Westminster Window Reflections is back with a weekly briefing on the events and happenings in a community that is dealing with a public health anomaly and the rewriting of an ordinance aimed at keeping massage parlors free of dangerous conduct.

Westminster also lost a staunch defender of a person’s basic right to live in a clean, safe environment. Karl McGirl, an 80-year-old Navy veteran, refused to back down from landlords who allowed him and other apartment residents to live in badly maintained homes.

One thing that surprised me while reporting this week: Well, it really shouldn’t be a surprise, given the hostility some people harbor toward basic medical vaccines. Or maybe people believe measles has been eradicated and can simply be ignored.

Still, it’s shocking how quickly measles can spread from one unvaccinated person to others and possibly put them at risk.

Here’s another surprise: Even if you have not received the measles vaccination, you can still get it within 72 hours of exposure to help prevent illness.

Why it matters: Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious medical complications for babies and young children, according to the CDC. Measles symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually develops several days after exposure.

What’s happening: The unvaccinated individual could have exposed residents at two Westminster locations late last month: PetSmart in Walnut Creek, 10460 Town Center Drive, on Sunday, Feb. 22, and Chipotle, 5160 W. 120th Avenue, Unit B, exposure on Thursday, Feb. 26.

😔 Why it matters: Westminster wants to prevent certain massage parlor owners from exploiting their employees and bullying them into sex trafficking. Adams County officials recently used a change in an outdated massage parlor ordinance as a key part of their newly formed sex trafficking prevention unit.

What’s happening: Councilors earlier this week gave their tacit approval to a new ordinance that mirrors a state law requiring certain background checks for massage parlor owners and employees. The new ordinance, if approved, would also streamline requirements to set up a legitimate massage parlor business in Westminster.

What to know: Familiar family favorites to creative culinary experiences will all be displayed during Westminster’s very first restaurant week. Organizers say restaurants will create special meals at affordable price points.

Next step: Restaurants are encouraged to sign up for Westy Restaurant Week by Friday, March 6, to be fully included in promotional incentives being offered.

Check back in future newsletters for poll results!

The Westminster school consolidation plan is now official. Read the story here ➡

The city learned last week that 80-year-old Karl McGirl recently died. McGirl fought hard for the residents of the Atrium Apartments in Westminster, speaking out about the wretched conditions there.

“I’ve had no heat for years, I had human waste flooding into my bathroom and a front door that wouldn’t lock,” McGirl told the city council last year.

His words sparked the council to beef up its rental inspection program and do more outreach to local apartment complexes.

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The issue: Google Fiber cut the ribbon last month to signal the company’s first group of paying customers served in Westminster. Google Fiber launched its construction project last April.

Context: Westminster is the second Colorado city to bring fiber internet to residents and businesses. The complete buildout of Westminster is expected to be completed by the end of the year. 

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Upland PLD Open House — 5:30 p.m., The MAC

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