COSTLY CONCERN
May 12, 2016 VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 28 | 75¢
A sharp rise in child care costs has impacted the finances of many families. PAGE 14
DouglasCountyNewsPress.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Mayoral recall election set for July Mail-in ballot will be for District 1 voters By Shanna Fortier sfortier@colorado communitymedia.com A mail-in ballot election on the recall of District 1 Councilmember and Mayor Paul Donahue has been set for July 26. Voters in Castle Rock’s District 1 can expect to receive a ballot in
the mail in July.
The district includes the western side of The Meadows neighborhood. “I am looking forward to this process carrying out,” said petition circulator Stacey Donahue Rogers, who is unable to vote because she lives in District 3.
RIVALRY GAME
Donahue will continue to serve in office while the recall process takes place. Donahue, who is termlimited, was first elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. His term will expire in November. He was appointed as mayor by other members of council in 2012 and again in 2014. Castle Rock residents Suzanne Hackett, John Buckley
RECALL ELECTION AT A GLANCE • Only voters in District 1 can cast ballots.
Douglas County Elections Office, 125 Stephanie Place. Both locations
• Douglas County is conducting the election.
have 24/7 drop boxes
• Ballots will be mailed in July.
• Ballots are due July 26.
• Ballots can be returned by mail or in person to Castle Rock Town Hall, 100 N. Wilcox St., or the
• Election results will be posted online at CRgov.com/recall
Recall continues on Page 5
KICKING OFF SUMMER
Douglas County and Castle View take turns leading a wild contest. PAGE 26
Sounding sweet, and just down the street
Kelly Jamison dances with her daughter, Nora, to the music of Gipsy Moon at the inaugural Downtown After 5 event held in Festival Park. What he calls the two W’s — the weather and the weekend — brought Chris King and his family to Festival Park, at Second and Wilcox Streets, May 6 for the kickoff of a new event series in Castle Rock, which drew 1,500 throughout the three-hour event. With Downtown After 5, town officials hope to bring people to the community’s heart on Fridays after work during the summer by pulling together food trucks, vendors and free music to create a festive environment. Castle Rock resident Kelly Jamison said it was the perfect opportunity to bring her children and dance and have fun in the sun. Other Downtown After 5 events are scheduled for 5-8 p.m. June 3, July 8, Aug. 5 and Sept. 16.
Amphitheater answers residents’ desire for more local entertainment By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com Concerts under the stars, a splash pad and a wedding venue are a few of the anticipated additions to Philip S. Miller Park that will open to the public May 14. The second phase of the park, which includes the amphitheater, the Millhouse events center and the plaza, is all about community gathering. The plaza will be the new center of the park and houses group picnic pavilions, an outdoor fireplace, additional Concerts continues on Page 13
Kate King, 9, plays hopscotch in Festival Park May 6, while she attends Downtown After 5 with her family.
Downtown After 5 will be held one Friday a month in Festival Park.
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.
PHOTOS BY SHANNA FORTIER