All of us are on heightened alert. And the quick-thinking Golden mother who snapped a photo of an man who appeared intent on abducting her son is particularly worthy of our admiration and respect.
Even as we became increasingly alarmed by Jessica's continued disappearance, many Golden residents were gathered together for a special event. At the Mayor's State of Community Address and Awards for Excellence presented by the Rotary Club and the City of Golden, we honored some exceptional people:
Carrie Bazewicz for her outstanding contributions to Mitchell Elementary;
Dan Dwyer for improving the health, fitness, and community spirit of Golden residents;
Tracy Evanko for her quiet but unflagging efforts toward implementing the Golden vision;
Marv Kay for his long-term encouragement of all that is good in Golden;
Julie Kerwin for her valuable contributions at Shelton Elementary;
Greg Poulos for founding, guiding, and chairing the Golden Schools Foundation;
Ted Rains for 33 years of repairing and distributing between free bicycles through the Golden Optimists' bicycle recycle program; and
Kathleen Callender and Heather Callender-Potters of PharmaJet, named Business of the Year for its remarkable contribution to global health.
As I stated in that night's State of the Community address, these individuals have taken their commitment to Golden to particularly notable levels. But the values and dedication that they represent are more the rule than the exception in Golden. The address also discussed City and regional matters such as transportation, Jeffco schools, gun violence, and more. The three-second version is: "there is no place like home when home is Golden;" our residents work together for the good of our town like few others; and we need to extend our dedication and continue to collaborate with our neighbors.
The next night, at our regular city council meeting, we discussed a number of issues, conducted another budget review, approved the South Neighborhoods Plan, and decided to proceed with a bid for a stage of the 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
Worthy of separate note is council's consideration of a resolution advocating for policies that respect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners yet keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals. Specifically, the resolution urged our state and federal leaders to enact a federal Fix Gun Checks Act and other constitutional measures directed toward reduction of gun violence. Here are links to the Act and the Resolution.
Golden stood tall during the discussion of this resolution. Several residents provided their insights - we heard the perspectives of a dedicated psychiatrist, lifetime NRA members, and a careful hunter who wished to share his outdoor pursuits with his children. In addition, Aurora victim Steven Barton gave a moving account of how he, along with 70 others, was shot in a darkened movie theater by a single individual with a semi-automatic rifle and other weapons. He also explained his decision to devote his post-college year to work on the reduction of gun violence. More detailed information on the pervasiveness of gun violence and the proposed measure to fill gaps in the present gun check process was provided by Chris Kocher, a lawyer who works with the national organization Mayors Against Illegal Guns. At the close of public comment, each councilor provided caring and considered observations about council's charge to safeguard the health and welfare of our residents and the need for our state and federal leaders to enact sensible reforms. In the end, council voted unanimously in favor of the resolution. I highly recommend spending the time to view the video on this important issue -- here. We will be sending a copy of the resolution to our governor, state representatives, state senator, congressmen, and United States Senators of council's action, asking them to roll up their sleeves and get to work on ways to protect our residents from the all-too-frequent tragedies caused by the illegal use of firearms.
Carrie Bazewicz for her outstanding contributions to Mitchell Elementary;
Dan Dwyer for improving the health, fitness, and community spirit of Golden residents;
Tracy Evanko for her quiet but unflagging efforts toward implementing the Golden vision;
Marv Kay for his long-term encouragement of all that is good in Golden;
Julie Kerwin for her valuable contributions at Shelton Elementary;
Greg Poulos for founding, guiding, and chairing the Golden Schools Foundation;
Ted Rains for 33 years of repairing and distributing between free bicycles through the Golden Optimists' bicycle recycle program; and
Kathleen Callender and Heather Callender-Potters of PharmaJet, named Business of the Year for its remarkable contribution to global health.
As I stated in that night's State of the Community address, these individuals have taken their commitment to Golden to particularly notable levels. But the values and dedication that they represent are more the rule than the exception in Golden. The address also discussed City and regional matters such as transportation, Jeffco schools, gun violence, and more. The three-second version is: "there is no place like home when home is Golden;" our residents work together for the good of our town like few others; and we need to extend our dedication and continue to collaborate with our neighbors.
The next night, at our regular city council meeting, we discussed a number of issues, conducted another budget review, approved the South Neighborhoods Plan, and decided to proceed with a bid for a stage of the 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
Worthy of separate note is council's consideration of a resolution advocating for policies that respect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners yet keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals. Specifically, the resolution urged our state and federal leaders to enact a federal Fix Gun Checks Act and other constitutional measures directed toward reduction of gun violence. Here are links to the Act and the Resolution.
Golden stood tall during the discussion of this resolution. Several residents provided their insights - we heard the perspectives of a dedicated psychiatrist, lifetime NRA members, and a careful hunter who wished to share his outdoor pursuits with his children. In addition, Aurora victim Steven Barton gave a moving account of how he, along with 70 others, was shot in a darkened movie theater by a single individual with a semi-automatic rifle and other weapons. He also explained his decision to devote his post-college year to work on the reduction of gun violence. More detailed information on the pervasiveness of gun violence and the proposed measure to fill gaps in the present gun check process was provided by Chris Kocher, a lawyer who works with the national organization Mayors Against Illegal Guns. At the close of public comment, each councilor provided caring and considered observations about council's charge to safeguard the health and welfare of our residents and the need for our state and federal leaders to enact sensible reforms. In the end, council voted unanimously in favor of the resolution. I highly recommend spending the time to view the video on this important issue -- here. We will be sending a copy of the resolution to our governor, state representatives, state senator, congressmen, and United States Senators of council's action, asking them to roll up their sleeves and get to work on ways to protect our residents from the all-too-frequent tragedies caused by the illegal use of firearms.
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