Air Force Chief of Staff John Jumper has issued more guidance reminding airmen that the expression of personal religious beliefs to subordinates during mandatory events or professional settings is inappropriate.
Jumper released the guidance Tuesday, the second directive about religious sensitivity since May 26, when he urged commanders that using their power or position to promote a certain religion is “wholly inappropriate.”
Tuesday’s guidance comes after a task force issued a report June 22 saying there is a perception that Christianity is favored over other religions at the Air Force Academy.
Jumper’s guidance stresses the core values of the Air Force – “Integrity First. Service Before Self. Excellence in All We Do.”
“Remember Service Before Self. Religion is intensely personal, and disagreements can detract from the teamwork necessary for Air Force units,” Jumper wrote.
U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, a member of the academy’s Board of Visitors, an oversight group appointed by the president, sent a letter Monday to acting Air Force Secretary Michael Dominguez asking him to develop guidelines for what is permissible and impermissible religious expression before academy classes resume Aug. 10.
GOLDEN
Broomfield cyclist hit by SUV dies
A cyclist who was hit by an SUV on Wednesday evening later died at a hospital, the State Patrol told 9News.
The accident happened about 7:30 p.m. on Coal Creek Canyon Road about a mile west of Colorado 93. A witness said the cyclist was hit by someone driving a beige Ford Explorer, who didn’t stop.
The witness flagged down another driver and told him to follow the Explorer. He managed to get the license plate number.
The State Patrol says a male suspect, 40-year-old Robert Gwizdalski of Black Hawk, was apprehended in Gilpin County.
The victim was identified as 37-year-old Anthony Brandolino of Broomfield.
COLORADO
Education official ends 56-year career
Roscoe Davidson, Colorado’s deputy commissioner of education, ends a 56-year career in education today.
The Denver native, who has been deputy education commissioner for about three years, entered the field as a sixth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Denver.
In Denver Public Schools, he also worked as an instruction coordinator; principal at Bradley, Asbury and Bromwell elementary schools; executive director of elementary education; and an associate superintendent for DPS’s Division of Education.
In 1977, Davidson became superintendent of the Englewood School District, where he stayed for 22 years.
He later joined the Colorado Department of Education part- time before becoming deputy commissioner under Commissioner William Moloney.
He said education “is moving in the right direction.”
“There’s a much greater commitment to the notion that all kids can learn,” he said. In the past, “there wasn’t the focus on the achievement gaps we have.”
Davidson said he hopes to return to teaching at the University of Denver, where he has worked as an adjunct professor.
Dorothy Gotlieb, who has been an educator licensing director at the department, will replace Davidson.
BOULDER
Study quantifies wildfires’ toxicity
Wildfires in Alaska and Canada in 2004 emitted as much carbon monoxide as did human-related activities in the continental United States during the same period, a study by the National Center for Atmospheric Research found.
The study, which was published this month in Geophysical Research Letters, also determined that the fires increased atmospheric concentrations of ground-level ozone across much of the Northern Hemisphere.
“It is important to see how the influence of these fires can reach large parts of the atmosphere,” said Gabriele Pfister, the study’s lead author. “This has significant implications as societies take steps to improve air quality.”
The researchers used a combination of observing instruments, computer models and numerical techniques that allowed them to distinguish between carbon monoxide coming from the wildfires and from other sources.
COLORADO
Clinics to go ahead with emergency pill
Planned Parenthood announced Wednesday that it plans to provide free emergency contraception to women beginning Friday – the day a law requiring all hospitals to provide rape victims with information about the pills would have gone into effect.
Gov. Bill Owens vetoed the controversial bill in April, citing religious freedom. The veto was hailed by Catholic institutions and criticized by women’s rights groups.
Vicki Cowart, president and chief executive of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said the organization would offer free emergency contraception at all 24 of its Colorado locations on behalf of rape victims “denied access” to the pills.
“Emergency contraception is the best way to prevent unintended pregnancy in cases of rape, incest or contraceptive failure. Planned Parenthood believes all women should have access to it,” she said.
