Voice
Lone Tree 9-12-2013
Lone Tree
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 35
September 12, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlonetreenews.com
CSU plans to initiate area classes No specific location announced for program starting in January By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com
A happy golden retriever emerges from the water after successfully snagging two tennis balls during Lone Tree’s Sept. 7 Wag-n-Romp event.
Whole lotta
Shakin’ going on
Hot temperatures and cool water brought hundreds of Lone Tree-area dogs and their owners to Cook Creek Pool on Lone Tree Parkway for the Sept. 7 Wag-n-Romp. The seventh annual event, which gives dogs a four-hour romp in the typically taboo waters, signals the end of the summer season and the pool’s closing. Participants of every breed and size cavorted together. They ranged from a 250-pound Lone Tree mastiff named Tobias to a rare Mexican hairless named Chupacabra visiting from Littleton. Though admission was free, donations were accepted for dog rescue organizations.
Photos by Jane ReuteR
Murphy, a border collie owned by Lone Tree resident Yvonne Davis, pauses during play as other dogs contentedly cruise through the waters of Cook Creek Pool.
‘Grinch’ protesters were paid teens Costumed characters have attended prior meetings, events linked to schools By Jane Reuter
jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com Two mute, masked and costumed protesters on hand for the Sept. 3 screening of a documentary about the Douglas County School Board were revealed as teenage boys, paid for their time by an unknown person or source. The two were carrying signs reading, “Grinches for union control.” Protesters attired in the same costumes — Santa suits with Grinch masks — have stood several times outside the Douglas County School District administration building during controversial meetings, and appeared at a June 14 parent protest at Lone Tree’s Marriott hotel. Castle Rock filmmaker Brian Malone Grinch continues on Page 15
Colorado State University announced Sept. 5 that it is moving ahead with plans to launch a “significant presence” in the south metro Denver area early next year. “The CSU South Metro Denver presence is one of the last essential elements for us to prosper economically in this global environment,” John Brackney, president of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, said in a news release. “We are deeply appreciative of CSU for its desire to leverage the strength of our businesses community, specifically in relationship to STEM disciplines, and for considering the possibilities of cooperative education in direct partnership with major employers.” The first classes will begin in January and are part of a systems-engineering master’s degree program. No specific location has been announced. CSU spokesman Kyle Henley said university officials are working with a number of local tech companies in hopes of utilizing their training facilities for those classes. Ronald M. Sega, CSU’s vice president and enterBrackney prise executive for energy and the environment, will serve as a liaison to the business community and as the lead academic adviser. Sega is a former NASA astronaut and retired major general in the Air Force. “One of the real opportunities of the CSU-South Metro project is to provide key graduate-level programs that clearly fill strategic needs for the region’s business community,” Sega said. “I’m looking forward to meeting with our corporate partners in the coming weeks and months to discuss how we can serve them and support the region’s strong track record of economic growth.” In fall of 2014, CSU will add four-year degrees in business and nursing, and more as demand is realized. But Henley said the intent is not to compete with local community colleges, and that CSU has in fact been working closely with Arapahoe Community College in Littleton and other higher-education institutions in the area. “We’ve had a lot of conversations with ACC and continue to work closely with them,” said Henley. “We see a lot of very promising relationships, and we’re going to continue to talk with them.” CSU System Chancellor Mike Martin said partnering with community colleges means graduates don’t have to leave Denver or commute to continue their college education. In addition, it will help keep CSU’s startup costs low, eliminate overlap and help guide two-year graduates toward a bachelor’s degree. CSU hopes to build a permanent facility in the region in the next three CSU continues on Page 15
Two protesters stood mute outside the Parker Mainstreet Center during the showing of a film about the Douglas County School Board’s education reform efforts. Photo by Jane Reuter
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