August 21, 2015 VO LUM E 1 3 | IS S U E 42 | FREE
ParkerChronicle.net A publication of
D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Water treatment plant opens $50 million facility will host community this fall
By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com Roughly 10 percent of Parker’s water is now going through a state-of-the-art treatment plant near Rueter-Hess Reservoir. After a few initial hiccups, including the failure of a pump and issues with the feeding of chemicals used to rid the water of impurities, the $50.7 million treatment plant opened
in mid-July following three weeks of testing. Soon after, a handful of Parker Water and Sanitation District officials took their first drink of water processed through the sophisticated system of pumps, pipes and filters. “We wanted to make sure everything was solid before we sent it out through the system,” said Ron Redd, district manager for Parker Water. “It tasted good!” Construction began in 2012 on the treatment plant, which has been billed as an integral part of shifting from a reliance on
SECURITY Parker Water and Sanitation District has an alarm system and fencing topped by concertina wire, but recently issued a request for proposal for a security consultant to guide the implementation of protective measures at both the water treatment plant and Rueter-Hess Reservoir. One system the district is considering uses monitors that can
distinguish between humans and animals. “We know we have recreation coming in the future, so we want to protect the core facilities because we’ll have more people out there,” said Ron Redd, district manager for Parker Water, who noted that the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office already conducts nightly patrols at the reservoir and treatment plant.
Water continues on Page 9
E-cigarette use by kids targeted A proposed ordinance would make possession of emerging products illegal for minors
By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com The growing popularity of electronic cigarettes and nicotine-delivering vaporizers has sparked a call to clamp down on their use and possession by minors in Douglas County. A proposed ordinance would expand the definition of banned tobacco products for those under 18 to include emerging alternate means of ingesting nicotine. The existing ordinance prohibiting possession and use of tobacco products by minors passed in 2001. E-cigarettes were introduced to the U.S. market in 2007. A first reading of the ordinance took place Aug. 11 at the Board of County Commissioners’ business meeting, where it passed u n a n i mously. WHAT THEY ARE T h e Douglas Electronic cigarette County Battery operated inhalers S h e r i f f ’s that consist of a rechargeOffice has able battery, a cartridge weighed in called a cartomizer and an with supLED that lights up at the end port for the when you puff on the device. ordinance. “There’s Hookah a l w a y s An Oriental tobacco pipe something with a long, flexible tube that new — evdraws the smoke through erything water contained in a bowl. is always Vaporizer emerging,” said Sgt. Any device that features Lori Brona heating element and a ner, of the chamber in which the Douglas vaping material — which County may be dry herbs, oil, wax S h e r r i f f ’s or e-juice — is heated up to Office. “You create vapor. can’t just call it ecigs, so the wording is in (the ordinance) to cover any other products that will be created to burn or consume illegal items.” One concern is that not just tobacco can be used in these products, but also marijuana or hash oil and forms of narcotics. Another concern, Bronner said, is that some parents believe e-cigarettes and vaporizers are not as dangerous to youths as tobacco cigarettes. That’s not the case, she said. Using e-cigarettes and vaping are E-Cigs continues on Page 10
Kai Fraley, 2, of Parker, stares in awe at a new firefighting apparatus at Centennial Airport. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
Trucks pack firefighting punch Centennial Airport helps secure new vehicles for South Metro Fire, boosting plane-crash response By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com Firefighters now have more capability to respond to downed aircraft on and near Centennial Airport. The South Metro Fire Rescue Authority revealed the latest weapons in its arsenal during a ceremony Aug. 13 at Centennial Airport, the second-busiest general aviation hub in the country. The Stryker T-2500 and Stinger Q4 received a ceremonial “wet down” with a fire hose, a tradition to commission new equipment that dates back to the 19th century. The Stryker T-2500, also known as Red 1, adds capacity for water, equipment and personnel responding to a crashed aircraft. The Stinger Q4, or Red 2, is an allwheel-drive vehicle with maneuverability and the capability for a quick response. It can carry 400 gallons of water and quickly suppress a fire. It joins Red 3, a militarystyle Unimog that was one of few vehicles at South Metro’s disposal for aircraft disaster response. It was kept at station 44 Fire truck continues on Page 9
Centennial Airport Director Robert Olislagers shakes hands with South Metro Fire Rescue Chief Bob Baker during a ceremony to unveil new firefighting equipment at the airport Aug. 13.