by George Gramlich
There was quite a stir Tuesday, when employees at the First State Bank of Colorado office at 3 Bassick Lane noticed a white powdery substance leaking from a letter they had just picked up at the U.S. Post Office across the street. The letter was addressed to the bank and had a return address from California on it. It also contained a check. Nothing else was in the letter. Continue reading Powder in Letter Causes Hazmat Lockdown at Post Office and Bank Office
by CCSD-1 Staff
Custer County graduate Celestina Barnes is in a select group. This past spring she was awarded a Air Force Academy nomination by the office of Colorado Senator Michael Bennett. Although Barnes did not receive an appointment to the Academy, she is still passionate about her dream of becoming a pilot in the Air Force.
“I remember seeing planes take off and land at the Silver Cliff Airport,” recalls Barnes. “And this has inspired me to chase the dream of becoming a pilot in the Air Force!” To fulfill this dream, Barnes began the process of applying to the Air Force Academy. Her journey began during her freshman year when school volunteer Walter van Woudenberg connected Barnes with mentor Monty Lee. It was a perfect match as Lee graduated from the Academy and served 26 years in the Air Force and in addition was an Academy Liaison Officer for four years with the Air Force. “My role as a Liaison Officer was to counsel students interested in the Air Force Academy,” noted Lee. “So it was a natural fit to work with Celestina and her desire to attend the Academy.” Continue reading CCHS Graduate Continues To Chase Her Dream
Press Release
The 2018 Primary is the first election that unaffiliated voters will get to participate in a Primary Election without having to change their party affiliation.
Unaffiliated voters will receive a ballot “packet”, which will include both a Democratic ballot and a Republican ballot.
They can only vote and return one of those ballots. If more than one ballot is returned, and both are voted, neither ballot will count. Continue reading Important Information for Unaffiliated Voters and Voters who want to change affiliation before Primary; May 29th Deadline for Changes
Sheepdog Speaks to Graduates
Last week I watched a few college graduation addresses by several prominent LPSCD leaders like Clinton, Carter and Gore. Turned my stomach and made me want to bite someone. I believe that I could provide better conservative advice and decided to speak to my many, many young readers, especially at the high school level. If you know any other young people graduating from high school this year please give them a copy of this sheepdog wisdom. WOOF!
Dear Graduates,
Congratulations! Here are some thoughts for a successful and responsible life: America is a wonderful place. Be thankful if you were born here or live here. America has many faults and challenges but it is still the greatest country in the world. Continue reading Sheepdog to Graduates…
Join us for Liberty Rocks *Tavern Style Politics meeting on Thursday, May 31st. We will meet at Tony’s Pizza at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 6 p.m. Come eat, drink, and learn and ask questions. Our special speaker will be Jax Bubis.
Jax will tell the stories of the first day of what would become the Revolutionary War. The stories of Concord and Lexington. The stories of Paul Revere and the shot heard round the world. There is a real art to telling captivating stories and Jax is a master. You will regret it if you miss this meeting and you do want to bring your children. Learn the truth about those who stood for your freedom and bestowed a great gift on their posterity.
Do you want to know why the Revolutionary War started on April 19th? What made that Wednesday special? Who fired the first shot? What led to the defeat of the greatest military force at the time?
This presentation will inspire and encourage you. It will show you that you can be proud of the true story of what your ancestors stood for and that many gave their lives for.
*During the founding of our country, taverns were the avenues of open debate and discussion. The brushfires of liberty were fanned in these settings and culminated in the greatest nation in all of recorded history.
by Jim Silver
Five seniors will graduate from Custer County High School having already set a course on serving in a branch of the United States military. School Guidance Counselor Troy Bomgardner arranged for an interview session in the school library with these soon-to-be graduates last Monday, May 14th. Listening to them express their plans and aspirations that day made for a meaningful few moments. These young people have done some serious thinking on their own and with their parents, and have made a choice which will thrust them into something bigger than just themselves in very short order. Following is an introduction of these students: Continue reading Grads of Custer County Class of 2018: Seniors On a Military Career Path
by Fred Hernandez
Ah…Politics….from the Greek term politikos originally meaning affairs of the cities…. or, the process of making decisions that apply to members of a group. The word then transforms to mean achieving and exercising positions of governance, thus creating organized control over human communities.
In our nation, and indeed, even our own small community, politics is such that at times it almost seems like a blanket of darkness hovers over our daily lives, it threatens to engulf us and everything we stand for, work for, live for and even pray for…
So it can be a surprise when, out of nowhere, a beacon, yes… a beacon, cuts through this political gloom. At first it seems like a small light growing in intensity as it approaches. A glimmer of hope. And, as it comes closer you recognize the hope is really a person. A young, very talented, endearing, quick-witted lady by the unlikely name of Luck, Stephanie Luck. Continue reading Wishing You Luck, Colorado!
Last Friday, May 18th, the Girl Scouts and the Cub Scouts Pack #114 got together for some bowling fun and comradery. It was the first time for this joint venture. They are looking forward to more combined events in the future.
The Cub Scouts are looking forward to marching in the Memorial Day Parade on May 26th. On Monday May 28th, they will be joining the Boy Scouts to help the American Legion Post #170 with the Annual Memorial Day Service at Silver Cliff Memorial Park at 10 am. While you’re there remember to stop by the Boy Scout tent for their annual bake sale! There are sure to be some yummy baked goods available.
Anyone interested in joining the Scouting programs in the Westcliffe area should contact Doug Burgdorff-Cub Scout Committee Chair at 719-371-0902, Ted Johnson-Cub Master at 719-371-1257.
by George Gramlich
In the biggest voter turnout in the history of the West Custer Hospital District Board, all four incumbents easily beat the challengers from the “Patients First” slate for the four open slots on the District’s Board. There were lines at the Custer County Courthouse all day long as the citizens re-elected the current board members, Janet Candelaria (625 votes) and Bob Tobin (621) to the Clinic Board for four-year terms over Patients First candidates Mike Haga (217) and David Brothers (214). Similarly, incumbents Ann Evans (590) and Bob Weisenbach (574) easily defeated challengers Ann Barthrop (196), Larry Luikart (164) and Mike Kienbusch (163) for the two open two-year Board positions.
The first ever high-profile campaign for the Clinic Board was highlighted by mailed flyers from both camps, newspaper ads and multiple community meetings. Apparently the Patients First message of a poorly managed clinic, no full-time doctors on staff, and a chronic lack of second ambulance availability did not resonate with the voters of Custer County who voted to keep the current Board in office. Hopefully, the new Board will somehow address these issues in the future.
There were two open positions up for election on the Wet Mountain Fire Protection District Board with four candidates vying for the slots. The two winners were ex Fire Chief Henry (Dave) Tonsing (430 votes) and Scott Virden (310). Coming up short were Jeremiah Coleman (190) and James Lewis (140). Voter results subject to certification by the Secretary of State.
The Sentinel would like to thank all the candidates and supporters on both District elections for running excellent, open and informative campaigns. A light shining on our government is always welcome.
Clinic Treasurer Letter to the Editor 4-30-18
(Editor/GG: The Treasurer of the West Custer County Hospital District (the “Clinic”) responded to some points made at last week’s Liberty Rocks Forum on rural health care. It is too long to print so we placed it here on our website for our readers. Facebookers have seen it posted by others in multiple community groups.)
There are a few points in her letter that need to be addressed.
1. Transparency: The Board meeting dates are not printed in the two local papers. Posting notices in the courthouse and town halls doesn’t cut it. For the last four years, the Clinic Board has never advertised vacant board positions in either paper. They have been filling the vacancies with their buddies. No transparency there.
2. The mill levy passed in 2014 for EMS was sold to us as funding to provide for a second ambulance. Period. EMS grosses around $600k to $700k a year from their billings which should be enough for the first crew. Even with the new $280,000 mill levy, we still don’t have a reliably available second ambulance. There have been numerous times lately when Flight for Life or an outside-the-county ambulance had to be called. There was no second crew available. This is a disgrace. Just talk to the Sheriff’s Office or listen to the scanner. A major reason a second crew is not available is that the majority of EMS live OUTSIDE the county. Why? All the local EMS employees left or were fired over the last six years or so, mostly due to management issues.
3. By any reasonable measure, the Clinic has way too much administrative overhead for an entity of around 18 people. Not even close. We need doctors, not bureaucrats.
4. The Treasurer stated that somebody made a comment that “The clinic will not suture a patient.” We have had multiple people come to the Sentinel who have been denied sutures for simple cuts because they did not have an appointment.
5. There are no doctors. The Treasurer attempts to use a doctor from up north who comes here THREE DAYS A MONTH to say they have a doctor! Give us a break.
Time for a change, folks. Doctors Mohr and Bliss are willing to come back if a new board is elected. And that’s a good start for a new, patient centered clinic.
