April 10, 2014
50 cents Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 148, Issue 18
A publication of
goldentranscript.net
City keys on comments
HAVE A COOKIE
Golden Hills mixed in with neighborhood plan By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ coloradocommunitymedia.com
Tim Sandsmark, director of Lookout Mountain Ranger Center, demonstrates water drainage to Brownie Girl Scout Troop 4451 of Littleton, at Apex Park on Monday, March 31. Troop 4451 brought 180 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to Apex volunteers that will be handed out during flood recovery efforts during the spring and summer. After the demonstration, the troop was given a tour of the flood damage around Apex. To the right of Sandsmark is Shyanne Augenstien, 6; Zoe Nash, 7; and Audrey Birkey, 8. Photo by Amy Woodward
City of Golden planning staff is striving to work with community members of the Golden Hills/Golden Heights neighborhoods in order to create a comprehensive neighborhood plan that will hopefully meet the needs of property owners. In a second public outreach meeting at the Jeffco Fairgrounds on Monday, March 31, planning staff addressed concerns from previous meetings which were divided into three areas including code enforcement, traffic and bicycle concerns, and parks and recreation. “We can’t address every issue they have but we want to be able to do as much as we can,” Rick Muriby, planning manager for the city of Golden said. “We and city council in particular want to make sure they are heard just as much as any citizen in Golden.” Maps, traffic counts and other data were on display along with assigned city staff representatives to answer questions and speak with residents of Golden Hills, which is tucked away past the
City continues on Page 23
Finishing the race Runner raising money for charity while chasing her dream By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Gina Chupka of Golden set a goal for herself four years ago, to run in all 50 states with a huge finish in her home state of Massachusetts. She signed up with the 50 State Marathon Club and by April 15, 2013, after three years, Chupka had about a half mile to complete at the Boston Marathon which would make her goal a success. “That was probably the scariest minutes of my life,” Chupka said. But she wasn’t referring to the anticipated finish of her 50 state run initiative. Instead, Chupka recollects the historical turn of events which prevented her from finishing her run and sending her into a panic as she tried to reach her family who were waiting for her at the finish line. The bombings at the Boston Marathon left three people dead and injured over 170 onlookers and athletes. Fortunately for Chupka’s family, who were near the second bombing, they made it through unharmed. As thankful as Chupka is that her famPOSTAL ADDRESS
ily was untouched, she was a little “perturbed” that she was unable to finish. She registered and booked a flight to the next run scheduled in Massachusetts, determined to finish her 50 state run. “I was running the marathon and at about mile 16 or 17, I’m like, what am I doing this for?” Chupka said. She stopped before the finish line, walked around it, and told her mom, “I’m going to finish this in Boston.” This year, Chupka was given an invitation to return to the Boston Marathon to complete what she started. But it hasn’t always been about finishing her run; she is also running again for charity under the Joe Andruzzi Foundation which raises money for cancer patients and their families. The nonprofit was started by former New England Patriots offensive guard Joe Andruzzi, who won three Super Bowls and is a cancer survivor. “I wanted to absolutely run for them again, no question,” Chupka said. It isn’t so much about the foundation’s financial support to cancer patients that stuck out to her, she said, although the marathon team has raised $300,000 toward the foundation but rather the emotional support that Andruzzi gives to patients by visiting them personally. “Joe going to visit patients, that’s just uplifting them to work on cancer and fight for their life,” she said. “I just thought that was really, really, amazing.”
GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT
In 2012, Gina Chupka stood with Keith Wood, left, the oldest competitor in Boston at the age of 84. Chupka will complete her run at the 2014 Boston Marathon after it was disrupted by explosions at the finish line in 2013. Courtesy photo There are a total of 47 participants for “Team JAF” and Chupka is one of 12 runners who received a deferment bib, number 32408. “Our goal for the 2014 marathon is to finish what we started last year,” Joe Andruzzi, foundation president said in a press release. “To run in honor for those who cannot, those who were not able to finish last year, those significantly impacted by the tragic bombings and the first responders
by their sides, and for cancer patients and their families throughout the region who so desperately need assistance,” he said. Once Chupka crosses the finish line at the 118th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21 her completion of her 50 state run will be official. “It was a huge goal I set for myself that I stuck with,” Chupka said. “I’m definitely excited to get it done.”
(ISSN 0746-6382)
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