Category Archives: Archives

2018

“Patients First” Reform Slate Running for Clinic Board

by George Gramlich
The troubled West Custer County Hospital District (aka “Clinic”) is having an unusual election come May 8th: All five Board of Directors positions are up for election. The five current Board members, Bob Tobin, Ann Evans, Janny Candelaria, Bob Weisenbach and Katherine Ripley-Williams have all indicated that they are running for re-election.
In an interesting twist, a group of local citizens concerned with the chronically poor performance of the Clinic and the never-ending management issues have banded together to form a reform slate and are running a team of five new candidates for the Board, dubbed the “Patients First” team.

The Patients First Team consists of Mike Haga, Mike Kienbusch,
David Brothers, Ann Barthrop and Larry Luikart. Their intent is to change the orientation of the Clinic’s efforts to a “Patients First” priority with a reform platform (noted below). Continue reading “Patients First” Reform Slate Running for Clinic Board →

2018, BOCC

March 7th BOCC: Jet Fuel at Airport, NEW Landfill Issues, Bogle Wants More Money

Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC)
—March 7, 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 in attendance followed.
Minutes from February 23rd and 28th were approved.
Commissioner Items:
Commissioner Canda reported a conversation with County Surveyor, Kit Shy and the Reis family about a possible right-of-way through the landfill for their property.
Commissioner Printz reported that he is satisfied with the response from the Tourism Board regarding the question Mr. Canda asked about the makeup of the Board. “They are an excellent board and they’re doing well.”
Chairman Flower reported on the Republican caucus. Continue reading March 7th BOCC: Jet Fuel at Airport, NEW Landfill Issues, Bogle Wants More Money →

2018, Letters

In Custer County, Colorado, We Protect Our Own

Letter by J Cascarelli,
Westcliffe CO
It was fourteen years ago that our Sheriff put an ad in the local paper to initiate the formation of the Sheriff’s Posse. About 40 of us volunteered; today we have about twenty active Posse members. Twelve years ago, the Posse command staff, Robin Schmutzler, offered to provide the local school district with daily security patrols when the school was in session, at school athletic events and during school dances including the annual prom. In the beginning, some teachers and at least one School Board member objected to having a uniformed, armed presence at the school. Some of us asked for a tour of the school. This one building school district was built in three phases over the years. There are a dozen little “cubby holes” all over the school. The high school principal conducted a tour for Posse members prior to the school’s opening day. The Posse invited security experts to present the special challenges that school security presents. Continue reading In Custer County, Colorado, We Protect Our Own →

2018, Custer County Kids

Boy Scouts Troop 114 Presents Charter

Press Release,
The American Legion
Post 170
Good News!!! At the March 5th meeting of Boy Scouts Troop 114, ceremonies included presentation of the Scout sponsorship charter to The American Legion Westcliffe Post 170. This charter confirms the strong bond between Troop 114 and Post 170. As the sponsoring agency for Troop 114, Post 170 provides support, encouragement, recognition, participation, recruiting and patriotic education as needed and requested as well as some financial assistance.
Recently, Troop 114 had three scouts elevated to Eagle Scout; a huge achievement. The Troop is active and engaged in our community and sets the example for excellence.

2018, BOCC

February 28th BOCC: Broadband, Personnel Policy, 4-H

Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC)

—February 28, 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 in attendance followed.
The room was again packed with folks there to encourage the Board to vote yes on moving forward with the grant for the “broadband” towers.
Approval of the minutes of February 6th and 7th was unanimous.
Commissioner Items:
Commissioner Canda reported on attending the County Needs Assessment meeting as well as the CCEDC Workshop. Commissioner Printz attended both meetings as well.Chairman Flower went to the Fair Board meeting as well as these other two. Continue reading February 28th BOCC: Broadband, Personnel Policy, 4-H →

2018

OBITUARY “Bob” Robert Girard Luman

“Bob” Robert Girard Luman left this earth on February 20th, 2018. He was born on May 2, 1954, in St. Louis, MO.  He was a Navy veteran and served in the Viet Nam war. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Nancy Ann Luman, and children Amber, Alicia and husband Alan Reeder, Levi, Misty Gunn, Summer Jameson, five grandchildren and many more family members. He was preceded in death by daughter Amanda Kathleen Luman. Bob was a man you would never forget meeting. His big heart and gift of gab will be greatly missed by many.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at Assumption Cemetery on March 16th at 11 a.m. Rev. Stephen Olamolu officiating. A luncheon will follow at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Hall at 109 S. 5th Street, Westcliffe, CO.

2018

Wetmore Resident, Ruth Roper Named Regional DHSEM Volunteer of the Year

—February 28, 2018,
Colorado Emergency Management Association (CEMA) Conference
The Eastern portion of Custer County, in Colorado’s South Region is home to the small communities of Wetmore and Greenwood. The Wetmore Volunteer Fire Department serves this portion of Custer County, lying outside the Wet Mountain Fire Protection District. Since 2005, the area has been affected by five wildfires, most recently the 18,403 acre Junkins fire in October of 2016. Continue reading Wetmore Resident, Ruth Roper Named Regional DHSEM Volunteer of the Year →

2018

All About Caucus

 

 

 

“Caucus creates repeated opportunities for average ordinary people to take the first steps toward becoming political leaders.”

Information provided
by Dan Bubis

In the Colorado caucus system the process lasts for weeks. You have to make the commitment to be engaged for weeks, not minutes. In a primary you show up, you cast a ballot, you go home. The reason it lasts for weeks is that, unlike in a primary, the focus in the Colorado caucus is on discussion and thoughtfulness. After the caucus, delegates will move onto the County, State and National Assemblies. The only way you are ‘disenfranchised’ in this system is if you fail to participate.
Colorado instituted the caucus system in 1910. The caucus system was abolished in favor of presidential primaries in 1992, but restored in 2002 with the defeat of Amendment 29 and due to cost considerations. The fully restored Colorado Caucus was in 2004.

Caucus creates repeated opportunities for average ordinary people to take the first steps toward becoming political leaders.Colorado’s Democratic and Republican parties will hold precinct caucus meetings March 6th in advance of the June 26 Primary Election. Voters interested in caucusing must be affiliated with one of the major political parties by January 8th. Continue reading All About Caucus →

2018

The CCEDC’s Broadband Towers Proposal The $2 Million “Road to Nowhere”

by George Gramlich,
Managing Editor
Analysis and Commentary
Introduction

Custer County should not commit to supporting this venture that the Custer County Economic Development Committee (CCEDC) is proposing. Government should be limited, especially when it comes to entering a private sector marketplace (Just look at what happened to healthcare.)
Just from a business perspective, the proposal lacks a detailed business plan, market analysis, income/revenue projections, firm cost and liability projections competitive analysis (satellites, etc.), technology evolution projections, and county infrastructure requirements to support the towers. The proposal is fatally incomplete and would be laughed out of any CEO’s office.
For Custer County to make a 20-year financial and
liability commitment to this incomplete, flawed and certainly doomed project would be fiscally irresponsible and a complete disservice to its tax paying citizens. Continue reading The CCEDC’s Broadband Towers Proposal The $2 Million “Road to Nowhere” →