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IN OUR OPINION: Adams 14 Board Members Lewis, Quintana and Vashaw Stun the Community ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY OPINION ARTICLE WRITTEN BY EDITOR KATHY MCINTYRE
We at the Gateway News have spent considerable time trying to sound the alarm on the boorish and shocking behavior of Jeanette Lewis and her seemingly power hungry reign as president of the Adams 14 School Board. We have been appalled at the amount of money both she and former board member, Sally McIntosh have selfishly thrown away in frivolous lawsuits which cost the district tens of thousands of dollars and her very questionable tactics that are quite possibly driving this unsuspecting school district into spiraling deterioration.
We, however, were actually stunned to learn that at the Tuesday, January 29th board meeting that she and her new “gang of two” have seen fit not to extend the contract of Adams 14 Superintendent, Dr. John Lange at least until the end of the first year that the new high school/community college is open. In fact, they voted NOT to extend his contract through June of 2010; but instead, are allowing it to run out June of 2009, just 2 short months before the opening of the new high school/community college.
First and foremost, we believe this is quite possibly the most irresponsible move that any board in the history of Adams 14 has ever taken. It is also probably the meanest action that any political group has ever taken in Commerce City. No matter what one thinks of Dr. Lange personally, he has earned the right to open the new high school/community college.
This new high school/community college is being designed under the watch of Dr. Lange, who has given his heart and soul to see that the vision of a new pathway of education in Commerce City is done with great care and thought to the future of education; with technology that is far beyond anything these board members realize. To change the superintendent during the most vital days before the school opens and throughout its first year is unconscionable. These three uneducated and ill-experienced school board members have not learned any lessons from the CLA charter school; which from it’s inception 2 ½ years ago has not kept a principal during even one year. In fact, they have had three principals resign and two interim principals during this short time. What is the result of changing leadership during crucial times? CSAP scores so low that they brought down the rating of the entire school district. So far as we can see, Mrs. Lewis and her group have made no attempt to assist the dedicated teachers, staff and precious children of this school in their very critical literacy and staffing problems.
For Lewis, Quintana and Vashaw to so arrogantly intercept the leadership of the district at this rare and important time is beyond imagination. It is our opinion that they want to run the district themselves.
It is our also our opinion that these actions are a vendetta against Dr. Lange personally born out of jealousy of the fine work that he has done here. It is a clear and known fact that Jeannette Lewis was opposed to the building of the new high school. So much so that even an amazing number of some of the brightest and most honorable of the ACHS students picketed Mrs. Lewis on Dr. Lange’s behalf. This was unprecedented in Adams 14.
Mrs. Lewis is very good at “spin” and she and her “gang of 2” might just tell you that they are going to review Dr. Lange’s contract in six months. Don’t you believe it. No decent board (especially one that is entrusted with the education – indeed, the future – of over 6,000 children AND this city) would ever put their top manager under such stress and scrutiny during one of the most sensitive times ever in Adams 14. The last school that was built in Adams 14 was built over 40 years ago. The vote to build this beautiful new school was, indeed, a vote of confidence for the man who would be the leader in the building and opening of the new school, Dr. John Lange. It was his vision, under great opposition from previous board members, including Mrs. Lewis that made this school possible. (All you have to do is watch past school board meetings to see that this is true.)
We applaud Adams 14 Board Members Klocker and Kreutzer for standing up to these bullies and speaking out against this outrageous vote. We can only say that absolute power corrupts absolutely. |
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Letter of Support for Dr. Lange
The time has come to question the motives behind decisions being made….I would like to know the reason behind the decision to end Adams 14 School District Superintendent Dr. Lang’s contract. I posed this question to two of the school board members and neither of them gave me an actual answer; why would you want to remove someone from a position who has, and will continue to give our community hope? After all, wasn’t it Dr. Lang who proposed the idea of combining the opportunity of a community college with the new Adams City High School?
I am from the northern part of our city, and feel that this new school is the chance for our city to make the right turn at our crucial crossroads. If the southern part of our city fails, we all fail. Let our leaders, including Dr. Lang, have the chance to see us through this fragile time. Please, to all of you who are in a position of power, I ask you to understand that your decisions must be based on the greater good, and not on personal influence. Those of you in a position of power need to ask yourselves if it really makes sense to bring in new leadership just when the vision is about to become a reality. To me, this is a formula for failure! Do you really think the people who put you in a position of such responsibility understand the magnitude of your choices? I believe, if they understood, you can be assured they wouldn’t want you to handle both the future of their city and their money as trash to be put in the dumpster.
Do you really want to put this new school in the hands of someone who doesn’t even know our community and what our needs are? Please rethink your decision, and do the right thing.
Kristi Douglas 720-205-2627 |
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CITIZEN UPSET ABOUT BOARD ACTION ON DR. LANGE’S CONTRACT
I don't like to see negative letters in the paper, and thought I would never write one, but I must speak out.
On January 29th, 2008, the Adams County School District 14 Board of Education voted to only retain District Superintendent Dr. John Lange, through the 2008/2009 school year, which means he would have to leave right before we open the new High School- Community College. The 78 MILLION dollar bond issue that was just passed was for this project.
This vote of the ACSD14 Board of Education didn't take place at a regular meeting, but at a special one. Prior to this meeting, School Board President Lewis was asked the focus of the meeting and she respond it was a BUDGET MEETING.
Very sneaky! If you are going to get rid of Dr. Lange, you sure don't want the public there.
On the following Tuesday, I called Robert Vashaw, another school board member, to find out why he would not want to extend Dr Lange's contract through the opening of the new school. I told him I thought it was a personal vendetta, and not based on Dr. Lange's record of achievements.
He asked who told me what was said in executive chambers. I didn't know for sure what was said, until then. No mater what spin Board members Lewis, Quintana, or Vashaw put on this, they are trying to get rid of Dr Lange. My opinion!
John R Zeiler III (303)289-7530 |
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DO WE KNOW WHO IS WATCHING OUT FOR OUR KIDS???
I love children. I have four children of my own, as well as their spouses, fiancées, and all of their friends. I have always been there for any child in any circumstance and I pride myself on being a mentor over the years to literally hundreds of children. I routinely receive phone calls from young people who I encouraged to stay in school and go to college and to become lifetime learners. As they succeed in life, they want to share with me how just being told that they were important and that their education was important had been a turning point in their life.
In our community we have two school districts, Adams County School District 14 and District 27J. They both have outstanding school superintendents; they both have dedicated principals, teachers, parents and students. The awards that have been won in both districts by adults and students alike are too vast to list. So what is the problem? Why is one running so smoothly and the other in chaos?
As voters we are ultimately responsible for this difference. We elect the school board. In District 27J we have done a good job as voters. We have elected superior people who are educated, responsible, have integrity and a deep love for our children. Congratulations to the voters of District 27J.
What has happened in Adams County School District 14 is just beyond my comprehension. Where are the voters and how do the voters who did vote explain how they voted? If it was because someone was an incumbent or you recognized their name and that is the only reason you voted for them, then shame on you. There are 6,000 students that were depending on you for their future. You passed the bond election so they could have the new Adams City High School and Community College and have the middle and elementary schools updated and remodeled. You were warned before the last election that you needed to know who you were voting for and now this is what is happening to our precious children.
We have Robert Vashaw as a director on the school board who is a convicted drug felon and who is a member of the local “gang”, the Citizens Against Restrictive Zoning Club, who does nothing but complain about our city and takes no positive action to change anything for the better.
Then we have Larry Quintana as a director on the school board who for several years had a radical website up until he ran for office and who wrote articles for another local paper who only wanted to play a “race card” and whine about how bad his ancestors past was. He sent letters to the Gateway that I still have but never ran because they were so bad I would not subject our readers to them.
Then we have Jeanette Lewis, whose husband sits on City Council, who has absolutely no respect for any child in the district (or any adult as well) and whose actions could not set a worse example for any child to follow. Children do what they see not what they hear. Let’s look at some of her actions. She has repeatedly attempted to silence anyone who brings the truth out about her. She has sued us twice, she has held back emails that should have been given to us under federal law, she has sued her fellow school board members who spoke the truth, she demanded a charter school and is it fails; she is nowhere around to help them. She has attempted to stop the delivery of the Gateway to the school district by outright demanding they could not be delivered ( we ignored that as federal law says we can), to making a policy so the distribution center could not deliver our papers to the schools, to the final straw of actually STEALING our newspapers from the administration building. Taking out of the building (this is on video security tape) hundreds of the Gateways that told the story of how she is getting rid of our award winning superintendent, Dr. Lange and putting him and our district and our children in chaos and distress at the most critical juncture in the district. Dr. Lange has led us to 7 straight years of CSAP gains. The law that Mrs. Lewis broke is listed below. Now the problem is that so many people are afraid of her due to her threats of job loss and even worse, who will enforce the law? It was never enforced with the violation of the Open Records Act, so who will enforce it now.
This time I will NOT let it go. These are 6,000 children who LOVE Dr. Lange and who deserve the best education and schools that we can provide for them. I have never stooped to the level of Mrs. Lewis and I will not now. But someone give me an explanation that of all the wonderful people we have in our city that the best we can give our children is a drug felon, a racist, and a bully as their mentors. We will all pay for this in the future as these children fail instead of succeeding. We will be taking care of the problem later, so I have a great idea, let’s take care of it NOW. Please speak up. Please go to school board and speak at citizen’s communication. Write to the local papers. Ask the hard questions. The time is NOW not later.
LAW THAT LEWIS BROKE (1) A person commits the offense of newspaper theft when that person obtains or exerts unauthorized control over more than five copies of an edition of a newspaper with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading that edition of the newspaper. Control is unauthorized if there is a notice on the newspaper or (2) Newspaper theft is a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of: (a) Up to one thousand dollars if the number of newspapers involved was one hundred or fewer or the number of newspapers involved was not determined; (b) Up to two thousand five hundred dollars if the number of newspapers involved was more than one hundred and fewer than five hundred; (c) Up to five thousand dollars if the number of newspapers involved was five hundred or more. (4) Notwithstanding any other remedies provided under this section, a newspaper publisher who is the victim of newspaper theft, an advertiser who placed an advertisement in a newspaper that was subject to newspaper theft, or a newspaper reader who regularly reads the newspaper subject to newspaper theft shall have a private civil right of action as provided in section 13-21-123, C.R.S., against the person or persons who acted in violation of subsection (1) of this section. |
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Dear Editor:
What happened to the Board of Education in Adams County School District 14? It seems that Board President Jeannette Lewis and Board Members Robert Vashaw and Larry Quintana think that someone died and left them to be Queen and Princes. The arrogant attitude that has been exhibited by these board members toward Dr. John Lange and the staff as well as their complete disregard of the wishes of the community has got to be addressed.
No sooner had they all been elected when they began to unfold their sinister plans. It became immediately obvious that Jeannette Lewis directed Vashaw and Quintana to not renew Dr. Lange’s contract. It was the first of many things that they had planned in their quest to take over the whole district. They want no advice from anyone and it looks like these things had been planned for a very long time. Under fire now for their awful decisions, they have tried to tell people that they are not “firing” Dr. Lange, but that they will look at his contract in six months.
This is not true. You may request a tape of that particular meeting and you will see for yourself what happened. (Editor Note: view video of special school board meeting on this webpage.)
They voted AGAINST allowing Dr. Lange to take his rightful place to continue to run the school district through the first year of the opening of the new Adams City High School and Community College (May, 2010, just 22 months from now) . For whatever reason, Jeannette Lewis has convinced Vashaw and Quintana that they should get rid of Dr. Lange. I suspect a personal smear campaign against Dr. Lange. (Valiantly and rightly, board members Bill Klocker and Angela Kreutzer voted to extend Dr. Lange’s contract in spite of the other board members opposition. Of course, these two fine people lost this vote. Mr. Klocker’s words on behalf of Dr. Lange were noble.)
Who do Jeannette Lewis, Robert Vashaw and Larry Quintana think they are? What are their qualifications? Is this town aware that Larry Quintana’s wife, Connie (a district 14 employee); is now the president of the classified workers in the district? If this is not a political conflict of interest, I do not know what is. Should a dispute arise with a classified worker and who is not liked by Mr. Quintana or his wife or both, there is no way that worker would be treated fairly. This is especially unhealthy because Mr. Quintana has come to his position with very clear biases against certain people and specific issues. By allowing Connie Quintana to hold the position of President of the Classified Employees of District 14, Board President Jeannette Lewis clearly has shown a very obvious favorable bias when it comes to Mr. Quintana and his wife.
This certainly was not so with former board member, Richard Ford and his wife Rebecca who is also a classified employee of the district. When Richard Ford was on the school board, Mrs. Lewis would not allow Richard’s wife, Rebecca, to even be on the calendar committee, let alone such an important role as the president of the classified employees. In fact, Mrs. Lewis had Rebecca Ford thrown out of a board meeting because of this issue. I guess for Mrs. Lewis it depends on whom you are and how much you cater to her wishes as to what she allows and what she does not. Connie Quintana should do the right and moral thing and resign as President of the Classified Employees while her husband is on the school board.
Did you also know that Mrs. Lewis has wasted thousands of dollars needlessly suing her fellow board members? This probably has never happened before in our state. These actions have been especially embarrassing to our district on a regional and state level. By the way, she lost these suits and their appeals. Did you know that Mrs. Lewis actually was opposed to the passing of the bond to build the new school? Did you know that the students of Adams City High School picketed Mrs. Lewis, at that time, she threatened to not renew Dr. Lange’s contract? This also has never happened before in our state, maybe no where in the country. It has just been one awful thing after another, one political positioning after another in Adams 14 by Lewis, Vashaw and Quintana.
I don’t know about you, but I believe that the sum total of just these offenses to be very grave issues in Adams 14. I for one will not look the other way any longer. I will not allow Lewis, Vashaw and Quintana to do away with a distinguished and highly credentialed man, Dr. John Lange, who at the very least deserves to be allowed to continue until May, 2010. He earned the right and he earned the honor. I also will not allow these board members to continue to act as incompetent dictators, making up their own rules as they go along. What is really going on here? I don’t know, but it definitely is NOT about kids, and it definitely is NOT right.
Will Devillier |
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From Editor Kathy McIntyre,
Hello everyone and welcome to EDIT THIS. My name is Kathy McIntyre and I am the editor of the Gateway News and gatewaynews.org. My entire life I have been an avid reader. Early on I was told that readers are leaders. As a writer, I have learned that my best ideas for what I write come from what I read. You will never find me without several books that I am reading. So on my new page here, EDIT THIS, I encourage you to read all about it, about all the issues that are affecting your life and the lives of your children and grandchildren and neighbors and friends and your local businesses. I also encourage you to write all about it and I will gladly post your letters. All letters to the editor must have your complete name, address, phone and email address so I can contact you if needed. So become a leader by being a reader and become a writer too. This is one of the best ways to become involved in helping our community become strong and successful. See you here on the web often. EDIT THIS.
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The Impact of Issue 2B
What a coo for our Commerce City to land the Mile High Music Fest!!! Hopefully it can be a wonderful reoccurring event for our city. It’s unfortunate that the residents of Commerce City lost out on $160,000 (or more) of revenue from this event to help pay for “for public safety purposes and for the construction and maintenance of facilities used for transportation and drainage.” This is based on 20,000 people (mostly from outside of Commerce City) paying an average of $100 per ticket. In November 2007, the voters of Commerce City inexplicably voted down Issue 2B, which would levy an 8% tax on tickets for events. Non-profits, churches, schools, and charitable! events would have been exempt from this tax. I just hope no one complains that this event is going to unnecessarily impact the city’s coffers.
David Pocs Commerce City/Henderson
Note: Tickets are going for $150 and they want 50,000 people to attend, potential grand loss for Commerce City could be $600,000 in two days! |
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Food for Thought, some real thought by some weed
The Benson Chili Burger: This burger is so delicious it should be banned 9 miles from all animals with taste buds! I do admit this quasi burger/spicy meat sandwich does take some getting use too, but when you do, WATCH OUT, the fire will come and you’ll find yourself drawn to it. A very rare treat and those are the facts, your witness
Lewis LemonNaaaaayd: One sip of this cool drink and you’ll be shouting I’m awake damn it! This drink is sooooo good, if it was a motion, you would second it and then support it!!! That’s right it really is that good!!!
Reba’s Roast Beef: This dish will take you back to time when everything was just plain simpler. Like I said, one taste of this and you’ll be dreaming of better times.
Mayor’s Meatballs, Natale Style: You know it coming so let’s all say it together…THIS DISH IS WOOOOOOOONDERFUL!!! This east coast inspired dish is very refreshing, especially if you are use to the old family secret recipe (that one is a thinker).
Teter’s Tater Tots: Light and Fluffy this dish is a great treat when you want to veg out and well, just veg out.
Snyder Cider: This drink has got some kick! Although the ingredients are hard to find, when you do, they all just fit. You may not always agree, but that is okay, just add sugar.
Johnson’s Cherry Pie: A very good dish, maybe a little too good. I think we should investigate just why it is sooooo darn good! Yes, let us investigate.
Scott’s Bake Potatoes: Extra sour cream and extra butter. I don’t care if it is bad for you, everyone has a right to have it, regardless what the Doctor’s say, my God don’t be so paranoid, your body can process it.
Jason’s Famous Trail Mix: Only one thing to say, so I will say it three times, kudos, kudos, kudos.
City Manager’s Ice Cream: This is a very new product to the market, and I have to admit, it doesn’t melt under heat or pressure (not really sure when ice cream has ever really been under pressure, but you get my drift). All in all a very impressive taste. Note: this product does not come in the popular rum flavor.
Skyler: So what do you think Willie? Willie: ummmmm, I don’t know, I really like domestic food over forum food. Skyler: You think you are so funny… |
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DIVIDED WE FALL Real Talk by Richard Ford Sr.
It is not a big secret that the citizens of Commerce City are divided and have been for many years. Instead of working together and uniting, we continue to widen the gap between the different groups of individuals that have formed alliances with one another so to speak. The question that always seems to go unanswered is that if everyone wants what’s best for the City of Commerce City or School District 14, then why is there such a division.
My personal opinion is that although some do indeed want the best for everyone involved, others are out for the glory and bragging rights alone. It is these individuals that will stoop down to the lowest of levels destroying anyone who gets in their way. Not for the benefit of the whole but for their selfishness alone.
With the 3-2 vote of the Adams County School District 14 Board of Education that decided not to extend the contract of Superintendent Dr. John Lange the true colors of Lewis, Quintana, and Vashaw were clear to me. They did not take into consideration the children, parents, or tax paying citizens of Commerce City into account. Instead these three individuals sought out to settle old scores and feed the selfish needs of their own hearts desire. Lewis in particular has had four years of experience in working with Dr. John Lange. She has full knowledge of how much Dr. Lange has done for this district and this community. In My opinion she has let us all down and is the worst board president in current history.
Over the last two weeks I have had time to contemplate my need to stay involved in the arena of education by writing a weekly editorial. In many ways not being re-elected has been a blessing. I have had the privilege of speaking to so many different individuals that range from parents, business, owners, district employees, and senior citizens. They have shared their concerns regarding school district 14 and I believe that many are surprised to see that I agree with a lot of what they have to say. The reason for their surprise is due to the fact that on numerous occasions I have been quoted or heard praising the leadership of Dr. John Lange and furthermore supporting his efforts in moving our school district forward. The role of the Superintendent is to provide our students, parents, and community with the best opportunities available. There is not doubt that Dr. John Lange has done just that. Over the last five years while I was on the board of education, Dr. Lange surpassed his performance goals often times exceeding them. Initiating the start of numerous programs and opportunities. Finding ways to fund and supports current programs. Furthermore bringing before the board his dream of a new High School / Community College.
I also agree with the many individuals that are frustrated by the daily operation of the schools on an individual basis but I don't believe that Dr. Lange has "dropped the ball". I believe that the reason our children are not only falling threw the cracks but jumping into canyons by the handfuls is because we as parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles have forgotten how to advocate for our own children. So many of us have thrown in the towel when it comes to dealing with the staff at our kids schools. We are frustrated by the invitation to get involved only to find out that our involvement is not truly desired. The attitude that if they think they can do it alone, then let them try is not in the best interest of our kids. It is our job as parents to be the people in charge of making education a priority in the minds of our kids. It is our job as parents to be the people responsible for making sure our sons, daughters, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews are given an EQUAL opportunity to receive the best education possible.
First we must face the truth about the issues of gangs, drugs, complacency, and the inequality our children deal with every day. We then must own up to our responsibilities and acknowledge what we as parents have done to contribute to the problem. Finally, together we must hold our local schools and their staff accountable for educating our children equally as partners no longer as adversaries.
Dr. Lange has given us the opportunities, it's our turn to put them to use. I believe that the time has come for parents to come together. United we stand, divided we fall. Let’s do it for our kids and for generations to follow.
Stay tuned, it has just begun. Thanks for reading, Richard A Ford Sr. 720-422-0610 |
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THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED REAL TALK by Richard Ford Sr.
Jeannette Lewis stated that she disagreed with Mr. Bill Klocker’s point of view on the day of Dr. John Lange’s School District 14 Superintendent contract vote. She further stated that she believed that a no vote is not taking anything away.
Does Jeanette Lewis not understand that every vote made by the school board of education affects every student, parent, employee, and citizen in Commerce City who lives in the school district 14 area? Actually, everyone who lives in the city of Commerce City and the surrounding communities is affected by the board’s decisions.
Her vote did indeed take something away, it took a lot away. Her no vote, along with the no votes of Vashaw and Quintana, took away the guarantee that school district 14 would have continued on the same path of improvement and hope that it has been under Dr. Lange’s leadership.
I think it's important to remind everyone that even though Mrs. Lewis did not think it was necessary to continue Dr. Lange's contract to June of 2010, she had no problem continuing Community Leadership Academy's (CLA) contract, not just for one year but for five!
Why do you think Mrs. Lewis feels comfortable saying no to the highest performing Superintendent? Why does she have no problem gambling with the future of our kids by showing Dr. Lange the door as we embark on the biggest transition our district has faced in over 40 years?
If you do your job and exceed your performance year after year, Mrs. Lewis says no!
In the case of Community Leadership Academy, they have failed to improve, but not only does Mrs. Lewis say yes to their renewal, but supports extending their contract for five more years!!! Looks like more double standards folks.
It is my opinion that Mrs. Jeannette Lewis along with Mr. Robert Vashaw are moving full speed ahead on derailing this school district into the ground. It is also my opinion that their reason is to push their original pro-charter and pro-voucher agenda. As for Mr. Larry Quintana's motives to say no to Dr. Lange, I believe they stem from a personal vendetta.
It is public knowledge that Mr. Quintana's wife, Connie Quintana, who is the current Colorado Classified School Employees Association President has held a deep resentment and personal grudge against Dr. Lange for many years. It is also no secret that she has stated that Dr. Lange must go. Now that her husband is one of the three no votes, looks like her wish is coming true. So much for being an educator and not a politician (Quintana’s recent campaign slogan). It’s like Nixon stating "I am not a thief"
So what does this mean for our district and our children? In my opinion when Ms. Lewis chose to quote Eleanor Roosevelt who said "It is today we must create the world of the future", she meant that the time has come for her and her friends, Vashaw and Quintana, to rid district 14 of anyone who stands in their way of implementing a charter school district, even if it means destroying the progress of the last seven years.
In a recent board of education meeting the board approved yet another charter school to open up in district 14. The vote was 4 - 1 to accept Hope On Line, a charter school that owes money to the state for filing errors. A charter school that has a reported teacher ratio of one teacher for every 70 students. It was also reported that all required information that would have allowed the school board of education to make sound decisions was not available at the time the vote came before them. So why were they approved and at what cost to the district?
When will reality sink in? Recently the district celebrated the 12th annual instrumental and vocal music festival. 672 students with a passion for music played instruments that entertained our hearts and 547 students sang with poise and purpose . Our music program continues to be recognized as well as Dr. Lange's commitment to educating the whole child.
What are we all going to do, when because of the choices the current board of education is making, and their failure to make good fiscal management choices ends the music program in district 14? Will we open our new high school without a leader and with out a music program?
It's a sad day Commerce City, what are we going to do about it? You can’t hide behind fear any more, stand up and let’s take our district back before they bankrupt it.
Thanks for reading. Richard A Ford Sr. 720-422-0610 |
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By Editor Kathy McIntyre
Spring is by far my favorite time of year. I love the warmer weather, and I love the excitement of everything that spring brings to the world. It is a fresh start, a great rebirth, and a time of renewed hope. It is a perfect time to celebrate Easter, the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.
During the cold months of winter with everything buried under the snow, it can be very easy to lose sight of what is possible. In spring, possibilities abound. The first blades of bright green grass start to peek out from under what is left of last year’s lawn, flowers are in full fragrant bloom, the trees become huge umbrellas providing cool shade and the baby animals are everywhere. And we celebrate our faith in eternal life that was given to us by our Father.
If God, through his son Jesus Christ, gives us such a gift, a gift that we can only be humbled by, what gift can we give back to Him? He has given us our life here on earth, a precursor to our eternal life. What we do to help each other here and now, what we do to take care of each other, how we treat each other during the most challenging times, the things we do to make someone else’s life a bit easier, the way we treat children and animals and the earth, these are the gifts that I believe we can give back to God.
There was a very popular song a few years back, “God Is Watching Us”. Are we sure that He is happy about what He sees? It is so much more joyful and so much easier to do everything we can to be nice, to work together, to relieve the suffering around us, than it is to be mean, uncooperative, selfish and greedy.
As we celebrate Easter, spring, our life here and eternal life, I pray that we can all come to understand the gifts that we have all been given and I pray for peace and understanding. At the Gateway News we are very thankful as we start our fourth year. We are blessed to be able to continue on our mission of making our community a place where we can all work together for the greater good. Thanks to all of you for being a part of that. Happy Easter from Kathy, Karl, Dustie, Baby, Babette, Willie and Skyler! |
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Dear Editor:
I watched the clip on your website regarding the Lewis, Quintana and Vashaw vote to not extend Dr. John Lange’s contract through the school year 2010.
As a long-time resident and supporter of School District 14, I am floored at how incompetent these board members are.
It is one thing to want to be a politician to wield power. We have learned to expect that. It is entirely another to hurt such a fine man who made the new school happen. One more year for Dr. Lange would mean nothing to these board members. Yet, it means everything to the community and to him.
This is the meanest and lowest thing I have ever seen anyone do in our community. Who would have thought such a thing could happen here? These tyrants have to go!
A Neighbor (Name withheld at request of letter writer.)
Editor’s Note: See the clip yourself at the top of this page |
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Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
I sincerely hope that you will print my letter since I am asking that you please do not print my name. I am writing about Jeannette Lewis and Mr. Robert Vashaw and Mr. Larry Quintana who are on the school board of Adams County School District 14. I am acquainted with all of them, but I work with Jeannette Lewis on some projects and I know how she has treated other people and has said terrible things about people to destroy their reputations and I do not want her to hurt my group or my family. Please, please do not print my name.
The reason I am writing is that I am aware that Dr. John Lange is not going to be able to be there when the new high school is opened and Jeannette Lewis, Robert Vashaw and Larry Quintana are also not going to allow Dr. Lange to be the superintendent for the new school or the whole district for that matter. This is so wrong. Dr. Lange has done so much for all of us. I do not understand why he is being treated like this.
I am sorry to say I voted for these people. I am very disappointed at Jeannette Lewis. But, I will do whatever I can to make this right. I have a lot of friends who feel the same way and my family wants others to know that Dr. Lange must remain the superintendent of our school district. We all deserve to be treated better than this.
Name Withheld By Request of the Author |
