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February 6, 2014
75 cents Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 122, Issue 14 A publication of
douglascountynewspress.net
IREA proposes policy changes Co-op works to improve customer relationships By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier@coloradocommunitymedia.com IREA, the energy co-op that services much of Douglas County, may make some policy changes — ranging from changes meant to benefit customers with health issues who have difficulty paying bills — to imposing a fee for disconnect notices, to offering a rate discount for industrial users who move their operations into IREA’s territory.
A list of proposed changes sent out in January to customers will be reviewed at the IREA board of directors’ March 4 meeting, said Michelle McAndrew, IREA’s manager of rates, regulations and power supply. Customers with concerns need to file a written complain with IREA at least 15 days before that meeting. She said current policy for customers who have serious health issues — enough that without electricity it would be lifethreatening — allows the customer to provide a medical certificate from a physician. If approved, IREA gives the customer extra time to pay — a 60-day grace period, as well an additional 30-day extension, if
needed. But the proposed policy would allow more than one medical certificate per year, allowing a customer to submit one after another as long as the bill’s balance was paid after each certificate. “It gives them time to resolve the situation,” McAndrew said. Another change for residential customers: Currently, if IREA has misread a meter and not charged enough, to recoup that, it would bill the customer the additional amount over a period of time, not to exceed six months. The new policy, to make it fairer to the customer, would allow for a much longer time period. McAndrew said if, for example, they
misread a customer’s meter for 24 months, the new policy would give the customer 24 months to pay. Another proposed change involves something not done before: requiring a deposit from new customers that haven’t established a previous good payment history with IREA. McAndrew said the deposit would be based on an estimate of 60-days usage. And the deposit would be returned with interest after 12 months of good payment history. Another proposed change is to add a $9.25 fee on disconnect notices. IREA continues on Page 13
Local man receives ‘Rising Sun’ honor Petition to Isao ‘Kami’ Kamitani stop repeal decorated by Emperor Akihito for community, underway international work By Virginia Grantier
Castle Rock residents want voters, not council, to decide about guns in town buildings
vgrantier@coloradocommunitymedia.com “Kami” is in his 70s, now, recently retired, and living quietly in a Castle Rock townhome, watching over his wife who has had health problems. But in November they were far from Castle Rock — in Japan at the Imperial Palace with Emperor Akihito. Castle Rock’s Isao “Kami” Kamitani, was there to accept from the emperor one of Japan’s highest honors for everything he has done. Kamitani received one of the Order of the Rising Sun decorations that was established in 1875 and has been given through the years to exceptional achievers — scientists, playwrights, educators and others in various fields. “This is the highest honor for a Japanese national … given directly from the Japanese emperor,” said Shunsuke Ono Jan. 30, consul at the Consulate-General of Japan’s office in Denver. “He’s well respected by the Japanese community and helped the city of Denver a lot. He’s (had a) very important role.” When Kamitani, a long-time international businessman, found out he was chosen, he truly didn’t think he deserved it. But others begged to differ with him. In December, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock proclaimed Dec. 17, 2013 as Isao “Kami” Kamitani Day for what he has done over decades in strengthening relations between Colorado and Japan; establishing the Japanese Firms Association of Denver and the Japanese School of Denver; and securing Denver’s first-ever nonstop airline service between Denver and Tokyo — which the mayor’s office estimated would add about $130 million annually to Colorado’s economy. Other accomplishments through the years included finding new markets in Japan for American products. He knew, for example, the Japanese would love Coors beer, and arranged a licensing agreement between Coors and Asahi Breweries to POSTAL ADDRESS
By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Isao “Kami” Kamitani, 72, of Castle Rock, was recently flown to Japan and presented one of the country’s highest honors from the Emperor of Japan for his work in international relations. Photo by Virginia Grantier
brew Coors beer in Japan. He also helped Callaway Golf enter the Japanese market. And he identified investment opportunities with American start-up companies that his employer, Sumitomo Corporation of America, then ended up investing millions of dollars in. But most significantly, he was honored for being a person of high integrity and sincerity, according to the mayor’s proc-
news-press
lamation. In the often brutal, competitive corporate world of business, his character is perhaps what Kamitani is most known for. “Do right … even if you lose money it will come back to you,” he said in a recent interview.
On Jan. 28 at about 11 p.m., Castle Rock Town Council voted 4-3 to repeal the ban on open carrying of firearms in some town buildings and facilities. And on Jan. 29 at about 9:30 a.m., a committee of six residents, upset with the council’s decision, started a referendum effort by submitting a petition to the town clerk. Jacob Vargish, a Castle Rock resident and consulting engineer, told the NewsPress Feb. 1 that the city clerk had OK’d the petitions and the group was already out getting signatures. They need to submit 1,887 signatures by 5 p.m. Feb. 27 — the day the repeal is to go into effect. He said the town clerk, Sally Misare, would then have to verify the signatures. Later, town council would have the choice between either changing their decision or scheduling a special election. If Vargish and others can’t get enough signatures, the town council’s decision stands. And on Feb. 27 — 30 days after that decision was made — anyone who has a handgun or assault rifle or any other legally purchased firearm will be allowed to carry it in their hands or holstered to Castle Rock Town Council meetings, other town commission and advisory board meetings, administrative offices, various parks and other town-owned properties. The group spearheading the effort contends that 78 percent of Castle Rock residents’ emails on record at town hall about the issue indicate opposition to the repeal. “I don’t think council has done a good
Petition continues on Page 14
Kamitani continues on Page 11
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