Parker Chronicle 0918

Page 1

September 18, 2020

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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

ParkerChronicle.net

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | SPORTS: PAGE 15

VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 44

Tucker on leave amid probe Outgoing DCSD superintendent says no wrongdoing occurred BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Kam Breitenbach hands out American flags to patrons of the Sept. 11 drive-in concert at the Parker Senior Center. The concert ended like they all have this summer, with a playing of “Proud to be an American.” PHOTO BY NICK PUCKETT

Santa surprises seniors Parker Senior Center summer drive-in concerts come to an end BY NICK PUCKETT NPUCKETT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Each of the seven summer drive-in concerts at the Parker Senior Center ended with the singing of “Proud to be an American.” The summer series held every Wednesday since mid-July was postponed two days due to snow in the forecast. When the final song of the series started on Sept. 11, the sun setting on the last concert, the chorus felt louder. In a rare occurrence, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus showed up to gift the

patrons in the 30-some cars a little American flag to wave for their traditional finale. “Because of COVID and everybody not being able to get out, and it was out last concert…I just thought it would be nice to have Santa here as a surprise,” said Rich Foerester, a member of the Parker Senior Center board. “It was a good ending.” The Parker Senior Center held weekly drive-in concerts to bring people together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every Wednesday this summer, people drove up for a one-hour concert. The series was such a success, Foerester said, the senior center will begin offering drive-in bingo nights starting Sept. 23. For more events and information about the Parker Senior Center, visit ParkerSeniorCenter.org.

Bert Sims performs as Willie Nelson during the Sept. 11 Parker Senior Center drive-in concert. Sims and Terri Garcia, as Patsy Cline, performed regularly at the senior center this summer during its first-ever drive-in concert series. After every concert, Sims and Garcia led the crowd in “Proud to be an American.” After each song, in lieu of clapping, people would honk. Sims said that’s his favorite part. PHOTO BY NICK PUCKETT

Outgoing Douglas County School District Superintendent Thomas Tucker was placed on paid administrative leave in the week leading up to his resignation as the district investigates him for allegations of “workplace discrimination,” according to a stateTucker ment from the school district. Tucker remains on paid administrative leave, according to a public records request. His leave began Sept. 2. The school district initially declined to comment when Colorado Community Media first reported the investigation on Sept. 11, but provided a statement on Sept. 15 confirming the district received the complaint from a district employee on Sept. 1. “Per DCSD policy and consisent with best practice, the board of education immediately placed Dr. Tucker on paid administrative leave and retained a third-party investigator to conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the allegations,” the statement said. “Because this is a SEE PROBE, P7


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