November 6, 2015
ENTER TO WIN
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Voters reject parks-and-rec tax hike 70 percent of voters say no to ballot measure
By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com Parker voters resoundingly rejected a sales tax increase to fund parks, recreation and open space in the town. Fewer than 30 percent of the 12,472 residents who voted favored the halfpercent sales tax increase. The increase would have paid for the expansion of Salisbury Park and O’Brien Park, and funded the purchase of open space and
other projects. Some residents opposed ballot issue 2A because the tax increase would put Parker’s sales tax rate at 8.5 percent permanently. Parker resident Lily Tang Williams, chairwoman of Colorado’s Libertarian Party who voted against the measure, said she was pleasantly surprised to see an “overwhelming majority” of Parker voters — 70.57 percent — decided not to increase taxes. “I guess the word got out,” Williams said. The ballot question asked voters if the
town’s debt should be increased by up to $39.9 million, with a maximum repayment cost not to exceed $66.9 million including interest. The money collected through the issuance of bonds would have made the projects happen immediately instead of in phases over the next decade or two. Supporters have said more park space is badly needed to accommodate recreational needs of the growing number of residents. When reached after the second round of returns was released Tuesday night, Mayor Mike Waid said the results were “a success because the citizens had their voices heard.”
DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION
Lemieux
“Council did what it was supposed to do: it allowed people to vote on whether to allow this or not,” Waid said. The only change is the timeline for the projects, Waid said, and none of the plans will be eliminated. However, the mayor cautioned that it’s difficult to say whether future town councils will see the projects through. With the federal deficit climbing, Williams characterized the result as a “small local victory.” “We should pay for the things we need when we have the money. There is no need to break the bank,” Williams said. “It’s not a good thing to teach our children about financial responsibility.”
Man gets 160 years for chase Stone would need to live past age 100 to see parole By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Ray
Douglas County School Board President Kevin Larsen, shown at an Election Night party at Southern Hospitality in Lone Tree, lost his race in District C to Anne-Marie Lemieux. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando
Vogel
Challengers sweep the slate Lemieux, Vogel and Ray win nearly 60 percent of the vote By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com A crowd of supporters gathered on Election Night at the Southern Hospitality barbecue restaurant in Lone Tree to cheer on the incumbent candidates for Douglas County School Board as results came in. The night didn’t go as they expected. Anne-Marie Lemieux, Wendy Vogel and David Ray — candidates who oppose the school district’s reform policies of the past several years — ousted incumbents Kevin Larsen, Craig Richardson and Richard Robbins. Each challenger won with at least 58 percent of the more than 82,000 votes counted by the end of Nov. 3. “The voters of Douglas County have spoken,” said Larsen, the school board president. “They clearly touched on a nerve that people responded to.” In District C, Lemieux, a former teacher, took 58.3 percent of the vote in her race against Larsen. “We are happy for our community. We’re happy for our schools,” Lemieux
A man who led police on a chase that extended from Longmont to Lone Tree has been sentenced to 160 years in prison. “You held this community hostage for 90 minutes that day,” said Douglas County District Court Judge Paul King when sentencing Ryan Stone on Oct. 30. Stone, 30, drove more than 100 mph along Interstate 25, veered into oncoming traffic and ultimately struck a Colorado State Patrol trooper who was attempting to lay down a spike strip. The impact shattered the bones in Trooper BellaStone mann Hee’s lower leg and foot. Stone won’t be eligible for parole for approximately 75 years. He sobbed as family members and friends pleaded for leniency, saying his issues with drugs are what led to the chase. They asked that Stone have the chance to rehabilitate and contribute to society. King pointed out that Stone has a lengthy rap sheet, with 19 felony convictions in Colorado. He repeatedly violated his probation and the conditions of his parole in other felony cases. “The opportunity has knocked and has gone unanswered,” said senior deputy district attorney Jason Siers. Defense attorney Anneliese Garlin Stone continues on Page 7
Tracy Eisler, who supported the challengers in the race for Douglas County School Board, checks voting results on her phone on Election Night at the Fox & Hound restaurant in Lone Tree. Photo by Shanna Fortier said. “We’re happy for our educators and most especially, we are happy for our kids. This is a very good day for Douglas County.” In District F, Ray, a former DCSD principal, won 59 percent of the vote
against Robbins. In District A, Vogel, a school district parent and volunteer, garnered 58.7 percent of the vote in the race with Richardson. Election continues on Page 13
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