Elbert County News 0128

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January 28, 2016

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PACE show looks at cyberbullying ‘Out of Bounds’ equips parents, teens with tools By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com Kristy Arellano knew her daughter was struggling with depression. She had no idea her daughter was suicidal. Parents are often the last to know when their teen is being bullied online. Threats and taunts are made within the social media sphere, often out of view from adults, and can take on a life of their own. In the days before she attempted suicide, Kiana Arellano was the victim of such bullying.

“The week before and the night before is when it turned nasty,” Kristy Arellano says. “When we discovered that, we knew it was the tipping point.” The Highlands Ranch teen’s story, as told by her mom, helped convince the Colorado General Assembly last year to pass “Kiana’s Law,” which includes cyberbullying in a harassment statute and makes it a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to six months in jail. The National Conference of State Legislatures says more than 30 states have adopted cyberbullying laws in the last few years. Now Kristy Arellano is using her

voice to reach a regional audience during the “Out of Bounds” presentation Feb. 3 at the PACE Center in downtown Parker. The production is based on interviews with real cyberbullying victims and uses humor and dramatic storytelling to drive home the point. It’s followed by a panel discussion with bullying experts from local agencies, including the Douglas County School District. “Out of Bounds” is intended to equip teens and their parents with the tools necessary to combat a problem that few know how to handle. Sean Lewis, co-founder and artistic Show continues on Page 4

Postal clerk gets proper send-off Colleagues, customers deliver surprise party for retirement By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com After spending nearly 25 years as a postal clerk, Jerry Batsell decided to call it a career. But not before his co-workers and customers could organize a proper send-off. During the few hours that Batsell wasn’t working at the Franktown Post Office in recent weeks, postmaster Susan Halbrook would hang signs informing customers of the upcoming surprise retirement celebration for the 67-year-old. The signs would come down before his return. Halbrook didn’t want Batsell to know, in part because the latter explicitly said he didn’t want a party. “I’m kind of a ‘ride-away-into-the-sunset’ guy,” Batsell says. While some customers mistook his dry sense of humor for a gruff persona, others gravitated toward Batsell, a Vietnam veteran who earned both a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Regular visitors became Batsell’s friends, so much so that the Denver Broncos season ticket-holder would occasionally give up his seats to an appreciative fan who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to go. Batsell revealed himself to those closest to him as a soft-hearted person, Halbrook said. So when it came time to say goodbye to the man who spent the last 15 years of his career at the Franktown Post Office, co-workers and customers wanted to do it right. “I felt like so many customers were asking and wanted to say goodbye to him and wanted to know when his last day was,” Halbrook said. “They wanted to do Clerk continues on Page 4

GET INTO ‘OUT OF BOUNDS’ The Working Group Theatre Company partnered with the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health and developed the “Out of Bounds” program with the help of experts, professors and students. Case studies, news events involving cyberbullying, and content borrowed from viral bullying videos on YouTube were incorporated into the show. The Working Group Theatre Company created a show for adults and a show for kids, but the Feb. 3 presentation at the PACE Center is intended for both audiences. Tickets are $12 for adults. Youths 18 and younger will be admitted for free. Seats still must be reserved by calling 303-805-6800, or by going online to www.ParkerArts.org.

2016 ELBERT COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S RACE

Second Republican announces candidacy Thayer will face Wills, with Ross still possible By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media

Postal clerk Jerry Batsell and postmaster Susan Halbrook were all grins on Batsell’s final day at work. His coworkers and customers of the Franktown Post Office threw him a surprise retirement party Jan. 15. Courtesy photo

In what could turn out to be a threeway race for the Republican nomination, Grant E. Thayer has announced his candidacy for the District 3 post as an Elbert County commissioner, up for election in November. Thayer made his announcement at the Conservative Breakfast Association on Jan. 9. “I’m 68 years old,” Thayer told the Elbert County News. “I don’t Thayer need a job, but I need to do something that’s important. The government for this county needs to be updated and made better. Based on my business experience, I think, I know I can do it.” Thayer holds a degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Wyoming as well as a master’s degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He began his career as a junior engineer, and his work in the oil and gas industry took him to Canada, North Africa, and around the United States. Race continues on Page 4

ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 12 p.m. | Classifieds: Mon. 10 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 10 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.


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