Littleton 6-6-13
June 6, 2013
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 124, Issue 19
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlittletonnews.com
Driver gets probation in two deaths Motorist exiting C-470 lost control of vehicle By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com A driver who accidentally struck and killed two construction workers at the Broadway/C-470 intersection two days before Thanksgiving has pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor careless driving causing death. Thomas Garrity, 74, of Bellevue, Neb.,
was driving a Subaru Tribeca, exiting C-470 westbound onto Broadway, when he lost control of the vehicle on the exit ramp, which then rolled onto an embankment and went airborne, striking two workers employed by Concrete Works of Colorado and killing both instantly. Garrity pleaded guilty June 3, admitting liability in the deaths of Joseph Schwartz, 47, of Morrison, and Jesus Villalobos, 27, of Brighton. He received a deferred sentence and is being placed on two years of probation, in which he will be required to serve 100 hours of community service, take
a driving course, pay an undetermined amount in restitution and write apology letters to the families of both victims. Families, friends and former co-workers of both victims packed District Court Judge Larry Bowling’s courtroom for the disposition hearing. Some were wearing T-shirts memorializing the deceased and 15 statements asking for justice were heard. Linda Marie James, the mother of Schwartz, was the first to come to the podium. “When the tragedy occurred, I only felt horror at the event and sympathy for Mr.
Garrity,” she said. “This had never been about revenge or money. We only wanted an admission of guilt and for him to realize he could never drive again. “All that changed at the first hearing. We were all deeply offended. He expressed no regret that he ran down and killed two men. He smirked at the families. He denied fault and he shifted blame. We find his attitude disturbing.” At question in the cause of the accident was whether or not Garrity’s brakes had givProbation continues on Page 7
Stahlman to pursue re-election
SLIDING INTO SUMMER
Mayor pro tem promises to focus on quality of life Staff report
be able to sell food or drinks that do not contain marijuana — must sell the drug in child-resistant packages that denote potency. The state Department of Revenue will regulate the retail pot industry. “When you are in uncharted territory, you need a North Star,” said Rep. Dan Pabon, D-Denver, a House Bill 1317 sponsor. “And the North Star we used was public safety and making sure we kept marijuana out of the hands of kids, cartels and criminals.” The regulatory bill is also aimed at trying to appease the federal government, which has yet to respond to the pot legislation in Colorado. Marijuana use and sales are illegal under federal law. Hickenlooper said he expects the feds will be “more specific” in how they respond to states like Colorado and Washington, where voters also recently approved
Littleton Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Stahlman announced on May 28 that he will seek reelection this November. Stahlman, who holds an at-large seat on city council, believes his background in finance and management has served the community well for the last four years, and he hopes to continue to focus on tax savings, encouraging job growth and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. “Littleton’s quality of life doesn’t happen by accident,” Stahlman said in a press release. “It takes viStahlman sion and dedication.” Stahlman said that if he’s re-elected, he’ll focus on quality-of life-issues like improving open space and ensuring public safety by continuing to support the police and fire departments. “You can’t take your eye off people’s livability experiences,” he said. “That’s what makes Littleton such a special place.” Stahlman has lived in Littleton for 18 years. He and his wife of 28 years, Kelly, have three children. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and management from Albion College and a master’s degree from Indiana University. He’s currently the chief financial officer of ARC Thrift Stores. The other council seats up for grabs are Jim Taylor’s in District 1 and Bruce Beckman’s at-large spot. Taylor is term-limited. Beckman has yet to announce his intentions. Those considering a run for council can attend a session led by City Clerk Wendy Heffner and City Manager Michael Penny from 6 to 8 p.m. June 6 at the Littleton Center, 2255 W. Berry Ave. Participants will find out about qualifications, nomination petitions, circulation
Pot continues on Page 7
Stahlman continues on Page 7
Avery Symnes, 5, smiles as she comes to the bottom of the slide at the Gallup Park playground. Her mother took Avery and her sister Julia to the Littleton Museum and the playground to enjoy the June 3 weather. Photo by Tom Munds
Passel of pot bills signed into law Regulations, tax measure tied to historic legalization vote By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Gov. John Hickenlooper on May 28 signed several pieces of marijuana-related legislation into law, including those having to do with the regulation and proposed taxation of retail pot sales, which will soon become legal under Amendment 64. The governor said at a Capitol bill-signing event that Colorado is “chartering new territory” when it comes to putting in place a regulatory model on a newly created industry that voters approved in November. “The voters passed Amendment 64 by a clear majority,” said Hickenlooper, who opposed last fall’s ballot measure, which legalized recreational marijuana use and retail pot sales in the state. “That’s why we’re goPOSTAL ADDRESS
ing to implement it as effectively as we possibly can.” Among the bills signed by the governor was House Bill 1317, which puts in place the regulatory framework retail pot shops must obey, when they are allowed to begin operations on Jan. 1. In-state residents who are 21 and older will be able to purchase up to an ounce of marijuana at retail stores, per transaction, while out-of-state visitors Hickenlooper are limited to a quarter of an ounce. Colorado residents can also grow their own pot and possess up to six marijuana plants. Existing medical marijuana dispensaries will have a nine-month head start on other businesses looking to enter into the retail pot arena. Pot shops — which will not
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