August 25, 2016
SPORT FUELS FAMILY BONDS
VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 30 | 75¢
Young and old learn lessons together on the track. PAGE 10
ElbertCountyNews.net A publication of
E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Dore resigns from board She cites frustration with colleagues’ behavior, lack of civility and revenue Staff report
Daryl Llewellyn and Don Fear work on creating a safer back deck at the Zimmerman home Aug. 12 during the Douglas Elbert Realtors Association Helping Hands community project. Photos by Shanna Fortier
‘The hands and feet of Jesus’ Helping Hands is a community outreach program of the Douglas Elbert Realtor Association By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com The high-pitched screech of power tools cut through the air at the peaceful country home of the Zimmermann family in east Elbert County. Volunteers from the Douglas Elbert Realtor Association had spread throughout the property, cutting wood to rebuild a front and back deck, painting and trimming bushes. “We’re just blessed,” said Cindy Zimmermann as she watched the volunteers. “It’s like a miracle happening today. These people are really the hands and feet of Jesus.” Construction work at the Zimmermann home was one of two projects the Douglas Elbert Realtor Association completed Aug. 12 and 13 during its Helping Hands Community Outreach Project. Every year, the association helps one or two families in need with their homes in Douglas or Elbert counties. Their mission is to help those in the community with home improvement projects to better a family’s quality of life. Helping Hands supports the elderly, the young, the disabled, and
Patrick Zimmermann stands with his parents, Cindy and Steve, watching the slew of volunteers rebuilt a safe a back deck at their new home in Elbert County. those with unexpected life events and adversity. The Zimmermann family moved from Parker to their ranch-style home along the Elbert County line last October, shortly after their son, Patrick, 16, was diagnosed with NiemannPick Type C, a degenerative condition that’s compared to childhood Alzheimer’s. “Patrick loves to sit out back and we can see the sunrises and moonrises and rainbows,” Cindy Zimmermann said.
The family is excited about the revamped back deck, which will have safer, ramp access for Patrick. “He used to run cross country, play piano and now he can’t do those things,” Zimmerman said. “So he’s ready to go to heaven.” Most children with Patrick’s disease don’t live past age 20, she said, so making his home comfortable is a top priority. The Zimmerman home is also a
Elbert County Commissioner Kelly Dore has resigned from the board of county commissioners. In an Aug. 15 news release describing her decision, Dore, who represented District 2, cited “internal issues” and “unethical behavior” among her fellow board members as factors in her resignation. “I cannot in good faith continue to represent a county that is unwilling to address (its) internal issues and while trying to be Dore the balance between my two board members who seem content with fighting each other on an idealogy and not working for the good of the people,” Dore wrote. Dore, a Republican who served with Robert Rowland and Larry Ross, said the board needed to operate in a more civil manner “without personal sabotage or willful and wanton intent to harm their fellow colleague, which is what is the current reality.” Rowland and Ross were not immediately available for comment, nor was Dore. Dore also pointed to frustration with the county’s “lack of revenue to meet the growing needs and population, to support roads and other governmental agencies...” In a statement, Tom Peterson, chairman of the Elbert County Republicans, thanked Dore for her service and praised Dore continues on Page 6
UNSUNG HEROES Long snappers for area football teams take their role seriously. Check out this story and others as we continue our fall sports previews on PAGE 13.
Hands continues on Page 6
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