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Hearts Continued from Page 1
“It’s heartbreaking for us, because we’re here to fix problems,” said Officer Nisse Ramsey. So on Christmas Eve, seven of them met Davis at baby Scott’s grave to place a memorial wreath they got to place there, and pledged to contribute to the online campaign for a more permanent fix. “We just wanted to let you know you’re not alone, especially on this day,” said Officer Steve Keliiholokai, outgoing president of LPOA.
January 8, 2015 “I am so grateful. People are wonderful. And police officers are getting such a bad rap right now, and it frustrates me,” said Davis, adding that her brother, one of several first responders in her family, responded to both the Platte Canyon and Columbine high school tragedies. “I’ve seen what people can do and how evil people can be. Everybody needs to be safe.” The officers also called in Mickey Kempf, a volunteer with the Littleton Police Citizen Academy Alumni Association who often has the ear of Santa Claus. He arrived with a toy helicopter and $20 from the big guy for 11-yearold Garry, the fourth child of Kelly and Laine Davis. He was an unexpected blessing, Kelly Davis said, as she had
been warned against having more children. “He’s the light at the end of my tunnel,” she said. Even surrounded by her son and the support of the officers, Davis tells her baby’s short life story through tears. “To be honest, I find it difficult to be out here,” she said. “This is a rough, rough place to be, and it takes days to recover. You grieve every time. I try to be strong, but I can’t be strong with this.” “I think you’re strong,” said Keliiholokai. “We know life is fragile, but it’s so hard when they’re so young and innocent.”
Members of the Littleton Fraternal Order of Police placed a wreath at the damaged headstone of baby Scott Davis as mom Kelly and brother Gary looked on. He was buried at Littleton Cemetery 13 years ago. Photo by Jennifer Smith
Urban Continued from Page 1
up to a citywide vote, at an estimated cost of $40,000 a pop. “Eminent domain is crucial to (urban renewal’s) success,” said Linda Knufinke. “If you were against eminent domain, you shouldn’t have supported urban renewal in the first place.” Councilmember Jerry Valdes agreed, and joined Councilmember Peggy Cole in voting against the ordinance that placed the language on the ballot. “Having eminent domain is an important part of urban renewal when necessary,” he said. Carol and Marty Brzeczek both questioned whether council’s ballot language would even be enforceable should it pass, as it’s not consistent with state law. But City Attorney Kristin Schledorn noted that since it’s stricter than state law, it’s legal. “You’re voluntarily limiting the authority that the urban renewal law gives you,” she said. Councilmember Bruce Stahlman, who is council’s liaison to the urban renewal authority, Littleton Invests for Tomorrow, noted that state law is already quite constraining. “Eminent domain is being thrown around in vague and
Keep talent in U.S., fix immigration system By Norman Stucker
After an almost never-ending election season, most Coloradans are tired of political talking points. It seemed every politician had the best ideas for boosting the economy, a foolproof plan for fostering job growth, and the cleverest tactics for keeping us competitive in the global economy. The good news is that the posturing has ended, leaving a real way that our representatives in Congress can keep their promises — by enacting permanent, comprehensive immigration reform. Regardless of your political persuasion, the president’s recent announcement is a temporary, targeted fix. The executive action on immigration exercised under his limited authority puts a Band-Aid on a broken system that is harming multiple facets of our society - and particularly our economy. As you read this, hundreds of Colorado’s high-tech companies are losing the world’s best and brightest engineers, researchers, scientists, and programmers as they return to their native countries after being educated in our schools. That’s because under our dated and defunct immigration system there aren’t enough H-1B visas — visas for highly skilled foreign workers — for the number of workers growing companies need. The number of visas has been capped at 85,000 since 2004, impairing burgeoning tech companies from hiring the highly skilled labor they need. These workers attend our schools, colleges, and universities and then we send them back home to compete with us, severely dulling our competitive edge and preventing companies from keeping talent here in the United States. President Obama’s announcement does prioritize some reforms that will be helpful for business, including new regulations easing restrictions on foreign managers and executives to work in the U.S., allowing the spouses of H-1B visa holders to work, and expanding the Optical Practical Training Program, a program that allows foreign students to work in the country. It will also allow workers waiting for H-1B petitions from their employers, but for whom a visa is unavailable, to apply for an adjustment of status. Finally, it will help entrepreneurs who are starting businesses and creating jobs to stay in the country
and continue fostering growth. While these provisions provide some temporary benefits for high-tech companies, we need Congress to enact sweeping reform that will bring our immigration system in line with a 21st century economy. In 2013 the Senate passed a bipartisan bill, crafted in part by Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, which would have addressed many of the problems hurting the high-tech industry. The bill would have increased the number of H-1B visas available, and was supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. A report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that enacting immigration reform would reduce the deficit by $197 billion in the first ten years, by $700 billion over 20 years, and would increase the GDP by 3.3 percent in 2023, and by 5.1 to 5.7 percent in 2033. That bill has never even been brought up for a vote in the House of Representatives. Our current immigration system is stifling growth and keeping us at a disadvantage. While a step in the right direction, the president’s announcement has not fixed it. After a heated and tumultuous election season,
Congress has a genuine opportunity to follow through on their campaign promises and enact legislative reform that will grow our economy and give American companies a needed competitive edge. Norman Stucker is general manager of PADT-Colorado and chair of the Economic Development Group at the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. This article was originally posted on 12/16/2014 by The Denver Post Continue the discussion on this important and controversial topic featuring Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. Event held in conjunction with Denver South EDP and Colorado Business Roundtable. Monday, January, 26 South Metro Denver Chamber Offices & Conference Center 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial, CO 10:00 – 11:30 am www.meetup.com/business-leaders-forresponsible-government/events/219503302/
Calendar of Events
For a complete calendar of South Metro Denver Chamber events and for more information, visit our web site at www.bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142.
Thursday, January 8 Ribbon Cutting – Eighteen Eight 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon 4:00 – 6:00 pm – Eighteen Eight 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon 6879 S. Vine St., Suite 709, Centennial, CO Thursday, January 8 New Member Orientation 4:00 – 5:00 pm – South Metro Denver Chamber WhippleWood CPAs Conference Center 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial, CO Thursday, January 8 Movie Screening – Glen Campbell…”I’ll Be Me” 5:30 – 7:30 pm – University of Colorado Hospital 12605 East 16th Ave., Aurora, CO Cost: $10 ticket
Member Spotlight – Jim N’ Nicks Bar-B-Q Join Jim N’ Nicks Bar-B-Q and South Metro Denver Chamber for a BOURBAN & BAR-B-Q Dinner Share some good times, great food and world-class bourbon. Thursday, January 29th from 4:00 – 6:00 pm $25 Ticket Include 5 courses of scratch-made southern deliciousness paired with Kentucky’s finest bourbons. (additional adult beverages can be purchased separately) Come hungry and expect to taste the best the South has to offer! Space is limited! Reserve and Purchase your ticket by contacting Brian Bartony bbartony@bestchamber.com 720-982-9119
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disturbing terms as this unfettered power that Littleton or LIFT can wield around,” he said. “There’s no boogey man under the bed waiting toLive jump out and say gotcha.” cru Cole asked if either measure would apply retroacBy J tively to the four plan areas already in place, andjsmi Schledorn said they would not. But City Manager Mi- Po chael Penny clarified on Jan.from 2 that it would depend onfered what projects are ultimately W. L proposed within them. “The charter amend-be a ments, should either one or “T both pass, are effective go-use ing forward,” he said. “So any action before the cityson, which would trigger eitherdeve amendment would guide thesite city’s action in the decision-mini making process based upon the charter amendmentlic h language. If anything wouldand need to come to council, C the amendments would ap-whic ply. Without knowing what a project is and whether itcom would go to council — that’sspre why we cannot predict thea ye future.” com Both sides are hoping to get their supporters to checktives their mail for ballots starting “T Feb. 9 and get them back bythere 7 p.m. March 3 to the Cityprov Center, 2255 W. Berry Ave. Alsaid. ternate drop-off locations are the Arapahoe County build-prov ing at 5334 S. Prince St. andnied the county election ware- T house at 5251 S. Federal Blvd.
Friday, January 9 Women in Business Speaker Series: Karen Gerwitz-Pres., World Trade Center Denver 7:30 – 9:00 am – South Metro Denver Chamber WhippleWood CPAs Conference Center 2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial, CO Tuesday, January 13 Business After Hours – DS’ Tavern 5:00 – 7:00 pm – DS’s Tavern 819 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, CO