November 12, 2015
VO LU ME 32 | ISSU E 2 0 | 50 ¢
INSIDE Area veterans tell the story of their military service in a special fourpage package of stories and photos. Turn to PAGES 17 - 20.
WheatRidgeTranscript.com A publication of
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
FREDDIE PLAYED HERE
READING UP
Standing behind the podium, Linda Rockwell, former Jefferson County Library board member and current Yes for Jeffco Libraries Campaign volunteer coordinator, talks about the details of the mill levy increase with campaign volunteers from left Pat Estes and Tom and Alice Atkins during a watch party that took place at the Belmar Library in Lakewood on Nov. 3. Photos by Christy Steadman
Voters give green light to improve library system Tax hike means longer hours, more materials for Standley Lake
Applewood Golf plans dropped
By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
A
fter years of falling behind its counterparts in other counties because of declining budgets, the Jefferson County Public Library system can soon start catching up, thanks to voters’ approval of a property tax increase. The results prove that “people value the library as part of the community,” said Linda Rockwell, former Jefferson County Public Library board member and volunteer coordinator for Yes for Jeffco Libraries Campaign. “Enough people love their library to pay to make them better.” While election results remain unofficial until certification later this month, the count of 179,234 ballots shows that Jeffco Ballot Issue 1A passed by more than 6 percentage points. Slightly more than 53 percent
Wheat Ridge High School took an additional step last week to show its pride in its most famous alum, Freddie Joe Steinmark, by naming the entryway road after him. The sign unveiling was held Nov. 6 with the help of Steinmark’s family, Wheat Ridge Mayor Joyce Jay and more. “Through courage, integrity and perseverance (Steinmark) did what we should all strive to do,” Principal Griff Wirth said. “He changed the world.” Steinmark grew up in Wheat Ridge, where he attended WRHS, lettering in football, basketball and baseball. “This young man was an inspiration for our community. Forevermore, somebody will always ask, ‘Who was that guy?’ and get that history,” Jay said, gesturing to the sign. Photo by Glenn Wallace
Staff Report
Yes for Jeffco Libraries Campaign volunteers and library staff watch as the votes come in concerning a the libraries’ proposed mill levy increase at a watch party that took place at the Belmar Library in Lakewood on Nov. 3. of voters supported a mill levy increase, with the losing side garnering a little under 47 percent of the vote. With the Nov. 3 vote, the mill levy will increase by one mill to a maximum of 4.5 mills. For Jeffco homeowners, the change equals about 67 cents more a month for every
$100,000 of home value. The one-mill increase is expected to bring in $8 million of additional library revenues, beginning in 2016. The library’s senior management team has developed a five-year plan Library continues on Page 10
Fresh on the heels of the victory of Prospect Recreation and Park District’s ballot measures, developer Applewood West Holdings and the Coors Brewing Co. announced their purchase agreement of Applewood Golf Course has been terminated. In addition, the rezoning application for the golf course will be dropped. A lawsuit that had been filed to halt the rezoning was made moot by the change. Applewood West Holdings, which had planned to build as many as 400 singlefamily homes on the golf course, made the announcement of the change of plans three days after the election indicated 2-to-1 support for the Prospect district to purchase the property instead. The Prospect district will continue to work with Coors to try to buy the property. Look for an in-depth story about the Applewood developments in our Nov. 19 issue.
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