April 21, 2016 VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 3 | FREE
CastleRockNewsPress.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Recall effort moves forward Petitioners seek recall of mayor By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com
The year-long Fire Science Program prepares students to find jobs as firefighters and paramedics after graduation. Photos by Mike DiFerdinando
Son follows in firefighting footsteps 14 students take part in fire science program By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Evan Davros and his father Tom got the chance to fight a simulated fire together April 11.
For ThunderRidge High School senior Evan Davros, walking into a burning building with his father has always been a dream. He got his chance April 11 as part of the culmination of his time in the Douglas County Fire Science program. Davros and other students fought a simulated fire at the South Metro Fire Rescue Training
Center in Parker. “It’s cool having my dad there,” Davros said. “It’s kind of surreal really. I grew up in the firehouse. I would see him go on calls and stuff, and now to actually be there is fantastic.” Davros’ father, Tom, is a firefighter for South Metro. He has worked as a firefighter for 18 years and as an EMT for 20. “The firehouse is all he’s ever known since he was an infant,” said Evan’s mom, Tina. “We would do the kid swap at the firehouse. My husband would be getting off and I would be going to work. That’s where he grew up.” Fire continues on Page 18
Keeping eyes, and minds, on the road CDOT highlights growing problem of distracted driving By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com Nicolle Dowling of Centennial knows her distracted driving is a problem. “I’m aware of it, but I need to do a better job of not doing it,” Dowling said. “Having the phone in my hand, whether it be for texting, talking, using navigation apps, getting information or just thinking I need to get information” — those are the things she sometimes does behind the wheel other than watching the road. Driving continues on Page 5
HOW ARE WE DISTRACTED? A 2015 Colorado Department of Transportation survey asked drivers about their behavior behind the wheel during the previous week. Here’s what the survey — completed by 829 Coloradans by mail and online — found:
Town Clerk Sally Misare determined on April 11 that there are enough valid signatures for the recall effort to move forward in Castle Rock’s District 1, which includes part of The Meadows. The petitioners seeking the recall of Paul Donahue as District 1 councilmember and town mayor needed a minimum of 147 valid signatures. The Castle Rock town clerk has validated 242 signatures. The required number of signatures is defined in state statute and town Donahue charter as 25 percent of the number of votes cast within the district the last time a councilmember from that district was elected. Donahue was first elected in 2008, and re-elected in 2012. His term will expire in November, and he is term-limited. The petition to recall Donahue — submitted by residents Suzanne Hackett, Malia Reeves and John Buckley — claims Donahue’s leadership style and voting record have been detrimental to the health of the community. “I would like to emphasize that the recall is not a form of punishment, but it’s a demonstration of active citizenry,” Hackett said. Specific incidents cited in the petition allege Donahue has dramatically reduced allotted time for public comment; denied residents the opportunity to speak; and shown deference to out-of-town developers and “citizens who support his personal and political interests.” Recall continues on Page 18
LOCAL SPORTS
63 percent said they used entertainment devices (radio, CD player, iPod, etc.).
ThunderRidge and Castle View face off. PAGE 24
41 percent said they ate. 38 percent said they talked on a handheld cell phone. 25 percent said they read a text message. 16 percent said they sent a text message. Dowling, 38, isn’t alone. A 2015 Colo-
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