The first elected representatives of the City of Castle Pines North were sworn in at a ceremony on March 10. Top row from the left: Treasurer Doug Gilbert, Ron Clark, City Council Ward 3, Kim Hoffman, City Council Ward 2, Jennifer Havercroft, City Council Ward 1, Mayor Maureen Shul. Seated from the left: Chip Coppola, City Council Ward 2, Chris Dooley, City Council Ward 1, and David Neely, City Council Ward 3. (photo by Tim Gamble)

Members of CPN’s Boy Scout Troop 637 led the honor guard at the City’s swearing in ceremony. (photo courtesy of David Neely)

Second graders from American Academy sing during the City’s first swearing in ceremony. American Academy hopes to build a new school in CPN this summer. (photo by Tim Gamble)

Douglas County Commissioners Steve Boand, (left) Melanie Worley and Jack Hilbert express their support for the new City of Castle Pines North. (photo by Tim Gamble)

American Academy second grader Rachel Reagon sings a solo of God Bless America at the City’s first swearng in cermony. (photo by Tim Gamble)

by Lane Roberts

The voices of children echoed throughout the Community Center at the City of Castle Pines North’s (CPN) first official swearing in ceremony on Monday, March 10.

Red, white and blue school uniforms of AmericanAcademy’s second graders added a symbolic nod to the patriotic event. More thaneighty students encircled the crowd to sing, “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” to more than 100 people attending the ceremony, including dignitaries from throughout the state and county.

Eight newly elected officials raised their hands one-by-one to take the oath of office from the Honorable Judge Paul King, of the 18th Judicial District. Mayor Maureen Shul, Treasurer Doug Gilbert, Chris Dooley and Jennifer Havercroft, City Council Ward 1, Kim Hoffman and Chip Coppola, City Council Ward 2, and Ron Clark and David Neely, City Council Ward 3, are now officially seated as the first representatives of the new city.

Honor guard members of CPN Boy Scout Troop 637 proudly led the crowd in thePledge of Allegiance. Pastor Dan Weidman of CPN’s Christ the King Church and Rabbi Jay TelRav led the opening invocation.

Douglas County Commissioners Steve Boand, Melanie Worley, and Jack Hilbert (pictured below) were special guest speakers at the event. All three offered congratulations and support for the new city.

Douglas County Sheriff Dave Weaver also spoke at the event saying the children attending ceremony were so important as they represent the future of the new city. “I want to congratulate the newest city in Colorado,” Weaver said. “This city is in great hands with its newly elected officers, many of whom I know personally. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office looks forward to a long-term partnership.”

Representing Governor Bill Ritter, Dr. Susan Kirkpatrick, executive director, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, also addressed the crowed offering “support for the new city” in any capacity.

State Representative Victor Mitchell was scheduled to speak at the event but was unable to attend due to last minute conflicts at the State Legislature. In a message, to The Connection, Mitchell wrote: “I am confident that both Castle Pines North and Douglas County will be a stronger community as a result of your efforts. I speak from first-hand experience that Mayor Shul will serve all of the citizens of Castle Pines North with honor and dignity - most especially on matters related to seniors.”

Pastor David Jensen of God’s Grace Community Church closed the ceremony with a prayer and Mayor Maureen Shul provided closing remarks saying the ceremony was a “celebration of this extraordinary milestone in the history of Castle Pines North.”

“The success of our new city will not be dependent on any one mayor, clerk, treasurer, or council, but rather on how well, how quickly, how cohesively, and how responsibly we now come together to work on the many challenges before us,” Shul said. “None of this will be easy. None of this will be accomplished overnight. But all of us here have a role to play in laying the foundation not only for our city but for our future as well. The decisions we make now will impact our community and all our lives for many years to come.”

Shul challenged the residents of CPN to rise together and stay involved in the process. “We cannot do this on our own. But collectively as a community that rose to the challenge these past 16 months to lead us to this moment…..we can together begin this moment to accomplish great things,” said Shul.

“How blessed we are to live in a country that gives us the opportunity and freedom to establish our own city, freely elect our own officials - - with a process that ensures the inclusion of all.”