June 4, 2015
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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
LittletonIndependent.net
WHAT’S INSIDE
Outside the octagon: Mixed martial artist “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey meets fans at the Tattered Cover. See Page 5
Moving on: Councilmember Bruce Stahlman will not seek re-election. See Page 12
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
Getting pumped for the fire muster
A helping hand: Faith-based programs reach out locally and globally. See Page 16
Annual event parades to ACC on June 20 By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com
POSTAL ADDRESS
LITTLETON INDEPENDENT
(ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603 Centennial, CO 80112 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Littleton, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday 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. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE T HI S C OPY
Although Southwest Adams County Fire Rescue is no more, having merged with North Washington Fire Rescue this year, Garry Aranda is keeping its sirens blar-
ing. 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 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 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 Muster continues on Page 4
Council may kick butts off Main St. Study session takes look at smoking ban in downtown Littleton By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com Littleton City Council fired up a hot topic on May 26, taking a look at whether it should declare downtown a smoke-free zone. “This is going to be a highly charged issue,” predicted Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Beckman. Kim Glidden, owner of The Pottery Studio Gallery on Curtice Street, complained to council on April 21 that people regularly smoke outside her store. And even when they’re outside of the 15-foot zone in which current law bans smoking, Glidden says the smoke affects her and drives people away from her block. She asked council to consider a smoking ban, and Councilmember Debbie Brinkman directed staff to explore the possibilities. Brinkman also wants to limit smoking on playgrounds, open space and trails, Smoking continues on Page 4
Brian Tafoya picks up a cotton-candy Blizzard for his daughter at what might be the only all walk-up Dairy Queen left in the metro area. Photo by Jennifer Smith
Dairy Queen on thin ice Closure of bowling alley leaves fate in question By Jennifer Smith jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com Cindy Gonzalez has spent the last 38 years happily surrounded by Dilly Bars, hot fudge sundaes, Peanut Buster Parfaits and smiling faces. “My favorite thing is that
99.9 percent of the people are happy to be here and happy when they leave,” said the Dairy Queen franchisee. “It’s a good, clean, wholesome business. Not too many people are mad to come get ice cream.” But since her landlord, AMF Broadway Lanes, shuttered its doors late last month, her days are now filled with more trepidation than treats. Gonzalez’s family has owned the Dairy Queen, which opened at 5465 S. Broadway in 1960, since 1977, renting space
in the bowling alley’s parking lot. But when Gonzalez tried to renew the lease at the end of last year, the answer from the corporate office, she says, was a flat “no.” “As long as the bowling alley was there, I felt safe,” said Gonzalez, who employs a halfdozen people or so, including a couple of longtime and loyal employees. “But we don’t have a say in our future at this point. It depends on who buys Dairy Queen continues on Page 4