July 15, 2016
GROWING GAME
VO LUM E 1 4 | IS S U E 37 | FREE
Cricket is more than a sport for those who play to stay connected with their homelands. PAGE 12
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Meeting outbursts highlight tension Frustration, anger erupt in school board setting By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@colorado communitymedia.com Years of back and forth between the reform-minded majority of the Douglas County School Board and members of the community in opposition boiled over last month. The June 21 school board meeting began with protests outside the school district administration building on Wilcox Street in Castle Rock in support of Ponderosa High School student Grace Davis. The meeting itself was stopped several times because of outbursts from the audience — with members of the
Community members and parents protest in support of Ponderosa High School student Grace Davis outside the Douglas County School District building on June 21. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando
community calling for the resignation of the school board’s president and vice president and several protesters being escorted out of the room. Board president Meghann Silverthorn put an early end to the meeting because of the disruptions. The meeting highlighted the tensions and divide between the two sides of the school district community. Increasingly, the tone has become uncivil, with outbursts becoming common at board meetings. During the June meeting, Silverthorn addressed the negative tone of the community discussion, which has extended beyond the meeting room to websites like Facebook. On social media, the Tension continues on Page 5
Town council approves Xcel plan 4-1 vote allows construction of high-voltage, aboveground power lines through neighborhoods By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Caela Mortimore, 17, works the ice cream machine in the kitchen of Culver’s restaurant on Mainstreet. Mortimore applied just after the store opened and has been an employee for seven months. “I sent in an application during the holiday season, which was great for getting hired quickly,” she said. Photo by Casey Van Divier
Some teens struggle to find jobs Parker students compete with more experienced applicants this summer By Casey Van Divier Special to Colorado Community Media Natalie Brzezinski, 18, wants a summer job — she is trying to save money for her first year of college. But with more than one month of summer already gone, she has yet to hear from the five places to which she’s applied. “I feel like my age impacts my chance of success because, overall, adults have better experience,” said Brzezinski, who will attend University of Colorado-Boulder in the fall. Brzezinski isn’t alone in her search for summer work. Many of her peers say their age and some-
times erratic summer schedules put them at a disadvantage to older adults. But several Parker businesses, while noting drawbacks exist — lack of availability, work experience and responsibility — also said they are willing to take a chance on teen employees. “Adults usually have more work experience, but teens are kind of like sponges,” said AJ Goldammer, manager of Culver’s restaurant on Mainstreet. He has received 30 to 40 applications since the start of summer, mostly from high schoolers. “They pick up quickly, and you get to teach them what it’s like to have a job,” Goldammer said. “So there are positives and negatives to hiring both.” This summer, young jobseekers may be finding job openings
scarcer compared to the year before. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Colorado’s unemployment rate was 3.1 percent as of April. But for Parker alone, the unemployment rate has decreased from 3.3 percent in April 2015 to 2.9 percent this past April, according to Parker’s Economic Development Department. The fact that many big businesses are only able to hire minors for certain positions is also a barrier, said Weldy Feazell, the department’s business retention and marketing manager. For instance, restaurants such as Chili’s and TGI Friday’s have a small number of positions available for 16-year-olds, but mainly reserve positions for people 18 and older because they can legally serve alcohol. Jobs continues on Page 8
Parker resident Nate Becker recognized the seeming futility of opposing the construction of the high-voltage power lines that will run through the downtown corridor area and 10 Parker neighborhoods. Still, he pleaded with town council, “be our voice. If we lose in the end, so be it.” But, in the end, council voted 4-1 on July 5 to approve Public Service Xcel’s zoning application for the Pawnee-Daniels 345kV power line project, which has drawn vocal opposition from hundreds of residents worried about declining property values, the loss of Parker’s old-town appearance and health concerns. Councilmember Debbie Lewis cast the single no vote for the resolution at the meeting without explaining why. Later, she did not respond to requests for comment. Councilmember Joshua Rivero was vacationing out of the country. Plan continues on Page 19
EXTRA POINT Legend High School graduate Carli Meis gets her kicks at football camp on PAGE 22.