Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC)
—December 6, 2017
WESTCLIFFE, CO
by Jackie Bubis
The meeting started at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call. Introductions of the public in attendance followed.
Since yesterday’s meeting, there were no Commissioner, Attorney or Admin Assistant items.
Staff Reports
Dallas Anderson, from the Airport Advisory Board reported that the Capital Improvement Plan was finished and submitted to the Aeronautics Board. The Advisory Board will draft a letter to one of the hangar owners regarding the rules for parking. Anderson discussed the board appointments with the commissioners and how his board could stagger two-year positions on the executive board. He also asked about getting road base put on taxiway three as there are individuals that want to build hangars that will use that taxiway. The Board asked him to put together a plan and to get with Gary Hyde from Road & Bridge about getting that done. After discussion, the Board agreed to allow the Advisory Board to have the authority and flexibility to change fuel prices as they see fit (within certain parameters) to make sure the Silver West Airport is competitive. And finally, after receiving a letter from the company that put the fuel pump in – regarding the disputed billing – it was agreed that Attorney Smith will send a letter inviting them to meet with the Board to negotiate a settlement. Continue reading December 6th BOCC: Staff Reports
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BOCC Meeting: Dark Skies, Bad Roads, CCEDC
Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC)
—December 5, 2017
WESTCLIFFE, CO
by Jackie Bubis
The meeting started at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call. Introductions of the public in attendance followed.
Commissioner Items
Commissioner Canda continues making his rounds and will meet with Road & Bridge this week if possible. He hopes to go to Wetmore to have coffee with the residents at the community center.
Commissioner Flower asked what the commissioner items section of the meetings was for. Commissioner Printz informed him it was a time for the commissioners to report on what they’d been doing and any items of interest to the rest of the Board.
Commissioner Printz reported that he’d met with Jackie Hobby in the Zoning Office. Also he’s working with Dawna Hobby regarding the December 7th interview for the IT position and advertising the custodian position. Continue reading BOCC Meeting: Dark Skies, Bad Roads, CCEDC
Many Object to Proposed Dark Skies Zoning Resolution with Its Criminal Penalties
This image of the United States of America at night is a composite assembled from data acquired by the Suomi NPP satellite in April and October 2012. The image was made possible by the new satellite’s “day-night band” of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which detects light in a range of wavelengths from green to near-infrared and uses filtering techniques to observe dim signals such as city lights, gas flares, auroras, wildfires, and reflected moonlight.
“Nighttime light is the most interesting data that I’ve had a chance to work with,” says Chris Elvidge, who leads the Earth Observation Group at NOAA’s National Geophysical Data Center. “I’m always amazed at what city light images show us about human activity.” His research group has been approached by scientists seeking to model the distribution of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and to monitor the activity of commercial fishing fleets. Biologists have examined how urban growth has fragmented animal habitat. Elvidge even learned once of a study of dictatorships in various parts of the world and how nighttime lights had a tendency to expand in the dictator’s hometown or province.
Named for satellite meteorology pioneer Verner Suomi, NPP flies over any given point on Earth’s surface twice each day at roughly 1:30 a.m. and p.m. The polar-orbiting satellite flies 824 kilometers (512 miles) above the surface, sending its data once per orbit to a ground station in Svalbard, Norway, and continuously to local direct broadcast users distributed around the world. Suomi NPP is managed by NASA with operational support from NOAA and its Joint Polar Satellite System, which manages the satellite’s ground system.
NASA Earth Observatory image by Robert Simmon, using Suomi NPP VIIRS data provided courtesy of Chris Elvidge (NOAA National Geophysical Data Center).
WESTCLIFFE, CO
—December 11, 2017
by Jackie Bubis
On Monday, the Custer County Planning Commission met to further explore two things: First, whether or not the County needs further regulation of “light pollution” and second, what sort of language would be appropriate.
The three County commissioners were in attendance but did not speak. About a dozen citizens showed up and Chairman Vic Barnes made sure everyone had a chance to speak their mind. Mr. Barnes began by reading three letters he’d received, from Sentinel editor George Gramlich, from Larry and Monica Luikart, and from Arthur von Boennighausen. All three stated sentiments in opposition to further regulation for Dark Skies. Continue reading Many Object to Proposed Dark Skies Zoning Resolution with Its Criminal Penalties
Church and Community Special Christmas Services and Performances
Wet Mountain Fire Announces New Training Officer
Press Release
Teri Munson, District Clerk, WMFPD
At their November Board Meeting, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to accept the application of Fire Fighter Lieutenant Jonathan Rafferty.
Rafferty had been the Assistant Trainer to Captain Scott Virden, who previously held the position for the past three years.
“In the fire service, training is recognized as the most important part of any department, in that it hones the ability to respond efficiently and most importantly, safely,” said Chief Dave Tonsing. “We take it very seriously, because people’s lives depend on it,” he added.
The Board and Command Staff felt that Lt. Rafferty would be the logical choice because of his prior experience as Assistant Training Officer and because of his shown natural teaching skills during previous years Fire Safety Days for Custer County School in October. Lt. Rafferty will be assuming the position immediately.
LTE: The Trails Initiative
From Paul Parsons
The Trails Initiative is an unfunded group of citizen volunteers that came into being just over a year ago at the invitation of the Custer County Economic Development Corporation. This group seeks to represent the interests and hopes of all trail users (those who ride ATVs, horses, motorbikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, snowmobiles, and those who go on foot). Their purposes are to inventory all usable trails in Custer County; to take part in helping maintain those trails wherever appropriate; to create an up-to-date plan for trails in the county; to develop any new trails that are needed; and to promote these trails both to people within and also to people from outside our area. Continue reading LTE: The Trails Initiative
LTE: Hiding Behind Antiquated Gun Laws?
To the Editor;
A while back there was a letter to the editor from James Gearhart and I wanted to respond right away but got busy.
To me it seems like the ultimate chutzpah to equate oneself to Martin Luther. But I guess it’s easier on one’s conscience to see themselves as a reformer rather than an apostate.
Several weeks ago (10/27/2017 Sentinel) Mr. Gearhart’s Letter to the Editor was published. While I could shred the entire letter, space constraints won’t allow that. I would like to take particular exception to his statement “Hiding behind antiquated gun laws while mass murders happen on an almost daily basis is antithetical to everything Christ stood for.” Since I believe Mr. Gearhart is ignorant of facts, history and human nature, I’d like to help him see the errors of his views. Continue reading LTE: Hiding Behind Antiquated Gun Laws?
The New BOCC: November 30 Meeting
The New BOCC:
Old Court House Hours Restored,
Committee Formed to Review
New Personnel Policy,
CCEDC Grant Questioned Hard
Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC)
—November 30, 2017
WESTCLIFFE, Colorado
by Jackie Bubis
The meeting started at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call. Introductions of the public in attendance followed.
Commissioner Items
All three commissioners reported on the CCI (Colorado Counties Inc) conference. The new commissioners commented on the quality of the training. Mr. Printz spoke with DOLA manager Christy Doon regarding broadband, Dark Skies and building issues. There were discussions with Representative Crowder about losing the Underfunded Courthouse grant. They were encouraged to apply again at the next opportunity.
Chairman Flower stressed the importance of making sure that the voters know how each commissioner votes on each issue. Kelley Camper stated that she lists these details in the minutes.
Attorney Items
Mr. Smith reported on the Planning Commission workshop. The Dark Skies issue was postponed until the December 11th meeting (1:30 in the court room.) He also reported on two airport billing issues that he’s working to resolve. Continue reading The New BOCC: November 30 Meeting
Holiday Activities December 1 -2
Thursday, November 30, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, December 1, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friends of the Library Arts & Crafts Show
Hope Lutheran Fellowship Hall
312 3rd St, Westcliffe $$
Friday, December 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, December 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Annual Festival of Trees & Holiday Boutique
At Grandma’s House
118 Main St, Westcliffe
Friday, December 1, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lighthouse Pregnancy Resources
bi-annual yard sale
417 Cliff St, Silver Cliff
Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Craft Sale and Kids Make your own Tree bells
St Luke’s Episcopal Church
201 S. 3rd St, Westcliffe
Saturday, December 2, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m
Falling into Christmas Fest
Craft Vendors, children’s activities, bake sale,
silent auction, live music
United Methodist Church 202 S. 6th St, Westcliffe
Saturday, December 2, 1 – 4 p.m.
Christmas in the Park with Santa
COME SEE SANTA at the Silver Cliff Town Park—get a HOT DOG, HOT CHOCOLATE and PLAY AT THE PARK
1099 4th St, Silver Cliff
Saturday, December 2, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
KLZR Winter Open House
with live entertainment 103 S 2nd St, Westcliffe
Saturday December 2, 3 p.m.
Pet Costume Contest
Sangrita’s heated/covered patio at 212 Main St, Westcliffe
Prizes awarded!
Saturday, December 2, 5 p.m.
Christmas Parade on Main Street
Silver Cliff and Westcliffe “Light up the Town” after parade
Saturday, December 2, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Sangres Art Guild – Winter/Holiday Show Reception
3rd Street Gallery, 59000 CO-69, Westcliffe
The New BOCC: November 22 Meeting
Commissioners Bill Canda, Tom Flower and Jay Printz.
Photo by Jackie Bubis
The New BOCC: Action Started
on Personnel Policy and Courthouse Hours – Printz in Opposition
CCEDC Getting $1 Million DOLA Grant
Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
—November 22, 2017
WESTCLIFFE, CO
by Jackie Bubis
The meeting started at 10 a.m, after Tom Flower and Bill Canda were sworn in, with the Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call. Due to the size of the crowd, the meeting was held in the courtroom.
Attorney Clint Smith and Clerk Kelley Camper drew lots for a temporary chairman to open the meeting. Commissioner Printz won the draw. He opened the meeting. All three commissioners wanted the chairman position and reported why they would make a good chairman. The men then voted in a chairman (Tom Flower) and vice-chairman (Bill Canda) to serve until the first meeting in January.
Commissioner Canda and Commissioner Flower then took an opportunity to express their thanks and their priorities for the job of commissioner. Both expressed that the citizens are their boss.
Commissioner Items
Commissioner Printz reported on a meeting with the Wetmore Community Center board. He stated that the Board accepted the idea that, with the future online streaming of meetings, the frequency of meeting in Wetmore might change. He also reported on the E911 meeting. Continue reading The New BOCC: November 22 Meeting