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December 18, 2014 VOLU M E 1 3 | I SS UE 48
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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
Justices hear voucher arguments State’s top court could take up to nine months for decision By Jane Reuter
jreuter @coloradocommunitymedia.com Colorado Supreme Court justices asked pointed questions about the potential impact of voucher programs on public schools, among other issues, during the long-awaited oral arguments surrounding the Douglas County School District’s choice scholarship program. The court could take up to nine months to issue its decision, though it has ruled in as little as a month on some cases. The rul-
ing will apply to all other courts in the state. The chambers were packed Dec. 10, with requests for seats exceeding the room’s 195seat capacity. The demand prompted the court to livestream the proceedings. Among those with a front-row seat for the arguments were John Carson, who was president of the DCSD board when the program was implemented in 2011, former board member Justin Williams, current board president Kevin Larsen and board member Rich Robbins. Justices hit both sides with questions during the hour-long session, which included 30 minutes of argument each from attorneys for DCSD and plaintiffs Taxpayers for Public Education. Voucher continues on Page 13
Michael McCarthy, center, an attorney representing Taxpayers for Public Education, argues their case against the Douglas County School District’s voucher program during a packed Dec. 11 hearing at the Colorado Supreme Court. Pool photo/RJ Sangosti, Denver Post
Leaders get experience of lifetime Coalition had ‘robust business agenda’ in nation’s capital By Christy Steadman
csteadman @coloradocommunitymedia.com
Residents of Lone Tree’s Ridgeview neighborhood lit the streets with luminarias Dec. 11 to signify the light and spirit of holiday generosity. They will light them again Christmas Eve. Photo by Tom Bearden
Neighbors celebrate season of giving Ridgeview homeowners hope to light a path for others to follow By Jane Reuter
jreuter @coloradocommunitymedia.com Ridgeview homeowner Susan Neil knows she lives a life of plenty. She lives in a beautiful home in a Lone Tree neighborhood, surrounded by neighbors who also are close friends. Neil wanted to give back. The neighbors typically hold a gift exchange, but this year — at Neil’s suggestion — every household is writing a check to its favorite charity instead. “I thought, ‘Why are we gifting our-
selves, when we have so much to be grateful for?’” said Neil. To further highlight the idea, homeowners throughout the neighborhood of 68 homes lit luminarias at 6 p.m. Dec. 11. Paper bags containing sand and candles were placed about a foot apart up and down Ridgeview’s streets lit, creating a golden, glowing chain. The idea was “to make a continuous circle in the spirit of giving,” Neil said. Neighbors then gathered outside for sangria and conversation on the unseasonably warm evening. “This is a new tradition in Ridgeview,” said Lynette Druva, who donated money to Cross Ministries. “I’m hoping it’s one that lasts.” Lili Stracken, who donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, said the
neighborhood is already close, but, “I think this has pulled our community together.” Ruth Ann Bearden, who donated to the Angel Tree nonprofit, agreed. “I’ve lived here 22 years; we’re one of the original owners,” she said, “and I’ve met people today I’ve never met before.” Neil was delighted by the response to her idea. “To see everyone come together and embrace something like this and share the camaraderie … I just feel the whole thing was a huge success,” she said. In the hope of inspiring others to also give, neighbors plan to light the luminarias again on Christmas Eve, and encourage people to cruise their festive streets. “We’re looking for it to go virtual,” said Neil’s fiancé, Jackson Slaton.
It was a bustling three days in the nation’s capital — people were protesting the Keystone XL pipeline project and the World Health Organization was having a function on Ebola. Amid it all was a group of south metro Denver’s elected officials, educators and two graduate students, chamber of commerce members and business leaders. The trip to Washington, D.C., was very successful, said Jeff Wasden, president of the Colorado Business Roundtable, because there was something for everybody. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those who had never gone before,” he said, “and the veterans to D.C. got to experience something new.” The 24 attendees visited Washington for three days Nov. 18-20. The main purposes included building Wasden relationships, increasing visibility locally and nationally, gaining knowledge and providing input to national leaders. “An understanding of the issues critical to our representatives at the federal level, and how those can end up affecting us locally, is key,” said Josh Martin, Parker mayor pro tem. The group had a full itinerary with a “very robust business agenda,” Wasden said, which included meetings with the National Business Roundtable, the White House Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The trip was also significant because the local participants had opportunities to network with each other, said Wasden, a Highlands Ranch resident. “All the lunches and dinners are my favorite part,” said Katia de Orbegoso, president of the Roxborough Business Association. “The unstructured environment was the perfect time to get to know each other, share ideas and comment on the different briefings.” And there was some time for fun, Wasden said. The group went bowling at the Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley, and they enjoyed an evening monument tour. Being able to tour the monuments in the evening, away from DC trip continues on Page 13