June 18, 2021
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ParkerChronicle.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 21
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 29
Parker approves new noise ordinance New standards include decibel limits for first time BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Gov. Jared Polis sits at his desk June 7 in the state Capitol building to sign a bill aimed at addressing bullying policy among school districts in the state. PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD
Anti-bullying law signed, two years after boy’s suicide State law to change school bullying policy is enacted in name of two teens BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After Jack Padilla, a freshman at Cherry Creek High School, took his own life in February 2019, his father, Rick Padilla, made it his mission to make a difference in the lives of youths who face mental health challenges.
JOY OF GARDENING
Come and get some free advice
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IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP Suicide is complex and almost always has multiple causes, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. That can include mental illnesses, which are treatable, the foundation says. Suicide is preventable, the National Association of School Psychologists says. Suicidal thoughts can be reduced with proper mental health support and treatment, according to the foundation.
Along with experiencing depression, Jack Padilla had dealt with bullying at school and on social media. In western Colorado, a Montrose
If you are in need of mental health help, call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 — or text TALK to 38255 — to talk to a professional. For help en español, 1-888-628-9454. Lifeline ofrece 24/7, gratuito servicios en español, no es necesario hablar inglés si usted necesita ayuda. Cuando usted llama al número 1-888-628-9454, su llamada se dirige al centro de ayuda de nuestra red disponible más cercano.
teenager named Caitlyn Haynes died by suicide in 2015. She, too, experienced bullying. SEE BULLYING, P31
In a 4-1 vote June 7, the Parker Town Council approved a new noise ordinance, which includes specific decibel level guidelines for the first time. The ordinance, which staff started working on in May 2020, mainly addresses outdoor amplified sound and provides guidelines for measuring decibel levels in downtown, commercial and residential areas. “The point of the ordinance was to provide an updated, modern noise ordinance with objective decibel level standards,” said John Fussa, the town’s director of community development. The previous sound ordinance only provided noise guidelines for times of day instead of sound levels. The town began looking at this issue after receiving “a substantial number” of complaints about “sound and noise associated with outdoor live music in the downtown area on Main Street,” Fussa said. Town staff soon realized that the noise ordinance, which impacts the whole town, was due for an update, Fussa said. Last year, the town conducted a sound analysis of the community, measuring average ambient sound during the day and night in different parts of town. The SEE NOISE, P2
PREP SPORTS
Track and field competition heats up
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