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October 20, 2016 VO LUM E 29 | IS S U E 48 | FREE
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HighlandsRanchHerald.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Coffman, Carroll grapple for seat
Challenger tries to use Trump against incumbent, who says he won’t vote for the GOP presidential nominee By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com While Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman has sought to distance his race for reelection in Congressional District 6 from
the GOP presidential race, challenger Morgan Carroll has largely campaigned on tying the incumbent Aurora Republican to his party’s controversial nominee. Coffman, 61, seeking Carroll his fifth term, wants to focus on keeping the House of Representatives in Republican hands rather than discussing Donald Trump. “I think the impact of this race is not
who is in the White House,” he said. “The race I’m focused on is my own.” The race with Carroll, 44, also from Aurora and a two-term state senator first elected to District 29 in 2008, is being described as Coffman a toss-up by the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, political prediction website 270towin. com and The Cook Political Report. Money has poured into both campaigns, with
FIRST TO FINISH
Coffman outraising Carroll $2.99 million to $2.17 million, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Coffman won his re-election in 2014 by nine points. But Carroll believes he is more vulnerable this year, pointing to Trump’s top-of-the-ticket unpopularity among establishment Republicans, an ever-diversifying district and statewide trends that show Democrats have the edge in voter registration. Congress continues on Page 17
County panel approves gas facility near mansion Highlands Ranch location drew residents’ opposition By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunity
Rock Canyon’s Bailey Timmons raises his hands in the air as he is the first runner across the finish line in the boys varsity race at the Oct. 13 Continental League Cross Country Championship Meet. Timmons led his teammates across the finish line as the Jaguars took top team honors in the race that was held at the Lowry Sports Park. For more coverage, turn to page 35. Photo by Tom Munds
Administrative exits mount in school district Several top-level officials have left since departure of Elizabeth Fagen By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com Since former Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen announced in June she would leave for a similar position in Texas, five members of the district’s upper-administration team have also left or announced impending departures. Chief Academic Officer Dana Johnson-Strother left in June. Chief Operating Officer Thomas Tsai and Chief Student Advocacy Officer Jason Germain left in July. The district’s attorney, Rob Ross, departed in August. And in September, Director of Human Resources Brian Cesare announced his last day will be Nov. 2.
LEAVING THE DISTRICT Donna JohnsonStrother, chief academic officer Hired: July 15, 2012 Left: June 17, 2016 Ending salary: $129,860
Tom Tsai, chief operating officer Hired: May 19, 2014 Left: July 22, 2016 Ending salary: $154,500
Jason Germain, chief student advocacy officer Hired: July 1, 2010 Left: July 29, 2016 Ending salary: $129,335
“It’s not surprising to have some turnover any time there is a major shift in leadership,” interim Superintendent Erin Kane said. “We are absolutely working to fill those positions and mapping what I am hearing from schools to be sure we are serving the needs our kids. That’s something I’m
Robert Ross, attorney Hired: Oct. 1, 2010 Left: Aug. 3, 2016 Ending salary: $178,289
Brian Cesare, director of human resources
The Douglas County Planning Commission has approved Xcel Energy’s proposed gas regulator station that will be built in Highlands Ranch near the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion on land owned by Shea Properties. The 5-0 vote came after a public hearing on Oct. 17 in Castle Rock, at which Xcel officials and 13 residents in opposition — including a Douglas County School District board member — spoke. Residents commented on safety, property values and obstructed views. Though planning commission members expressed concern that Xcel had not done as much communication and outreach as it could have, they concluded that the proposed location through open space was the best and safest location. Xcel plans to build a 20-foot by 20-foot regulator station about 750 feet southeast of the Highlands Ranch Mansion, which sits on a grassy hilltop north of East Wildcat Reserve Parkway. Adjacent above-ground piping — which will be surrounded by barbed wire — will be 24 feet by 24 feet to allow periodic inspections to clean and check the pipeline. Xcel continues on Page 16
Hired: July 1, 2011 Leaving: Nov. 2, 2016 Ending salary: $180,553
thinking about as we are looking at those positions.” None of the positions has been filled. Kane, in charge of the hiring process, said she didn’t want to give a timeline for filling those roles. District continues on Page 16
ELECTION DAY IS ON THE WAY And we’ve got the rundown on all the races you need to know about as part of our election guide on PAGES 19-26.