Arvada names new communications manager

The city of Arvada has named Wendy Forbes as its new communications manager. She will begin her appointment Monday, May 21.

Forbes has 18 years of professional experience in the Denver metro area. Before serving in her current position of director of communications for Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, Forbes served as North Metro Fire District’s first public-information officer and as Littleton Fire Rescue’s community-relations officer. She also served as the director of public relations for Westcore Mutual Fund Company and as the media-relations specialist for the College for Financial Planning.

She was named the Public Information Officer of the Year by the Emergency Services Public Information Officers of Colorado for three separate years.

Forbes holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with minors in Spanish and English from La Salle University in Philadelphia, and a master’s degree in speech communication from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.

In her new position as communications manager, Forbes will focus on increasing and strengthening the accessibility of local-government information to the employees, citizens and visitors of Arvada.

City Council recognizes service of Board of Adjustment secretary

During the May 7 meeting, City Council recognized Paul Danborn, an attorney with the firm Frie, Arndt & Danborn P.C. and a 12-year member of the Arvada Board of Adjustment, as he stepped down from his position with the board after fulfilling the term limit.

”He’s done us proud,” said Mayor Marc Williams. ”We want to thank Mr. Paul Danborn for his 12 years of service, currently as the secretary, but throughout his time on the Board of Adjustment.”

The Board of Adjustment addresses situations in which citizens are not in compliance with city codes.

City Council recognizes two members of Building Code Advisory Board

During the May 7 meeting, City Council recognized the service of Joe Gerber and Robert Priester on the Building Code Advisory Board. Gerber served on the board for 14 years, including serving as chairman, and Priester served for 12 years. Both men served their last month in April.

”I would just also like to say thank you very much for the honor of being able to contribute to the City of Arvada,” Gerber said.

The Building Code Advisory Board reviews proposed building codes, advises the building official on codes, and hears appeals regarding various building and code violations.

City Council thanks APAC member for service

During the May 7 meeting, City Council thanked Jean Scharfenberg for her service on the Arvada Park Advisory Committee, which totaled 12 years. Her last month on the committee was in April.

”It’s terrific working with Gordon [Reusink] and the people in Parks and the whole category,” Scharfenberg said. ”It’s a great committee to be on. Thank you very much for the privilege.”

APAC makes recommendations for projects in Arvada parks and open spaces, works with the city’s Parks, Golf and Hospitality Department, actively participates in events at parks and works with the Apex Park and Recreation district board and staff.

City Council declares May Poppy Month

During its May 7 meeting, City Council declared May 2012 as Poppy Month in honor of the American Legion.

The American Legio will be accepting money donations to support disabled veterans in exchange for paper poppies through Memorial Day.

Poppy Day is an international day of remembrance for veterans and those who lost their lives in foreign wars.

City Council declares May Mental Health Month

During its May 7 meeting, City Council declared May as Mental Health Month on behalf of the Jefferson Center for Mental Health and thousands other mental health organizations across the country.

May was congressionally designated as Mental Health Month in 1949.