July 14, 2016
GROWING GAME
VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 26 | 75¢
Cricket is more than a sport for those who play to stay connected with their homelands. PAGE 12
EnglewoodHerald.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
Pot-tax question may be headed for ballot Levy would only be enacted if retail sales were approved By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com Englewood City Council plans to place a question on the November ballot asking voters for permission to enact a special tax if voters also approve the sale of recreational marijuana in the city.
Recreational marijuana sales are banned in Englewood, but an effort is underway to collect the signatures necessary to ask voters in November to approve such sales in the city. The city council considered the proposal for a taxation ballot question at the July 5 study session. “Any new tax must be approved by a vote of the people. So we drafted the wording for a possible ballot question to enable the city to place a special sales tax on recreational marijuana, but
the approval would only apply if voters approve the proposed ballot issue to allow recreational marijuana sales in the city,” Eric Keck, city manager, told the council. If voters allow recreational marijuana sales in the city, the proposed ballot question could allow the city council to enact special sales tax rates on marijuana sales ranging from 3.5 percent to 15 percent. The council also discussed the fact that proponents of recreational mari-
juana sales in Englewood are seeking to gather signatures to place a taxation question on the ballot. Keck said the ballot proposal wording is different because the question doesn’t have to follow the TABOR rules that apply to a city-sponsored ballot issue. Councilmembers agreed to meet with the ballot-proposal sponsors to see if the two questions could be combined. They also agreed to take up the first reading of their proposed taxation ballot question at the July 18 city council meeting.
Phone survey planned for police station proposal Consultant would use poll as part of bond issue evaluation By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Lara Oliver shows how she created the paintings to turn a piece of used furniture into artwork. Her items are among the artworks and furniture on display at the Re-Nu/Blue Chair store at 3473 S. Broadway. Photo by Tom Munds
Two businesses in one Re-Nu and Blue Chair team up at South Broadway location By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com Sylvia Meeker was with a friend at a nearby restaurant who told her about Re-Nu/Blue Chair. So she decided to check out the Englewood store and found herself amazed. “I think the quality of the items, plus the special touches on refurbished items are very special,” said Meeker, who lives in Littleton. “I also
was impressed by the fact so many artists’ works are on display here ... This is really a special place.” She will certainly be back, Meeker said, to buy an item or two. Re-Nu/Blue Chair, at 3473 S. Broadway, held an open house July 9 for customers, residents and visitors to learn about the store’s concept, Blue Chair owner Jim Thomas said. The store is actually a composite of two businesses: Re-Nu bills itself as an upscale, resale non-profit store of retail furniture and decorating items. Blue Chair specializes in refinishing furniture as well as creating custom items. When Blue Chair had to move from its previous location a few doors
down the street, Thomas teamed up with Re-Nu. “They have a huge supply of really nice items for sale here,” he said, as he stained some panels. “I repair and refinish furniture for them. I still do my repurposing work and I offer my items for sale in the store ... In everything we do, we try to repurpose as many things as we can and not waste anything doing the job. For example, we recycle pallet wood and we try to be creative with items we find, like making a coffee table out of a door.” The array of new, recycled and repurposed furniture occupies most Business continues on Page 5
Englewood has hired a consulting firm to help in the process of possibly putting a question on the November ballot asking voters to approve a multimillion-dollar bond issue for a new police station. One of the first steps will be a phone survey of 300 residents to determine whether enough voter support exists to put the question on the ballot. “The time remaining before the issue must be placed on the ballot is short,” said Steve Welchert, a partner in Mile High Public Affairs, about the upcoming November election time frame. “We feel the poll will provide an indication of resident attitude about the bond issue.” Proposal continues on Page 5
TILT FOR THE TITLE Englewood High graduate Soderstrom prepares for championship fight. PAGE 21
ENGLEWOOD HERALD (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 176-680) OFFICE: 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, the Englewood Herald is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LITTLETON, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Tue. 11 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.