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| Cuchara Mountain Resort plans to be unveiled | 02 - September - 2010by Bob Reece
CUCHARA/LA VETA- Representatives of the Cuchara Valley Recreational Metropolitan District and the Cuchara Valley Recreation Foundation will be on hand to present their comprehensive plans for the Cuchara Mountain Resort at two community meeting..
| 02 - September - 2010by Bob Reece
CUCHARA/LA VETA- Representatives of the Cuchara Valley Recreational Metropolitan District and the Cuchara Valley Recreation Foundation will be on hand to present their comprehensive plans for the Cuchara Mountain Resort at two community meetings scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 26 in Cuchara and La Veta.
The community meetings will be held in Cuchara at the Cuchara Recreation Hall at 10 this morning, and at the La Veta Community Center on E. Ryus Avenue at 4:30 this afternoon. The public is encouraged to attend either meeting, get more information about plans for the resort and ask questions of the organizers.
When fully built out, the resort will host a number of year round attractions, including a mountain coaster, a tubing hill and a zip line course. A 10-acre lake will be created at the base, to provide water for snow making in winter and recreational uses in both winter and summer. Other amenities will include a full-service restaurant; a convention center to host corporate events, conferences and other meetings; and a 72-room hotel to be built next to the convention center. Videos of mountain coasters, tubing and ziplines can be found online at http://www.cucharavalley.org.
The Cuchara Valley Recreational Metropolitan District (CVRMD) is being formed to purchase the property, authorize and administer the bond issue and oversee the construction of the resort. A Metropolitan District is a governing body, similar in scope to the Cucharas Sanitation and Water District, with a Board of Directors and a defined area of authority. In this case, the Metropolitan District is essentially, the 225 acres being sought in the purchase.
The Cuchara Valley Recreational Foundation (CVRF), is the non-profit organization that will operate the day-to-day business of the resort. The Foundation came together earlier this year to develop the economic business model that will allow the resort to serve the greater community in a philanthropic manner.
Because the model is based on Return on Community, rather than a Return on Investment, the Foundation will be able to take profits of the resort and reinvest them into the communities of southern Colorado.
For example, the Foundation might develop a program that brings kids and teens from communities throughout southern Colorado to participate in educational, recreational and outdoor programs at the resort at no cost to their parents. Or funding might be provided to organizations in the area such as the library system and schools or provided for community beautification.
The purchase agreement was signed on Aug. 14 between property owner, Michael Balloun of Arlington, Texas and Bruce Cantrell of Cuchara, representing the Cuchara Valley Recreation Metropolitan District. | | City hires new finance director | 02 - September - 2010by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG- The City of Walsenburg hired a new finance director to replace Krystel Vigil who resigned two months ago. David G. Johnston was hired over seven applicants for the position. Johnston and his wife currently live in Pueblo but a..
| 02 - September - 2010by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG- The City of Walsenburg hired a new finance director to replace Krystel Vigil who resigned two months ago. David G. Johnston was hired over seven applicants for the position. Johnston and his wife currently live in Pueblo but are planning to relocate to Walsenburg.
Johnston is a public accountant who ran his own accounting firms in Casper, Wyoming and Pueblo, Colorado. He and his wife have also operated a home health care business and a hardware business during their careers. Johnston said he has been self-employed for most of his career and this is the first job in over 30 years that he is working for an employer.
Dave and his wife have been married for 33 years and have three children and five grandchildren.
Johnston says he took the city position of finance director because of the challenge.
The City of Walsenburg has been in severe financial straits for the past year. The mayor and some members of the city council were not happy with Vigil and felt that someone with more experience could give them reports they could better understand. They also hoped that someone with more experience could put the city in a better financial position. Vigil resigned for health reasons, claiming in a letter to council that some of the treatment she received from council and the city treasurer made it difficult to do her job and created stress that affected her health. Vigil worked for the City of Walsenburg for four years. | | Another City official resigns | 02 - September - 2010Staff report
WALSENBURG- Another city official is jumping ship and more could follow. City Clerk Lori Sheldon tendered her resignation and will be leaving in the near future. Sheldon was voted in by the city council as city clerk in January and also did o..
| 02 - September - 2010Staff report
WALSENBURG- Another city official is jumping ship and more could follow. City Clerk Lori Sheldon tendered her resignation and will be leaving in the near future. Sheldon was voted in by the city council as city clerk in January and also did other work for the city in the utility department. She has been employed with the City of Walsenburg for about four years.
Sheldon joins City Administrator Alan Hein and Finance Director Krystel Vigil in deciding to leave. Mike Sheldon, Walsenburg’s IT person, also chose not to bid his services when it came up for consideration recently. Mike is Lori’s husband and is the son of former Mayor Edi Sheldon. These four individuals join City Councilman James England who resigned last week after three years on city council.
While both Mike and Lori Sheldon worked several years for the City of Walsenburg, they could never shake off the criticism that they were hired during the time former Mayor Edi Sheldon was serving. The charges of nepotism were often thrown about. They both applied for jobs advertised by the city. Lori was chosen over five other candidates by administrator Eric Pearson, to work in the utility office while Mike was hired as an independent contractor by the city council. His IT bid at the time was $35 per hour while another bid was for $75 per hour plus travel expenses to Walsenburg when needed. Despite the difference in savings, some critics of former Mayor Sheldon cried “nepotism” and said the out-of-town contractor should have been hired anyway despite the higher cost. For the record, Mayor Sheldon did not participate in interviews or vote on the hiring of either.
Beth Neece, assistant administrator, is currently running the daily operation of the city and has been since Hein left the city. Neece, Hein, Vigil and Mike Sheldon have all been criticized or had their actions questioned by the mayor and some members of the city council along with the Betterment of Walsenburg group, comprised mostly of current and former city employees, who all “want to take back the city.” The criticism has come in meetings and in letters to the editor in the local newspapers. Numerous city employees, past and present feel that the mayor and some members of the city council have created a hostile working environment but are not willing to talk publicly about it at this time.
The city council told the Betterment for Walsenburg Committee earlier this year that they could speak out about city concerns without fear of retribution for their jobs, since most were employees of the city. Others were people laid off by the city late last year and early this year. Instead of commenting on how the city could operate more effectively or save money, they are generally lashing out at their bosses or fellow employees such as Vigil, the finance director at the time. This has allegedly created an atmosphere where the employees appear to have the upper hand over management, which has felt powerless because of the “no retribution” action of the city council.
One city employee was suspended last week by Beth Neece for two weeks dealing with an undisclosed incident. Sources allege the employee acted in a disrespectful manner toward Neece. It is said that Mayor Bruce Quintana supported Neece’s action in this instance.
The city council has yet to advertise for a new administrator to replace Alan Hein who resigned two weeks ago. Neece is willing to continue serving the people of Walsenburg at least until a new administrator can be named. | | Bovine TB outbreak polarizes ag community | 19 - August - 2010by Carol Dunn
HUERFANO- Cattle producers in Huerfano County want to relax, but even the remotest chance that bovine tuberculosis (TB) might spread to other herds is too unnerving. In any given year, a herd of cattle somewhere in the U.S. is found to have a..
| 19 - August - 2010by Carol Dunn
HUERFANO- Cattle producers in Huerfano County want to relax, but even the remotest chance that bovine tuberculosis (TB) might spread to other herds is too unnerving. In any given year, a herd of cattle somewhere in the U.S. is found to have an infected animal, with as few as four herds in 2005 and as many as twelve in 2009. Most producers opt to depopulate the entire herd and start over, sending infected animals to a rendering plant and non-infected animals to slaughter. Of great curiosity is the fact that Walsenburg’s Corsentino Dairy had not purchased any cattle for six years previous to one of its herd testing positive for TB at a slaughterhouse. So where did the TB come from?
TB is still common in less developed countries. Studies have been conducted to determine, in a country like the United States where human TB is rare and outbreaks in cattle herds are dealt with immediately, how TB can continue to show up from time to time. In the US, a number of mammals serve as “spillover hosts” when the density of the disease is high. According to the Iowa State University Center for Food Security and Public Health, those include: sheep, goats, horses, pigs, dogs, cats, ferrets, llamas, deer, elk, foxes, coyotes, opossum, raccoons, lions and some rodents. TB can also be passed to cattle by infected humans.
After a California herd tested positive for TB in 2007, the infected animals were traced back to feedlot steers from Mexico. Two other feedlot cases that year from other states had the same results. According to Colorado State University Extension, DNA testing of the TB bacteria found in Huerfano County does not match other TB bacteria recorded in the USDA-APHIS database. Dr. Francisco with APHIS in Ft. Collins told the World Journal she is not permitted to answer media questions to clarify this information, and the only public relations representative available was in the Maryland office and unfamiliar with the Huerfano County case.
Besides new animals being moved into the herd, there are few ways that TB is spread among cattle. One way is nose to nose contact between cattle across fence lines, the risk of which, according to an August 9 news release by Huerfano County Extension, is “very low.” Other ways include inhaling airborne TB bacteria and consuming feed and water contaminated with saliva from an infected animal.
In the Extension press release, Dean Oatman points out that any animals going to the Huerfano County Fair this week from the Corsentino farm have been tested and found negative for TB by state and federal animal health professionals. The quarantine for these animals has been released by the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office. The press release quotes Dr. Keith Roehr, State Veterinarian: “The risk these animals pose to other animals is negligible because they were housed separately, fed separately, cared for separately, and because they have all tested negative for TB. There is no scientific reason to quarantine these animals or keep them from coming to the county fair.” County Fair Board member Tracy McCay told the World Journal, “If the State vet released those animals, he must have felt that they were safe.”
Oatman also stated that no other herds in the county are under a hold-order or quarantine because of TB, and no other herds in the county have been tested for TB. The possibility exists that other cattle within the county may be tested.
Trinidad veterinarian Dr. Kirk Falduto told the World Journal, “Any time you have a communicable disease, there is some degree of concern.” Falduto said because the animals were confined and not on open range, the outbreak was caught early, and they have a good handle on it, “it’s not a large concern to area ranchers.” Falduto said there is a latent period for the bacteria where testing could show a false negative, but the State times the testing appropriately.
When asked about animals going to the County Fair from the Corsentino farm, Dr. John Davis, Rio Cucharas Veterinary Clinic, told the World Journal, “There is no risk because they tested negative.” Davis said TB takes a long time to develop in an animal, and it requires “continual exposure for a long period of time” to contract the disease. Davis referred to TB as “infectious but not highly communicable.” He said people can live in the same household as someone with TB, and if they practice good sanitation, the chances are small that they will contract it. “People shouldn’t be preoccupied with this,” he said. Davis also commended the actions of Brett Corsentino as “extremely responsible” in clearing out his dairy herd, cleaning up and starting fresh. | | Alan Hein resigns as City Administrator | 19 - August - 2010by Bill Knowles
WALSENBURG- As of Mon. Aug. 9, Alan Hein is no longer working for the city of Walsenburg as City Administrator. He resigned because of health issues he has been dealing with over the past several months. The City Council accepted Hein’s re..
| 19 - August - 2010by Bill Knowles
WALSENBURG- As of Mon. Aug. 9, Alan Hein is no longer working for the city of Walsenburg as City Administrator. He resigned because of health issues he has been dealing with over the past several months. The City Council accepted Hein’s resignation on a 6-0 vote during a special meeting on Mon. Aug. 9.
Hein started work as Walsenburg’s City Administrator in April of 2009 and quickly found himself plugging holes. The first issue that came up was the rupture of a natural gas transmission pipeline south of Aguilar just before the Memorial Day weekend. A flash flood in the area broke the pipeline and cut service to both Walsenburg and Aguilar.
More recently, the city had to undergo layoffs to salvage the 2010 budget. As a result, several former and current city employees have been actively criticizing Hein’s leadership.
Hein was faced with restructuring the city’s work force when the 2010 budget showed a shortfall of nearly a half million dollars. After the first round of layoffs, the city was once again faced with a shortfall generated by the prison closing. This initiated a second round of layoffs which led to more criticism of the city’s administration.
However with the layoffs and restructuring of the city’s workforce, the 2010 budget was salvaged and the city has been able to put together funds to build the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) and lay new water lines in the Northlands. Both projects were monitored by Hein who made many trips to Denver to work out details with the state’s engineer.
The city has currently undergone an extensive audit of its books while working to satisfy state mandates concerning the sewer line project needed in the Northlands and the WWTF. Both are necessary to avoid fines that could be levied by the state and could run as high as $10,000 a day. Walsenburg has delayed the projects for several years. The sewer line and WWTF moved to the front burner after the Northlands was annexed in 2008. The annexation was necessary to allow the city to step in and carry out the projects.
Another project the city has been working on is road work for the new grocery market being built on North Walsen between Pine and Maple. Hein had been working with CDOT on plans to build a left turn lane from Walsen into the new market’s parking area. The plans for that project are waiting approval by CDOT.
The city is now operating without an administrator or a finance director. Assistant City Administrator Beth Neece will handle the daily business of the city until an interim administrator can be found.
Hein could not be reached for comment. | | City going back to five day work week | 19 - August - 2010by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG- The Walsenburg City Council has voted 7-2 to return to a 5-day work week later this month. Employees were divided about 50-50 on whether they preferred staying with the 4-day week at 10 hours per day or the 5-day week of eight ..
| 19 - August - 2010by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG- The Walsenburg City Council has voted 7-2 to return to a 5-day work week later this month. Employees were divided about 50-50 on whether they preferred staying with the 4-day week at 10 hours per day or the 5-day week of eight hours.
Mayor Bruce Quintana and councilwoman Erin Jerant said the feelings of the general public were most important. They felt that many people were unhappy with the city not operating on Friday. The amount of savings shown did not overshadow public sentiment. Councilpersons James England and Silvana Lind voted to stay with the 4-day week.
Councilwoman Lind also suggested the city council withdraw from the Huerfano County Economic Development and suggested the city consider joining another economic group trying to form. The council said they should not get in the middle of two groups vying for the same thing. Lind felt the current leadership of HCED was not moving forward and that people who had joined with them were quitting for lack of progress. The city council voted to withdraw from HCED but not get involved with any new group forming at this time.
The city donated $2500 to Crossroads Turning Point, an organization that offers drug and alcohol programs. They currently have a detox center in Trinidad that is used by Walsenburg police in handling those arrested for intoxication.
A representative from Nextera addressed the city council and urged them to be patient and cautious before signing exclusivity rights with a company for wind farm development. Several firms have approached the city about their land east of Walsenburg for wind farm development. Kevin Gildea said Nextera is the largest wind and solar generator in North America. They are interested in the city land for developing transmission lines and/or wind farms on the property. No decision was made by the city council.
Charles Bryant reported that the Huerfano County Parks & Recreation District has approved $30,000 for the first phase of a skate park to go in next door to the water park. Bryant is hopeful of adding several other phases to the project if more funding can be obtained. | | All Season resort to open in Cuchara | 18 - August - 2010by Bob Reece
CUCHARA- With the stroke of a pen, events have been set in motion that will transform the aging and dilapidated Cuchara Mountain Resort into a four seasons recreational venue. It will include a new hotel and conference center, a new restauran..
| 18 - August - 2010by Bob Reece
CUCHARA- With the stroke of a pen, events have been set in motion that will transform the aging and dilapidated Cuchara Mountain Resort into a four seasons recreational venue. It will include a new hotel and conference center, a new restaurant, and a large lake at the base area, along with a mountain coaster, a zip lines course, a tubing hill and other year round recreational programs and outdoor educational opportunities for kids and adults.
And for the first time since the resort was created in the late 1970′s, the property will be completely in the hands of local citizens and a local governing board.
It has been over ten years since the resort was operational. It closed abruptly on July 5, 2000. Since then, the property has sat vacant and buildings have deteriorated from the effects of weather and vandalism.
Last Saturday, a contract was signed to initiate transfer of the property to the newly formed Cuchara Valley Recreational Metropolitan District from interim owner Michael Balloun of Arlington, Texas. Balloun′s acquisition of the property paved the way for this project to move forward. Financial terms were not disclosed. Balloun took back the property from John Bryant, the previous owner, through a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure late last month...
For the rest of the story, pick up this wek′s edition | | No bad vibes at Hippie Days | 14 - August - 2010
by Nelson Holmes
GARDNER- “Hippie Days” was an unqualified success. Just wanted to make sure this particular point was presented without a trace of doubt. The weather wasn′t too extreme and the rain that fell really just added a fun “Woodstock” twist t..
| 14 - August - 2010
by Nelson Holmes
GARDNER- “Hippie Days” was an unqualified success. Just wanted to make sure this particular point was presented without a trace of doubt. The weather wasn′t too extreme and the rain that fell really just added a fun “Woodstock” twist to the festivities. Far from extinguishing the celebratory spark, the rain became an enticement for many to dance in the deluge as others made new friends while huddling under the many sheltering umbrellas and booths. No, I′d be hard pressed to pick metaphorical nits from this event’s wooly tresses.
I arrived on Friday after a trying work week and I found myself greeted by the estrogen-infused harmonies of the “Brat Headz” whose sweet notes set a mellow vibe that seemed to resonate the evening through. I felt myself beginning to drift as the aromas from the food vendor′s booths began a serpentine dance in time with the music. Ohhh... excuse me as I let my memory stroll down a tangent compelled by appetite.
Barbeque, hot wings, burritos and bean bites, fajitas with a touch of the orient and turkey legs that would make old Henry the Eighth weep in appreciation, such were the victuals arrayed for the choosing. And, should, for whatever reason, one be overcome by the munchies there were also rich baked goodies to satiate the sweet-tooth.
I think I was degreasing my hot wing polluted goatee when Pat Willis caught my ear with what sounded like Tuvan throat singing. Sure enough, this bard′s Mission Wolf inspired songs wove a guttural hum through the melody creating an ethereal aural hypnotic that lent a touch of the exotic.
Speaking of the exotic; how about belly dancers? Oh yes, there were belly dancers. The kinks that cause 21st century neck muscles to curl into concrete balls were assuaged by a band from La Veta known as DNA; thus we were all lulled into a relaxed vibe. Then came a revelation as “Watson and August” hit the stage with guitar and a bongo-like instrument capable of an array of rhythmic tones that defied the realms of mathematical possibility. And Johnnie Watson′s voice was like some cross between Richie Havens and some other singer loathe to leave the confines of my memory... it′s driving me crazy. The heavens must have taken the beat as a primal request for rain because, in the middle of the Watson and August set, came a soaking of Biblical magnitude. This is where I confess to my employers that I left early; concerned that I was going to have to surf home on a sea of slippery mud... to my editor, humble apologies. I do have it on good authority that the ′Sunny Side Ups” kept the soggy tribe gyrating to their funky, soul-infused tunes.
I arrived at noon on Saturday and discovered that I had already missed the “Jim Fowler Jam” but had arrived in time to catch the familiar and always seductive song stylings of Clark Dimond. Soon thereafter the “Aztlan Drummers” offered a soulful benediction designed to steer the wayward spirit toward a benevolent mind-set. As an aside, whatever forces seemed to compel a lightness of heart and a sense of goodwill were successful; I asked the genial security folk if anything untoward had occurred and they offered warm smiles, tinged with boredom, and relayed that the event was sweet and well mannered.
I fear I′ll have to give Izzy and Betsy less than their due if only because their notes are a known quantity; warm and comfortable. The person who caught my ear and blew the contents of my cranium into some back of beyond was Jacqui Gibson. A kind, if somewhat professorial looking woman in tie-dye, I believe she caught everyone off-guard as she managed to evoke an array of beautiful and hallucinogenic sounds from a fleet of acoustic guitars. Primates, without obvious Godly favor, should not be capable of this kind of musical expertise. Even Mr. Watson, gifted as he is, seemed stunned as Jacqui casually harnessed a pallete of sound that would have made Jimi Hendrix envious. For the first time all weekend the crowd was hushed in reverent amazement.
“The Silver Eagle Band,” in pied-piper fashion, compelled all revelers to the dance floor with a righteous blend of party music from the good time end of the musical spectrum. I′m sorry I can′t give the credit due, but the Silver Eagles lead guitarist channeled Eddie Van Halen and entered into a steaming solo that must have burned his digits!. The mood was enhanced by the smooth, brass enhanced, booty-moving vibe of the “Groove Farmers.” Finally, like the home team ready to set the terms on their own turf, “Planet “O′” laid into a groove that left no doubt as to who hosted this party... damn, they′re good!
So, thanks Bo, Patty and the whole Hippie Days/Planet O entourage for your labors and commitment. This year was bigger, mellower and and more vibrant thanks to you. I know you owe me nothing and I′m in no position to make requests... but I′ve got one anyway. Hippie Days has been thankfully unencumbered by boorish, heavy handed consumerism. Even the Diggers slaved away making free munchies for the hungry hoards. The artists and crafts people have all been local and their wares are made by hand. The only “brands” of note are Hippie Days and Planet “O” and these are brands that pass the taste test. Please, as you grow, don′t let yourselves get co-opted and become Hippie Days... presented by (place name of evil corporate entity here). You guys are an organic expression of this community, as you grow, please don′t lose sight of what makes you so special. Thanks again! | | Bovine TB decimates local dairy | 14 - August - 2010by Debi Sporleder
WALSENBURG- Huerfano County has been fortunate to have a fourth generation dairy farm contribute to the sustainability of the community: 14 families make their living from the Corsentino Dairy Farm, $800,000 worth of feed is purchased wit..
| 14 - August - 2010by Debi Sporleder
WALSENBURG- Huerfano County has been fortunate to have a fourth generation dairy farm contribute to the sustainability of the community: 14 families make their living from the Corsentino Dairy Farm, $800,000 worth of feed is purchased within 100 miles of the county, the purchase of fuel and many other consumables is helping to sustain this county. “Because of the changing environmental conditions in the county and now a positive Tuberculosis (TB) test, dairying in Huerfano County is being challenged” says Brett Corsentino, owner and operator of the Corsentino Dairy.
Corsentino suffered a blow several weeks ago when one of his head of cattle was tested positive for TB at a slaughter house. When something like that happens, USDA and the State Veterinarian come into the facility and test all animals. If TB is discovered, the facility has two options: Option 1 is to get rid of all responders (the cows that “responded” to the TB test) and test every 6 months until there are no responders. Because of a fair number of false positives in the first test, another test may reveal another responder and it could go on and on.
Option 2 is to depopulate the whole herd (even the non-responder animals and calves), clean up the facility and repopulate after a 30-day down period. The state offers a certain amount of money for a short amount of time to help with depopulating, cleaning and repopulating. After that, you are on your own. Corsentino opted for Option 2. That means all the respondent dairy cows are gone (have been for at least two weeks) and the negative tested cows will be gone by mid-August. He is hoping they will be able to repopulate next month. Using this method they can keep some of their business going so it isn’t a complete financial hit.
Corsentino said he is “so thankful for the help of The Maria Lake Land and Grazing and their manager Monty Morgan with equipment and labor in the clean up. It has been a God-send!” He added, “ What great neighbors they are.”
By saying the cows are “gone,” Corsentino means one of two things. The responders go to a rendering plant. Rendering is a process that converts waste animal tissue into stable, value-added materials (Wikipedia). The non-responders go to slaughter. All animals going to slaughter are visually inspected to make sure there are no visible lesions, which indicate disease.
BTB is a contagious, cow-to-cow disease. Corsentino has not bought new cows in six years and they have been tested three times since the last purchase. It is concerning to Corsentino, the USDA and the State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr, that this disease happened so quickly. As of now, there are no definitive answers.
Because of the TB, there has been concern in the community about livestock at the 4H fair. According to Dr. Keith Roehr, Colorado State Veterinarian, there is nothing to be afraid of. He also talked to public health officials and there was no concern on their part, either.
He and the USDA quarantined all the dairy cows and tested all the 4H animals which are located 300-400 yards from the dairy barn. None of the 4H animals tested positive and they didn’t have common caretakers. There are no proven cases of the disease being transmitted through caretakers. TB is transmitted through direct contact in feeding troughs and long-term exposure. According to Dr. Roehr, all 4H animals which belong to Corsentino and his herdsman have been released for movement and the release for movement would not have been allowed if there was any indication of TB.
Dr. Roehr also said that when they are done with the priority tracking of cattle moved from the dairy, they will eventually begin testing neighboring cattle. “The Corsentinos have been very cooperative in this endeavor,” Dr. Roehr said. “When they decide to repopulate after the 30-day down period, normal interstate testing will be done when bringing in new cattle.”
For more information, please call the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Industry at 303-239-4161. Dr. Roehr would be happy to answer any questions. | | Bob Reece joins the Huerfano Journal | 05 - August - 2010CUCHARA- Bob Reece has joined the Huerfano World Journal as a writer.
Reece is the editor of CucharaValley.org, a daily blog about life, events and the people of the Cuchara Valley. He also owns and operates Summit Solutions Marketing Group located in ..
| 05 - August - 2010CUCHARA- Bob Reece has joined the Huerfano World Journal as a writer.
Reece is the editor of CucharaValley.org, a daily blog about life, events and the people of the Cuchara Valley. He also owns and operates Summit Solutions Marketing Group located in Cuchara. With many years of experience in communications, marketing, advertising and web design, Reece brings a unique perspective to the Cuchara Valley.
“Cuchara has so much to offer and I′m excited to share a few of the untold stories and wonderful images of our little corner of Colorado.”
Bob and his wife Dona live in Cuchara, along with their very challenging Labrador, Kloee. | | James England resigns from City Council | 15 - July - 2010by Brian Orr
WALSENBURG- In the end, it was almost anti-climatic. Walsenburg City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem James England, after a long executive session, announced he was resigning from the Council as of midnight August 18. He is giving up his seat as..
| 15 - July - 2010by Brian Orr
WALSENBURG- In the end, it was almost anti-climatic. Walsenburg City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem James England, after a long executive session, announced he was resigning from the Council as of midnight August 18. He is giving up his seat as Finance Chairman immediately.
England, who has been under fire for taking two no-interest loans from the City, read a prepared statement Tuesday evening, stating that his personal life has changed since he first took a seat on City Council three years ago. He is now helping to raise his nine month old grandson and has gone back to college. He said he was unable to put in the time neccessary to serve his constituants.
England said he is giving a long lead time to his departure to give the Council time to find a replacement, which could be a lengthy process, given the high drama that surrounded filling former councilman Larry Patrick’s seat six months ago.
England noted that he did not always see eye to eye with Mayor Bruce Quintana on how change for the City was to be achieved, but felt he had accomplished a great deal in his time on council, including the annexation of Northlands and the beginning of the wastewater treatment plant.
England emphasized his resignation was not a reflection on anything he had done in his time as a councilman. He wished the Mayor and the Council the best “on their rocky road ahead.” He concluded that his service is needed more in his private life than in his public one.
Mayor Bruce Quintana thanked England for his service on the council, saying he had done well, and would be missed.
In other, less dramatic news, City Councilman Craig Lessar verbally fenced with tow truck operator Frank Gilbert of Daddy’s Pride over a bill Gilbert submitted to the City for $600 for towing two City vehicles from Pueblo to Walsenburg.
Concerned over the cost, Lessar checked with competing towing companies in Walsenburg, and even called Gilbert anonymously to check what each would charge to to tow two cars under the same circumstances, and got figures between $325 and $375. Gilbert quoted Lessar over the phone a price of $350.
Gilbert took umbrage at questioning of his billing, and pointed out he had towed other City vehicles for free. When threatened however with the possibility of losing future City towing business, Gilbert said he would accept whatever the Council thought was fair. The Council thought the price $350 that Gilbert quoted over the phone was fair, and they settled at that.
Charles and Alicia Bryant told the Council their Skate Park project is in line to receive between $15,000 to $30,000 from the Parks and Recreation District, which could be used for a large portion of the concrete work needed, including some ramps. The Council adopted a proposal to put a voluntary contibution form for youth activities in the August utility bill.
City Administrator Alan Hein is in the hospital and not expected to return for several more weeks, so there was no administrator report. | | Vigil resigns as Finance Director | 24 - June - 2010by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG- The often beleagured Finance Director for the city of Walsenburg has resigned. Krystel Vigil announced she was stepping down last Wednesday, making Thursday her last day. She had enough vacation and sick time available to leav..
| 24 - June - 2010by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG- The often beleagured Finance Director for the city of Walsenburg has resigned. Krystel Vigil announced she was stepping down last Wednesday, making Thursday her last day. She had enough vacation and sick time available to leave immediately.
Vigil felt she had been put under undue scrutiny by the Mayor and some members of the city council and the City Treasurer. She said her health was suffering because of constant interference in doing her job. In a letter handed out several weeks ago at the end of a city council meeting, Vigil said she was filing a grievance against the city council and in particular, Councilwoman Erin Jerant and City Treasurer Jacque Sikes for undo harassment. The letter stated that she was under a doctor’s care for an ulcer. Apparently her grievance, in itself, has no legal standing as it did not deal with issues of race, color or creed.
Vigil says she has been very dedicated and hard working in dealing with the city troubled finances. She assisted the new auditor in completing his audit before she resigned. The previous auditor and others have praised her for bringing the city’s books into much better condition since she began as city Finance Director.
However, Mayor Bruce Quintana, Treasurer Sikes and some city council members were often at odds with her. Often she was asked to provide substantial information to council members, and she says it put her behind in doing her regular work. It often appeared the city council members didn’t understand her answers. Some council members admitted they did not understand accounting procedures.
The resignation of Vigil now opens the door for this city council to find someone to fill the position that is a full fledged accountant. The search is expected to begin immediately. | | Officer cleared in Gallegos shooting | 04 - June - 2010WALSENBURG- The long-awaited Colorado Bureau of Investigations report on the April 4 shooting of Armando Gallegos by Walsenburg Police Officer Kyle Petkoff was released May 13 to the Walsenburg Chief of Police and the District Attorney.
Both interim Pol..
| 04 - June - 2010WALSENBURG- The long-awaited Colorado Bureau of Investigations report on the April 4 shooting of Armando Gallegos by Walsenburg Police Officer Kyle Petkoff was released May 13 to the Walsenburg Chief of Police and the District Attorney.
Both interim Police Chief James Chamberlain and District Attorney Frank Ruybalid declined to return repeated calls about the report, but sources close to the investigation stated the report finds no negligence on Petkoff’s part, and the matter has been turned over to the district attorney, in case he has additional concerns.
The case stems from a domestic violence call on April 4, where responding police officers observed a male, later identified as 29 year old Armando Gallegos, with what appeared to be a knife, attacking a female. Petkoff opened fire with his service weapon, striking Gallegos twice in the stomach.
Darlene Anderson, the woman with whom Gallegos was arguing, disputes just about every aspect of the police report. | | Huerfano Journal takes over the World | | 04 - March - 2010WALSENBURG- Brian and Gretchen Orr, publishers of the Huerfano Journal, have purchased the Huerfano County World newspaper from its most recent owner, Dale Bean. The Orrs have combined the two newspapers into one, and are calling it, appropriately enough, t..
| 04 - March - 2010WALSENBURG- Brian and Gretchen Orr, publishers of the Huerfano Journal, have purchased the Huerfano County World newspaper from its most recent owner, Dale Bean. The Orrs have combined the two newspapers into one, and are calling it, appropriately enough, the Huerfano World Journal.
The Orrs are proud to carry on the 126-year history that the World represents, and pledge to remain fair and open to Huerfanos from all walks of life and beliefs.
The Huerfano World has undergone many name tweaks over the past century and a quarter, putting the World and Journal together is a natural continuation. The Huerfano World started as the Walsenburg World in 1889. The newspaper named the Cactus was started in 1884 and merged with the World about 1901. The World consolidated with the Independent about 1930 and they became the World-Independent. In 1958 Mack Nations turned the daily World-Independent into the weekly Huerfano World.
The World’s production and editing has been done in Los Angeles since July 2008, when Lisa Grace Kellogg purchased the paper from Jay Crook and moved everything back to her California offices. The Orrs are returning the World to being a completely local publication. All writing, editing, production, sales and distribution will be handled locally.
Advertisers’ contracts with the World will be honored by the Journal, and World subscriptions will be filled by the World Journal for the length of the paid subscription.
“We expect there to be some confusion and bumps in the road as we combine the two papers, so please give us a little time,” said owner and editor Gretchen Sporleder Orr. “We’re confident we’ll continue to produce the best and most complete news coverage for all of Huerfano County,” Orr continued. “We have 22 writers scattered from Gardner to La Veta to Walsenburg, covering topics they each feel passionately about.”
If people have questions or concerns, they can contact the World Journal at 738-1415, or write us at huerfanojournal@gmail.com. All old World contact numbers are being forwarded to the World Journal office, located at 500 Main St. in Walsenburg. | | What's all this then? | 04 - March - 2010HUERFANO- If you are a loyal World reader, you may not be familiar with the Huerfano Journal. We are a weekly newspaper covering news and events throughout Huerfano County. We have been publishing the Journal for two and a half years.
Brian and G..
| 04 - March - 2010HUERFANO- If you are a loyal World reader, you may not be familiar with the Huerfano Journal. We are a weekly newspaper covering news and events throughout Huerfano County. We have been publishing the Journal for two and a half years.
Brian and Gretchen Sporleder Orr are the publishers. Before the Journal, they published Western Spirit for nine years- a tourism magazine for southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Gretchen is the daughter of Sig and Ruth Sporleder. The Sporleders were a pioneering family in the county from the 1860’s.
If you are a subscriber and have not renewed your subscription yet, please send it to P.O. Box 346, Walsenburg, CO 81089, and we will make sure your subscription is extended out the full length you have paid for. If your paper stops coming after you’ve paid, please contact us and make sure your name was not somehow dropped when the two subscription lists were merged together. | |
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