Citizen Centennial 3/21/13
Centennial
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 18
March 22, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcentennialnews.com
Commissioners appoint new clerk Cleared in ethics probe, Crane to fill Doty’s term By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com The Arapahoe County commissioners have appointed Matt Crane as the county’s new clerk and recorder, replacing Nancy Doty, who has held the position while simultaneously serving as county commissioner. In 4 to 1 vote, Crane emerged as the candidate of choice during the March 19 public hearing, with supporters citing his experi-
ence and technical skills. Board members cast their votes aloud, each justifying their selection. “I know, personally, how difficult this job is,” said Doty. “Experience is key, and being able to take over on day one is critical, therefore I cast my ballot Crane for Matt Crane.” Commissioners Rod Bockenfeld, Nancy Jackson and Bill Holen echoed Doty’s remarks, also casting their vote for Crane, who held the position of Arapahoe County deputy of elections under Doty. Holen, who represents District 5, read a
statement scolding those responsible for a mysterious letter sent to the board earlier this year calling Crane’s integrity into question, calling the attempt vicious and an “attempt to usurp the democratic process.” District 2 Commissioner Nancy Sharpe, the only holdout, cast her vote for Susan Beckman, a former county commissioner. Sharpe said she based her decision to support Beckman on the office’s need for solid executive leadership. “The technology is already there,” she said. “The person that fills this position should be a strong manager, a respected leader and have the integrity and honesty to ensure fair elections.” After votes were tallied, realizing she was
the only holdout, Sharpe asked to go on record in support of Crane. Crane was among three final candidates to fill the vacancy created by Doty after she was elected as commissioner in November. An anonymous email sent to the commissioners on Jan. 27 painted a questionable picture of Crane, pointing to previous troubles while serving as operations manager for the Denver Election Commission in 2006, and what was called a “cozy relationship” with a voter check-in software company. A county-appointed ethics committee cleared Crane of all allegations on Feb. 14. He fills the remainder of Doty’s term as clerk and recorder, which expires Jan. 15, 2015.
Watering limits set to begin Dry weather, low snowpack force early conservation By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
“Science Guy” Steve Spangler tries to coax Cherry Creek School District Superintendent Mary Chesley into a quick game of William Tell. Spangler is an author, speaker, magician and two-time Emmy Award winner. He served as the keynote speaker at the March 15 Cherry Creek Schools Foundation luncheon. Photos by Deborah Grigsby
‘Science Guy’ experiments with lunch Author, educator Steve Spangler keynotes event for Creek Foundation
Cherry Creek sChools foundation reCognition and awards Mary Chesley, Retiring superintendent Bill and Karen Fisher, 2013 Champions of Education Eric Flor, 2013 Catherine Canny Educator Award Ka Man Ling, Eaglecrest High School 2013 AVID Giving Generation Scholarship Yoon Ji, Eaglecrest High School 2013 AVID Giving Generation Scholarship Christopher Madsen, Cherokee Trail High School 2013 Monte C. Moses Future Educator Scholarship
By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews. com Former Cherry Creek science teacher Steve Spangler is probably more well-known for stuffing Mentos in Diet Coke bottles than he is for the study sheets he once passed out to students. And that’s kinda the way he likes it. Spangler, who’s known across the community as “The Science Guy,” brought his overthe-top antics to the Denver Hyatt on March 15 as keynote speaker for the 19th annual Cherry Creek Schools Foundation luncheon. With more than 600 guests, the yearly event serves as an opportunity to honor staff, students and other champions of education, as well as a foundation fundraiser.
Cherry Creek School District Superintendent Mary Chesley is presented with a quilt made of logo shirts from every school in the district. Chesley, who retires this year after 23 years of service, was honored at a March 15 luncheon at the Denver Hyatt. This year’s theme, “A formula for the future,” centered on putting effective teachers in every classroom, a philosophy embraced by outgoing Cherry Creek School District Superintendent Mary Chesley. “Of all the professions,” said Chesley, speaking of doctors, firefighters and pilots, “would you ever select the one who has
the least current training? Then why would we expect to do so when it comes to our teachers?” In honor of Chesley’s 23 years of service, the board established the Mary Chesley Professional Development Fund to enhance career development opportunities for administrators and teachers. “Learning is about engage-
ment,” Spangler said. “It’s about creating those `I’ll never forget the day’ kind of moments in the classroom.” Spangler’s presentation took guests out of their seats, on stage, and in the middle of a group science experiment with teachers and administrators dodging rings of smoke and trying to blow up 12-foot plastic bags with a single breath. Spangler continues on Page 9
A dry winter across the state and low mountain snowpack has led many Centennial water districts to start residential and commercial watering restrictions earlier than normal. The East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District serves roughly 55,000 people in eastern portions of Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County, and said as a result of intensifying drought conditions, residential watering will be limited to two days per week, beginning April 15. Irrigation season will also be pushed back to April 15, two weeks later than previous years. Large irrigators will maintain three watering days per week, but will have watering times reduced from 16 hours to 13 hours per watering day. “Right now in Colorado, our snowpack is sitting at about 70 percent of average,” said Dave Kaunisto, district manager for East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District. “What we want to do is to make a dent in our conservation efforts as early as possible, and by starting now, hopefully, we’ll be able to make it through the summer.” While most of ECVV’s water supply comes from non-tributary wells and its Northern Project along the South Platte River, other districts that serve the city purchase their water from Denver Water, and are contractually obligated to follow its guidelines when it comes to restrictions. “Our goal this summer is to ensure water is available for public health and safety, while balancing the quality of life and economic vitality of our community,” said Jim Lochhead, CEO of Denver Water. “Last year was dry, and this year has been, too. Ultimately, we need to be prepared for a potentially worsening situation in 2014.” Lochhead said, collectively, Denver Water needs to save 16 billion gallons by April 2014. Water continues on Page 13
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