October 22, 2021
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ParkerChronicle.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 47
Comparing slates in county school board race
PARKER RIVALS FACE OFF
BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Katie Dalton of Chaparral, left, and Legend’s Jordan Schwartz shared a friendly word during a break in the action as the PHOTO BY JIM BENTON Wolverines took on the Titans. Jim Benton has details on P22.
Parker survey reveals concerns about growth Participants favored safety, recreation, ‘sense of community’ BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
While most Parker residents’ favorite thing about living in the town is still the sense of commu-
nity, the “hometown feel” in the area has been steadily decreasing for years, according to a recently administered poll from the town. The scientifically conducted survey, completed by the National Research Center, asked residents about their feelings on various aspects of the town including growth, the local government, police and parks. “Since 2007, we’ve seen a 23 percentage point decline in the pro-
portion of people selecting ‘sense of community or hometown feel’ as the thing they like most about Parker,” said Laurie Urban, with NRC, in a presentation to the town council. However the “sense of community” is the top marked response when asked what residents like most about living in Parker — followed by location and safety.
WATCH FOR WEBSLINGERS It’s the time of year for houseguests with eight legs
P20
SEE SURVEY, P21
Clear divides exist between the two slates running in this year’s Douglas County School District board election when it comes to equity in education and managing COVID-19 in schools. Candidates in the slate dubbed Kids First have described equity as a distraction from the district’s academic mission. Those in the CommUNITY Matters slate say equity is crucial to ensuring every student has the tools to achieve academically. Kids First candidates say in-person learning should have always been an option during the pandemic, while CommUNITY Matters candidates vow to follow public health official guidance. We interviewed all eight candidates for the school board about their goals. On Pages 6-7, we look deeper into the views of candidates in these two slates. You’ll also learn on Page 8 about fundraising by the candidates — and how four board challengers are taking in more campaign cash than any other school candidates statewide, thanks in large part to two generous Douglas County donors. We previously ran the board candidates’ responses to our questionnaires on the issues in our Oct. 7 edition. You’ll find those Q&As and more coverage of the school board races at tinyurl.com/2021VotersGuide.
NEW PROMISE
Treatments mean shorter recovery from scoliosis P16