Littleton independent 0829

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Littleton 8-29-2013

August 29, 2013

Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 125, Issue 6

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A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourlittletonnews.com

Fire chief announces retirement Department staff excited about idea of a fresh start By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com Littleton Fire Rescue Chief John Mullin announced his retirement on Aug. 23, four months after the firefighters’ association formally declared their lack of confidence in his leadership. He announced his decision in an email to all Littleton city employees: “I want to thank (director of public works) Charlie Blosten for his wisdom in

hiring me, for the friendship and support that I have enjoyed here and the great adventure that I experienced as a member of Littleton Fire Rescue. “I am retiring on April 1st, which will mark my 40th year. My last day at work will be December 31st. “Thanks for the memories. “Wishing you all the best.” Joel Heinemann, president of the Littleton Firefighters Association, said the department is looking forward to a new start. “We wish him well in the next chapter of his life,” he said. “We’re excited about moving forward with the future of the Littleton fire department with new leadership.” He did call the timing of Mullin’s announcement suspect, given that South Metro Fire Rescue is expected to release

next month its study on the feasibility of bringing LFR and its partners into its fold. The association feels that would be the best fix for a department that’s been under a lot of tension. “The vote of no confidence was a distraction,” said Mullin in a statement Aug. 24. “I am interested in what the South Metro study will present. In no way did either of those items influence my decision to retire. I turn 65 this October and will achieve 40 years in the Mullin fire service on April 1. I leave a wonderful, adventurefilled career on my terms.” City Manager Michael Penny, in a state-

ment, praised Mullin for his dedicated service. “Chief Mullin has dedicated years of his life to the betterment of this community and very much to the success of the organization,” said Penny. “The Chief wants to attain the 40-year status, which is very admirable and something to be incredibly proud of.” There is “a lot on the horizon,” Penny’s statement added. “John has a few shortterm goals which he would like to complete and believes can be done by the end of the year. Many of the other items are much longer term, and the chief and I are in agreement that the timing is good for a new leader to work through those. The timing is Mullin continues on Page 9

Developers protest fees in Littleton City could get $1.2 million from Meadows project By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com

From left, Benjamin Aymami, Traci Jones, Bernadette Frausto and Doug Vega staffed the Community Accessing Resources Together event at Littleton’s Bemis Library on Aug. 19. Photo by Jennifer Smith

Big green bus fights hunger South Metro Health Alliance takes resource info on the road By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com Englewood resident Theresa O’Connor was just one of at least 65 people to visit the big green Hunger Free Colorado bus at Littleton’s Bemis Public Library Aug. 19 for help and information. O’Connor, who cares full time for her disabled husband, said she was there particularly to find out about dental care, but POSTAL ADDRESS

‘Some people have been really touched.’ Traci Jones, of South Metro Health Alliance she found a lot more that was useful. Every little bit helps, she said. The Community Accessing Resources Together event, sponsored by the South Metro Health Alliance, shared information on how to get help with food and housing costs, medical and dental insurance and

mental-health care, among other things. Benjamin Aymami from Cricket was there to explain how people receiving certain types of government aid are also eligible for help with their cell-phone bills, and Doug Vega from Hunger Free Colorado was helping people sign up for assistance with food and housing on the spot. “We’re really pleased with the turnout,” said Traci Jones of SMHA. “Some people have been really touched. We’ve had some people thanking us with tears in their eyes.” SMHA grew out of the work of the Littleton Immigrant Integration Initiative’s Health and Wellness Program, which brought together a wide range of

The protests of several developers who lined up in front of Littleton City Council regarding impact fees fell on mostly deaf ears Aug. 20, with councilors voting 6-1 to charge $3,762 per residential unit and about $1.83 per square foot of commercial property in an effort to ensure growth pays its own way. “We know that we’ve put into the city of Littleton much more money than we’ve gotten back,” said Charles Edwards, president of Dallas-based Fagin Resources Inc. Earlier in the evening, council approved a plan to build 250 apartments and three acres of retail — the Meadows at Platte Valley project — on land Edwards’ company has owned since 1985. At the time, he agreed to make about $3 million in infrastructure improvements, including the extension of Mineral Avenue west across Santa Fe Drive. He’s paid more than another $1 million in interest since then. If Fagin has to pay the new impact fees, that’s about another $1.2 million, but less than the $1.6 million it would have been if Mayor Debbie Brinkman had not successfully moved to exclude parks and recreation from the equation. The fees can only be used for expansion of capital assets necessary due to growth, not maintenance, and must be held in dedicated accounts. BBC Research and Consulting recommended charging $5,274 per dwelling unit for residential construction, with $1,543 going to parks, the Buck Recreation Center and Carson Nature Center. Brinkman said there’s a much greater need to maintain existing assets, which is done by South Suburban Parks and

Health continues on Page 9

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Fees continues on Page 9

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