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April 18, 2014 Arapahoe County, Colorado | Volume 13, Issue 21 A publication of
centennialcitizen.net
GOP assembly pares down field Former JeffCo lawmaker Kopp earns top line on primary ballot in gubernatorial race By Vic Vela
vvela@colorado communitymedia.com It took Republican delegates just one ballot over the weekend to pick from a crowded field of hopefuls looking to challenge Gov. John Hickenlooper this November — and one candidate in particular emerged as a surprise force in the race. Delegates who converged on Boulder for the Republican State
Assembly April 12 also picked candidates for other key statewide races. The results included the clearing of opposition to U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, who can now set his sights exclusively on Democratic incumbent Mark Udall in the race for the Senate. Coming into the assembly, at least one gubernatorial candidate looked like a sure bet to get on the ballot — Secretary of State Scott Gessler. But delegates made room for another hopeful: former state Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp. In a crowded GOP field, Kopp will have the top line when Republican voters fill out their ballots in the gubernatorial primary in June. That’s because Kopp
emerged with the top vote count among the 3,900-plus delegates. “It’s always nice to have the ‘big Mo,’” said Kopp, who represented the southern part of Jefferson County in the state Senate from 2007-11. “Our message worked, our organization worked. So, phase one is complete and now we’re excited to move into phase two.” Kopp’s nomination speech — held inside the University of Colorado’s Coors Events Center — took on a fighting theme. Kopp talked about being an underdog who takes down “giants” and referenced his own background as GOP continues on Page 24
Grant Van Der Jagt (center) and Larry Strohl fill out their ballots at the Republican state assembly on April 12. Van Der Jagt and Strohl were delegates from Centennial. Photo by Vic Vela
City bans retail pot Centennial residents can still grow personal plants in home By Hannah Garcia
hgarcia@ coloradocommunitymedia.com
Dakota Wilkins, a Littleton High School junior, works on a 3D printer to create a part for his remote-control jet boat during the Littleton Public School Foundation’s annual fundraiser on April 12. Photo by Jennifer Smith
Gala supports STEM learning Spirit Dinner raises more than $90,000 By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com Proving once again that the Littleton Public Schools community places a high value on education, it came together April 12 to raise a staggering $90,000 in just five hours. “This community brings me to tears,” said Mary McGlone, president of the Littleton Public Schools Foundation, which is matching the money raised that evening. “It’s amazing how open their hearts are and their wallets are.” LPSF hosts the annual Spirit Dinner every year, and this one broke all previous records. This year, the money is earmarked to help transform the district’s four middle schools into “STEM Centers,” focusing on science, technology, engineering and math. “It’s the whole future for all of these
STUDENTS LAUDED The following students were presented with LPS Foundation Spirit Scholarships during the annual gala on April 12, in memory of Heritage High School educator Karen Colwell: Madalyn Fania, Arapahoe High School Christine Kerr, Heritage High School Sarah Stevens, Littleton High School Alysa Hawkins, Options High School The following teachers were recognized as Innovative Educators: Maggie Ward, Moody Elementary School Jill Day, Wilder Elementary School Brooke Jacobsma-Wolf, Centennial Academy of Fine Arts Lauren Wenberg, Hopkins Elementary School Tammy Escue, Twain Elementary School Marnie Jordan, Powell Middle School Julia Montano, Field Elementary School Heather Cotham, Pathways Middle School Kent Sauls, Heritage High School kids,” said Brian Vogt, executive director of Denver Botanic Gardens and emcee for the evening. “It’s what they have to
do really fundamentally to make it in this world.” It’s a lofty goal that will cost about $200,000 per school to attain, but the projects displayed by kids on Innovation Avenue prove they are worthy of the investment. From kindergarten email pals to high-schoolers riding a hovercraft powered by a leaf blower, they showed a level of enthusiasm that far outpaced the grownups’ understanding of the technology that is new to them but that the kids have never lived without. “If you look closely, you see creativity and relevance,” said Clay Abla, LPS director of secondary education. He said the centers will build an environment that will serve as a gateway to exploratory learning, and middle school minds are ripe for self-empowerment and collaboration. “They begin to seek richer learning experiences as they begin to envision their own lives,” said Abla. “Our students’ futures do depend on this. We
Gala continues on Page 24
The Centennial City Council unanimously approved a ban on commercial recreational marijuana, including retail shops, on April 14 after a second reading and public hearing. The ordinance bans commercial sale and growth of recreational marijuana, although per state law it allows for personal growth inside the home — up to six plants per person, no more than 30 in a home — in a locked, enclosed space. In the wake of the passage of Amendment 64, the council passed a year-long moratorium on recreational marijuana last year, set to expire in September, in anticipation of a new council and to gather public input, according to city attorney Robert Widner. “A strong majority of the municipality favored a ban,” Widner said. During a public hearing, resident Bob Doyle, executive director of the Colorado Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance and leader of anti-marijuana group Project SAM, applauded the ordinance. “What’s happening in our state is tragic,” Doyle said. “We are mass producing hash oil, marijuana dust — which I didn’t even know existed until a month ago — and other insanely potent forms of marijuana.” Doyle pointed to statistics of high marijuana usage in Denver public schools and said that “it sadly has never been easier for a child to fall into drug use, especially marijuana.” “This is what’s happening, it’s happening underneath here. And we should be proud that Centennial is taking a stand,” Doyle said. “This is the next tobacco industry unless we stop it one community at a time.” The only other person to speak during the public hearing, resident David City continues on Page 24
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