by George Gramlich
After the hearing between Oak Disposal Services, Inc. and P BAR O Disposal et al on December 12th, in the Custer County Courthouse, Magistrate Michael William Weyrick, vacated the Temporary Restraining Order placed on P BAR O on November 20, 2018, allowing them to get back into business.
The courtroom was packed with about 125 attendees.
The Magistrate also declined to grant Oak Disposal a Preliminary Injunction against P BAR O. Continue reading Trash Wars: P Bar O Back in Business
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What Child is This?
by Pastor Dave McConnell
Let’s look at this child born, fully God yet fully human. But first, a brief view of the other two people in the stable that night. Continue reading What Child is This?
Bobcat Varsity Games
by Barbie Gierhart
and Coaching staff
On Wednesday, December 5th, Custer County High School Basketball teams had their home opener games against the SCA Spartans. The Varsity Girls played a good game with a win of 52-49. Scoring the most points of the game was Memphis Curry with 17 points. Katherine Mullett put up 16 points, added by Lindsey Gillmore with 14, Jessie Henrich four points and Hailey Hunter with one point.
The Varsity Boys played hard but lost to the Swallow Charter School’s Spartans 61-40. The high scorer of the game was Dillon Kinsey with 10 points. Jakob Morris brought eight points, Patrick Post added seven, Wesley Curtis six, William Berry five, and Chad Lewenkamp along with Ben Penkoff both adding two points. Penkoff lead team with four assists and Berry led team with four steals.
The Bobcats boys travel to Colorado Springs this Friday night to play ECA and are home on Saturday to host South Park. Hope to see you there!
December 4 BOCC
Airport Improvements,
Another Economic Survey, Electronics to Landfill?
Pot Grow Restrictions?
Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC)
—December 4, 2018
WESTCLIFFE, Colo.
by Jackie Bubis
The meeting started at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Introductions of the public followed.
Commissioner Items
Commissioner Canda reported that Kent Beech was at the airport breaking ground today and that the three-week deadline to have the berm removed and the other work done has started. They will handle weather as it comes up.
The survey for the Economic Development Strategic Plan is now available on the County website. Mr. Canda again stated that this survey is not statistically driven but is an opinion survey only. The survey will be on Facebook and other media in the next few days as well as paper copies available at various merchants in town.
Commissioner Printz reported that the hearing in Denver for the Underfunded Courthouse grant went well. He also mentioned that there was a great deal of revision that needed to be done in the attainable housing process. He announced that there was only one applicant for the part-time cleaning position but that the person was fully qualified and he moved that she be offered the position at $14 an hour for 20 hours a week. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Flower reported that the recent staff meeting went very well and that the staff Christmas party plans are moving forward. He reported that former Commissioner Cleo Day had passed away. He thanked Road & Bridge department for plowing the parking lot.
Attorney Items
Attorney Smith presented Resolution 18 – 27 for the name change on Rice Road reported in the last article. The resolution passed unanimously.
Staff Reports
During the landfill/recycling report, the Board discussed with Rusty Christensen the possibility of the landfill taking electronics – with an extra charge involved. He will look into having a special receptacle for that purpose. The plan would be that, when the receptacle is full, a trip would be made to Pueblo to empty it.
Gary Hyde gave the Road & Bridge report and stated that all that’s left in the Hermit Bridge project is the fencing. This project came in under budget by about $30,000.
The County Health Nurse was out sick and submitted her report via email. The lease agreement between the County and the Hospital District for her office space was approved.
Laura Lockhart gave the DHS report.
Veteran service officer Tim Swartz gave his monthly report and announced that his house is under contract and, unless something unforeseen happens, his last working day will be December 14th. Roger Watkins was suggested as an interim VSO for two days a week. The Board will make a decision on this interim position at the mid-month meeting on December 18th at 9 a.m.
New Business
The Board reviewed the Black and Gray Marijuana grant application with DOLA. DOLA will determine the amount of money granted and funds will be used to reimburse expenses incurred by the Sheriff’s Department while combating illegal grows.
Undersheriff Chris Barr reported to the Board that the Victims Assistance Law Enforcement (VALE) grant was awarded for $5,000. Chris Barr has been nominated for the VALE Board. The Board thanked him for his work on this project.
Attorney Smith and Sheriff Byerly discussed with the Commissioners the possibility of an ordinance for Custer County, Silver Cliff, and Westcliffe to reduce the number of marijuana plants that can be grown in the county and two towns from 24 to 12. Sheriff Byerly urged that this be a combined town and county ordinance for consistency.
Commissioner Printz asked if the process had begun for writing a nuisance ordinance. Attorney Smith responded that he had not yet begun writing it.
The meeting adjourned at 11:23 a.m.
A County Wide Nuisance Law? Really!
BOCC: A County Wide Nuisance Law? Really!
Who/What Is Really the Nuisance Here?
The People or The Government?
An open letter;
To Commissioners Tom Flower, Bill Canda:
The county “nuisance” law recently proposed by the BOCC WILL start the slippery slope towards “Boulderizing” Custer County. This is dangerous ground.
I, and many, many others have seen it before.
It starts with litter, then it’s noise, then it’s noise from guns, then it’s Conex containers, then its dogs, then it’s your porch light, then it’s your cow manure, then it’s the paint on your house or barn, then it’s the old jeep in your yard, then its a broken down tractor, then its YOUR XXXX behavior annoying a California transplant. The bottom line is: THEN THEY COME FOR YOU. Continue reading A County Wide Nuisance Law? Really!
BOCC Nov 29
Sanitation Issue Initiates a Look at “Nuisance” Ordinance
Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC)
—November 29, 2018
Westcliffe, CO
by Jackie Bubis
The meeting started at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Introductions of the public followed.
Commissioner Items
Commissioner Canda reported that the economic development surveys will be out before the first of the year. He wants Commissioner Printz to be interviewed for this process. The official kickoff for the program is January 7th. Mr. Printz agreed to be interviewed and stated that economic development’s purpose was to grow the tax base so that the county could offer more services.
Canda continued with reporting that Seifert Enterprises (who received the bid for the berm ward at the airport) has received the permit, the money has been deposited, and work will proceed right away. Also Canda reported that CenturyLink, the U.S. Forest Service and CDOT will be meeting next week to see what can be done for the people in Wetmore who need phone service after flooding wiped out the lines.
Chairman Flower reported attending the CCI winter conference, the Upper Arkansas Weed Conference, and expressed a need for the CCEDC and Christy Doon to meet. All three commissioners will be attending the grant proposal meeting for the Underfunded Courthouse grant.
Commissioner Printz publicly gave kudos to the Department of Human Services, especially Stacey Schoch, for handling what “could have been a disaster” regarding an at risk adult in the community. He also mentioned that the Coroner is in serious need of a vehicle. There will be a “significant meeting” for the Attainable Housing Board on Monday the 3rd.
The search is ongoing for a new maintenance person/custodian.
Attorney Items
Attorney Smith presented a proposed contract for the sale of the Grape Creek property purchased by Big E Ranch. This will get the process started. A formal resolution will be coming wherein Chairman Flower can sign all documents related to the sale. The contract was approved unanimously. Mr. Smith reported that Sheriff Byerly continues to seek a local ordinance for forfeiture of properties used in illegal activities. Note: there is already a Colorado statute to this effect but Mr. Smith reported that the DA’s office is not willing to enforce it. Mr. Smith is also in the beginning stages of writing a nuisance ordinance based on what’s being done in Huerfano County.
Travis Denlinger appeared before the Board requesting a road name change for Reis Road in the Reis subdivision. There are five landowners on that road and there exists confusion with addressing. Assessor Henrich was present and the decision was made by the Board to break Reis Road up into three sections which will now be known as Sage Corners, Valley View Drive and Wildflower Lane.
Jackie Hobby, director of Planning and Zoning, had a list of items to be addressed by the Board. The first was a subdivision waiver for the Grape Creek property purchased by Big E Ranch which passed unanimously. Ms. Hobby has had difficulty with a property owner who camps out in a teepee on his property. The teepee is too close to the property line, and that has no septic. The zoning regulations say you can only camp out for thirteen days a year. This property owner has ignored all attempts by Hobby to gain compliance. Attorney Smith will write a letter warning the property owner prior to a cease and desist order. Regarding the Special Use Permit to
Ludvik Propane (which is now Rocky Mountain Propane,) the Board agreed to a cease and desist meeting at the mid-month January meeting. The terms of the 2015 SUP have not been completed.
The BOCC went into session as the Board of Health for a cease and desist order for William Mercer. Mercer has two residences on his piece of property which is not allowed. One of them does not have septic and raw sewage is allowed to drain onto the ground. An immediate cease-and-desist order was unanimously approved. There was a discussion on the efficacy of a nuisance ordinance to give the Zoning Office more power to enforce removal of trash. Note: there is already a prohibition against trash leaving one person’s property and entering another person’s property. In a subsequent conversation with Jackie Hobby, she stated that her efforts were more along the lines of helping people who couldn’t help themselves. The Board of Health adjourned and the BOCC meeting resumed.
The Sheriff’s contract with the town of Westcliffe was passed 2-1 with Mr. Printz abstaining. It was increased from $30,000 a year in 2018 to $33,300 in 2019. $3,300 of that will be in the form of four bulletproof vests and one body camera to be purchased by the town of Westcliffe for the Sheriff’s Department.
$125,000 in PILT funds were transferred to County General.
It was decided that Attainable Housing Committee would now be a board under the authority of the BOCC. As a board, they will be able to make spending decisions based on their budget.
The meeting adjourned at 11:24 a.m.
Change Coming To the VSO
Tim Swartz: Farewell and Job Well Done
by Fred Hernandez
To the regret of all, the VSO (Veterans Service Office), officer in charge Tim Swartz has announced that he has given his preliminary notice to the Board of County Commissioners; he will be leaving his post at the end of this month. Last year there was news that due to certain health issues Tim had decided to relocate to lower elevations. That did not happen as expected. This time, however, for the same reasons, all the elements seems to be in place to make his planned exit from Custer County a reality. Tim will be missed as one who played an important role in the lives of many residents of the county. In looking back at these achievements, particularly in how they positively affected resident veterans, we count some truly remarkable ones.
In the year 2014, before Tim took the job as VSO, the number of appointments at that office by veterans was a paltry one hundred forty (140). The year after he took the position, that number quadrupled to between five and six hundred. Incredibly, today that number averages between nine hundred and a thousand. That alone is one huge achievement. Starting as a part timer at a job that was being done by two different entities (The Legion and VSO), with limited funding from the State, Tim rolled up his sleeves and went to work. Today, the VSO has a fully operational office, he has undergone extensive professional training and there is adequate state funding to insure the full-time employment of a service officer for the long term. In addition, great progress has been made in rating veterans and properly qualifying them in regard to service connected disabilities. As a result, funds streaming into the county have appreciated by almost one million dollars from $2.5 in 2014, to $3.5 in 2017. Remarkable indeed.
As we read this report, Tim will have given his own report of the VSO to the BOCC in their meeting of December 4th.
As he prepares for his departure Tim reminisces on the things he will miss most; the people he has met and gotten to know. Some have become like family and even more than family. And job satisfaction that he felt so deeply every time he successfully helped someone or their family to benefit from the services he provided. And yes, the mountains. He had thought that this would be his last stop. He loved the Sangre’s majestic range. These are the things he will miss most after he leaves the area. However, he looks forward to the next chapter of his life. He will move to an area that is only six hundred feet above sea level. He has identified a location he would like to live in with close proximity to a lake, great parks and trail systems. Tim looks forward to the sabbatical he plans to take in order to focus on the efforts to regain his health. He looks forward to spending time with his lovely and supportive wife Ellen whose main personal goal is to help Tim achieve full recovery. We all wish both Tim and Ellen all the best in their new adventure. As for Tim Swartz, thank you for all your hard work and efforts. Thank you, Sir, for a job well done at the VSO. Adios and Vaya con Dios!
One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Mankind
(or New Paper Boxes!)
Sangre de Cristo Sentinel, The Voice of Conservative Colorado and Custer County’s Newspaper of Record, has finally purchased its first two newspaper coin operated sales boxes. Very, very expensive, but made right here in the U.S.A. (Texas). They are placed at our outstanding Westcliffe United States Post Office (Thank you folks for all your help) and at Lowe’s Supermarket at the west end of Main Street (thank you, Rob). Sales already are excellent. Hopefully we will be getting more sales boxes in the near future. Sincerest thanks to all our loyal readers and advertisers – without you there would be no conservative voice in southern Colorado. Thanks and God Bless. (Editor/GG)
Living Nativity December 15th
Living Nativity
20th Year at Shepherd of the Hills
Lutheran Church
Press Release
Saturday, December 15th from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church will continue its traditional re-creation of the birth of Christ as a Living Nativity scene. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the event.
Visiting the Living Nativity has become a tradition for many viewers, as well as cast members. New visitors are invited to join in the tradition at 801 N. Sheridan Avenue in Cañon City to help celebrate the Christmas season. Continue reading Living Nativity December 15th
Housing Needs Assessment: Community Meeting Scheduled
Press Release
Autumn Dever,
Housing Director
(UAACOG)
The Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments – Housing Department (UAACOG) has contracted with Economic & Planning Systems (EPS) to complete a three-county (Fremont, Custer, Park) regional housing needs assessment. The purpose of the housing needs assessment is to help local governments, economic development organizations and housing agencies/authorities identify the housing needs of the community and to provide potential solutions that can be used to make strategic decisions related to the housing market. As part of the process, a community meeting will be held Monday, December 3, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Rancher’s Roost Community Room, 25 Main Street, Westcliffe, CO. Continue reading Housing Needs Assessment: Community Meeting Scheduled