Elbert county news 1219

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December 19, 2013 Elbert County, Colorado | Volume 118, Issue 47 A publication of

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Officials nearing decision on oil, gas Commissioners expected to vote on proposed changes in early 2014 Elbert County Commissioners Kurt Schlegel (far right), Robert Rowland (center) and Larry Ross discuss the 2014 county budget at a Dec. 11 public hearing at the Elbert County Fairgrounds. Photos by George Lurie

Commissioners approve 2014 budget About 75 attend public meeting at fairgrounds

By George Lurie

glurie@ourcoloradonews.com Elbert County’s financial future was the subject of a spirited public hearing Dec. 11 at the county fairgrounds.

The meeting was held in the larger venue in order to accommodate a crowd of about 75 people who turned out to voice their thoughts — and concerns — regarding the BOCC’s proposed 2014 budget.

Presenting the budget before the start of the public hearing, Ed Ehmann, the county’s public works director, said: “There were some complicated issues we had to work out and mandates we had to fund. But we are very proud to be able to present a balanced budget that will help us move into 2014. ... This is a sound document for Elbert County.”

Under the proposed 2014 budget, all county departments end the year with positive fund balances.

In addition, Ehmann said the county will be able to keep $500,000 in a reserve contingency fund, a condition of the $7 million loan from Wells Fargo that refinanced the justice center in 2009.

“Our goal is to ultimately have three months operating expenses as well as the $500,000 in that contingency fund,” said Commissioner Kurt Schlegel. “I think we are on the right track.”

During the public hearing, a number of county residents shared their thoughts regarding the county’s finances — and where they think the county is headed.

Tony Baker, an Elizabeth resident, questioned Ehmann about a $985,000 grant the county has applied for to pave County Road 29.

“If we are not successful in our grant application, we’ll fall back on to our master plan and try to fix the roads that we’ve identified as needing work,” Ehmann said.

Bob Lewis, another Elizabeth resident, said he wanted to speak in support of the POSTAL ADDRESS

Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap answers questions from commissioners at the Dec. 11 hearing on the 2014 county budget. sheriff. “We have gone from a county government that might have been depicted in the Dukes of Hazard to something that is actually pretty respectable. Part of that progress is our sheriff’s office,” said Lewis, adding that it is recognized around the state as one of the “best-run” in Colorado.

Scott Wills, chairman of the county Republican Party, said: “I’m tickled to death with the collaborative budget-making process that we have done in this county. ... I think that’s the best way small government can do it.”

County resident Susan Shick said she wanted to read in to the record a letter she had sent to the commissioners on Dec. 5 “protesting the 2014 county budget.”

“I have no confidence in the processes used to develop this budget,” Shick said.

“It is obvious that the department of finance and budget is grossly understaffed.”

Shick also questioned how the county could come up with a 2014 budget with the 2012 budget audit still not completed.

“The budget for 2014 has nothing to do with the 2012 audit,” said Schlegel in response. “While we’ve missed two deadlines on the 2012 audit, it has nothing to do with 2014’s budget.”

Schlegel added that he believed Shick’s

letter “doesn’t state the facts at all.”

Jill Duvall, an Elizabeth resident who sits on the county library board, asked commissioners why they don’t release monthly budget updates. “If we can do it on the library board, I think the BOCC should be able to do it too,” Duvall said.

“It’s our goal as a team to improve how we present information to the public,” Ehmann responded.

Rick Blotter, an Agate resident, questioned the methods county officials used to calculate anticipated revenues — specifically, a big jump in anticipated revenues from stepped-up traffic enforcement by the sheriff’s office and additional sales-and-use taxes. “When you speculate on revenues that don’t come in, somebody gets left holding the bag,” said Blotter.

Mike Phillips, a Kiowa resident, also questioned how the BOCC could make an accurate 2014 budget with the 2012 audit still unfinished.

“I understand things have been really screwed up for 20 years,” Phillips said.

“But it seems to me like you guys are making things up as you go along.”

Ehmann defended the work county officials have done on the 2014 budget.

“We feel very confident in what we’ve done and can defend this thing line item by line item.” he said.

Commissioner Larry Ross added that he believed “the county has made great progress” in dealing with its fiscal Printed on recycled challenges. newsprint. Please “We’re going to unkink this rope and recycle this copy. move forward,” Ross said.

Following the public hearing — and as required by law — the BOCC voted unanimously to certify the 2014 mill levy and approve the 2014 county budget.

By George Lurie

glurie@ourcoloradonews.com On Dec. 12, the Elbert County Planning Commission met and after much discussion, decided to postpone a vote on approving a comprehensive set of revised oil and gas regulations.

“We’re going to continue it until our next meeting on Dec. 19,” said Thomas Beshore, vice-chair of the planning commission.

Beshore said there are “still a few verbiage changes that need to be addressed. So we didn’t feel comfortable doing an official approval. But we’re very close.”

The revised regulations, which will serve as a road map for future oil and gas exploration in the county, have been a work in progress for more than two years.

Revising the county’s oil and gas regulations has been a painful and controversial process and has sparked conflict between the planning commission and the BOCC. In July, the BOCC voted down a proposed set of oil and gas regulations that the planning commission and an ad hoc citizen’s group known as the editing committee had spent more than two years working on.

Following that vote, then planning commission chair Grant Thayer resigned in protest.

And then in November, Paul Crisan, who succeeded Thayer as planning commission chair, was summarily dismissed by the BOCC after being accused of obstructing progress in rewriting the oil and gas regs.

Since Crisan’s unceremonious departure, Beshore has been serving as the planning commission’s de facto chairman.

“It’s my hope that we can get the commissioners to approve” the revised regulations, Beshore said. “Up to now, I think most of the problems have been with contradictory wording and language that didn’t mesh.”

Community and Development Services Director Kyle Fenner was hired by the BOCC this past May to replace former planning director Richard Miller and has been under increasing pressure to work with the planning commission to complete the revision of the oil and gas regulations, which the BOCC must approve before they take effect.

Beshore complimented Fenner on her efforts related to the project. “Kyle has worked so hard in trying to put together these new regulations,” said Beshore. “There are only certain things we can put into them without conflicting with state regulations.”

Beshore, who has served on the planning commission for four years, said: “We’ve all learned an awful lot about oil and gas. It’s been a tedious, difficult process.”

The new regulations, according to Beshore, do not address address hydraulic fracturing — or fracking — a controversial method of extracting oil and natural gas from within solid rock.

The process, which requires large amounts of water, has been banned in some areas around the state.

On Dec. 12 at the same time the planning commission was meeting, a group of people protesting fracking gathered outside the courthouse in Kiowa.

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2 Elbert County News

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3

Elbert County News 3

December 19, 2013

Girl seriously injured in school shooting Student entered Arapahoe High School with shotgun

By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com One minute and 20 seconds.

That’s how long Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said Karl Pierson’s rampage lasted. Pierson, 18, entered Arapahoe High School brandishing a shotgun Dec. 13, critically wounding Claire Esther Davis, before killing himself, the sheriff said.

Schools across the area, including in Elizabeth, were put on lockdown as events unfolded.

After viewing security-camera footage of the scene, Robinson offered some new and some revised information Dec. 14, including the name of the single gunshot victim.

Davis is a 17-year-old senior at Arapahoe High in Centennial, a horse enthusiast and, says Robinson, a completely innocent victim who had no time to run from her attacker before he shot her point blank in the head.

“She is a young woman of principle, she is a young woman of purpose, she is an innocent young lady, and she is an innocent victim of an evil act of violence,” the sheriff told a large contingent of media outside the school.

A statement released by Davis’ family says she has severe head trauma and remains in critical condition. They requested privacy for themselves and Littleton Adventist Hospital, and thanked the trauma team there for saving their daughter’s life.

“She needs your continued prayers,” read the statement. “We would like to thank our family, our friends, the community and the equine community for their outpouring of love and support.”

Davis was the lone gunshot victim, the sheriff confirmed Dec. 14. A student near

Students were evacuated from Arapahoe High School shortly after shots were fired Dec. 13. Photo by Chris Michlewicz her at the time of the shooting was taken to a hospital as a precautionary measure.

According to Davis’ Facebook page, she’s a member of the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association and attended Vellshire Riding School.

Robinson said the security footage shows Pierson, an Arapahoe student, parking on the north side of the building at 12:33 p.m. and getting out of his vehicle with the pump-action shotgun in plain view. He had a bandolier full of ammunition slung across his chest and was carrying a machete.

He also was wearing a backpack that turned out to contain three Molotov cocktails.

Contrary to his earlier view that Pierson was only after his debate coach, Tracy Mur-

phy, Robinson now believes Pierson was intent on killing or injuring as many people as he could, though the faculty member was the primary target. He believes the incident was likely a reaction to some sort of dispute between Murphy and Pierson, who reportedly made threats against the educator in September because he disagreed with a disciplinary action.

Murphy was quickly alerted to Pierson’s presence Dec. 13 and was able to safely leave the grounds before the student could find him.

Pierson purchased the firearm on Dec. 6 at a local retail outlet, which was legal because he was 18, said Robinson. He had purchased at least some of the ammunition in the morning before the shooting.

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GALLERY OF GAMES & weekly horoscope

Pierson entered the school through a door adjacent to the school library on the north side of the building and immediately shot a random round down a hallway. He then walked up to Davis and shot her point blank.

“There was no time for the victim to get away from the shooter,” said Robinson.

Pierson then took another random shot, went directly to the library and set off one of the bombs, which set at least three bookshelves on fire. He shot a fifth round, but by now he could hear the school resource officer — an Arapahoe County sheriff’s deputy — heading toward him at full speed.

Robinson said the resource officer, along with an unarmed security guard and two administrators, heard the first shot and immediately began running from the cafeteria to the library. The resource officer was screaming at kids to get down and identifying himself as a deputy sheriff.

As soon as Pierson heard the commotion coming toward him, he walked to a corner and shot himself, said Robinson.

“It’s typical for a shooter to shoot until confronted by a person in authority,” he said. “The response from officers was absolutely critical to the fact that we did not have additional injury and/or death.”

Robinson said the building will likely remain a crime scene until at least mid-afternoon on Dec. 15. Scott Murphy, Littleton Public Schools superintendent, said that regular classes won’t resume at the school until January. Counseling continues to be available for anyone in the community with a need to talk about what happened.

“This has truly been a village and a family pulling together in a difficult time,” said the superintendent.

As part of the investigation, authorities searched three properties around the metro area, including Pierson’s home in Highlands Ranch. Robinson would not divulge what was found, but reiterated that he believes Pierson acted alone.

“We found nothing that would lead us to believe there were coconspirators,” he said.

SALOME’S STARS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC 18, 2013

ARIES (Mar 21 to Apr 19) Careful, Lamb. Don’t let your generous nature lead to some serious overspending as you contemplate your holiday gift-giving.

Your social life kicks off into high gear by week’s end.

TAURUS (Apr 20 to May 20) A positive attitude helps you weather annoying but unavoidable changes in holiday plans. Aspects favor new friendships and reinforcement of existing relationships.

GEMINI (May 21 to Jun 20) Demands on your energy level could be much higher than usual as you prepare for the upcoming holidays. Be sure to pace yourself. Friends and family will be happy to help.

crossword • sudoku & weekly horoscope

GALLERY OF GAMES

CANCER (Jun 21 to Jul 22) Don’t allow a suddenly icy reaction from a friend or family member to continue without learning what caused it -- and what can be done to restore that once warm and caring relationship.

LEO (Jul 23 to Aug 22) A relationship seems to be unraveling, mostly from a lack of attention. It might be a good idea to ease up on whatever else you’re doing so you can spend more time working to mend it.

VIRGO (Aug 23 to Sept 22) New facts emerge that not only help explain the recent rift with a trusted colleague, but also might provide a chance to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start in your friendship.

LIBRA (Sept 23 to Oct 22) A family member’s personal situation is, fortunately, resolved in time for you to get back into your hectic round of holiday preparations.

An old friend might bring a new friend into your life.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 to Nov 21) Pace yourself in meeting holiday pressures and workplace demands to avoid winding up with a frayed temper and a Scorpian stinger that lashes out at puzzled kith, kin and colleagues.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 to Dec 21) A financial matter requires close attention. Also, news from a trusted source provides the means to help sort out a longstanding state of confusion and put it into perspective.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 to Jan 19) This is a good time to reinforce family ties. Make it a priority to assess and resolve all outstanding problems. Start the upcoming holiday season with a full measure of love.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 to Feb 18) Don’t be pressured into a so-called solid-gold investment. Wait until the holiday distractions are over. Then take a harder look at it. You might find that the “gold” is starting to flake off.

PISCES (Feb 19 to Mar 20) A former friend might be trying to heal the breach between you by using a mutual friend as an intermediary. Best advice: Keep an open mind despite any lingering bad feelings.

BORN THIS WEEK: You have a way of saying the right thing at the right time. Your friendships are deep and lasting. © 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

4

4 Elbert County News

December 19, 2013

Parents who lose a child not alone Parker foundation provides support, memorial events

By Chris Michlewicz

cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com Corrine O’Flynn knows all too well that the grief of losing a child is unfathomable to those who haven’t experienced it.

O’Flynn felt “isolated” after losing her daughter Rowan, who was born in December 1999 and passed away one day later from complications related to trisomy 18, a condition caused by an error in cell division.

The Parker resident lost the ability to connect with people or enjoy activities she once loved. Nothing mattered in the same way. She recalled feeling like she had nothing to lose when her friend signed her up for a therapy session with others who had lost children. O’Flynn admittedly wasn’t the “support group-type,” but it was during those first sessions that she realized she had stopped really talking to her husband.

“The isolation is huge,” she says. “It overwhelms all other feelings.”

None of the pre-natal tests indicated that anything was wrong, and the lack of online information about trisomy 18 at that time made things ever harder to comprehend.

Through chat forums, O’Flynn met other parents who had lost children to the condition and started an online support organization.

It was an immense success, and in 2005, O’Flynn realized she was reaching only “one small segment of the population of grieving parents.”

That was when she created the Rowan Tree Foundation, a Parker-based nonprofit that provides a platform of support for parents who have lost a child. Aside from outreach services that guide surviving loved ones through the stages of grief, the foundation sends out personalized remembrance notes. Each one is sent as a show of support during the month the par-

ents lost their child. More than 500 were mailed this year, and they read: “We hope you find some comfort in knowing you are not alone. We are remembering with you.”

Foundation offers shared experiences

Perhaps most uplifting are the organization’s two signature annual events: a butterfly release in June and candlelight vigil in December.

Both are well-attended and take place at the Rowan Tree Foundation Angel Memorial and Healing Garden, along the Cherry Creek trail just west of McCabe Meadows Park at South Parker Road and Indian Pipe Lane. The land was donated to the nonprofit two years ago by the Town of Parker.

The butterfly release is an emotional experience, but one that is intended to help heal.

“We order monarch butterflies that are packaged individually and I read all of the children’s names, and at the end of the program, everyone opens their box and releases the butterflies into a field,” said O’Flynn, who serves as the foundation’s executive director. “A lot of people are crying at the beginning, but once they’re released, everybody is smiling.”

The shared experience is what is so valuable to O’Flynn. After all, it was bonding with others through grief that was the catalyst for the Rowan Tree Foundation.

O’Flynn’s daughter was named Rowan, a Gaelic word meaning “little red one,” but later she discovered it is also a type of tree known to signify “strength against adversity and rebirth.”

“It also represents connection, which was perfect for our mission,” said O’Flynn, who is helped by four volunteers.

After a child passes away, local hospitals give packets to grieving parents and let them decide whether to seek support. Whether it’s one day after a loss, one month later, or even 40 years later, as was the case with one woman, the Rowan Tree Foundation is there to help, free of charge.

For more information, call 720-5888693 or send an email to staff@rowantreefoundation.org.

The foundation also has a website, www.rowantreefoundation.org, and a Facebook page.

Corinne O’Flynn, founder and executive director of the Rowan Tree Foundation, reads a message to families gathered at the group’s angel memorial statue to mourn the loss of a child.

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The Rowan Tree Foundation Angel Memorial and Healing Garden, along the Cherry Creek trail near South Parker Road and Indian Pipe Lane, is a gathering place for those grieving the loss of a child. The foundation is based in Parker.

Courtesy photos

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Schools in Elizabeth were placed on “lockout” status on Dec. 10 after police received a report of a potentially “armed and suicidal” man — who was found dead later that day — walking aimlessly in the area of Elizabeth High School.

The report came in to police by telephone from the man’s wife.

Elizabeth High, Elizabeth Middle School, several elementary schools, Legacy Academy and the school district’s administration building were all placed on lockout and heightened alert status following the initial police report, which came in at approximately 9:15 a.m.

School district officials sent out an email blast at 11:15 a.m. updating parents — and the media — on the situation.

The email stated: “Students and staff are in the buildings and classes are being conducted as normal. The buildings are locked, perimeters are secure. SHE is in heightened alert. Elizabeth Police is looking for a man in the area that may be armed.”

Authorities spent all morning and part of the afternoon searching for the man, who was described as a 50-year-old white male.

Elizabeth Police Chief Michael Phibbs mobilized his department in response to the report and Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap and a number of his deputies also participated in the search for the man, utilizing a department bloodhound.

After an eight-hour search, the man’s body was found in a wooded gully on the northern outskirts of Elizabeth.

Heap confirmed the man died of a selfinflicted gunshot wound.

Elizabeth School District officials sent out email updates regarding the incident throughout the day.

An email sent at 2:15 p.m. reported that the “lockout and heightened alert” had been lifted.

5

Elbert County News 5

December 19, 2013

eState finances don’t inspire optimism Economist addresses crowd at South Metro Chamber

By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com The state of Colorado has taken a few steps back from the edge of the financial cliff, but researchers say it’s not out of danger of falling off.

“There’s not truly cause for optimism,” Phyllis Resnick, lead economist with Colorado State University’s Colorado Futures Center, told business and community leaders at the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 10. “We’ve delayed some of the inevitable, but we haven’t really gotten rid of the problem.”

The good news is that the center predicts a budget gap in 2024 of nearly half of what it expected in its 2011 study, which was about $3.5 billion.

CFC said at the time that by then, there would only be enough in the state’s coffers to pay for Medicaid, K-12 education and corrections — just enough to “medicate, educate and incarcerate,” said Resnick.

Federal stimulus money and a robust housing recovery helped delay the pain, said Resnick.

“Revenues have come back kind of on steroids,” she said. “But I think this is artificially stimulated. I expect sales-tax revenue to continue to decline.”

The bad news is that the shortfall is still probably going to happen, but not until 2029 or so.

There are a lot of reasons, but a major one is an aging population that spends more money on services, which are not taxed, than products. In 1959, people spent about 56 cents of every dollar on goods; today it’s just 36 cents.

Things continue to get cheaper — think electronics — and people more often are buying online, where there is no sales tax.

Additionally, the recession and recordhigh youth unemployment rates kept a lot of young adults from moving out and starting their own families, so they don’t need houses and furniture and all the trappings of the American dream quite yet.

They’re also not having kids, which means lower spending on education in the coming years — good news for the state

budget, bad news for the schools.

Those kids have been going to college, however.

Student-loan debt is now $1 trillion nationally, second only to housing in terms of household debt.

These are the same kids who were supposed to prop up Medicaid and Social Security for all those seniors, the numbers of which will grow by 50 percent in the next two years.

On top of all those problems, most of which are occurring nationally, Colorado has the unique situation of TABOR. The constitutional amendment caps revenue growth to the amount of inflation plus population change, and requires any excess be returned to taxpayers unless voters say the governmental entity can keep it.

CFC predicts having an excess will be the norm starting in about 2016 because of Colorado’s hospital-provider fee, established in 2009 to pay for the Medicaid expansion.

“The juxtaposition of cuts in generalfund programs, which could include cuts to schools, higher education and a variety

of other programs, at the same time the state is returning `surplus’ funds to taxpayers under TABOR, will be puzzling to many Colorado citizens,” writes CFC in its executive summary.

The state could begin to close the gap by exempting the hospital fee from TABOR and taxing some personal services like haircuts and lawn mowing, for example, says Resnick.

“Why not modernize the system to capture where the economic activity is taking place?” she asked. “If we could make these two changes, we could come pretty close to becoming structurally sound through the end of this decade.”

Next up would be taking a hard look at how property taxes are calculated in an effort to shore up the education system, she said.

“Inaction, of course, would bring about a strictly budget-cutting solution,” reads the study. “The cuts would be extreme. For example, closing the gap with cuts alone, while maintaining full funding for K-12, Medicaid and corrections, would result in cuts of nearly 75 percent to all of the other 17 general-fund departments by 2030.”

Experts explore future of job growth Event puts focus on state’s economic development

By George Lurie

glurie@ourcoloradonews.com The news was mostly positive and upbeat at this year’s annual economic forecast breakfast, hosted by the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce Dec. 13 and attended by nearly 800 area business and civic leaders.

After brief opening remarks from Chamber President John Brackney — who encouraged “everyone in this room to be economic developers” — and chamber Chairman-elect Rick Whipple

— who touted the Chamber’s ongoing efforts around the state to promote the “Fix the Debt” campaign — the main presentation kicked off with an update from Ken Lund, director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

“Colorado will never be a big financial center like New York but we can be the place that is the most innovative, the most entrepreneurial,” said Lund, whose speech highlighted the importance of cultivating an educated, talented workforce.

Dr. Richard Wobbekind, a University of Colorado economist, delivered an encouraging forecast for 2014. Noting that Colorado was among the top seven states in terms of current population growth, Wobbekind predicted Colorado will

create 61,000 new jobs next year.

“Almost every sector is growing,” he said, adding that commodity prices have benefitted the agricultural and energy sectors in particular and that foreclosure rates across the state “have really dropped and are now a non-issue.”

Dr. Martin Shields, a Colorado State University economics professor, painted a picture not quite a rosy as those who preceded him, saying, “This is as good as it’s going to get for a while.”

Despite forecasting that 26,000 to 30,000 new jobs are coming to the Denver area in 2014, pushing down the unemployment rate to 5.9 percent, Shields pointed out that “a lot of families are still struggling financially — and so are the businesses that rely on those families’ paychecks.”

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6-Opinion

6 Elbert County News

December 19, 2013

opinions / yours and ours

Help during the holidays, and beyond Almost 13 percent of Coloradans live below the poverty level, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s better than the national rate of more than 14 percent, but it’s still much too high.

This time of year, the thought of families not being able to put food on the table — much less purchase holiday gifts — can be particularly disturbing. Maybe it should be equally as unsettling year round, but during a season of joy, and often excess, for so many, the plight of the poor stands out as a cruel contrast.

Fortunately, there are avenues to help.

For example, Dec. 10 was Colorado Gives Day, the annual push to raise money for nonprofits, many of which help the poor.

More than $15.4 million was raised in

our view 2012, and we hope an even bigger haul was brought in this year.

One of the many nonprofits helped by the effort was the Douglas/Elbert Task Force. The Castle Rock-based organization exists to provide basic necessities, like food and rent assistance, to residents of Douglas and Elbert counties in need. We applaud them for their year-round work.

Recently, we were given rare insight into the plight of some of those who sought help from the task force. Colorado Com-

munity Media reporter Virginia Grantier spent some time with the task force’s client service manager, Jenny Follmer. Grantier’s article, which appeared last week in several Colorado Community Media publications as well as online, illustrates the very real stories of the less fortunate in a way statistics simply can’t.

The two went over the files of 20 individuals and families who sought assistance on one day, and the article summarizes the needs of each applicant. It is as personal as it gets without names and faces. Even in the suburbs, this could be your neighbor, a friend in need.

A small sampling: • “A Douglas County woman on disability, renter. Her ex-husband came back to Colorado with their three kids and then

he left, and left the kids with her. She has $85 left for bills after she pays the rent. But today, she just needs food.”

• “A Castle Rock family, grandmother in her 70s, grown daughter and three granddaughters. The daughter works, but the rent is more than half her income. They come in today for clothing, food and Christmas assistance.”

•“An Elbert County family, renters, three kids and husband and wife. Husband is facing several surgeries to correct past surgery. He’s in extreme pain, but works off some rent for landlord. Wife is working.

They need help with food and Christmas assistance.”

The holidays, of course, are a particularly busy time for the task force and groups like it. Then again, it’s always too busy.

Market-based insurance is the better way to go

Longing for a Christmas that was very long ago A young father handed a clerk 30 dollars in a department store in Uniontown, Pa., and the clerk gave him a Sad Face Fire Truck, a pedal car that Murray made back then. It was too big to wrap, so it was kept out of sight until Christmas morning.

I came out of my bedroom with sleep still in my eyes, and that made the tree lights look like they were sparking. It might have been our best Christmas. I was still a few years away from becoming a brooding loner — I was just a happy little kid — and I was living with Ozzie and Harriet.

I wish I still had that pedal car. I know I can find one online, because I have looked. They go for almost $500 or more now. But it wouldn’t be the same, because they all belonged to someone else.

I think it was my “Rosebud.” If you have seen “Citizen Kane” you know that “Rosebud” was Kane’s boyhood sled. Maybe you know that the name was the director’s inside joke. Ask someone else.

Christmas is almost completely lost on me now. My favorite classical station played “O Holy Night” on the day I wrote this, more than three weeks away from Christmas. Some of my neighbors had lights and decorations up before the end of November.

“During the four days beginning with Thanksgiving, 141 million people shopped and made $57.4 billion in purchases at stores and websites.” That’s 58.5 percent of the voting age population.

In 2012, 57.5 percent of the voting age population voted in the presidential election.

There is something wrong with this picture, but there is something wrong with a lot f our pictures. I’m just happy that I didn’t know there was something wrong with so many of them when I woke up that morning in Pennsylvania and saw my pedal car, and the other gifts that were wrapped and ribboned.

I wish I had a Super-8 of my father buying the pedal car, and I wish I knew what he was thinking. He was a Buick salesman at the time, and was married to his high

school sweetheart. They met in Mount Morris, Michigan, dated, became engaged before he enlisted, and were married on an Army Air Corps base in Hobbs, N.M. He flew 30 missions in a B-17, returned, and started a family. Our black-andwhite, family, Christmas photographs in the 1950s were all smiles. That changed, just like it does in many other homes.

My parents argued, and I became introverted and ornery. I couldn’t wait to go far away to college. It didn’t get any better when my sister divorced twice, or when I began to drink in my 40s.

“How Can We Hang On to a Dream?” is a song composed and recorded by Tim Hardin, who died in 1980. The song is about a woman who is “walking away,” but it’s a good question to ask about lots of things we have lost, like merrier Christmases.

All I have now are memories and photographs. My mother and father died in 2008. Toward the end we were all exchanging equal-amount gift cards, and eventually we weren’t exchanging anything at all, because there was really nothing better to give each other than each other.

That’s why I don’t understand the stampede on Black Friday, or the anxieties about last-minute shopping. Maybe we give gifts to make up for something that’s missing in a relationship.

A few years later, the pedal car’s place was taken by a red Schwinn. But every Dec. 25, I wonder where it is, and I miss it.

Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net

Obamacare was supposed to “bend the cost curve” when it comes to our nation’s spending on health care but the concerns from my constituents I’ve received in the last few months pertain to increases in health care insurance premiums and reduced benefits through much higher deductibles.

One constituent from Aurora wrote: “I was notified by Kaiser Permanente that the current plan in which I am enrolled in will be canceled beginning Jan. 1, 2014, and I would need to enroll in another program. I have spent most of my morning reviewing the different plans, and the least expensive plan in which I can enroll is double the cost of my existing plan. I have selected the least expensive bronze plan which will cost me $543 per month. My previous plan cost me $266 per month.”

Another from Brighton: “… our premiums increased by 50 percent, deductible increased by $500.

Whereas before, we had reasonable co-payments for visits, now we have to reach our deductible before we can use an increased co-pay for a visit. No labs or diagnostics are included, so we are paying out of pocket for all of that. … we are paying more for less coverage.”

Another from Highlands Ranch: “With the changes that have occurred since this law has passed, I have seen my premiums go higher and higher. This year alone my premiums have increased by 81 percent. Now, how many of us are seeing an 81 percent increase in our incomes? As you know, managing an increase in ex-

Elbert County News 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

gerard healey President and Publisher Chris rotar Editor ryaN Boldrey Assistant Editor eriN addeNBrooke Advertising Director audrey Brooks Business Manager sCott aNdrews Production Manager saNdra arellaNo Circulation Director roN ‘MitCh’ MitChell Sales Executive

penses to that degree impacts everything else you do as an individual and business owner.”

The Obama administration gave a waiver to members of Congress from having to purchase their health care plan through an insurance exchange without a taxpayer subsidy. Under the waiver, we are still required to get our health care insurance through a D.C. exchange but we are now permitted to retain the taxpayer subsidy to offset the cost.

I decided to reject the subsidy because I believe the plain text of Obamacare doesn’t give the authority for the Obama administration to exempt members of Congress from the law. In following the law, I purchased a new health insurance plan through our state’s insurance exchange as an individual without the taxpayer subsidy.

My new plan is a PPO (preferred provider network) — just like my old plan — and it allows me to keep my same primary care physician. Under my current Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan (FEHBP), the premium cost Coffman continues on Page 7

Colorado Community Media Phone 303-566-4100 • Fax 303-566-4098 Visit us on the Web at elbertcountynews.net

Columnists and guest commentaries The Elbert County News features a limited number of regular columnists, found on these pages and elsewhere in the paper, depending on the typical subject the columnist covers. Their opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News.

Want your own chance to bring an issue to our readers’ attention, to highlight something great in our community, or just to make people laugh? Why not write a letter of 300 words or fewer. Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

email your letter to letters@ourcoloradonews.com We welcome event listings and other submissions.

News and Business Press releases Please visit ourcoloradonews.com, click on the Press releases tab and follow easy instructions to make submissions.

Calendar calendar@ourcoloradonews.com Military Notes militarynotes@ourcoloradonews.com school accomplishments, honor roll and dean’s list schoolnotes@ourcoloradonews.com sports sports@ourcoloradonews.com obituaries obituaries@ourcoloradonews.com to subscribe call 303-566-4100

we’re in this together Our team of professional reporters, photographers and editors are out in the community to bring you the news each week, but we can’t do it alone.

Send your news tips, your own photographs, event information, letters, commentaries...

If it happens, it’s news to us. Please share by contacting us at news@ourcoloradonews.com, and we will take it from there.

After all, the News is your paper.

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Elbert County News 7

December 19, 2013

things to do

SNOW AWAY

Dec. 19

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.

AnnuAl luncheon The Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce’s annual luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Spring Valley Golf Club. Cost is $20 per person. RSVP to director@elizabethchamber.org. Join us to celebrate our accomplishments over the past year, welcome new board members, and recognize the chamber Member of the Year.

Do you have something to donate for a door prize for this year’s luncheon? Contact the chamber office. Visit www.elizabethchamber.org or call 303-646-4287.

as But

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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 postdecree cases. All walk-ins are welcome, and will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The ouTbAck express is a public transit service 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

hree s

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Calendar continues on Page 14

Coffman

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my who will bear the full brunt of higher health care costs.

In 2010, when Obamacare was passed, it was common knowledge that our health care system was in desperate need of reform. The cost of health care was simply too high and the ability to buy affordable health insurance was increasingly out of reach for too many families.

Under then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, alternative health care reform proposals, which there were many, were procedurally kept from coming to the floor for a vote.

Unfortunately, I have no confidence that Obamacare will ultimately improve our health care system and I will continue to support patient-centered, market-based approaches that will benefit all Americans.

Continued from Page 6

is $599.63 per month ($186.14 from me with a taxpayer subsidy of $413.49) and under the new Rocky Mountain View PPO Bronze plan it’s $607.06 per month. However, like so many of the complaints I’ve received, it’s the difference in the copays and deductibles that’s so surprising. In my current plan I have a co-payment of $20 and a deductible of $350; under the new Obamacare plan I will have a copayment of $60, a deductible of $4,500, and I will pay an additional 40 percent up to $6,350.

No doubt there will be winners and losers under Obamacare. The winners will be those enrolled in Medicaid or those who receive significant incomebased subsidies to offset the full cost of their health insurance.

However, I’m concerned about the middle-class families already struggling under a weak econo-

Officer Matt Smith of the Elizabeth Police Department shovels patches of ice and snow outside the entrance to the police station on Dec. 11. Warmer temperatures helped melt the remainder of the early December snow storm that blanketed the county and dropped the thermometer below zero for the better part of a week. Photo by George Lurie

Republican Mike Coffman is the U.S. Representative for Colorado’s 6th District. He is a Marine Corps combat veteran and has a combined 21 years of military experience between the Army, the Army Reserve, the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve.

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CHILDREN’S: 1:00 & 3:00pm TRADITIONAL: 5:00 & 7:00pm COMMUNION: 9:00pm

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St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

8817 S. Broadway • Highlands Ranch 80129

Carols, Communion & Candlelight at all services.

1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.

Children’s and Family Service 5:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

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Service of Lessons & Carols

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www.stlukeshr.com IN

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December 19, 2013

Holiday Worship L VIT AT I O N A

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Come and join the joy & wonder of Christmas at one of our five Christmas Eve Services on December 24th, 2013!

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www.gracecolorado.com You are invited to worship with us on 3:00 pm: Children’s Service 8:00 pm: Carols by Candlelight Service

Christ Lutheran Church Christmas Eve Grace is on the NE corner of Santa Fe Drive and Highlands Ranch Parkway, (across from Murdoch’s).

11:00 pm: Carols and Communion Service

303-798-8485

8997 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch ½ Mile South of C-470

303-791-0803 • www.clchr.org

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, LCMS

9770 Foothills Canyon Boulevard Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 303-683-1300 www.HolyCrossHRCO.org Rev. Bruce Skelton, Pastor

Christmas Services: Sunday School (12/22) 6:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve (12/24) 3:30 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

Christmas Day (12/25) 10:00 a.m.

New Years Eve (12/31) 7:15 p.m.

Advent Season Worship Wednesdays Dec. 4, 11, 18 @ 7:00 pm “We Three Spies” Dec. 14 @ 7 pm Christmas Dinner Theatre Dec. 15 @ 6 pm

Christmas Eve Services Dec. 24 4:00 pm | 6:00 pm 8:00 pm |11:00 pm Christmas Day Service Dec. 25 @ 10:00 am

9300 E. Belleview Ave. Greenwood Village, CO 303.770.9300

Sunday School 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Service 10 a.m.

Christmas Eve Service 5 p.m. wellofhopechurch.org

Come with questions. Come as you are.

Located at DCS Montessori School 311 Castle Pines Parkway Castle Pines, CO 80108 720.295.4271 woh.elca@gmail.com

Christmas Begins with Christ!

12/24 -- Christmas Eve 4:00, 6:00, and 8:00 p.m.

12/25 -- Christmas Day 10:00 a.m.

Celebrate a joy-filled Christmas at Trinity Lutheran Church

TriniTy LuThEran ChurCh 4740 n hwy 83 Franktown, CO (303) 841-4660

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Elbert County News 9

December 19, 2013

Our websites are reloaded and relaunched Dear Elbert County reader, I am pleased to announce the next time you log on to read your local news, things will look a bit different, and we think better. The Colorado Community Media team, the joint venture that publishes the Elbert County News and 23 other community newspapers and news websites, has been working hard to bring you an easier-to-navigate website with richer content in 2014.

You can now find the Elbert County News online at elbertcountynews.net.

Some of the most visited pages are those for celebrations, announcements and memorials. The new site will rotate announcements right on the home page, making them easier to read and navigate. The redesign also allows for more headlines to display on the homepage, making your community news more accessible and your reading experience

more enjoyable, fulfilling and informative.

Please send us your family milestones so we can share them with the community and on our website. Short notices are free. For a small fee, you can add photos and lots more copy.

You’ll notice both the printed newspaper flag and the website’s header have been updated to reflect the new web address. We did this to show consistency throughout the Colorado Community Media suite of newspapers and media sites while still reflecting our commitment to each individual community’s news by customizing each flag and header with a community-specific icon.

You can easily shop advertising on our new website. We make it easy to find local deals, services and more. By supporting businesses that advertise with us, you are indirectly supporting the Elbert County News too. Go to elbertcountynews.net and click

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the “Local Print Ads” link or “ShopLocalColorado” link to get started.

All of our content is now loaded on the website. Now it is your choice as to how to read the Elbert County News. Print, on your computer, phone or tablet. All the same great information, no matter the method. Plus, we upload all of the print ads online too. After all, that is information too and this is an added value for our advertisers. Look for local ads next to every story page you read.

I hope you enjoy your online experience with us and find the new layout and infor-

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mation helpful and engaging. Community newspapers like ours continue to thrive both online and in print because we cover the news that is closest and most meaningful to home. We are proud of the news and events we are able to deliver to you each week and of the support our readers continue to show our community through your patronage of advertisers, their services and events that help to make our local communities healthy and strong.

Here’s to a prosperous 2014!

— Jerry Healey, publisher

Open MOn-fri 8aM-10pM, sat & sun 8aM-6pM

11355 S. Parker Road, Suite 103, Parker www.secondchancesdenver.org

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Holiday Worship Creekside Bible Church invites you to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, with us!

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December 15th – 8 and 10:30 am

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4 pm Family Worship Service 7 and 9 pm, Candlelight Service with Holy Communion Childcare available at all services.

Joy

Candlelight Christmas Eve Services Tuesday, December 24 • 3 & 5 p.m.

(Childcare provided for ages 5 and under during all services)

Celebrate God’s Gift to Us

LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA

7051 East Parker Hills Ct. • Parker, CO 303-841-3739 • www.joylutheran-parker.org

Make Parker United Methodist Church

Your Home for the Holidays 2180 S. Interstate 25 Castle Rock, CO 80104 www.creeksidebible.net 303.688.3745

Christmas Eve services 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

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6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

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10 Elbert County News

December 19, 2013

Handmade cards, stockings sent to troop in Afghanistan School, church send holiday greetings to Marine unit

By Chris Michlewicz

cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com

Elizabeth United Methodists Christmas Eve Family Worship Carols and Candlelight 4:30 & 6:00 p.m.

Live Nativity 724 E. Kiowa Ave (Hwy 86) Elizabeth, CO (Turn at the car wash) 303-646-1870

www.elizabethunitedmethodists.org

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Lessons in giving aren’t hard to come by at Trinity Lutheran Church and School, especially around Christmas.

The campus, on the southeast corner of State Highway 83 and Bayou Gulch Road, across from Ponderosa High School, teems with activity every November and December. Trinity Lutheran provides just one example of what happens at local churches and schools every holiday season.

In the weeks after Thanksgiving, school kids and church congregants were busy preparing Christmas stockings for a Marine unit stationed in Afghanistan. Kindergartners, along with the church youth group and the young-at-heart seniors group, decorated envelopes for handmade cards, the centerpiece of each stocking. Each contains a message saying “thank you for your service,” along with notes that let the Marines know that people back home are thinking of them this time of year.

The stockings were filled to the brim with snacks, including meat sticks, dried fruit, nuts, candy canes, gum, crackers, hard candy and mixes for cold drinks like iced tea.

They are items that are hard to come by for the Marines, who are stationed at Camp Bastion in Helmand province.

The effort began with a small idea: church member Heather Pankratz and her children planned to send a few Christmas cards to troops overseas. She remembered that Lucas Crowe, a 2001 Chaparral High School graduate, had been listed in the “prayer” section of the church’s newsletter, and decided he would be the perfect candidate. But when church and school officials caught wind of the project, things grew exponentially.

“It started with just wanting to send some cards and a few treats, but this congregation and this school are undeniably the most generous, and just wanting to help and take care of people,” Pankratz said.

Lucas’s mother, Janine, who has attended church at Trinity Lutheran since 1996, was elated by the news, but not surprised. She called the campaign to include stockings for Lucas’ comrades “heartwarming.”

“It just gives me goose bumps,” Janine Crowe said. “It’s fantastic.”

Lucas, 30, has been in Afghanistan since

Calm After the Storm

Trinity Lutheran School fourth-grader Liam Ruwet, of Castle Rock, selects a handmade Christmas card to put in a stocking for a Marine in Afghanistan.

Photo by Chris Michlewicz August and is on a seven- to nine-month deployment. He is in charge of emergency equipment for Marine helicopters, including parachutes, oxygen masks and ejection seats. When asked what he might want in a care package, Lucas mentioned junk food.

He and his Marine unit — 75 men and five women — are unaware that six large shipping boxes full of stockings are now en route.

The food will be a welcome taste of home until it runs out. The cards, however, with sincere messages of gratitude, are the enduring components of the stockings. Personal, handwritten notes can carry even more meaning during a holiday season away from family, Pankratz said.

All told, more than 100 people were involved in the stocking-stuffing effort. Students in grades fourth through eighth helped load the stockings, assembly line-style.

Some kids, like Sydney Hessler and Liam Ruwet, carefully scanned the hand-drawn cards, trying to choose the perfect one.

And because the women’s ministry and a school family offered to cover shipping costs for the boxes, the $175 in donated funds was used to buy more goodies..

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Elbert County News 11 December 19, 2013

Expanded hours slated for exhibit The Denver Art Museum offers expanded hours through the holiday season for “Passport to Paris,” a suite of three French-themed exhibitions, focusing on French art from the late 1600s to the early 1900s. Timed and dated tickets are available online at ParisinDenver.com or by calling 720-913-0130. (There is a fee for booking over the phone.) A ticket includes admission to the entire museum and the Drawing Studio. During extended hours, the entire Hamilton Building will remain open, but the North Building will close at regularly scheduled times. The exhibits are “Court to Café,” “Nature as Muse” and “The Drawing Room.” The exhibits runs through Feb. 9, 2014.

Hours through 2013: Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Dec. 26-29, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Local pianist to perform

BOOKING CHRISTMAS

Librarian Elizabeth Erfman arranges a selection of Christmas-themed books on Dec. 11 at the Elizabeth branch of the Elbert County Library. Erfman said her favorite Christmas book is one written by former President Jimmy Carter. Photo by George Lurie

finding answers in clay Littleton woman’s designs come to her in dreams

By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com Gwen Pina of Littleton said she had always worked with her hands — mud pies as a kid, woodworking shop in high school.

As a parent of three young children, she needed to find a way to work at home and colorful polymer clay provided an answer.

“The oil-based synthetic clay is pliable and colorful, allowing me to see my results immediately,” she said.

Her lifelong interest in Native American culture worked well with this medium and her figures, such as storytellers and spirit horses, began to sell in area galleries and gift shops. She started her business in 1987, working at home.

Soon, she created her whimsical “Art That Makes You Smile” figures: “Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil,” with polar bears, nuns, rabbis as well as monkeys.

She makes thousands of holiday ornaments, many in limited edition for a special customer.

“I offer a store a way to be unique. I create custom items for them.”

And every piece is individually shaped by her hands.

Her designs come to her in dreams, she said. She doesn’t need to make sketches, but just can feel when the figure is right.

“When I’m out hiking or biking, I no-

tice colors and textures.”

Her work is in National Park Service gift shops across the country, including designs specific to the region: moose, bear and more.

Now she mostly wholesales her figurines. She shares a shop #1235 at the Denver Mart, “American Craft,” with several other women, who emphasize their American- made products.

Government rules require that the Park Service shops include a percentage of American products — something she was active in advocating, she said.

She participates in trade shows and sells through high end galleries and Christmas shops and gift catalogs. The Evergreen Gallery has her work in this area and sometimes it is stocked at Willow on Littleton’s Main Street, although not this season. It’s the little Main Street types of places where it sells-Tennyson Street, Santa Fe Art District, South Pearl Street, for example.

Pina has mentored young businesses to help them get started and continues to do all of her work from her basement home studio, which is divided into work space, invoicing/computer space and a packing and shipping area. She orders 1,000 pounds of clay every couple of months and it’s shelved by color.

It’s gotten easier with the possibility of having the U.S. Post Office and Fed-Ex come to her door to pick up shipments, with a click on her computer.

Regarding her disciplined ongoing work schedule, she laughs and says, “I

Lisa Downing of Littleton, just back from European and South American tours, will perform with fellow pianists Bob Baker and Lee Bartley at 7 and 9 p.m. on Dec. 21 at Dazzle Jazz Restaurant and Lounge, 930 Lincoln St., Denver. She describes her style as “Piano Impressionism,” although it has been compared to Windham Hill artists such as George Winston. Tickets: www.Dazzlejazz.com, 303839-5100.

Not traditional, but fun

“The Mark Putt Holiday Explosion” with live music, video, comedy, costumes and more offers non-traditional holiday fun at the Toad Tavern, 5302 S. Federal, Littleton at 6 p.m. Dec. 21. (No cover.)

The show will also be at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany, Denver, at noon Dec. 28. (Museum admission $8, kids free.)

Call for writers

Colorado Humanities and Center for the book is accepting entries for the 2014 Colorado Book Awards, recognizing the best books by Colorado authors, editors, publishers in a number of categories. Eligible books include any work published by a Colorado author, illustrator, editor, publisher or photographer in 2013: hardback, paperback or e-book format.

For information on entries, visit coloradohumanities.org, click on programs. Or contact Reem Abu-Baker, coordinator, 303-894-7951 ext 21, abu-baker@coloradohumanities.org.

Symphony offers programs

Artist Gwen Pina of Littleton works on a polymer clay figure of a Native American woman.

Photo by Peggy Dietz went to Catholic school!”

Her individual retail outlet is on the Etsy site: claytwister.com, where she can do a custom order if a customer has a special request.

Right now, she is working six or seven days a week and she anticipates a break after the holidays.

“And then I’ll begin designing…”

The Colorado Symphony offers two favorite holiday programs: • “Colorado Christmas” with the Colorado Symphony Chorus and the Colorado Children’s Chorale on Dec. 20-22 at Boettcher Concert Hall.

• Too Hot To Handel,” a jazz version of the “messiah,” conducted this year by Leslie Stifelman on Dec. 28-29. Tickets for both: coloradosymphony.org, 303-6237876.

Daily performances at MCAD

“Twelve and A Half Days of Christmas Live!” offers daily performances in the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver’s atrium, with musicians, actors, singers and others at 5 p.m. weeknights and noon on Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 20 through Jan. 5. Free with museum admission $8/$5, kids free. mcadenver.org, 303298-7554.

12

12 Elbert County News

December 19, 2013

Classes offer healing strokes Art is exhibited at the Buck Center

IF YOU GO Brush “Strokes” can be viewed through December at Buck Recreation Center, 2004 W. Powers Ave., Littleton, whenever the center is open — down a long hall to the right of the main entrance door.

(Laurie Harbert’s Carousel Palette building is rented to “Checkered Corner: an Occasional Market,” open the third weekend of each month.)

By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com For many years, artist Laurie Harbert taught others how to create paintings in popular classes at the Carousel Palette, her studio in a historic downtown Littleton home on Curtice Street.

A few months after her mother, Myrlyn Harbert, had a stroke 10 years ago, Laurie helped her start painting again and then, six or seven years ago, started a small painting class to include others who were dealing with various stroke effects.

Brush “Strokes,” an exhibit of their work, is in place through December at Buck Recreation Center, 2004 W. Powers Ave., Littleton.

“It’s so fun to see what they’ve done,” Laurie Harbert said. “I wanted to give (them) something to look forward to.”

The paintings are mostly in oil, with some watercolors and acrylics. They include images of sunny landscapes, canyons, mountain meadows, deer and other wildlife, flowers, children and more — rendered in bright, cheerful colors.

The introductory statement to the show

Randy Vaughn and Keith Mc Donald complete new paintings for the Brush “Strokes” exhibit at the Buck Recreation Center in Littleton. Courtesy photo says: “Coming from the Greek word ‘Apoplexy,’ the word ‘Stroke’ means `to be struck down.’

“For these artists, the lives they lived were ‘struck down’ in moments.

“Leaving them to relearn and rebuild.

“With differing levels of challenges, these artists have shown amazing courage,

amazing Grace and discovered their own Amazing talent.”

She includes quotes from her students, who speak of how people can express their own personal thoughts and feelings through artwork; how one can paint again with limited vision and using the other hand; how each participant relates to the other’s plight; how when he could no lon-

ger read, he could see enough to paint. Her mother, who felt that “her body was cut in half,“ was painting in three months and now has learned to use a loom knitter as well.

The artists are Vicki Palermo, Randy Vaughn, Keith McDonald M.D., Leann Schrag and Myrlyn Harbert.

Laurie says she has been able to return to her own painting now and has joined the Littleton Paint Box Guild.

That group has an exhibit, including two of hers, at Bemis Library in Littleton through December.

Harbert said she is not personally able to take on more students, but there is a painting class at the Rocky Mountain Stroke Center on South Bannock Street in Littleton. It has an annual “No Plateaus” exhibit at Bemis Library and offers similar positive projects.

Our streams want to say thanks for giving them a gift this year.

Your actions made a difference for keeping our water clean.

You chose to properly dispose of household chemicals, pet waste and trash. You used fertilizers appropriately and kept harmful material out of runoff’s path.

You volunteered at local events to preserve our waterways.

Keep up the good work.

Local stormwater agencies are teaming together to bring you this message. We take this so seriously that we posted this ad rather than send you more garbage in the mail.

One thing is clear: our creeks, rivers and lakes depend on you.

THIS STORMWATER MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Visit www.onethingisclear.org to: • Report accidental and illegal dumping to your local agency • Search local volunteer events • Find more helpful tips

Make your New Year’s Resolution now; get involved. Contact your local agency for upcoming events.

Community Media of Colorado agrees: Please recycle this newspaper responsibly and partner with our communities for a better tomorrow.

Photo taken along East Plum Creek in Castle Rock.

Ad campaign creative donated by the Town of Castle Rock Utilities Department, Stormwater Division.

ElbertSPORTS 13-Sports

Elbert County News 13 December 19, 2013

Kiowa grappling with small numbers Indians bring just nine to the mats this season

By Scott Stocker

Special to Colorado Community Media The Kiowa wrestling team could be in one of the best situations regarding how to get ready for the season-ending regional and state tournaments: Just have a full season with only tournament competition.

Now, it’s not what Kiowa coach Ryan Witzel would like, but that’s all that’s available. The Indians only have nine wrestlers on the team this season.

“With that number we won’t have any dual meets,” said Witzel, who is also Kiowa’s athletic director. “Right now we will have anywhere from seven to nine tournaments. However, the boys feel it’s a pretty good situation under our circumstances to be in when we don’t have big numbers out.”

A.J. Smith and Connor Wills both qualified for state last season for the Indians, Smith at 106, Wills at 145. However, both failed to place as Wills, a senior, finished the season with a 24-17 record, and Smith, a sophomore, compiled a 1523 record.

Wills begins the season at 152 and will probably drop to 145. Smith will be at

120. Joey Thomas, 160, and Andrew Ban, 145, round out the returnees for the Indians.

“Connor is one of those kids, good in the classroom and on the mats,” Witzel said. “We’re expecting good things again from him, but I can certainly say that about all the boys. A.J. is a skilled kid…

He’s a leader and will be in a tough class this season at 120.”

Wills is high on the year ahead and feels he is in a good position for much improvement.

“It was good to have the state experience last season,” Wills said. “That’s helped give me a lot of confidence and a boost to help push me a lot harder. It’s my senior year and I want to look back on a successful season for me and my teammates and have no regrets.

“With no dual meets it actually gives us a chance to look at how many of the brackets for the region and state meets could work out. I think having no dual meets helps us to deal with the pressures that come about in the regionals and state. That experience is a key we can build on. And, it gives us a way to scout out potential opponents through the season and be more prepared.”

Ban came through with a 24-13 season a year ago, but missed the state tournament by a single match.

“I’ve got good wrestling partners here in our weights,” Ban said. “I’ve got a good

Indians girls have change at the top Kiowa seeks to better last season’s five wins

By Scott Stocker

Special to Colorado Community Media Rick Carothers has been coaching high school basketball for 23 years, but he’s in for a huge change for the 2013-14 season.

He will be going from the boys to the girls at Kiowa.

“It’s certainly a whole new experience for me,” Carothers said. “We’ve got a good group that has played well against bigschool competitors in practice games.

The girls have been going hard but we’ll probably start slow. But at the end of the year we will surprise people.

“Kiowa only won five games last year and three in 2012. There are still a lot of questions to be answered with the girls, but I’m certainly confident we’re going to find the right answers. We’ve got 18 out, five seniors and the rest sophomores and freshmen. Strange, but we don’t have any juniors out this season.”

Senior Rebecca Sewald, 5-foot- 10 inches, will certainly play a pivotal role for Kiowa this season. Carothers can run, jump, score and defend.

“A positive attitude equals a positive outcome,” Sewald said. “Having a new coach is very exciting. I feel like we’re working hard as a team and we’re putting out a lot of effort early to build for an exciting season. A key for me is to step up and be a leader as a senior. I want to focus on leading my teammates.

“I’ve already signed with Butler CC in Kansas to play volleyball. But I’ll give all I have so we can have a positive and successful season in basketball. We have a lot of outstanding freshmen coming in and that’s certainly going to help us.”

With the players on hand, Carothers is excited for a successful campaign. Good things are expected for up-and-coming sophomore point guard, Madi Zielinski

(5-5), and senior forward Autumn Lindt (5-6).

“Autumn is probably our best overall shooter,” Carothers said. “She knows how to get to the basket. She was injured last year and we’re glad to have her back healthy. She’s a gym rat, smart and always works hard to improve.”

Lindt is more than pleased to be back in action for the Indians.

“I feel this year is going to be fine and I feel I personally can do very well,” Lindt said. “A key for me is that I like shooting and my timing should be much better. I’m confident and I think I, as well as our team, will have a good season on defense.”

Zielinski feels that she’s ready to excel for Kiowa this season. Last year was a learning experience that she took to heart.

“I want to be a leader this year and take care of the ball on the court,” Zielinski said. “I’m confident and I feel it’s certainly possible for us to make a run for state this year.”

Carothers agrees.

“Madi will be right out there at the point,” Carothers said. “She has a bright future. She has learned to excel and handle the pressure and will be such a key for us.”

Carothers is also high on the talents of Cheyenne McKenzie (5-9), Ronnie Wallden (5-4) and Taylor Upchurch (5-10).

“Cheyenne has a real good mind for the game.” Carothers said. “She’s played some club basketball, is a good shooter and will be a top role player for us. Ronnie is scrappy and she makes the plays on defense and doesn’t back down. I think she can be our leading rebounder. As for Taylor, she could certainly be one of the best players in the league, just special. She’s got those long arms and is such a good shooter. She will be one of the guards.”

Kiowa opened the season Dec. 6 with a 51-47 non-varsity victory against Pueblo County. The Indians then defeated Front Range Christian 63-37 on Dec. 7.

diet to help my weight, too. Yes, we’d like to have more guys out, but we’ve got to go with what we have. A tournament situation is something that can help us in the end. We can have as many as four or five matches in a day instead of just one in a dual. We just have to see how things go.”

Thomas missed much of the season with a knee injury, but he’s excited to be on the mat. And, he hopes for some improvement.

“I was 6-14 back in my sophomore season,” Thomas said. “I think I’ll have a great season and I’ve definitely feel that I’ve learned a great deal. I was able to do some practice with the team last season and that helped. I also like the idea of competing in tournaments as it actually helps us to prepare much better for our regions and state tournaments. It definitely helps to take off the pressure. As a team, four or five of us are going to be pretty tough.”

Only four Kiowa wrestlers were able to participate in the recent Peyton Invitational. Yet it was a great showing for Wills , named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler. Wills came through with a 5-0 record in winning the 145-pound class.

The Classical Academy JV won the team title.

Smith placed second at 120 with a 3-1 tournament record as did Ban, 3-1 at 152.

Prep sports Scoreboard

ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL Boys basketball Elizabeth 70, Coronado 53 Junior Jake Gavitt scored 20 points and senior Trevor Boss scored 16 for Elizabeth helping them to a 70-53 win over Coronado. Gavitt went 6-9 at the free throw line and had eight rebounds. Junior Aaron Stone had 18 rebounds for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth 55, Palmer Ridge 58 Elizabeth barely lost to Palmer Ridge 58-55 in a game where Elizabeth was only down 24-21 at halftime. Elizabeth held Palmer Ridge to just three points in the first quarter, but the Bears came back to win, scoring 13 points in the third and 21 in the fourth. Senior Trevor Boss scored 16 points and senior Brandon Severinson scored 10 points. Boss was 3-4 with free throws. Junior Jake Gavitt led both teams in rebounds with 16.

Girls basketball Elizabeth 50, Green River 36 Elizabeth remains undefeated on the season after beating Green River 50-36.

Senior Tatum Neubert scored 19 points and seniors Sara Ernst and Sabra Ross both scored 10 points. Ross had nine rebounds and five steals.

Kiowa boys have high hopes Indians look to improve on last season’s success

By Scott Stocker

Special to Colorado Community Media Kiowa was able to advance to the Class 2A regional basketball tournament last season, but the stay was on the short side.

One loss and the Indians were on their way home. Needless to say, the hopes and dreams of a better season for the 2013-14 campaign are on the high side for Indians’ coach Walter Sutton.

“We have 15 out this season, including five seniors and we are looking forward to a much-improved and fine season,” said Sutton, who begins his third season as the boys head coach. “We were pleased to reach the regional tournament, but we were beaten in the first round. We would like to get over that hump. We’ve got a few boys getting over injuries from football, but overall, this is a very good group of kids.”

Much improved certainly is the thoughts behind many of the players as they hope to improve on Kiowa’s 14-10 record last year.

Helping lead the way for the Indians this season will be 6-foot guard Caleb Smith.

“I’m excited for having a strong senior season, that’s for sure,” Smith said. “We’ll be ready as we are a lot faster and bigger.

I’d like to lead the team in scoring as well as being an all-around leader on the court.

I also want to be aggressive, but cautious in what I do, and also be a calming factor on the court.

“Defensively I want to apply the pressure and help all of us play as a team. A key for me will be my shooting percentage.

I want to up it from last year, of course. I think we can all be a much better shooting team this time out and hopefully advance to state.”

“Caleb is just a fine all-around player and he can (play) any position for us,” Sutton said. “He is driven to do well, as are all

the boys. He can be calm, but his aggressiveness is certainly a key. And, put Steven Mizak in this aspect, too. He has matured so much and his leadership is also much appreciated. We have great expectations in what he can accomplish.”

Indeed, expectations are high for the 6-foot-1 forward Mizak.

“A key for me is to continue to have fun,” Mizak said. “But that also means that I want to be aggressive, be a leader, and do what I can to make the year better for all of us.

We struggled last season, were sometimes careless and that led to our mistakes. This year, we hope to overcome our struggles. I think we can have a championship caliber team.”

Jake Sewald, Issac Janes and Marshall Deering will also be counted on to help make the season solid for Kiowa.

“Jake is a great all-around kid, too,” Sutton said. “And, here again, we are looking for great things. Yet, great things are what we are looking for from all the boys. Issac can shoot well and can go inside strong. He has developed a good sense for the game and, no doubt, is extremely motivated.

Marshall will be the point guard this year and will be a fine all-around player.”

At 6-3, Sewald should certainly be a force underneath for Kiowa.

“I think we have five solid seniors on the team this season that can start,” Sewald said. “Leadership is a key and we all need to step up and work as hard as we can as a team. I think we will be successful. I want to assume my role as a senior, be aggressive and take control of my position.

Bailey Brogger, an up-and-coming 5-9 sophomore, 5-7 junior Spencer Peterson, and 5-11 junior Luke Paglinawan are also expected to make valuable contributions to Kiowa’s effort this season.

Kiowa opened the season, December 6-7 with games against Pikes Peak Christian and Front Range Christian. They defeated Pikes Peak Christian, 66-43, but lost to Front Range Christian 42-38.

PREP SPORTS SCOREBOARD Would you like to see your team on the board? Contact sports reporter Kate Ferraro at kferraro@ourcoloradonews.com. Or go to ourcoloradonews.com and click on the prep sports logo.

14

14 Elbert County News

December 19, 2013

THINGS TO DO IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Continued from Page 7

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, 303814-3479.

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, please go to http://www.elbertcountysheriff.com/ posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at

THE ELIZABETH Food Bank, 381 S. Banner in Elizabeth (next door to Elizabeth Presbyterian Church) wishes 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 time by appointment.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send information to calendar@ourcolora-

SERVICES

Help Wanted

Notice To Creditors PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Jerold D. Jackson, Deceased Case Number: 2013 PR 34

NOTICE OF INTENT TO RELEASE FUNDS

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 April 21, 2014 or the claims may be forever barred.

John S. Smith Personal Representative P.O. Box 63, Kiowa, Colorado 80117 Legal Notice No: 927847 First Publication: December 19, 2013 Last Publication: January 2, 2014 Publisher: Elbert County News

PT Educational Audiologist, grades PreK-12 in Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail & Kiowa area. CDE licensure required; CCC's or ABA certificate; knowledge of current technologies in Audiology including fm systems and cochlear implants preferred. Experience with children 0-21 years old.

Please contact Tracy at East Central BOCES for more information tracyg@ecboces.org or 719-7752342 ext. 101.

Government Legals

Notice to all interested parties, groups, persons, and agencies that on January 8, 2014, the Elbert County Board of County Commissioners will make final payment to Asphalt Specialties Company, Inc. for the construction and paving on CR 17, CR 29, and CR 194. The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners will accept objections to such release of funds. Objections must be submitted in writing on or before January 2, 2014, and shall be submitted to Elbert County Road and Bridge Department, Attn: Lynne Eschbach, P.O. Box 116, Kiowa, Colorado, 80117. No objection received after January 2, 2014, will be considered by the Elbert County Board of County Commissioners.

Castle Rock

Highlands Ranch

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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

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

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Trinity Lutheran School & ELC (Ages 3-5, Grades K-8)

 303-841-4660 www.tlcas.org  To advertise your place of worship in this  section, call 303-566-4091 or email

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8391 S. Burnley Ct., Highlands Ranch

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pastor@awlc.org www.awlc.org

Littleton

303-566-4100

Lone Tree

Parker

Lone Tree

Joy

Church of Christ Sunday Worship - 10:00am Bible Study immediately following Wednesday Bible Study - 7:30pm Currently meeting at: 9220 Kimmer Drive, Suite 200 Lone Tree 80124 303-688-9506 www.LoneTreeCoC.com

Parker

LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA

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

kearhart@ourcoloradonews.com.

Congregation Beth Shalom 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

Parker Where people are excited about God’s Word.

Sunday Worship: 10:45AM & 6PM Bible Study: 9:30AM Children, Young People & Adults

Welcome Home!

303-663-5751

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ColoradoCommunityMedia.com ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

9203 S. University Blvd.

Highlands Ranch, 80126

 Sunday Worship 10:30  4825 North Crowfoot Valley Rd.  Castle Rock • canyonscc.org

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Abiding Word Lutheran Church

First United Methodist Church

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ELBERT COUNTY ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT Ed Ehmann, Superintendent Legal Notice No.: 927846 First Publication: December 19, 2013 Last Publication: December 19, 2013 Publisher: The Elbert County News

donews.com, attn: Elbert County News.

No attachments. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis.

Advertise: 303-566-4100

OurColoradoClassifieds.com



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303-646-5456.

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

303 798 6387 www.gracepointcc.us

First Presbyterian Church of Littleton

Parker evangelical Presbyterian church Connect – Grow – Serve

Sunday Worship

8:45 am & 10:30 am 9030 Miller road Parker, Co 80138 303-841-2125 www.pepc.org United Church of Christ Parker Hilltop Christmas Eve Services: 4:30, 7:00 and 9:00pm

Sunday

8:30 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

1609 W. Littleton Blvd.

(303) 798-1389 • www.fpcl.org

Parker

Community Church of Religious Science Sunday services held in the historic Ruth Memorial Chapel at the Parker Mainstreet Center

...19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker 80138

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

4391 E Mainstreet, Parker, Colorado 80134 Church Office – (303) 841-3836

www.parkerbiblechurch.org United Church Of Christ Parker Hilltop 10926 E. Democrat Rd. Parker, CO • 10am Worship www.uccparkerhilltop.org 303-841-2808

Denver Tech Center

Meets at the Marriott DTC 4900 S Syracuse St, Denver, CO 80237

10 am every Sunday Free parking

1092 E. Democrat Rd in Parker

303-841-2808

December Study:

The Cast of Christmas Pastor Mark Brewer

15-Color

Elbert County News 15

December 19, 2013

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16-Color

16 Elbert County News

December 19, 2013