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Governor Continued from Page 1
utopians and anarchists,” he said. “But others are starting to see that Libertarians are right. It’s based on common sense and it’s very logical and consistent.” Then there’s Harry Hempy. With a name like that, he is the perfect standard-bearer for the Green Party. “It fits,” Hempy said of his name. “I think it give me a 10 percent handicap over the other candidates. You won’t believe how many people ask me if that’s my real name.” Hempy, who lives in western Boulder County near Jamestown, is a retired IBM computer scientist. He is also a former Democrat who said he left the party out of frustration that its
October 23, 2014 leaders weren’t taking the issue of campaign finance limits seriously. “I finally became convinced that they were not interested in taking money out of politics, so I said there’s no hope in this party, just like in the Republican Party,” Hempy said. Hempy would like to see a faster development of renewable energy resources and wants the government to stop handing out “special tax subsidies” for oil and gas companies. Hempy also wants government to do something about “the injustice of low pay and corporate control.” He believes that message resonates with voters who may be disillusioned with government and politics. “Sixty percent of Americans want to have a third major party and they don’t realize they’re in the majority for wanting that,” he said. The veteran candidate of the group is
Leonard Continued from Page 1
bleachers of the Elizabeth High football field. “Just thinking about how there are only a couple more weeks left. That’s hard, because I don’t know if I’ll be able to play in college. It’s been a long time playing football, since I was a little kid. I’m not really ready for it to be done yet.” He plays with his helmet as he tells his story. The Cardinal logo sticker is scraped and peeling just slightly. The scuffs and scratches are signs of hard work, chan-
Paul Fiorino, an unaffiliated candidate who is making his third run for the governor’s office. “It’s just a matter of name recognition, that’s all it is,” Fiorino said of getting voters’ attention. “People see you on the ballot a couple of times and maybe they’ll take you seriously the third time.” Fiorino believes the state has only scratched the surface when it comes to the possibilities of Amendment 64, which legalized recreational marijuana sales and use in Colorado. He would like to see the state take on a greater role in promoting cannabis commerce and said there is also great economic potential in the hemp industry. On education, Fiorino said he is frustrated that schools have cut back on art programs, the humanities and physical fitness. “We’re supposed to be the healthiest state and we don’t even have a physical fitness standard,” he said.
nel markers of a season and a career well played. Leonard, who plays running back and linebacker for the Cardinals (4-3), has carried the ball 117 times for 731 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He has also led the way for Elizabeth on defense, notching 43 tackles, a sack and an interception. Leonard was recognized as the Colorado IBM High School Hero of the week Sept. 19. During the Sept. 19 homecoming game against Englewood, Leonard carried the ball 21 times for 227 yards and two touchdowns. He also chipped in with seven tackles from the defensive side of the ball as the Cardinals went on to beat the Pirates 28-0. “(Leonard) just hits the hole hard … he’s our workhorse,” Elizabeth coach Chris Cline said after the Engle-
Elizabeth High School senior Rob Leonard prepares to take the field in a game earlier this season. Courtesy photo
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wood game. “He’s just a hard-working good kid who we can really rely on.” Leonard had no idea he was going to be honored for his performance. “I was actually at a Bronco game. We were sitting in our seats and my grandpa called me and said ‘I just heard on the radio that you’re the 850 KOA High School Hero,’” he said. “It was a big surprise.” The award is a joint venture between the Colorado High School Activities Association, IBM, 850 KOA and the Denver Broncos to recognize activity/athletic participants, coaches, administrators, officials and volunteers who promote the educational value of interscholastic participation. Nominations must be submitted by school personnel. Four to six winners are selected each week during the Denver Broncos’ season. Winners are recognized on various IBM promotional spots on 850 KOA. All of the season’s winners will be invited to a reception at Invesco Field, hosted by IBM and 850 KOA, where they will be honored. In addition to athletic achievement, cumulative grade-point average and community service are also part of the criteria for the award. Leonard has earned a 3.71 GPA at Elizabeth and gone on three mission trips with his church, in addition to working at the Elizabeth Presbyterian Church Food Bank. “I think community service is important because it teaches humility and keeps my life in perspective,” he said. Leonard said he was honored to receive the award, but said he couldn’t have done it without the help of his teammates and coaches. “It feels great. I just love playing and I love playing for the school, and just being recognized for it is nice,” Leonard said. “I’m not doing it all on my own, of course. All of the linemen and the tight ends do a great job, and I’ve been successful because all of us have come together.” Leonard, who also wrestles for Elizabeth, said he hasn’t decided what is in store for him following graduation, but that he would like to go to college, where he plans to study business management. He’s looking at the University of Colorado, Colorado State and Colorado Mesa as possible destinations. While he said he would love to continue to play football in college, he understands that the football-playing chapter of his life may be coming to an end. If he doesn’t play football collegiately, Leonard said he would like to give rugby a shot. His older brother picked up the sport as a freshman at Colorado Mesa and has fallen in love with a different oval-shaped leather ball. “I’d like to try and play rugby in college like my brother does, for a club team or something,” Leonard said. “It’s a great sport. My brother loves it, and I think it’s something that I could be pretty good at.” Leonard laughs a little as he poses for pictures, the grass stains and little rips in his practice uniform all but washed out by the sun. “What would I like our legacy to be?” he asks himself. “I’d like us to be known as a class that was not just a screw-around class or a group that didn’t care, but as a class that really came together and tried to play as a team. I want people to know that we were a team in school and in sports and outside of school. We were a close group.” Leonard and his friends have a few more Friday nights together. A couple more long walks out to the field, a handful of moments to take in. Regardless of what happens after that, he is grateful for the time and teammates and touchdowns that he’s been a part of at Elizabeth.
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Fiorino was raised in Douglas County and is ballet dancer who has performed on stage from New York to Denver. In the early 1990s, Fiorino was affected by Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disease where the body’s immune system attacks parts of the nervous system. Fiorino has fought through the disease, which can paralyze muscles, and has even released his own album, where he plays guitar and performs faith-inspired songs. Fiorino believes there are parallels in working as a performing artist and being a governor. “You need to bring chaos together to put on a performance,” he said. “That’s what an artistic director can do and that’s what a governor does.” “But, just being a ballet dancer in America takes some cojones, I think.”
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