August 11, 2016 VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 52
LET PEACE RING OUT Area churches sound bells to honor victims of gun violence. PAGE 10
LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Local airport brings new business to county
Swiss-based aircraft company among new tenants creating jobs
By Christy Steadman csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com With the additions of a Swiss-based airplane company, a convenience store and a fast-food restaurant, the Jefferson County-owned and -operated municipal airport is continuing to live up to expectations as a positive economic force in the community, county and airport officials say. Pilatus Aircraft, a Swiss company that develops,
produces and sells aircraft to customers around the world, broke ground in July at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. Not only will it generate jobs locally, airport director Bryan Johnson said, the company also plans to start an apprenticeship program at the airport. “As an airport, we’re thrilled to invest in them and have them on board,” Johnson said. Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, spanning about 1,870 acres, is home to about 300 tenants and customers and 400 aircraft, and pumps $460 million into local coffers. About 2,600 jobs, from maintenance to administration, are based at the facility, which
occupies mostly unincorporated county land, but is partially located in Broomfield and borders Westminster and Superior. County Commissioner Libby Szabo described the airport as an economic and community driver, providing jobs and attracting businesses, as well as being a place for recreational flying, flight school and fun community events, such as air shows. “People are fascinated with aviation,” Szabo said. The airport should “be something in the community — in Jefferson County — that is worldrenowned.” Airport continues on Page 12
Jeffco voters asked to ‘close gap’ in funding
COMMUNITY BACKUP
School board approves $568 million bond and mill levy to improve schools, programs By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com Jefferson County voters will be asked to approve a $568 million bond and mill levy package to repair the school district’s aging schools, build new ones, hire new mental health staff and update technology and other school operations. “We have got to make sure that we become the masters of our own destiny in this district and that we maintain the funds to retain the very best teachers in this district…,” said Brad Rupert of the Jefferson County Board of Education. “We’ve got no reason to believe that suddenly there will be a miraculous solution to the funding problem and the Bond continues on Page 20
AROUND THE FIELD Lakewood police officers, including a lucky few who received a massage from one of the masseuses from Massage Envy, participated in this year’s National Night Out event on Aug. 2. See more on PAGE 5. Photo by Clarke Reader
Turning a double play in softball can also turn a team’s momentum. Check out this story and others as we kick off three weeks of fall sports previews on PAGE 23.
August 11 - 14 2016 Jeffco Fairgrounds
See ya there!
CelebrateJeffco.com