March 24, 2016
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COUNTY ASSEMBLIES Find out who the parties chose to appear on ballot. PAGE 7
Growth triggers pursuit of recall Larry Martin and Bob Galligar, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, work on demolition in the bathroom of one of two condos that are being renovated. Photos by Shanna Fortier
County’s first Habitat project begins Two Castle Rock condos are undergoing renovation
By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com Habitat for Humanity is helping to address a need for affordable housing with its first two projects in Douglas County. “More people are starting to understand the importance of affordable housing in growing and thriving communities,” said Heather Lafferty, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. The Habitat affiliate was founded in 1979 — the first west of the Mississippi
— and has served more than 700 families in the area. But renovations begun on two condos in Castle Rock on March 16 will be the first Habitat housing project in the history of Douglas County. Former Castle Rock Town Councilmember Clark Hammelman reached out to Habitat 18 months ago after acknowledging that Douglas County was booming because of development but had a shortage of affordable housing. “One of the key elements to the success of a town on the economic side is having a wide range of workers, and we need to have housing for those people,” Habitat continues on Page 6
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver is seeking volunteers and donations. Volunteers need not have any experience and can sign up at habitatmetrodenver.org. The affiliate is also in need of donations to fund current and future projects. “Longer term, we would love to talk to anyone who has land in Douglas County who would like to partner with us,” said Heather Lafferty, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. Those willing to donate should visit habitatmetrodenver.org.
Rapid development cited in effort to oust councilmembers By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com The common thread among petitioners looking to recall Mayor Paul Donahue and councilmembers Renee Valentine and Mark Heath is a concern with the manner and rate in which Castle Rock is growing. “I favor a better quality of life that is slipping away because of the accelerated growth being pushed by the developers and city administrators,” Castle Rock resident Sid Brooks, a lawyer petitioning for Donahue Valentine’s recall, told the council at the March 8 meeting. Petitions calling for the recall of
School board votes for revised voucher policy Change removes religious facilities from Douglas County program
By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com The Douglas County School Board has passed a revised version of the school district’s voucher program that
removes religiously affiliated schools as an option. The 4-3 vote on March 15 to approve the revision to the Choice Scholarship Program comes nine months after the Colorado Supreme Court ruled the origi-
nal version of the program was illegal. No public funds can be used to aid or support any “sectarian” institution, the court ruled. The school district appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. A decision has not been made on whether the court
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In tennis, the second serve is one of the most important parts of the game. PAGE 24
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