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January 9, 2014 Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 12, Issue 52 A publication of
lonetreevoice.net
School board member resigns Justin Williams cites desire to spend more time with family By Jane Reuter
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com Douglas County School Board Member Justin Williams stepped down from his post Jan. 6, saying he wants to fulfill a new year’s resolution to spend more time with his family. Williams had filed with the Colorado Secretary of State as a candidate for House District 44, but said he is not moving forward with that effort.
“I am in the process of withdrawing my filing to run for that seat,” he wrote in an email. “I am not running. I need to be a dad, something I have some room for improvement in.” The seat presently is held by Chris Holbert, who is running for the District 30 Senate seat currently occupied by Ted Harvey. In a news release issued by the Douglas County School District, Williams said, “I have served on the board for over six years and have really enjoyed being a part of such a wonderful school district with excellent people. “It is time to spend my time focusing on my primary role as a husband and a father to my five children. I am very proud of the work
we have accomplished and will always cherish it.” Williams, who represents the Parker area in District F, was first elected to the board in 2007. He was re-elected in 2011, and his second term was set to expire in NovemWilliams ber 2015. School board president Kevin Larsen, also quoted in the email, said the process to replace Williams will begin after the board formally accepts Williams’ resignation during its Jan. 21 meeting. “Our first priority is to thank Justin for
his service, his passion, and his unwavering commitment to DCSD,” wrote Larsen. “We regret that he will be unable to complete his term. “At our next meeting, the board will discuss a resolution to outline the process for replacing director Williams. I expect that we will set forth a process that includes an application and interview.” Williams, an executive with the Denver branch of the technology company Long View Systems, did not return calls requesting further comment. Douglas County Commissioner Jack Hilbert also has filed as a candidate for House District 44.
A case of Denver déjà vu? Last year’s battles will surface again this legislative session By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradcommunitymedia.com
From left, Tessa and Chase Hancock and Mary Formeller, all of Acres Green, walk their dogs recently in Sweetwater Park. The park is one of three area locations that are being studied for coyote activity. Photo by Jane Reuter
Coyote attacks drop in Lone Tree City participating in regional behavioral study By Jane Reuter
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com Cooper the dog survived a coyote attack during a holiday visit to Lone Tree, but city police said his close encounter is the most severe incident reported there in several months. “It’s still an ongoing effort, but I think a lot of people are more aware of the fact there is coyote activity out there,” Lone Tree’s animal control officer Dennis Page said. The city, which recorded three fatal coyote attacks on dogs in 2013 and six in 2012, is participating in a regional study on the animals. In December, researchers with the Denver Metro Area Coyote Study placed posts for video cameras near Prairie Sky Park, the Lone Tree Golf Course clubhouse and Sweetwater Park. Once the cameras are placed, they will record coyote movements to help researchers determine if the animals are growing bolder and more aggressive.
Coyotes attacks typically peak in the spring, when coyotes give birth and become highly defensive and territorial. They also can be aggressive toward dogs during the January through March mating season, when larger dogs may be viewed as threat to territory. Cooper, who is small and white, likely wasn’t a potential threat, said Lone Tree resident Doug Hoggard. “The good news is my dog survived,” he said. “The bad news is my dog really does look like a rabbit.” Cooper’s grandchildren live in Parker and brought Cooper with them for a midDecember visit. Hoggard, who lives along the Lone Tree golf course, doesn’t have a fenced yard. Though Hoggard warned his visiting family members not to leave the dog unattended outside, his 9-year-old granddaughter tethered Cooper off the back patio at about 6 a.m. Dec. 17. Four coyotes almost immediately attacked the small dog, but fled when the granddaughter screamed. Cooper suffered several puncture wounds and bruises, but no serious injuries. “He probably would have been killed in a manner of seconds if she hadn’t been
there,” Hoggard said. “It was a big, expensive vet bill, but we were lucky.” Coyote study investigator Mary Ann Bonnell said pet owners should supervise their animals directly. “Go out with your dog, particularly at dawn, dusk and through the night,” she said. “At this time of year, we start to see an elevation in these kinds of attacks on dogs. (Coyotes) are getting ready to mate and den and getting more serious about defending their territories.” Page doesn’t view the attack on Cooper as unusually aggressive or cause for alarm, but as an unfortunate circumstance. “Coyotes are opportunity hunters,” he said. “They can’t tell the difference between a rabbit and a poodle. “When you have a dog on the back porch unprotected and tethered, it becomes fair game to them. They were doing what they do naturally.” The city welcomes additional volunteers to its Lone Tree Coyote Team, which includes free training from Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff in hazing techniques and educating others about the animals. For more information, call Page at the Lone Tree Police Department, 303339-8150.
Going into this year’s legislative session, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle insist that their next 120 days of work will focus on jobs and the economy. But the reality is that Democrats and Republicans will spend a good portion of their time refighting old battles inside the Capitol. Polarizing issues from last year’s session — rural energy mandates; oil and gas industry regulations; election reform; and, yes, gun control — will be debated again. It’s enough to make Yogi Berra proud, because a good portion of this year’s session will seem like deja vu all over again. “When you look at the outcry from the last session, there are some things that need to be looked at again,” said Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs. “And we will have an opportunity to fix them.” Republicans will sponsor bills that seek to undo a Democrat-sponsored gun control package that was placed into law following last year’s session. The package led to new laws that created universal background checks on gun sales; limited the amount of ammunition that a highcapacity magazine can hold; and restricted domestic violence offenders’ access to guns. But Democratic leaders aren’t interested in having the same gun debates from last session, ones that led to emotionallycharged testimony and marathon committee hearings and floor votes. “We’re ready to move forward in Colorado and solve the problems that people are telling us we need to solve,” said House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver. “We don’t need to rehash the same fights we fought over last year.” But Democrats won’t have much a choice. Besides gun legislation, Cadman said that his party will introduce bills that Battles continues on Page 9
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