November 13, 2015 VO LUM E 1 4 | IS S U E 2 | FREE
A salute to those who serve: Area veterans tell the stories of their military service in a special four-page package. See Pages 15-18.
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A HELPING HAND
DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS
Board must blend old with new Incoming members will replace three incumbents By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Izzy Henwood helps out with bath time during a family mission trip to Haiti. The Henwood family from Parker are part of an emerging trend in which families volunteer together. They regularly travel to Haiti to lead relief efforts and have even started a nonprofit. Turn to the Life section, Page 12, to discover other examples of how families are pitching in around the community and around the world. Courtesy photo
Parker officers save man’s life Three will be honored for use of CPR, defibrillator on man who went into sudden cardiac arrest
By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com Gene Caldwell knows things could have turned out very differently. “I’m very lucky to have survived,” the 83-year-old said of his recent brush with death. Caldwell, a former state legislator and retired pediatrician from Tennessee, was visiting family in Parker when his heart suddenly stopped. His grandson, Jeremy Birdwhistell, and daughter, Debbie Bader, were taking him back to his hotel room after the
Tennessee/Alabama college football game when Birdwhistell noticed his grandfather was slumped over and not breathing. Birdwhistell stopped the car near South Parker Road and Mainstreet. Bader, having been trained at work, immediately started CPR while Birdwhistell called 9-1-1. When Parker police Sgt. Nate Schivinski, Officer Trey Biles and Officer Darcy Hier arrived on the call Oct. 24, they saw Caldwell on the ground surrounded by loved ones who were desperately trying to revive him. Schivinski and Biles began administering CPR to the 83-year-old. Hier retrieved her automated external defibrillator — or AED — from her patrol car. The first two times the AED analyzed Caldwell, it advised against shocking. Schivinski and Biles continued with chest compressions and breaths. When Hier placed the AED on
From left, Sgt. Nate Schivinski, Officer Darcy Hier and Officer Trey Biles saved an 83-year-old man who went into cardiac arrest last month. Courtesy photos
Caldwell’s chest for a third round of analyzing, the AED advised that a shock was necessary and it successfully administered a jolt. South Metro paramedics arrived on scene and loaded Caldwell into an ambulance. Birdwhistell said his grandfather was shocked twice more during the ambulance ride to Parker Adventist Hospital and after his arrival. Without the combined efforts of the police, paramedics and doctors and nurses at Parker Adventist Hospital, a daughter and grandson would have witnessed their loved one’s final breaths, the Parker Police Department said in a statement. The Parker police helpers are in line to receive their first lifesaving awards during Rescue continues on Page 30
A day before his brush with death, Gene Caldwell, back center, poses for a photo in Estes Park with his grandson, Jeremy Birdwhistell, back left, his daughter, Debbie Bader, and great-grandchildren Jason and Katelynn Birdwhistell.
Despite philosophical differences in their approach to education, board members on different sides of the election campaign are pledging to work together in the best interests of students. Newcomers David Ray, Anne-Marie Lemieux and Wendy Vogel, who defeated incumbents Kevin Larsen, Craig Richardson and Richard Robbins, bring different ideas — particularly on the Benevento school district’s reform policies — to the previously like-minded board. On Nov. 4, the day after the election, Doug Benevento, board of education vice president, released an emailed statement. Lemieux “While last night’s election results did not represent the choices I would have preferred, the voters have spoken clearly and I want to congratulate the winning candidates,” Benevento said. “The new board Ray has obvious differences but we all care for our kids and our schools. In the coming days and months, I hope we can unite and move forward around that common sentiment.” Benevento said he hopes to work with Vogel new board members on issues — such as school finance and safety — that are important to all in the district. Ray, who served as a teacher and principal in the district for 25 years, said the newly elected members of the board look forward to working with current members as well. He also Find more said that they coverage of are not opposed the Douglas to progress or County School change in the Board election district. on Page 5. “I think what you’re going to hear us talk about is what reform really is,” Ray said. “Unfortunately, reform has got a bad, negative connotation. We are all about change. We believe that we can continually improve and enhance things for our kids. We’re not anti-change or antiprogress. It’s not so much a message about anti-reform as it is about listening to the people.” Larsen, the school board president who lost his seat, said he is proud of the work he and his colleagues have Election continues on Page 9