July 17, 2014 FREE
FoothillsTranscript.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Jeffco5 falls short on signatures
PET PLACEMENTS
Members to regroup on move to increase to five commissioners By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado comunitymedia.com
performance officer for Douglas County Schools, Morgan came to the position saying she
The Jeffco5 — a grassroots campaign run by a small group of volunteers who want to increase the number of county commissioners from three to five — announced last week it was unable to turn in enough signatures to place the initiative on the 2014 ballot. But it wasn’t from a lack of interest from registered voters, according to Ray Goodhart, co-founder of Jeffco5. “The interest was there,” Goodhart said. He estimated that 95 percent of the people engaged agreed with their initiative. The group had the initial goal of collecting 25,000 signatures, but gathered only 10,000 — more than half of the required 17,445 signatures needed to make the ballot. The problem, Goodhart said, was utilizing their small group to circulate petitions and the group did not want to fund paid circulators. “It was an insurmountable task, unbeknownst to us, to do that without paying for outside groups. We felt that that would be weakening our message,” Goodhart said. Karen Oxman, Jeffco5 founder stated that although the group didn’t get enough signatures, it doesn’t mean the initiative is going away. “It’s really sad we didn’t get enough, I wanted to see it on the ballot, I believe it would have passed,” Oxman said. “This is not a dead issue, it’s going until it is passed.” Members will regroup to discuss their strategy moving forward which may include some members supporting candidates in favor of the Jeffco5 initiative although the group as a whole will remain nonpartisan. One particular candidate is John Flerlage, Democratic nominee for county commissioner in district 3 against GOP incumbent Don Rosier, who has been outspoken against increasing the number of county commissioners from three
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The Foothills Animal Shelter held a petriotic special for its furry friends on July Fourth with a $4 offer to adopt a homeless pet. A total of 90 cats, kittens, dogs, puppies and critters were adopted in three hours, a happy outcome for staff at the shelter. Foothills is one of 50 animal shelters that was picked in the U.S. to take part in the ASPCA Rachel Ray $100K Challenge, a contest for shelters to break their own records for saving the lives of animals throughout the months of June, July and August. Each competing shelter has to save more dogs, cats, puppies and kittens than they did during the three months in 2013, the website reads. The contest runs to Aug. 31. To find great deals for adoption, visit www.foothillsanimalshelter.org/soulmate. Courtesy photo
Chiefly academic Jeffco hires new chief academic officer By Crystal Anderson
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canderson@colorado communitymedia.com Jefferson County School District welcomed a new chief academic officer to the executive staff. Syna Morgan was hired as the district’s new chief academic officer in early July. With 24 years of education experience, Morgan will oversee curriculum, instruction, special education, technology and research within the district, among other duties. “Her knowledge of curriculum, instruction and assessment is exceptional,” Jeffco Superintendent Dan McMinimee
Syna Morgan sitting at her new desk as the district’s new Chief Academic Officer. Photo courtesy of Jeffco Schools said in a district news release. “She will lead our team forward in a positive and balanced way with a focus on student achievement and growth.” Formerly the chief systems
Golden resident crowned state senior America Staff Report
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Sharon Nuanes, of Golden was crowned Ms. Colorado Senior America 2014. The Ms. Colorado Senior America Pageant for women aged 60 years or older took place at the Performing Arts Complex at the Pinnacle Charter School in Denver. Nuanes was Denver’s first female volunteer firefighter in 1974. She also worked for the Bureau of Reclamation as a dam engineer for 38 years before retiring. During her time with the bureau she was dispatched by FEMA nine
times to work on national disasters, hurricanes and floods receiving the Civilian Distinguished Medal of Honor for her work on Hurricane Fran. When she is not working as an instructor with the Civilian Emergency Response Team, she spends time with her grandchildren, sews and dances which led her to compete in the Rocky Mountain Senior Games where she received a gold medal for her performance. Nuanes will fly to Atlantic City, New Jersey to compete against other state queens to compete for national title as Ms. Senior America. The event takes place on Oct. 28-30 at the Resorts Hotel.
Sharon Nuanes of Golden was crowned Ms. Colorado Senior America 2014. Courtesy photo