December 3, 2015 VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 44 | 75¢
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
Marriage poster spurs controversy Biblical quote appears in county clerk’s office By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media
Maria Sears serves up gravy. Students from all grade levels work various jobs around the kitchen and dining room. Photos by Rick Gustafson
Thanksgiving meal is crowd-pleaser Frontier High students do their part for community
In an email to the Elbert County Board of County Commissioners, Jim Duvall — the husband of Elbert County Democratic Party Chairwoman Jill Duvall — has raised objections to a poster displayed in a public area of the county clerk and recorder’s office. The poster, located in an office where the county conducts public business including issuing marriage licenses, is the property of Elbert County Clerk and Recorder Dallas Schroeder. It depicts a sketch of a woman in a white wedding dress with the flowers from her bouquet drifting toward a distant man in a tuxedo. The caption filling the top of the poster quotes a portion of the English Standard Version translation of First Corinthians 7:2 from the Bible: “… each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” The entire sentence from the Bible reads, “But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” In his letter, Jim Duvall said that the poster “is in violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution … Bible verse promoting a particular type of marriage … this will be the focus of another lawsuit if not removed.”
By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media Two days before Thanksgiving, Frontier High School opened its doors to the community around Elizabeth for its annual Community Thanksgiving Meal. County residents from as far away as Fondis joined friends at the school for the Nov. 24 dinner, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. The meal is served and managed by Frontier students who are assigned to groups based on individual interest. The majority of the food for the celebration is donated, and the meal was open to all, featuring turkey, traditional fixings and a salad bar. “It’s a chance for us to give back to the community for supporting Frontier High School,” said Principal Rob McMullen. “Elizabeth is a small community, and it’s a great way for us to show our appreciation for all their support.” In previous years the event, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., has typically served around 200 guests, but this year’s dinner had drawn that number by just after noon. As part of the festivities, the school also held a raffle. Two tables were filled with donated gifts — many with
Poster continues on Page 7
Frontier High School Principal Rob McMullen welcomes guests to the Frontier HS annual Community Thanksgiving Meal. The School has sponsored the event for 20 years. a holiday flavor — for the raffle, with the proceeds supporting the Frontier High School Experiential Education Program. In addition to hosting the Community Thanksgiving Meal, students at Frontier are assisting with collections for two community service projects. Collection boxes were set up on the
Frontier campus for visitors to donate a toy for the Elizabeth Fire Department’s holiday toy drive. Guests were encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy. The drive is especially in need of gifts for newborns and toddlers as well as for youths age 12 to 16. Alongside the collection of toys, Meal continues on Page 7
Controversy centers on a poster in the clerk and recorder’s office that features a quote from Corinthians. Photo by Rick Gustafson
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.