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2023, BOCC, Uncategorized

BOCC Dec 12: Epp Folds then Finance Director Quits

BOCC Finance Director Clown Show:
Epp Folds and Then Bivins Goes Bye Bye!
Can We Finally Now Get a Qualified Director?

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
What goes around, comes around, I guess. The Finance Director/Failed Audit saga was the subject of the December 12, 2023 Custer County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting and it did not disappoint. But, unknowing to our beloved Commissioners, an earthquake was going to happen the next day that upset the plans of two of the all knowing Commissioners.
All three Commissioners were at the meeting: Chair Kevin Day and members Bill Canda and Lucas Epp. The meeting eventually covered the posting of the job of Finance Director (which Canda and Epp had already voted to do a few weeks ago but it never happened). Also, much time was spent on the 2022 audit failings, the actual job description/duties of the Finance Director, and the functions of the Finance Department itself.
[The two main issues were the job qualifications for the Finance Director and the failed audit. The Finance Director oversees a county budget of around $9 million a year and a whole bunch of departments. The prior director, Braden Wilson, had virtually no accounting experience and did not have an accounting degree. The current Finance Director, Lisa Bivins, has some basic
bookkeeping experience (based on comments made in BOCC meetings) but no accounting degree. Canda, and to a certain extent Epp, have been pushing to hire a new Finance Director with at least an accounting degree with some serious experience. They would move Bivins back to Assistant Finance Director. Apparently, the new assistant Bivins recently hired also does not have any serious
accounting background. So, the county has gone years without any experienced accountant running the ship. Why we keep
hiring people with no or little real accounting knowledge is a question that nobody is asking.]
Canda opened the meeting stating that he had re-searched four counties, some larger than us and one smaller, about the job qualifications for their Finance Directors. He said every one has a real accountant at the helm and they all require an accounting degree.
Canda then got into the 2022 audit mess problems and the upcoming deadline dates that the county has to meet re fixing the issues. Canda said he spoke with our auditor, Sam DiNardo, about the big three issues, missing leases, adjustment journal entries, and G/L reconciliation.
Canda stated our annual audit usually costs around $45k. He also said that DiNardo could help us fix the issues but that might compromise the auditor’s independence. Putting that aside, Canda said DiNardo was willing to come in and help us fix the problems for a paltry $72k (which is supposedly a discounted price).
Finishing, Canda moved to hire a new Finance Director using the new job description. He proposed a salary range of $80k to $90k. Epp then talked a bit and after that Canda handed out the Finance Department Director job descriptions of the four counties he had researched. (Each one required an accounting degree.) He suggested the county brings in a CPA level consultant to help fix the problems as it might take a long time to find a qualified candidate.
Epp then added that there is an accounting firm that specializes in the government finance issues and we might be able to use them. He then segued to the possibility of getting a new accounting system as the current one, CIC, has been a problem.
Day then spoke saying he wanted somebody to come in and “look us over” and see “where we are”.
Epp then got into the time it will take to get a new Finance Director and that could be a problem. Epp said the salary range he was looking at for the job was $60k to $75k. He then talked about posting the Finance Director’s now and keeping it posted to the end of February.
Canda then again stated that the “bottom line is the county needs an accountant/CPA. We know we need a new Finance Director”.
Even with the failed audit, the poorly performing accounting system, and the failure of the last two non-accountant Finance Directors to make any progress on these major issues, Day said he needed more data before making that call. He said, “ I disagree with the fact that we decided to get a new Finance Director. We need somebody to come here and help us make this decision. Until I have that, I won’t support going out getting a certified accountant to run this department. So we have an independent look at our processes and how we can change that.  In the interim, we can get somebody in here to fix these short term issues.”
Epp then noted that the “Finance Department is doing the best they can”.
Canda then made another pitch for getting a new Finance Director with an accounting degree and real experience, saying, “We’re gonna fail the next audit if we don’t hire somebody.”
(What is happening at the meeting now is that Day doesn’t want to make a move on hiring a new Finance Director until an outside consultant tells him it is needed. Canda is saying we need to do two things now, find and hire a new Finance Director because it is obvious we need one and also hire a consultant to come in now to help fix the problems.) Canda said, “The dual path is warranted. I wish we had a CPA now. We passed that about a month ago.”
Day then said, “I want somebody to come in and tell us what to do, black and white. I believe the motion on the floor now is a knee jerk reaction. We need somebody in here. I support getting somebody in now to help us and if this includes bringing in a (new) Finance Director, I won’t support it.”
Public Comment was then opened up. It was quite interesting as several retired successful business people commented. The consensus was to hire a consultant now to help fix the audit issues and then look at the Finance Director issue.
After Public Comment, the vote to post and hire a new Finance Director was made. Day voted no. Canda voted yes. And, contrary to his vote a few weeks ago to hire a new Finance Director, and his statement at the beginning of the meeting about wanting to hire a new Finance Director, Epp voted no. So, the county will not be looking for a new Finance Director for a while.
Or maybe not. What goes around comes around.
There was a regular BOCC meeting the next day. Usual stuff. But, right after the meeting ended, according to a very reliable source, and confirmed later, Lisa Bivins, our current Finance Director, handed in her resignation letter to the three commissioners! The terms are not known but this could be a HUGE problem as the only other person in the department is a recent hire with no accounting experience. So, WHO is going to get things done” Payroll, accounts payable, etc. Could be a BIG mess. Looks like Day and Epp made a boo-boo in not posting for a new Finance Director. However, now we WILL get a qualified, experienced accountant in here. Hopefully, in the end, with a qualified Finance Director on board, the ship will be righted and it will be smooth sailing in Happy Valley again.

2023, BOCC, Uncategorized

Dec 5 & 6 BOCC: High Crime-Nobody Goes to Jail

BOCC: Sheriff: Why Do We
Have So Much Crime?
Nobody Goes to Jail

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
We are so blessed to have two, yes two, Custer County Board of County Commissioners meetings this week. And surprise! NO temper tantrums this week!
December 5, 2023 BOCC:
All three County Commissioners were present: Chair Kevin Day and members Bill Canda and Lucas Epp.
In Commissioner Items, Canda said the mil levy reduction topic will be on the BOCC’s December 13 meeting. He then wants a “town hall” mil levy meeting with all the taxing districts after that.
In Unfinished Business, Epp gave the Finance report. He said they have gathered up “the majority” of the leases that the county has, except for the airport leases. They will then be given to our auditors for review. (Why the auditor has to review these, and not our Finance Department was not said.) Finance is still working on entering the adjusting journal entries. After that, they need to finally reconcile cash to the general ledger. This has not been done IN YEARS.
In New Business, re the county lots for sale in Silver Cliff, there was only one bid. It was for $7,001. There was some silly discussion from the peasants about how this was done and was the bid good enough. The commissioners voted to accept the bid.
Resolution 23-11, vacating a portion of CR 155 (Cortez Road), eventually passed after a too long of a discussion.
The 2024 BOCC meeting schedule was the next topic. Epp made a sensible suggestion to have the meetings every Wednesday at the same time. He said he doesn’t like the back to back meetings (like these two) because you don’t have any time to get things done after the meeting as you have another meeting the next day. This, of course, triggered a long discussion including having some department heads submit a written report instead of showing up. (The Sentinel has been suggesting this for years.) A wise peasant commented that at the last meeting
the mighty commissioners spent a great deal of time talking about a fuel filter during one department head’s report. The citizen said the commissioners shouldn’t be wasting their time, and the public, on such trivial stuff. The schedule discussion went on and on. Day wanted to know of any holiday conflicts, so the final decision will be made in the next meeting.
Canda brought up the strategic development, management and leadership skills workshop he had been working on. He wants a “closed business meeting” with the department heads and others with local management experts (like Michael Foster) giving the presentation.
Canda noted that moving forward with hiring a new Finance Director is on the December 13 agenda.
December 6, 2023 BOCC
In Staff Reports, Sheriff Rich Smith laid out the somber truth on crime in Colorado and here in Happy Valley. He started out saying that murder has gone down overall in the Untied States but has gone up in Colorado.He said Colorado is Number One in violent crime among the top 22 most populace states. And, bringing it home, Smith said, “In my 16 months here in Custer County, I am not aware of a SINGLE CRIMINAL THAT HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO PRISON.” (The judges, in the 11th District (with one county judge exception) are a disgrace. See next paragraph.)
Smith said he was just in court with one of Custer County’s “most dangerous criminals” (Aaron Jones) and “he will be walking out in a minute.” (Meaning he was just in court on another criminal charge and the judge let him walk again.) Smith commented that the judges are not taking threats seriously. Smith said Aaron Jones fired three shots at Custer County Deputy Jason Sabalto last year, and the Pueblo SWAT Team had to be called to help eventually arrest this guy. (This dirt bag tried to KILL our deputy.) So what did the judge give him” Smith said 30 days in a (worthless) rehab center and a three year suspended sentence. Smith lamented that Jones had violated his probation THREE TIMES and the judge basically did nothing. So this guy is now out and is a threat to the community.
Smith then segued to the recent triple homicide off Oak Creek Grade a few weeks ago. He said it was a property dispute and the county has a whole bunch of these going on all the time with most of them being over subdivision lines. He said, “these civil situations are not improving.”
Sheriff Smith then reviewed the basic facts of the triple homicide focusing on what happened when law enforcement first arrived on the scene. (We covered this last week.) He especially thanked the County Coroner Brad Baltzly, and a Deputy Coroner, Nikita Phillips, for their bravery in helping to rescue the sole survivor of the incident.
Smith then noted that he has been in discussions with the Planning & Zoning Director, Dorothy Carsten, over having a deputy work with P&Z on Compliance issues and visits. This would be a half-time position. (The other half would be normal Sheriff’s Office work.)
Smith finished noting that the county’s 911 call center bill will be around $200k next year.
Dorothy Carsten gave the Planning & Zoning report. She said new permits are way down from last year (about half). The big news was that a Canon City company, Colorado Quarries, is going to be applying for a permit for a mining operation on CR 328, just past the landfill going east. They have a 640 acre lot there. This whole process, including the state review, will take a while. Carsten then talked about her safety when doing compliance visits and was very receptive about having a deputy help out.
Landfill reported that the state has still not responded re ok’ing using the new trench for garbage. (This has been going on for LONG TIME. The person responsible for this at the state simply does not respond to inquires. We are about out of space and this is critical.)
In New Business, the major item was Coroner Brad Baltzly’s request to make the Coroner’s portion full time. (It is presently half time.) Brad reviewed his recent incredible workload (including a huge amount of time spent in Fremont County on the 190 bodies left at the funeral home in Penrose). There was then a whole bunch of people speaking supporting the move to full time. At the end, the commissioners voted to approve the full time move. (The pay is $75k per year.)
Canda then brought up the bid to replace the TV translators/transmitters. Canda has been working with the two stations on this. The company making the bid, Thin Air Communications, is the top company in the state on this type of remote TV transmission. The job will be in two phases, the first being installing new translators and antennas in the existing structure on the hill. The second phase would be to move the new equipment from the old structure to a dedicated and specially built “cabinet” in the spring. (The new cabinet has a built-in air conditioner which is needed for summer operation.) The cabinet can’t be built now in the winter as it will require some excavation and a concrete pad to be poured in the spring. There were a couple of things missing from the bid so Canda is going to get a correction letter from the bidder and the commissioners will consider this again at the next meeting. The whole deal, including new equipment and installation will cost around $54k.
And that was that. Another day in Happy Valley.

2023, Uncategorized

Digital Privacy Presentation & “Bootcamp”

Simple Steps To Digital Privacy
Awesome Digital Privacy Presentation & “Bootcamp”

by Fred Hernandez
It felt like a semester of college courses crammed into two hundred forty minutes of speed learning. No doubt the room of local residents had hit the mother lode of information about the digital industry that ran the gamut from Ghost phones to Faraday Bags; Phone and laptop setup and migration support to a guide for boycotting Big Tech; from de-Googling your phone and de-Apple/Windows your computer to a step-by-step guide to digital freedom. The presentation went on to digital protection and coaching for your home and family to migrating your business off the various Big Tech devices, platforms, software and services that
controls them while regain-ing ownership of your data and digital assets. The presentation also included comprehensive intelligence reports on the forces shaping an alternative economy; technology, media, politics and beyond. A most truly informative, eye-opening presentation.
Organized by Ms. Elizabeth Robinson Co-Founder of Sangre de Cristo Readiness and Resilience Network otherwise known as R2 for short, the event brought to Custer County a young and savvy entrepreneur, author, investor, tech trainer and CEO of Open Spectrum Inc. and MARK37.COM, Sean Patrick Tario, all the way from South Carolina. Sean and his company are spearheading, as quoted from their informative website, a “growing community of freedom loving doers, makers, entrepreneurs and technologists who refuse to sit idly by watching the tyranny of Big Tech, Big Pharma, or even our very own government attempt to silence, cancel and control us”. It goes on to say they are committed to “working tirelessly to simply not need (BigTech). EVER. AGAIN. MARK37 is currently being built as a marketplace for paradigm shifting products and services whose aim is to help humanity slowly break free from companies, habits and mindsets that currently enslave too much of our time, attention and money.
At this moment in history with the advent and rapid development of new technologies large numbers of the population, most especially the younger ones, are unknowingly suffering from what could ostensibly be described a Stockholm Syndrome, the psychological condition of a victim who identifies and empathizes with the goals and objectives of their “captor”. In these cases the “captor” is Big Tech and the victims are those who are “addicted” to their devices. These devices; computers, laptops, cell phones and such are the means of “slavery”. Data after all is the new oil for these behemoth companies whose main and only interest is to control users and make a lot of money by: selling you the devices, making a percentage of all sales through the app stores on the devices, cloud storage subscriptions, advertising, selling your data to the government, selling your data to third parties, hosting your website and productivity software… and many more ways. In the end, it is all about mind control. Slowly these Big Tech companies erode our freedoms until such time as they get total control of the population they are supposed to serve.
The presenter, Sean Patrick Tario, is undoubtedly an expert in his field and went through his subject matter with the aid of a well-prepared PowerPoint beamed on the large screen in Tony’s Pizza function room. Flawlessly, he tutored a group of thirty-seven attendees about a variety of complex technical subjects, translating the material so that the audience of various ages and technical skill levels could all understand the material being presented. So interesting was the whole presentation that the four hours it took seemed like half the time, and a time well spent.
So important is this subject matter and so impressive was the presentation that there are plans being worked on to bring Sean back to Custer County early in the new year so that he can reach a larger audience. We will keep you posted on developments. If and when this happens this is one learning session you do not want to miss!

2023, Uncategorized

In Loving Memory of Noel Berge

Noel Berge

Noel Berge, born on December 23, 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia, departed from this world on November 29, 2023. Noel’s life was one filled with love, service, and the forging of lasting connections that touched the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Son to Earling Berge and Charlotte Victoria Davis Berge, Noel grew up surrounded by a family that instilled in him values of compassion and duty. Despite the sorrow of losing his brothers—Earl, Norman, and Rodney—Noel carried their memories with grace, embodying the strength that comes from familial bonds.
Noel served his country with honor as a member of the Air Force August 1964 – Sept 1968, where he exemplified dedication and sacrifice. He attended Granby High School, graduated in January 1962. He attended Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA, and received a BS in Mathematics in 1969 and later his MBA from San Fransisco University. Following his military service, he continued his commitment to making a positive impact on the world by joining the Peace Corps for four years where he worked both in Colombia and Africa. He showcased his belief in global understanding with a focus on small business development.
Noel’s love extended to his family and many friends, where he was a father, grandfather, and beloved family member to so many. He shared the journey of life with two ex-wives, Barbara Berge and Nancy Berge. His daughter, Cloe Dowdy, her husband, Cody Dowdy, and his only granddaughter Luna Dowdy.
Noel’s warm and welcoming nature endeared him to all members of the Berge family, and he made friends wherever life took him. His ability to connect with others, coupled with his infectious laughter, left a lasting impression on the hearts of those who crossed his path.
As we mourn the loss of Noel Berge, let us also celebrate a life well-lived—a life of service, love, and friendship. The world has lost a remarkable individual, and he will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
May Noel Berge rest in eternal peace, surrounded by the love of those who went before him, and may his memory continue to inspire us to embrace the values of kindness, connection, and joy that he embodied throughout his life.

2023, Uncategorized

SOLEMN CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

SOLEMN CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
Custer Community Mourns

by Fred Hernandez
Wednesday, November 29th, the Custer community gathered at the West gym of the school to remember and mourn the demise of three of its members. There were one hundred and seventy five relatives, friends and neighbors who came together to pray and console one another. Ms. Judy Greer, Chaplain at the Sheriff’s Office initiated the proceedings by offering a healing prayer. Ms. Jackie Shepherd-Pettis who was a friend of all four victims, including the lone survivor Patty Daulton, then named each of them and asked for a moment of reverent silence. Let us pray for Bob Geer, his wife Beth Wade Geer and James Daulton.
Ms. Christal Rothrock of Sol Vista Health then spoke about the tragedy and gave information regarding the effects of traumatic experiences and the ways to cope in its aftermath. The Pastor of Valley Bible Fellowship, Rev. Richard Desmond gave the closing prayer for the victims who were all faithful members of the congregation. Sheriff Rich Smith and Detective Elizabeth Robinson privately spoke to members of the family to update them of any new developments. In the mean time, the attendees filed out onto Main Street where they lined up on one side as candles were lit from each end of the line and the light

2023, BOCC, Uncategorized

Nov. 30 BOCC: Audit Progress,Day Continues to Try to Kill Hiring a New Finance Director

BOCC: Some Audit Progress, Day Continues to Try to Kill Hiring a New Finance Director, Has Another Temper Tantrum

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
The November 30, 2023 Custer County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting started at 9 a.m. in their gilded throne room across the street from the main county building.
All three commissioners were in attendance: Chair Kevin Day, and members Bill Canda and Lucas Epp.
In Commissioner Items, Canda brought up the Justice Center project. (Remember, the BOCC and the ex-county Sheriff, Shannon Byerly, spearheaded an effort to build a new “Justice
Center” a few years ago that would include a big new jail, offices for most of the county officials, and a court complex that would rival Genghis Khan’s royal quarters. They said it would cost about $18
million to build but the county would wind up eventually paying over
THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS for the 30-year bonds. The voters shot this down big time. The deal now is they are trying to build just a courthouse complex.)
Canda said the architect working on the project has a preliminary drawing of the building which would hold a courthouse, a courthouse employee complex and an area to house prisoners. He said it will be a modular design so additional sections can be added on later. Canda noted that the county “will decide later” on funding. (At the last courthouse committee meeting, based on the architect’s drawings and similar recently built courthouses in Colorado, we are talking around $18 million to $28 million to do JUST THE COURTHOUSE. That number is just the construction costs and NOT the finance cost. Based on current interest rates, the actual cost to the county could be $35 to $40 million. Insane.)
Canda said he was making good progress on getting the two TV stations’ broadcast translators up and running. He got the engineers from the two stations up to the hill and is getting firm prices on the job and the equipment needed. He is hopeful that it will be up and running by the end of January. (If you recall, this was Day’s job but he couldn’t get it done. Canda volunteered to take it over and is now making it happen.)
Epp then gave the Finance report. He said he and Finance are still gathering all the lease information from the various departments. (Remember, this lack of information on the county’s lease obligations was the big audit flag from the 2022 audit.) Epp then reviewed the progress they are making on the various other audit issues. He mentioned that the county’s accounting software company, CIC, is coming December 15th for a training session. The price that the county is paying for CIC also came up. It was previously mentioned that we are paying CIC around $200k a year. Epp said that was wrong, that we are paying them $50k a year.(Epp is doing a good job on cleaning up the Finance mess.)
In New Business, Canda said he is getting the 11 taxing districts in the county (e.g., library, Wet Mountain Fire, hospital district, etc.) together with the county’s assessor to figure out the deal on them lowering their mil levies to reduce our tax burden that the new property assessments will have on the taxpayers. (Note that the taxing districts don’t have to lower their rates. It is up to each district to make the call.) Canda said he hopes that the county’s property tax increase will be around two to four percent higher next year if they adjust down the mil levy. He said the school district has already lowered their levy 1.5%.
In Public Comments on this topic, the the West Custer County Hospital District spokesman said their ex-enses have skyrocketed over the last few years and they might not be able to reduce their tax burden
on us.
After some other comments, the head of the Custer County Democrat Party, James “Dr. Doom” Gilbert then blessed the audience with a rambling, convoluted discussion on “inflation”.
After this MENSA level discourse, he stated he was fine with NOT reducing the mil levy and having everybody cough up huge money for the county and the tax districts. (What alternative universe are these libs living in? Nice to be rich, Dr. Doom.)
The TV station fix was up again. Canda said the contractor recommended a self-contained cabinet for the TV translators. The contractor will submit a bid shortly.
It was mentioned that there were three or four applicants for the Human Resources Director’s job.
The contentious County Finance Director job posting then came up. Canda said he would like the county to post the job next week and have it widely posted and kept up for a long time so we can get a good number of candidates. This, of course, opened up a can of worms.

Epp then asked what the new Finance Director’s duties were going to be and how this will affect the current two people in the Finance Department. (Note that the BOCC voted in the last meeting to post the job, with Day voting no on that.) Day, refusing to accept the prior vote, then attempted to kill the move by saying the current staff in the Finance Department are getting the audit issues resolved (supposedly), finally saying, “I question the need of a new person.”
(The BOCC, in the last meeting decided to go forward with getting a new, QUALIFIED, Finance Director. Day is continuing to try to sandbag that decision. Folks, the county’s budget is around $9 MILLION a year. We have around 90 employees. A whole bunch of different departments. Tons of state and federal regulators to comply with. THIS IS NOT A BOOKKEEPING JOB. WE need a person with a real accounting degree, and good accounting and finance experience in this position. Plus, it looks like we might have to get a new county accounting system which means another conversion. We need a person who truly understands accounting to lead that conversion. Note that the recent conversion to CIC, under the ex-Finance Director Braden Wilson was very problematic. Wilson did not have an accounting degree.)
This discussion on getting a new Finance Director went on for a bit with Day refusing to get on board.
When Public Discussion was opened on this subject, the pro, new Finance Director advocates, and the ‘nay’ crew saying the current Finance Director, Lisa Bivins, can do the job, all went at it again repeating the same arguments as the last few meetings.
Of all the commenters, citizen Bill Parker made the best observations on the subject. (Parker is a very successful, retired businessman.) Parker started out saying “the qualified audit is a big red flag” and it is “not taken serious by you guys.” He addressed Day saying, “Kevin, you said the current staff is fixing the issues and you said we don’t need a new Finance Director.” Parker then went on to demolish Day’s position. Parker said, “We need professional help. We need a trained accountant in here to manage the Finance Department. You are kicking the can down the road again.” Addressing the staffing issue, Parker said, “I understand your concern about current county employees” but, “What about the concerns of the citizens about proper financial management in this county.” He continued, “We don’t want another qualified audit. We want the audit and books done in time. We need a trained financial manager.”
Addressing the fact that the commissioners want a workshop to determine the structure of the Finance Department and the employees’ duties, Parker stated the obvious, “The person who you are hiring knows how to organize the department. Why are YOU trying to do it. Let the new guy do it.” (Parker’s point is well taken. The commissioners want to discuss the whole structure of the department without knowing anything about how a professional Finance Department works. LET THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT WE ARE GOING TO HIRE FIGURE THAT OUT. HE KNOWS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND HOW TO DO IT. Letting three people who don’t know squat about this trying to do it is a disaster waiting to happen plus it is a colossal waste of time. If you don’t know what you are doing, get some professional help.)
Nadine Petersen then spoke up. Trying to get things done rather than delay this forever, she asked, “Is there any reason why that job can’t be posted now?” (The answer is NO, except Day is trying to kill it.) She then said, “No reason not to post it today. We need a new Finance Director. Please post this immediately.”
Jimmy “The Plumber” McMahon took the stage at one point and did his ‘Day doesn’t know what he is talking about’ routine. Usual Jimmy. A little aggressive but nothing we haven’t seen before. His main point was Day is making bad decisions and hurting the county. Again.
A few more people commented pro and con on this. Joy Anderson, then spoke, “All three have no finance or accounting backgrounds.” (Meaning Wilson, Bivins, and the new Finance Director’s assistant. Which is insane. A $9 million dollar Finance Department with NO trained accounting people in it. You wonder why we are in trouble.) Attacking Day’s position, Joy said, “You really don’t want somebody in here with finance experience to see what is going on in the county. You don’t want a qualified person. You should be fighting for the most experience. YOU ARE KNOWINGLY BACKING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB.” Joy continued with, there is “evidence that you do not know what you are talking about. What do you have against experience? Get the expert in there to organize the department.” (Duh!)
Somewhere during this melee, Canda said that most of the counties that he contacted during this Finance Director deal had Directors with accounting degrees. This comment somehow set Deb Adams, our lefty transplant from California, who is the county’s Tourism Board Director, off. She loudly and aggressively jumped on Canda saying, “You are lying” about the fact that other county’s Finance Directors have accounting degrees. She yelled at Canda saying prove it. Canda replied that he will get a list together and publish it or send it to Adams.
(This was way out of line. The bottom line is Adams hates Canda cause she lost to him in the last county election and is seeking revenge in the usual lefty, hate filled way. Plus, Canda represents the left’s worst enemy, a career military veteran and a devout Christian. This little vignette represents exactly the battle going on here in Custer County and in many parts of our country. The progressive left, like Adams, from failed leftist cities and states, move to rural America to escape their own failures, and then try to change our moral, Christian places into the stinking, godless cesspools they came from. Self destructive, self hating, sick people, folks.)
Some more jousting went on and finally it was quiet. However, it was not over. Day had another temper tantrum apparently triggered by McMahon’s comments and possibly Parker’s (Parker’s were absolutely polite while Jimmy’s was a little aggressive but not over the top). Day, visibly angry, raises out of his throne, points his finger towards the back of the room, yells, saying you “three” back there are “disrespectful” and he will not put up with it. If it happens again, he is going to have them leave. Day is all red in the face when he is saying this. He was pointing and yelling at McMahon, Parker and Len Arrigo. Parker said nothing wrong and Arrigo DIDN’T EVEN SPEAK AT THE MEETING! (Day, if you can’t take constructive criticism from the citizens of this county you are in the wrong job, dude. If it wasn’t for these guys, Nadine, Joy and Miles, trying to help the BOCC through difficult times, we would be in a world of hurt. You should be thanking these folks for all the time and research they have done. It is the citizens’ RIGHT to criticize public officials when they have done bad. Put your big boy pants on and thank these people for the help they are bringing to the table. And put that temper to bed. No room for that here. You are a politician, Day. Not a dictator. And somehow, Day, Adams aggressively calling Commissioner Canda a liar with NO evidence at all, is “respectful”? Why wasn’t she called out? Hmmmm….)
Yup, that was it. Another wasted BOCC meeting. We’ll see what happens next week.

Uncategorized

The Oak Creek Grade Tragedy: Multiple Deaths Over an Easement Dispute

Hanme K Clark via Cochilla County, NM SO
Nancy Medina-Cochis
Cochilla County, NM SO

The Oak Creek Grade Tragedy: Multiple Deaths Over an Easement Dispute

CCSO and Coroner/Asst. Coroner First to Arrive
at Active Shooter Scene

by George Gramlich

11/29/23

How the tragedy of November 20, 2023, came about will take time to fully figure out, but the fact that three people were killed and one gravely wounded over an easement/property lines dispute is a sobering statement on the state of our society today. This occurred in an extremely rural, mountainous area of Custer County where there is plenty of room for all living there.
The Sentinel has obtained the Arrest Warrant for the alleged killer, Hanme K. Clark, 45 years old. It is reproduced below. It shows a long-term dispute between some neighbors on Rocky Ridge Road, off of Oak Creek Grade (CR 255) around the eight mile marker. The dispute appears to have finally sent the alleged killer, over the edge, resulting in the attack.
Our prayers for all involved. The deceased were Rob and Beth Geer and James Daulton. The wounded person was Patty Daulton. All were neighbors of the alleged killer. Mrs. Daulton is in a hospital in Colorado Springs. She is expected to survive.
The alleged killer, with his girlfriend, Nancy Medina Cochis, were captured in New Mexico the day after the shooting. Cochis was arrested as an accessory.
The property Clark and Cochis live on is owned by a nonprofit corporation called Herbal Gardens Wellness, which, according to its website, provides therapy to people suffering from PTSD.
Herbal Gardens Wellness filed a lawsuit in 2020 against several neighbors alleging that the neighbors did not have the right to use an easement over Herbal Gardens property that was established in 2016. There were allegations that the neighbors were harassing Clark and Cochis because they are Native Americans. It was alleged that Herbal Wellness put locked gates at the entrances to the easement. (It appears that the easement is simply a “short cut” to get to certain neighbors’ properties on Rocky Ridge. There is a subdivision road that is the normal access path for all properties.) Herbal Gardens lost that lawsuit with the judge ruling the easement was valid. The court ordered Herbal Gardens to pay the neighbors around $9,000.
An “armed trespass complaint” was filed by the Geers on November 11, 2023.
The Custer County Sheriff’s Office has sent deputies to the property multiple times with regards to the easement, property lines and trespassing issues.
The Initial Contact
Upon receiving the 911 call, on duty at the Custer County Sheriff’s Office were Sheriff Rich Smith and Sergeant Jason Sabalto. Also hearing the 911 call, Custer Count Coroner Brad Baltzly volunteered to assist (along with the Assistant Coroner, Nikita Phillips.) (Note that in Colorado, the Coroner is considered the 2nd highest LEO in the county. The Assistant Coroner is also considered LEO.) Sheriff Smith also requested assistance from Fremont County and the Colorado State Patrol. All off duty Custer County deputies were told to come. ( And all did. Except for one on vacation.)
Smith, Sabalto,  Baltzly and Phillips were the first on the scene. The four stopped at the intersection of CR 255 and Silver Circle and prepared (rifles, body armor, etc.) They then drove down a short distance to Rocky Ridge Rd. and dismounted.
They then tactically proceeded down the road and entered the first “road” on their right which was the driveway of the Geers. After a short approach they observed the bodies and the alive Mrs Daulton. Not knowing if the shooter was still in the area, they covered their actions via their weapons. Mrs. Daulton was then recovered, placed on a stretcher, and the whole team retreated back up the driveway and then to the road. EMS was there with ambulances.
The Fremont County SWAT team (and other LEO) then proceeded to search the area for the shooter. This took a long time. It was extremely cold. It was dark (around 8 p.m.) when the search was completed.
Kudos to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office’s Sheriff Smith and Sergeant Sabalto, and especially to our Coroner Brad Baltzly and Assistant Coroner Nikita Phillips for their bravery in entering an active shooter scenario with no backup at the time. (It was a very, very brave thing to do. Thanks from all of us.)
(Unconfirmed sources indicate that the weapon used by the killer was a pistol.)
Below is the body of the Arrest Warrant. Note that the Warrant spells the Geer’s last name wrong.

####

The Custer County Sheriff’s Office November 20, 2023 Arrest Warrant for Hanme Clark:
The following Affidavit is submitted to the Court to document the probable cause in support of a request for the issuance of an Arrest Warrant for: Hanme Kim Clark, DOB: 10/28/1978
This offense is fully documented in CCSO Case# 23-0681 detailing the offense(s) of:
§ 18-3-102 Murder in the first degree x 3, F1
§ 18-2-101 Criminal attempt
§ 18-3-102 Attempted Murder in the first degree, F2
§ 18-3-202 (1)(a) Assault in the first degree, F3
With the victim(s) identified as: Patty Daulton, D.O.B: 3.7.1967
3 Other adult victims pending identification.
Your affiant is Detective Sergeant Robinson, Elizabeth with the Custer County Sheriff’s Office and currently assigned to the Patrol and Investigations Division and has served in that capacity since 2023. I do hereby state under oath that I have personal knowledge of the following facts:
On November 20, 2023, at approximately 1300 hours, FreCom Dispatch (FreCom) received a 911 call with the reporting party, later identified as Patty Daulton of 415 Rocky Ridge Rd, Westcliffe, CO, stating that four people had been shot. The suspect was approximately 6 feet tall, wore glasses, and had black hair. Dispatch could hear shots being fired during the 911 call. RP stated she thought her husband was dead in addition to two other people. Mrs. Daulton was evacuated from the scene, which was determined to be in the area of 173 Rocky Ridge Rd adjacent to 165 Rocky Ridge Rd Westcliffe, CO, and taken to the Parkview Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado.
Your affiant was able to speak with a surveyor, William Dechaver (DOB 10-29- 1974) who was on scene when the shooting occurred. William explained that he was assisting with surveying of an address in the area he believed to be Lot 33a when the shooting began, he was unsure of the address and stated the paperwork to confirm it was in his truck which is still on scene.
William went on to state that he was with the homeowner Robert Greer (possible spelling). A male approached them, yelling about trespassing. Robert called the male Hamne by name, and William believed Robert to be recording a video of the interaction as the shooting commenced. William described Hamne as wearing what he believed to be a forest green shirt and pants, and possibly a forest green vest or jacket. William explained that when Hanme started shooting, he turned around and ran eastbound for approximately a half mile getting to a neighbor’s house, whom he did not know. William described the home as having 4 sisters who lived there who allowed him to use the phone and
call 911.
William stated that he knew the neighbor although not by name to live directly west of the property he was working on. It should be noted that your affiant knows, Hanme Clark (DOB 10-28-1978) resides at 165 Rocky Ridge Rd, Westcliffe Rd and has recently involved in numerous neighbor disputes over property line disputes.
Your affiant is aware there have been numerous previous property disputes with Herbal Gardens & Wellness (165 Rocky Ridge Rd) which is the property adjacent to the scene. In CCSO case 23-0643 reported on 11.17.2023 on an armed trespass complaint was called in by Robert Greer (DOB 08-12-1960) at 173 Rocky Ridge Rd which occurred on 11.16.2023. Mr. Greer sent pictures from a covert camera he placed on his property to Sheriff Smith of a male in hunting gear, his face was covered, and he was 
carrying a rifle. Mr. Greer was adamant that the male in the photos was Hanme Clark. Mr. Greer complained that it was the 4th time Hanme had trespassed on his property. He also claimed that Hanme and Nancy (LKU) had decided to target him and his wife with harassment and trespassing and showed concern about a weapon being involved.
Your affiant was made aware that Sheriff Lloyd Smith, whom is a certified EMT, along with the Coroner Brad Baltzly, was able to arrive to where the descendants, were located earlier in the day. Visible confirmation was made that the parties were, in fact, deceased. The top photo in the search warrant appears to be a male. In the bottom photo the person in the green jacket and jeans appears to be a female and the third person appears to be a male. Photos were taken as represented below in addition to the approximate location they were taken based on Evidence.com. Due to the suspect house being uphill and having a direct line of sight the decision to vacate the area was made due to officer safety concerns.
Your affiant was made aware that at approximately 2120 hours, Agent Garcia spoke with Salida Police Department (SPD) Officer Dakoda Defurio. Officer Defurio advised that he was made aware of a License Plate Reader (LPR) alert on a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 bearing Colorado plate BHLK27 at approximately 1510 hours near the south entrance of the Salida Walmart Store. An attempt to locate was placed on the vehicle earlier as it registered to Hanme Clark. Officer Defurio contacted Walmart security staff and was able to view surveillance video. The truck parked in the parking lot and a female who was unmasked enters the store Walmart employees at the time of this are still working on tracking down the receipt for the purchase made by the female. Officer Defurio explains that it appears she purchased pillows and possibly some cold weather clothing.
The female can be seen returning to the vehicle in the parking lot and appears to be communicating with someone in the vehicle out of view, while loading the purchases into the vehicle. The female then returns into the store this time wearing a mask on her face, in what appears to be an attempt to disguise her identity. What appears to me a male who cannot be identified exits the vehicle with a dog and walks around the vehicle briefly, then re-enters the vehicle. The female is seen returning to the vehicle and entering the passenger seat of the truck which then shortly after at approximately 1559 hours, exits the parking lot traveling south. The truck is observed traveling south-bound on County Road 111.
On 11.20.23 Your Affiant reviewed body camera footage recorded by Deputy Thurston’s body camera of a civil call in the area of 165 Rocky Ridge Road from 11.19.2023. The footage was a conversation with Nancy Medina-Kochis (D.O.B 01.02.1973) of 13078 Zuni Rd in Hartsel, Colorado, whom is the suspected girlfriend of Hanme Clark and possible resident at the 165 Rocky Ridge Road residence. Nancy spoke with Deputy Thurston and seemed to be versed on the ongoing property line dispute.
After reviewing the body camera footage and the surveillance footage from WalMart in Salida the female from both recordings appear to be the same person with the same clothing.
On November 20, 2023, your affiant authored and was granted a search warrant for 165 Rocky Ridge Road. At approximately 2001 hours, CCSO Deputies executed the search warrant in search of Hanme Clark. Hanme nor any individuals were located in the residence. The aforementioned Dodge Ram was not located on the property. The decision was made to hold the residence and further process it for evidence in the morning.
I would respectfully request that probable cause be found that Hanme Kim Clark, DOB: 10/28/1978, did within the County of Custer and State of Colorado, commit in violation of the Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended, the offense(s) of:
§ 18-3-102 Murder in the first degree x 3
§ 18-2-101 Criminal attempt
§ 18-3-102 Attempted Murder in the first degree
§ 18-3-202 (1)(a) Assault in the first degree
/s/ Det. Sgt. Elizabeth Robinson Applicant: Det Sgt Robinson, Elizabeth
Sworn and subscribed before me by telephone November 20, 2023.
2023, Uncategorized

Services for George “Ken” Jones

George Kenneith Jones
of Silver Cliff, CO

George Kenneth Jones, known to his loved ones as Ken or Kenny, passed away on November 22, 2023, at the age of 56 in Silver Cliff, Colorado. Ken was born on February 16, 1967, in Delaware. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Joanna Jones, and their children, Kaylie Jones, Weston Jones and Layna Jones, as well as his mother, Pat Jones and mother-in-law, Jeanne Love.

Ken and his wife Joanna moved to Custer County Colorado in 1998 where Ken worked in his own business as a Master Electrician. Throughout his professional journey, Ken was an adventurous entrepreneur and always enjoyed trying his hand at new things. Since 2011 Ken has been dedicated to his own health supplement retail business that has grown and flourished over the past decade.

In his free time, Ken found joy in fishing, boating, gardening, tinkering in his shop and spending time with his family. Ken was known by friends and family for his big personality, always bringing life and laughter wherever he went. He was a jokester and loved to laugh and enjoyed making others laugh as well.

Ken and his family were members of the Wetmore Baptist Church, where Ken attended and served for over 22 years. Here he found strength and renewed commitment in his faith and his personal walk with God through his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The church was an important part of his life and his family’s.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Wetmore Baptist Church. Following the service, Ken will be laid to rest in Ula Cemetery, surrounded by the peace and beauty of the mountain valley he and his family call home.

Ken will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His warm smile, kind heart, spirited laughter and unwavering dedication will always be remembered. For online condolences please visit: www.holtfamilyfuneralhome.com

 

2023, Uncategorized

2023 Spirit Campaign Begins!

Press Release

The Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation is excited to announce the official kick-off of the 2023 Spirit Campaign. The Campaign was launched on November 15th, by the mailing of the Spirit Campaign brochure and Financial Overview, followed by the Spirit Campaign Kick-Off Gala held at All Aboard Westcliffe (a local non-profit) on November 18th. Thank you to those who attended. The brochures, which contains extensive information on the campaign and associated nonprofits and funds, can also be found on the Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation Website www.wmvcf.org/donations/spirit-campaign/ .
We are proud to feature 63 organizations in this year’s campaign. We appreciate all donations, and encourage specific donations to nonprofits of choice, as well as donations to the Make it More Fund. A direct donation to the Make it More Fund benefits every nonprofit and enhances the success of the campaign and each organization.
Over the past 19 years, the Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation has distributed more than $5 million to nonprofits in support of their hard work and commitment to our community, close to half a million alone in 2023. The Community Foundation extends thanks in advance to our 2023 donors, who make it possible to continue this remarkable tradition of giving.
Donations will be accepted through midnight, December 31st. But don’t wait!! Visit our website at www.wmvcf.org/
donations to make your donation now!