November 5, 2015
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VOLUM E 127 | IS S U E 1 5 | 75¢
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LittletonIndependent.net
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Groups renew state’s brew brouhaha Sales in grocery stores debated
By Jennifer Smith jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com While supermarket chains and even some breweries across Colorado are hopped up about the idea of allowing all grocery stores to sell full-strength alcoholic beverages, some neighborhood liquor stores have a case of sour grapes about the whole thing. Forty-two states allow full-strength liquor sales at all grocery stores. But because liquor store owners may only operate one location under Colorado law, each grocery chain has to choose just one store. Safeway, for instance, chose the Littleton location at Mineral Avenue and Broadway, where a security guard stands watch over a large liquor department at the rear of the
building. Other locations, as well as convenience stores, are restricted to selling 3.2 percent alcohol products, like beer and wine coolers. So for now, liquor stores have the upper hand when it comes to selling the hard stuff. There are around 1,600 of them in Colorado, employing somewhere around 15,000 people. The topic comes up now and again in Colorado, with the last time being in 2007, when the ban on Sunday sales was lifted. This time, the effort has enlisted the help of two people with south metro-area name recognition — John Brackney, former Arapahoe County commissioner and former president of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, and former Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson. Liquor continues on Page 11
Bill Barnes, left, and Josh Engelhardt keep things moving at the busy Woodlawn Liquor store. The store’s owner, Mark Mack, worries it won’t be so busy if a proposal to allow liquor sales in all grocery stores passes. Photo by Jennifer Smith
ONLINE Find results of the Nov. 3 Littleton City Council election at LittletonIndependent.net and in next week’s paper.
Stephens, Reichardt in at LPS Both men have been active in school district for years By Jennifer Smith jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com
out to lunch once a month.” Many may not know that residents 65 and up are eligible for a free SilverSneakers Card through most Medicare plans. The card will grant users access to any of the South Suburban facilities as well as any participating facility nationwide. “They can go out of state, to any other state, and go into any participating recreation center. They can go in and visit their children or grandchildren, and use those facilities,” said Peggy Golden,
For the first time in recent memory, preliminary results from Election Night, Nov. 3, indicate that the Littleton Public Schools Board of Education has a male majority. Jim Stephens and Robert Reichardt took the two open seats on the five-member board, with 36 percent and 37 percent of the vote, respectively. Richard Boorom trailed with 27 percent. Stephens, 50, has lived in Centennial for nearly 17 years. He and his wife, Tammy, have three children, all of whom went to Lenski Elementary School and Newton Middle School. Two have graduated from Arapahoe High School, and one is a junior there now. Stephens has a bachelor’s degree in economics and management from DePauw University in Indiana. He spent his career as a business consultant with global experience in the communications, insurance and
Sneakers continues on Page 7
LPS continues on Page 7
Seniors who are 65 and older can qualify for a free SilverSneakers card through Medicare. The card grants access to all of the South Suburban recreation centers. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando
SilverSneakers gives seniors a lift Free card a passport to fun, fitness at South Suburban facilities
By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com The seniors each pick up a chair and set of hand weights before they find their spots in the gym of the Lone Tree Recreation Center. They huddle in groups, chatting and
stretching — some making plans for lunch after the class. For older adults in the area, the popular SilverSneakers fitness class offers fitness and fun at a manageable pace for residents in Lone Tree, Littleton, Centennial and Sheridan. “I love this class. I’ve been coming since I retired, just before I was 70, so I’ve been coming for about seven years now,” Lone Tree resident Rita Smith said. “I like it because it’s given me more energy. My balance is better, and I like coming for the social aspect. I’ve met a lot friends. We go
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.