November 5, 2015
ENTER TO WIN
VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 42
LIFT TICKETS! See ad inside for details LoneTreeVoice.net A publication of
D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Challengers sweep the slate Lemieux, Vogel and Ray win nearly 60 percent of the vote for Douglas County School Board By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com A crowd of supporters gathered on Election Night at the Southern Hospitality barbecue restaurant in Lone Tree to cheer on the incumbent candidates for Douglas County School Board as results came in. The night didn’t go as they expected. Anne-Marie Lemieux, Wendy Vogel and David Ray — candidates who oppose the
school district’s reform policies of the past several years — ousted incumbents Kevin Larsen, Craig Richardson and Richard Robbins. Each challenger won with at least 58 percent of the more than 82,000 votes counted by the end of Nov. 3. “The voters of Douglas County have spoken,” said Larsen, the school board president. “They clearly touched on a nerve that people responded to.” In District C, Lemieux, a former teacher, took 58.3 percent of the vote in her race against Larsen.
Lemieux
Ray
Vogel
“We are happy for our community. We’re happy for our schools,” Lemieux said. “We’re happy for our educators and most especially, we are happy for our kids. This is a very good day for Douglas County.” In District F, Ray, a former DCSD prin-
cipal, won 59 percent of the vote against Robbins. In District A, Vogel, a school district parent and volunteer, garnered 58.7 percent of the vote in the race with Richardson. Despite the Nov. 3 outcome, members who support the district’s reform measures will still hold a 4-3 advantage on the school board. “I hope they assimilate well and work with the rest of the board that remains,” Larsen said of the newcomers. The challengers rallied behind concerns over trust and transparency, what they consider to be the mismanagement Election continues on Page 6
Man gets 160 years for chase Stone would need to live past age 100 to see parole By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Seniors who are 65 and older can qualify for a free SilverSneakers card through Medicare. The card grants access to all of the South Suburban recreation centers. Photos by Mike DiFerdinando
SilverSneakers gives seniors a lift Free card a passport to fun, fitness at South Suburban facilities By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com The seniors each pick up a chair and set of hand weights before they find their spots in the gym of the Lone Tree Recreation Center. They huddle in groups, chatting and stretching — some making plans for lunch after the class. For older adults in the area, the popular SilverSneakers fitness class offers fitness and fun at a manageable pace for residents in Lone Tree, Littleton, Centennial and Sheridan. “I love this class. I’ve been coming since I retired, just before I was 70, so I’ve been coming for about seven years now,” Lone Tree resident Rita Smith said. “I like Sneakers continues on Page 11
A man who led police on a chase that extended from Longmont to Lone Tree has been sentenced to 160 years in prison. “You held this community hostage for 90 minutes that day,” said Douglas County District Court Judge Paul King when sentencing Ryan Stone on Oct. 30. Stone, 30, drove more than 100 mph along Interstate 25, veered into oncoming traffic and ultimately struck a Colorado State Patrol trooper who was attempting to lay down a spike strip. The impact shattered the Stone bones in Trooper Bellamann Hee’s lower leg and foot. Stone won’t be eligible for parole for approximately 75 years. He sobbed as family members and friends pleaded for leniency, saying his issues with drugs are what led to the chase. They asked that Stone have the chance to rehabilitate and contribute to society. King pointed out that Stone has a lengthy rap sheet, with 19 felony convictions in Colorado. He repeatedly violated his probation and the conditions of his parole in other felony cases. “The opportunity has knocked and has gone unanswered,” said senior deputy district attorney Jason Siers. Stone continues on Page 10
COMING NEXT WEEK Rita Smith of Lone Tree has been coming to Silver Sneakers workout classes for seven years.
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