Chronicle Parker
Parker 7.19.13
July 19, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourparkernews.com
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 38
County working on deal for water Officials aim to secure leftover renewable acre-feet By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com
gies are introduced. This summer’s Geek Camp, a series of lessons July 8-12 at Challenge to Excellence
Douglas County is diving into the water game. With an eye on the leftover water made available to the 10 members of the Water Infrastructure and Supply Efficiency Partnership, the county commissioners signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Denver Water, Aurora Water and the WISE Partnership to negotiate for the rights to 2,725 acre-feet of renewable water per year. Through the initial agreement, Aurora Water and Denver Water will provide 7,275 acre-feet of fully treated water annually to the 10 WISE participants and deliver it in phases, starting in 2016. The 10 entities — who are all part of the larger South Metro Water Supply Authority — have agreed to fund new infrastructure that will move the water from Aurora’s Binney Water Purification Facility to its end locations. The caveat was that Aurora and Denver made 10,000 acre-feet per year available, leaving 2,725 acre-feet available. “If we don’t put a placeholder on this water, it will be lost,” said Tim Murrell, the county’s water resource planner. “Both Denver and Aurora were pretty clear that this is a one-time deal, that they are not going to come back and offer more water again.” The county has until Dec. 31 to iron out an option agreement with Aurora, Denver and WISE that Murrell says will involve negotiating a reservation fee, a time frame, a method of delivery for the water, and who the recipients of the water will be. Once that agreement is in place, it will come back in front of the county commissioners for final approval. “We wanted to make sure that the difference between the amount of water that the water providers have subscribed to and the amount available through the WISE project does not go away,” said Commissioner Jill Repella. While the county itself is not a water provider, it appears to be making a concerted effort to help regional users transition from nonrenewable to renewable water. “I think this is a wonderful role for the
Camp continues on Page 12
Water continues on Page 12
A group of Douglas County School District teachers follows along during a “geek camp” session, which is meant to get them up to speed on technologies used in the classroom. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
Teachers get lesson at ‘Geek Camp’ DCSD personnel attend four-day session at charter By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com Kids always seem to be on the cutting edge of technology. The Douglas County School District is making sure its teachers aren’t left behind. The number of technological advancements in the classroom over the last decade is astounding. The advent of interactive class lessons and online homework assignments has teachers receiving continuing education on the latest gadgets and apps being incorporated into the classroom. An annual “Geek Camp” run by the Douglas County School District equips teachers with the tools and know-how needed to guide the next generation into the future. Brandon Petersen, a technology teacher at Sand Creek Elementary School in Highlands Ranch, says in many cases, it’s best for teachers to “let the kids take control of their own learning,” which he admits is a “huge flip” in conventional thinking. During times when teachers are fumbling with a new device, “the kids say, `hand it over,’” he says.
Kim McMonagle, left, director of educational technology for the Douglas County School District, shows Soaring Hawk Elementary School teacher Sue McTigue how to use the iPhoto booth in a classroom setting. Petersen is among those who collaborate with instructors in the classroom. He has become “Mr. Technology,” trouble-shooting when needed at Sand Creek. But the idea behind Geek Camp is to help teachers become self-sufficient when new technolo-
Parker woman sees future as spokesmodel 27-year-old aims to help others as face of nonprofit By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ ourcoloradonews.com
Michelle Marie, who earned the Ms. Colorado State title in June, aspires to be the face of a nonprofit organization. The spokesmodel moved from Wisconsin to Parker five months ago. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
If experience equals wisdom, Michelle Marie is wise beyond her years. Her late teens and early 20s were a roller coaster ride marked by a bold, cross-country move away from her parents that “failed miserably,” a runway modeling
career for Redken Fifth Avenue that ended in substance abuse, bulimia and a suicide attempt, and a rock-bottom moment in which she faced eviction, car repossession and life without a cell phone. As she stands today, at the age of 27, one wouldn’t be able to pick up on the troubles that plagued her past. Marie appears easygoing, confident and full of life. And that’s largely because she has come out on the other side with a renewed attitude and a list of ambitions. Having just moved to Parker five months ago with her boy-
friend and dog, Marie found herself, again, in a strange place with no money and no nearby friends or family. But this time it was different. The move from Lake Geneva, Wis., was meant as a fresh start, and so far, so good. Since February, Marie has found a slew of sponsors, been Model continues on Page 12
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