Chronicle Parker
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 2
November 9, 2012 A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourparkernews.com
New-look council eyes future Lewis, Diak, Rivero elected in Parker By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com Anxiety reigned in the hours before election results for the Parker Town Council race were released. The hours that followed were marked by a sense of relief for Debbie Lewis, Joshua Rivero and John Diak, as they celebrated their victories with friends, family members and campaign supporters. Rivero described Nov. 6 as an “anxious day” as he questioned whether he had done enough to reach voters in all areas of Parker. Lewis, who served on town council from 1996-2000 and again from 20042008, said she had never been as ner-
Lewis
Rivero
Diak
vous as she was in the hours leading up to the release of the first wave of results from the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. It was only after Lewis saw her considerable lead — 5 percentage points over the nearest opponent — that she allowed herself to be “cautiously optimistic.” She was shocked and “thrilled” when the night ended. “I was so ecstatic,” said Lewis, who watched the results from the Warhorse Inn before being pulled by her fellow
winners to elev. 5900. “I just could not believe the numbers.” Lewis earned 20.19 percent of the vote, while Diak had 15.10 percent and Rivero tallied 14.86 percent. Rivero and Lewis are looking forward to diving into the issues that residents in Parker are facing. Both vowed to reexamine the town’s sign code, as dozens of business owners have complained for years that the rules are too strict. “The things that worked 10 years ago might not work now,” said Lewis, who owns a Parker-based property management company. “Things have changed.” Rivero and Lewis also pledged support for the town’s world-class recreational amenities, including parks and open space. Rivero wants more activities for teens and is considering proposing the construction of a bike park and disc golf course. Lewis wants to expand recreational programming for developmentally challenged children and adults.
HOW THE CANDIDATES FARED Debbie Lewis — 8,474 John Diak — 6,339 Joshua Rivero — 6,206 Bill Wright — 5,953
Bob Roberts — 4,235 Mark Lane — 4,316 Ron Fraker Jr. — 3,387 Robert Kron — 3,036
Diak was not immediately available for comment. The candidates weighed in on future leadership, with Lewis saying she believes there will be “less dissension” going forward. She hopes cooperation will instill a sense of hope in constituents that are otherwise frustrated with political bickering at the national and state level. Mayor-elect Mike Waid, Rivero, Diak and Lewis will be sworn in during a town council meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Parker Town Hall. They will serve with council members Scott Jackson, Amy Holland and Josh Martin.
Gardner garners a second term District now includes most of Douglas County Staff report
A supporter shows updated election results to mayor-elect Mike Waid and his mother, Patty, at elev. 5900 just after Waid found out he won Nov. 6. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
Waid wins mayoral race Plans call for running Parker like business By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com It was all smiles at an election watch party for Mike Waid, who was voted in as the town’s new mayor. By the end of the night, mayor-elect Mike Waid had earned 9,718 votes to opponent Lisa Coe’s 6,637. Adele Laurent had 2,053 votes. It was Waid who broke the good news to supporters. He had checked the Douglas County website early and saw the numbers posted, then quieted the crowd for the announcement. Outgoing Mayor David Casiano was among those who congratulated the current council member. Waid
said his ability to run a “clean, honest, positive” campaign paid off. “What it means at end of day is if you devote yourself to the community, give selflessly of your time to the community you live in, you naturally will build support,” Waid said. The newly elected mayor challenged Parker residents to get involved in civic causes or groups, like Rotary or the Lions Club, to serve their hometown. He said every citizen “has the responsibility to leave Parker a better place than we found it.” Waid followed up on his campaign pledge to create an environment in which businesses can thrive. He plans to run the town like a $50 million company, with the council serving as the board of directors, Waid as board chairman and the voters as shareholders. “The average homeowner will see a
continued growth of the dividend they receive from this company called Parker, Colorado,” Waid said. “The dividend they receive is quality of life.” Waid shared hugs with town council candidates John Diak and Joshua Rivero, who garnered 15.18 percent and 14.86 percent of the vote, respectively, and will serve for the next four years. Rivero edged fellow first-time candidate Bill Wright by 0.6 percent. Former council member Debbie Lewis got the highest number of votes in the council race, with 8,464 — or 20.29 percent — of residents casting ballots in her favor. Lewis celebrated at the Warhorse Inn, just one block away from the celebration at elev. 5900 for Waid, Diak and Rivero. The results will not be made official until a canvass of votes later this month. Waid will be sworn in Dec. 17.
Republican Cory Gardner will be the new representative in the U.S. House for Parker and much of Douglas County. Gardner, the incumbent in the 4th Congressional District, defeated Democrat Brandon Shaffer by a 59 percent to 37 percent margin in the Nov. 6 election, with the vote tally nearly complete the morning after Election Day. The remainder of the vote was going to Libertarian and American Constitution candidates. While Gardner isn’t new to the district, Doug- Gardner las County is. All of Douglas County had been in the 6th Congressional District until the boundaries were redrawn last year. Only Highlands Ranch remains in the 6th. The heavily Republican 4th District comprises more than 20 counties and 30,000 square miles, mostly in the eastern plains area of Colorado. But Gardner feels there is an important issue that transcends any geographic or cultural differences between rural, agricultural towns and suburban Douglas County communities. “My focus has been on the economy and business issues and what we can do to provide the best constituent service,” the Yuma resident said in a September interview with Colorado Community Media. “I’ve driven 60,000 miles to provide that service and openness to constituents.” Gardner joined the Colorado House of Representatives in 2005. In 2010, he defeated 4th Congressional District incumbent Betsy Markey. Shaffer, a Longmont resident, has served in the state Senate since 2004. He has been Senate president since 2009, but term limits mean 2012 is his final year in the state Senate.
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