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February 27, 2015 VOLU M E 1 3 | I SS UE 1 7
ParkerChronicle.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Sober-living house given three weeks to comply Town sends cease-and-desist letter to owners of home By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com
Gage Hecht, 17, of Parker, makes his way through the snow during the Colorado State Championships last year. Photos by Dejan Smaic
Parker cyclist hits world stage Gage Hecht, 17, dominating in Cyclo-cross here and abroad By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com Don’t tell Gage Hecht that working in weather conditions like rain, sleet or snow is reserved strictly for mail carriers. The 17-year-old from Parker has spent recent years working his way up the national junior Cyclo-cross circuit, but in the last four months has catapulted himself into the company of the world’s elite. He made international headlines for his surprise win at the UCI Junior Race at Koksijde in Belgium, the first time an American has even Cyclist continues on Page 9
What is Cyclo-cross? Cyclo-cross courses are typically off road, but portions of pavement are included in some routes. Riders encounter grass, dirt, mud, gravel, sand, and a mess of other conditions. The races are based on a set time and measured by the number of laps, not distance. Depending on the category, a race can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. In most cases, officials wait to see how quickly riders complete the first lap before deciding how many total laps will be completed. The twisting courses are 1.55 miles to 2.17 miles long and typically include barriers and other features that necessitate hopping both off and back onto the bike.
Hecht plows through sand during the Rocky Mountain Championships in Boulder last year. He travels up to 10 months a year, and gets to see the world. Photo by Eddie Clark
The Town of Parker is giving a homebased drug and alcohol treatment facility three weeks to shape up or ship out. Attorneys acting on behalf of the town sent a cease-and-desist letter Feb. 13 to David and Amber Kuminka, the owners of a home on Parliament Way in the Rowley Downs subdivision. The house was rented last fall to Community Recovery of Colorado, a California-based business that operates sober-living houses, and neighbors have been concerned about excessive vehicle traffic, parking issues and homeowners’ association violations. Residents in western Elbert County living near a separate facility run by the same company have also been challenging the legality of the treatment center. The Sky Rim HOA has threatened a lawsuit against the owners of that home to stop what they say is an illegal commercial enterprise in a residential area. The Town of Parker’s letter says Community Recovery of Colorado didn’t go through the proper protocols before opening its facility on Parliament Way, but the homeowners who rented out their home have until March 13 to file a use-by-specialreview application. Chris Bathum, the owner of Community Recovery of Colorado, sent a letter to the town in early January stating his intent — but not asking for approval — to operate the sober-living houses. “The residences are simple cooperative housing that support the people in treatment. They qualify as a residential use of the property, not a commercial use,” the letter says. “This has long precedence in Colorado and federal law and is similar to what might be called a sober living house. Treatment does not occur at the residence.” Parker’s cease-and-desist notice to the Kuminkas says “the town has no record of you or anyone on your behalf seeking approval for the use of the property as a ‘sober Sober continues on Page 9
Parker feed store founder dies at 81 Hermann Schacht lives, leaves in memorable fashion By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com Anyone interested in leaving a lasting legacy in this world would be wise to follow in the footsteps of Hermann Schacht. The founder of Parker Feed & Western Supply, one of the longeststanding businesses in the town’s history, succumbed to prostate cancer Jan. 12 after a seven-year battle. A memorial service in his honor drew more than 400 relatives, friends and dedicated customers. They spoke of Schacht’s devotion to his family and the shop he opened in 1971 with his wife, Wan-
da, along a largely-vacant stretch of North Highway 83, more commonly known these days as South Parker Road. Nineteen years earlier, he had emigrated from Germany to America with little more than $2 in his pocket. His tale of opportunity and prosperity is the definition of the American Dream. It’s not only Schacht’s storied life that’s worth celebrating. The aweinspiring way in which Schacht — whose given first name was Guenter but went by Hermann, his middle name — departed this world was befitting, almost magical, like the final scenes in the whimsical Tim Burton film “Big Fish.” It was a send-off for the ages, and Schacht seemed to know precisely when he was leaving, says his daughter Debby Schacht, who runs the family business along with her mother and brother, Tom. After
receiving hospice care, he decided in mid-December to spend the final weeks of his life in his Elizabeth home, and a constant stream of well-wishers came by to visit. Hermann Schacht was grateful for the chance to say farewell. “He would share this little tidbit of wisdom or tell a story or thank them for their friendship,” Debby Schacht said. “He told them how much he loved them.” On the Saturday prior to what would have been his 82nd birthday, he spent a pleasant day with good company, drinking coffee and eating cake. But Hermann Schacht made it clear to his wife he wouldn’t be around for his birthday. “He said, `I need to say goodbye. I’m going to be leaving in a couple of days,’ ” his daughter said. “He knew Schacht continues on Page 9
Hermann and Wanda Schacht share a smooch last October in front of Parker Feed, the shop they founded in 1971. Courtesy photo