September 25, 2014 VOLU M E 1 4 8 | I S S UE 42 | 5 0 ¢
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Looking back on state’s 100-year flood Jeffco repairs still ongoing, homeowners working to stabilize homes
OPEN SPACE PARKS UPDATE In November of last year, Jeffco Open Space assessed damages to be $605,000. At Apex Park, 3.8 miles (40 percent) of the park’s trails were severely damaged, but community volunteers and open space staff have since repaired and reopened the majority of the park. Jeffco Open Space anticipated work to be complete by Sept. 30 but have moved its target date to Nov. 26. Restoration work remains for White Ranch Park and North Table Mountain Park. The realignment of the damaged Pick N’ Sledge Trail at Apex Park will be completed by the spring of 2015 with limited trail closures for construction. For additional information see jeffco.us/parks/parksand-trails or register for Apex Park emails by sending a message to apexpark@jeffco.us to join the list.
By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com September marks the first year anniversary since record setting rainfall engulfed parts of the state, leaving behind washed out homes, highways and trails. In Jefferson County, 912 applicants countywide applied for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program totaling awards at about $1.6 million, the county reported. Coal Creek Canyon was one of many focal points for flood damages with rescue efforts geared toward getting residents out of their homes after State Highway 72 was left in pieces and many driveways torn apart with homes overrun by muddied debris. Tom and Jane Moran, residents of Coal Creek Canyon, didn’t opt for a rescue but stayed in their home for two months with friends hiking in from Boulder County to deliver perishables. Eventually the September flooding washed away their driveway bridge over Coal Creek, leaving the Morans even more separated from the outside world with Highway 72 already impassable. Still, Tom Moran also known to his neighbors as Terrible Tom, said compared to other residents in the canyon along with others further west in Jamestown with homes completely destroyed, his situation was simply an
inconvenience. “There are people that suffered greatly and they still need to be helped,” Moran said. “We have to count our blessings in this canyon.” Driving up Highway 72, independent contractors are still working on driveways with some residents seeing newly installed culverts placed in the now-shallow creek beds. “Life is almost back to normal,” Moran said. “And life will go on.” Immediately after the flooding waters subsided, the county and state worked quickly to assess damages. Jeffco Road and Bridge reported that 75 percent of damage done by the flood has
The Morans were able to get a new driveway to their home, shown above, two months after the middle section was completely washed out. Photo by Amy Woodward been repaired. Projects on Twin Spruce Road and Crescent Park Drive completed include roadway fill, shoulders and culvert repairs. “In many cases we rebuilt the roads,” said Kate Newman, deputy county assessor. “Road and Bridge did a phenomenal job at responding.” In three to four weeks, roads were stabilized and re-opened for accessibility Newman said, adding that much of the work left involves repairing retaining walls along the roadsides. “We would not be in the position that we are in now if it wasn’t for the community volunteers,” said County Commissioner Don Rosier. “I can’t say enough positive things about not only county staff but the commu-
POSTAL ADDRESS
Biden urges strength to Board stop domestic violence sets salary
schedule
Vice president speaks at agency in Denver
Jeffco moves forward, setting higher pay scale
By Vic Vela
vvela@colorado communitymedia.com
GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 0746-6382)
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nity.” Moran said there are still some residents who have sustained damages that have left them destitute with defiled septic tanks and basements filled with mud. He is concerned about the county’s monetary shortcomings that seemed to be more concerned with minimizing damages for the next 100 year flood than providing aid to homeowners. “There really wasn’t enough forthcoming to set aside $1 million in aid for people who really need it?” Moran said. On the hand, “I don’t know how anybody can really help them.”
Vice President Joe Biden came to Denver on Sept. 19 to urge men to stand up against domestic violence, saying that men have “an absolute obligation to intervene when you see violence taking place.” “That’s manhood,” the vice president said. “That’s being a man.” Biden gave his passionate remarks prior to taking part in a round-table discussion on domestic violence at a Safehouse Denver office on Capitol Hill. The organization provides services and shelter for battered women. Biden’s trip marks the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, which he spearheaded as a U.S. senator. Biden recalled some pushback at the time of the legislation, saying that some used to consider domestic violence “a family matter.” The vice president thanked the press for covering that effort 20 years ago, saying the media was “the reason why we’ve been able to put a face on domestic violence.” Biden’s remarks came just a couple of hours after National Football League Commission-
By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com
Domestic violence victim and advocate Rose Andom wipes away a tear as Vice President Joe Biden talks about domestic violence during a Sept. 19 visit to a women’s safehouse in Denver. Photo by Vic Vela er Roger Goodell apologized to fans for his handling of recent incidents involving domestic violence among league stars. “I would respectfully suggest to you had what has gone on in the NFL in the last four weeks been reported in 1984, I doubt very much it would get the coverage it’s getting now,” Biden said, in a nod to the changing cultural attitudes toward domestic violence. Biden was flanked by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and domestic-violence advocates and survivors. Hancock — whose sister was shot 12 years as part of ongoing domestic violence suffered at the hands of her boyfriend — praised Biden’s work on the issue. The mayor also touted the
soon-to-be built Rose Andom Center — named after a domestic violence survivor who sat next to the vice president — which will serve as a “onestop shop” for domestic-violence victims to receive care and services. The center will have on-site police, magistrates and child and pet care services. “Our goal here today is to shed light on the issue of domestic violence in our community,” Hancock said. Biden reminded the audience that violence isn’t unique to certain groups of people. He said that gays and lesbians are also victims, as are undocumented immigrant women, who may fear deportation by Biden continues on Page 12
The Jeffco Schools board of education approved a salary cap limit for teachers by a 3-2 vote Thursday, Sept. 18. Board members John Newkirk, Julie Williams and Ken Witt voted in favor with Lesley Dahlkemper and Jill Fellman opposed. “We believe the model that we put out there needs to both attract and retain high quality staff,” said Jeffco Superintendent Dan McMinimee. Dahlkemper said she opposed the model due to a hasty process. Executive director of human resources Amy Weber presented the new model that sets the over market or top salary for all teachers at $81,031, with effective and highly effective teachers earning a onetime, performance-based stipend. “We want to ensure that great teachers want to stay in Jeffco classrooms, and we think by having that high over market at $81,000 that we will not only attract great teachers because they’ll see an end (salary amount) but will also retain the great teachers we have in our system, and they’ll want to stay in Jeffco classrooms,” McMinimee said. The target cost for the compensation plan is around $11.1 million during the 2014-2015 school year, with an ongoing Salary continues on Page 12