Littleton independent 0529

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May 29, 2014

75 cents Arapahoe County, Colorado | Volume 125, Issue 44 A publication of

littletonindependent.net

Council considers retail pot question CannaMart gears up to take issue to voters By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Northern Arapaho Tribal Elder Mark Soldier Wolf speaks to the Arapahoe High School Class of 2014 May 22 at Littleton Public Schools Stadium. Photo by Ryan Boldrey

Warriors aim to rise above

Arapahoe’s Class of 2014 includes Claire Davis By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com The message the Arapahoe High School Warriors Class of 2014 is sending to the community as they graduate is that they refuse to be defined by tragedy. “Needless to say, this has been a very unique experience for all of us, as we have experienced true heartbreak,” said Hannah Bailey, class vice president, during her opening remarks at the May 22 commencement ceremony at Littleton Public Schools Stadium. Instead, they want to make their mark on the world by demonstrating how they can rise above it, while carrying out the wish that Claire Davis’ parents have for all of them. “(We) sincerely hope that as you unfold and find meaning in all of this, you continue to realize kindness, compassion, forgiveness and a conscious commitment to love one another,” they wrote in a letter to the students they will now and forever be entwined with. On Dec. 13 of last year, senior Karl Pierson shot Claire and them himself. He died instantly, but Claire battled for her life for eight days before succumbing. Though her classmate cut short Claire’s life, he couldn’t take away her education, her success or her seat, saved for her between Christopher Davis and Riley Dechiro. Two of Claire’s friends accepted her diploma on behalf of the Davis family. Victor Pierce, who offered the welcoming remarks, said he has learned the things Claire’s parents hoped during his four years at AHS. “You can make a difference in someone’s life,” he said. “Here I found a second POSTAL ADDRESS

Arapahoe High School seniors assembled for commencement at Littleton Public Schools Stadium on May 22. Photo by Bill Youmans/Littleton Public Schools

Though a fellow student stole Claire Davis’ life, he couldn’t take away her seat at Arapahoe High School’s graduation ceremony May 22. Davis is listed in the center column, four rows from the top. Photo by Jennifer Smith home, a home away from home.” Catherine Roche, keynote speaker, said they will always understand each other better than anyone else, but she’ll never forget the outpouring of support they got from others, as well. “Even though we might not have ap-

preciated it at first, we are all better for your commitment to us,” said Catherine Roche. “We have come out on the other side stronger as a class, as a school and as a community.”

LITTLETON INDEPENDENT

Although Littleton’s moratorium on retail marijuana sales doesn’t expire until October, the city council has the issue back in front of it, while the owners of CannaMart are threatening to get the issue in front of the voters. “My client’s position is that the city should adopt some sort of recreational marijuana ordinance,” said Bob Hoban, an attorney representing the medical marijuana dispensary. “But they’re working on ballot language for a citizens’ initiative.” In the fall of 2013, council heard a proposed ordinance that would have allowed the four existing dispensaries to convert to retail outlets if they wanted to. But instead, the members voted 6-1 to extend the moratorium the council had imposed shortly after voters approved Amendment 64 in 2012. The amendment made it legal for those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. Voicing his categorical opposition to retail sales, Councilmember Randy Stein, who represents downtown, said allowing it would run counter to council’s goal to attain a “certain level of sophistication” on Main Street. Stein’s opinion was that council was having the conversation now to let the CannaMart owners gauge the temperature of council in time to get a petition drive underway for the November ballot. Mayor Phil Cernanec firmly disagreed with that assertion. “Well, then, reasonable people disagree,” said Stein. The owners of CannaMart dispensary moved the store from Arapahoe Road and Broadway to 1080 W. Littleton Blvd. last year and planned to build out the space to conform to all state and local requirements for retail sales. Hoban said sales have plummeted to about half of the approximately $160,000 a month it made prior to the move and Amendment 64. “The revenue is being lost to other cities,” said Hoban. All seven councilmembers agreed they needed to stop kicking the can down the road with temporary bans and have an upor-down vote on whether to allow sales. “I’m not interested in putting this in front of the voters,” said Councilmember Bruce Stahlman. “I think it’s our responsibility to do something.” Pot continues on Page 7

Warriors continues on Page 7

(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 Englewood, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Littleton Independent, 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603, Centennial, CO 80112 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. | Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Tues. 12 p.m.

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