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February 19, 2015 VOLU M E 70 | I S S UE 1 5 | 5 0 ¢

WestminsterWindow.com

A D A M S C O U N T Y A N D 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

Judge OKs stormwater utility fee Unhappy residents lose legal challenge By Ashley Reimers

areimers@colorado communitymedia.com An Adams County judge ruled in favor of the county in a lawsuit filed by residents opposing the stormwater utility fee, who believe the fee is actually a tax. On Feb. 9, Judge Mark Warner ruled that the stormwater utility charge is a fee, not a tax, and therefore not subject to Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, known as TABOR. His ruling also validated the belief that the stormwater utility fee is reasonably related to the overall cost of providing services related to water drainage and water-related activities in the service area. “Throughout this process the county has maintained the belief that the stormwater utility is a fee,

Courtesy photo

Junior ROTC program teaches leadership skills

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Mapleton students learn from retired airmen By Ashley Reimers

areimers@colorado communitymedia.com

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Since the fall of 2010, the Air Force Junior ROTC program has helped high school students at Mapleton Public Schools learn valuable leadership skills. The program is broken into three components: aerospace education, leadership education and physical training. Students in ninth through 12th grades are eligible to participate and will earn elective credit for graduation. The program is headed up by two coordinators: retired Air Force Lt. Col. William Arrington, a senior aerospace science instructor, and retired Air Force Sr. Master Sgt. Jerry Archuleta, an aerospace science instructor. Arrington said students in the program learn about the history of flight and how airplanes work, as well as basic military doctrines, ceremonies and the significance of honoring the

flag. Students are also required to wear the Air Force uniform during school one day a week, learn and practice drill/marching techniques and complete basic physical training. Arrington said the program has also grown in participation over the years. “It’s very exciting to see the program grow because it’s actually the students who are telling their peers about Junior ROTC,” he said. “The students are really proud and they want to share that with their friends, and that is really great.” Breanna Allen is a junior at Academy High School in Mapleton and is the public affairs officer for the Stealth Squadron. She joined Junior ROTC as a freshman after hearing about the program from her father. As the public affairs officer, she’s responsible for promoting the program, maintaining the website and putting out the newsletter. She said in the beginning she was nervous to join Junior ROTC, but is happy she did. “I’ve learned a lot and I’ve been able to develop my leadership skills,” she said. “I’ve also learned how not to procrastinate so much.” Allen’s also made long-lasting friendships “I’ve been able to get really close with the

other cadets, even if we don’t have a lot of classes together,” she said. “The other cadets are always there for me.” Archuleta’s passion as a program coordinator is helping students learn organizational skills. With a background in organization, he said it’s wonderful to see students gain confidence in management and organization. “Students start out in the program with very little organizational skills, and by the time they’re seniors, they turn out to be leaders and managers in the program,” he said. Steven Cromer, a junior at Academy High School, is the honor guard commander. He transferred to Mapleton specifically for the Junior ROTC program. Cromer leads the drill team in a variety of events and competitions. “What’s most rewarding about being the honor guard commander is being able to help other students learn the drills,” he said. “I like the challenge of teaching the drills to people who have never done them before and then be able to go out and compete.” The Junior ROTC program at Mapleton is always welcoming new members. For more information, visit mapleton.us/District/ Department/36-Air-Force-Junior-ROTC.

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Building Trust Town hall dicusses legislation to bridge gap between law enforcement and the public By Ashley Reimers

areimers@coloradocommunitymedia.com Representative Joe Salazar’s recent town hall meeting focused on ways to build trust between the community and law enforcement. With the help of Representative Faith Winter and Senator Jessie Ulibarri, the Feb. 14 meeting informed the public on possible legislation revolved around community trust with police officers. Legislation on data collection and the definition of a lawful order were both discussed during the

meeting. Salazar, in particular, is working on what he calls a special prosecution bill, which would set up a special prosecution office in the Office of the Attorney General to objectively and independently review cases that are being investigated and prosecuted regarding police behaviors of excessive force and excessive force resulting in death. “I haven’t heard one citizen tell me that they don’t want the special prosecution bill,” he said. “And if there is someone here today that doesn’t want it, I need you to tell me why.” Another subject brought up during the town hall meeting was the need to provide additional training to law enforcement in handling a person struggling with mental illness. Thornton Police Chief Randy Nelson said the state needs to start looking at better in-

From left, Representative Faith Winter, Sen. Jessie Ulibarri and Representative Joe Salazar listen to a question from the audience during a town hall meeting on Saturday at Thornton City Hall discussing trust between law enforcement and the community. Photo by Ashley Reimers tervention processes to deal with mental health problems. “If we have this conversation on how to make a safe community,

we need to start looking at better intervention processes and more training for police officers,” he said.


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