Celebrating our independence in these troubled times

Hip, hip hooray; let’s hear it for the red, white and blue!

Two hundred forty seven years ago, our forefathers sought and achieved our independence from King George III and the British Empire. at decision all these years later continues to be profound when comparing America to the United

Just think what it would be like today to be under King Charles and his monarchy? Our country would be the “tail wagging the dog” and pouring a ton of our wealth back across “the pond” plus drinking all of that tea! While we cheer our independence at the same time we need to be realistic about our “condition” as a free, industrial might “where all men are created equal.”

Are we better o today as a nation and as individual citizens than say decades ago? I clearly believe this to be true. However, we have fallen short of our potential in so many ways of being what we could be as a more caring and sensitive society. While I celebrate our independence this Fourth of July and thank God and our forefathers for the bold and brave actions they took in 1776, I am troubled by our “condition.”

Troubled times in America

By our “condition”, I mean the combination of the various forces which in uence, erode and impact our Nation today.

How far have we come toward equality of ALL Americans regardless of their ethnicity, sexual orientation, color of their skin, political preference and more? My answer is “not far enough by a long ways.” Just last week, I read where an Aurora School Board member justi ed ring the Superintendent of Schools because “he wasn’t black enough.” What kind of racism would you call

Moving at a snail’s pace

that?

Where do we stand on respecting the opinions of our opponents? We have lost serious ground in our ultra-polarized political climate when debating or exchanging differing opinions. Does every American have an equal opportunity to vote for the candidates of his or her choice? Our Nation has back-pedaled with individual states making it more di cult for people of color and poor people. e State of Texas is a prime example of targeting voters to impose barriers to make it harder to cast their ballots while Colorado shines as a beacon of at-

SEE CHRISTOPHER, P13

Letters To The Editor

Baker throws hat in Westminster council race on our device and lo and behold there it is waiting for us to consume it.

So metimes we just have to laugh at ourselves, right? Or is it that sometimes we just have to laugh with ourselves? I am not laughing at you; I am laughing with you kind of thinking as we look in the mirror.

Winning

My laughing at myself moment came the other day while I was traveling. I had boarded my flight and was checking my email on my phone before we took off. As I tried loading my email app, it took about 8 seconds. And in those 8 seconds I became frustrated and thought why is this taking so long? Cue the laughing at myself. Each year as technology advances our need for speed seems to advance with it. We want information and we want it now. We not only want it now, but we also expect the information to be fed to us before we even have to think about it, we train the technology to understand what we like and want before we ever even have to search for it, we simply turn

In a recent meeting with a partner, they were discussing how their technology could serve up information in real time, measuring response times in milliseconds. Again, we have become a culture that has a need for speed, instant gratification.

As I came across a snail the other day, I watched it move slowly across the pavement. And I found myself fascinated by the slow and deliberate pace of the snail. I know it is a snail and snails aren’t equipped to move any faster, so they have to settle for the slow pace at which they move. It took the snail five minute or so to cross the pavement and move into the grass. Just five minutes, which for us could now feel like an eternity. So in that moment I reflected on my own need for speed. Although I can’t slow down advancements in technology that are designed to speed things up, nor can I or should I worry about others and their need for speed, I can decide when it’s time to slow things down for myself. Can my walks along the shoreline be a little slower so I can appreciate the sounds of the

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com waves lapping against the sand, taking in the salt air, and maybe finding a unique shell or piece of sea glass? Can my hikes in the mountains be slowed down just a bit so I can take in the wildflowers, watch the streams rushing down the mountainside, or look out at the amazing vistas from the openings through the trees? We are definitely a society on the go. We want the speed limits to be higher, our flights to get us to our destination faster. We want our meals delivered to our homes or tables in unreasonably fast times. We expect the elevator to show up as soon as we press the button. It’s the pace of the race these days that we are trying to keep up with and the pace is getting quicker and quicker each day. I thought about the snail again. And as I did, I was reminded that moving at a snail’s pace is okay sometimes. I enjoy a slow brewing pot of coffee as it fills the kitchen with that beautiful coffee aroma. I love reading and spending time slowly letting the story develop and not racing to finish the book. I find it so much more meaningful to pray slowly as it connects me at

SEE NORTON, P13

I am sharing my decision to run for a position on City Council in the November 2023 election.

In spite of my disappointment with City Council’s inability to serve the people, Westminster needs smart, tough, transparent Councilors that are dedicated to sustaining our suburban city.

After the November 2021 Election I was convinced that the new Council would meaningfully lower water rates. I had hoped we would leave the irrevocable path towards high-density housing. I thought we would trim our bloated city government. Our Council has temporarily lowered water rates but is planning for constant increases. The gains we made towards lower density can be changed in an instant by a new Council.

Frustratingly, our new Council continued the reckless path of the past Councils. Westminster is on a path to huge debt, a more crowded city and always outrageous water rates. My question to why other municipalities can sell water for $3 and $4 per thousand gallons while we charge $6.78 has never been answered.

Our new Council is impotent because the elected City Council of SEE LETTERS, P39

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Americans are addicted with their guns. Guns have become pervasive even with teenagers and are used in the “heat of the moment” way too often. We have lost our way with guns.

Regarding work ethic and everyone pulling their weight in the big scheme of things, too many Americans rely on government subsidies and welfare. ose who can work should work. What happened to the belief of Americans working hard and supporting themselves?

Other parts of our “condition” ere is far too much of an attitude especially among younger people who personify “it’s all about me.” Respect for others has gone out the window and most have either forgotten basic manners or were never taught them by their adult role-models.

As an industrial country, we allowed too many decent paying jobs to go overseas to strengthen corporate pro ts. Our federal government should push corporate America to bring these jobs back.

Plus, as our relationship with China further deteriorates, it would be smart business to pull up stakes and return manufacturing to America. Once our country was known for its Christian beliefs and principles. While our president still swears on the Bible when taking the oath of o ce today, main line Protestant church a liations have signi cantly declined. According to Pew Research Center’s data, Protestant adult members have decreased by ve million while America’s overall population has increased. Where is our moral compass today?

Let’s celebrate but commit to making a di erence

With Independence Day 2023 behind us, let’s continue to celebrate our freedoms and not take them for granted. Let’s stop and think about how each of us can help make America better in the days, months and years ahead.

Englewood recall of mayor and council members is in the mill ere’s unrest these days in the small, land-locked suburb of Englewood. is municipality of 33,000 people has some folks believing too many apartments are being built and planned for their neighborhoods. Currently, petitions are being circulated to recall the mayor and three council members. Petition circulators have until July 6 to garner the required number of signatures to force a special election.

Besides opposing more apartments, the recall group accuses the four of backing “proli c use of accessory dwelling units throughout the city.” ey state that all the density will produce “irreparable damage to established neighborhoods.” ere is not a scienti c answer to the question as it depends on variables among the various communities. In Englewood’s case, consider these facts.

Such comments and thoughts about new density developments are not uncommon throughout the Denver metro area. However, pursuing the recall of seated mayors/ councilmembers is a di erent story. It takes a well-organized group with “ re in their belly” to carry out a recall. As we observed in Westminster in the 2021 water rates recall e ort, it is not an easy task to secure su cient valid signatures within the limited allowed time to force an election on seated council people.

When is new apartment density too much for the voters?

Englewood is a compact community made up of 46% multifamily housing stock compared to 57% single-family dwellings. is analysis came from Englewood’s housing assessment conducted by Root Policy Research and 57 is signi cant in itself as far as public perception goes.

In 2020, no apartment developments were approved by city council. en in 2021 projects totaling 479 units were approved. As of last summer (2022), another 231 units were approved and had pending permits for another 912 condos and apartments under review.

To me, the straw that may have broken the camel’s back is “ e Emerson” high rise apartment development. Consisting of a 14-story building with 240 units, this project is well under construction. How in the world did the city council ever approve such a dense development in their comprehensive land use plan?

Westminster’s housing situation

In Westminster’s case, city sta provided a breakdown of existing housing stock. Single family detached dwellings make up 58% (28,151 units) of all housing units. Attached dwelling units (up through nine units to the acre) total 9,645 units for 20% of the total while apartments consist of 21% or 10,575 units. e remaining 1% consists of 588 mobile homes.

None of the gures include residential developments under review.

Again, we see more than a majority of the housing stock being single family detached dwellings. at is what Westminsterites have seen and “felt” over the past decades while the number of apartments have crept up in the last several years.

Clearly, the current approved density of the New Downtown has been an issue from the getgo. It became more of an issue as buildings started rising up out of the ground and residents saw the looming problem. Plus, apartments have been built where the previous comprehensive land use land did not allow such density. On four separate occasions, a previous city council amended the comprehensive plan to allow apartments which raised the question of compatibility next to existing much lower density. en the surprise to all of us (especially for the current city council) was tearing down Rock Bottom Brewery and Bar Louie at e Promenade for the shoe-horned apartment structure and parking garage. Where does it end? a deeper level to those I am praying for and to my faith. And when I can slow down enough before rushing out of the house to write notes to my family and leave them around the house, it makes everyone feel so loved and appreciated.

Bill Christopher is a former Westminster city manager and RTD board member. His opinions are not necessarily those of Colorado Community Media. You can contact him at bcjayhawk68@gmail.com.

Is it time to slow down a bit for you? Are you running a race that just gets faster and faster all the time? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can move at a snail’s pace sometimes, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

WOODLEY

Patsy Woodley

June 3, 1958 - June 15, 2023

Passed away ursday June 15,2023 at Good Samaritan Hospital at age of 65. She was the wife of Charles W Woodley and the mother to Cody W Woodley. Grand mother to 2 grandchildren. Memorial service will held at Horan & McConaty 9998, Grant St ornton Co 80229 at 11:00 am on July 11,2023, Reception immediately after.

How to take up running, from starting out to marathons

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Roxane Geisler started running in high school as a new challenge — somebody told her she should run cross country.

“I didn’t even know how to run a mile,” said Geisler, who is now president of the Highlands Ranch Running Club.

Getting into running “just gradually happened for me,” said Geisler, who is 54. “Suddenly, I was like, ‘Oh, I really do enjoy it, and I love getting out and seeing the views.’”

For people who are inexperienced at running but want to improve, it’s key not to be intimidated, Geisler said.

“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, I can’t join the running club because I’m not a real runner.’ And that’s totally silly,” Geisler said. “If you run, you’re a runner.”

Ryan Marker, an assistant professor who teaches exercise physiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, said it’s important for beginners to start slow. “Setting appropriate expectations, I think, is really important,” Geisler said. “So if someone’s never run before, you’re not going to get o the couch and do a marathon.”

But with the right plan, even beginners can work their way up to a marathon within months. (Here’s a tip: You don’t have to run the whole thing.)

Here’s some advice on how to start running or take your training to the next level.

Part of the group

One thing that can help you get into running: nding a group of runners to keep you moving.

When Geisler moved to Highlands Ranch in 2003, she noted how many people were out running by themselves.

She learned about the Highlands Ranch Race Series, and part of the idea behind starting her running club was to get some runners to train together.

“It makes running so much easier, training so much easier, when you have people to train with,” Geisler said.

And the people she’s met through her club “were a tremendous in uence on me — just people who really push themselves and try to get the best out of themselves,” said Geisler, who has run marathons.

e club provides a communal atmosphere: