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SMART ABOUT TRANSPORTATION Centennial ramps onto super highway NEWS | PG 2

ARAPAHOE COUNTY VOTER GUIDE

A CHAT TO REMEMBER

Special pullout section inside

Author Nicholas Sparks interviewed by his reporter cousin

POLITICS | SPECIAL 16 PG SECTION

ARTS | PG 16

Since 1982

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VOLUME 34 • NUMBER 48 • OCTOBER 20, 2016

TheVillagerNewspaper

@VillagerDenver

Serving Arapahoe County & Surrounding Communities

Coffman and Carroll keep it cordial in candidate forum 1st District Republican stresses DeGette’s absence

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman makes a point as his opponent state Sen. Morgan Carroll listens in. The two participated in a forum last week presented by the Jewish Community Relations Council.

See story on page 16 of Election Section

Photo by Peter Jones

I think we can fix Obamacare, but I think one of the fixes is to leave it to the individual. - U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman

I am more concerned than I have ever been about the open bigotry, hate, racism and misogyny I’m seeing at the risk of being normalized. - State Sen. Morgan Carroll

Centennial city manager resigns Danielson was only third person to hold position

After four and a half years as Centennial’s third city manager, John Danielson has resigned. The 15-year-old city’s top fulltime staff leader abruptly announced his intended departure to City Council two weeks ago. Although his last official day was Oct. 14, Danielson will remain on payroll for two months as an on-call consultant, per an agreement with the council The 30-year veteran of city government says the time seemed right for semi-retirement, especially with such major projects as the leasing of Centennial’s fiber-optic network now in full swing. “We were talking about some really big projects coming up,” Danielson said of his recent conversations with other city officials. “The fiber could easily be a three-to-five-year

timeframe, and it would be nice for and wish him well in his future enthem to have some continuity. I just deavors.” Danielson counts the Arapahoe thought, you know what, maybe this presents an opportunity to for Road project as the proudest accomme to go out on a high point and put plishment under his leadership. the next person there who “That’s really going to would have that kind of improve the quality of life longevity.” for people who take that During his tenure with road every day,” he said. Centennial, Danielson has The outgoing manbeen credited with leading ager emphasizes that the the city through a number public works building of key projects, includand redesign of the Civic Center were both projects ing the reconstruction of Arapahoe Road between John Danielson that were completed either under budget or in highly Waco and Himalaya streets, the complete renovation of the Civic cost-effective ways. “We couldn’t have replaced the Center building, acquisition of a new public works facility and expansion concrete for what we what we paid for the entire [public works] facility,” of Center Park. Mayor Cathy Noon said Centen- Danielson said. “I was proud of that.” The city leader also touted Cennial “grew up” during Danielson’s time with the city. tennial being the smallest city chosen “We are known for innovation by the Bloomberg Philanthropies to and customer service and many large receive a grant to create an in-house projects became a reality” she said. Innovation Team. “We thank [Danielson] for the pro“We’re shoulder to shoulder with fessional development of our team Tel Aviv, Los Angeles, Boston—

Centennial,” he said. Danielson will be available for consultation and office work as requested until mid-December. After that, he intends to take a break while considering his options, which include further municipal consultation work. “What I’m not particularly interested in is working 50 to 60 hours a week for the next five years,” he said. “It’s such a time-demanding job. The council days are 15 to 16 hours. It’s exhausting.” The City Council was expected to immediately begin the national search process for the next city manager, a procedure that could take up to six months. In the meantime, Deputy City Manager Alisha Thomas will serve as the interim city manager. Danielson says he is happy to leave Centennial on good terms. “This career has been good for me. Centennial has been good for me,” he said. “I absolutely love the people that are there. I’d kind of like to go out on a high note.”


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