12
News
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
wax museum
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“It puts kids out of their comfort zone. When the button gets pushed, it makes them more outgoing … .”
From Page 1 to look at, and the project incorporates research and the study of biographies.” Tessa Bries, 11, loves motorcycles, so naturally her choice was motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi. Sporting a racing-logo T-shirt and with her father’s motorcycle gear nearby, she recited Rossi’s racing resume, complete with archrivals. “I think he’s cool, and I didn’t think anyone else would choose him,” she said. She was right. Tessa said that in preparation for the assignment, students had to find a character no one else would portray and create 80 words of poetry about the person, build a timeline of their life, design a presentation board with pictures, and compose a speech. “This was fun but kind of stressful to get it all together,” Tessa said. Jocelyn Clark, 11, portrayed Michael Jackson, and along with her speech and natty black suit, she added choreographed moves to punctuate her mini-monologue. With a tip of her neon-green hat and precision movements, she explained that besides Jackson’s reputation as an oddity, he also supported many charities. “I think many people mistake him for a girl because of all the plastic surgeries,” Jocelyn said. “People were wrong; he wasn’t a freak.” Ben Powell, 11, came to look at the wax figures and sought out his best friend, Reece Nagle, 11, who portrayed musician Bob Marley. As a second-grader, Ben participated in
— Jef Fleming, parent
of Lexi Fleming
a similar project, so he knew what it was like to be put on the historical spot. “It’s hard,” he said. “There are so many examples here of people who are in history — and some not exactly historic,” he said. Ben said his character choice would have been Jackie Chan. “I’m a ninja at heart,” he said. Jef Fleming, parent of Lexi Fleming, who portrayed actress and singer Selena Gomez, said the presentations posed a challenge for the students. “It puts kids out of their comfort zone,” Fleming said. “When the button gets pushed, it makes them more outgoing, and it’s a great memory exercise.” Seven-year-old Story Talbert came to see the wax museum with his mom and said he really liked the presentation on LEGO creator Ole Kirk Christiansen, but Story said he would have chosen a famous sheriff as his character. “It really fits my personality,” Story said.
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Two Week Countdown
Launching the Introduction of
SCOTT GORDON, DDS new associate
“We are anxiously awaiting our new crew member” Dr. Sharp - Dr. Sprout - Dr. Keeler
Above: More than 70 students created character profiles for the wax museum project at West Jefferson Middle School on May 12. At left: Seth Richardson, 11, portrayed popcorn magnate Orville Redenbacher. Photos by Barbara Ford | The Times
elk creek From Page 1 by an impartial third party who could mediate the complaints. “I have a forceful personality,” Biglen said. “If you feel threatened by that, it’s your problem. I’m not responsible for your feelings. I don’t say, ‘Do this or else.’ ” Meanwhile, the latest plan to pay Dolan would be as the district’s administrative coordinator, duties he has done as a volunteer since resigning in September 2010 because he could not begin receiving disability payments while making $66,000 a year as fire chief. Dolan was also forced to leave the chief’s job in 2003 amid an investigation of alleged financial improprieties during that tenure. Board members said paying Dolan would be a short-term solution to administrative issues such as billing, updates to the members’ handbook, complaints and grants. A salary had not been determined. A committee formed in April — made up of board members Len Wisneski and Alec Schwartz, Dolan and Igel — to look at the new position recommended that the hire be approved. A vote on the proposed position could occur at the monthly board meeting at 6 p.m. June 9 at Fire Station 1, 11993 Blackfoot Road.
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The explosive nature of the May board meeting was due in part to a series of caustic e-mails
that circulated among firefighters and board members last week regarding yet another paid position for Dolan. As a result, firefighters at Thursday’s meeting demanded answers about district leadership. Questions surfaced about whether Biglen and board member Mike Bartlett were railroading through the plan to get Dolan back on the payroll. Igel confronted Biglen about tactics used to get him to go along with the plan. “You made a statement to me … (that we) need to come out of the executive session and all stand united and show these people we are strong and in power,” said Igel, who said he also felt pressured to vote in favor of the plan in the committee.
Still without a permanent chief
The district has been without a full-time paid chief since Dolan resigned last September because of the conflict with receiving a salary and disability payments at the same time. The board apparently plans to launch a search for a new paid chief, but it’s unclear how that position would interact with Dolan as a paid administrator, or how the department would fund both positions. Biglen said the paid administrative position would be a temporary one, and that the overriding priority is to keep the department moving in the right direction. “For those of you who have attended the board meetings for the last nine months, and that’s
very few of you, we’re trying to give the department the leadership it deserves,” Biglen said. “This is why we created the committee to figure this out, and the committee was purposefully picked — impartial, nonjudgmental, level-headed individuals. We had nothing to do with what the committee came up with.” Biglen said he hoped to create a committee of two board members, two volunteer staff, one paid staff and possibly one community member to search for a full-time paid chief. Board member Mike Rogers said the district should have one boss and one leader, and that searching for a new chief during a potentially explosive wildfire season might not be wise. Still, he agrees it’s time to get the search started. Rogers indicated he also would agree to creating the interim administrative coordinator but would continue to study the issue. But others who commented at the meeting don’t support the paid administrator position when the department needs equipment and vehicles. And others said it appears the board is trying to hire Dolan back as chief without giving him the actual title. If the position is approved, Dolan would work no more than 30 hours a week. His job would be limited to administrative duties and would not include responding to emergency calls. Contact Barbara Ford at barbara@evergreenco.com or 303350-1043.