April 21, 2016 VOLUME 150 | ISSUE 20 | 50¢
GoldenTranscript.net J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Vested community keeps Golden strong 2015 GOLDEN ACCOMPLISHMENTS Finances — Revenues were higher than expected with sales taxes leading the way and the city maintaining an excellent fund balance. The city received the Government Finance Officers Association annual audit award for the 24th consecutive year and the Distinguished Budget Award for the 13th consecutive year. Fossil Trace — A new advanced reservation program helped set new records for people enjoying the golf course. More than 38,000 rounds of golf were purchased, with greens fees totaling more than $1.9 million. The staff was also recognized with numerous national awards in 2015.
City manager delivers State of the City address, highlights successes By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com A quality Jason Slowinski finds remarkable about Golden is how many people volunteer their time to make Golden a great community. “We are all very fortunate to be part of the Golden community,” said Slowinski, who delivered the State of the City address at an April 12 luncheon at The Golden Hotel. “Many of our citizens routinely come together to work hard for the betterment of Golden.” About 120 community and business leaders attended the State of the City luncheon. “Together, we will touch upon the successes of the year ahead for Golden,” Leslie Klane, president of the Golden Chamber of Commerce, said in the opening presentation. “We are Golden, and we make a difference in the lives of those who work, live and visit here.” City continues on Page 19
Golden City Manager Jason Slowinski delivers the State of the City address, which took place during a luncheon April 12 at The Golden Hotel. Photo by Christy Steadman
Murdered At this breakfast, it’s all good musician’s killer gets life term Hundreds get together to honor Jeffco residents who do the right thing
Nine individuals or organizations were awarded with an honoree plaque at the 26th annual Good News Breakfast, which took place April 12 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Photo by Christy Steadman
By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Thomas LaPerch guilty of 2014 slaying, arson By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com William Burchett made lifelong friends. He was a musician, history buff, world traveler and loving stepdad. Locally famous as the lead singer of the Resonatorz, Burchett was murdered in his Golden home on March 15, 2014, at the age of 57. “There were tears around the world,” said Michele Ater, Burchett’s life partner. LaPerch A courtroom in the Jefferson County courthouse filled with people on April 15 to witness the sentencing of Thomas Kevin LaPerch for Burchett’s murder. Following a nine-day trial, on April 11, after only two hours of deliberation, a Jefferson County jury found LaPerch guilty of first-degree murder after deliberation, arson and criminal mischief — Killer continues on Page 10
About 400 people gathered at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds on April 12 to hear word of the county’s good news. The theme for the 26th annual Good News Breakfast was “Building and Protecting Our Community.” Coinciding with the theme, nine individuals or organizations were awarded with an honoree plaque this year.
Honor continues on Page 10
WHAT GOOD NEWS WAS HEARD THIS YEAR? 2016 Good News Breakfast honorees: Rabbi Benjamin “Jamie” Arnold — instrumental in establishing a severe weather emergency shelter to serve Evergreen’s homeless individuals.
runner for charity.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) — independent advocates for Jefferson County children in the court system who are victims of abuse and neglect.
Lakewood Police Department’s Victim Advocate Lindsey Bravdica, Sgt. David Hoover and Agents James Butler and Toby Maez — helped stabilize a father and his 10-year-old son by helping to find affordable housing, taking the child to school, arranging free repair of the vehicle the family was living in and initiated fundraising efforts.
Detective Jesus “Moose” Chavez — a school resource officer known to have mentored hundreds of children, organizer of a Christmas program to benefit Arvada High School families and a marathon
Jefferson Center for Mental Health and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office: Crisis Intervention Team Managers Program — collaboration that began in October 2014 by Emily Richardson and
Capt. Al Simmons to provide education and training for deputies to increase safety for law enforcement officers and individuals involved in a mental crisis situation. Margaret Paget — City of Wheat Ridge’s forestry and open space supervisor known to have gone above and beyond her job duties to support residents’ projects and who has worked to protect and preserve the city’s open space areas for 25 years. Pete Roybal — began the monthly food basket program at Phillips United Methodist Church; as a veteran, he works to improve the lives of all those who have served the
country; and as a Lakewood city councilor, he worked to decrease the graffiti problem citywide. Kevin Shive — found the Rocky Mountain Police Chaplains program in 2014, and since, the program has served 29 cities and agencies at the local, state and federal level. West Metro Fire Protect District — personnel volunteers time with The Action Center and its clients, provides community education to children and makes regular school visits, puts on car seat and bicycle helmet checks for the community, and the organization’s seal of approval program rates senior living facilities.
GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 0746-6382) OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Golden Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by West Suburban Community Media, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, 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. 12 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.