GREAT OUTDOORS
May 5, 2016 VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 27 | 75¢
Camping can be a real treat in Colorado. Learn how to make the most of your next trip on PAGE 14.
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Mayoral recall protests denied A special election will be scheduled Nancy Gruber-Meier, 56, works with kindergarten student Jaren Malhof as part of a small group. She will be retiring from teaching at the end of the school year. Photo by Shanna Fortier
Beloved teacher set for next chapter Nancy Gruber-Meier is retiring after 24 years at school By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com Students accidentally call her mom. She has a heart for reading, her students, her school and her community. “She’s someone who was super-influential in my life,” 22-year-old Aubrey Heth said. Heth is talking about Nancy GruberMeier, who taught her in kindergarten. And, who, after 24 years of teaching at South Ridge Elementary in Castle Rock, is retiring at the end of this school year. “It’s time,” Gruber-Meier said while sitting at a small table in a portable where she does one-on-one reading and writing instruction. Gruber-Meier and her husband built
TIPS FROM THE TEACHER “Show your kids your own love of reading. Both mother and fathers especially. In elementary school, students often only have female teachers, so there could be a misunderstanding that it’s only women who read. It’s really important for dads to read with their kids.”
a home for their son in Crested Butte last summer and fell in love with the area. When she retires, they will be moving there and building a home for themselves. “I’m thinking a lot of hiking and biking and some skiing sounds like a good way to spend time,” Gruber-Meier said. “Hopefully, we will have grandkids and fill time with that, too.” Teacher continues on Page 12
“It’s not just the preschoolers who need to be read aloud to. It’s all kids.” To parents: “Read, read, read. And love it.” To kids: “Find something that you are really interested in. That is what can motivate you to read.”
YOU’RE INVITED… WHAT: A retirement farewell for Nancy Gruber-Meier will be held to celebrate her tenure at South Ridge Elementary School. Anybody and everybody is welcome. WHEN: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May, 11 WHERE: South Ridge Elementary School cafeteria, 1100 South St., Castle Rock
By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com Independent hearing officer Karen Goldman, Aurora’s deputy city clerk, has denied all eight protests filed against the recall petition for District 1 Councilmember and Castle Rock Mayor Paul Donahue. Goldman’s decision was announced May 2, four days after a nearly threehour hearing in which residents explained their reasons for filing the protests. Based on evidence presented during the hearing, Goldman found “no credible evidence of Donahue petition failure as part of any of the protests.” Now, per town MORE ON charter and state statutes, Castle Rock HEARING Town Council must set a recall election. The For more discussion of a recall coverage of the election was on the April 28 protest May 3 council agenda. hearing, turn to Donahue, who is page 5. term-limited, was first elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. His term will expire in November.
Banker named Businessperson of the Year
MAKING A RUN
Castle Rock Chamber honors The Emporium as Small Business of the Year
Castle View senior Julie Mackin stays busy with duties on the school’s track and soccer teams, as well as a role on the Under-18 national soccer team, which competed in Spain this year. PAGE 24
By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com Castle Rock Bank President D.J. Tedesco was named 2016 Businessperson of the Year by the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce at the annual awards celebration April 29, held at Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows. “This is really unexpected,” Tedesco said while accepting his award. “I’m really honored and humbled to receive this award this evening.” Chamber continues on Page 12
Recall continues on Page 12
D.J. Tedesco, of Castle Rock Bank, accepts the award for Businessperson of the Year from Castle Rock Chamber President Pam Ridler. Photo by Shanna Fortier
DOUGLAS COUNTY NEWS-PRESS (ISSN 1067-425X) (USPS 567-060) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Douglas County, Colorado, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 4 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.