Westsider Westsider 9-20-2013
North Jeffco
POSTAL PATRON
September 20,2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwestminsternews.com
North Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 37
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WATER WORLD Monica Ramirez is a new dean of instruction at Front Range Community College in Westminster. Photo by Ashley Reimers
Rain water flooded parts of Huron Street Sept. 25 in Westminster causing the closure of the street between 128th and 140th avenues. Courtesy photo
New dean to oversee programs
Flood forces street closures
Instruction dean brings overseas experience to community college
Westminster fire helps out in Boulder County
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com
By Ashley Reimers and Tammy Kranz
areimers@ourcoloradonews.com Although the city of Westminster didn’t experience the brunt of the flood, residents did experience road closures throughout the city. At one time Huron Street between 128th Avenue and 140th Avenue was closed as well as Old Wadsworth Boulevard between 103rd and 106th Avenues. Flooding was also seen at 108th Avenue and Simms Street over the weekend. According to city officials, Standley Lake remains safe and was not threatened by the storm. Although the lake did receive a large volume of water, water levels never approached the spillway levels, and city drinking quality remains normal. Westminster Fire Department did its part in assisting Boulder County Sept. 11-13 on three operational periods. Battalion Chief Ron McCuiston said fire crews assisted in swift water rescue, wide area search, rescue of trapped residents, evacuation of trapped victims, transport to shelters and staffed command positions at the command post. “The Denver Metro Area emergency responders once again came together working in a mutual aid mode to mitigate this regional emergency,” he said. “The media coverage and video provided just scratches the surface of what Boulder County is experiencing with this hundred-year storm.” According to deputy chief Alan Kassen Westminster Fire also assisted in other areas with a three-member Urban Search and Rescue team deployed to Lyons. The team was expected to remain working in that area until at least Sept. 18. Two medics were deployed to Fort Collins to assist in the medical needs of people in shelters in that area and could be deployed there for up to two weeks. “I am incredibly proud of how our
City of Thornton employees work to remove cattails, which are wetland plants, from the railing at Brantner Gulch Creek near Shadow Ridge Middle School on Sept. 12 in Thornton. Due to heavy rainfall, the water level of the creek rose so much at one time that cattails from the creek got stuck in the railing. Photo by Ashley Reimers
Flooding prompted closures on Riverdale Road near Henderson Road in Adams County. Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/adamscountygov fire units promptly responded to other communities in need. We will continue to provide support as we are able,” said Fire Chief Doug Hall. “In addition, the operations of our Westminster Emergency Operations Center went very smoothly. I think that demonstrates the
professionalism and cooperation that we have here between fire, police, public works, other city departments as well as with other agencies.”
Water continues on Page 21
By Ashley Reimers
Monica Ramirez’s passion for education began at 12, when she created a fossil out of Play-Doh and was immediately captivated. After that moment she knew she wanted to study geology and fossils and make education a priority in her life. “Since middle school I really knew what I wanted to do and I know it was the right decision because here, 30 years later I’m still excited about education, science and math,” she said. Ramirez is the newest dean of instruction at Front Range Community College in Westminster focused in on science, business, information systems and integrated technologies. She oversees 30 fields of study and 25 career-technical programs. Ramirez comes from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward College where she was the dean of academic affairs for six years. But before that, Ramirez spent time in Germany and the jungles of Brazil working in education. She said her experience in other cultures will be a benefit to her leadership at FRCC. “Everybody learns in a different way and we need to be aware of changing demographics and cultures,” she said. “Having lived in Brazil and Germany, I’ve learned different approaches to learning and problem solving. I think jumping in and out of cultures makes me more tolerant and gives me a different perspective, which I think is one of my strengths I can share at Front Range.” Ramirez also has experience with seniors in high school, veterans and youthful offenders. She says she’s worked with the whole gamut and feels the community college atmosphere suits her best. Ramirez also hopes to create even more programs and certificates for students heading into the ever-changing career Dean continues on Page 21
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