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October 30, 2014 VOLU M E 6 | I SS UE 44 | 5 0 ¢
BrightonBanner.com A D A M S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
LEFT: Leah Wagner in period costume telling the history of the Burgman family. C ENTER: Robin Kring in period costume talks about the Carmichael and Strong families by the Strong headstone.. RIGHT: Patty Murray presents stories of her family’s history. Photos by Lou Ellen Bromley
History comes alive in Elmwood Cemetery By Lou Ellen Bromley
bromleyclan@hotmail.com The weather was not the only highlight with Brighton’s very first Historic Cemetery Walk — the fall colors added to the spirit of the afternoon event. Brighton Cemetery Director Aaron Corr and his staff entertained visitors with information about the Brighton history and the surrounding area with tales about past residents. “That people should be comfortable com-
ing to a cemetery for more reasons than because of sad events. Years ago it was common for families to visit a cemetery and spent time, having picnics and reminiscing,” Corr said. He hopes to encourage people to visit the three Brighton cemeteries and learn about the people buried in each one. “Based on the success of this event, there is another Cemetery Walk being planned for next year,” Corr added. Several people, some dressed in period costumes, related the sometimes sad and sometimes funny stories of their families and friends now residing at Elmwood Cemetery, bringing to life the people of Brighton’s past. Corr estimated more than 250 people attended this free self-guided walk through the
cemetery with speakers located along the designated trail who made short presentations near the grave sites of 10 people buried there. Several family members brought family pictures and artifacts to share with guests, to help illustrate their histories. Several volunteers also participated, happy to help bring to life several interesting people buried in Elmwood. These included Risa Riclt speaking about Jean and Lloyd Barker, Leah Wagner speaking about the Burgman family, Robin Kring speaking about the Strong family and the Carmichaels and Pat Reither speaking about the history of the Leffingwell’s, Cuttingham’s and Aichelman’s. Leah’s daughter Cassidy Wagner, a Vikan
Middle school student, was also a speaker, and gave a brief history of Maria Bromley Allen. Patty Murray, Shirley Fagan, Julie Trujillo and her daughter Madeline Kelley, Ken and Lou Ellen Bromley and Greg Schell presented family histories. Donna Littlefield of Dupont, near Commerce City said she was impressed with the walk. “I would like to see more history about the women, such as the farm wives and what their lives were like. I enjoyed it very much,” Littlefield said. Anyone interested in helping with next year’s Cemetery Walk may contact Aaron Corr at acorr@brightonco.gov or call 303-655-2060
Darr faces final weeks as sheriff By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@coloradocommunitymedia.com POSTAL ADDRESS
BRIGHTON BANNER (USPS 290)
OFFICE: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County, Colorado, the Brighton Banner is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210, Westminster, CO 80031. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT BRIGHTON, COLORADO and additional mailing offices.
Packing up his office — stuffing family pictures, awards and his son’s maturing artwork over the years into boxes he’ll put in the bed of his F-150 truck — isn’t as simple as some might think it would be for Sheriff Doug Darr. When you’ve managed 520 full-time employees and a $58 million annual budget for the past 12 years, handing over the keys to the next guy is a more delicate process. Darr began preparing for his successor in September — sifting through mounds of paperwork strewn across two large conference tables and his desk. “It’s bittersweet,” he said while dusting off a plaque and putting it in a box. “I’ve been here most of my adult life.” On Nov. 4, voters will choose a new leader for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Darr, 63, is term-limited. Voters elected Darr as their sheriff in 2002 and again in 2006. As Darr neared the end of his second and final term, voters in 2009 extended term limits to three for most Adams Darr continues on Page 7
For many years, this stuffed ape rode alongside Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr before he retired him to the office. The ape was given to Darr by his then-5-year-old son who thought he was lonely during his commute to work. Photo by Tammy Kranz
POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031
SOME OF SHERIFF DOUG DARR’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m.
• 2014 Marjory Ball Mental Health Advocacy Award for his commitment to improving access to mental-health services in Adams County
G ET SOCIAL WITH US
• 2010 received the Pro Patria Award by the U.S. Department of Defense for dedicated support of military personnel
• 2009 unanimously elected president of County Sheriffs of Colorado
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr hands out certificates for free turkeys during the annual Operation Free Bird, which he helped launch in 2003. The program provides certificates for free turkeys and other food items around Thanksgiving. Courtesy photo
• 2008 was one of only 33 officials nationwide chosen for the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Program in Quantico, Virginia.