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March 27, 2014 Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 13, Issue 10

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Worker stabbed following argumentCentennial man arrested in attack at Lone Tree QdobaBy Jane Reuterjreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com

An argument between two co-workers in the kitchen of the Lone Tree Qdoba trig-gered a stabbing that hospitalized one man and led to the others arrest.

Thomas Javon Alston, 22, of Centennial, was held on charges of first-degree assault, criminal attempt and attempted second-degree murder following the 8 p.m. March 20 incident. The latter charge stems from an officers belief that Alston attempted to cause the death of his 24-year-old co-worker, ac-cording to an arrest affida-vit filed with the district at-torneys office.

The co-worker, Fran-cisco Arredondo, 24, was transported to Littleton Hospital with stab wounds to his right side. His current condition is unknown.

Alston bonded out of jail March 24. He had been held on $40,000 bond.

The 18th Judicial District Attorneys office plans to file formal charges March 26.

A manager at the store told police he heard the two men arguing in the kitchen, and that Alston was being urged to cook chicken more quickly. Arredondo went back to the line to take a food order.

Both the manager and a customer or-dering food said they saw Alston walk up behind Arredondo with a knife in his hand, stab him and chase Arredondo toward the

Alston

Parkinsons surgery changing livesArea doctor among handful performing techniqueBy Jane Reuterjreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Centennial resident John Bauer de-scribes the surgery that eased his Parkin-sons disease symptoms as a small miracle.

I have an increase in energy and just feel overall better, said the 66-year-old, diagnosed with the disease 10 years ago. Now I only take one Parkinsons medica-tion, and thats 50 percent of what it was. I used to take three (medications).

Bauer underwent a surgical procedure called deep brain stimulation at Littleton Adventist Hospital. Dr. David VanSickle, who also performs the procedure at Lone Trees Sky Ridge Medical Center, inserts electrodes into the brains of those suffer-ing from Parkinsons disease. The electrical

stimulation blocks abnormal nerve signals that cause many of Parkinsons most trou-blesome symptoms.

If not the most, its one of the most ef-fective treatments, VanSickle said. Quality of life will improve 25 to 30 percent.

About 60,000 people are diagnosed with the disease annually.

VanSickle is among a handful of doc-tors nationally who perform the procedure while patients are asleep. That not only re-duces patients stress, it cuts down on the time required for surgery and allows Van-Sickle greater accuracy in placing the elec-trodes.

The surgical treatment is most effective for treating the motor symptoms associated with Parkinsons, including tremors, rigidity and limited facial expression.

That final symptom hurts their rela-tionships with their family members, Van-Sickle said, because loved ones are unable to read facial expressions.

People do it for the tremor, he said. But the number one result they like is the facial expressions. I hear people say, Thank you for giving me my wife or husband back. This is the person I married.

After years of living with the disease, Bauers symptoms worsened significantly in 2013, prompting him to move forward with the surgery.

The biggest thing Ive noticed is when Im driving, he said. Before, I was really afraid to drive; it was just the way my ner-vous system was reacting.

Bauer now drives with ease and con-fidence. Because hes caring for his ailing wife, thats vital for them both.

I trained as a neurosurgeon, but I fell in love with this patient population, Van-Sickle said.

You make half as much as you would as a spine surgeon. But they are really nice people. And they get quite a bit better. I be-lieve in it.

Among other improvements, Centennial resident John Bauers dexterity improved after his surgery, enhancing his playing ability. Photo by Jane Reuter

Another school shifts scheduleHighlands Ranch High joins Mountain Vista in leaving block for traditional dayBy Jane Reuterjreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Following Mountain Vista High Schools lead, Highlands Ranch High School an-nounced it also will return to a more tradi-tional class schedule in 2014-15.

The move away from a block schedule will give students less free time and more access to teachers for one-on-one help.

Our staff approved it by 92 percent, Principal Jerry Goings said. It was over-whelming support.

Mountain Vista announced a simi-lar schedule decision earlier this month. At least three other Douglas County high schools also are considering a schedule re-version. Forecasted budget increases that will enable schools to hire more teachers are prompting the conversations.

Per-pupil funding has increased about $280 since the block schedules implemen-tation in 2012-13. Nevertheless, Goings said, switching the schedule requires care-ful budgeting.

Two Lone Tree employees promotedHebert, First move up administration ladderBy Jane Reuterjreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com

The City of Lone Tree rewarded two of its longtime employees with recent promo-tions. Former community development director Steve Hebert is now deputy city manager. And Kelly First, previously the citys plan-ning manager, now as-sumes Heberts previous title of community devel-opment director.

Those changes come in the wake of former deputy city manager Seth Hoff-mans advancement to city manager. He assumed the top spot after longtime City Manager Jack Hidahl announced his retire-

ment in late 2013.Councilmembers offered congratula-

tions to Hebert and First during the March 18 council meeting.

Even though we did national inter-views, we found people (here) that were as good better than the national inter-view circuit, Mayor Jim Gunning said. We couldnt be happier.

Neither could Hebert or First.

I feel as if I have grown right along with this com-munity over the years, and feel very fortunate to be part of a team that is ac-complishing some very exciting things, said First, who has worked with the city for 14 years. The city leadership, staff and resi-dents in Lone Tree are exceptional, so its nice to be able to continue my career path here and contribute in new ways.

I am honored that Seth and the city council have the confidence in me to help them get to where they want to be, said Hebert, initially hired at Lone Tree in late 2008. The mayor and others often talk about how much is being accomplished at the local government level. I want to con-tinue to be a part of that and help make sure the City of Lone Tree is a good steward of the taxpayers money and the publics trust.

The planning manager position First vacated wont be immediately filled, and could remain vacant permanently, Hoff-man said.

Were evaluating where that (position) is most needed in the city, he said.

First Hebert

Stabbed continues on Page 6

Schedule continues on Page 6

2 Lone Tree Voice March 27, 20142-Color

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The debate over the nanny state If you have ever seen a 1950s sitcom, a la

Leave it to Beaver, you know exactly how opponents of perceived nanny state gov-ernment intrusions view some of the bills that have emerged from this legislative ses-sion.

Aw, gee whiz, mom. Do I have to?So far this session, we have seen legis-

lation aimed at curbing smoking, tanning and talking on cell phones.

But the bills have a worse winning per-centage than the Buffalo Bills. Legislation that sought to ban the sale of cigarettes to folks under 21 failed in a House committee recently, as did a separate effort that would have required drivers to use hands-free de-vices when talking on their cell phones.

Meanwhile, a bill that prohibits people under 18 from using tanning beds barely passed the House and faces an uncertain fate in the Senate.

The bills have led to fascinating debates among lawmakers over governments role in the balancing of setting sound public health and safety policy while protecting citizens rights to make decisions for them-selves whether theyre bad ones or not.

To pass a law against everything all the time is, once again, the nanny state, said Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs.

Republicans like Gardner typically dont like this kind of stuff bills aimed at telling people what they can and cant do. But this years efforts have blurred political lines.

The under-21 smoking-ban bill received Republican sponsorship. And some Demo-

crats opposed both the youth tanning bed ban and the bill that deals with drivers use of cell phones.

There is a streak within Colorado, both among Democrats and Republicans, who have a Libertarian tendency, and I tend to be one of those, said House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver.

Ferrandino voted against the tanning bill and said he would not have supported the smoking ban bill, either.

Theres a difference between when it impacts you and youre making your own decision versus what the impact on what someone else is, he said.

But the Houses second-in-command disagrees. House Majority Leader Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, D-Gunbarrel, voted for the youth tanning bed legislation and sup-ported the effort to ban the sale of smokes to those under 21.

We act all the time in this body and at all legislative bodies across the country to attempt to improve public health and safe-ty, and this is one pretty good idea that I

support, she said.Supporters of the so-called nanny state

bills say the policy proposals arent govern-ments way of telling adults not to run with scissors. They believe they are setting sound public safety policy.

Breaking news: cancer is bad for you. And smoking and ultraviolet rays cause it. And the last person you want to be driving behind on the interstate is some dumbbell who is fl ipping through every conceivable application on his phone while others drive by, fl ipping him off.

Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora, who spon-sored the cell phone legislation, said people once thought that laws requiring people to wear seat belts were also nanny state ef-forts.

I think we found that over time that it became acceptable, and now its become a complete habit to buckle your seat belt when you get into a vehicle, Melton said. I think its more than just government try-ing to tell you what to do, but also looking at how can we lower some of our costs by doing some things now.

But does Joe Public like legislative efforts to curb bad or unhealthy behaviors?

You have certain constituencies that are very passionate about these issues, said Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, who used the youth tanning bed bill as an example. But I can tell you that the people who I represent, its not even at the top of their list dont even make their list.

But do politicians practice consistency

when they talk about not wanting the gov-ernment to intrude on peoples affairs?

Republicans will blast government at-tempts to intervene in a persons life, but do their views on a womans right to choose or support of gay marriage bans confuse the issue?

At the same time, if Democrats want the government to stay out of peoples bedrooms, why is it OK for it be in tanning rooms?

Ferrandino acknowledges that, on issues like these, sometimes it becomes a politi-cal thing, rather than a fundamental ideol-ogy thing.

I really appreciate people who are con-sistent in their Libertarian identity, the House speaker said.

Efforts to curb bad behaviors have been a staple of state and federal government for a long, long time and I doubt theyre going anywhere, any time soon.

But does telling someone not to do something thats bad for them really work?

Im not sure. But it reminds me of a line from the Dudley Moore classic comedy Ar-thur, when Arthurs fi ancee tells the lov-able drunk that a real woman can stop you from drinking.

Itd have to be a real big woman, Arthur said.

Vic Vela covers the Legislature for Colorado Community Media. He can be reached at vvela@coloradocommunity-media.com. Or, follow him on Twitter: @VicVela1.

SO MUCH INSIDE THE VOICE THIS WEEK

Small business: U.S. Congressman Mike Co man visits South Metro Chamber of Commerce. Page 13

Astonishing Art: Spectacular stained glass makes debut at area church. Page 15

Justice Center: $25 millionexpansion on track to be complete in November. Page 5

Stellar start: Rock Canyon rolls over Rampart on diamond, 16-2, behind solid pitch-ing, hitting. Page 21

Lone Tree Voice 3 March 27, 20143-Color

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The debate over the nanny state when they talk about not wanting the gov-ernment to intrude on peoples affairs?

Republicans will blast government at-tempts to intervene in a persons life, but do their views on a womans right to choose or support of gay marriage bans confuse the issue?

At the same time, if Democrats want the government to stay out of peoples bedrooms, why is it OK for it be in tanning rooms?

Ferrandino acknowledges that, on issues like these, sometimes it becomes a politi-cal thing, rather than a fundamental ideol-ogy thing.

I really appreciate people who are con-sistent in their Libertarian identity, the House speaker said.

Efforts to curb bad behaviors have been a staple of state and federal government for a long, long time and I doubt theyre going anywhere, any time soon.

But does telling someone not to do something thats bad for them really work?

Im not sure. But it reminds me of a line from the Dudley Moore classic comedy Ar-thur, when Arthurs fi ancee tells the lov-able drunk that a real woman can stop you from drinking.

Itd have to be a real big woman, Arthur said.

Vic Vela covers the Legislature for Colorado Community Media. He can be reached at vvela@coloradocommunity-media.com. Or, follow him on Twitter: @VicVela1.

Fake cop pulls woman over, real police believe Parker police seek man driving black pickup truck with ashers By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunityme-dia.com

The Parker Police Department is search-ing for a possible police impersonator who pulled a woman over on a busy road in the middle of the day.

Investigators have ruled out traffi c stops by the Douglas County Sheriffs Offi ce, Colorado State Patrol and nearby agencies after a woman was pulled over at 10:30 a.m. March 19 on South Parker Road near Pine Lane. She told the Parker police that a man in a black pickup truck with fl ashing red and blue lights accused her of speeding and asked for her personal information.

The location and time of day of the inci-dent have alarmed authorities.

I cant speculate on his intentions, but it was a pretty brazen act if it wasnt an of-fi cer, said Dawn Cashman, public infor-mation offi cer for the Parker Police Depart-ment.

The possible impersonator is described as a clean cut white male in his late 30s to early 40s, standing 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing 180- 200 lbs. He has short sandy brown hair and a goatee, and was wearing blue jeans, a black jacket and a blue or gray colored t-shirt. The woman also saw a large silver toolbox in the bed of the truck and an extension ladder that stretched from the truck bed over the cab.

Detectives are hoping the public can shed more light on the suspect and want anyone who has experienced similar con-tact to come forward with information. The woman wasnt going to report the incident until she later told the story to a friend, who convinced her to go to police, Cashman said.

Motorists driving past the scene at that time are also being asked to contact the po-lice at 303-841-9800. The silver toolbox and extension ladder, possibly yellow, are iden-tifying characteristics that residents might recognize as belonging to a friend or neigh-bor, she said. Investigators are eager to talk to the man to determine his intent.

We dont want any other criminal acts, Cashman said.

The penalty for impersonating an offi cer was raised from a misdemeanor to a felony after Fort Collins resident Lacy Miller, 20, was kidnapped and murdered in 2003 by a man posing as a police offi cer. Using red and blue lights is a class 1 misdemeanor.

The recent stop is a reminder of a 2010 case in Castle Rock in which a woman was driving on a busy road and was sexu-ally assaulted. A man was later arrested and charged.

Police have a particular dislike for the latest impersonation case because it un-dermines law enforcement, Cashman said. The possible impersonator, whose red and blue fl ashers were at the top and bottom of the windshield, did not issue a ticket and instead gave the woman a warning about speeding.

It is scary that the victim provided her information, she said, but there are tips to help avoid direct contact with a suspicious person. Cashman said motorists who be-lieve they are being pulled over by a fake cop should call 9-1-1 and turn on their hazard lights. Dispatchers can determine whether it is a legitimate offi cer following.

Motorists should drive to a gas station or well-lit parking lot and only slightly roll the window down. The person being pulled over can request that the offi cer send a marked patrol car, and tell the offi cer that they are on the phone with police to con-fi rm their authenticity. Impersonators will typically fl ee immediately if they know real offi cers are en route, Cashman said.

4 Lone Tree Voice March 27, 20144-Color

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South Metro Chamber president resigns Brackney leaves suddenly a er a decade at helm By Jennifer Smith jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com

John Brackney, president and CEO of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Com-merce, unexpectedly announced his res-ignation via email to chamber members March 24.

In order for the chamber to take new steps, the time has come for me to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. I am resigning as CEO, he wrote. It has been an awesome ride, one I have appreciated and cherished every day. Admittedly imperfect but always driven, I hope I have made some small contribution to the success in your business and your life. My greater hope is that we all re-commit to building an in-creasingly vibrant business community and quality of life.

Herm Brocksmith, the chambers chair-man of the board, declined to comment on reasons Brackney might be leaving, calling his leadership an inspiration to other mem-

bers.The challenge now for the board is to

fi nd that next executive who will be bold and embrace the values the chamber has to move forward, he said. John was a very good CEO for a long period of time.

Brackney began his journey with the chamber 17 years ago as a member. He was hired six years later before becoming president in 2004.

He gave no indication publicly that he was leaving prior to sending the letter and was not immediately available for comment.

Several people wished Brackney well on his Facebook page.

Thanks for your incredible service, wrote Jeff Wasden, the chambers vice chair of public affairs. The Chamber will miss you, but I fully expect we will move forward and become bigger and stronger.

A Littleton native, Brackney earned his bachelors degree in political science from the University of Northern Colorado and his law degree from the University of Den-

ver College of Law. He served as a captain in the Colorado Army National Guard, and went on to become the chair of Centennial Airport and an Arapahoe County commis-sioner. During that time, he helped launch the campaign that saved the Littleton Courthouse.

He succeeded his longtime friend Brian Vogt as president of the South Metro Cham-ber, and the two were instrumental in the formation of the city of Centennial. They recently launched Common Sense Citizens, born of their personal frustration with what they call the debilitating effects of todays extreme polarization in politics.

Instead of sending problem-solvers and negotiators to Washington, we often send adherents and pledge-signers, people who refuse to compromise for fear that they will lose the support they need to keep a job that has become less respected and less im-pactful, they write on their Meetup page. It is no wonder we are in a mess, one which will grind the genius of America into medi-ocrity.

The two also were founding members of the Greater Littleton Youth Initiative. Brack-ney speaks often about how the community

came together in those early days after the Columbine tragedy, full of passion and sor-row and ready to set aside differences.

Even though its human nature to blame, we decided not to point the fi nger at anybody, he said in 2012.

We decided to focus on what we could agree on.

Of late, Brackney has spent a lot of time on the road promoting the chambers Fix the Debt campaign.

Decisions in Washington affect busi-nesses outside the beltway, Brackney wrote in a recent opinion piece.

Congress and the president must act now to create greater market certainty and put our country back on a track of fi s-cal sanity.

Giving no clue as to whats next for him, Brackney wrote that the chamber is secure in the hands of a talented staff.

Our culture is deep and strong, he wrote. Our basic mission is to identify, re-cruit, sustain, mentor, associate and con-nect talent for mutual benefi t and to create a stronger society. I hope our paths cross frequently as I remain at your service, only in a different capacity.

Brackney

NEWS IN A HURRY Champion shooter to speak at senior lunch

World champion rifl e shooter Lee ONeil will be the speaker for the next Liv-ing and Aging Well luncheon. The event is planned at 11:30 a.m. April 8 at the Lone Tree Golf Course clubhouse.

This event is $10 per person and in-cludes lunch.The clubhouse is located at 9808 Sunningdale Blvd. in Lone Tree. RSVP by calling 303-225-4930 or email Livingan-dAgingWellinLT@gmail.com by April 4.

The public lunch-time speaker series is sponsored by the Living and Aging Well in Lone Tree Ad Hoc Committee. For general information regarding the group or the Speaker Series, visit www.cityofl onetree.com/agingwell.

Citizens Police Academy begins April 10The 2014 Lone Tree Police Department

Citizens Police Academy begins April 10. The free program meets in three-hour sessions for eight weeks. Three Saturday sessions also are included for specialized training sessions.

For more information, contact Offi cer Jennifer Purdy at 303-339-8150 or email @ jennifer.purdy@cityofl onetree.com.

Cowboy Ball coming upThe Douglas County Fair Foundations

signature event, dubbed the Cowboy Ball, will be held at 6 p.m. on May 3 at the Doug-las County Fairgrounds Events Center, 500 Fairgrounds Road, Castle Rock.

The ball will feature a cash bar, din-ner, dancing, silent and live auctions and a roast of the honorable Jim Sullivan. Tickets are $125 each. A table for eight can be bought for $1,000 and will include an engraved brick, a $250 value, to be placed in the Heritage Plaza.

The foundation works with the Douglas County Fair Board to promote and sup-port the annual Douglas County Fair and Rodeo, which is a platform for Douglas County youth and residents to showcase skills and talents.

Other programs the foundation sup-ports include the Bob Thomas Memorial Scholarship, The Queens Scholarship, the Junior Livestock Sale and the Fair and Rodeo Wall of Honor. The Foundation also partnered with Douglas County to com-plete Phase I of the new Heritage Plaza at the fairgrounds.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 303-683-5549.

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Jail expanding into the future Medical building has focus on mental health, drug issues By Hannah Garcia hgarcia@coloradocommunitymedia.com

With completion set for later this year, Douglas County is busy fi nishing up re-modeling and expansion projects for its jail.

The implementation of a medical ser-vices building is one of the more signifi cant additions to the detention facility in Castle Rock, a response to a rising population of inmates with mental illness, medical needs and drug addictions.

If they end up here, and we cant help them, they get out and do it again, said Holly Nicholson-Kluth, administrative ser-vices bureau chief for the Douglas County Sheriffs Offi ce.

On March 11, county commissioners ap-proved funds totaling $136,727.54 for the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center medi-cal building network equipment and book-ing area remodeling projects. The whole venture is projected to cost $25 million and is on schedule, according to the DCSO. The entire expansion project began in August 2012.

The expansion project also includes a parking garage, which was completed in November, to ease overcrowding in the front court lots and reduce safety issues with police vehicles. The county is also re-modeling facilities, like cells and showers, to be more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The new medical building will include new beds and dorms for inmates on sui-cide watch, an ambulance port, hospital beds and exam rooms, dental care facilities, mental health resources and glass barriers for better line of sight, according to build-ing plans. It is expected to be complete in June, Nicholson-Kluth said.

Once completed, the new facility will cut down on funds and safety issues that ac-company bringing an inmate to a hospital, which can cost upwards of $1,500 a day, ac-cording to the department.

When we bring a prisoner to the hos-pital, we have to sit and watch them 24/7, said Sgt. Ron Hanavan, sheriffs offi ce spokesman.

Theres always a chance for an escape attempt and it can be dangerous for hospi-tal staff.

The project is a culmination of sorts of a decades-long effort to meet needs of a jail population with rising trends of inmates with mental health issues and drug addic-tions. Since the 1990s, the county has been adding courtrooms and expanding deten-tion services to keep up with the growth of the county.

We need to make sure when they (in-mates) leave, theyre not worse off, Under-

sheriff Tony Spurlock said.From 1998 to 2006, the county jail popu-

lation grew at a historic rate, according to the DSCO. After the fi nancial crisis hit in 2008, total inmate numbers inexplicably dropped nationwide although the popula-tion of inmates with mental health issues began to rise, Nicholson-Kluth said. Out of the current jail population in Douglas County, about half need some kind of men-tal health treatment, she said. The number of female inmates has also trended up-wards.

We started realizing that the mental health facilities were not suffi cient, she said. People can be dangerous. If they are unprotected and without medication, we dont know what theyll do.

The expansion is funded by a 0.43 per-cent sales tax that was approved in 1995. Out of the base of those sales-tax payers, about 65 percent are non-residents, Nich-olson-Kluth said.

Ironically, the prison population is about 60 percent non-residents, so that ended up working out, Nicholson-Kluth said.

The entire project will conclude in No-vember, Nicholson-Kluth said.

A construction worker uses an excavator to move dirt on March 20 outside of the site of the county jails new medical facility, which is due to be nished in June. The entire project, projected to cost $25 million, is on schedule to be complete in November. Photos by Hannah Garcia

As part of the expansion, plans call for a recreation area (pictured) with grated windows that allow in fresh air.

HAVE A STORY IDEA?Email Lone Tree Community Editor Jane Reuter at jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.

com or call 303-566-4106.

6 Lone Tree Voice March 27, 20146

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No-Cost Wildfire Mitigation & Prep Workshop - April 5Citizens are invited to this no-cost workshop on Sat., April 5 from 9:00 a.m - Noon at the Douglas County Events Center, 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock. The workshop will provide information regarding wildfire hazard reduction techniques, community wildfire mitigation and preparedness efforts, and evacuation planning and insurance needs. Please RSVP by March 28 to jalexand@douglas.co.us. For more information please visit www.douglas.co.us/building/wildfire/

Passport Promotion Offered by County April 7 - 11The Douglas County Recording Division, a Passport Acceptance Facility, has designated April 7-11 as Passport Week featuring Passport Photos for only $1.00. For more information including a full list of document requirements needed to apply for a passport, please visit www.douglas.co.us/recording/passports/ or call the Recording Division at 303-660-7446.

Veterans Affairs Office Closed April 21-25The Veterans Affairs Office will be closed April 21-25, while staff attends certification training by the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. The office will reopen for normal business on April 28.

Developmental Disabilities Grant Applications Accepted through May 2Douglas County will accept grant applications through Friday, May 2, for projects or programs that focus on meeting the varied needs of Douglas County residents with developmental disabilities. A mandatory pre-grant meeting is scheduled for April 4 at 10:30 a.m. at 100 Third Street, Castle Rock. The source of the grant dollars, the Douglas County Mill Levy, was approved by voters in 2001. Approximately 95% of the Mill Levy funds support the Countys Community Centered Board, Developmental Pathways, and 5% is retained for the grant program. For more information please visit www.douglas.co.us/humanservices/developmental-disabilities/

County Seeks Citizen Pothole PatrolIn an effort to identify and fill potholes more rapidly, Douglas County Public Works staff seeks citizen assistance with the reporting of potholes on County streets & roads. Location of the pothole can be reported by submitting a report online at www.douglas.co.us/publicworks/report-a-pothole/ or e-mail the pothole location to pwoperations@douglas.co.us

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kitchen, still holding the knife. The man-ager took the 10-inch knife from Alston and asked Alston to leave the restaurant, ac-cording to the report.

A police officer caught up to Alston in a nearby parking lot and ordered him to the ground, according to the report.

The Qdoba manager said Alston and Ar-redondo apparently had no previous prob-lems, and did not know why Alston stabbed Arredondo.

The report states that when the officer who initially examined Arredondo moved the victims arm, he began to lose con-sciousness and was gasping for air.

Though Alston said he had smoked marijuana earlier in the day, an evaluation showed no evidence Alston was under the influence of marijuana or other drugs at the time of the attack.

It costs more money to run (the more traditional schedule) so our budget is tight-er, Goings said, but cutting down some of the free time for our kids, making sure that when they have that time our teachers are available for academic assistance and ad-visement were very excited about what that can do for kids.

HRHS 2014-15 schedule will be a modi-fied version of the 5-of-7, so-called because it requires teachers to teach five out of sev-en class periods. Most Douglas County high schools have been on the 6-of-8 schedule for the last two years. Under it, students have fewer classes per day but meet for lon-ger, 90-minute periods than under the 5-of-7 schedule. It also required all high school teachers to teach an additional class.

Teachers and staff and administration

were all running like crazy trying to keep this going, yet the kids had all this time, Going said. We were trying to find a way to get them to use it effectively, but we just didnt have time to do that.

Some schools, like HRHS, also sacrificed the open advisement period under the 6-of-8 schedule to guard against the loss of any additional class time. Under next years schedule, that will return, Goings said.

The modified schedule similar though not identical to Mountain Vistas proposal still retains some of the longer block pe-riods that allowed for deeper exploration of subjects and longer labs.

We sort of found the best of both worlds, Goings said. Theres no perfect master schedule for high schools. The weakness is class sizes do go up a little.

HRHS will hire about five more teach-ers to shift the workload and put the new schedule in place.

Teachers are excited about it, Goings said. The main reason is they think we can develop a system thats better for kids.

Lone Tree Voice 7 March 27, 20147

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Education-funding efforts advancePair of bills would give public schools a total of $300 millionBy Vic Velavvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Colorados long-underfunded public school system would receive an additional $300 million in funding and increased per-pupil dollars, under a pair of school finance bills that cleared a House committee on March 19.

However, the battle over how those dol-lars are to be managed and whether the funding will be enough to appease vocal superintendents is just getting started, as the education budget process began to play out at the Capitol last week.

This years K-12 school funding efforts seek to provide a badly needed infusion of resources to school districts across the state, through a bipartisan education fund-ing bill and the annual School Finance Act.

This is our very best attempt at making sure we start making progress from some very difficult financial years, Rep. John

Buckner, D-Aurora, told the House Educa-tion committee.

The School Finance Act would increase per-pupil funding by 2.8 percent, which would allow that funding to keep up with inflation. The bill also provides $17 million for preschool and full-day kindergarten.

Immediately before the bill received committee approval, the same committee gave the go-ahead for a separate, bipartisan school funding measure.

The Student Success Act would provide millions of dollars for school programs and would replace some of the education fund-ing that had been a casualty of budget cuts in recent years.

The bill which received House spon-sorship from Reps. Millie Hamner, D-Dillon, and Carole Murray, R-Castle Rock would give schools $200 million in addi-tional funding.

That sum includes $20 million for read-ing programs and about $30 million for programs designed for English language learners.

They are some of our most vulner-able and neediest populations of students,

Hamner said.The money would also buy down the so-

called education funding negative factor recession era education funding cuts that total about $1 billion.

The bill would provide $100 million for the purpose of backfilling some of those cuts.

The bills are a way for the Legislature to provide more money for schools on the heels of last years failed school finance tax measure, which voters soundly rejected in November.

An increase in education funding is a top priority for lawmakers and Gov. John Hick-enlooper, given the states upbeat economic forecast, which was recently presented to the Joint Budget Committee.

But this years K-12 funding efforts are not going to please everyone.

School superintendents and other edu-cation advocates are asking for more mon-ey for the negative factor buydown than what the Legislature expects to provide.

School district leaders have also voiced displeasure over an area in the Student Suc-cess Act that seeks to change how pupils are

counted for the purposes of a schools offi-cial enrollment something that districts say is a waste of time and money.

And there have been arguments over school districts lack of autonomy over how the money will be spent. The funding will have stings attached, which doesnt please opponents who say that the Legislature shouldnt dictate how districts use that money.

Id like to restore the negative factor to the best of our ability with no strings at-tached, said Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, the only member of the House Education Committee to vote against the Student Suc-cess Act.

I think that has been a clear message from our school districts.

Hamner acknowledged those concerns, but said that its important to realize that the state cant get in over its head.

We just have to balance all these needs with what the state budget can really com-mit to over a period of years, she said.

The bills now head to the House Appro-priations Committee, prior to receiving full votes in the House.

Public comment policy changes at school board meetingsLong discussion reduces general comment, adds topic-specific commentsBy Jane Reuterjreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com

The Douglas County Board of Edu-cation passed a resolution March 25 that sharply reduces time allotted for general public comment, but leaves discretion to the board president to al-low more.

The proposal garnered objection from some community and board members during its first reading March 18, and a no vote from board member Meghann Silverthorn March 25.

The new policy, intended for review at the school years end, is described as an effort to both gain more input on specific actions and expedite the boards business. It focuses the bulk of public comment on agenda items instead of open comments many of which are critical of the board.

Public comment will now be al-lowed only during a five-minute, one-minute-per-speaker period at each meetings end for suggested future agenda topics and general comments.

Speakers have been allowed three minutes each during a 30-minute period designated for general public comment. They have not previously been allowed to comment during dis-cussions on action items.

Board members agreed March 25 to give the school board president, Kevin Larsen, discretion to expand the new, five-minute general comment period as circumstances require, said attor-ney Rob Ross.

Silverthorn voted against the pol-icy, saying she opposes any effort to restrict public comment.

The current proposal is more re-strictive than I would like to see, Sil-verthorn said. I appreciate the effort to promote efficiency. However, I do think there are instances in the past where people have brought concerns and ideas to us not necessarily listed on our agenda, but things we should know about. I appreciate that about our public.

Im not comfortable with limiting public comment. Thats really what this comes down to.

During a lengthy board discus-sion, board member Judi Reynolds also expressed reservations about the change, but voted for it.

Reynolds questioned the need for a time limit.

The times we have extended pe-

riod of public comment are relatively small and far between, she said. Im not comfortable with setting any time (limit). Im far more comfortable with time that allows discretion of the pres-ident.

Other board members said the change will be offset by the new monthly Board Unplugged meetings, designed as a less formal way for the board and community members to communicate. They pointed to several other avenues, including email, avail-able for direct communication with the board.

The new policy advances the effi-ciency of the peoples business, board member Craig Richardson said. So we are getting the input and the addi-tional data and information we need to make decisions soundly, effectively and efficiently.

There will be other opportunities for completely open-ended comment by the public.

Board member Jim Geddes said the goal is to move the meeting forward.

The meeting has to end some-where around the time its supposed to end, in deference to everybody in the room, he said.

The next Board Unplugged meet-ing is at 6 p.m. April 1 at Mesa Middle School in Castle Rock.

Robbins chosen as new school board memberMilitary veteran expresses support for district policiesBy Jane Reuterjreuter@coloradocommu-nitymedia.com

Rich Robbins was seated as the newest member of the Douglas County Board of Education on March 25.

He was chosen on a 4-2 vote that included no dis-cussion by the six sitting members of the school board. Judi Reynolds and Meghann Silverthorn voted against his nomination.

Robbins, interviewed by the board moments before his nomination, expressed strong support for their policies.

He has served on the District Accountability and some School Accountability committees.

Ive heard the challeng-es our parents, teachers and administrators face day in and day out, he said.

Robbins said he would run for the District F, Park-er-area seat when his term

expires in 2016. He replaces Justin Wil-

liams, who resigned in Jan-uary to spend more time with his family and who was in attendance during Rob-bins selection.

Some community mem-bers were stunned by the vote.

It seemed to those of us sitting back there this was a done deal before you walked into the room be-cause there was no discus-sion of qualifications, said

Cindy Barnard, a parent and plaintiff in a lawsuit against the districts vouch-er program.

I would loved to have known directors Reyn-olds and Silverthorn, what your thoughts were. Im speechless that we do not see the work of the board done in public.

Gary Colley, among six finalists interviewed for the post, offered Robbins a sug-gestion.

Rich, when you an-

nounced youre totally be-hind the school board, I would hope this wouldnt be an automatic `yes vote, that there would be some true discussion about whats right for the commu-nity, he said.

Retired after 20 years in the Air Force, Robbins said hed like the opportunity to continue fighting for children, adding he feels schools must prepare stu-dents in order for America to continue to lead the world in so many important dimensions.

He affirmed his belief in pay for performance.

I strongly believe we need to pay great teachers compensation that is wor-thy of their excellence, and send a strong financial sig-nal to those teachers who are underperforming, he said.

Robbins acknowledged there is room for improve-ment, saying, No organiza-tion would be worth its salt if it becomes complacent.

Other finalists included Colley, Shaylee Holland, Dilpreet Jammu, David Ray and Franceen Thompson.

Rich Robbins is sworn in as the newest member of the Douglas County board of education by president Kevin Larsen, right. Photo by Jane Reuter

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8 Lone Tree Voice March 27, 20148-Opinion

opinions / yours and ours

Yesterdays are just that, yesterdaysIt has been a while since I shared a

quote or thought from my mentor Zig Ziglar, and as I prepared for this column I was reminded of something that Mr. Ziglar used to remind us of all the time. He would say, We cannot make any more yesterdays, but we can make all of the brand-new tomorrows that we possibly can.

I was thinking of this because I found myself in the woulda, coulda, shoulda trap as I thought about the ways I handled things over the past 12 months, oppor-tunities I might have missed, activities I wanted to pursue and challenges I needed to overcome.

Have you ever been there? We ask our-selves things like, Why didnt I say this? or Why didnt I do that? Life would be so different if I only did things differently. And many other such statements and examples.

Zig used to also say: Failure is an event and not a person. Yesterday really did end last night. So when we can separate our-

selves from what we could have or should have done or said, and realize that tomor-row is a brand-new day, our entire view of the world would shift. Optimism and hope would replace our regret and fear.

Tomorrow is filled with promise. Tomor-row is filled with hope. We are in control of how we see our future and what we choose to do in the pursuit of our life goals, our careers, our relationships and our health. Tomorrow has distanced itself from yes-terday when it comes to our errors, poor

judgment and mistakes. Tomorrow offers encouragement and builds upon the suc-cesses of our yesterdays. When was the last time we took an inventory of all of the great accomplishments, achievements, and goals where we exceeded our own expec-tations? Looking at past successes builds confidence and serves as a launching point for our next journey and path forward to greatness.

So we talked about yesterdays, and we talked about tomorrow. What about today? What can we do today to remember or successes of yesterday, learn from and overcome our prior mistakes, and ensure that our tomorrows are filled with hope, encouragement, opportunity and achieve-ment? Mr. Ziglar talked about the fact that we cannot create any more new yesterdays, but we can create all of the brand-new tomorrows of our life. And it starts with today. We can actually create the next brand-new 30 seconds of our lives, the next brand-new five minutes, the next new

hour, and all we have to do is start.We can start to let go of the past or build

upon our past, and the choice is ours. To-day, as you read this column, think about where you are. Think about your own story are we still living in the glory days or many years ago? Are we living and feeling the hurts of yesterday? Or are we placing our stake in the ground today and commit-ting to our future, the best and brightest future that is waiting for each and every one of us?

Life is a series of choices. Are you choos-ing to live or learn from your yesterdays? Are you planning today for your successes of tomorrow? Either way, I would love to hear all about it at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we plan today for greatness tomorrow, it really will be a better than good week.

Michael Norton is a resident of High-lands Ranch, the former president of the Zig Ziglar Corporation and the CEO/founder of www.candogo.com.

No problem really means no thoughtI have a problem with No problem.

I have a big problem with No problem. The only time someone says No problem is when there is a problem.

The same goes for No worries. Id like to get rid of both of them. They mean nothing, and are generally said as a casual dismissal. Lets try to think of something else to say when something unexpected happens, or when something doesnt go on exactly as planned or when something has been done on someones behalf.

Almost anything would be better. Try these. Instead of No problem, perhaps you could say A wet bird does not fly at night, or something else that is vaguely Zen.

Instead of No worries, how about Breathe deep the gathering gloom? Any-thing but a generic cliche.

I am having a big problem. Arrange-ments were made for someone to be here on Monday to pick up some extra large paintings, drive them into Denver, and install them in three new showhomes.

At the last minute the project coordina-tor asked if we could reschedule everything for Wednesday. I said possibly not. Then we were able to agree on Tuesday.

In the midst of all of this, of emails and phone calls, trying to reach the outfit that will pick up the paintings, and the installer, she said, No problem.

I let out a yelp. I closed my eyes. I drank from Smittys water dish. I ordered pillow cases I dont need. I vacuumed the parrot. I booked a flight to Ithaca.

I ate macaroni without cheese.I listened to Teddy Bears Picnic on

repeat.I watched Bill OReilly and kept a

straight face.I dont have any original thoughts. Just

when I think I do, I will hear something or read something that matches identically with my thinking. Someone somewhere wrote about vacuuming his parrot today.

I decided to do a No problem search, and sure enough, others have the same dislike for it.

The New York Observer columnist Kris-ten Richardson wrote, Ive come to believe that `No problem is a seemingly benign expression run terribly amok, to the point of destroying what vestiges of civility we

have left here at the beginning of the 21st century.

Richardson did a search too, and called Deborah Tannen, professor of linguistics at Georgetown University. Tannen said that a general casualization of language is responsible for the expression.

Tannen said that No problem is dismissive, overcasual and makes light of a favor.

Then I found out that No worries is the preferred expression in Australia and New Zealand.

Language takes millions of hits every day. They are called tweets. I have yet to tweet. I plan to get out of here without ever tweeting. I am not going to waggle a finger, but the truncation of language into some kind of abbreviated drivel is for the unwashed.

I am glad that Charles Dickens didnt live to hear No problem. Oliver goes up and asks for more? And the master says, No problem? Theres no chance of that. Dickens manicured his thoughts and expressions, and I will never let that go, or give in to what goes around simply out of carelessness.

Am I a language snob? Absolutamente. Muttering fractions of words and exhaling generic expressions is fine when you are lifting a car off of a teenager. The rest of the time I want to hear wording that fol-lows thought and does not precede it, or is thrown at a situation because it has been before, and its handy.

Theres someone who is stationed at the self-checkout at my store. Without looking up, she invariably says, Have a good one.

I take that as a question, and always say, I do.

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

letters to the editorSurvey needs to reach parents, non-parents

Efforts by some members of the Doug-las County School District are encouraging the school board to renew a community survey. If the intent is to demonstrate dis-pleasure on the direction the school board is going with their reform efforts, reaching all stakeholders needs to be done or data collected will not be valid.

The majority of registered voters in the district (70 percent) are non-parent taxpay-ers and via last election those 70 percent may have had an impact on the outcome. The board should encourage individual schools to do a survey that would be site-specific seeking direction on their needs. A few questions could be added to the survey concerning overall perception about re-form efforts by the district.

Individual schools need to seek input from the entire school community and not just parents. Schools send kids into the street with their fundraisers and having surveys delivered door to door in their neighborhood that could be mailed back might be one approach to reach all stake-holders.

I dont agree with special interest groups controlling policy makers in this country, but the reality is that this is a common practice at the national level and it has hit the local level.

Even though the last election wasnt won by an overwhelming majority of support, we are still a democratic society where majority rules and the vocal minor-ity needs to accept the results and move on.

This divided community is impacting the education of the kids and both sides

need to find common ground to be a posi-tive influence in educating our youth.

Dave UsecheckParker

DCSD, Gardner lead way in energy efficiencyIt seems like energy issues are at the

heart of every discussion these days. Recently, Douglas County School District teachers and students got to host Con-gressman Cory Gardner to discuss the districts energy efficiency efforts.

With the help of local energy services company McKinstry, DCSD has become a national leader in measuring and reducing its energy consumption from class-room lighting to our heating and cooling systems. While efforts have been financed through the millions in savings we have re-alized, they have been led by students and teachers engaging in energy issues through hands-on learning.

This issue has national implications, and if every school district in the country implemented similar measures it could save over $1 billion in energy costs and prevent untold pollution.

It sounds like Congressman Gardner has been engaged in energy efficiency issues in Congress as well, with his Energy Caucus helping the federal government measure and reduce its energy waste.

We believe these efforts represent win-wins for government, the private sector and taxpayers, since as Mr. Gardner stated, the cheapest energy is the energy we dont use.

Lee SmitSustainability manager, Douglas County

School District

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need to fi nd common ground to be a posi-tive infl uence in educating our youth.

Dave UsecheckParker

DCSD, Gardner lead way in energy e ciencyIt seems like energy issues are at the

heart of every discussion these days. Recently, Douglas County School District teachers and students got to host Con-gressman Cory Gardner to discuss the districts energy effi ciency efforts.

With the help of local energy services company McKinstry, DCSD has become a national leader in measuring and reducing its energy consumption from class-room lighting to our heating and cooling systems. While efforts have been fi nanced through the millions in savings we have re-alized, they have been led by students and teachers engaging in energy issues through hands-on learning.

This issue has national implications, and if every school district in the country implemented similar measures it could save over $1 billion in energy costs and prevent untold pollution.

It sounds like Congressman Gardner has been engaged in energy effi ciency issues in Congress as well, with his Energy Caucus helping the federal government measure and reduce its energy waste.

We believe these efforts represent win-wins for government, the private sector and taxpayers, since as Mr. Gardner stated, the cheapest energy is the energy we dont use.

Lee SmitSustainability manager, Douglas County

School District

Revenue forecast looking good TABOR technicality could give pot tax refunds to taxpayers By Vic Vela vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Colorados economy grew stronger in 2013 and that momentum is expected to continue through the coming years, fac-tors that will contribute to a state general fund budget for next year that will exceed original forecasts, state economists said on March 18.

But not all the news that came out of the Legislatures Joint Budget Committee brief-ing was rosy. While much of the state is do-ing better post-recession, other areas con-tinue to struggle.

And lawmakers lamented the continu-ing budget challenges that come as a result of the Taxpayers Bill of Rights including a TABOR problem involving marijuana tax revenue that the Legislature may end up having to deal with soon.

The JBC was briefed on Colorados eco-nomic outlook by the states budget direc-tor and staff from the Colorado Legisla-tive Council. Their reports are an essential component for the committee to consider when they craft the states spending plan a budget that is expected to be about $20.5 billion.

While the economists revenue forecasts differed slightly, they all agreed that Colo-rados economy is on healthy footing.

Over the past year, household wealth has grown because of increases in home prices and recent gains in the stock market, said Louis Pino of the Legislative Council. As a result, consumer spending has im-proved, especially on big-ticket items like furniture and vehicles. U.S. corporations continue to post strong profi ts, the equity market posted its best gains in years, infl a-tion remains benign and the global econo-my, especially in the Eurozone, appears to have turned a corner for the better.

The budget forecast for the 2014-15 fi s-cal year will be $61 million higher than what was originally predicted. And, after money

is set aside for an increased state reserve fund, about $75 million will be left over for bills that are currently waiting to be appro-priated an up-for-grabs amount that is certain to lead to battles among lawmakers in the coming weeks.

Priorities for that money include helping fl ood and wildfi re victims and more fund-ing for K-12 and higher education. After that, there is a guessing game as to which of the many bills that have yet to be appropri-ated become funded.

There are a lot of competing priorities within the budget, so as weve said from the start we have to be prudent in how we allocate the resources of the state, House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, said the day after the forecast was released. We are not going to be able to pass every idea and bill through the Legislature.

The states general fund budget for the next fi scal year is expected to be $9.2 bil-lion, higher than the current fi scal years revenue projection of $8.8 billion.

Driving the healthy economic forecast is a 27-week streak of consecutive job growth and a state unemployment rate that is cur-rently 6.1 percent. While the unemploy-ment rate has dropped, the states labor market added jobs at the fastest rate in seven years, according to the Legislative Council.

Meanwhile, wages and salaries grew 4.7 percent last year and personal income is ex-pected to improve during the 204-15 fi scal year, economists said.

The current fi scal year will also yield a general fund surplus of $257 million, most of which about $170 million will be transferred to the State Education Fund.

Funding for education will increase through the annual School Finance Act and accompanying bills aimed at pumping more money into K-12 and higher educa-tion. Those dollar amounts are still being negotiated.

While the Denver metro area and much of the Front Range is experiencing eco-nomic growth in many areas, other parts of the state arent faring as well. For Colorado Springs, Pueblo and the Western Slope, in-cluding Grand Junction, growth has been sluggish, according to Louis Pino of the Legislative Council.

TABOR troubleAs for marijuana tax revenue that is

coming in as a result of Proposition AA, $54.7 million will be pumped into the 2014-15 fi scal year.

But while that revenue amount is less than what was originally projected by Prop AA proponents, the state may end up hav-ing to cut refund checks to Colorado tax-payers for that money.

A TABOR technicality may require the state to issue pot revenue refunds even though voters intended for money thats collected fr