

Joan Mazak has been the proverbial fairy godmother for thousands of Colorado children after she founded the organization in 1983. She started it in honor of her daughter, Jennifer, who died at 7 years old of a liver disease.

Mazak recalled how, about a week before Jennifer’s death, she was granted an uno cial wish to meet local radio mascot KIMN Chicken. He stopped by the family’s house, walking around the entire property hand-in-hand with Jennifer. Many of the neighborhood children stopped by to see KIMN Chicken, but he was focused on making Jennifer feel special.

“It was great for her to be able to have that,” Mazak said.

After Jennifer’s death, Mazak used funds that people had raised for a liver donation to start Make-A-Wish

Colorado. ere were only three other chapters in the country and no national organization yet, she said. e local chapter was all volunteers working out of their homes, helping to create memories for children who needed them. Mazak said the very rst wish was to catch a sh, so they set up a shing trip at Dillon Reservoir.

Longtime volunteer Gary Aboussie recalled wishes to meet the pope and the Broncos. One of his favorite stories was sending a guitar to Bruce Springsteen to sign, him keeping that one, and sending back his own guitar instead with a special message. Mazak said of wishes: “ ey come in all shapes and sizes. ere are so many logistics to putting together a single wish. It’s di erent for every single family.”