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September 17, 2015
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A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
Council beginning to discuss taxes
WHAT’S INSIDE
Splash down: After Labor Day, man’s best friend gets a turn in the pool. See Page 5
Bond issue could be in near future for Littleton By Jennifer Smith jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com
Aware: Local law enforcement responds to threats. See Page 7
Former Littleton resident Maryalyce Allery plays with her herd of dachshunds at “Doxie Ranch,” their Roxborough home in Douglas County. Photo by Jennifer Smith
Roll out of the kennels for
On the ballot: Voters to answer Arapahoe libraries’ tax question this fall. See Page 8
Dachtoberfest
Fundraiser supports small-dog rescue and foster programs
POSTAL ADDRESS
By Jennifer Smith jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com Maryalyce Allery is happiest hanging out at Doxie Ranch with her four kids — Minnie,
Lily, Brenna and Abby — plus her foster babies, Louie and Mindie, and foster chiweenie, Delila. Wait. What’s a chiweenie? Delila is a Chihuahua/dachshund mix, and the rest of her siblings are miniature dachsunds. “The dogs are our kids, just like other dog people,” she said. “They’re an investment,
like a child. They take time and money. Dogs aren’t just things.” The public can meet Allery’s little family at Colorado Dachtoberfest on Sept. 26 at Littleton’s Progress Park. It’s a fundraiser for Allery’s nonprofit and several other small-dog rescue programs. “Small dogs don’t do well in Dachshund continues on Page 4
Victims’ rights pioneer retires after 40 years Feldman helped start programs in Littleton, Arapahoe County LITTLETON INDEPENDENT
(ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603 Centennial, CO 80112 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, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LITTLETON, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603 Centennial, CO 80112 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE
By Jennifer Smith jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com Nancy Feldman spent nearly 40 years helping people through the most terrible times in their lives. “One of the nice things about starting in 1975, before there was victim assistance, is having the opportunity to see it develop into a field,” she said on the afternoon of Sept. 10, 10 days into her retirement from the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice. Feldman, who has lived in Littleton since 1977, helped pave the way in the south-metro area for ensuring victims of crime were heard. She began her career in 1975, working in the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office as one of the first counselors hired in what was then the new juvenile diversion program. That experience led to a position with the Littleton Police Department as a youth counselor. Being a sworn officer was a requirement of the job, and she became one of just four women Feldman continues on Page 5
Nancy Feldman spent nearly 40 years fighting for victims’ rights in the south metro area. Photo by Jennifer Smith
As Littleton City Council reviewed priorities for the near future, it became evident members will not shy away from uttering the words “bond issue.” “This year’s budget has a lot of capital improvements in it,” City Manager Michael Penny said during the Sept. 9 study session. “We need to start a community conversation. … It’s going to come from some kind of bond issue.” On the wish list of things new taxes could pay for are repairing and improving city buildings, new playground equipment at all parks, finding parking solutions, moving Fire Station 12 out of Littleton Center to free up space for other departments, and improving traffic flow on Broadway, Mineral Avenue and Santa Fe Drive. “These are real things,” said Penny. “We’re not just putting out the golden cows, like closing the library on Sunday afternoons. These are defined capital projects.” Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Beckman said there are many issues to take care of, and infrastructure is definitely one of them. “If we can’t get support for that, then we’re going to have to restructure the government,” he said. “But we have to know what the public wants, and we have to find a way to be honest and legitimate about it.” Mayor Phil Cernanec noted another of council’s priorities is improving outreach to the public in general. “We need consent on the solution, but first we need consensus on the problem,” said Cernanec. Councilmember Debbie Brinkman praised improvements over the past few years that have come from implementation of new neighborhood programs such as mediation services and the reinstatement of National Night Out. But she said it’s still tough to get public input when the council wants it. “We need to hear from our whole community, not just a small group we hear from all the time,” she said. “We’re not on the 5 o’clock news every night like the feds are.” Council’s top 10 priorities, in order of importance: • Redevelop opportunities downtown • Development opportunities at Mineral Avenue and Santa Fe Drive • Improve Santa Fe and Bowles Avenue intersection • Capital improvements to streets, buildings and infrastructure • Update zoning to allow longterm plan for housing stock • Support business • Improve public outreach • Assist aging residents • Revitalize Littleton Boulevard corridor • Implement Littleton Fire Rescue priorities