NATURAL REMEDY
July 28, 2016 VOLUM E 128 | IS S UE 1 | 75¢
Holistic approach to medicine focuses on treating the entire body. PAGE 12
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
Littleton appoints interim city manager Council begins process to find permanent hire for position
By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com The Littleton City Council appointed Public Works Director Mark Relph as acting city manager July 19 and authorized a request for proposals from executive search firms to find a permanent manager.
Relph was the only senior city staff member to show an interest in becoming the interim manager, according to Deputy City Manager Mike Braaten, who had been acting as city manager since Michael Penny was fired June 14 from the position. Relph will be paid $158,000 per year, plus a $200-per-month car allowance, up from his $135,000 salary as public works director. Councilmember Phil Cernanec was
the only vote against appointing Relph. Cernanec has maintained that the city should have interviewed more people for the interim position, including so-called “circuit riders” or outside specialists in interim positions. “It’s not that I feel director Relph is incompetent,” he said. Cernanec also is conRelph
cerned that Relph will face conflicts of interest in the budget process, as he heads up one of the city’s largest departments. Councilmember Debbie Brinkman has also said previously that she wanted more options and was open to an outsider, but ultimately voted to confirm Relph. “I think it’s important that the council show a strong vote of support for Mark,” she said. Interim continues on Page 5
IN HER HONOR 5K race is for good cause. PAGE 4
POKEMON CRAZE Smartphone game is all the rage in south metro area. PAGE 18
Steve Hall sits astride his Harley-Davidson Electric Glide cruiser outside the Platte River Bar and Grill in Littleton on July 19. Hall says if he dies riding his bike he will die doing what he loves most in life. Photos by Tom Skelley
Freedom, safety steer helmet debate
Doug Vickery models a popular motorcycle helmet at his motorsports store in Arapahoe County on July 19. Vickery says he has a stock of personal helmets that are “trashed” from his days as a professional racer.
Fatality stats not enough to sway many riders
MORE POWER
By Tom Skelley tskelley@colorado communitymedia.com
Pro stock motorcycle mechanic continues quest for speed. PAGE 22
Brahm Bechtold rides a Harley-Davidson cruiser, a bike he says is made for taking it easy and enjoying the scenery. He and his wife and passenger, Dagmar, say new motorcyclists should wear helmets, but they feel safe without them because they take it slow. “The wind’s in your hair, you’re having fun and just kind of putting along. It’s nothing fast, no tight turns, it’s a lot slower, just enjoying the scenery,” said Bechtold, a Lone Tree resident who has been riding for 20 years. “I’m not looking to cut those corners or do that high acceleration.” In Colorado, where adults are not legally required to wear a helmet, emotions over whether to do so are riding high on both sides as the number of motorcyclist deaths increases. Those who wear them cite safety, while riders who don’t say it’s a matter of personal freedom. Helmets continues on Page 8
LITTLETON INDEPENDENT (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Littleton, Colorado, the Littleton Independent 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.