I bet you shop at Park Meadows, practice your golf swing at Topgolf, and enjoy concerts at Fiddler’s Green. Even if you don’t, you know that South Metro Denver offers fantastic shopping and entertainment options. Everyone agrees this area is a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
The South Metro Denver Chamber celebrates the region’s significance. SMDC is dedicated to enhancing the business environment through its membership and various informative events. A notable example occurred on Friday, March 7, at the Lone Tree Arts Center, where SMDC gathered South Metro mayors to discuss issues affecting our communities.
A room filled with elected officials and members of the business community listened as Dr. Stephanie Fuji, President of Arapahoe Community College, facilitated a discussion with Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman, Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko, Greenwood Village Mayor George Lantz, Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter, and Lone Tree Mayor Marissa Harmon. Englewood Mayor Sierra was unable to attend.
The six mayors represent 230,000 residents across more than 95,000 households in Douglas and Arapahoe counties. Regional cooperation emerged as a common theme within the group. Another critical issue is the ongoing assault by the state legislature on Home Rule (the constitutional right for local citizens to determine what is best for their city). The mayors also discussed economic development, crime, housing prices, and transportation.
As a Centennial Councilmember and candidate for Centennial mayor, aiming to succeed term-limited Mayor Piko in the November election, I found Friday’s discussion to be both optimistic and informative.
Thank you to SMDC President Jeff Keener, VP Lori Gerlits, and the South Metro Denver Chamber staff for hosting another fantastic community event.
Don Sheehan
Centennial City Council/Mayoral Candidate