Following a 17-year career, City Manager for the City of
Glendale Jerry Peters has announced his retirement effective October 31, 2019.
Peters was appointed by the Glendale City Council in 2004 after serving as
Deputy City Manager under then City Manager Cliff Dodge for two years. Peters
holds the record as longest tenured City Manager in Glendale history (15
years), surpassing Gary Sears (1985-1987) by three years. Peters has assisted
in overseeing big changes in the landscape of the city.
Retiring: Jerry Peters, City Manager of Glendale, announced his retirement effective October 31, 2019. Peters has been with the city since 2002.
The completion of Infinity Park along with the addition of a
professional rugby team; the construction and opening of the Glendale Sports
Center; Glendale CitySet; the expansion of Glendale’s Super Target as well as
the massive remodel in 2019; redevelopment of King Soopers; and the
extraordinary beautification of Cherry Creek Drive South, are a just few of the
major projects that occurred during his tenure.
“Jerry has played an important role in what I call the
Vatican of Freedom,” said Glendale Mayor Mike Dunafon. “His influence in
helping to build this city to what it is today is something we will be forever
grateful.”
Peters has also seen tragedy under his watch. Two fires, 11
years apart, are among them. One person perished in the fire at Spanish Gate
apartment complex in December 2003. The other fire was at Solana Apartments
(now Amli) in 2014, which only generated minor injuries. “Jerry’s handling had
a sense of calm and a steady and professional approach to both situations,”
said former Glendale City Councilmember Ricky King. “He was able to deal with
the media, the residents, and the business community with poise and grace.”
BBB: Jerry Peters cuts the ribbon for the Bed Bath and Beyond store that moved from Cherry Creek North into Glendale in 2017. Peters was witness to much change during his 15 years as City Manager of Glendale.
Peters’ relationship with current Mayor Mike Dunafon dates
back to Dunafon’s high school days at Golden High School where Peters was his
football coach. “I’ve known Jerry essentially my entire life,” said Dunafon.
“The life lessons I learned from him while I played football for him in high
school are still applicable today.” Little did Dunafon know as a high school
teenager in the early ’70s, they would be working together as Mayor and City
Manager decades later.
Mayor & Manager: Jerry Peters, pictured with Mayor Mike Dunafon, shortly after Peters became City Manager of Glendale. Peters and Dunafon’s relationship dates back to when Dunafon played football at Golden High School.
Peters’ history with Glendale predates his days as Deputy
City Manager and City Manager. He helped launch the Greater Glendale Chamber of
Commerce in 1999, operating out of the attic of the old Loews Hotel. He fondly
remembers meeting with prospective members in the lobby of the hotel or in
Tuscany, the restaurant off the lobby.
In addition to his duties as the first Executive Director of
the Chamber, he was the production assistant for the Glendale News. “In the
early days of the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle (then Glendale News), Jerry
was of great help in transforming the publication from a four-page black and
white limited circulation paper, to what would become the dominant voice in the
Cherry Creek Valley,” said Charles Bonniwell, Publisher of the Glendale Cherry
Creek Chronicle. “All of us will miss his steadying hand in the growth and
prosperity of Glendale.”
Chamber Executives: Jerry Peters, right, is pictured with Mark Smiley, far left, and Jeff Allen. All three have served as executives with the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce.
Dating back further, Peters helped put together the Denver
Broncos broadcasts on KOA Radio from 1978 to 2003. Peters grew up in Ogallala,
Nebraska, and graduated from University of Northern Colorado in 1967. He then
became a teacher and football coach at Golden High School until 1972, when he
became the Director of Public Relations for Colorado School of Mines.
Peters served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force
during the Vietnam era. He was stationed at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from
the early to mid-’60s.
Linda Cassaday, who has been Deputy City Manager under
Peters, was named Acting City Manager by the City Council and she will assume
Peters’ duties on November 1, 2019. “Jerry has been an incredible mentor to me
during my time with Glendale,” said Cassaday. “He displays compassionate
leadership every day in his dealings with City employees, City Council, and the
public; and he will truly be missed by us all.”
Manager & Police Chief: Jerry Peters hired Joe Haskins as Police Chief in 2013.
Chuck Line, who will continue his role as Deputy City
Manager and Community Development Director, has worked with Peters the longest.
“Jerry’s leadership over the past 15 years implementing Mayor Dunafon’s vision,
has ushered in an era with Infinity Park, a thriving commercial environment,
and a revitalization of our housing stock,” said Line. “His presence will be
missed, but his accomplishments will not.”
Riding Off Into The Sunset: Jerry Peters and wife Liz plan to travel and spend time doing the things they have been unable to do while Peters was City Manager.
Peters and wife Liz plan to enjoy retirement to its fullest
by traveling and doing things he has been unable to do while serving as City
Manager.
It’s October, and that means the color pink will start
appearing everywhere — and for good reason. October is National Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, an international health campaign promoting prevention,
diagnosis, treatments and cures. Here are four ways to make the most of this
important month.
Be Aware. This month starts with just being informed.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, about 1 in 8 women in
America will experience breast cancer during their lifetime.
While men can get breast cancer too, it is much more common
in women, with women over 50 being most at risk. That said, about 11% of all
new cases of breast cancer are found in women younger than 45.
Check your health. This month is also a good reminder for
women to check in with themselves, as there many uncontrollable genetic factors
that can put them at risk:
• Gender:
Women are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer than men.
• Age: Two
out of three women are diagnosed after age 55.
• Genetics. A
family history of breast cancer can put individuals more at risk.
• Early
menstruation or late menopause. Breast cancer is also associated with early
menstruation (before age 12) and late menopause (after age 55).
Further, if they haven’t done so already, October is also a
good time to get in the habit of having regular breast exams. A mammogram — the
screening test for breast cancer — can help find breast cancer early when it’s
easier to treat. In addition, one of the first lines of defense against breast
cancer is being vigilant with self-exams. Experts recommend checking breasts
every month both visually and by touch, paying attention to any changes in how
the breast or nipple looks or feels.
Improve your lifestyle. During this month, another proactive
step is to make changes in your lifestyle that can both improve your health and
reduce your risk of cancer and other disease and health issues. This is called
lifestyle medicine, and it involves addressing nutrition, physical activity,
and chronic stress in order to live healthier.
To help prevent breast cancer:
• Maintain a
healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer,
especially after menopause.
• Stay
physically active. Breastcancer.org reports that exercising at a moderate or
intense level for four to seven hours per week can lower the risk of breast
cancer.
• Do not
smoke. Smoking is linked to a number of diseases, including breast cancer in
younger, premenopausal women.
• Watch your
diet. Eating too much saturated fat and not enough fruits and vegetables
increases risk.
• Cut back on
alcohol. Also according to Breastcancer.org, women who have three alcoholic
drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer, compared to women who
don’t drink at all.
Spread the word. Lastly, an important thing to do during
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is simply raise awareness. Most people can
survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. Talk to others about
risk factors and lifestyle changes. Encourage your loved ones to get regular
exams. Reach out to a loved one who is experiencing breast cancer and lend your
support. And, join local events and races that raise money and create even more
awareness.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found in
women. During October and every month, take steps to stay healthy. Everything
you do counts.
Justin is the Lifestyle Medicine Coordinator at the Glendale
Sports Center managed by the YMCA of Metro Denver. He has worked in the fitness
industry since 2015 and received his BS and MS in Exercise Physiology from
Western Kentucky University. He joined the Denver YMCA in 2019 after moving
from Bowling Green, KY.
