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February 13, 2014 Elbert County, Colorado | Volume 119, Issue 3 A publication of
elbertcountynews.net
County elections manager dismissed Rhonda Braun hired as replacement for Sherry McNeil By George Lurie
glurie@coloradocommunitymedia.com County elections manager Sherry McNeil has counted her last ballot for Elbert County. McNeil, who was hired in September 2013 and came on the job the same week Clerk and Recorder Dallas Schroeder took office, was dismissed by Schroeder in late January. Prior to coming to work for Elbert
County, McNeil worked at the state Capitol in the Secretary of State’s elections division. She was interviewed and hired by a committee of three county employees while the Clerk and Recorder position was vacant. Schroeder wasted no time in replacing McNeil, confirming on Feb. 5 that Kiowa resident Rhonda Braun has been hired as the county’s new elections manager. “Rhonda’s first day on the job will be Feb. 18,” Schroeder said. The new county elections manager will have her work cut out for her: party precinct caucuses are scheduled for March 4
and primary election day is June 24. Schroeder assumed office just a few months before the November 2013 election, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to serve out the term of Diana Hartsough, who resigned in July 2013, citing “health issues.” BOCC chair Kurt Schlegel said Schroeder is scheduled to brief the BOCC this week on the changes in the elections office. “It’s my understanding that Dallas cut Sherry a check and let her go Thursday afternoon (Jan. 30),” Schlegel said. Schroeder said he was not able to share details regarding McNeil’s departure. “Because it’s a personnel issue, I really can’t
comment,” he said. Attempts to reach McNeil for comment were unsuccessful. Schroeder, who met with Braun on Feb. 5 to confirm the details of her employment, spoke highly of her experience. “Rhonda has served as an election judge in the county for several years and has a good working knowledge of the state election system,” he said. Braun received “good endorsements” from both county Republican chairman Scott Wills and Democratic vice-chair Tony Corrado, Schroeder added. Braun and Corrado served as the county’s canvas board for the November 2013 election.
Repeal effort shot down in committee Bill targeted law requiring background checks By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia. com
was shopping for a chair and talking on the phone to his wife. “I was using Facetime to show my wife some chairs and this woman I didn’t know came right up in my face,” said Rowland. “I was holding my phone out in front of me taking picRowland tures and said, ‘Excuse me ma’am. But I’m talking to my wife right now. I’d be happy to talk with you if you could wait a minute.’ But the woman kept right on talking and getting more and more aggressive.”
Another gun battle took center stage at the state Capitol on Feb. 3, as a Senate committee rejected a Republican effort to undo a key Democratbacked gun measure from last year. Testimony on a bill that sought Report to repeal a law that requires background checks on all gun sales and transfers in the state lasted more than six hours before the Senate’s State, Veteran’s and Military Affairs Committee killed the measure. The bill failed following a 3-2 party-line vote. Democrats and other supporters of universal background checks say they are working and that the law has made it more difficult for guns to get into the wrong hands. But Sen. George Rivera, RPueblo, the repeal bill’s sponsor, argued that the new law would have done nothing to prevent recent mass shootings, such as the ones that occurred in 2012 inside an Aurora theater and at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School. “If people intend on doing something evil, they’re going to do it,” Rivera said. “That’s just a fact.” Last year, Democrats succeeded in passing bills that expanded gun background checks, and put in place a requirement that high-capacity ammunition magazines be limited to 15 rounds. Republicans are also trying to repeal the latter measure. There was fallout as a result of those efforts as three Democratic senators either lost their seats or resigned as a result of gun vote-motivated recall elections. Rivera won his Senate seat last
Rowland continues on Page 9
Repeal continues on Page 8
OH, DEER, IT’S COLD! A pack of mule deer linger in a meadow just east of Main Street in Elizabeth on the morning of Feb. 5. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures dipped to 15 degrees below zero, forcing the closure of the school in the town of Elbert and late starts for schools in Elizabeth and Kiowa. Photo by George Lurie
POSTAL ADDRESS
No charges in incident involving Rowland Commissioner says investigation is complete, case closed By George Lurie
glurie@coloradocommunitymedia.com
No charges will be filed relating to an incident that occurred Jan. 4 at the Parker Costco and involved Commissioner Robert Rowland. Rowland had filed a report with the Parker police claiming to have been verbally harassed and then physically assaulted by a woman who, he said, was critical of his performance as an Elbert County commissioner. The AM incident Jan. 4 when Rowland 6x1.75_BringAppetite_Layout 1 2/3/14 11:15 Page happened 1
Capitol
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2 Elbert County News
February 13, 2014
Literature that transforms you
SPREADING THE LOVE Valentine hearts decorate an old wooden wagon in the Elizabeth yard of Bill and Diana Mansell. “We decorate the wagon for all the holidays,” said Bill Mansell. “It’s a family tradition. Everybody seems to like it ... and it helps when we have to give people directions to our house.” Mansell, who lives next to the Elizabeth Cemetery, was the driving force behind the recent creation at the cemetery of the Elizabeth Veterans’ Memorial. Photo by George Lurie
THE DENVER CONCERT BAND under the direction of Jacinda Bouton
SATURDAY February 22 7:30 p.m.
Presents its Guest Artist Concert
“Road Trip”
Adults $13 16 & under $8 (includes LTAC handling charge)
Parking is free in the LTAC parking lot.
“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” — John Green Have you ever had this happen to you? You read a book, and you immediately tell all your friends and even some random strangers they must read it too. One such book that I read is “The Book Thief” by Markus Zuzak. This book had been sitting on my shelf for about five years before my book club selected it to read. On the surface, this book sounds strange and macabre — a Nazi Germany story about a young woman, narrated from the point of view of death? No thank you! But then I started to read it, and I couldn’t believe that something so magical had been sitting on my bookshelves all these years unread. Another book that I resisted reading because of the description was “The Hunger Games” trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I mean, really, the premise is that a bunch of teenagers in a post-war United States must meet annually and fight to the death to celebrate the New World Order. Sounds gross and gruesome. But then I picked up book one in the trilogy, and three days later closed the cover on the third book. Wow. Trust me, just read it. Last week, I started another book that I immediately started recommending, even when I was only on page 20! “The Bookman’s Tale: A Novel of Obsession” by Charlie Lovett drew me in from the beginning. An antiquarian bookseller, grieving over the recent death of his wife, discovers a watercolor painting of his wife … except that the painting is over 100 years old, and his wife has only been dead for nine months. What is the connection between this Victorian painting and the only obsession other than books that Peter has ever had? Thrown into the mix is the discovery of original texts that may or not verify once
and for all that Shakespeare is the author of all of his plays. The story travels seamlessly back and forth through the centuries, and it was hard for me to put it down once I picked it up! There is a danger and a vulnerability that comes with selling your friends — and random strangers — on your new favorite book. What if they don’t like it? I always feel oddly judged when someone doesn’t agree with my recommendations, but I try to remind myself that we all have different reading styles, and even that books draw you in differently depending on your emotional state when you begin reading it. Several years ago, a woman came into the library with a copy of “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. She was gushing about this book she had just finished and told me that she was buying copies to give to all of her girlfriends for Christmas that year. The book was a best seller, and I had a personal recommendation, so I added my name to the holds list. And was disappointed. Luckily, the recommendation came from a stranger, so I never had to own up to her that it didn’t live up to her review. How about you? What books have transformed your life that everyone should read? Let us know at your library. Kari May lives in Elizabeth and is the director of the Elbert County Library District. She can be contacted through the library at director@elbertcountylibrary.org. Visit the library at www. elbertcountylibrary.org.
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Elbert County News 3
February 13, 2014
Woman pleads guilty to shooting Victim unhappy about 8-year sentence By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com A woman arrested for shooting a man in her Parker home pleaded guilty to an assault charge and will serve eight years in prison. Wendy Brown initially faced charges of attempted first-degree murder, felony kidnapping and first-degree assault against an at-risk victim stemming from an incident in her home in Clarke Farms on New Year’s Eve 2012. She pleaded not guilty to the charges last April, but reached a plea agreement with prosecutors Jan. 29, less than one week before she was set to stand trial. Brown pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury, a class 4 felony, and was subsequently sentenced by Douglas County District Court Judge Paul A. King. Brown, a former domestic violence counselor for the Parker Police Department, told investigators that she fired at Jerry Diesel in self-defense. The nature
Redemption by John Brackney
South Metro Denver Chamber President and CEO
Errors, Mistakes, Sins, Oversights, Transgressions, they come in all styles and variations. Most of us slip-up every day – sometimes in a small way, other times in a larger way. We try our hardest to avoid big, life changing mistakes. When we do mess up, we’re often faced with the task of remedying the error. Fortunately most can be settled by straightforward acknowledgment and apology. When authentically provided and gracefully accepted an apology can mean equally as much to the provider as to the receiver. Both are able to move on. More serious mistakes likely mean more effort to pay the debt, right the wrong or make amends. Hopefully we grow from all of our mistakes and become better people. We shouldn’t seek to avoid missteps however – they are how we grow, learn and get stronger. We should do our best to avoid lapses in judgment that either knowingly or unknowingly hurt others and when we do make them we should be our best to fix them. We received an anonymous letter and $500 money order last week from the Greater Seattle area (and no, not regarding the Seahawks - more on that below).
of Brown’s relationship with Diesel is unclear; a gag order has prevented public access to court documents since her arrest. When reached by phone Jan. 31, Brown’s public defender, Ara Ohanian, said he was not at liberty to comment on the plea deal, but said Brown is eager to tell her side of the story. Brown will remain in the Douglas County Detentions Center until she is assigned to a Colorado Department of Corrections facility. Parker police officers swarmed the home on Hastings Avenue after emergency dispatchers received a call of a burglary in progress with possible shots fired. During a hearing last summer, members of the Parker police testified about spontaneous statements from Brown after her arrest, including one about a check for $6,000 that Diesel allegedly tore up in front of Brown immediately before the shooting. Diesel suffered wounds to the back and one bullet narrowly missed hitting his heart. Diesel blasted the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s office for its handling of the case, saying prosecutors “caved.” He says he was not consulted about the plea deal, as is standard with victims of violent crime, until after it was offered. Diesel says if the roles were reversed, a man would not have gotten off so lightly. A conviction
The author reflected on his life as a boy growing up in South Metro Denver and expressed regret and disappointment over one of his youthful transgressions. This gentleman was seeking to make amends for taking small items from a local retail store, long since out of business, in order to impress his friends. For over 40 years he has remembered this mistake and wondered how to redeem himself. His letter, in part below, is noteworthy: “I hope that when my life is done that I will have done more good than harm. I try each day to live my life to help others and improve myself. But the guilt associated with this behavior, and many other poor decisions, lingers as something unresolved. Now in my older age and reflecting on my life, I realize I am a different man than I was years ago, but my past still serves as a reminder of how far I have left to go. I cannot know how many people I have hurt over time, nor am I able to remember the names and faces of even those that I know I hurt. But I do remember the store and know I never made amends. I wish that little store were still open so I could make amends directly. Instead, I thought the organization that represents such stores might be my closest alternative. Enclosed is $500 which represents the value of the items plus interest, with a little bit more added in. I appreciate what you do for your community and for allowing me the opportunity to try and restore, to some small degree, a wrong I did to a member of your community.” Powerful words. Somewhere in Seattle is a good man who is working to get bet-
for felony kidnapping can result in a life sentence. “This was an easy way to put a mark in their book of wins,” Diesel said about the district attorney’s office. Jay Williford, deputy Brown district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, said Ohanian planned to argue that Brown fired in self-defense and had said he would introduce evidence to the jury “in regards to prior incidents the victim had been involved in.” Williford confirmed that they detailed domestic violence incidents. The prosecution team had extensive conversations about the plea agreement with Diesel, who lobbied for a sentencing range of 10-16 years in prison, Williford
elbert county news
said. Diesel declined an opportunity to speak directly to the judge about his wishes for a harsher sentence. “If I showed up, I would end up in the slammer,” Diesel said. Williford said he is “not blaming” Diesel, who “did not deserve to get shot,” but said “based on the (evidence), she would have been able to make some claims.” In a statement, Michelle Yi, spokeswoman for the DA’s office, said prosecutors consider the victim’s position and “all the case details, including the events that transpired and surrounding circumstances.” “This specific case was fully and carefully evaluated, and a disposition was reached based upon the merits of the case and the interests of justice,” according to the statement, which was issued in response to Diesel’s accusations.
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ter. Seattle – you’re fortunate to have him. We accepted his gesture with appreciation and thoughtfulness for how we all can seek redemption. To make what was wrong right, to clear the day and move forward. We are re-committing our efforts at the South Metro Denver Chamber to support all small businesses in their toil to provide great value and service to their customers and clients so that they grow and prosper. When small businesses do well many others can fulfill their dreams, our community gets stronger and our quality of life increases. We should all follow this example as we reflect on any wrongs we’ve done and how to fix them. Thank you, Anonymous. Now to the Super Bowl. To the Seattle Seahawks players, organization, city, region, and fans: congratulations on a great victory. You beat us fair and square. Sorry we didn’t give you a tougher fight but you’ve left no doubt that you deserve to be Super Bowl Champions. Your region is awesome, and from one great area to another we wish you joy and happiness, and the satisfaction that your efforts have produced champions. We continue to be proud of our team, the Denver Broncos, especially Pat Bowlen, John Fox, John Elway, Peyton Manning, the rest of the team and the fans. You’re a first class organization and team and you’ve helped us to attain championship status as a city and world-wide recognition over the decades. Thank you for taking us there! Seattle – hope to see you again in Super Bowl XLIX. Let’s Prosper together! More blog posts from John Brackney can be read at www.bestchamber.com.
Ribbon Cuttings
Calendar of Events For a complete calendar of South Metro Denver Chamber events and for more information, visit our web site at www.bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142.
Thursday, February 13th:
Littleton Business Coalition Breakfast Norgren, 5400 S. Delaware St., Littleton Women in Leadership: Pamela Schenck-Kelly on Being True to Your Brand Chamber Conference Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial
Friday, February 14th:
Economic Development Group Breakfast Chamber Conference Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial
Monday, February 17th:
Save Lives and Sort Medical Supplies with Project CURE 10337 E. Geddes Ave., Centennial
Tuesday, February 18th:
Business Bible Study Chamber Conference Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial Business Leaders for Responsible Government: Senator Mark Udall Fundraiser Rock Bottom Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Denver Business Leaders for Responsible Government Board of Advisors Chamber Conference Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial
Wednesday, February 19th:
E.L.I.T.E. Board of Advisors Chamber Conference Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial Southwest Business Alliance: Ronald Hopp, Director, Foothills Park & Rec District Peak Community & Wellness Center, 6612 S. Ward St., Littleton Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Celebration for The Joint the Chiropractic Place 15405 E. Briarwood Circle, Aurora
Thursday, February 20th:
Health & Wellness Initiative Advisory Board Chamber Conference Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial 2014 Community Leaders Forum Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton Are You Prepared? Emergency Crisis in the Workplace Safety Seminar Chamber Conference Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial Centennial Gun Club Grand Opening and Ribbon Shooting 6649 Paris St., Centennial 1st Annual E.L.I.T.E. Dodgeball Tournament Littleton Family YMCA, 11 W. Dry Creek Ct., Littleton Under new management, Elements Therapeutic Massage SouthGlenn held a grand re-opening and ribbon cutting celebration with clients, community leaders, and fellow Chamber Investors. Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon welcomed the new business and helped cut the ribbon with owner John Fornarola and guests. Attendees enjoyed healthy Hors d’oeuvres and smoothies provided by Sava Catering as well as massage giveaways. www.elementsmassage.com/southglenn
Home Care Assistance of Centennial welcomed clients, families, community leaders and fellow Chamber Investors to celebrate the ribbon cutting and grand opening of their newest location in Centennial. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, smoothies and excellent giveaways were the order of the day as attendees toured the new facility. The organization provides the highest quality in-home care for seniors with flexible hourly and 24 hour live-in care plans. www.centennialhca.com
The Joint... the Chiropractic Place celebrated the grand opening of their 8th Denver location at the corner of University and Dry Creek in Centennial with a party and ribbon cutting with company management, clients and fellow Chamber Investors. Offering an alternative approach to healthcare, The Joint brings affordable and convenient chiropractic services to the public with an open, inviting atmosphere. www.thejoint.com
Friday, February 21st:
Social Marketing for Business: Converting Leads to Sales Chamber Conference Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial Rocky Mountain Energy Council Board of Advisors Chamber Conference Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Centennial
Sunday, February 23rd:
2014 American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb Republic Plaza, 370 17th Street, Denver
4-Opinion
4 Elbert County News
February 13, 2014
opinions / yours and ours
Our veterans deserve better from the VA Editor’s note: The following was written by U.S. Reps. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) It is time for the federal government to fulfill its promise to our nation’s veterans and get our VA hospitals built, on time and without excessive and avoidable cost overruns. That’s why we are pushing bipartisan legislation to reform a broken bureaucratic system that has been harming our nation’s veterans and wasting precious taxpayer resources. As a Republican from Colorado and a Democrat from Arizona, we stand united in our desire to see the Aurora VA hospital and others around the country completed. To do that, we need serious reform of how the VA manages the construction process. Last year, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee for Oversight and Investigations (O&I) held a hearing entitled “VA Construction Policy: Failed Plans Result in Plans That Fail.” Additionally, the full House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) held a hearing on “Confronting Persistent Challenges in VA Major Construction and Lease Programs.” The take-away from these hearings, which is self-evident from the titles, is that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) struggles significantly with construction of healthcare facilities. At a subcommittee hearing last year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) testified that delays in hospital construction projects in Aurora, Orlando, Las Vegas, and New Orleans are, on average, 35 months behind schedule and $336 million over budget. Those numbers are simply unacceptable, for
both taxpayers and veterans in need of care. As the chairman and a ranking member for O&I, we are disheartened by the findings of our subcommittee’s investigations into these projects, detailing gross mismanagement in every aspect of major medical facility construction, including design, operations, change orders and payments to prime contractors and subcontractors. At best, this pattern of mismanagement indicates utter incompetence. At worst, it shows complete disrespect to our nation’s veterans and to the American taxpayer by the VA’s Office of Construction and Facilities Management. We are committed to working with the VA to solve these problems because we should do everything in our power to help the VA provide veterans with quality care. In fact, the Congress as a whole has made substantial efforts to increase funding for the VA and its programs despite being in a time of serious budget constraints. However, the VA has not only squandered these taxpayer dollars but has also weakened the public’s trust in their ability to plan, budget, manage and ultimately construct major
medical facilities. Veterans in Colorado, Louisiana, Florida, and Nevada have been waiting years for their facilities to be completed. The VA claims that the Aurora project will be completed by April 2015 but all evidence points to that deadline being unrealistic. Additionally, the completion date for the project in Orlando was pushed back to December of 2014, making that project now two years behind schedule. Unfortunately, even after numerous Congressional hearings and inquiries, the VA has done little to convince us they can meet any of their goals on time. That is why we introduced legislation to help with the completion of the VA medical center in Aurora, as well as other projects. H.R. 3593, the VA Construction Assistance Act of 2013, will implement GAO recommended reforms such as assigning medical equipment planners to major medical construction projects and streamlining the change-order process. We go one step further by requiring that an emergency manager, referred to as a “special project manager” from the Army Corps of Engineers, independent of the VA, be appointed to provide oversight for each existing VA major medical facility project currently under construction in order to make sure that the GAO recommendations are fully implemented and to take any additional steps necessary to help reduce both the cost and the delays that have plagued these projects. While this legislation was drafted and introduced late last year, we delayed in
bringing it up in order to see if conditions at the four VA hospital construction sites might improve. Unfortunately however, there are no significant changes to warrant any further delays in moving forward with this proposal. According to the GAO’s report dated March of 2013, the Army Corps of Engineers has institutional knowledge and expertise in construction and, unlike the VA, consistently completes similar projects for the Department of Defense on-budget and on-time. The USACE will also provide oversight for the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees so that we in Congress can be apprised of their progress — or lack thereof — on these projects. Although the VA does provide great overall healthcare for our veterans, our tenor and posture will be to vigorously highlight that the VA needs a watchdog in order to successfully complete its construction projects. This has been and will continue to be the focus of our Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee during the 113th Congress. Our work, along with H.R. 3593, will help to ensure the VA has proper oversight and expertise guiding the management and ultimate completion of the Aurora VA Medical Center, as well as the other projects highlighted by the GAO. Our veterans cannot simply hope the VA improves. Rather, we must take action to push these projects forward. U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman is the chairman of the House Veterans’ Subcommittee for Oversight and Investigations and U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is the subcommittee’s ranking member.
Measuring success one inch at a time One of my favorite things about writing this column is the interaction and communication with the community. I appreciate you all for the feedback, recommendations, and support you have provided over the years. Last week I received one of those communications I love so much via email. One of our local readers wanted to know why I haven’t been more diligent about following up on the pursuit of our goals and New Year’s Resolutions as I have in years past, especially right at the beginning of the year. I am glad that some of you look forward to the challenges and prodding from yours truly when it comes to the pursuit of your goals and dreams. And the fact that you reach out and share those dreams means even more to me than you can imagine. Well, let me ask you now that we are just a little more than a month into the New Year, how are you doing with your resolutions, goals and plans? Are you right where you thought you would be? Are you ahead of schedule? Or maybe you aren’t quite where you wanted to be or where you thought you might be by now. The good news is that we have only completed one-twelfth of the year. Imagine the year as if you were looking at a 12-inch ruler with the month of January sitting on the oneinch mark. It’s easy to see or imagine that there is still so much more time ahead of us than there is behind us. So even if we haven’t gotten off to a super strong start yet, or we have realized that we still have more work to do, the balance of the year works in our favor. Now, continue to use your imagination. Think of each inch as the next month in the year and the space between each as a 30-day window. Get the visual in your head, maybe even transfer the image to paper or an electronic document. What are the things that need to happen in each month, each 30day window that will help you with the achievement of your goals and dreams? You see we can’t measure
success if we do not know what it is we are measuring. What does success look like in February? What will it look like in March? And what does success mean along our individual ruler or path to success? There is more good news. Success can come in all shapes and sizes and can be accomplished along any time line. There are immediate wins, near-term successes, mid-range accomplishments, and the successful achievement of long-term goals. And there is even more good news. Success begets success. That’s right, the more we succeed, the more likely it is that success will follow us wherever we go. How about you? Where are you in the pursuit of your goals and dreams? I am sure there are many of you who don’t need me to be your weekly reminder or coach when it comes to being driven to succeed. And I am sure there are many of you who have someone or something that inspires and motivates you as you seek success. My hope is that this week you will realize that there is still so much time left this year to set our goals and resolutions and just as much time to pursue and achieve our modest and even wildest dreams. I would love to hear all about where you see yourself on the ruler and how you plan on pursuing personal success at gotonorton@gmail.com. Remember, when we identify what we want and plan for our own success, it will be a better than good week. Michael Norton is a resident of Highlands Ranch, the former president of the Zig Ziglar Corp. and the CEO/founder of www.candogo.com.
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Elbert County News 5
February 13, 2014
Suicide prevention commission proposed State’s high suicide rate prompts action by legislators By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com Mountains and sunshine and healthy and active lifestyles aside, Colorado holds a dubious distinction that isn’t a part of the state’s tourism campaign. Colorado ranks among the highest in the nation for suicides. In 2012, more Coloradans died as a result of taking their own lives than those who were killed in a car wreck. And suicide is the leading cause of death among young persons between the ages of 10 and 34. “Despite being one the most beautiful states in the country, we have one of the highest suicide rates in the country — and consistently,” said state Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton. The question is why? Newell and Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, DArvada, are hoping that a bill they are cosponsoring can help the state get to the bottom of that issue. The two lawmakers are behind Senate Bill 88, which would create the Suicide Prevention Commission. The commission would be made up of about 20 people who represent various sectors of society, including those with professional backgrounds that are relevant to suicide prevention. The commission would advise the current state Office of Suicide Prevention in developing priorities and action plans having to do with curbing suicides. The commission would also make annual recommendations to the governor’s office. “We’re hoping that, with this commission, we will prioritize (suicide prevention) and bring this up as an issue that we need to address and not be silent on anymore,” Newell said. Newell said that the staffing inside the Office of Suicide Prevention — which is
Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton, listens as Susan Marine testifies in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 6. Marine, whose two sons died as a result of suicide, testified in support of Newell’s bill to create a state Suicide Prevention Commission. Photo by Vic Vela made up of one person — is inadequate and needs more help. “I’ve been asking for more resources for that office for two years and haven’t got it,” she said. “He’s been collecting data as much as possible but he doesn’t have time to analyze it.
Newell said much of the commission’s work will be to focus on figuring out why Colorado’s suicide rate is so high. Newell pointed to several possible problem areas, such as the state’s large number of military veterans, the lack of access to mental health services in rural areas,
and the Western U.S. culture of “rugged individualism,” one that doesn’t always translate to people seeking help. Kraft-Tharp said that it’s particularly disturbing to see young people committing suicide. She talked about the recent incident at Jefferson County’s Standley Lake High School, where a student doused himself with gasoline before deliberately set himself on fire. “This happens in our own neighborhoods, right around the corner,” KraftTharp said. “And we need to figure out why is affects our state.” Susan Marine, a board member of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado, testified before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 6 in support of the bill. Marine’s two sons took their own lives, including one who was an assistant city attorney in Thornton. “My passion of being an advocate stems from my own loss and my hope that I can spare other parents from tragedies,” Marine told committee members. But Newell’s bill was met with skepticism from Republicans who wondered why this effort needs to be supported with state dollars. Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, pointed to the bill’s fiscal note, which indicates that the commission will come with an annual price tag of at least $80,000. “It tells me that you want the government to run this,” Lundberg told Newell. “I think you’ll find that this is just the tip of the iceberg in the fiscal note on what resources will be required.” And Sen. Larry Crowder, R-Alamosa, wondered whether he was being asked to support a bill that creates more government, but doesn’t produce results. “Are we building a bureaucracy that creates an entity that has no action?” Crowder said. The committee will vote on the bill at a future hearing.
American Indian tuition bill clears committee In-state prices for those with tribal connections to Colorado considered By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com Out-of-state American Indian college students who have tribal connections to Colorado will be able pay in-state tuition rates here, under a bill that passed a legislative committee on Feb. 5. House Bill 1124 would apply to any student, regardless of where they reside in the country, so long as they are a member of one of the 48 federally-recognized Indian tribes with historical ties to Colorado. Rep. Joe Salazar, D-Thornton, the bill’s sponsor, told the House Education Committee that the bill would give assistance to a group of people that has historically been underrepresented at colleges and universities. Salazar said his bill would provide American Indian students with more opportunities to receive an affordable college education. “American Indians are some of the most economically impoverished people in the history of the country,” Salazar said. Salazar brought up the historical plight of American Indians as motivation behind the bill. “We recognize that American Indians were forcibly removed from their homeland and that, had it not been for that, they would be able to receive in statetuition in the state of Colorado.” Supporters of the bill testified that American Indians are the least likely group to attend colleges or universities.
Deborah Esquibel Hunt, the American Indian Student Services director at the University of Colorado at Denver, said that American Indians make up about 2 percent of the state’s population and less than 1 percent of the student population at CU-Denver. “That is an underrepresentation of an underrepresented group,” Hunt said. “It is an incredible loss we are encountering because we cannot maintain American Indian students in Colorado.” About 2,500 American Indians could end up enrolling in state colleges and universities if the bill becomes law, according to the Colorado House Democrats communication staff. According to the Legislative Council, there are about 700 nonresident students who identify themselves as American Indian who attend Colorado colleges and universities. The bill would increase expenditures from the state’s College Opportunity Fund by at least $668,160 annually, beginning the next fiscal year. The tuition bill would apply to all higher education institutions in the state, except for Fort Lewis College in Durango, which already provides free tuition for American Indian students. Only one person testified in opposition to Salazar’s bill. Maria J. Fay of unincorporated Arapahoe County, who ran an unsuccessful House District 51 campaign in 2012, said through written testimony that the bill is “a disgrace.” Fay was unable to provide her own oral testimony, so Salazar read her letter, which trashed his bill. “By the same logic, African Americans were brought here as slaves,” Fay’s testimony read. “Maybe give in-state tuition to little green men from Mars. Colorado didn’t take their land from them, the federal government did… When does it end?”
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February 13, 2014
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Report: Tribal lands fraught with injustice
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Report finds inequities in criminal justice applied to American Indians
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By Jim Trotter
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A 1938 law sweeps American Indian and Alaska Native youths into the federal criminal justice system when they commit anything beyond misdemeanor crimes. Although American Indians comprise little more than 1 percent of the nation’s population, one 10-year study found that at any given time, 43 percent to 60 percent of juveniles held in federal custody were American Indian, a wildly disproportionate number. Once there, they serve sentences far longer than other juveniles sentenced locally for similar offenses. These are among the findings of the final report from the national Indian Law and Order Commission, chaired by former U.S. Attorney Troy Eid of Denver. The “Roadmap for Making Native America Safer” turns particularly urgent in its call to reform juvenile justice in Indian country. Constantly exposed to poverty, addictions and all manners of violence from domestic assault to suicide to murder, Native youth experience post-traumatic distress disorder at a rate of 22 percent, equivalent to that among American troops returning from war, the report shows. Juveniles caught up in the federal system effectively “go missing” from their tribes. “Juvenile justice for Native kids has not changed since the 1930s,” Eid said in an interview with I-News at Rocky Mountain PBS. “They’re automatically transferred into federal jurisdiction. It’s just extraordinary no one has reassessed that. There isn’t juvenile justice within the Bureau of Prisons. It doesn’t exist there. There’s no diversion, no drug courts, no education. There are no books, no programs to reintegrate into society, nothing. It’s really very sad. “And it doesn’t square with our Constitution,” Eid said.
‘A terrible price’
The new report is blunt in its assessment of criminal justice in Indian country, and of the risks posed for public safety. The system “extracts a terrible price: limited law enforcement; delayed prosecutions, too few prosecutions, and other prosecution inefficiencies; trials in distant courthouses; justice systems and players unfamiliar with or hostile to Indians and Tribes; and the exploitation of system failures by criminals, more criminal activity, and further endangerment of everyone living in and near Tribal communities.” The commission, created by the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, offers some 40 recommendations for change that would impact and require reorganization in all three branches of the federal government, reallocate millions of dollars, require new spending, and build new criminal justice infrastructure from the ground up on many tribal lands across the U.S. The report challenges the status quo of entrenched bureaucracies, federal and state, at every turn, describing their work as “an indefensible maze of complex, conflicting and illogical commands, layered in over decades via congressional policies and court decisions, and without the consent of Tribal nations.” Unlike the U.S. at large, where serious local crimes are investigated and prosecuted by local authorities,
Troy A. Eid, a former U.S. Attorney now in private law practice, is shown during a taping of “Colorado State of Mind” at Rocky Mountain PBS’ studio in Denver on Jan. 15, when he discussed the the national Indian Law and Order Commission, which he chaired. I-News at Rocky Mountain PBS all serious crimes on reservations or other tribal lands are federal crimes, subject to federal prosecution, a provision of law that dates back to 1885. (Under a separate law, a handful of states have the authority). Tribal courts are limited to misdemeanor sentences with a maximum of three years. At the heart of the commission’s far-reaching document is the premise of restoring local crimes to local jurisdictions, where they would be investigated by tribal police and tried in tribal courts, with all U.S. constitutional protections for defendants. Native youth offenders would be adjudicated locally, as are juveniles everywhere else. The commission’s nine members, Republican and Democrats, were appointed by President Obama and the majority and minority leaders of both houses of Congress. They worked as volunteers, had no offices, and spent most of their significant time in the field. Their recommendations are unanimous. “We realized that if we’re going to make an impact, we’d have to be honest in addressing the problems as we found them,” said Eid, a Republican who was named Colorado U.S. attorney by President George W. Bush. He is now a partner with the Greenberg Traurig law firm in Denver. “We had the opportunity and we wanted to make the most of it.”
Falling through the cracks
The current system is rife with fundamental inequities, the commission found, including, perhaps foremost, simple access to justice. Federal officers charged with investigating serious Indian country crime, FBI agents or Bureau of Indian Affairs police, can be located hundreds of miles away from distant crime scenes. The federal courthouses and prosecutors are almost always hundreds of miles away. This places enormous logistical burdens on successful prosecution, including every facet from crime scene preservation and evidence gathering on the front end to getting witnesses to the courthouse for trial. Federal prosecutors declined to prosecute half the Indian country cases that came before them, according to a General Accounting Office study of 9,000 cases reported by federal law officers from 200509. And while the declination rate is said to have improved since the advent of the Tribal Law and Order Act, no one disputes that many people suspected of violent crimes are walking free in Indian country. “Too many crimes have fallen through the cracks of this `jurisdictional maze,’ ” said Jill Engel, former chief prosecutor for the Hopi Tribe in Northern Arizona and now with the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office in Colorado Springs, in an interview with I-News. “This
leaves dangerous criminals within the community with the opportunity to find new victims.” Much of the report speaks to the need of upgrading criminal justice in Indian country, where police are often undermanned, underequipped, undertrained and often have no access to information sharing or routine crime data that most any other local jurisdiction would take for granted. But the very first recommendation asks Congress to clarify that any tribe that so chooses can “opt out immediately” of federal jurisdiction over local crimes committed on their lands. The provision would also create the United States Court of Indian Appeals, which would function as any other federal appellate court. Sentencing restrictions on tribal courts would be lifted. Some tribes, including 30 that have been working in a Department of Justice pilot program, are better equipped than others to take on expanded jurisdiction. “This requires resources to support having law trained judges and public defenders,” said Engel. “Isolation of geographic areas and limited financial resources could affect the ability of a tribe to succeed in exercising full jurisdiction.” The commission devotes its second chapter to Alaska, which, alone among the states, was exempted from the provisions of the Tribal Law and Order Act as well as the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. Although Alaska has 229 of the nation’s federally recognized 566 tribes, the state established a system of Native corporations to own villages and other lands, as opposed to federally recognized Indian reservations or nations. Serious crimes are investigated by Alaska state police, who are often located at great distances from the far-flung native villages that in many cases aren’t connected by road, particularly in winter. “Problems with safety in tribal communities are severe across the United States,” the report states, “but they are systematically the worst in Alaska.” When the commission paid a site visit to the community of Galena, one resident told members, “Every woman you’ve met today has been raped. All of us. I know they won’t believe that in the lower 48, and the state will deny it, but it’s true.”
What next?
The report is multifaceted in tackling deeply complex issues. Is there any chance that its major recommendations will be embraced by Congress, by the White House, by the federal court system? Eid thinks so. “The White House asked for more specific details about how the recommendations could be implemented,” he said. “They’re trying to understand and have been very gracious. I know people say Congress is broken or this or that. But I don’t believe we can’t get this done.” Said prosecutor Engel, “Indian reservations should not be a safe haven for criminals. This dedication to telling the story in a truthful, unapologetic way will lead to positive changes.” Eid praised the shared vision of his fellow commissioners. “We are going to tell it like it is and we’ll push for the rest of our careers to have the roadmap enacted. I-News is the public service journalism arm of Rocky Mountain PBS. To read more please go to inewsnetwork. org. Contact Jim Trotter at jtrottter@ inewsnetwork.org.
7-Color
Elbert County News 7
February 13, 2014
Elizabeth School District board report By Michele McCarron
Special to Colorado Community Media The Elizabeth School District’s Board of Education held a meeting on Jan. 27. At the meeting, Ron Patera, chief financial officer, discussed with the board the BEST Grant application. BEST — Building Excellent Schools Today — is a program to assist schools with capital improvements. In the spring of 2013, the Elizabeth School District was awarded two matching grants from BEST to replace roofs at Singing Hills Elementary and Elizabeth High School. The remaining costs of replacing the roofs were part of the 3B Bond Initiative and ballot question in the November election. The ballot question did not pass. Patera said that moisture penetration into the buildings continues to be an ongoing problem, and despite efforts to make repairs, the roofs are guaranteed to continue leaking until they are replaced. The Elizabeth School District has the opportunity to apply for a BEST Grant again this year, to provide outside funding for a portion of the cost to replace the roofs at these two schools and Patera is currently finalizing the application.
State Senator visits
Michael Johnston, a leading state legislator on education issues in the Colorado Senate, took Superintendent Douglas Bissonette up on his plea to listen to teachers and principals around the state. Sen. Johnston visited classrooms at Singing Hills Elementary, Elizabeth Middle School, Elizabeth High School and Frontier High School, using the district’s new dropin observation protocol. Teachers from all Elizabeth schools, including Legacy Academy, and school administrators then met with Sen. Johnston for an hour and a half to discuss the new Educator Effectiveness Evaluation System, often referred to as Senate Bill 191, for which Sen. Johnston was the main sponsor. Teachers and principals also provided feedback on other state-level initiatives.
Schools manage their performance
Colorado schools and districts can improve student learning by engaging in a cycle of continuous improvement to support high academic performance. The Education Accountability Act of 2009, which was passed by the Colorado Legislature, requires each district and school in the state to create an annual improvement plan. The primary purpose of improvement planning is to ensure all students exit the K-12 education system ready for post-secondary education, and/or to be successful in the workforce. Andrea Duran, the district’s director of learning services, presented to the board a draft of Elizabeth Schools Unified Improvement Plans. Singing Hills Elementary’s designation is “Improvement Plan.” Frontier High School, Elizabeth High School, Elizabeth Middle School and Running Creek Elementary received “performance Plan,” the
highest plan rating from the state. All schools identified their focus areas for the 2014-15 school year: EHS — writing, reading for IEP, math (algebra); FHS — writing and math; EMS — math, academic achievement and growth for all subgroups; RCE — writing, reading/writing for IEP; SHE — writing, reading and absenteeism.
Assessments based on the Common Core
Andrea Duran discussed with the board PARCC (The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers). PARCC is a consortium of approximately 20 states, including Colorado, working together to develop a common set of K-12 assessments based on the Common Core State Standards. The PARCC assessments in English Language Arts (ELA/Literacy) and Mathematics are intended to give teachers, schools, students and parents information on how well students are prepared for careers and college. The assessments are designed to be engaging for students by utilizing interactive technology. Computer-based assessments deliver to teacher’s real-time information on student’s progress. There was much discussion and debate over the effectiveness and credibility of a “standardized test” to truly measure all areas of students’ ability. Another concern is local districts are not funded for the resources or the technology to implement PARCC. The PARCC assessments will look more deeply at student writing abilities and critical-thinking skills than the current TCAP assessments. In math, students will have to solve complex problems, show their work, and demonstrate how they solved the problem. The number of tests for students was also discussed. As mentioned in the previous BOE Recap, high school students are currently taking 8 state-required standardized tests. In two years, high school students will be required to take approximately 30 state-required standardized tests. Results of the assessments will be part of the student’s transcripts for entrance to Colorado colleges. The PARCC assessments will be ready for states to administer during the 2014-15 school year. Concerns about the PARCC exam will be an ongoing discussion topic for our Board of Education.
thingS to Do EdItOr’S NOtE: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send listings to calendar@coloradocommunitymedia.com. No attachments, please. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis. FEb. 16 bENEFIt CONCErt A 30 Years of Love benefit concert, featuring Colorado’s FireFall, is at 3 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Douglas County Event Center in Castle Rock. Tickets available at www.modtickets.com/detaskforce. The concert is a benefit for the Douglas-Elbert Task Force. FEb. 18, AprIl 9, AprIl 10 WrItINg CONtESt Creative Communication is accepting submissions for its essay contest, with divisions for grades 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12, through Feb. 18; and its poetry contest, with divisions for grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12, through April 10. Top 10 winners will be named in each division. Essays must be between 100 and 250 words on any non-fiction topic. Poetry must be 21 lines or less in English. Entries can made online at www.poeticpower.com or mail entries, labeled Poetry Contest or Essay Contest, to 159 N. Main, Smithfield UT 84335. Include author’s name, address, city, state and ZIP, current grade, school name, school address and teacher’s name. Home school students are welcome to enter. Selected entries of merit will be invited to be published in an anthology. An art contest for grades K-12 also is coming up. To enter, take a photo of your original artwork and enter it at www.celebratingart. com; deadline is April 9. Full contest information is available online, or call 435-713-4411.
provided through the East Central Council of Local Governments is open and available to all residents of Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln counties and provides an economical and efficient means of travel for the four-county region. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275. You may also call the ECCOG office at 1-800-825-0208 to make reservations for any of the trips. You may also visit http:// outbackexpress.tripod.com.
dIvOrCE ANd pOSt-dECrEE ClINIC. Elbert and Lincoln County Pro Se Divorce Clinic is offered from 9 a.m. to noon the third Friday of each month at the Elbert County Justice Center, 751 Ute St., in Kiowa. For information, call 303-520-6088 or email morgan@hayday.org. The clinic is free for parties who have no attorney and who are going through dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or post-decree cases. All walk-ins are welcome, and will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis. dOuglAS-ElbErt COuNty Music Teachers’ Association meets at 9 a.m. every first Thursday at Parker Bible Church, between Jordan and Chambers on Main Street. All area music teachers are welcome. Call Lucie Washburn, 303-814-3479.
FEb. 19
thE ElbErt COuNty ShErIFFS pOSSE is a nonprofit volunteer organization that is part of the Elbert County Sheriffs Office. As volunteers we support the Elbert County Sheriffs Office, all law enforcement in our county, and the community at large. Membership is open to anyone without a criminal record. It meets the last Monday of the month at the Elbert County Sheriffs Office at 7 p.m. For more information or a membership application, go to http://www.elbertcountysheriff.com/posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at 303-646-5456.
blOOd drIvE Walmart community blood drive is from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 19 inside Bonfils’ mobile bus at 2100 Legacy Circle, Elizabeth. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Bonfils’ Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or visit www.bonfils.org
thE ElIzAbEth FOOd bANk, 381 S. Banner in Elizabeth (next door to Elizabeth Presbyterian Church) needs to let the public know that we are available to help anyone who needs food. The hours are Friday 12:30-3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. Other times by appointment.
FEb. 23
ElIzAbEth guItAr grOup. Elizabeth guitar circle will meet on the first and second Wednesday of each month at the Elizabeth Library. Traditional protocol/courtesy. Country, pop, bluegrass, cowboy, Beatles, 50s, 60s, 70s, blues, jazz and more. We who play for pleasure would love to meet more of same. Acoustic or power down. Come prepared to share a few songs, perform, play along, sing along with others. Enjoy new guitar friends to jam with. Gerry Vinson hosts on the first Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m., and Laurie Smith hosts on the second Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Uncertain? Drop by and observe. Banjo, ukelele, mandolin welcome. Call Laurie at 720-363-3531.
MONthly brEAkFASt The Elbert Woman’s Club plans its monthly breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Russell Gates Mercantile Community Hall. Biscuits, gravy, sausage, ham, scrambled eggs, coffee/tea and juice are served for $6/adults and $3/children younger than 12. The hall is located in Elbert on Elbert Road between Highways 86 and 24, 11 miles south of Kiowa. Proceeds support the maintenance and renovation of the Hall, built in 1906. thE OutbACk ExprESS is a public transit service
In Other News:
Thank you all for your response to the email regarding the Elizabeth School District forming a group of people to help drive community engagement and to make an impact for our schools. We are so pleased and encouraged by the positive response. The group of volunteers will assist the Elizabeth School District in informing community members on current and pending issues that affect our schools, including resource challenges and critical issues that need to be addressed. There was an initial meeting on Jan. 31 and a second meeting Feb. 6 at Frontier High School. The next board meeting was scheduled for Feb. 10.
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8-Color
8 Elbert County News
February 13, 2014
Hickenlooper addresses health Governor gives 7th annual speech to Colorado Rotarians By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com Expanded Medicaid and mental-health programs, strident environmental protections, a successful insurance exchange, a rapidly recovering economy and an influx of young people are converging to make Colorado the eighth-healthiest state in the nation, according to the United Health Foundation. “I’m proud of whatever we’re doing for Colorado, but it’s always about tomorrow,” Gov. John Hicklenlooper told a full house of Rotarians from around the state on Jan. 24 at the seventh annual State of the State Address to Rotarians. The event, held in the convention center at the Denver Marriott Tech Center,
focused on a topic near and dear to Rotarians’ hearts: health. Locally, the service clubs support things like free clinics, Shots for Tots and Project CURE. Internationally, Rotary has spent millions eradicating polio in every country in the world except for Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where efforts are ongoing. During his speech, Hickenlooper personally pledged $1,000 to support that work. Referencing the state’s recent tragic shootings, the governor took time to discuss advances in mental-health care. He spoke of a bill he signed last year that creates a “behavioral-health crisis-response system” to include things like mobile and walk-in clinics, expanded residential care, a 24-hour hotline, a public-awareness campaign, and outreach through schools — all available regardless of a person’s ability to pay. “Guns are only part of the puzzle,” he
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said. Asked about the outcry against proposed gun-control measures last year, Hickenlooper acknowledged that his team didn’t carefully consider attitudes in some areas of the state. “We didn’t do a good enough job of going out and listening to rural Colorado,” he said. “We’re doing that now. And it’s no surprise, they’ve got some pretty good ideas.” Lots of folks in the audience also had questions about how legalized marijuana will affect not just the health but the reputation of Colorado. The measure was voted into law by the people over his objections, he notes, and now the question is how to manage what he calls the “greatest social experiment of the century.” Hickenlooper hired the founder of Noodles and Company, Aaron Kennedy, as the state’s first marketing director last summer, and hopes the tourism industry
Repeal Continued from Page 1
fall in a recall election over former Democratic Sen. Angela Giron, making him a rare Republican to represent Pueblo in the Senate. “My constituents in Pueblo sent me here to give a message: They don’t like the gun laws,” Rivera said. Rivera told the committee that he was not against background checks. His bill would have required only licensed gun Scan here to like dealers to conduct background checks, which had already been a part of state law Colorado Community prior to last year’s measure being enacted. Media on Facebook Rivera’s bill would have done away with the new requirement that background checks be conducted for private and online sales, and it would have gotten rid of the fees that individuals are required to ColoradoCommunityMedia.com pay for their background checks. Several supporters of Rivera’s bill said that the new requirements are burdenJob Number: 00062129 some to law-abiding citizens. Customer: CASH IN A are in office they “As long as Democrats FLASH are going to be going after our Second Amendment Rights,” said Joe Neville of Phone: (720)940-9435 Rocky Mountain Gun Owners. But supporters of the new background checks pointed to results. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation says that 104 people who tried buying guns last year failed background checks because they had criminal records. That’s a testament
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will keep sending out positive, familyfriendly messages about Colorado. But he doesn’t think daily life for Coloradoans will change much. “The people who smoke pot, who were buying it illegally, are now going to buy it legally,” he said. “The people who don’t smoke pot aren’t going to start.” He said he’d sent a letter to the White House to express disagreement with President Obama’s recent remark that pot isn’t as bad as alcohol. “It’s not as bad as heroin, but should it be legal? I voted against it,” he said. Going forward, Hickenlooper said he envisions the business community stepping up in many ways to further the physical, mental, fiscal and environmental health of the community. “Business has to be a partner in this conversation,” he said. “Business is always going to be more innovative and rapid than government.”
to the background checks law expansion, supporters said. And if even one of those background checks stops just one criminal from getting their hands on a gun, the law is worth it, they said. “The value of one life is worth the inconvenience of the others,” said Sen. Irene Aguilar, D-Denver. Dave Hoover, a longtime police officer whose nephew, A.J. Boik, was killed in the Aurora theater shooting, was one of several people to speak in opposition of Rivera’s repeal effort. Hoover said that Coloradans should do “anything we can do to prevent gun violence” and that he doesn’t want “anybody else to get that phone call,” which informed him that his nephew had been shot. “It’s about accountability,” Hoover said. “It’s about holding gun holders responsible for what they do when they get rid of their firearms.” Though emotional at times, the hearing lacked the intensity of last year’s gun bill committee hearings. In fact, Rivera and other Republican senators thanked Sen. Jessie Ulibarri, D-Commerce City, the committee chairman, for his handling of the hearing. Still, Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, a committee member, said that Democrats who pushed for the gun laws still aren’t paying attention to voters who didn’t appreciate their efforts last year. “You didn’t listen close enough because there are three senators who aren’t here,” Harvey said.
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9-Color
Elbert County News 9
February 13, 2014
NEWS IN A HURRY Elizabeth pastor receives ministry degree
Eugene Alan Small has received a doctorate of ministry degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Small is senior pastor at Creekside Community Church in Elizabeth. One of the world’s largest accredited seminaries, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary offers associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees in biblical studies, theology, pastoral ministry, church history, Christian education, counseling and music. The seminary is owned and supported by the Southern Baptist Convention. Small also has a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas.
Health and Wellness Expo slated for March 1
The goal of the Health and Wellness Expo, scheduled from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. March 1 at Elizabeth Middle School, 34427 County Road 13, is to help Elizabeth community members become more aware of all the resources that are available to assist with living a healthy and active lifestyle. The expo will consist of health and wellness related vendors displaying their products or services as well as an exercise-a-thon throughout the day. This event is sponsored by the Elizabeth
School District Health and Wellness Committee.
School Board to host `Meet and Greets’
The Elizabeth School Board of Education will be hosting a series of informal meet and greet discussions. The series will take place once a month from 6 to 7 p.m. prior to their Business Board Meeting in the Board Room of the District Office, located at 634 S. Elbert Street in Elizabeth. BOE Meet and Greets for the remaining school year are scheduled for March 10, April 14 and May 5. Any resident of the Elizabeth community or school district is welcome and encouraged to join the members of the school board and the superintendent for informal discussions on topics of your choice.
FHS to host Spaghetti Dinner
Frontier High School is having a Spaghetti Dinner on Feb. 13 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the school, 589 S. Banner St. in Elizabeth. Tickets are available in advance at FHS, or at the door: adults $7, children under 5 $3. There will also be a raffle. All proceeds will benefit the FHS Experiential Education Program. -Compiled by George Lurie
WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK? Want to know what clubs, art exhibits, meetings and cultural events are happening in your area and the areas around you? Visit our website at www.coloradocommunitymedia.com/calendar.
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Rowland Continued from Page 1
At one point while still on the phone, Rowland said he apologized to the woman for not being able to talk and walked down the aisle. But according to Rowland, the woman followed him and continued her verbal harangue. “Then she grabbed my coat and began to get very physical,” he said. Rowland said he eventually disengaged himself and walked away from the woman. “Then I finished shopping and left the store,” he said. Driving home, Rowland related the incident in a phone call to Sheriff Shane Heap, who encouraged the commissioner to file a report with the Parker police. So Rowland made a U-turn and filed
a police report. After the incident, Rowland said the Parker police checked with Costco and found out “the aisle where it happened does not have a video monitor.” But several days later, Rowland recognized the woman while driving through the Safeway parking lot in Elizabeth and reported her license plate number to police. Parker police subsequently contacted the woman, who lives in Kiowa. “She told police she didn’t touch me,” Rowland said. “Because there was no video, it was basically my word against hers, you know, she said, he said.” Parker police officer Greg Epp investigated the incident. When informed that no charges were going to be filed against the woman, Rowland said, “I had no problem with that. I was just doing what the sheriff had advised me to do. It really wasn’t that big a deal.”
South MetroLIFE 10-Life-Color
10 Elbert County News February 13, 2014
Tess Laeh, 25, recently appeared on four episodes of the SyFy channel hit, “Face Off.” The 25-year-old special effects make-up artist moved from Parker to Seattle last month to open her own business. Courtesy of NBC Universal Photos by Nicole WIlder/Syfy
The ‘Wild West’ through a Polish lens
SCARING TO DREAM
Parker woman appeared on four episodes of SyFy hit ‘Face Off ’ By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com Tess Laeh can appreciate the irony of her first week of school coinciding with the series premiere of the SyFy network hit, “Face Off.” The school she attended, Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program in Pennsylvania, specializes in the very art featured on the reality television show. It pits 15 artists against one another in a weekly contest to see who can create the most realistic costume out of make-up normally reserved for movie sets. With a few fellow students on the first season of “Face Off,” Laeh and more than a dozen classmates would gather to watch each week. Appearing on the show instantaneously became a “pipe dream,” and Laeh was among those who vowed to one day share their creations on the national stage.
Three auditions later, Laeh got her wish after concocting the “most horrific thing for me,” which was a cosmetic masterpiece that depicted a large spider growing out of her own head. The legs grew upside down, forming a hideous, disjointed crown. She called it “Spider Queen,” and it landed her a spot on the show’s sixth season. Having taken an interest in special effects make-up only five years earlier, receiving an invitation to compete alongside industry professionals was a huge step in her young career. In one episode, Laeh partnered with Dan Phillips, a make-up artist who worked on “The Hobbit,” to create a fungus-ridden alien. Another contestant worked on “Sharknado,” the SyFy movie that became an instant cult-classic after airing last summer. The chance to compete on “Face Off” was quite a leap for someone who had been working in a mannequin factory. “It was really good exposure for my career,” she said. “Obviously, I wish it would have lasted longer.” Laeh, 25, was voted off Feb. 4 after four episodes, partly because of her difficulty with time management resulting from
a relentless pursuit of perfection on every project. But devoted fans of the show won’t soon forget her quirky personality, winning smile and dynamic concepts. The experience further instilled confidence in her abilities. Last month, Tess — the name by which she was called throughout the show — moved from Parker, where her husband, Jonathan, grew up, to Seattle to start a business with friends. It makes accessories for “cosplayers,” an esoteric community of people who dress in extravagant character costumes to attend conventions. Make-up artists are a close-knit group and Laeh made connections in Hollywood that could work to her advantage in the future. Her ultimate goal is to be a make-up artist for one of the recentlyannounced Star Wars films being made by The Walt Disney Company. Oddly enough, her husband, an expert in computer-generated imagery, or CGI, will become her primary competition in the coming years. For more information or to place an order, visit Laeh’s website, www.wix.com/ tesslaeh/fx.
In which Princess Winnifred prevails An impassable test portrayed on Legend stage By Sonya Ellingboe
sellingboe @coloradocommunitymedia.com Legend High School in Parker will utilize a cast of 51 and a tech crew of 42 as its theater department presents “Once Upon a Mattress,” the musical by Mary Rodgers, Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer and Dean Fuller. Dr. Denina Brown directs. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “Princess and the Pea,” the show started a career in 1959 for comedienne Carol Burnett who originally created the role of Princess Winnifred the Woebegone. The audience will be familiar with this funny tale of the domineering Queen Agravain (Shannon Cooper), who insists that any upstart princess who wants to marry her pampered son, Prince Dauntless (Alec Smith), must first pass an impossible test she creates. No one passes.
And no one else IF YOU GO in the kingdom can marry until Dauntless “Once Upon a does, she decrees. Mattress” plays King Sextimus Feb. 22 to March (Jake Taylor) is mute, 1 at Legend High due to a spell cast on School, 22219 him, but commuHilltop Rd., nicates pretty well Parker. Perforthrough pantomime, mances: 7 p.m. with help from his Feb. 22, 27, 28, Jester (Clarity Engel). March 1; 2 p.m. Sir Harry (Jared Feb. 22. Tickets: Beckstead), who $10/$8, at www. wants to marry Lady seatyourself.biz/ Larkin (Oaklee Pyfer), legendtitans or at impatiently goes in the door. search of yet another princess. Enter a bedraggled Princess Winnifred (Lauren Dolan) — from the swamps — who has just swum the castle moat. Dauntless is intrigued and calls her “Fred” and Queen Agravain is clearly displeased. The charming musical is filled with whimsy, music and song and dance numbers —suitable for all but the toddler set.
“Rebranded: Polish Film Posters for the American Western” will be on view in the Denver Art Museum’s Gates Family Gallery of Western Art from Feb. 16 through June 1, included in general admission. The collection, on loan from the Autry National Center of the American West, features 28 posters reflecting views of the American Western film, created over 30 years while the country was under Communism. These artworks were free from censors and offered an opportunity for self-expression. Well-known Polish graphic artists featured include Jerzy Filsak, Wiktor Gorka and Waldemar Swierzy. Visit www. Denverartmuseum.org or call 720-8655000 for more information. The museum is located at 100 W. 14th Ave. in Denver.
Wind Ensemble concert
The Colorado Wind Ensemble’s Feb. 15/16 concert, “Music on the Edge,” will feature saxophonist/Metro State University professor Mark Harris performing at Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S Datura St., Littleton at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 (tickets: $15/$12/$5) and the King Center for the Performing Arts at Metropolitan State University, Auraria Campus, 855 Lawrence Way, Denver at 4 p.m. Feb. 16 (tickets: $10/$8/ $5). Visit www.Coloradowindensemble.org or www.ahec.edu.
First Ladies
The Highlands Ranch Historical Society program for Feb. 21 will be “White House Ladies’ Secrets,” presented by Dorothy Adams, a retired history teacher. The program will be at 7 p.m. at Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd., Highlands Ranch. Members free, $1 donation suggested for non-members (everyone welcome). Register at www. HighlandsRanchHistoricalSociety.org.
ACC authors
ACC professors Dr. Jeff Broome and Dr. Kathryn Winograd will host book signings for their new titles at the Arapahoe Community College Library and Learning Commons at 2 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 19. Broome’s book, “Cheyenne War: Indian Raids on the Roads to Denver, 1864-69” is about the Santa Fe Trail, Smoky Hill Trail and Platte River Trail and pioneer hardships. Broome is a fifth-generation Coloradan, a philosophy professor at ACC since 1985. Winograd’s book of western landscapes and inscapes, “Phantom Canyon: Essays of Reclamation” is a collection of essays — her own and others’ — that follow one woman’s quest for solace, spirituality and reconciliation resulting from childhood trauma. She teaches English and heads the Writers Studio at ACC. Information: jeff.broome@ arapahoe.edu or 303-797-5787.
Parker Symphony Lauren Dolan as Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, captivates Prince Dauntless (Alec Smith) in “Once Upon a Mattress” at Legend High School in Parker. Courtesy photo Student Rochele Mac designed the set under direction by James Dykstra while musical direction is by Dr. Kurt Stroman.
“Music of Love and Life” is the Parker Symphony’s title for its Feb. 21 concert. The orchestra, conducted by Rene Knetsch, will play Beethoven’s “Eighth Symphony,” Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” and the “Mardi Gras Suite” by Katchiturian. The performance will be at 7:30 Feb. 21 at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak, Downtown Parker. Tickets: $20/$15, www.parkeronline.org, 303-8056800.
11
Elbert County News 11
February 13, 2014
Painted Bread: A portrait of an artist Frida Kahlo’s tumultuous life with a splash and swirl of color By Sonya Ellingboe
sellingboe @coloradocommunitymedia.com Soft guitar music plays as lights bring the patio of a Mexican stucco home, painted in soft terracotta tones, into focus. An ornate picture frame hangs in a central spot and framed is a colorful Frida Kahlo self-portrait — or is it? Frida, played by the elegant Karen Slack, smirks, raises her eyebrows and establishes eye contact with a tour guide — and with the audience — as the guide (Martha Harmon Pardee) gushes about Kahlo’s “spicy” diary. Slack’s resemblance to Kahlo is uncanny and the audience is hooked. About 10 years ago, local playwright Melissa Lucero McCarl introduced her
biographical play about legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, “Painted Bread,” to Denver audiences — with Slack in the lead. The Aurora Fox Theatre Company has given it a thoughtful, polished restaging, directed by Warren Sherrill, which runs through Feb. 23. Kahlo’s turbulent life — with famous muralist Diego Rivera and with others — was filled with pain, ongoing drama and recognition for her skills as a painter. She is one of the best-known female painters who ever lived and there are 200 works attributed to her, painted in folkloric style. Fifty-five of those are self-portraits. She had said she was alone so much she was a subject she knew best. (As a side note: A Kahlo portrait used for promotion of a collection of modern masters is due to arrive soon at the Denver Art Museum.) Actor Paul Borillo fleshes out a staged portrait of womanizer Diego Rivera, who was established as a world-renowned painter when the much younger Kahlo met and married him. He was also a Communist and she joined the party as well.
Their relationship was IF YOU GO tumultuous, with both involved in other af“Painted Bread” fairs as they divorced plays at the Auand then both remarrora Fox, 9900 E. ried. Colfax Ave., AuBecause of polio rora, through Feb. and a severe accident, 23. Performances: she was physically frail. 7:30 p.m. Fridays, One of her legs was deSaturdays; 2 p.m. formed and she covSundays. Tickets: ered it with long, col$26/$22- www. orful Mexican dresses. aurorafox.org , (Linda Morken’s cos303-739-1970. tumes are detailed and eye-catching in this regard.) Ongoing surgeries and illnesses interfered with her painting and personal life in general, but the play conveys her determination to live fully. Her last diary entry read: “I hope the end is joyful — and I hope never to return —Frida.” “Painted Bread” is beautifully produced, skillfully acted and offers insight into an iconic era in Mexican and world art.
Karen Slack portrays legendary Mexican artist Frieda Kahlo in “Painted Bread” at the Aurora Fox. Courtesy photo
Franktown
Lone Tree
Parker
Trinity Lutheran Church & School
Sunday Worship 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Trinity Lutheran School & ELC (Ages 3-5, Grades K-8)
303-841-4660 www.tlcas.org Castle Rock First United
Where people are excited about God’s Word.
Plans Gone Astray? To whom will you go when you’re out of ideas? There are times when we simply need a gracious God to guide us. Come and join us at 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings at Lone Tree Civic Center, 8527 Lone Tree Parkway. For directions and any questions about our ministry, contact Pastor Craig: (303) 883–7774 Immanuel Lutheran Mission is a member congregation of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ
Lone Tree
Methodist Church
Parker
1200 South Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 303.688.3047 www.fumccr.org
Services: Saturday 5:30pm
Sunday 8am, 9:30am, 11am Sunday School 9:15am
Little Blessings Day Care www.littleblessingspdo.com
Chabad
Jewish Center
Douglas County’s only Synagogue, Hebrew School and Preschool No membership required www.DenverJewishCenter.com
Lone Tree
Lone Tree
Sunday Worship: 10:45AM & 6PM Bible Study: 9:30AM Children, Young People & Adults 4391 E Mainstreet, Parker, Colorado 80134 Church Office – (303) 841-3836
www.parkerbiblechurch.org
Highlands Ranch
GRACE PRESBYTERIAN
303-792-7222
Currently meeting at: 9220 Kimmer Drive, Suite 200 Lone Tree 80124 303-688-9506 www.LoneTreeCoC.com
Littleton
Greenwood Village
Connect – Grow – Serve
Sunday Worship
8:45 am & 10:30 am 9030 Miller road Parker, Co 80138 303-841-2125 www.pepc.org
Church of Christ Sunday Worship - 10:00am Bible Study immediately following Wednesday Bible Study - 7:30pm
Parker evangelical Presbyterian church
Alongside One Another On Life’s Journey
www.gracecolorado.com
You are invited to worship with us:
Sundays at 10:00 am
Grace is on the NE Corner of Santa Fe Dr. & Highlands Ranch Pkwy. (Across from Murdochs)
SErviCES:
Saturday 5:30pm
Sunday 8:00 & 10:30am
Education Hour: Sunday 9:15am Joyful Mission Preschool 303-841-3770 7051 East Parker Hills Ct. • Parker, CO 303-841-3739 www.joylutheran-parker.org
United Church Of Christ Parker Hilltop 10926 E. Democrat Rd. Parker, CO • 10am Worship www.uccparkerhilltop.org 303-841-2808
303-798-8485 Parker
Community Church of Religious Science
An Evangelical Presbyterian Church Sunday Worship 10:30 4825 North Crowfoot Valley Rd. Castle Rock • canyonscc.org 303-663-5751 “Loving God - Making A Difference”
A place for you
Denver Tech Center
Welcome Home!
Weaving Truth and Relevance into Relationships and Life
worship Time 10:30AM sundays 9:00am Spiritual Formation Classes for all Ages 90 east orchard road littleton, co
Sunday services held in the historic Ruth Memorial Chapel
Join us at Sheraton Denver Tech Center 7007 S Clinton Street in Greenwood Village (nearby I-25 and Arapahoe Rd.)
www.cbsdenver.org
303-794-6643
Highlands Ranch
303 798 6387 Meets at the Marriott DTC 4900 S Syracuse St, Denver, CO 80237
10 am every Sunday Free parking
www.gracepointcc.us
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
Sunday Worship 8:00 am Chapel Service 9:00 & 10:30 am
Spiritual Ancestry Pastor Mark Brewer
Sunday School 9:00 & 10:30 am Sunday
8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
1609 W. Littleton Blvd. (303) 798-1389 • www.fpcl.org
...19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker 80138
Abiding Word Lutheran Church 8391 S. Burnley Ct., Highlands Ranch
(Next to RTD lot @470 & University)
New Thought...Ancient Wisdom Sunday Service
& Children’s Church 10:00 a.m.
Visit our website for details of classes & upcoming events.
303.805.9890
www.P a r k er C C R S.org P.O. Box 2945—Parker CO 80134-2945
Worship Services Sundays at 9:00am
303-791-3315
First Presbyterian Church of Littleton Open and Welcoming
Current Study:
at the Parker Mainstreet Center
Congregation Beth Shalom
www.st-andrew-umc.com 303-794-2683 Preschool: 303-794-0510 9203 S. University Blvd. Highlands Ranch, 80126
pastor@awlc.org www.awlc.org
Parker
To advertise your place of worship in this section, call 303-566-4091 or email
kearhart@ColoradoCommunityMedia.com.
12
12 Elbert County News
February 13, 2014
‘Road trip’ hits the brakes in Lone Tree Denver Concert Band brings Adam Frey to Arts Center By Sonya Ellingboe
sellingboe @coloradocommunitymedia. com On Feb. 22, the Denver Concert Band will feature a unique guest artist for its “Road Trip” concert at Lone Tree Arts Center. Adam Frey of Atlanta will perform — with the band and as a soloist — on his euphonium, an instrument that Wikipedia defines as “a conical bore, baritone-voiced brass instrument.” It’s widely used in military and concert bands, where it is “the chief tenor voice,” according to English writer Dr. Brian Bowman, and its name comes from the Greek word euphonia, meaning “well-sounding.” Frey, who performs and teaches internationally, said he started playing a trumpet in his fifth-grade school orchestra and when he reached seventh grade the band director asked him to switch to the euphonium, which started him on an unusual career path. “It’s not so well known,” he said. “I feel like mentoring and spreading the good news. (I’m sort of ) an apostle for the euphonium.” In a 14-year career, Frey has commissioned more than 80 arrangements for his instrument, including one of Puccini’s famous Tenor Arias “Nessun Dorma” from “Turandot.” He will play “Yellow Rose of Texas
Adam Frey, who will perform on the euphonium with the Denver Concert Band on Feb. 22, posed on his brother’s special edition Harley. Courtesy photo Variations,” arranged by Lewis Buckley, as a stop on the Denver Concert Band’s road trip. Frey includes four to five international trips (he used to do more but now there is an 18-month-old in his life) and was leaving for a 12-day government-sponsored summer music festival in Brazil soon after Colorado Community Media spoke with him on the telephone. In Brazil, his plans called for teaching a master’s class, con-
necting with colleagues, and performing a couple of concert recitals, networking, and perhaps soloing with a band, as well as enjoying a Brazilian steak house. His instrument fits under his seat, so a second ticket is not necessary as it might be for a cellist. “It’s generally quite a lot of fun,” he said. “I wish there were more time for sight-seeing.” He’s glad to be making the return visit to Brazil, where he’s
crossword • sudoku
GALLERY OF GAMES & weekly horoscope
more familiar with the huge festival this year and can more easily decide what to do than on past trips. When at home, he teaches at Emory University and Georgia State University, practices one to two hours a day and enjoys motorcycles, which “really connect (him) with people,” he finds. Frey studied music at the University of Georgia and the Royal Northern College of Music
in Manchesif you go ter, England, Adam Frey where he will perform on practiced six the euphonium hours a day. with the Denver He has Concert Band’s since per“Road Trip” conformed with cert at 7:30 p.m. symphony orFeb. 22 at Lone chestras and Tree Arts Center, at festivals in 10075 Comthe US, Latmons St., Lone in America, Tree. Tickets: Europe and $10 adults/$5 Asia, as well children, plus as with wind $3 fee, call 720bands and 590-1000 or visit brass bands. www.lonetreeHe is a Yamaartscenter.org. ha performer and guest clinician. Denver Concert Band was started in 1961 by a group of friends who wanted an opportunity to make music with others. Its first public concert was in 1968. In the 1990s, it rehearsed and performed at Denver’s Central Presbyterian Church and for the past 16 years, Jacinda Bouton of Lone Tree has been its director. (She also directs the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra.) The band, now in its 53rd year, is at home at Lone Tree Arts Center, where the Road Trip concert will fill the hall. Additional destinations on the program: “A Weekend in New York;” “Rumble in the High Plains;” Heartland Sketches;” “The Roosters Lay Eggs in Kansas;” “Salute to American Jazz;” ”Men of Ohio;” “Pie in the Face Polka;” “The Ramparts,” when the Colorado Chorale will join the band.
SALOME’S STARS FOR THE WEEK OF FEb 10, 2014
ARIES (Mar 21 to Apr 19) Doing something nice for others is typical of the generous Arian. but be prepared for some jealous types who might try to question one of your more recent acts of kindness. TAURUS (Apr 20 to May 20) You’re eager to take on new responsibilities. but before you do, you might want to check out exactly what would be required of you so that you don’t face any “surprises” later. GEMINI (May 21 to Jun 20) It might be best to put off an important decision until a fluctuating situation becomes more stable. Recently received news could help resolve a long-standing family matter.
crossword • sudoku & weekly horoscope
GALLERY OF GAMES
CANCER (Jun 21 to Jul 22) If you still have a problem getting that information gap closed, you might consider asking a higher authority to resolve the matter, leaving you free to move on to another project. LEO (Jul 23 to Aug 22) A family matter needs to be dealt with at the start of the week. Once it’s resolved, the big Cat can devote more attention to that new opportunity that seems to hold so much potential. VIRGO (Aug 23 to Sept 22) Pay attention to those niggling doubts. They could be warning you not to make any major decisions until you’ve checked them out -- especially where money matters might be involved. LIBRA (Sept 23 to Oct 22) A business venture might need more of your attention than you are able to provide. Consider asking a trusted friend or family member to help you work through this time crunch. SCORPIO (Oct 23 to Nov 21) A more-positive aspect helps you get a clearer focus on how to handle your time so that you can deal with several responsibilities that are just now showing up on your schedule. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 to Dec 21) A very close friend (you know who that is!) has advice that could help you work through a confusing situation. So put your pride aside and ask for it. You’ll be glad you did. CAPRICORN (Dec 22 to Jan 19) A workplace situation could turn a bit tense. The best way to handle it is to confront it and deal with it openly. Doing so can help reveal the underlying reasons for the problem. AQUARIUS (Jan 20 to Feb 18) A colleague’s remarks appear to be especially cutting. but don’t waste your time or your energy trying to deal with the situation. You have more important things to do. PISCES (Feb 19 to Mar 20) Support for your work comes as a surprise from someone you thought was critical or, at least, indifferent. Your spouse or partner has big plans for the weekend. BORN THIS WEEK: Your spiritual strength often acts as an inspiration to help others make decisions about their lives. © 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.
ElbertSPORTS 13-Sports
Elbert County News 13 February 13, 2013
Off to Mines, Mesa and Midland Oliver, Nicholas, Severinsen, Reins sign letters of intent By George Lurie
glurie@coloradocommunitymedia.com Four standout Cardinal athletes — Brody Oliver, Chase Nicholas, Brandon Severinsen and Dallas Reins — will be playing their games next year for the Colorado School of Mines, Midland College and Mesa State, respectively. At a special Feb. 5 signing ceremony held in the EHS gymnasium, Oliver and Nicholas, who have starred for Elizabeth on the gridiron — and in track and baseball — both signed letters of intent to play football for the Colorado School of Mines in Golden. Severinsen, who has starred in both basketball and baseball for the Cardinals, will go to Midland College in Nebraska on a baseball scholarship. And Reins, named three straight years to the Colorado 7 all-conference football team, signed a letter of intent to accept a football scholarship from Mesa State in Grand Junction. Reins has also been an all-
conference heavyweight wrestling champ for Elizabeth. Nicholas, a running back and linebacker for the Cardinals, was both the team’s leading rusher and tackler and was named 2013 Colorado 7 league MVP. As quarterback this season, Oliver amassed more than 1,000 yards rushing and passing and also caught three touchdown passes from backup quarterback Logan Weber. EHS Athletic Director Chris Cline praised all four athletes for their “tremendous accomplishments at EHS” and also for their “outstanding leadership qualities.” “This has been a banner year for (scholarship) signings for EHS athletes,” Cline said. Nearly a hundred students and family members attended the signing ceremony. Oliver was accompanied by his parents Jeff and Jackie; Sharon and Cliff Nicholas watched their son Chase sign his letter; Doug and Katie Severinsen sat beside Brandon when he put his signature on the athletic scholarship offer; and when he signed, Dallas Reins was flanked by his mother Jennifer Reins and his grandmother, Julie Williams.
EHS football standout Dallas Reins gets a hug from his girlfriend Bri Berzins after signing a letter of intent to play football at Mesa State College in Grand Junction. Reins’ mother, Jennifer (left) and grandmother Julie Williams, also took part in the signing ceremony.
EHS quarterback Brody Oliver looks on as his father Jeff puts his signature on Oliver’s letter of intent to accept an athletic scholarship from Colorado School of Mines. At left is Oliver’s mother Jackie. Photos by George Lurie
On Feb. 5, Elizabeth High athletes (from left) Brandon Severinsen, Chase Nicholas, Brody Oliver and Dallas Reins all signed letters of intent to accept college scholarship offers.
Elizabeth girls lose second of season Cardinals fall to No. 3 Pueblo South on road By Scott Stocker
Special to Colorado Community Media The week of Jan. 27 was one of the best, as well as worst, weeks for the Elizabeth girls basketball team. Elizabeth, ranked No. 6 in the most recent CHSAANow.com Class 4A poll had it somewhat easy Jan. 28 when Jamie Schmalz’ Cardinals topped Englewood 75-20 at home. The Cardinals slipped up Feb. 1, though, losing to No. 3 Pueblo South, 56-41, on the road. Elizabeth zipped to a 38-8 halftime lead against Englewood and continued the onslaught into the third quarter outscoring the Pirates, 22-2. Tatum Neubert and Sabra Ross were again on top of their games for the Cardi-
nals as Neubert scored 26 points, blocked 10 shots and pulled down six rebounds in the win. Ross tallied 17 points against the Pirates, pulling down 10 rebounds and dishing out seven assists. Maddie Smith led Englewood with seven points and seven rebounds. Things went differently for Elizabeth, however when the Cardinals drove to Pueblo. The Cardinals only scored 12 points in the first half against the Colts, marking a season low as they dropped to 15-2 with the loss. The Colts improved to 17-1 and proved they are definitely one of the state’s top contenders for a championship.
Elizabeth boys
The Elizabeth boys, under Mike Boss, only played one game the week of Jan. 27, also against Englewood. And, like the girls, they easily overwhelmed the Pirates, 79-39. The Cardinals jumped out to a 32-15 halftime lead, then made the Pirates walk their own
plank in the second half with a 43-21 effort. Trevor Boss came through with 20 points, which included four 3-pointers for Elizabeth. Aaron Stone added 17 points and James Christiansen chipped in with 13 points, including a trio of 3-pointers of his own. With the win, the Cardinals improved to 12-5 on the season. “It was a good team win and we were able to get a lot of the younger players in,” Mike Boss said. “We only had 12 turnovers in the game and the boys played some fine defense. Trevor had a fine outing as did Aaron and James, all getting in double-figures. We just need to keep things going.” Isia Mestas led Englewood with 15 points, which also included a trio of treys. Sean Bowering added nine points for the Pirates.
Kiowa
The Kiowa boys, coached by Walter Sutton, improved to 7-4 as the Indians defeated
Fountain Valley, 67-51, Jan. 28, and MiamiYoder, 53-26 on Feb. 1. Caleb Smith scored 20 points and hauled down seven rebounds to help lead the way against Fountain Valley. Isaac Janes contributed 15 points, dishing up eight assists while also pulling down a like number of rebounds. Kiowa’s defense was stellar against Miami-Yoder as the Indians held the Buffaloes to only seven points in the first half, including zero in the second quarter. On the other hand, the Indians would only score one point in the fourth quarter, but by then the game was well in hand. Janes and Michael Deering scored 12 points for Kiowa and were the only players to reach double-figures in the low-scoring affair against Miami-Yoder. Tyler Veros was the leading scorer for Miami-Yoder with 14 points. Only three other players were able to contribute points for the Buffs. Hoops continues on Page 15
Prep sports Scoreboard ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL Boys basketball Elizabeth 63, Fort Morgan 50 Jake Gavitt scored a game high 22 points against Fort Morgan, followed by Aaron Stone with 17 points and Trevor Boss with 13. Ryan White had seven points. Boss had three 3-pointers, five assists and five steals. Gavitt had four blocks and 11 rebounds. Stone had 12 rebounds and Brandon Severinson had four rebounds, four assists
and two steals. James Christiansen had three rebounds, two assists and two steals in the game. Elizabeth 78, Vista Peak Prep 88 Jake Gavitt scored 21 points, followed by James Christiansen with 19 points. Aaron Stone had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Christiansen had three 3-pointers, four rebounds and three assists. Trevor Boss recorded three rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Girls basketball
Elizabeth 68, Fort Morgan 33 Tatum Neubert led the team with 28 points followed by Sabra Ross with 24 points. Elizabeth was 7 for 14 with free throws including Neubert was 6 for 6 on the night against Fort Morgan.
UPCOMING GAMES Boys basketball
FRIDAY 7 p.m. - Elizabeth vs. Skyview TUESDAY Noon - Elizabeth @ Fort Lupton
Girls basketball FRIDAY 7 p.m. - Elizabeth @ Skyview TUESDAY 5:30 p.m. - Elizabeth @ Fort Lupton
14
14 Elbert County News
February 13, 2014
Museum brings Africa to show The Wildlife Experience creating entry garden at convention center By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com The Wildlife Experience is bringing the spirit of Africa to the 55th Annual Colorado Garden & Home Show. The interactive museum, a valued Douglas County asset since 2002, is hoping to extend its reach by introducing the thousands of visitors passing through the doors of the Colorado Convention Center Feb. 15-23 to its “Wild Africa” exhibit. Created specifically for the Colorado Garden & Home Show, the exhibit will include 30 carefully-arranged taxidermy animals that have been donated to the nonprofit museum’s personal collection over the years. Organizers assembled the many Africa-oriented pieces into one exhibit that balances dangerous predators like lions and leopards with docile herbivores like springboks, said Connie Mohrman, exhibits manager for The Wildlife Experience.
The so-called “welcome garden” offers a relaxing place for visitors to get away from the crowds and booths. It also is intended to educate; each “specimen” set up by The Wildlife Experience includes fun facts about each animal, Mohrman said. The stuffed creatures will be surrounded by lush garden plants, elegant water features and elevated terraces. Staged scenes show a waterhole gathering, an epic battle and serene grazing. Seven bronze sculptures depict chimpanzees demonstrating their role within the gathering, Mohrman said. Pavers form four different pathways that offer a leisurely stroll through the 5,500 square-foot entry garden. Jim Fricke, executive director of Colorado Garden Foundation, said he expects the “Wild Africa” exhibit to “transport the public into a life-like African experience like they have never experienced before.” It is the first time The Wildlife Experience has been involved in the Colorado Garden & Home Show, and the museum is making the best of the opportunity. “Exposure is definitely the biggest benefit. It draws so many people,” she said. “They can learn about where we are and we’ll have volunteers there and employees in booths talking about our programs.”
A baboon is among the taxidermy animals being included in this year’s Colorado Garden & Home Show at the Colorado Convention Center Feb. 15-23. The Wildlife Experience is setting up a “Wild Africa” exhibit at the entrance. Courtesy photo
Hess Road widening to limit congestion Parker roadwork put on hold in 2008 By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com Construction is beginning on a longawaited road project on the south end of Parker. The widening of Hess Road between Motsenbocker Road and Nate Drive was put on hold in 2008 because of a lack of funding during the economic downturn. With ever-increasing traffic demands, the roadwork is way overdue, but a healthier
revenue forecast has put it back on the agenda. An average of 15,000 vehicles travel along the targeted stretch of Hess Road each day, 3,000 more than the typical threshold for a two-lane road, said Chris Hudson, streets, traffic and capital improvement plan manager for the Parker Public Works Department. More than 80 percent of the funding for the $4.8-million project is going toward the costly installation of a section of bridge over Cherry Creek. Crews began erosion control measures in late January and large cranes will arrive at the site this month to drill into the bedrock that will serve as the foundation forNOTICE caissons that support IS HEREBY GIVEN thatthe an election will be held on the 6TH day of bridge. The hiredbetween Hamon ContracEligible electors of town May, 2014, the hours of 7:00
the Clearwater Metropolitan District interested in serving on the board of directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District Designated Election Official (DEO): Heather Christman Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. 40 Inverness Drive East Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 792-5595
a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, 2 directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms and 1 director will be elected to serve 2-year terms. Eligible electors of the North Pines Metropolitan District interested in serving on the board of directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District Designated Election Official (DEO): Heather Christman Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. 40 Inverness Drive East Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 792-5595
tors, the same company that built the ex- lanes between Motsenbocker Road and the town’s western boundary near Chamisting two lanes that span Cherry Creek. The project is scheduled for comple- bers Road. Douglas County also opened tion in November, which is good news for a stretch of Hess Road that connects with drivers who have become frustrated with Interstate 25 at the Castle Pines North inbottleneck congestion during peak travel terchange. The Town of Parker is planning to landtimes. The town has received several complaints from motorists who take the “com- scape the medians sometime in 2015. Although the new piece of roadway will muter route” daily, Hudson said. “In morning at 8 a.m., you would be be less than a quarter-mile long, there will amazed at how busy the road is,” said be lane closures during the spring and Hudson, who pointed out that commuters summer months. Hess Road will be down from Elbert County, Franktown and east- to one lane at times, but much of the cloern Douglas County funnel onto the road sures will occur outside of periods of heavy to get to and from the Denver metro area. and traffic. Self-Nomination Acceptance forms are available from Michael Hayashi, theinformation on this and other For more Piece by piece, Parker’s public works Designated Election Official for the DisroadDrive, projects department has put together trict, Hess Road, at 3344 Deer Creek Parker, in the town, call the public and Acat 303-840-9546. most recently widening it fromColorado two to80138. fourSelf-Nomination ceptance forms mustworks be fileddepartment with the
Public Notices The Office of the DEO is open on the following days: Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Notice To Creditors PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Georgina Boby Zentz, Deceased Case Number: 2014 PR 1 All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before May 30, 2014 or the claims may be forever barred. Virginia Goins Personal Representative 2679 Savage Road Elizabeth, Colorado 80107 Legal Notice No: 927883 First Publication: January 30, 2014 Last Publication: February 13, 2014 Publisher: Elbert County News
Government Legals Public Notice A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS (NOTICE BY PUBLICATION OF) TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and, particularly, to the electors of the Clearwater Metropolitan District of Elbert County, Colorado. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election will be held on the 6TH day of May, 2014, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, 3 directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms and 0 directors will be elected to serve 2-year terms. Eligible electors of the Clearwater Metropolitan District interested in serving on the board of directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District Designated Election Official (DEO): Heather Christman Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. 40 Inverness Drive East Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 792-5595 The Office of the DEO is open on the following days: Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If the DEO determines that a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form is not sufficient, the eligible elector who submitted the form may amend the form once, at any time, prior to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014. The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance is close of business on Friday, February 28, 2014 (not less than 67 days before the election). Earlier submittal is encouraged as the deadline will not permit curing an insuffi-
If the DEO determines that a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form is not sufficient, the eligible elector who submitted the form may amend the form once, at any time, prior to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014. The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance is close of business on Friday, February 28, 2014 (not less than 67 days before the election). Earlier submittal is encouraged as the deadline will not permit curing an insufficient form. Affidavit of Intent To Be A Write-In-Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the designated election official by the close of business on Monday, March 3, 2014 (the sixty-fourth day before the election).
Government Legals
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, an application for a mail-in ballot shall be filed with the designated election official no later than the close of business on Friday, May 2, 2014, except that, if the applicant wishes to receive the mail-in ballot by mail, the application shall be filed no later than the close of business on Thursday, April 29, 2014. CLEARWATER METROPOLITAN DISTRICT /s/ Heather Christman Designated Election Official Signature Legal Notice No.: 927876 First Publication: February 6, 2014 Last Publication: February 20, 2014 Publisher: The Elbert County News Public Notice A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS (NOTICE BY PUBLICATION OF) TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and, particularly, to the electors of the North Pines Metropolitan District of Elbert County, Colorado. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election will be held on the 6TH day of May, 2014, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, 2 directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms and 1 director will be elected to serve 2-year terms. Eligible electors of the North Pines Metropolitan District interested in serving on the board of directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District Designated Election Official (DEO): Heather Christman Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. 40 Inverness Drive East Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 792-5595 The Office of the DEO is open on the following days: Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If the DEO determines that a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form is not sufficient, the eligible elector who submitted the form may amend the form once, at any time, prior to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014. The deadline to submit a Self-Nom-
The Office of the DEO is open on the following days: Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Government Legals
If the DEO determines that a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form is not sufficient, the eligible elector who submitted the form may amend the form once, at any time, prior to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014. The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance is close of business on Friday, February 28, 2014 (not less than 67 days before the election). Earlier submittal is encouraged as the deadline will not permit curing an insufficient form. Affidavit of Intent To Be A Write-In-Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the designated election official by the close of business on Monday, March 3, 2014 (the sixty-fourth day before the election). NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, an application for a mail-in ballot shall be filed with the designated election official no later than the close of business on Friday, May 2, 2014, except that, if the applicant wishes to receive the mail-in ballot by mail, the application shall be filed no later than the close of business on Thursday, April 29, 2014. NORTH PINES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT /s/ Heather Christman Designated Election Official Signature Legal Notice No.: 927877 First Publication: February 6, 2014 Last Publication: February 20, 2014 Publisher: The Elbert County News Public Notice CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR ELIZABETH PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Elizabeth Park and Recreation District of Elbert County, Colorado. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, two (2) directors will be elected to serve a fouryear term. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Micki L. Wadhams, the Designated Election Official for the District, at Collins Cockrel & Cole, 390 Union Boulevard, Suite 400, Lakewood, Colorado, 80228, mwadhams@cccfirm.com. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 28, 2014). NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above address between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., until the close of business on the Friday immedi-
Notices
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, two (2) directors will be elected to serve a fouryear term.
Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Micki L. Wadhams, the Designated Election Official for the District, at Collins Cockrel & Cole, 390 Union Boulevard, Suite 400, Lakewood, Colorado, 80228, mwadhams@cccfirm.com. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 28, 2014).
Government Legals
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above address between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., until the close of business on the Friday immediately preceding the election (Friday, May 2, 2014). All absentee ballots must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day.
Designated Election Official for the District at the above address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 28, 2014).
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above address between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., until the close of business on the Friday immediately preceding the election (Friday, May 2, 2014). All absentee ballots must bepublic reTo advertise your notices call 303-566-4100 turned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day. DEER CREEK WATER DISTRICT By: /s/ Michael Hayashi Designated Election Official
Government Legals
Legal Notice No.: 927891 First Publication: February 13, 2014 Last Publication: February 13, 2014 Publisher: The Elbert County News
Government Legals Public Notice
Public Notice
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS ELIZABETH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS (NOTICE BY PUBLICATION OF) 32-1-804.1; 32-1-804.3, 1-1-104(34), 32-1-905(2), C.R.S.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly, to the eligible electors of the E l i z a b e t h F i r e P r o t e c t i o n D i s t r i ct ("District") of Elbert County, Colorado.
ELIZABETH PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT By: /s/ Micki L. Wadhams Designated Election Official
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and, particularly, to the electors of the Ritoro Metropolitan District of the Town of Elizabeth, Elbert County, Colorado.
Legal Notice No.: 927890 First Publication: February 13, 2014 Last Publication: February 13, 2014 Publisher: The Elbert County News
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election will be held on May 6, 2014, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, two (2) directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms and one (1) director will be elected to serve a 2-year term. Eligible electors of the District interested in serving on the board of directors may obtain a SelfNomination and Acceptance Form from the Designated Election Official (DEO), located at 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 2000, Centennial, CO 80122, (303-8581800) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a polling place election will be held on the 6th day of May, 2014, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, two directors will be elected to serve four-year terms on the Board of Director.
Public Notice CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR DEER CREEK WATER DISTRICT TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and particularly to the electors of the Deer Creek Water District of Elbert County, Colorado. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, two (2) directors will be elected to serve a fouryear term and one (1) director will be elected to serve a two-year term. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Michael Hayashi, the Designated Election Official for the District, at 3344 Deer Creek Drive, Parker, Colorado 80138. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above address not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 28, 2014). NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above address between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., until the close of business on the Friday immediately preceding the election (Friday, May 2, 2014). All absentee ballots must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day. DEER CREEK WATER DISTRICT By: /s/ Michael Hayashi Designated Election Official Legal Notice No.: 927891 First Publication: February 13, 2014 Last Publication: February 13, 2014 Publisher: The Elbert County News
The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form is Friday, February 28, 2014. If the DEO determines a SelfNomination and Acceptance form is not sufficient, the form may be amended once at any time prior to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014. Earlier submittal is encouraged as the deadline will not permit curing an insufficient form. Affidavit of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the DEO by the close of business on Monday, March 3, 2014. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for an absentee ballot shall be filed with the DEO no later than the close of business on Friday, May 2, 2014, except that, if the applicant wishes to receive the ballot by mail, the application shall be filed no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. RITORO METROPOLITAN DISTRICT Designated Election Official Legal Notice No.: 927893 First Publication: February 13, 2014 Last Publication: February 13, 2014 Publisher: The Elbert County News
In order to be a candidate for one of the director positions, a qualified individual must submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form. Self-Nomination and Acceptance Forms are available from Gay Kriz, Designated Election Official of the District. Contact information is as follows: Gay Kriz 155 West Kiowa Avenue, P.O. Box 441, Elizabeth, Co. 80107 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Phone: 303-646-3800 Fax: 303-688-6994 gkz@elizabethfire.com The Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014. A Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form that is not sufficient may be amended once at any time before 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014. Earlier submittal is encouraged as the deadline will not permit correcting an insufficient form. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that application for an absentee ballot may be filed with Gay Kriz, Designated Election Official, at the contact information referenced above, no later than the close of business on Friday, May 2, 2014, except that, if the applicant wishes to receive the absentee ballot by mail, the application must be filed no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. ELIZABETH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT Gay Kriz, Designated Election Official Legal Notice No.: 927892 First Publication: February 13, 2014 Last Publication: February 13, 2014 Publisher: The Elbert County News
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Elbert County News 15
February 13, 2014
Making dough for
Hoops Continued from Page 13
The Kiowa girls only had one game the week of Jan. 27, playing at Miami-Yoder. Like the boys, the Indians had little trouble as they came through with a 67-18 victory. In the process they improved to 7-4 on the season.
DOUGH
Simla
The Simla boys, coached by David Guy, were able to make it a three-game sweep for their week, whipping Calhan, 61-31 on Jan. 28, Limon 55-36 Jan. 31, and Colorado Springs School, 52-25 on Feb. 1. Jason George scored 20 points to lead the Cubs against Limon in the highest output of the week for Simla. With the wins, the Cubs improved to 11-2 on the season. The Simla girls, 11-3, coached by Al Snyder, defeated Calhan, 42-27, with only Sam Kaatz reaching doublefigures with 10 points. Simla went on to defeat Limon, 65-47, but then was upset by CSS, 30-27. With the victory, CSS improved to 7-3.
Olympic-level horsewoman, banker turns to baking to stay home with son By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier @coloradocommunitymedia.com In her typical suburban kitchen, regular-sized stove, Renee Curry, 33, is probably right about now making something for Valentine’s Day, and then making something else, and something else, dozens of somethings, into the late-night hours. Curry, a mortgage banker, to be able to stay at home with her child, Brenden, age 3, started an at-home bakery in her and her husband’s Castle Rock home after doing about six months of research and getting certified under the state’s cottage bakery laws. She’s also leaning on what she learned about baking from her Polish grandma — making traditional kruschiki cookies and such — and years of baking for fun. “I’m known for my chocolate cake,” she said. But this week, the one-woman Curry Cakery business, is busy making dozens of frosted Valentine cookies personalized with names on them. Something kids like to pass these out to friends instead of paper valentines. She said she’s busy, but it’s still not as stressful as the mortgage business. Curry has been in business for a year and is already going at a good clip — baking for families and business events, donating some for charitable fundraisers. She also makes businesscard cookies, the businessperson’s logo painted on the cookie. And has had an out-of-state order, from Texas: 300 decorated sugar cookies for a fundraising event. With her average-sized oven it took her three days, not much sleep, and then Fedex to get them there on time. But at least the oven worked that
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Renee Curry, (left), of Castle Rock, is having a full week filling Valentine Day orders in her in-home bakery. Also pictured is cookie-admirer and son, Brenden, 3. Photo by Virginia Grantier time. One time, it stopped working, right in the middle of a major order, 300 cookie baskets for Halloween, a sugary treat. Business from a surprising source: dentists. To get the order done, she had to get help from another inhome-baker — whose oven was unfortunately far away in Aurora. A long drive and logistical challenge — baking there and then decorating cookies back home. For this holiday, she’s guessing she’ll go through 10 dozen eggs and eight pounds of butter among other ingredients. She buys powdered sugar in 50-pound bags. She can’t enjoy what she makes. It’s not a weight thing. Since giving birth to Brenden, she has lost her sense of taste for most things. Can’t taste salt, or dairy, ice cream just tastes cold. Her doctor said that happens sometimes. Her sense of taste is slowing coming back. She can
enjoy Mexican food. Anything with preservatives taste like metal, so she avoids those. Because of this issue, she has a panel of 10 people to be her tasters when she tries out new recipes. But no need for that help this holiday. Sugar cookies, her top seller usually, and maybe especially for Valentine’s, has set ingredients, and her little oven will be on hot, overtime, making them today. Curry, who grew up in Southern California, was known for being artistic and for her skills as a horsewoman, specializing in hunter-jumper events. She qualified for the Olympics, but her dad wanted her to go to college, instead. Her college sweetheart, now husband, Joshua Curry, 32, was raised in Elizabeth, and ended up taking an IT job in Colorado. And Castle Rock got another baker. Now, she can do her artistic work in dough, for dough.
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16 Elbert County News
February 13, 2014
WE BELIEVE IN SOLAR ENERGY. IN A BIG WAY. IN THE RIGHT WAY. Xcel Energy believes that solar energy is a big part of a clean energy future. But to bring the greatest benefits of solar to the greatest number of people, we have to do it right. Using the same dedication to renewable energy that made us the number one wind utility in the nation, Xcel Energy is working to develop and support large-scale solar projects that deliver clean, renewable solar energy at a lower cost. A clean energy future to build on. A strong energy grid to depend on. Xcel Energy believes our customers deserve both.
xcelenergy.com/ResponsibleSolar 13-XCLOOS-00573-D_SOLAR_RightWay_10.25x8_FNL.indd 1
Š 2014 Xcel Energy Inc.
1/31/14 9:56 AM