Castle Rock
News-Press
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 10, Issue 36
November 29, 2012
Free
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcastlerocknews.com
County takes first step to ban pot shops Commissioners nailing down plan for prohibition By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com Douglas County commissioners are getting a jump on prohibition of marijuana, crafting an ordinance intended to ban all commercial marijuana activities in unincorporated parts of the county. The ban is to guard against any other ac-
tion that could result from the passage of Amendment 64 — the statewide vote to legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults — and reflects the wishes of county residents, commissioners said. The first reading to adopt the ordinance, approved unanimously on Nov. 20, would prohibit the operation of marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities, marijuana testing facilities and retail marijuana stores within the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Amendment 64 has a provision to allow local municipalities and governments to adopt such an ordinance, said Lance Ingalls, county attorney. “If we establish this before (the amendment) takes effect in early December, there
leaves no question what our position is,” Ingalls said. Douglas County voters have gone to the polls on more than one occasion when it comes to the matter of marijuana, and each time have turned away commercial marijuana activities in Douglas County, said Commissioner Jack Hilbert, District 1. County residents voted 54-46 against Amendment 64. In 2010, residents voted to prohibit medical marijuana centers by a 61 percent margin in unincorporated areas of the county. The prohibition will position the county to be able to reject potential applications for retail marijuana stores, Ingalls said. The prohibition does not impact testing facilities already in operation in the county,
he said. Commissioners were in favor of a prohibition, which mirrors the wishes of their constituents, Hilbert said. “Douglas County voters didn’t support (marijuana),” Hilbert said. “Douglas County had a special election and said ‘we didn’t want it.’ Voters have had three opportunities to voice their concerns on this matter here we are looking at it again. I think voters have been very clear what their position is.” To view a complete copy of the ordinance to prohibit commercial marijuana facilities, visit www.douglas.co.us and go to the Nov. 20 business meeting. The second and final reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Dec. 18.
Town names new finance director Muller takes over post after Montoya steps down By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com
Zach Lucero, admissions associate at Aurora’s Ecotech Institute, talks to Mountain Ridge students Madi Spillman, Brooke Hennessey, Tatianna Smith and Sophia Buntin on Nov. 20 about careers in renewable energy. Photos by Courtney Kuhlen
Eighth-graders peek at future Expo gives students insight into careers By Jane Reuter
jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com Sierra Middle School eighth-grader Sydney Matthews is intrigued by forensics, but she learned Nov. 20 about aspects of the field she’d never considered. “Like going to a home and telling them a loved one died,” Douglas County coroner’s investigator Gabe Hollist told her. “Nobody really wants to do it, but it has to be done.” Matthews was one of about 4,000 Douglas County eighth-graders, and Hollist among 85 employers, represented at the Career Connect 8th Grade Expo held at the Douglas County Events Center. Students learned not only about what various careers entail, but what they’ll need to do to secure those jobs. “The higher education you have, the better for you,” Hollist said. “I was one of 192 applicants when I applied for this job
Students mill around rows of tables representing different career fields Nov. 20 at the Douglas County Events Center. nine months ago. My education and experience got me the job.” Hollist’s description of his job moved the idea of working in such a field from a thought to a definite possibility for Matthews.
“I think it’s really cool,” she said. “I’m into a lot of crime and investigation.” Several tables drew high concentrations of either gender. While boys stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the Castle Rock Police Expo continues on Page 9
The Town of Castle Rock selected a new finance director after a three-month search to replace Charles Montoya. Montoya left his position in August after four years at the helm of the town’s finance department. His departure came at a time when town council was poised to begin construction on the Philip S. Miller regional park, make a decision on where to invest in a long-term water plan and break ground on the Meadows extension, the last of its major road infrastructure projects. Town council chose Trish Muller, who has been assistant finance director, to replace Montoya. Muller looks forward to the strategic fiscal leadership position and has been part of building a “great team” in the finance department over the last several years, she said. Muller has lived in Castle Rock since 2005 and Muller formerly worked for a public accounting firm before building a private practice out of her home. She came to work for the town in 2009 as assistant finance director and said having the right people in the right roles makes the difference. “Finance really is a business partner with the other departments,” Muller said. “We explore what is the most prudent way to do those projects. I’m very excited for this opportunity.” Muller has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. Her appointment as finance director was effective Nov. 14, at a starting salary of $110,000. The town conducted a nationwide search for next finance director in the fall. Muller emerged as the top candidate from among more than 75 applicants. As assistant finance director, Muller provided strategic oversight and leadership for the financial accounting, budget, purchasing, payroll and reporting processes. She also managed the town’s investment portfolio. As finance director, her duties will include the strategic leadership and growth of the finance department and other town initiatives. She will conduct high-level financial analysis and manage all major financial issues for the town, including debt issuance, refunding and bond ratings. “We are confident that (Muller) will be an outstanding finance director and member of the town’s leadership team,” said Town Manager Mark Stevens in a memo to town council. “On behalf of that team, we all look forward to working with (Muller) in this new capacity.”