Briefs from the San Luis Valley

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley - April 2003 - Colorado Central Magazine - No. 110 - Page 5

Copyright © 2003 by Marcia Darnell and Central Colorado Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

Barely There

Good luck opening a porn shop in Alamosa. The city council adopted regs about adult-oriented businesses that prohibit operation within 750 feet of schools, day care centers, churches (you'd think their faith would protect them), medical facilities (you'd think antibiotics would protect them) and residences. There's a slew of other restrictions, too. Better stick to the Internet.

Board Says No to Boards

In a rare courageous move, politicians said "no" to business.

Well, it wasn't exactly "no," but more a "not yet" that the Alamosa City Council gave to Stock Building Supply about its new lumber yard. The proposal for a facility in the Tremont area goes back to the planning commission for more info regarding fire safety, access, and the objections of residents in that area.

Baca $$$

The U.S. House of Representatives passed an interior appropriations budget that includes $12 million for acquisition of the Baca Ranch. The 100,000-acre property is described as a "linchpin" of the process to expand the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Pomp and Circumstance

State Sen. Lewis Entz has received senate approval for a bill to enable school districts to give diplomas to veterans who left high school to serve in the military. Entz, a veteran of the Korean Conflict, now needs house approval for the bill to become law.

Monte Money

The Monte Vista City Council is facing tough questions from residents after the town had to take out a loan to meet expenses. The city of 5,000 got a loan of $225,000 from a local bank to pay bills, including workers' comp and insurance payments.

What Recession?

Quail Meadows will soon be cited as an address for residents in south Alamosa. The 24-acre subdivision will include building lots, a park, and possibly a farm worker housing complex. The owner, Marti Poulson, also hopes to provide space for a child victim advocacy center.

Her Honors

Two women were sworn in as judges in the Valley. Pattie Swift is the new district judge for the 12th Judicial District, replacing retiring Robert Ogburn. Kimberly Wood became the new Costilla County judge, replacing Swift.

Feds on Case

Eastside Energy's former manager, Joe Davis, is under federal investigation for forgery and fraud. Many of Eastside's former employees claim bounced paychecks and unpaid back pay. Valley businesses were allegedly ripped off as well.

Davis' criminal record includes felony convictions dating back to 1980. Eastside Energy opened last year amid controversy, opponents claiming there isn't enough biomass to keep the plant going. Eastside's parent company is in Columbus, OH.

Brief Briefs

• Skaff's Supermarket, a fixture in Del Norte, has been sold. The new owners plan a five-week closure for remodeling, then a grand opening of an expanded store.
• Harold Abeyta resigned as mayor of Antonito, citing health reasons. The town board elected Rafael Gallegos to replace him.
• Kelly Reed is the new superintendent of Monte Vista schools. He's been in teaching for 15 years.
• Alamosa County jacked up its land use fees on March 1. It's the first increase in over a decade.
• Marguerite Salazar returned from a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia as a member of the People to People Ambassador program. The executive director of Valley-Wide Health Services learned about treatments for victims of land mines.
• The Alamosa County Sheriff's office obtained equipment and certification for a water rescue dive team. Six people have drowned in the area in the last couple of years.
• The Monte Vista Co-op reported that it's going strong despite the bankruptcy of Farmland, of which it was a member. The Co-op wrote off $3.5 million in Farmland stock.
• Alamosa County is urging water users to cut back 20 percent this year; the Saguache town trustees restricted watering to the hours of 6 to 9, morning and evening.
• A Monte Vista man is asking the Alamosa City Council to adopt sign ordinances. His 9-year-old daughter was prompted to ask questions after seeing a marquee advertising "The Vagina Monologues."
• Saguache has lifted its moratorium on subdivisions.