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August 1, 2014 VOLU M E 1 3 | I SS UE 36
CentennialCitizen.net A publication of
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Council provides boost for business Tax-exemption amount raised to $100,000 By Christy Steadman csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com
One of the best spins on the midway, the merry-go-round, is a traditional favorite at the Arapahoe County Fair. Sometimes called carousels, they are believed to have emerged from early jousting practices in Europe and the Middle East where knights would ride horses in circles, tossing balls to one another to improve agility.
The council considers Centennial to be a “business-friendly city,” and a new resolution will benefit loyal, long-term businesses and could attract more companies to open shop there. At a July 21 city council meeting, a motion carried that will temporarily increase the amount of the Business Personal Property Tax Exemption from $7,000 to $100,000 — higher than surrounding municipalities and Arapahoe County. The exemption is estimated to affect 91.5 percent of Centennial’s businesses. “We wanted (to be able) to give the most relief to the most businesses,” Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon said. City officials estimate a decrease in revenue of about $220,000 by implementing the exemption. But Noon said part of the idea is to attract new businesses to the city, which will bring revenue in different forms, like new jobs and Council continues on Page 11
Fire chief set to retire Qualman to hand over reins in January
ABOVE: A high-flying hound from Rocky Mountain Dock Dogs, an organization that produces professional canine aquatics events, takes a plunge in the cool water July 26 at the Arapahoe County Fair. During the “Big Air” competition, dogs leap from a dock and are awarded points based on the height and length of the jump. RIGHT: This black and white Polish cockerel seemed to garner the attention of fairgoers with its interesting “hairdo.” Along with livestock and produce, exotic breeds of poultry can be found among the many exhibitions.
By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com
A fair amount of fun
Afternoon thunderstorms and the Arapahoe County Fair seem to be a common pairing, and although brisk weather over the weekend sent this year’s fairgoers scrambling for cover, it didn’t send them scrambling for home. In fact, thrill seekers along the midway at the fairgrounds in Aurora on July 26 found even more attractions than last year, including a woman with the head of a human and the body of a snake and the world’s smallest pony, supposedly coming in at only 10 inches in height. Along with the annual rodeo, tractor pull and demolition derby, high-flying hounds, live musical entertainment and mutton bustin’ brought smiles to visitors of all ages.
PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY SMITH
Chambers strive to make connections Networking is not a lost art, business groups’ leaders say By Chris Rotar
crotar@colorado communitymedia.com High heels, ties knotted tight, cell phones set to silent mode. Polite conversation permeates the room. Business cards are dealt with a smile. Eggs, bacon, breakfast burritos. Captains of industry sip coffee. They’re juiced. They are gathered at a chamber of commerce function, in a town near you,
in hopes of gleaning the nuggets of wisdom that can take their business to the next level. This morning’s presentation could be on commercial real estate sales, or it could be on the need to expand public transportation. Some might say, however, that what happened in the minutes before — the handshakes, the eye contact, the heaping helpings of conversation — is the main attraction. No doubt, networking remains vital in the business world. But are scenarios like the one above as important as they once were?
PART Chambers continues on Page 10
3 OF 3 PART SERIES
Dan Qualman began his career in firefighting in 1969 as a volunteer at a college campus department. Pretty soon, he “got bit by the bug, and thought `this is really neat.’” By the time he committed to the fire service as a career, he had already earned an engineering degree and was a manager at an established firm. “I wanted to do something that was more significant than making money for that company,” said the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority chief. After four decades in Qualman firefighting and 28 years as chief, Qualman will retire from South Metro. The highly decorated leader will leave his post in early January, but will begin the transition in October to assistant chief Bob Baker, who was named Qualman’s successor June 30. Moving to Colorado in 1983 from Arizona, Qualman served as assistant chief of fire prevention for the Parker Fire Protection District until August 1986, when he was appointed fire chief. Following the consolidation of South Metro Fire Rescue and Parker Fire District in 2008, he was appointed fire chief for the new authority. Pat Mulhern, president of the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority Board, said Chief continues on Page 5