September 10, 2015 VOLUME 149 | ISSUE 40 | 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
Aviation event promotes mental health awareness Warbirds over Rockies informative, entertaining
By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com Eighteen percent of adults nationwide suffer from some kind of a mental disorder, a number Brian O’Meara and Andrew Romanoff are trying to lower through education —and a little fun. “Mental illness is something as Americans we brush under the carpet, because if it’s not affecting you, it’s easy to ignore,” said O’Meara, organizer of Warbirds over the Rockies, a model aviation event that combines plane modeling with mental health awareness. Held Sept. 11-13 at the Arvada Modelers Airfield, 7608 State Highway 93, Warbirds brings together more than 300 modelers and model aircraft to entertain and educate attendees about modeling, wartime aircraft and mental health issues. “This is a patriotic, educational and entertaining event,” said Romanoff, president and CEO of Mental Health America, the beneficiary of the three-day event. “We have 5 million potential supporters in Colorado — everyone in this state is Event continues on Page 13
Warbirds over the Rockies organizer Brian O’Meara and his wife, Bonnie, sit next to their P-47 Warbird, which has a 12-foot wingspan and includes a 420 CC engine. Courtesy photo ,
POSTAL ADDRESS
District 4 candidate Tori Merritts, right, talks with Lakewood residents Patti Peters, left, and David Hickey before the start of the first candidate forum for the 2015 Jeffco school board election. Photo by Crystal Anderson
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 Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 722 Washington Ave., Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE
First forum held in school board race For a quick look at candidates, turn to page 5 By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com The recall election of the three majority members on the Jefferson County Board of Education loomed large at the election season’s first candidate forum, as nine of the dozen candidates vying for a seat shared their opinions. “Jeffco Schools has to be the bestperforming district in this country and we can make this happen,” said David Hickey, a Lakewood resident attending the forum. “But we have to have the right people at the right time at the right place to make that happen.”
The Centennial Institute, a think tank at Colorado Christian University, hosted the Aug. 31 forum, introducing candidates running for the board’s five seats. The recall targets the current board majority: board president Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk. The three candidates running to replace the board majority — Susan Harmon, Ron Mitchell and Brad Rupert — did not attend the event. Rupert, Mitchell and Harmon later explained they had scheduling conflicts. “American public education is one Forum continues on Page 5
CASA there when no one else is Volunteer organization gives support to children in need By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Every week, Jefferson County resident Jill Ross looks forward to her hug from one 14-year-old girl, who has lived in three different homes and had two different guardian ad litems and case workers. But Ross has been there through it all. “And I will be,” she $1,200 — approximate said. “I’m one person amount it costs to provide making a difference advocacy for one child per year in that 14-year-old 1,000 — approximate girl’s life, when she number of children in the child may think nobody is welfare system not assigned an there for her.” advocate in 2014 Ross is a Court 300 — approximate number Appointed Special of child abuse and neglect Advocate or CASA cases filed in 2014 in the 1st for the 1st Judicial Judicial District, which consists District, which conof Jefferson and Gilpin counties sists of Jefferson and 250 — number of CourtGilpin counties. Appointed Special Advocates in CASAs “are a the First Judicial District child’s eyes and ears,” said Leah Varnell, 75 — number of advocates trained a year executive director of Jefferson/Gilpin 40 — minimum number of CASA. “They repreadvocates that CASA Jeffco/ sent the best interest Gilpin hopes to recruit of the child.” 22 — number of judicial CASA is in the districts in Colorado process of recruiting new volunteers. Cur18 — number of months to which an advocate must rently, CASA is able commit to provide support for only 30 percent 14 — number of years the of cases in court for CASA Jeffco/Gilpin has been abused or neglected serving children
BY THE NUMBERS
CASA continues on Page 5