April 9, 2015 VOLU M E 9 5 | I S S UE 7 | 7 5 ¢
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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
WHAT’S INSIDE
New chapter: The Tattered Cover moves in to its new Littleton location. See Page 2
Pay attention: Officials are using this month to bring awareness to the problem of distracted driving. See Page 11
Mary Grushka details her objections to the proposed RTD fare changes during the April 2 public hearing on the issue held in Englewood. The Englewood meeting was one of 16 public hearings held on the proposal to change the structure and increase fares. Photos by Tom Munds
RTD fare changes draw opposition Officials hear feedback on latest proposals By Tom Munds
Who made it? Find out who is on our All-South Metro Boys Basketball Team. See Page 20
tmunds@colorado communitymedia.com
POSTAL ADDRESS
ENGLEWOOD HERALD
(ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 176-680) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, the Englewood Herald is published weekly on Friday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT Littleton, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603 Centennial, CO 80112 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. GE T SOCI AL WITH US
P LE A S E R ECYC L E T H I S C O PY
Judging from an April 2 public hearing, residents are turning thumbs down on the current RTD fare change proposals. The meeting in the Englewood Public Library was one of 16 public hearings the Regional Transportation District held to gather comments about the proposed fare changes. RTD says the meetings are intended to help the agency reach the goal of developing a “fair, equitable and cost-effective fare structure.” Doug MacLeod represented RTD and narrated a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation highlighting the fare study proposals to open the meeting. The presentation showed examples of the proposal. For example, increases in one-way fares would go from $2.25 to $2.60 for local rides, from $4 to $4.50 for express rides and from $5 to $5.50 for regional rides. The increases would also apply to passes. For example, the cost of a monthly
A bus stops at the Oxford Light Rail Station in Sheridan. The buses and the light rail trains are part of the system operated by the Regional Transportation District. File photo pass would increase from $79 to $104. The proposed timeline is to present the proposals to the RTD Board of Directors for a vote either later this month or at a meeting in May. If the board approves the proposals, all fare changes will be effective early next year. A dozen people spoke at the hearing in Englewood. All 12 expressed concerns and opposed the fare proposals that would increase the cost of using public transportation. Tom Grushka was one of the
residents speaking in opposition to the new fares. “The fare increases don’t make sense,” the Highlands Ranch resident said and he had his wife hold up a chart. “This chart shows RTD has increased fares 29 percent in the last few years. That is three or four time the rate of inflation.” His wife, Mary, objected to the proposal to double fares for Access-A-Ride. She said the higher fares will burden those who use the service and that public transportation should be affordable for customers of paratransit —
transpor tation services for people with disabilities. C h r i s H a r m o n said the service RTD provides concerns him. He said he lives nine miles from work and Google Maps say the trip will take 15 minutes by car, one hour by bike and an hour and 15 minutes by bus. He said making the system attractive so more people use it is the way to keep fares low. Zoe Williams said Englewood
RTD BY THE NUMBERS 2,340
— District’s service area in square miles
2.87
million — Population of the service area
9,751
— Number of public transportation stops for the district
2,600
— Number of people employed by the district
105 million
— Ridership in 2014, up from 101.8 million in 2013
Fares continues on Page 10
Ron Engel’s life celebrated Athletic fund set up to honor Englewood sports standout By Tom Munds
tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com A celebration of the life of Ron Engel was held on March 22. Engel, an Englewood native, was remembered as a successful businessman and a star Pirates athlete. Engel lost a battle with cancer at the age of 63 on March 13. Pirates teammate and friend Mike Fukuhara said Ron was much more than just a star high school athlete. “Everyone knows Ron for his athletic ability but those of us who knew him knew he was very kind hearted and who saw life in a very positive manor,” he said. “He was a big part of my life, always encouraging me to do better. The most memorable times of my life, except for time with my family, were the time I spent with Ron.” Fares continues on Page 10
A recent family picture of Ron Engel. Engel, 63, lost a battle with cancer March 13 and a crowd gathered March 22 to celebrate his life. Photos by Tom Munds
Steve Engel talks about his late brother Ron at the March 22 celebration of the life of Englewood native Ron Engel.