1
October 30, 2014 VOLU M E 1 3 | I SS UE 41
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
South Metro marks change Baker takes over as new fire chief during Oct. 16 ceremony in Lone Tree Staff report
anced neighborhood.” The southeast light rail extension will add three light rail stops, around which transit-oriented developments likely will be constructed. TODs typically are mixeduse residential and commercial areas designed to maximize access to public transportation. Lone Tree officials want to see more than just apartments around the future light rail stops and elsewhere in the city. A rare condominium building, Commonwealth Heights, is under construction in RidgeGate. The 190-unit RidgeGate
The first change-of-command ceremony in the history of the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority marked the retirement of Chief Dan Qualman and the beginning of a new era under Bob Baker. The ceremony Oct. 16 at the Lone Tree Arts Center was steeped in more than 250 years of history, both in the fire service and the military. In the fire service, assuming command of the organization means taking responsibility for the well-being, safety and protection of citizens living in the district and the members of the department. It also means a responsibility to ensure that first-responders are provided everything needed to perform their jobs to the best of their ability, and return home safely to their families. After 36 years in fire service, Qualman turned over the reins of leadership of the department to former Assistant Chief of Operations Bob Baker. Baker began his career at the Parker Fire Protection District as a firefighter in 1984 and served in several capacities since then including; engineer, lieutenant, shift commander and battalion chief. Baker has been a chief officer since 1990 and also served as Parker Fire District’s training chief from 1994 to 1997 and the administration chief from 2002 until 2004. He was instrumental in the consolidation of the Parker Fire District and South
Housing continues on Page 16
Fire Chief continues on Page 16
Construction is under way at Commonwealth Heights in Lone Tree’s RidgeGate neighborhood. It is planned as a for-sale condominium complex, a rarity given current consturction defects laws. Photo by Jane Reuter
Lone Tree seeks housing balance City mulls ways to ease law on condo construction By Jane Reuter
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com Lone Tree, along with governmental agencies statewide, is searching for ways to ensure a balanced future residential population. Current state laws related to condominium construction defects mean condo projects — which tend to draw first-time homebuyers — are rare. Developers wary
of litigation and unable to afford escalating insurance premiums shy away from the product. “It’s created a gap in the housing market where you just have rentals and more or less single-family homes,” Lone Tree Mayor Jim Gunning said. “We’re eliminating the opportunity for first-home buyers and some of the younger folks. “Eliminating a market segment from your community has an impact on how a community develops. Especially on the (east) side of I-25, where we will have light rail extension, we’re really going to be hampered in letting the market create a bal-
Candidates sound off at forum Event included hopefuls for positions in Legislature By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com The 2014 Candidate Forum at the Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center on Oct. 23 provided an opportunity for a dialogue between those running for office and voters. Four candidates seeking state office took part, along with eight vying for three positions on Parker Town Council. Candidates covered a range of topics during the forum, which was co-sponsored by the Parker Chamber of Commerce and Colorado Community Media. What follows are some highlights of the legislative portion of the forum. When asked how they would help fix the partisan climate in politics: • Bette Davis, the Democratic candidate for Senate District 30, said partisanship starts as a child, and she would encourage parents to expose their children to all different ideas from the start. • Chris Holbert, the Republican running for Senate District 30, said he would work to put one party each in the majority in the State House and State Senate so both sides
would be “forced to work together.” • Kim Ransom, the Republican candidate for House District 44, said healthy disagreement is good, and while the fighting can be “ugly” at times, she would not want to “put the kibosh on personal expression.” • Ransom’s Democratic opponent, Karen Jae Smith, said she is a “middle-of-the-road candidate” who would represent the interests of those who see both sides of the issues. When asked about their opinions on hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”: • Smith said she has mixed emotions on the issue and likes the idea of revenue and jobs for the state, but wants oversight, saying, “we have too much to lose if we don’t do it right.” • Ransom said she favors developing oil and gas resources in a responsible way, but said regulations are already in place and the state should “let people go out and make a living.” • Holbert said fracking can fund new schools and infrastructure improvements and believes landowners should have the right to develop resources on their property. • Davis said public health should take precedence and companies should be compelled to limit their water use in the process because Colorado is an arid state. When asked if they have strong opinions about any of the four statewide ballot is-
From left, Senate District 30 candidates Bette Davis and Chris Holbert and House District 44 candidates Kim Ransom and Karen Jae Smith share a laugh at the start of a forum at the PACE Center Oct. 23. Photo by Chris Michlewicz sues: • Ransom said while she wants companies to know Colorado is open for business, she doesn’t support a constitutional amendment that would benefit one business over another. • Smith said she opposes all four issues. • Holbert said he likes the idea of open
salary negotiations between school boards and teachers’ unions, and noted the Douglas County School District controls a halfbillion-dollar budget. • Davis said she opposes the personhood amendment because it could limit access to birth control and criminalize medical procedures.