November 5, 2015
ENTER TO WIN
VOLUME 149 | ISSUE 48 | 50¢
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A HALLOWEEN THAT WAS JUST RIGHT
All they’re missing is Goldilocks. Preston and Courtney Cowhey, aka papa bear and mama bear, pose for a picture with their daughter Evelyn, 3, at the Downtown Merchants’ trick-or-treat event in Golden on Oct. 30. The previous evening the Colorado School of Mines hosted its own trick-or-treat experience as well. For more costumes and candy fun, turn to PAGE 5. Photo by Christy Steadman
Clean slate wins school race By Crystal Anderson canderson@colorado communitymedia.com The Jefferson County School Board majority of Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk are out, recalled by an overwhelming majority of voters. The result effectively ushers in an entirely new five-member board. “I don’t have a word for it — it was breathtaking to see the results come in so fast,” said John Ford, president of the Jeffco teachers union, before hugging his family on election night with tears in his eyes. Newkirk expressed his disappointment. “I’m feeling good that I got two good years in,” he said. “I’m a little disapointed that I won’t be able to have another two years to finish the job that I was elected to do. But you do what you can.” The recalled board majority was elected to office in November 2013 by approximately 39 percent, or 135,000 of the district’s 350,000 voters. Witt conceded the election soon after polling closed at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. As of 8:30 p.m., 158,013 had been counted, representing 39.5 percent of the county’s registered voters. Over the past two years, the majority has such championed issues as charter school funding and tying teacher pay to performance with a controversial evaluation system. Critics have criticized a lack of transparency, the hiring of Superintendent Dan McMinimee and the board attorney Brad A. Miller. Other contested issues revolved around the review of the district’s Advanced Placement U.S. History curriculum, increased teacher turnover and a 10-month contract with the teacher’s union.
Former Jeffco students Ashlyn Maher and Dylon Robinson-Ruet excitedly hug after hearing the news that the Jeffco school board majority of Ken Witt, John Newkirk and Julie Williams were recalled. Photo by Crystal Anderson
All three said they stand by their record and see the work they’ve done, such as increasing teacher pay, as reasos why they should have remained in office. Those elected to the recall positions will serve two years on the board and those elected in the regular election of District 3 and District 4 will serve a four-year term.
ONLINE
Go to the Golden Transcript website, www. goldentranscript. com, for election results from the night of Nov. 3.
WHAT’S INSIDE
It’s a long time coming Longboarding craze deserves city venue, students tell panel Cross Country: Golden runners compete in state tournament. See Page 23
COMING NEXT WEEK Colorado Community Media helps honor the men and women of the United States military with a special package of stories and photos.
By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Longboarding is an emerging sport across the world. And some freshmen at Golden High School believe Golden would be an ideal spot to boast the nation’s first longboarding park. It’s “the wonderful topography of our city that makes Golden the perfect candidate,” according to a presentation made by seven students to the city’s parks and recreation advisory board. Longboarding is downhill skateboarding. It focuses on speed and Longboard continues on Page 22
Calvin Staub, 23, a longboard racer from Golden, rides his longboard at sunrise on the way to work. Longboarding is a sport growing in popularity, he said, and Colorado boasts a large longboarding community. Photo courtesy of Mike Paproski
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