Chronicle Parker
Parker 4.19.13
April 19, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourparkernews.com
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 25
Chopper contract targets wildfires
Seeing eye to eye
Officials can call for exclusive use of helicopter on as-needed basis By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com It was 2010 when Douglas County first signed an agreement with Castle Rockbased Rampart Helicopter Services, using the company on an as-needed, on-call basis to provide aid in wildland firefighting. On April 9, the county commissioners unanimously approved a new contract that allows the county to shift from a call-whenneeded basis to an exclusive-use situation for a minimum of 30 days whenever it sees fit. “Up until today, if the helicopter were in Castle Rock and were available we could call them and use them specifically for wildland firefighting,” said Tim Johnson, Douglas County director of emergency management. “The problem with that contract, though, was that they were not obligated to stay if they had other work and other obligations. “These guys have contracts all over the western United States on a call-whenneeded basis, so they could literally be in Montana doing work for the forest service or a utility company under contract, and a fire could break out in Douglas County and they would be unavailable to us.” By placing Rampart under exclusive use, it gives Douglas County the upper hand, and the service is guaranteed to be on stand-by and ready to go when needed. County Manager Douglas DeBord used his authority to sign an agreement with Rampart April 1, placing them under Chopper continues on Page 9
Rampart Helicopter Services partners with departments in the area to help fight wildfires. Douglas County has entered an exclusive contract with the service, securing Rampart’s assistance for any wildfires prior to May 1 before federal assistance becomes available. File photo
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Bonnie Plegge, a resident of Parker’s Victorian House retirement center, says hello to Arktos, a 5-ounce screech owl, on April 11. Two owl experts from Aurora-based Nature’s Educators came to talk with residents and visiting kindergartners because the center has great horned owls nesting next door. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
Ponderosa grad looking for a hit ‘Home Run,’ being released April 19, stars Scott Elrod By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcolorado news.com
W
hen Scott Elrod has a plan, he sees it through — and then some. A lifelong interest in the military led him to a job as an air-traffic controller at Buckley Air Force Base in his early 20s. Then, he made use of his computer wizardry and spent several lucrative years as an information technology specialist. When that didn’t satisfy his appetite, Elrod became an entrepreneur and started a company that provides storage for highend vehicles owned by wealthy clients in Los Angeles. But it’s his latest endeavor that has brought the most attention. Elrod, who graduated from Ponderosa High School in 1993, is starring in the new motion picture “Home Run,” coming out April 19. At the age of 30, Elrod decided on a whim to pursue an interest in acting. Despite having never participated in theater, he took an acting class in his spare time and, one year later, hired an agent. “It got to the point of `been there, done that,’” he says. “It was a `now or never’ sort of thing.” He landed a role in an American telenovela called “Desires,” and since then, Elrod has appeared on TV shows like “CSI: NY” and “Men in Trees.” Most recently, he appeared in the critically acclaimed Ben Affleck
Former Parker resident Scott Elrod landed the lead role as baseball player Cory Brand in the feature film “Home Run.” His next project, “Lone Survivor,” stars Mark Wahlberg and tells the story of a heroic standoff involving U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Courtesy photo film “Argo.” His turn as Cory Brand, a professional baseball player forced to face his off-the-field demons, promises to be his biggest break yet. Nabbing the lead role in a feature film backed by a major studio, Samuel Goldwyn Films, might seem like a near-impossibility in an industry rife with competition and unapologetic backstabbing, but to Elrod, it’s the latest successful chapter in his life. And this is one he plans on sticking with. “I want to continue finding projects that give me a chance to do something I haven’t done before and leave a mark on the people who watch it,” he says. Movie continues on Page 9
What ‘Home Run’ is about Staff report Baseball all-star Cory Brand, played by Scott Elrod, knows what it takes to win in the big leagues. But off the field, with memories of his past haunting him, his life is spiraling out of control. Hoping to save her client’s career after a team suspension, Brand’s agent, played by Vivica A. Fox, sends him back to the small town where he grew up. Forced to coach the local youth baseball team and spend eight weeks in the only recovery program in town, Brand can’t wait to return to his old life as quick-
ly as possible. As his young players help him experience the joy of the game, Brand discovers his need to find freedom from his past and hope for his future. “Home Run” will be showing in select theaters, including the Arapahoe Crossing 16 Mann Chinese Theatre at Arapahoe and South Parker roads, beginning April 19. Elrod’s next movie is “Lone Survivor,” which stars Mark Wahlberg and tells the story of a heroic standoff in Afghanistan involving U.S. troops, including Littleton resident Danny Dietz, who died in the fight.