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December 18, 2014 VO LUME 1 26 | IS S UE 2 1 | 7 5 ¢
Service Guide
Inside
LittletonIndependent.net
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O A publication of
WHAT’S INSIDE
Arapahoe, in a healing light
Traffic woes: City mulls ways to ease traffic jams on Broadway and Santa Fe corridors. See Page 5
Season of suits: Check out Santa’s many looks this season. See Page 16
Top athletes: Check out who joins the cast of South Metro athletes as Players of the Year. See Page 25
Students, along with members of the community, remember slain Arapahoe High School student Claire Davis on Dec. 13, the one-year anniversary of the school shooting. The candlelight ceremony was held on campus at Clarity Commons, the peaceful gathering place named in her honor. Photo by Deborah Grigsby
Candlelight event marks anniversary of high school shooting By Jennifer Smith
jsmith @coloradocommunitymedia.com
POSTAL ADDRESS
Battling the beast called grief is often best done together, so on the anniversary of the Arapahoe High School shooting, the south metro community showed up in force to honor Claire Davis.
“We are stronger, we are more aware, we are focused, we are kinder, we are united and, ultimately, we are successful,” Sanjay Patil, student body president, told the hundreds who gathered at Clarity Commons on the Arapahoe High campus. On the chilly evening of Dec. 13, friends sought each other out and parents held their children close.
While many tears refused to be contained, mundane conversations about holiday plans, roofers, where to go for dinner proved that life must and does go on. But it must go on with a purpose, with a vision to make things better, said those who addressed the solemn crowd. “If you want to change the world,
love the person in front of you, love the person next to you,” said Jeff Brandberg, an Arapahoe teacher who had Claire in several classes. “Love them for who they are and who they are becoming, and love yourself for who you are and who you are becoming.” Claire continues on Page 13
Council may seek higher sales tax LITTLETON INDEPENDENT (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603 Centennial, CO 80112 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Littleton Independent 7315 S. Revere Pkwy., Ste. 603 Centennial, CO 80112 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Voters would decide on hike to fix streets By Jennifer Smith
jsmith @coloradocommunitymedia.com Citing an urgent need to maintain the city’s 160 miles of streets, Littleton City Council will consider placing a sales-tax increase on the November 2015 ballot for the first time in at least 43 years. “The sales tax became effective in Littleton on Jan. 1, 1961,” said Doug Farmen, city finance director. “It was likely 3 percent, but we don’t have documentation. The 3 percent rate has been in effect at least since 1971.” A report prepared by Infrastructure Management Services and presented to council on Dec. 9 says that overall, the city’s network of streets is solid. The majority of the network is categorized as good, says IMS, but the backlog of streets rated poor or very poor makes up the majority of the cost. The citywide survey done by IMS found that 24 percent of the streets are in good condition, 27 percent are fair to marginal and 14.5 percent
are poor or very poor, meaning they have failed or are in dire need of repair. Since 2009, the city has budgeted about $1.3 million a year for street maintenance. Deputy City Manager Mike Braaten says it would take $3.15 million a year to control the backlog. “We want council to either direct us to take it to the voters in November 2105 or set a fee schedule,” said Braaten. Council rejected the idea of implementing a street-maintenance fee, which would be billed along with residents’ sewer fees and would not require approval of the voters. Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Beckman called it a dodge, and Mayor Phil Cernanec said he’d rather be straight up with the citizens. Councilmember Peggy Cole wondered if a property-tax increase might be the way to go. “My concern with the sales tax is that people will shop somewhere else,” she said. But Councilmember Debbie Brinkman noted that it’s not just residents using the streets, so it would be more equitable to raise the sales tax to cover the cost of maintaining Taxes continues on Page 24
The City of Littleton is considering whether to allow tattoo parlors, like this one on Santa Fe Drive in Denver, in the downtown area and some other commercial zones. Courtesy photo
Board set to ink decision on city tattoo parlors Artists showing interest in locating downtown By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com To tattoo or not to tattoo? That is the question Littleton Planning Board is pondering. Glen Van Nimwegen, the city’s director of community develop-
ment, told the board on Dec. 8 that he’s received some inquiries from tattoo artists looking to set up shop in Littleton. Although they’re allowed in industrial areas, there are none currently within city limits. Remi’s Body Art Studio existed briefly at Main and Prince streets in the mid-2000s, but closed its doors after losing a zoning battle with the city. Tattoo continues on Page 7