Week of April 27, 2023
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LoneTreeVoice.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 10
Plan for Douglas County zoning rule change sees backlash Residents fear apartments
policy in Douglas County as threatening to the very fabric of the county and its culture. But county staff portrayed the potential change as minor edits that would clarify confusing language. Taking place against the backdrop of proposed changes in development policy from Gov. Jared Polis
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Some voices in a heated group of residents described a proposed change to property development
and Democratic state lawmakers aimed at addressing the state’s housing crisis by increasing residential density, the discussion on the local Douglas County language change saw one resident mention the governor during comments that framed the proposal in political terms. “It’s not a secret that leftists
have intentionally targeted county government in a way of pushing an agenda,” said Mark Green, who is from the Parker area. “The founding blocks of socialism is the removal of property rights,” Green added. SEE ZONING, P8
Douglas County bus driver faces 30 counts of child abuse Aimed to teach lesson BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Sam Waggener, the city’s code enforcement coordinator and city forester who helped lead the event. Coming from Highlands Ranch, Shiley brought Alexander to the celebration after learning about it on Facebook. “It’s nice. I learned some planting tips, too,” she said about the event.
A former school bus driver for the Douglas County School District is facing 30 counts of child abuse after purposefully slamming on the brakes, causing injuries to students. Brian Fitzgerald, 61, was driving students home from Castle Rock Elementary School on March 1 when he brake checked the bus, telling the students they needed to sit properly in their seats, according to video obtained by KRDO. Multiple students hit their heads on the seat in front of them or the bus windows and one student allegedly had a cut on the cheek. Fitzgerald would later say he was trying to “get them in their seats” and that the students were “bouncing all over the place.” In the bus video, students can be heard denying that they were rowdy and asking why Fitzgerald suddenly braked. In a statement, the Douglas County School District said Fitzgerald’s behavior was “completely unacceptable.”
SEE ARBOR DAY, P4
SEE BUS DRIVER, P2
John Murgel, the horticulture and natural resources specialist for CSU Extension, speaking to attendees at the April 15 Arbor Day PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW celebration.
Lone Tree highlights value of trees during Arbor Day celebration Advice, free trees provided BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Excitement radiated from Sarah Shiley and her 2-year-old son, Alexander, as he helped carry an unplanted tree taller than him up the steps of the Lone Tree Civic Center.
s g i f i Min Brick
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The young tree was a gift from the City of Lone Tree for participating in the city’s celebration of Arbor Day, a time to learn about the importance of trees and encourage planting them. “Arbor Day is really, it’s just … a celebration of trees. It’s a celebration of people coming together, learning why we need trees in our lives and what they provide,” said
LEGO Sets
Grand Reopening & Star Wars Celebration Raffles, Give-a-ways, fun events, Treasure hunts, & LEGO Demos! bricksandminifigs.com/littleton-co/
May 4th-6th