Considering this is Feb. 22 as I write this; I am pretty sure the old adage, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb applies this year. Of course, Colorado weather changes on a dime so maybe March will come in at least a bit warmer. Anyway, be gone freezing temperatures.In February, we have witnessed dark days, with the death of El Paso County Sheriffís Deputy Micah Flick; and, on Feb. 14, the death of 17 high school students at Parklandís Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County, Fla. There is nothing more I can say that hasnít already been said, but I want to, on behalf of The New Falcon Herald, express my sincere sorrow to the Flick family. His twins are students in D 49, and their dad was taken away from them much too early.And high schoolersí lives, along with teachers, were also ended way too early on Feb. 14. I have one daughter who is still in the school system as a teacher, and I feel like no one is safe from the horrors etched forever in the hearts of these survivors. I fear for my daughter, and I fear for the country.There is a glimmer of hope, however, as we witness the determination and the savviness of the students from Stoneman Douglas. I have listened to their speeches and pleas to our government representatives, and they are articulate and sincerely intent on making change. We are already seeing the White House and other legislators making promises to fix this. I have a feeling the youth of this country will see to it that they keep their promises.In our school district, the school boardís announcement of a possible name change turned heads and riled residents, especially Falcon residents. Weíve heard from people who say the Falcon stone monument and the Falcon sign being moved had already compromised the identity of the area. So, now the school districtís idea to erase the reference to Falcon School District 49 (although the legal name is El Paso County District 49) further negates the little town that once was. Peyton has its own school district and so does Calhan. I personally think that Falcon is the heart of D 49; Pikes Peak District 49 sounds kind of, well, snobbish.Also, the NFH survey is included with this issue so please complete it and send it back to us. You can also scan your completed survey and email it back to me (email address on this page). Your opinions are important to us, and we welcome your suggestions.We recently sent an email blast and posted a question on Facebook, and the response was more than we expected. We asked people to send us their thoughts on problematic or dangerous intersections throughout Falcon. We will ask Black Forest residents to do the same, and weíll eventually tackle those roads. Weíre taking these intersections one or two at a time, and the first in what I think will be a long series is on the front page. Thanks to everyone for their responses.OK, thatís it for now! Happy St. Patrickís Day; and remember itís Womenís History Month. This website is great if you are interested in reading stories about the strong-willed women who paved the way for the rest of us: https://womenshistorymonth.gov.One more thing: Be sure to read Bill Radfordís Prairie Life to find out the namesakes of some of the Falcon roads.See you in April. Happy Spring!– Michelle
