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Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area

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Articles from Vol. 23 No 10 - October 7, 2023

Letters to Our Community – Vote Patti Shank for D38 School Board

When considering positions on a School Board, background, character, education, and stances of the candidate should be considered as a whole. If one element is missing, look for another, more qualified candidate who aligns with the aggregate.

Patti Shank is a widely cited author on the science of learning and has over 20 years in higher education—her background is exemplary. Patti is open and honest and harbors no secret political interest; she is 100% for the needs of students—her character is beyond reproach. Patti’s education speaks for itself with a Ph.D. in Education, what better qualification for a School Board? Her education is flawless. And finally, Patti has a genuine affection for Monument and, most especially, for the students of D38. Truly, Patti encompasses all the ingredients for a stellar School Board member.

Let’s ensure that D38 has the most qualified School Board by voting for Patti Shank.

Laura Kronick

Other Letters to Our Community

Letters to Our Community – D38 elections—know who you’re voting for

I am writing to express my concerns about Tom Olmstead as a candidate for the Lewis-Palmer School District (D38) Board of Education, District 2 director.

Based on my research, I believe that Tom’s track record and positions are not aligned with the best interests of our community.

Tom’s lack of experience in education and unfamiliarity with the challenges faced by our teachers and students are a significant concern. It is crucial to have a board member who understands the intricacies of our education system and can make informed decisions that positively impact our students.

Furthermore, Tom’s past actions have raised questions about his commitment to transparency and accountability. As community members, we deserve a board member who is open and honest with us, and who will prioritize the needs of our students over personal or political interests. Because he has chosen to align himself with others in our community that clearly have an agenda against the town and school districts in general, we will never really know who is speaking; Tom or those pulling his strings.

In addition, Tom has no experience on critical issues such as curriculum development and student support services. We need a board member who will advocate for a well-rounded education that prepares our students for success in an ever-changing world.

Given these concerns, I cannot endorse Tom Olmstead for the Lewis-Palmer School District, Board of Education, District 2 director. I believe that we need an experienced candidate who is committed to the success and well-being of all students in our district.

Vote Patti Shank for District 2 director, Lewis-Palmer School District Board of Education.

Mitch LaKind

Other Letters to Our Community

Letters to Our Community – Ethics Commission takes up complaint against mayor as “non-frivolous.”

In May 2023, I wrote a letter to OCN stating that Monument taxpayers were going to pick up the tab for Mayor Mitch LaKind’s personal attorney fees to the tune of $21,000 under the guise that it was “in the Town’s interest.” That “interest” was actually an inappropriate sexual comment LaKind made to a female trustee—discovered in the December investigation of illegal electioneering by current Town Council members. LaKind hired and announced at a taped trustee meeting that this was his personal attorney.

I argued in May that the taxpayers should never be paying for an elected official’s legal counsel for inappropriate behavior. Apparently, on Aug. 15 the Colorado Ethics Commission agreed with me. In a unanimous vote, the Ethics Commission said the complaint is “non-frivolous” and will take up the ethics complaint.

By having his cronies vote with him to pawn his legal fees onto the Monument taxpayers, the mayor personally benefitted from the vote. When the mayor’s Town Council colleagues vote to relieve his personal debt because they all ran for office together, each of those colleagues now “own” the mayor and to some degree, his vote. He is forever compromised—no matter how he blathers on that he’s “passionate” about Monument or any purposeful misinformation the council gives you.

Whether you look like Stormy Daniels, Lizzo, or Twiggy, sexually inappropriate comments to any woman is a bad idea. What the mayor should be passionate about is holding his tongue when inclined to offer sexual harassing remarks and repay the taxpayers for the offense.

A link to the Ethics Commission complaint: Complaint 23-17.pdf (https://colorado.gov).

Amy Stephens

Other Letters to Our Community

Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Wonders of our universe

By the staff at Covered Treasures

“Earth is a very small stage in the vast cosmic arena.”—Carl Sagan

In celebration of the upcoming solar eclipse in October, here is a list of books that provide information on planets, planetary travel, stars, eclipses, and much more.

Packing for Mars for Kids

By Mary Roach (Norton Company) $16.95

This lighthearted book asks the type of questions that children would ask in a comprehensive guide for the strange, gross, and awe-inspiring realm of space travel and life without gravity. From flying on NASA’s weightless wonder and eating a sloppy joe from a tube to learning how to use shuttle toilets, this book is chock-full of thorough research and firsthand experiences.

Packing for Mars for Kids

By Mary Roach (Norton Young Readers) $9.95

This book explores the strange universe of space travel and life without gravity. Mary Roach gives readers a closeup of the challenges of training for living in space and the reality of living on the Space Shuttle.

The Sky Is Not the Limit

By Jeremie Decalf (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers) $18.99

A poetic odyssey through space with the groundbreaking Voyager 2 probe past Earth into deep space and beyond. Voyager 2 has viewed Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune and continued past the boundaries of our solar system. This lyrical, atmospheric book introduces young readers to the pioneering NASA spacecraft that has spent over 45 years observing and exploring our galaxy.

Totality! An Eclipse Guide in Rhyme & Science

By Jeffrey Bennett (Big Kid Science) $19.99

This book features a unique combination of rhyme and science, suitable for a wide range of ages. The engaging rhyme, with a couplet on each page, has been constructed to serve as a mnemonic device for underlying science, which is further explained through beautiful illustrations and “Big Kid Box” sidebars. This book concludes with a glossary, suggested activities, an eclipse science summary, features that will add value for parents and teachers learning along with their kids or students. Printed books come with two pairs of eclipse viewing glasses, which provide a great way to view the sun at any time, especially during a solar eclipse.

The Moon Tonight: Our Moon’s Journey Around Earth

By Jung Chang-hoon (Blue Dot Kids Press) $18.99

Through the eyes of this father-daughter duo, this book explores the science behind the moon’s phases and the 29½-day lunar cycle. There are easy-to-follow scientific explanations of the first- and last-quarter moons, ebb and flow tides, where the new moon goes, and more.

Sun Moon Earth: The History of Solar Eclipses from Omens of Doom to Einstein and Exoplanets

By Tyler Nordgren (Basic Books) $30

In Sun Moon Earth, astronomer Tyler Nordgren illustrates how this most seemingly unnatural of natural phenomena was transformed from a fearsome omen to a tourist attraction. This book takes us around the world to show how different cultures interpreted these dramatic events.

The Last Stargazers; The Enduring Story of Astronomy’s Vanishing Explorers

By Emily Levesque (Sourcebooks) $18.99

Levesque takes readers inside the most powerful telescopes in the world and introduces the people who run them. She also explores the future of one of the most ancient and inspiring scientific disciplines as we gain the ability to see farther beyond our planet than ever before while relying increasingly on code and computers to study the stars. Stay up to date with the latest scientific breakthroughs and advancements in the field of astronomy.

The Astronauts Guide to Leaving the Planet: Everything You Need to Know from Training to Re-Entry

By Terry Virts (Workman Publishing) $14.99

A former astronaut inspires the next generation of space travelers with answers to kids’ questions on how people become astronauts, how they prepare for space travel, and what it’s like to live and work in space.

Until next month, happy reading.

The staff at Covered Treasures can be reached at books@ocn.me.

Other Between the Covers articles

October Library Events – New programs for Teens and Tweens; Culture Pass for Pikes Peak Highway

By Harriet Halbig

This October the library will host several seasonal activities for teens and tweens.

On Oct. 13 from 2:30 to 5:30 there will be a Teen Spooky Movie Marathon with titles to be chosen by the teens in attendance (ages 13 to 18). Registration is not required.

On Oct. 16 from 4:30 to 5:30 tweens (ages 9-12) are invited to bring a favorite spooky story to share. Complete your experience by making s’mores and a fun memento to take home.

There is a new tween Dungeons and Dragons Club meeting once a month at the Monument Library. The next meeting will be on Nov. 3 from 4 to 5:30. Registration is preferred but not required. All are welcome to join and no experience is required.

From now until April 30, 2024, cardholders can get free access to the Pikes Peak Highway through the district’s Culture Pass program. The pass will admit two adults and two children. For more information and to get your pass, please go to ppld.org/culture pass. Passes are also available to many local museums and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Monument Library has recently added a new playhouse in the children’s area. Come and see!

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me

Other Library articles