1-Color
May 16, 2014 Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 12, Issue 29 A publication of
parkerchronicle.net
School district talks up reforms ‘Innovation Summit’ set for three days in June at multiple sites By Jane Reuter
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Detective Shannon Brukbacher presents a letter of appreciation to the members of the Parker Police Department who responded to the Arapahoe High School shooting in December. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
Police awards underscore dangers Officers commended for heroic actions By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com The Parker Police Department’s third annual awards ceremony put into perspective the constant danger faced by police officers. Story after story recounted high-risk situations, starting with the Parker police officer who was injured May 1 when she attempted to remove the keys from a vehicle’s ignition to keep a suspect from fleeing. Instead, she was dragged for more than a quarter of a mile. Wearing a knee brace, she took the stage at the Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center May 12 and reflected on the importance of the “guardian angels” watching over those who walk the thin blue line. The officer, whose name is not being released at this time, is one of the 65 law enforcement officers who “put their lives on the line” every day to protect the safety of Parker residents, said Randy Young,
Parker police Sgt. Joe Cummings, who fired shots at a suspect that endangered the lives of fellow officers in early 2013, receives the meritorious service award from police chief David King. town administrator. More tales of heroism were born out of a high-speed chase involving Clifford “CJ” Galley, who allegedly fired several shots
at pursuing officers while driving a stolen Dodge Ram from Castle Rock to Parker in February 2013. Galley is also accused of swerving at officers who attempted to stop the large pick-up truck with spike strips. The vehicle came within feet of striking officer Greg Epp, who received the department’s distinguished service cross for “demonstrating exceptional bravery at imminent risk of serious bodily injury or death.” Sgt. Joe Cummings, who fired at the suspect, was given the meritorious service award. Three emergency dispatchers were also commended for their involvement, as were the officers who put an end to the chase by apprehending Galley and alleged co-conspirator David Vasquez. Both men are expected to face trial this summer. Officer Catherine Dillon received the meritorious service award for saving a woman whose car struck a gas main at Mountain Man Nut & Fruit, causing it to rupture. The woman suffered a medical episode and was too disoriented from the accident to remove herself from danger. The medical team that treated the victim said the gas fumes could have asphyxiated Police continues on Page 23
Expanded use of park explored Stakeholder meeting narrows focus By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com Ninety acres suddenly seemed small when a succession of strong, practical ideas for expanded uses at Salisbury Park were suggested during a meeting of stakeholders. The Town of Parker, along with landscape architecture firm Wenk Associates, convened local groups that have a vested interest in future uses on the town-owned land on the north end of Salisbury Park, northeast of Motsenbocker Road and Hess Road. The May 12 meeting at town hall included representatives from Parker Youth Sports, the Douglas County Open Space Advisory Committee, the Real Colorado soccer league, park maintenance staff, and parks and rec officials.
The discussion centered on potential uses for the 90-acre parcel, including those suggested during an online survey that drew 800 responses from the public. Among the top 10 ideas were a sledding hill, walking and running loops, a splash park, festival and performance space, and multi-use fields to supplement the existing baseball, football and lacrosse fields at Salisbury. Some of the responses coincided with plans that the town has already proposed. There is a glaring need for additional sports fields in Parker, said Kristy Thomas, administrator for Parker Youth Sports, which runs the Parker Hawks teams. The league turns away hundreds of children for each sport every year due to a lack of available space, she said. Staff members who operate the town’s parks said they also turn down requests from outside groups that want to have tournaments in Parker. Park continues on Page 23
Nicole Horst, a landscape architect and planner for Wenk Associates, leads a May 12 meeting of stakeholders who suggested possible uses for 90 acres of townowned land on the north end of Salisbury Park. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
The Douglas County School District will open its doors to those in the education world curious about its reform efforts during a summer Innovation Summit. The event is planned from June 1820. Sessions will take place in district schools. “This is not going to be your average experience,” Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen said on a promotional video for the event on DCSD’s website. “This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate on the transformation, the reinvention of American education, that we all know is best for our kids.” The Innovation Summit is described as a way for attendees to “Get everything you need to spark change within your school district,” according to the website. “We will share best practices from actual implementation by teachers and leaders for kids. You’ll collaborate with teachers who have reinvented their classrooms and teaching for the 21st century, uncover changes that have put millions of dollars into the classroom, work alongside staff who have reinvented professional pay in education, and receive authentic feedback on your ideas and your work.” Sessions will cover professional development, market-based pay, pay-for-performance, teacher evaluations, the legally challenged choice scholarship voucher program, school security and more. During the May 6 board meeting, one parent asked school leaders about the cost of the event. She did not receive an immediate response, though board president Kevin Larsen said they would look into it. “I don’t appreciate my taxpayer dollars being spent on this Innovation Summit,” said Anne-Marie Lemieux. “There is no data to prove these innovations are working. If anything we have data to show they’re not working and are diverting funding away from authentic education resources.” DCSD spokeswoman Paula Hans said the cost to the district will be minimal, with registration and sponsorships covering the majority of the expenses. Cost to attend the event is $200 per person, or $400 for teams of two or more. Three employees of North Carolina’s General Assembly visited DCSD last June. Based on that visit, a North Carolina subcommittee recently introduced draft open-enrollment legislation to allow students to attend any public school in the state.
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