News-Press DCCR 8-15-2013
Douglas County
August 15, 2013
75 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcastlerocknews.com
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 121, Issue 41
Global warming out, God in for town Faith statement will be posted in council chambers By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier@ourcoloradonews.com A stair rail in Castle Rock Town Hall has a sculpture about 8 inches high of a melting earth, with a plaque underneath it that has the words “global warming.” That’s something the town shouldn’t be financing, according to Mayor Paul Donahue — and he recommended at the July 6 council meet-
ing that the town’s Public Arts Commission, which installed it, should remove it. “It really doesn’t make sense for the Town of Castle Rock to be financing pieces of art that could advocate a certain political position, particularly on a subject that could be contentious like global warming,” Donahue said. The council consensus was to have Councilmember Clark Hammelman, the council’s art-commission liaison, discuss the issue with the commission — which decided to remove and sell the piece. Later at the meeting, the council ap-
proved another recommendation initiated by Donahue: to put the words “In God We Trust” in town council chambers. The council voted 7-0 to approve it, but before Councilmember Chip Wilson voted to OK it, he said that while he personally supported it, he expressed concern about doing something that could be contentious to some people. “I know we want to tread lightly on things that may be perceived as contentious,” he said. Wilson pointed out that while the council earlier that evening had discussed the
removal of the sculpture from town hall because it might be considered contentious, the council now was approving something that might be considered contentious by others. The placement of “In God We Trust,” as suggested by town staff and approved by council, will be on an overhang above the councilmembers and facing west toward the audience. On the overhang’s three other sides, they agreed to place the town’s motto, the date of incorporation and the state motGlobal continues on Page 14
Library archivist to retire
Rockin’ the STOCK
Woman leaves treasure trove at Castle Rock library By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier@ourcoloradonews.com
This crafty steer stopped sooner than anticipated, leaving the cowboy sliding in the dirt during the steer wrestling event at the Douglas County Fair.
The Douglas County Fair and Rodeo wrapped up Aug. 11, but before the lights dimmed, professional cowboys from across the country mounted up to show ‘em how it’s done during the Partiot Rodeo on Aug 10. The Douglas County Fair and Rodeo continues to be a family tradition for area residents. Highlights included two entertainment stages, three professional rodeos, bull riding, carnival, and 4-H and FFA exhibits. Find more photos from the fair on Page 11.
PHOTOS BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY
Seth Coursen of Evansville, Wyo., holds on tight during his saddle bronc ride Aug. 10 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
She’s that 5-foot-tall woman seen for years, but hard to hear, unless you’re within whispering distance at the Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock. Johanna Harden, 71, speaks librarian, that precise quiet tongue of rich words, in sentences usually ended with an action — quick movements to the very shelf to the very book needed. Except that Harden often isn’t heading for a book that will change someone’s life. It might be to a 1930s-era map or an 1870sera canvas of pressed flowers, some things that can only be touched by her and never checked out by you. Don’t even try. “There isn’t enough chocolate or ice cream,” she said, with a smiling mouth but eagle eyes. But Harden, who is retiring this month after 26 years of service, is no librarian — as many library patrons may have thought she was through the years. She started out a dreamer, wanted to be a geologist or archaeologist, went to college to study clothing and textiles, ended up a seamstress making dresses in Denver out of fine Thai silk and other materials. One dress she made in particular was a joy, for a woman who she remembers looked almost beyond lovely when greeting her husband in it at Denver’s old Stapleton Airport as he arrived from military duty in Vietnam. And then when she moved to Douglas County in the 1980s with her family, Harden was still sewing and helping her husband with his business as a manufacturing representative — as well as living an outside life as a competitive horsewoman competing in trail events, riding up to 25 miles in a day. But that’s when library career started, too. But never as librarian: She was a volunteer, first, as a way to get to know her new
Library continues on Page 14 POSTAL ADDRESS
NEWS-PRESS (ISSN 1067-425X) (USPS 567-060)
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A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, and the towns of Castle Rock, Parker and Larkspur, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media and additional mailing offices. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Classified advertising: Mon. 12 p.m.
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