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July 31, 2014 VO LUME 1 26 | IS S UE 1 | 7 5 ¢
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
LittletonIndependent.net
A publication of
Meetings air plans for mall
A FAIR AMOUNT OF FUN
Residents of town, Jefferson County skeptical about Southwest Plaza annexation By Jennifer Smith
jsmith @coloradocommunitymedia.com
One of the best spins on the midway, the merry-go-round, is a traditional favorite at the Arapahoe County Fair. Sometimes called carousels, they are believed to have emerged from early jousting practices in Europe and the Middle East where knights would ride horses in circles, tossing balls to one another to improve agility.
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LEFT: A high-flying hound from Rocky Mountain Dock Dogs, an organization that produces professional canine aquatics events, takes a plunge in the cool water July 26 at the Arapahoe County Fair. During the “Big Air” competition, dogs leap from a dock and are awarded points based on the height and length of the jump. ABOVE: This black and white Polish cockerel seemed to garner the attention of fairgoers with its interesting “hairdo.” Along with livestock and produce, exotic breeds of poultry can be found among the many exhibitions that showcase the county’s finest homegrown goods. Afternoon thunderstorms and the Arapahoe County Fair seem to be a common pairing, and although brisk weather over the weekend sent this year’s fairgoers scrambling for cover, it didn’t send them scrambling for home. In fact, thrill seekers along the midway at the fairgrounds in Aurora on July 26 found even more attractions than last year, including a woman with the head of a human and the body of a snake and the world’s smallest pony, supposedly coming in at only 10 inches in height. Along with the annual rodeo, tractor pull and demolition derby, high-flying hounds, live musical entertainment and mutton bustin’ brought smiles to visitors of all ages.
PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY SMITH
Three public events last week didn’t seem to reassure Bow Mar or Jefferson County residents that a potential annexation of Southwest Plaza into Bow Mar would be a good deal for any of them. Jefferson County residents expressed skepticism during Commissioner Casey Tighe’s town hall on July 22, calling the deal “corporate welfare” that would lead to taxation without representation. They didn’t like the idea that the 650 or so voters in Bow Mar could control how much tax the mall could charge, considering that it draws most of its shoppers from among their ranks. “This area needs to be developed as our downtown,” said John Flerlage, who is running for county commissioner himself. “That’s what it should be, our vibrant downtown, and this fragments that plan.” “There is concern that if you have a mall that continues to go down, it can drag the whole area down,” countered Tighe. “So the question is, is this worth it?” He was surprised by the number of Bow Mar residents who attended his meeting to express concerns. “I was under the impression there was general support,” he said. Many of those same people spoke at the July 21 Bow Mar board of trustees meeting, wondering about the viability of the mall and whether they might get stuck with an empty, hulking dinosaur of a building. The mall has emerged from a 2009 bankruptcy and is currently undergoing an $80 million renovation. “If it’s such a great investment, go buy stock,” Bow Mar resident Al Talesnick told the trustees. Others spoke about being worried that the potential for the site to redevelop into something with residential property could strain the town’s amenities, like Bow Mar Lake and Mary’s Meadow. “You’ve told us that residential on that property would be a nonstarter, so that would be in the agreement,” said Mayor Rick Pilgrim. A presentation by Adam Tritt, a senior Mall continues on Page 11
Meatballs for a cause Spaghetti dinner benefits Omnibus, Shopping Cart programs in Littleton By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com Life can be lonely in a world without wheels, but a group of people is working to ensure it doesn’t have to be in Littleton. “We’re all citizens interested in caring about you, caring about the system and caring about the city, and what a wonderful city it is,” said Tex Elam, chair of Littleton Transportation Network, during the group’s second annual benefit
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Spaghetti continues on Page 11
City Clerk Wendy Heffner praises the transportation employees who keep the city’s Omnibus and Shopping Cart programs running smoothly during a fundraising dinner at Libby Bortz Assisted Living Center on July 24. Photo courtesy of Karen Hart