Top Cops
Centennial contracts for law enforcement services from the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office (ACSO), a highly accredited agency with a long record of excellence. ACSO is the only sheriff's office in the country to earn the coveted Triple Crown Accreditation from the National Sheriffs' Association under four different Sheriffs. Our deputies continually train to provide best-in-class service to Centennial. Sheriff Brown, Chief McKlem, the FOP Lodge 31 and all of ACSO are committed to keeping Centennial a safe community.
Before being elected to the Council, I was a volunteer ACSO Victim Advocate. I was on call overnight to respond to and help victims of crime.
I’m a graduate of the ACSO Adult Citizens Academy. I highly recommend this course.
Helping when needed
A call for service to the Sheriff’s Office can come in many shapes and sizes. The Council increased funding for our co-responder program with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. Centennial now funds four co-responders - licensed mental health clinicians – who respond with deputies on calls involving persons with mental illness, behavioral health crises, and emotionally charged situations. Service calls de-escalate faster, individuals receive the appropriate mental health services and deputies return to service sooner. I strongly support Centennial’s co-responder program.
Where does your money go
Centennial receives taxpayer money from multiple sources, including the county, state, and federal governments, with over half of our revenue coming from sales tax. When the pandemic response closed most of our retail stores, Centennial weathered the crisis well because of our sound fiscal approach to city finances. The city allocates resources conservatively, spends judiciously, and carefully plans for future needs in our biennial budget. I have served on the budget committee for several years and have helped create, debate, and approve the city's budget. The budget determines the city's plan for efficient and effective operations.
Noisy Neighbors
It was almost every weekend. Visitors to a house in Piney Creek caused disturbances in the neighborhood with loud and disruptive parties. The house was a short-term rental catering to those coming to Colorado for the relaxed marijuana laws and other attractions. Despite repeated calls to the sheriff, the parties persisted to all hours of the night. Nothing beats a good time, but you must also be a good neighbor in Centennial.
I worked with the City Attorney's Office to develop an ordinance to license short-term rentals. The ordinance set minimal requirements and required a representative of the rental house owner to always be available to address noise and other complaints.
The ordinance passed the Council unanimously. Since its implementation in 2022, just under 100 short-term rentals have been licensed in Centennial. Now, we have good neighborly conduct while balancing the interests of property owners and visitors.
Planes, drains and automobiles
I represent Centennial on the Centennial Airport Community Noise Roundtable. I’m still that little kid who marvels at flight. However, for some people, the constant noise from planes can be irritating. We work with the flight schools at Centennial Airport to reduce the impact on the surrounding neighborhoods.
I am a Southeast Metro Storm Water Authority (SEMSWA) Board Director. SEMSWA manages the floodplain and stormwater in Centennial and the surrounding areas. Our facilities help contain fast-moving water during rainstorms and clean the water of contaminants before it is fed into our streams and lakes.
Dear Santa, before I explain, how much do you know already?
My fellow Council members voted me the Mayor Pro Tem for the 2022-2023 term. Mayor Pro Tem helps during Council meetings and substitutes for the Mayor as needed.
I am the city liaison to the Trails Park and Recreation District (TPRD). TPRD builds and maintains beautiful parks and trails in eastern Centennial and adjacent areas.
I am on the Executive Board of the Aurora Chamber’s Buckley Regional Military Affairs Council, which promotes and supports the people of our local military installations, including Buckley Space Base.
I served a year on the National League of Cities Technology Committee.
I have served on the Colorado Municipal League’s Legislative Policy Committee for several years. CML fights to preserve Home Rule for over one hundred Colorado member towns and cities. I also serve on the Centennial Policy Commission, which formulates the city’s positions on legislation at the statehouse.
I am a Centennial Arts and Cultural Foundation Ambassador. Ambassadors help with opportunities to engage citizens and businesses to enhance CACF’s community impact further.
Nothing says economic health like a ribbon cutting or grand opening. The South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce support our local businesses. I’m happy to join for the fun, support and, um, the cookies.
Pipe dreams do come true
A Centennial business sought a permit to excavate a residential sewer line. Our permit department informed them that a master plumber was necessary to secure the permit. Neighboring cities did not require a master plumber for this type of permit. Adding a master plumber is a significant expense for the customer.
They called me.
I asked our permit department to look into it further. They contacted the Colorado State Plumbing Supervisor. As it turned out, both Arapahoe County and Centennial had misinterpreted the state statute (Statute 12-155-101) defining when a master plumber was required. Our staff now correctly enforces the statute, saving customers time and money.
A sign for God
Our Father Lutheran Church, located in Centennial’s District 2, is zoned residential. When Centennial was incorporated, many churches were zoned as residential by default. When the church sought to modernize its sign, our existing residential zoning code didn’t allow for the changes they wanted.
One option was to rezone the church property to a more business-oriented classification, permitting various larger signs. Several Centennial churches underwent the lengthy and expensive process of changing their zoning, primarily for a new sign.
I worked with our Planning Department to revise our Land Development Code. Now, places of public assembly on arterial roads can have new, modern signs without costly zoning changes. Our Father Lutheran budgeted for the new sign and is working with a sign contractor to secure the necessary permits and approvals.
The new sign is on the way.
Work Hard, Play Harder
Our Council meetings start with dinner and usually include a speaker from one of the agencies we collaborate with. Our study session begins at 6 PM, followed by the regular Council meeting at 7 PM. Depending on the agenda items, we may work late into the evening.
Centennial sponsors community events during the summer, including our ever-popular Centennial Under the Stars. Enjoy our award-winning Centennial Center Park this year!
