Parker Chronicle 0312

Page 1

March 12, 2021

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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

ParkerChronicle.net

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 24

VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 17

School board recall on hold BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Back story The Town of Parker has been dissatisfied with its RTD services since at least 2014, said John Fussa, director of community development.

The man spearheading a recall of four Douglas County School Board members says he is suspending the effort after directors voted to send middle and high schools back to 100% in-person learning. Road2Recall committee member Nate Ormond said the group will stop circulating petitions for the time being, although he’s willing to resume the effort if district schools don’t remain in full in-person learning for the entire fourth quarter. “Just in case the board does an about face in the next two or three weeks,” he said March 3. The group began circulating petitions in February to oust board President David Ray and directors Susan Meek, Elizabeth Hanson and Christina Ciancio-Schor. Among the recall group’s allegations were frustrations directors had not returned all students to 100% in-person learning. Elementary schools began full in-person learning on Jan. 5 while middle and high schools started this semester remotely. Secondary schools then launched hybrid learning in early February and are now slated to begin 100% in-person learning on March 22. Hanson and Ciancio-Schor were not immediately available for comment. Meek said she wants to focus on students moving forward and urged unity in the community.

SEE RTD, P10

SEE RECALL, P10

Passengers board a bus in Parker headed to downtown Denver in 2019.

FILE PHOTO

Plan to leave RTD has support, but likely pushed to next legislative session BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

While the Town of Parker may have some legislative support needed to start a process of leaving RTD, it’s unlikely a bill needed to initiate the action will be introduced this legislative session. State Sen. Jim Smallwood, RParker, said he would support the town’s desire to leave the transportation district under the condition there is a plan in place for an improved and more cost-effective transportation replacement. “If we can do both of those I believe I would be supportive and helpful in the process,” he said. “It’s not something I would support if it was looking to leave RTD and no other plans for transportation.” Smallwood said the needed bill could be introduced this session, but it would have to be approved as a delayed bill from the state Legislature’s leadership. “I suppose theoretically it could. But practically, probably not,” he

said. State Rep. Kim Ransom, R-Acres Green, could not be reached for this story. Mayor Jeff Toborg said while the bill may end up in the next legislative session, it’s an issue he and the council are serious about pursuing. “As a steward of taxpayer (dollars), we have to address this,” he said. During a Jan. 25 meeting, the town council came to consensus that it would like to move forward with pulling out of RTD in the same way that Castle Rock did in 2005, which was through legislative action. Town Attorney Jim Maloney drafted a bill similar to the one used by Castle Rock to separate from the district. If such a bill were approved by the state Legislature, the decision would then come back to town residents to make the final decision. If it were then approved by voters, the district wouldn’t be released from paying for RTD until 2050. That is, unless the transportation district

BLUEBIRD BEAUTY Boy Scout stations 18 bluebird nests

P12

refinances its debts. Maloney’s bill also includes a clause requiring RTD to provide “the Town of Parker with a level of service that is reasonably proportional to the sales taxes that are received by the district from the area,” until that debt is retired. Julien Bouquet, the newly-elected RTD director representing Parker, is hopeful it won’t come to that, he said. “I think what would be more productive is if myself and other RTD representatives … spoke with Parker and had more conversation going forward,” he said. “Asking `what do you need? What do you want?’ I think there is an opportunity for growth in the near future and far out future.”

CRAFTING THE PERFECT CUP Area roasters get creative, to the delight of coffee enthusiasts P16


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