March 20, 2014
50 cents Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 148, Issue 15
A publication of
goldentranscript.net
INSIDE ➥
MUSIC IN THE AIR
Unincorporated Jeffco prohibits pot clubs Proposal also limits cultivation to residential, 12 plants max By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ coloradocommunitymedia.com
The crowd on Grandview Avenue parted for the marching Centennial State Pipes & Drums during the St. Patrick’s Day Festival Saturday at Olde Town Arvada. The festival, in its third year, is intended to provide a regional option to the celebration in downtown Denver. A few thousand people spent some time listening to music and enjoying food and drink along the blocked off street. Photo by Mikkel Kelly
Cyberbullying bill passes House Bill targets online bullying, but GOP has concerns By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com A bill that would make it a crime to “cyberbully” a child passed the House on March 12, but not before Republicans raised concerns about the legislation’s punishment structure, which makes it a greater crime to target certain groups of people. House Bill 1131 would create misdemeanor penalties for those who commit cyberbullying — cases involving children who are bullied through technological platforms that include Report social media. The legislation aims to address a growing trend where kids are subjected to teasing and humiliation through cell phones or the Internet, which can lead to emotional problems in children and can sometimes result in suicide. “Many of the children who are bullied never tell anybody,” said Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, a bill sponsor. “If there is a child out there who is bullied, please tell an adult. Don’t suffer that emotional harm alone.” Fields’ bill drew large bipartisan support, having cleared the House following a 54-10 vote. But Republicans who voted for the bill said they hope the Senate takes up concerns over what some feel is a fairness issue in the legislation. The bill would make cyberbullying a class 2 misdemeanor, but creates a greater, class 1 misdemeanor penalty in cases where the victims are targeted because of their race, gender, religion, sexual
Capitol
POSTAL ADDRESS
orientation or physical or mental disability. A class 1 misdemeanor conviction carries with it a possible jail term of 6 to 18 months and fines that can reach $5,000. Those found guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor face the possibility of spending between 3 and 12 months behind bars and a fine of up to $2,500. Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, said there was “no reason to make a distinction” based on particular groups of victims, and tried to amend the bill to punish all cases under a singular class 1 misdemeanor. “Let’s not make some victims lesser victims,” Gardner said. Although his amendment failed, Gardner did end up voting for the bill, saying, “I am not one to allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good.” Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, also voted for the bill, calling cyberbulling a serious issue that needs to be addressed. But McNulty also supported Gardner’s amendment and said that he hopes the Senate will address Republican concerns. “Every child deserves equal protection under the law,” McNulty said. “This bill denies equal protection.” Democrats pushed back against Republican arguments, saying that certain groups of people are harmed more than others, when it comes to be bullied. House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, who is gay and who was once a special education student, said that being bullied “hit in my core in a different way that it did other people.” “You’re already a marginalized person, you feel that way,” Ferrandino said. “You already feel like you’re an outcast.” Rep. Joe Salazar, D-Thornton, got riled up at ReHouse continues on Page 20
GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT
The Board of County Commissioners will be passing on a zoning resolution to the planning commission that prohibits private marijuana clubs and limits cultivation in unincorporated Jeffco. Not only would the new section in the zoning resolution prohibit smoking establishments but it would also ban any events associated with marijuana and prevent any promotion of pot at local fairs. The proposal also includes limited cultivation for any residence or co-op, with a total of 12 plants being the allowed maximum. “Part of the idea is to deal with co-ops, the idea of several individuals coming together renting a greenhouse or some location and growing a lot of plants together,” said Eric Butler, assistant county attorney for Jeffco. “That couldn’t be done under this proposal because one, you have to be at a residential property and two, even if you did have a greenhouse on residential property it would be limited to 12
plants total,” he said adding that a person would also have to be living at the property unless they are a patient of a caregiver. This section falls under the provisions of Amendment 20 which authorizes the use of medical marijuana for people who have a debilitating injury or illness in which pot may help with symptoms associated with the medical condition. The limitation is similar to restrictions placed in Denver. Jeffco placed a moratorium on pot establishments including retail and smoking bars as well as cultivation or processing of pot outside of a residential home. The moratorium is set to expire this May. The county will move forward with a Marijuana Task Force after applications are turned in on March 21. The task force is set to meet for six months before handing over its findings to county commissioners. “Going forward, if its deemed from the Marijuana Task Force that no, clubs should be allowed or yes, clubs should be allowed, we’ll make adjustments,” Commissioner Don Rosier said. Commissioners Casey Tighe and Faye Griffin agreed with Rosier’s comments. The resolution will head to the planning commission before coming back to the BCC for a public hearing about final approval.
One man’s junk Spring Beautiful Junk Sale helps Action Center By Clarke Reader
creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Spring cleaning is in the air, and The Action Center is using that energy to host its biannual Beautiful Junk Sale to raise funds for the work the organization does. The sale will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 21, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, at the Jefferson County Fairground’s Exhibit Hall, 15200 W. 6th Ave. in Golden. The price of admission is $3 for everyone 16 and older, and visitors can get $1 off admission if by bringing two or more non-perishable food donations. “This is our chance to invite the public to a really fun event to raise money and awareness for our organization,” Mag Strittmatter, executive director for the center said. “We fill up every square inch of the
space, and it takes hundreds of volunteer hours to get it ready.” The sale draws thousands of shoppers, and has become a tradition, not only for people looking for great deals, but for volunteers as well. “I’ve been volunteering with the center for 14 years,” said Lisa Markley, who the lead volunteer for pricing and set up at the sale. “When we first started we only needed a small building, but now it’s something we prepare all year for.” All the items on sale are items that have been donated to the center, but are either something that clients don’t need or aren’t appropriate, according to Strittmatter. Sale items include jewelry, collectibles, vintage odds and ends, sporting goods, holiday decor and a vast array of household items. “The prices range from 25 cents to a couple hundred dollars. Basically anything you could see
Junk continues on Page 20
(ISSN 0746-6382)
OFFICE: 110 N. Rubey Dr, Unit 150, Golden, CO 80403 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Golden Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 110 N. Rubey Dr., Unit 150, Golden, CO 80403. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 110 N. Rubey Dr, Unit 150, Golden, CO 80403 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. | Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Tues. 12 p.m.
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