Author Archives: Matt G

DAVIS: Fear & Loathing in Woodland Park

Since the insurgent school board was elected in November 2021, the district’s problems have multiplied: legal expenses have increased by more than 900%, with much of that taxpayer money flowing into the pockets of established political operatives; the district is hemorrhaging staff at a rate far above the statewide average for the second school year in a row; and the once-quiet mountain town is now at risk of being swept away by rivers of bad blood flowing from the fights picked and petty vendettas pursued by one board member in particular, whom district parents have described as “unhinged” and “psychologically disturbed.” 
— Read on coloradotimesrecorder.com/2023/09/davis-fear-loathing-in-woodland-park/56044/

Andrew Wommack wants his followers to rule the world – Baptist News Global

Andrew Wommack wasn’t kidding back in 2021 when he called his followers to “take over” Woodland Park, the mountain town of 8,000 west of Colorado Springs that’s home to his ministry and Charis Bible College.

“This county ought to be totally dominated by believers,” Wommack said. “We have enough people here in this school we could elect anybody we want. We could take over this place.”
— Read on baptistnews.com/article/andrew-wommack-wants-his-followers-to-rule-the-world/

Letter to the Editor: Wommack Ministries Responds To ‘Onward Christian Soldiers – A Woodland Park Investigation’

This letter is in response to the opinion article, “DAVIS: Onward Christian Soldiers – A Woodland Park Investigation,” dated August 24, 2023. As a senior executive at Andrew Wommack Ministries and Charis Bible College, I am in a unique position to respond to the allegations made throughout the article. 

— Read on coloradotimesrecorder.com/2023/09/letter-to-the-editor-wommack-ministries-responds-to-onward-christian-soldiers-a-woodland-park-investigation/55850/

Fostering transparency: Addressing inaccuracies in recent column | Guest column | Pikes Peak Courier | gazette.com

In response to a recent guest column published in the Courier, I was compelled to respond to the baseless accusations that were levied against me and my fellow candidates. While
— Read on https://gazette.com/pikespeakcourier/fostering-transparency-addressing-inaccuracies-in-recent-column-guest-column/article_e76e4bac-436f-11ee-86c9-734000db04e9.html?fbclid=IwAR313HIWVXw4UXe8GgEkKWnkESFLl5Mt_8GHIfI33up6UVJowfa5j4LIWcc_aem_AUhV5cjkEmwTUZZSD-LO0Sie6M0s3avqLchLB0hVprceeymapexZOP-qFDhblooM4rA

DAVIS: Onward Christian Soldiers – A Woodland Park Investigation

From the pulpit, Wommack preaches a fiery version of Christian nationalism, focused more on society than scripture, advocating for a near-theocratic merging of Christian principles and public institutions. His doctrine is wed to no real theological tradition, presenting as an incomplete reduction of Calvinist reconstructionism, Pentecostal dominionism, and American folk religion. He runs schools, churches, missionary organizations and political nonprofits. Soon, he hopes to run Woodland Park. 
— Read on coloradotimesrecorder.com/2023/08/davis-onward-christian-soldiers-a-woodland-park-investigation/55674/

Braver Angels launches chapter in Woodland Park | Pikes Peak Courier | gazette.com

Driven by the nation’s polarization that has trickled down to Woodland Park, the local chapter of Braver Angels launches an introduction this month.

“I feel like this is an opportunity to make a difference,” said Billie Donegan, who with Holly Sample initiated the event Aug. 29.

Founded by David Blankenhorn after the 2016 election, Braver Angels is a New York-based nonprofit dedicated to political depolarization around the nation.
— Read on gazette.com/content/tncms/live/

Teachers union suit suits slick Woodland Park super | NOONAN | Opinion | coloradopolitics.com

Witt is using the Woodland Park school board as a tool to take over the district and impose his anti-democratic, anti-public school ideology. He’s exploiting the BOCES concept to use public money to serve his conservative agenda and line his own pocketbook. His schools are not high performing or meritorious. They are not inclusive of all American children. They are an example of the failure of our state’s school accountability system to ensure accountability for public funds and democratic values.
— Read on www.coloradopolitics.com/content/tncms/live/

‘Knowledge is power’: new app helps US teens read books banned in school | US news | The Guardian

Consistently, these bans target materials written by and about people of color or LGBTQ+ individuals, and even though a 2022 poll found that 70% of parents oppose them, they are continuing at a rapid rate.

Now the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) is trying to fight back. It recently launched the Banned Book Program, granting free nationwide access to books restricted in schools or libraries.
— Read on www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/18/us-teens-banned-books-schools