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Ray Tomasso responds to letter
Contributed by: Raymond Tomasso on 10/11/2007

In 1980, I began renting an apartment and studio at 2998 South Bannock Street in Englewood's District One, in which I produced my artwork and operated my small business, the Inter-Ocean Curiosity Studio.

In August of 2004, I married Diane Wray, who has owned a home in District Two's Arapahoe Acres neighborhood since September of 1990 (though not the address noted in the letter). Diane is self-employed as a historic preservation consultant and also operates her business out of a home office.

After our marriage, Diane and I decided to purchase a property in which we could combine my studio, her office, and our home. At my insistence, our search took place entirely within District One, an area where I have now lived for 27 years, and plan to live for the rest of my life. As we searched, we lived in my District One apartment and stayed overnight in Arapahoe Acres on weekends.

In March of 2006, we were pleased to find a duplex at the corner of Bates and Elati. To the south and east is a quiet, established residential neighborhood. To the north and west is an industrial area, including the former site of the historic General Iron Works. We replaced an existing garage with a new garage, facing industrial properties across the alley to the west. Working with an architect and structural engineer, we rehabilitated the existing duplex, consisting of a c1914 house and an attached building that had served as a neighborhood corner grocery, then a lunchroom serving the employees of General Iron.

We took what had been a run-down rental property and restored it for use as our own home and home businesses. We were proud to make a contribution to stabilizing our new neighborhood where it faces a large cleared industrial site surrounded by a tall chain link security fence.

In July of 2007, I was able to move all my possessions from my former apartment and studio to 2905 South Elati Street, my new legal residence. At that time, I began to stay overnight in District Two until I could complete the installation of final interior items such as flooring, light and plumbing fixtures. Since the project was a rehabilitation of an existing duplex, our certificate of occupancy has been in place throughout the entire construction process.

I look forward to staying overnight in my new District One home before year-end.

According to all my discussions of the matter with the Englewood City Attorney, my living situation and move are all well within the spirit and the letter of the requirements for legal residence in Englewood District One.

Raymond D. Tomasso
District One Representative
Englewood City Council

Editor's note: Click here to read the original letter.



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