News-Press Douglas Castle 4/4/13
Castle Rock
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 2
April 4, 2013
Free
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcastlerocknews.com
Rebate program rewards conservation Town of Castle Rock reserves $30,000 from overwatering surcharges By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com There is a prize awaiting Castle Rock customers who take water conservation seriously, courtesy of those who perhaps don’t. Town council continued its water rebate program for the 2013 watering season, with $30,000 in rebates available to participating customers. The program is funded by fees collected for water restriction violations and from a
portion of the Block 4 water revenue — a surcharge imposed on Castle Rock’s highest water consumers. “The surcharge (is) for customers using over 40,000 gallons per month,” said Heather Beasley, water resources manager. “If you’re watering on the wrong day of the week, you can pay a watering violation.” The water rebate program began in 2006 and has since distributed more than 3,000 rebates to participating customers. The program will continue as long as violation and overwatering fees continue to roll in, according to the town’s water department. “Town council hasn’t wanted to use regular taxpayer water revenue for conservation, we only want to use money from people penalized for excess water use,” said Mark Stevens, town manager. “Because
people have responded so well and conserve water, that has reduced the money available for conservation rebates. If you’re in compliance with your water budget, we don’t take from that water bill for rebates. We only use penalty money.” The rebate program helps the town meet and sustain its conservation goals, Beasley said. Town council approved four rebates and one customer irrigation-system review for the 2013 rebate program. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will continue while funding is available. The 2013 rebates include rebates for replacing fixed spray nozzles with rotary nozzles, up to $1,500 for replacing high-consumption landscaping with xeriscape or
hardscape, and money for installing a rain sensors and smart irrigation controllers. Commercial customers can also participate in the program. “This has been a very, very successful program during the year,” said Councilmember Clark Hammelman. “If people want to participate, they should act early because this money doesn’t last throughout the year.” An application is required to participate. For more information about the water rebate incentive program or to apply, call 720733-6000 or visit the town’s website at www. crgov.com, select town services under the town government drop-down menu, go to utilities/Castle Rock water, select customer resources and select rebates from the dropdown menu.
Commissioners reclaim library appointments Elected officials to recommend, approve trustees By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com
Lynda Edwards, who created the Edwards Foundation for Rescued Animals with her husband, John, leans down to kiss Millie, a llama who has found a home at the facility just outside of Parker. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
Abandoned animals find friends Parker-area couple opens home, hearts By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com When animals are no longer wanted or cared for, Lynda and John Edwards give them a loving home. Every animal in their barnyard has a heartbreaking story. There is Molly the zebu, a sacred cow from India that, despite being perfectly healthy, was going to be euthanized when the Denver Zoo closed its Krall exhibit. There is Fudgie, a plump, 15-year-old Chihuahua that was among 15 rescued “bait dogs” used to rile up pit bulls before a fight. There are the three roosters that were dumped over the fence and into the barnyard a month ago. Countless others
have been abused or neglected. There are so many creatures at the Edwards Foundation for Rescued Animals just east of Parker that its proprietor is unable to say exactly how many are on the 5-acre property. Regardless, the animals have gotten a second chance at life and even found some unlikely companions. It’s a common theme in the Edwards household, where foster children were raised before the animals took over. The Edwardses continue to help those in need, as long as they donate some of their time and effort. The large-animal rescue is run entirely by volunteers, including high school students who perform community service, Abandoned continues on Page 7
Molly, a zebu that was rescued when the Denver Zoo closed an exhibit, is among the animals that have retired at Edwards Foundation for Rescued Animals.
The Douglas County commissioners took over the process of nominating and appointing library trustees, with a 3-0 vote at the March 26 commissioners’ meeting. Prior to the change, the Douglas County Library District Board of Trustees had, since the early 1990s, recommended new appointments for ratification by commissioners. With adoption of the new policy, two of the three commissioners will act as a nomination committee for new trustees when positions open, and a two-thirds majority vote of the commissioners will be required to approve the recommendation. The commissioners’ decision was preceded by Repella nearly two hours of public comment, most of it critical of their proposal. Of the handful of people who supported the commissioners’ decision, half were rejected library trustee applicants, or were related to someone who applied but was not selected as a trustee. The now-discarded process of the library board handling its own nominations is one of two protocols allowed under state law, which prohibits an elected trustee board. The second option is to have county commissioners appoint trustees, as they do with the planning commission and other public volunteer boards and commissions. Critics of the commissioner-appointed process fear it will politicize the library board. Commissioners adopted the process to create greater accountability to taxpayers, said Commissioner Jill Repella, District 3. “The first thing that goes through my mind and my heart is how disappointed I Library continues on Page 7