News-Press DCCR 6-13-13
Castle Rock
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 12
June 13, 2013
Free
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcastlerocknews.com
County targets transit funds
Federal grant would benefit seniors, disabled By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com
Feet got wet in Castle Rock’s Plum Creek on June 8 as spectators took in the annual Ducky Derby.
Lucky ducks? Photos by Ryan boldRey
Ducky Derby helps raise thousands of dollars for the Castle Rock and Castle Pines Rotary Clubs each year, as 9,000 toy ducks race down Plum Creek. The winning three ducks bring cash prizes to three lucky individuals.
Plum Creek was the place to be June 8 in Castle Rock as more than 4,000 people flocked to the watercourse to watch 8,000 toy ducks race the rapids. Ducky Derby, an annual fundraiser for the Castle Pines and Castle Rock Rotary Clubs, raised more than $30,000. Three lucky winners took home cash prizes based on their duck picks, with the first-place winner collecting $2,000.
Transportation for seniors and those with disabilities in Douglas County may be getting a much-needed boost in the near future. With unanimous support from the county commissioners, the county is applying for a grant that would increase transportation funding in non-RTD areas by $622,464 for a two-year period covering 2014 and 2015. The county would provide a 26 percent match of $162,120, while the federal grant share would be $460,344. “Transit in Douglas County is a challenge and a lot of it has to do with the fact that we are on the edge of the Denver metro area and our communities are so spread out,” said District 3 Commissioner Jill Repella. “We are working on it. We are continuing to work on it and this is part of that challenge.” Perhaps the biggest challenge the county faces is that it has one of the fastest growing senior populations in the country, and between 2009 and 2011 it saw its transportation funding cut dramatically due to the recession. In 2009, according to county documents, approximately 150,000 one-way trips were provided in non-RTD service areas to seniors and those with disabilities. That number dropped to 23,000 in 2011 due to a loss of funding. With some help from a Federal Funds continues on Page 14
Eagle lands in Castle Rock Douglas County Veterans Monument installed downtown By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com It took more than six years of planning, thousands of donations and volunteer hours, and the use of a local crane, but the eagle has landed in downtown Castle Rock. Weighing in at 900 pounds, a bronze eagle, sculpted by Bill Hueg of Westminster, is hoisting an American flag atop a globe. On June 4, with the guidance of three men, it was placed carefully on a granite-coated steel and concrete base to complete the $170,000 Douglas County Veterans Monument. “Six years, I’ve been waiting for this day,” said World War II veteran Lou Zoghby, a longtime member of the monument foundation’s board of directors. “This is for all
the veterans past, present and future in the entire county. … What better symbol to depict all of our different branches of service than the eagle.” The six-sided monument, at the southwest corner of Wilcox and Fourth streets, is embossed with six seals recognizing the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Merchant Marine and Navy. There are also two plaques on the monument. One of them honors those killed in action and reads, “In honor and respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. You will always be remembered.” “When we picked this design out of the 14 designs that were submitted, we picked it from a sketch, and little did I realize what it would look like in its full 3D form,” said Henry Bohne, a Korean War veteran and chairman of the foundation board. “There Eagle continues on Page 14
World War II veteran Lou Zoghby points with excitement at the Douglas County Veterans Monument moments after it was pieced together June 4 at the corner of Wilcox and Fourth streets in Castle Rock. Zoghby served on the monument foundation’s board of directors for six years and was ecstatic to see it all come together. Photo by Ryan Boldrey