September 3, 2015
THIS WEEK IN
VO LU ME 32 | ISSU E 10 | 50 ¢
LIFE
LOCAL
A look at what makes a good song for the summer
Page 15
WheatRidgeTranscript.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Teacher contract flexible, but short-lived 10-month term means negotiations resume this school year By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Lutheran Medical Center’s new emergency department features 50 individual patient treatment rooms, all designed to better accommodate caregivers, specialized equipment and family members, as well as specialized senior, behavioral and Fast-Track departments. Photos by Clarke Reader
Lutheran’s new emergency department sets standard Features include more service rooms for seniors POSTAL ADDRESS
By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com A trip to the emergency room will never be a pleasant experience, but Lutheran Medical Center spent $16 million to ensure any trip to its emergency department is as positive as possible. The Wheat Ridge hospital, at 8300 W. 38th Ave., unveiled its new department Aug. 27 to community and local leaders. “I’m always amazed at how hard Lutheran
WHEAT RIDGE TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 1089-9197)
OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Wheat Ridge Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 722 Washington Ave., Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
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Lutheran continues on Page 8
Upgrades to Lutheran Medical Center’s emergency department include highly visible, well-lit walk-in entrance for patients and family members to gain quick access to care and updated technology-based services in all patient treatment rooms for nursing staff.
Starting Sept. 1, Jefferson County teachers had a contract in place for the 2015-2016 school year, but opposing viewpoints around the deal remain. During the Aug. 27 school board meeting, President Ken Witt called the contract a “landmark” agreement. For Jeffco Superintendent Dan McMinimee, a former principal, he appreciated the flexibility it offers to school principals for their respective buildings. But several teachers considered it “disrespectful” and “insulting” primarily because of its 10-month length. Despite these varying assessments, the new contract was approved unanimously Aug. 27 by the board of education and Aug. 26 by the teachers’ union. “It is utterly disrespectful to give a three-year contract to the superintendent and a 10-month contract to teachers,” said Paula Reed, a Columbine High School teacher and union communications team representative, after the board vote. “I think it’s so sad that we keep talking about how the best contract is where both sides are unhappy. What about a win-win?” In approving the contract with the union, the Jefferson County Education Association, the school board continued its 46-year working relationship and averted the possibility of a teacher strike. Union membership had previously approved the agreement over a six-day voting period. The previous contract expired Aug. 31. “We are glad to have an agreement in place so that teachers are free to focus on creating a positive and productive Contract continues on Page 8
Ramps help disabled gain mobility Recipients don’t pay for alterations to homes as part of volunteer program By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Thirteen-year-old Jack Barnicle had a surprise waiting for him when he got home from school Aug. 27 — a new wheelchair ramp. The Golden teen has spastic quadriplegia, a form of cerebral palsy. As he has grown, it’s become more difficult for his family to lift him. “It’s coming to the right age that he really needs the ramp,” dad Sean Barnicle said. The ramp was made possible by the Home Builders Foundation, a Denver-based nonprofit that provides accessible home modifications for people with physical disabilities and financial need. Local businesses in the Ramps continues on Page 8
The Haberer Construction crew build a wheelchair ramp in the 200 block of B Street in Golden for Ella Smith, 78, who is no longer able to use stairs. The ramp-building project is part of the Home Builders Foundation’s fifth annual Blitz Build, which in partnership with local businesses in the homebuilding industry provided 17 ramps for people with disabilities and financial need between Aug. 27 and Aug. 29. Photo by Christy Steadman