Pikes Peak 9/5/12
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Teller County, Colorado • Volume 51, Issue 36
September 5, 2012
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
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Jamison named in lawsuit By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com
A memorial to the three Boy Scouts killed in a car crash June 30 in Wyoming stands on the south side of the Woodland Park High School. The memorial that honors Paul Kekich, Nick Naples and Alex Ragan remains a subject of controversy. Photo by Pat Hill
Memorial back temporarily By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com The memorial to the three Boy Scouts killed in a head-on collision June 30 in Wyoming is back, temporarily, on the south side of Woodland Park High School. The Scouts, Paul Kekich, Nick Naples and Alex Ragan were students at the high school. In July, hundreds of Teller County residents packed the school’s gymnasium for a memorial service that paid tribute to the three scouts. However, the artistic memorial in three parts that names each Scout and appeared on the school grounds this month was subsequently removed by the school district.
At the time, district superintendent Jed Bowman stated that placing the memorial on school property requires approval. Nonetheless, the district has allowed the memorial to remain temporarily. A press release from Del Garrick, the high school principal, addresses the issue. “As our community and schools continue to work through this tragic event, district and school administration are working daily with parents and the community to assist in the healing process. The temporary memorials erected by the family and students that were removed have been relocated to another on-site location. Students are
encouraged to visit the site as needed. Various community organizations are having discussions about a permanent memorial. Additionally, the school district continues to support the students and parents in the grieving process through appropriate channels. As a school district, we believe in community partnership and will look to further support our community and its students as we continue to grow together.” Along with the three Boy Scouts, their leader, Richard Kleiner, was also killed in the accident in Wyoming. Hundreds of mourners packed the memorial service in Divide for Kleiner, who was known for his volunteer work with the Boy Scouts.
Teller County clerk and recorder J.J. Jamison is still on the hot seat. Excoriated last month in a report by the office of Scott Gessler, Colorado’s Secretary of State, Jamison is named in a lawsuit filed Aug. 27 in Denver District Court. Jamison, along with Gessler and Douglas County clerk and recorder Jack Arrowsmith, is charged with violations of duty in the primary election June 26. LuAnn Busse, Republican candidate for House District 39, filed the suit, along with John W. Rosenbaum. Both are listed at the same address in Larkspur. Busse lost the election but requested a recount in both counties. The recount confirmed that Busse lost to her Republican opponent Polly Lawrence. Busse’s lawsuit cited Gessler’s relieving Jamison of her election duties Aug. 13 and the hiring of a new managerial staff to take over all election functions from then on. In Douglas County, Busse claims that ballots were marked with voter-specific bar codes and numbers whereby the voter could be identified. The suit claims that the 2012 primary for House District 39 is the only election at any level in Colorado that suffered the combined violations of duty by officials in Douglas and Teller counties as well as the Secretary of State. “The Secretary of State is about to commit an additional major violation of duty by accepting the results of unlawful primary elections for House District 39 and certifying the invalid results of the general election ballot on or before Sept. 10, 2012.” The lawsuit states that the plaintiffs are suing the Teller County Clerk in her official capacity only. Busse and Rosenbaum are representing themselves in the lawsuit. Teller County commission chair Jim Ignatius declined to comment on the lawsuit.
RE-1 looks at energy updates New Early Head Start, health center near completion By Norma Engelberg
nengelberg@ourcoloradonews.com Cripple Creek-Victor RE-1 School District facilities are set to undergo energy updates. District facilities manager Stuart Peterson focused on current and upcoming projects in a report he made on Aug. 27 to the RE-1 school board. “We have a lot of projects,” he said. “There are both current construction and construction in our future.” Current construction includes a new building for the Cripple CreekVictor Mountain Health Center and an Early Childhood Education Center, both being built at Cresson Elementary School.
“There were delays because of the (Waldo Canyon) fire but the health center is looking at a completion date of Sept. 11,” Peterson said. “The Early Head Start is close to getting its temporary occupancy certificate. ... The permanent occupancy certificate won’t come until we install playgrounds and fencing and pass state inspections. Then we’ll be able to bring in the kids.” District facilities also recently received a two-phase energy audit, funded by the state. The first phase was conducted by Trident Energy and was part of an Energy Management Plan audit. This audit concluded that Cresson Elementary School’s erratic heating and cooling system could benefit from the installation of a Digital Direct Control system. “Because of delays, the energy contractor is giving us very good rates and
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On the right is a corner of the new Cripple Creek-Victor RE-1 School District Early Childhood Education Center while in the center is the district’s new Cripple Creek-Victor Mountain Health Center, which is attached to Cresson Elementary School and was designed to blend into the existing architecture. Both centers are nearing completion. Photo by Norma Engelberg some concessions,” Peterson said. “They’ll start work in mid-October and be finished by Christmas. When it’s finished there should be no more 110-degree days for the school.” The second phase was a SmartWatt audit conducted by Black Hills Energy. It focused on lighting. Black Hills suggested that the district install LED lights at the elementary school and the bus barn. “This work at the school would pay for itself in about 21 months,” Peterson
said. “For the bus barn the payback time is only 13 months. We will be hiring local contractors.” He said he will have plans for these projects ready for discussion and possible approval by the school board at its Sept. 24 meeting. The school board also approved the hiring of a new district art teacher, Beth Seilonen, and talked about the work done by members of the School Based Health Center Advisory Committee.
September 19, 2012
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Argo steps in for seniors By Pat Hill
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phill@ourcoloradonews.com For Pamela Argo, following in the footsteps of Karen Earley as the activities coordinator for Woodland Park Senior Citizens’ Club is a tall order. “Karen has done a whole lot to improve the number and variety of activities for seniors,” Argo said. Earley resigned last month to accept a position, to be announced next week. Nonetheless, Argo has plans of her own to enhance the lives of Woodland Park seniors. “There’s really a full schedule here; if we had more room it would be even fuller,” she said. “Someday, I hope to be a part of making that happen, because we’re outgrowing this place.” For senior citizens in Woodland Park, the club is a place to make friends and relieve the loneliness that many seniors experience. “The club is a great place for socialization, to come and just chat with others,” Argo said. For senior citizens who may be reluctant to join, Argo compares the feeling to the first day of school. “It’s making that first step, like when we were kids and changed schools, it was hard,” she said. “But it’s a lot harder when you’re older. But once they get here and make friends, it’s good for everybody.” In addition to providing lunch five days a week through the Golden Circle program, the club offers education as well as exercise programs for members. “We’d like to add another exercise class but it’s a matter of logistics, the lack of space here,” Argo said. “There are possibilities because the senior population is growing. So many people move here to retire.” Along with learning the ins and outs of the job, Argo is on target to earn certification in teaching the exercise
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Trust your hometown Realtor Pamela Argo is the new activities director at the Woodland Park Senior Citizens’ Club. Photo by Pat Hill class for seniors who suffer arthritis. “The class helps with mobility,” Argo said. “I wish we could do the class more often but every little bit helps.” Argo comes on at a time when the membership has reached 218, a number that reflects the impact of the club on the community. “Initially, it started as a social club,” Argo said. “But the club has grown to include education, exercise, nutrition and presentations by physicians and veterans, for instance.” For Argo, the new position is an opportunity for enhanced education in the study of the golden years. “It’s fun and I enjoy the one-on-one with the seniors,” she said. For information, call Argo at 687-3877.
Voters assured of smooth election By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com Teller County voters can expect to receive electioninformation cards in the mail this week. “We’re making good progress in the election process,” said Al Davidson, manager of elections for Teller County. Speaking to commissioners Bill Buckhanan, Jim Ignatius and Dave Paul, Davidson offered a point-bypoint update on progress in the clerk’s office for the November election. Davidson represents the Secretary of State’s office which has taken over the election process after censuring J.J. Jamison, clerk and recorder, for her handling of the primary election June 26. “I’ve been working with the county administrator (Sheryl Decker) to acquire some additional equipment, ballot-scanning machines and laptop computers,” Davidson said. “I realize these are cost items for you and know your budget is tight but I wouldn’t ask for them if
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Found guilty of another charge By Lisa Collacott
lcollacott@ourcoloradonews.com A United States Air Force Academy cadet was found not guilty of using the designer drug spice but was found guilty and sentenced for making a false statement. Cadet Second Class Kami L. Bohannon was charged with violating two charges of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. During a special court martial that took place Sept. 6 and 7 she was found not guilty of violating Article 92 for failure to obey an order or regulation by wrongfully using the designer drug commonly known as spice. However she was found guilty of one count of Article 107 for making an official false statement to investigators. She has been ordered to forfeit $330 of her pay per month for the next three months. The academy started an investigation of illegal drug use back in January. Thirteen cadets were cleared of the allegations of using illegal drugs and several others have been kicked out of the academy.
We are community.
A cadet was found not guilty of using the illegal drug spice but was found guilty and received a sentence during a court martial on Sept. 6 and 7. The academy has been conducting an ongoing investigation into illegal drug use. Courtesy photo | USAFA
98% of Woodland Park Middle School students said it was important for them to graduate high school. Data Source: 2011 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey Brought to you by North Teller Build a Generation
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PIKES PEAK 12.5.12
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Teller County, Colorado • Volume 51, Issue 49
December 5, 2012
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Davidson issues election report By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com The election Nov. 6 in Teller County was deemed a success with no pervasive equipment or personnel issues. In a status report to county commissioners, Al Davidson, manager of elections for Teller County, emphasized the high points of the general election. The longest documented wait time was approximately 10.5 minutes for a person
Warm night for a cool parade
who chose to wait in order to have access to a touch-screen voting machine rather than a paper ballot. This is in contrast to the reported waits of up to two and a half hours in 2008 and 2010. “I believe our judges were adequate in number and sufficiently trained to make the election a success at all of the voting locations,” Davidson writes. The report is glowing in its praise of the county employees. “Perhaps the single biggest contribution by a non-elections staff member was that
of Dee Bordage who accepted the responsibility to resurrect a totally-failed effort to recruit and manage election judges,” states the report. “She, along with Kathy Davidson, pulled this important effort from certain failure to success that manifested itself on Election Day.” Bordage is the administrator’s assistant. As well, Davidson praised employees Cathy Fabiano, Sheryl Decker, Sandi Stratton, Sheriff Mike Ensminger, Susan Halterman, the facilities-management department and other county staff who served as
election judges. In the report, Davidson cited voting statistics in Teller County: 2,675 residents, 22 percent, took advantage of early voting 2,451, or 20 percent, voted at the Vote Centers Nov. 6 7,108 registered voters, 58 percent, voted by mail ballot As well, there were no complaints from voters, the political parties or other governmental agencies to the county or the Secretary of State’s office, Davidson added.
Jamison excoriated By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com
The Colorado Springs Christian School Woodland Park Campus float featured a Nativity scene and marching gingerbread cookies.
PHOTOS BY NORMA ENGELBERG The 24th annual Lighter Side of Christmas Parade on Dec. 1 was a lot warmer than usual and the turnout reflected that more clement temperature as what might have been thousands of spectators lined U.S. 24 in downtown Woodland Park after dark. This year’s parade honored the Girl Scouts of America, celebrating their 100th anniversary. After the parade, spectators gathered in the Ute Pass Cultural Center for the annual Woodland Park Tree Lighting, featuring music from Woodland Wind Symphony and the Summit Singers and to pick the city’s craziest hat.
The Kettler family visits with Santa at the annual Kiwanis Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 1 at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. Hundreds of children waited in line for a chance to tell their Christmas wishes to Santa.
Slow to boil in public, Teller County commission chair Jim Ignatius erupted in anger at the commissioners’ meeting Nov. 21. He started with a simmer, reading from a report on the November election by Al Davidson, manager of elections in Teller County and representative of the Secretary of State. Davidson was hired after the secretary, Scott Gessler, mandated that J.J. Jamison Teller County Clerk and Recorder J.J. Jamison from her election responsibilities. “We have had no complaints from voters, the (political) parties or other government agencies,” states the report read by Ignatius. “I also want to mention the tremendous effort given to us by our three lead judges, Rich McKee in Cripple Creek, Rip Blaisdell in Woodland Park and Catherine DiMauro in Divide. I want to also recognize the other 63 judges and 21 student judges who attended training and performed so well on election day.” But Davidson issued a note of caution. “The fate of future elections is in good hands with Krystal Brown and Stephanie Fisher, as long as they are allowed to do what is necessary to conduct successful elections,” the report states. Still burned over the snafus that happened during the June primary, Ignatius boiled over. “This man is a class act; without him, I think we would have had an absolutely devastating outcome,” said Ignatius, speaking to Jamison. “I have mixed Excoriated continues on Page 2
Jamison’s staff draws praise; clerk doesn’t By Pat Hill phill@ourcoloradonews.com There is no relief for J.J. Jamison, Teller County’s embattled clerk and recorder. Sanctioned by the Secretary of State in August for inefficiencies prior to the primary election in June, Jamison was forced to relinquish her responsibilities to a representative from the secretary’s office, Al
Davidson. Last month Davidson issued a report praising Jamison’s staff for contributing to the success of the general election. However, the report was glaring in its lack of praise for Jamison. “My focus was on leaving the staff in a position to conduct successful future elections; however, I spent little time with the Clerk and Recorder, so whatever issues were
there before, probably remain,” Davidson writes. Reacting to Davidson’s assessment of the election, county commission chair Jim Ignatius was blunt. “While I am extremely proud of the accuracy and outcome of this election especially the staff we hired in Al (Davidson) and Deb (Silva) as well as the extremely dedicated staff with Krystal Brown, Stephanie Fisher and all the support staff from various departments, I am very dis-
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appointed in our clerk’s continued lack of abilities as is mentioned and witnessed once again, throughout the process,” Ignatius writes in an email. Jamison’s inefficiencies came to light when her office failed to include a signature line and affidavit on the mail-in ballot envelopes for the primary in June. Subsequently, the county incurred additional expenses to pay the salaries of Davidson and Silva. “This has cost the taxpayers of Teller County about $225,000 for this year’s election which is approximately $143,000 more than it should have and the bills are still coming in,” Ignatius writes. In bullet points, Davidson offered assurance for future elections in Teller County: • I believe the staff is fully capable of carrying out the elections that will occur in 2013 and 2014.
• I will be preparing an after-action report that will detail some changes I think should happen. This may be several weeks in the making but I will submit it to the board of commissioners when it is complete. • I am leaving all of the documents and records that we created for the staff to use. • I have recommended that they schedule regular staff exercises that are a form of mock elections, so that forms, procedures, etc., can be tested and improved. • I have found the staff eager to learn and participate. I believe Stephanie Fisher and Krystal Brown now have an excellent concept of what goes into a successful election. • This election was not a good model for that, as we started months later than we should have to prepare; however, I have discussed Praise continues on Page 7
PIKES PEAK 12.19.12
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Teller County, Colorado • Volume 51, Issue 51
December 19, 2012
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Woodland Park Mayor Dave Turley wears a big smile and a Santa suit as he rides his motorcycle in the city’s Lighter Side of Christmas Parade. He said he had special dispensation from Santa himself to wear the suit. With the state of the city looking up, the big smile seems to be a permanent expression. Photo by Norma Engelberg
Turley optimistic about 2013 By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com Acknowledging the tragedies and economic challenges of 2012, Woodland Park mayor Dave Turley offered a brighter picture for 2013. “There’s been an increase in sales-tax revenue and we think it’s going to improve next year,” said Turley, in his State of the City presentation Dec. 11. “A lot depends on what’s happening in Washington, D.C.” Speaking at the annual break-
fast for the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce, Turley highlighted the city’s responsibilities to the citizens. In addition to maintaining a safe Woodland Park community which includes plowing Mayor Dave Turley snow, providing clean water and disposing of wastewater, the city is charged with handling the flow
of water from Fountain Creek. “Living at the top of the pass, we have to make sure we’re good neighbors in the way we handle stormwater; for example, the work we’re doing on Fountain Creek with a FEMA grant,” he said. “Those are the things that are important to all of us in the quality of life we have.” Calling up his conservative credentials Turley admitted that at times, he questions the extent of the city’s financial obligations, among them, the police depart-
ment’s budget. “Then I get a reality check, thinking about how safe our streets are,” he said, looking over at Police Chief Bob Larson. As well, the police department’s Teen Court is a vital aspect of the community. “If we can take a teenager who does something stupid and keep them out of the `big justice system,’ get them turned around, I think that’s a good investment for our community and for the future,” he said. However, Turley began with a look backward. “2012 has been a
tough year,” he said. Along with the Waldo Canyon Fire and subsequent evacuations, about the same time, the three Boys Scouts and their leader died in a car accident in Wyoming. “The trauma that comes with that in a small community like ours, their deaths were very personal,” he said. “That being said there have been a lot of good things that happened.” Turley spoke to about 50 members of the chamber at Neil Levy’s Swiss Chalet restaurant.
Jamison leaves county in arrears Buckner to lead hospital By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com The paperwork tells the story. Teller County is in arrears in paying its bills. Among the unpaid bills is a debt to the State Department of Revenue for $230,000. At issue is the failure of J.J. Jamison, the county’s clerk & recorder, to distribute fees collected by her office.
“The clerk collects license, recording and motor-vehicle fees,” said Teller County commission chair Jim Ignatius. “Those dollars have to be distributed to the various entities, including the state and the cities of Woodland Park, Cripple Creek and Victor. Teller County is only the pass-through agency.” The latest news about late or unpaid POSTAL ADDRESS
bills adds more fuel to the fire of exposure suffered by Jamison in the past few months, revelations that became public when the Secretary of State’s office took over the clerk’s election responsibilities in June. The takeover was preceded by 15 months of constant review and evaluation by the Secretary’s office, Ignatius said.
A series of emails and a list of late or unpaid bills reflects a high level of frustration among county officials, particularly the finance department, which has stepped in to help reconcile the clerk’s books. “Once again, my department does not have time to continue managing your financial controls and processes for you; however, we need to be able to see an end to our involvement,” writes Laurie Litwin, the county’s director of finance and budget, in an email to Jamison Oct. 4. In addition to money owed to the state, the county owes funds to the state treasurer, the state department of health and Teller
Jamison continues on Page 12
Special to the Courier Terry Buckner has been named chief executive officer of the Pikes Peak Regional Hospital and Surgery Center. An Oklahoma native, Buckner brings more than 20 years of healthcare management experience to his new role. Buckner joined PPRH from Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center in Poteau, Ok., an 84-bed facility. During his sevenyear tenure he increased net incomes from negative to positive margins and was highly successful in the recruitment of physicians. In a previous position, Buckner led his hospital through the Critical Access Hospi-
tal (CAH) conversion process, the second facility in the nation to do so. A special designation for ruTerry Buckner ral hospitals, PPRH is recognized as and operates under this program. Federal legislation enacted in 1997 authorized states to establish Critical Access Hospitals in rural communities, in order to assure the economic
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viability and quality of medical care in rural communities. For the past several months, Rodney Bice, chief nursing officer, has served the hospital as the interim CEO. “Rodney will continue to be an integral part of the leadership team as he oversees our many critical departments at PPRH,” said Ed Lamb, present of the Western Division of Iasis Healthcare, which manages the hospital. Bice served as the hospital’s CEO after the resignation of Dolores Horvath.
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PIKES PEAK 1.23.13
Teller County, Colorado • Volume 52, Issue 4
Mine moves gallow frames
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RPCC initiates recall By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com
Using new technology to preserve the old By Norma Engelberg
nengelberg@ourcoloradonews.com The Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co. has been moving historic mining equipment and structures out of the way of its modern surface mining operation for several years now and has learned a few lessons in the process. “We relocate any historic mining structures that can be relocated,” said Jeff Campbell, the mining company’s senior environmental coordinator. “But we’ve learned that structures we thought were beyond preservation can be put back together. The Rittenhouse gallows frame (headframe) was completely collapsed but a contractor was able to reconstruct it. It’s easier with an old photo of the structure.” He said the mine used to hire homemoving companies to move ore houses and other house-like structures but taller structures like headframes need more specialized movers. Some of these historic structures have been moved just a mile or two, while, at
January 23, 2013
The Rittenhouse Mine gallows frame, hoist and sorting house stand in a new location of Fourth Street in Victor after being rebuilt from a collapsed state. The site is just a stone’s throw from the Brian’s Park ice rink, home of the Victor Penguins. Photos by Norma Engelberg the opposite extreme, parts of several mines were taken apart and reassembled more than 40 miles away into a single composite mining exhibit for the Western Museum of Mining & Industry where the headframe also acts as a cell tower for the surrounding neighborhoods. Moving the old mining structures in neither easy nor cheap. The mining company recently spent $290,000 to move the Anchoria Leland Mine headframe, hoist and ore-sorting house from one part of Poverty Gulch to another where it won’t be in the way of the mining company’s Mine-
Life-Extension II. “The Anchoria will be easier to see in Cripple Creek in its new location,” Campbell said on Jan. 14 when Frontier Environmental started working on standing the gallows frame up in its new site close to the Poverty Gulch Trail. “We’ll probably move a spur from the trail closer to the Anchoria,” he added. The one-day frame raising took two days because the 85-ton crane that was supposed to work in tandem with a 40-ton crane had broken down in Woodland Park.
As Teller County’s Clerk & Recorder J. J. Jamison hangs onto her job by a thread, the Republican Party Central Committee has initiated the process for a recall election. “It would be best for the county if she would step down,” said Pete LaBarre, chairman of the RPCC. “She has already cost the county $160,000 and the recall will be another $30,000 to $40,000.” Jamison’s troubles began soon after she was elected to office when the Colorado Secretary of State stated in a report that, after 18 months of observing the office, concluded that Tell- J.J. Jamison er County was not prepared to properly administer elections. As a result, the Secretary’s staff arrived on site three weeks before the primary election in June. After a series of mishaps during the primary, Jamison was removed from her duties as the election official. As a result, November’s general election was handled by the Secretary’s representatives as well as Jamison’s deputies, Krystal Brown and Stephanie Fisher. The recall is a last resort for the Teller Recall continues on Page 9
Gallow Frames continues on Page 10
Coroner gets help in Jane Doe case New rendition of victim released in 1993 slaying By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com The Douglas County coroner gained new insight into an unsolved murder, with the help of an artist famed for her work as a forerunner in her field. Samantha Steinberg, forensic artist with the Miami-Dade Police Department, delivered a new rendition of the coroner’s only unidentified murder victim, about three months after the victim’s body was exhumed. Investigators hope the new clue helps identify the teenage girl who was killed nearly 20 years ago. “Jane Doe” is described as a white female whose remains were found on June 15, 1993, at the Rainbow Falls Campground in Douglas County, between Woodland Park and Deckers off Highway 67. She was about 5-foot-7, 150
pounds, had shoulder-length brown hair, and investigators believe she had died within the previous 72 hours. The girl was wearing a HarleyDavidson T-shirt and metal and stone jewelry. Investigators believe she was between 16 and 19 years old. The sheriff’s office declined to release her cause of death, citing the ongoing investigation, and the case was closed without naming a suspect. She remains the county’s only unidentified murder victim, and Coroner Lora Thomas hopes to change that. “Everybody has family,” Thomas said. “If one of your children disappeared and you never knew what happened to them, how would you feel? We’re just trying to figure out who she is in hopes we can tell her family where she is.” Thomas in October exhumed Jane Doe’s body to gather DNA evidence in hopes of reuniting the girl with her family. Chief deputy coroner Charles Brining hopes scientific advances will provide a
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This Claymation image of an unidentified murder victim was released by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 1993. Courtesy art
This artistic rendition of Jane Doe, who remains unidentified since her 1993 murder, was created via computerized facial reconstruction technology. Courtesy graphic
more detailed DNA profile. While she awaits the results of the DNA tests, which could take up to six months, Thomas is taking advantage of advances of an artistic kind. Thomas sent Doe’s skull to Steinberg, who uses computer technology to create renditions of victims to help solve missing persons and murder cases across the country. Trained at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., Steinberg has contributed to the resolution of hundreds of criminal cases. Her work has been featured on The Learning Channel, “America’s Most Wanted” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigations.” Thomas hopes her work helps trigger a memory that will lead to
the close of the Jane Doe investigation. Steinberg’s rendition of Jane Doe is vastly different from the clay model originally provided to the sheriff’s office and was created through facial reconstruction based on Doe’s skeletal remains. Steinberg combines gender, race and age profile markers with scientifically formulated skin tissue depth and width markers to re-create the victim’s cranial-facial landmarks.
Once those markers are laid over a computer image of the victim’s skull, the drawing can begin. “Once you have those depth markers placed in the proper locations, that determines contours of the face, like a connect-the-dots drawing,” Steinberg said. “The science dictates how it should look on the facial contours and proportions.” Investigators released Steinberg’s Jane Doe drawing in hopes someone will recognize her 1993 self and help lead to a resolution of the case. The investigation led to a 1993 motorcycle rally in the Woodland Park area and dead-ended there, said Tony Spurlock, Douglas County undersheriff. The rally hosted a group of Vietnam veterans and motorcycle enthusiasts from across the state, he said. “It’s important to try to identify this victim,” Spurlock said. “It’s virtually impossible for us to move forward on the homicide investigation without being able to identify her.” Anyone who recognizes Jane Doe or anyone with information about the case can call the sheriff’s office investigations tip line at 303-660-7579-or the Douglas County coroner’s office at 303814-7150.
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Courier View PIKES PEAK 2.6.13
Pikes Peak
Teller County, Colorado • Volume 52, Issue 6
February 6, 2013
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Officials respond to Jamison’s resignation By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com
Pikes Peak Regional Hospital and Surgery Center opened in Oct. 2007. Courtesy photo
Buckner talks reform By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com As Teller County residents toss around invectives or praise about the Affordable Care Act, Terry Buckner, chief executive officer of Pikes Peak Regional Hospital and Surgery Center, has actually read the 2,000plus page bill. “I used to have it sitting on my desk if anybody wanted a copy of it,” said Buckner,
The Affordable Care Act goes into effect in 2014 “We are going through what could be the most profound change in the delivery of health care since Medicare,” said Terry Buckner, the new chief executive officer of Pikes Peak Hospital and Surgery Center. “How that’s going to work nobody really knows.” However, in the second phase of the Affordable Care Act, the potential to reduce the overall expenditures for health care is actually there once you get insurance for everybody, Buckner added. Under the new law, states are required to implement health-care exchanges which, in Buckner’s view, will function according to the capitalistic system. “Markets will react to the fact that more Americans will now have health insurance,” he said. “With health-care exchanges, available for consumers via the computer, companies that offer the lowest prices will, in general, reap the benefits. The markets will even out.” Along with the exchanges, physicians and hospitals will be required to maintain electronic records that funnel up to a super computer, a health-information network, the technology funded, in part, by the stimulus package. “Push a magic button and health records appear,” Buckner said. Another provision is the implementation of the “Medical Home,” where the primary care doctor manages all health care for patient. “It’s the most fascinating time in health care,” he said.
who held the same position at Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center. With the Supreme Court decision in June approving the mandate that all citizens buy health insurance, the ruling left open the option for states to expand Medicaid. “That puts us Terry Buckner in an interesting situation, because we’ve got about eight redneck states that hate Obama with a passion,” Buckner said. Oklahoma, Buckner’s native state, is one of the eight to reject the benefit of the federal government covering 100 percent of the costs for the first two years for new enrollees. “Gov. (Mary) Fallin says she doesn’t want to increase the federal deficit; but what about the deduction for interest on home mortgages? Same concept. The expansion is out there and Oklahoma should take advantage of it,” he said. “This is one of the worst public policies I’ve seen. If you live in Oklahoma you pay your federal tax anyway, part of which goes for health care for the working poor.” Speaking to the urban legend that views “Obamacare” as a gift to the lazy, the nonproductive, Buckner reacts. “This expansion is for the guy trying to support a family on $30,000 a year and there’s no coverage anywhere. That’s what this is for, trying to help people get insurance,” he said. “Oh, I get mad over what people say about it.” While all hospitals are required to treat emergency-room patients, for the uncompensated care hospitals receive additional payments through Medicare. “They call it `disproportionate-share payment’ which goes on top of the Medicare rates,” Buckner said. “Every check we get from Medicare is shortened, and it’s not a whole lot, goes into the fund. People don’t realize that hospitals have been paying into a fund for two years to help start funding the `Obamacare’ stuff.” In Oklahoma, however, hospitals lose their disproportionate share. “And the poor people who are supposed to get the care don’t get it. So the state gets hit twice. I could understand it, wouldn’t agree with it, if their federal taxes were to go down, but they pay the exact same tax and don’t get the benefit,” he said. “I’m not saying I’m a proponent of Obamacare - but it’s the law
Publicly and verbally scourged by Teller County commissioners, in addition to being the subject of a recall initiated by the county’s Republican Party Central Committee, J.J. Jamison, clerk & recorder, resigned Jan. 28. Jamison, a Republican, was elected to office in Nov. 2010. Jamison’s troubles began 18 months before the primary election in June, when the Secretary of State’s office took over her election duties after a series of mishaps. With Al Davidson as the designated election official, Jamison was off the hot seat for a time. However, in the fall, Teller County commissioner Dave Paul went public with his censure of Jamison. In November, thencommission chair Jim Ignatius publicly berated Jamison during a commissioners’ meeting, highlighting the costs to the county as a result of the employment of Davidson and his assistant Deb Silva. As Ignatius raged, Jamison recorded the minutes. Shortly before leaving office, Ignatius exposed Jamison’s lack of attention to details, including late payment of the county’s bills to various entities, among them, the city of Woodland Park. By the end of January, Jamison had had enough. Upon receiving the resignation letter, effective Feb. 1, commissioners Paul and the recently-elected Marc Dettenrieder and Norm Steen held an emergency meeting. Paul released this statement: “We designated Chief Deputy Clerk and Recorder Krystal Brown as the acting Clerk to insure that the day-to-day operations of the office will be conducted in an orderly fashion. “Replacement of the Clerk for the remainder of the current term will be conducted over the next few weeks under conditions to be determined shortly. Our goal is to find
a suitable replacement in an expeditious and transparent manner who can provide the levels of service and responsibility that the citizens of Teller County deserve. “It is unfortunate when the plans and expectations of any elected official are curtailed by public sentiment. The time had long passed when a resignation would have been in the best interest of the taxpayers, but now that it has occurred, we will concentrate on repairing the damage and look forward to appointing an individual who can move the office forward in a positive manner.” Learning of the resignation, Pete LaBarre, chairman of the RPCC, said, “I’m pleased that Mrs. Jamison took the appropriate fiscal and moral approach to resolving the dilemma that she created.” Carolyn Fairchild, from the RPCC and a member of the recall committee, said of Jamison’s resignation: “I’m relieved that she did the right thing by stepping down and saving the taxpayers the cost and aggravation of a recall. I’m also saddened; I like J.J. and hoped she would have been able to step up to the plate and be the clerk and recorder the citizens elected. But I’m glad it’s over.” Laurie Glauth, chairman of the Teller County Democrats and a member of the recall committee, agreed with LaBarre and Fairchild. “J.J.’s resigning was the right thing to do; it’s unfortunate that it had to come to the point of a recall but her resignation restores integrity to the office,” Glauth said. “It is an issue of integrity and trusting in the process; this is an example that the process does work. Her resignation is the best thing for the county and the taxpayers.” In a press release to the newspaper, Scott Glessler, the Secretary of State, states: “Teller County residents deserve honest and fair elections. We will continue to work with the new clerk and recorder during this transition to achieve this goal.”
WPHS sophomore dies in traffic accident By Norma Engelberg
nengelberg@ourcoloradonews.com Woodland Park High School students are reeling from the loss of a classmate in an early morning accident on Feb. 1. Sophomore Kevin McDonald, 15, was killed in a two-vehicle accident that happened in the intersection in front of Pikes Peak Regional Hospital.
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The Woodland Park School District community has responded to the loss of a 15-year-old high school student by leaving flowers and mementos at the site of the accident that took his life early Feb. 1. Photo by Norma Engelberg
Kevin McDonald’s 17-year-old brother, whose name has been withheld, was driving the 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee and younger sister Heather McDonald, 14, was also a passenger. The McDonald family lives in Divide and all three attended the high school. The accident is being investigated by Colorado State Patrol. State Trooper Josh Lewis said the second vehicle was a 2007 Lincoln Navigator that was driven by 60-year-old Laverne Benner. Benner was turning left into hospital while the McDonald vehicle was coming through the intersection. No charges have yet to be filed against the drivers involved in the collision. Woodland Park RE-2 School District provided grief counseling over the weekend and a memorial is growing at the site of the accident as students and community members leave mementos A parent information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Woodland Park High School auditorium. A speaker from Pikes Peak Hospice will provide information on how to support a child through grief. Everyone is welcome to attend. A memorial fund for Kevin McDonald has been started at the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Woodland Park. The school district and the community are no strangers to tragedy. Last summer, three Woodland Park students died in an accident on the way home from a Boy Scout camp in Wyoming.