Three Pagosans receive Herb Jones scholarships

The Parent Policy Council of Tri-County Head Start — Quality Early Childhood Programs (TCHS-QECP) has announced the 2008 Herb Jones Scholarship recipients.

The recipients are: Chance Adams, Pagosa Springs; Misha Garcia, Pagosa Springs; Kassidi Gardner, Pagosa Springs; Kaela Maynes, Durango; Angelica Moreno, Mancos; and Tonya Roy, Cortez.

Herb Jones was an active volunteer at the Roberta Shirley Center in Durango. The council is grateful for the opportunity each year to provide scholarship money in his name. The funds for scholarships are raised through the Policy Council, a group of parent representatives that helps in the decision-making process of the Head Start Program.

For further information on TCHS-QECP, call 247-5960.

School board approves wellness policy

The Archuleta County School District 50 Joint Board has approved a finalized version of a wellness policy for district schools.

The wellness policy, initially adopted July 18, 2006, was revisited and revamped this past school year by the Health and Wellness Committee, which consists of staff, educators, health officials, and parents.

One change to the program is the elimination of beverages and foods that contain more than 35 percent of total calories from fat and total weight in sugars from stores at the elementary, intermediate and junior high schools.

This restriction will not be implemented at the high school, due to the fact that the student-run Treasure Chest uses revenues to support the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). However, the wellness policy states that “on a daily basis, the Treasure Chest at Pagosa Springs High School must also offer healthy options.”

“We’re working to make the Treasure Chest healthier,” said Superintendent Mark DeVoti.

Other additions to the policy include the elimination of vending machines that dispense food items on school property, and a clause that states teachers may not use candy as reward for good behavior or achievement. The food service program must now also offer breakfast and lunch options that meet or exceed the nutritional guidelines of the USDA’s National School Lunch and Breakfast Program.

“I’m very confident with the direction of the wellness committee,” said Irons.

The Health and Wellness Committee will continue work with the wellness policy, as well as health programs in the future that may include sex education, substance abuse education, and a review of a possible drug testing program.

In other school board news, the board had a first reading of Policy JEA, which changed Colorado State law on July 1 to change the compulsory attendance ages for students. The compulsory attendance age was lowered from seven years old to six, meaning that any child who turns six by August 1 of this year must attend public school. The compulsory attendance age was also raised from 16 years old to 17 years old.

Airport advisory commission seeks new members

Just two months after filling vacancies in its 11-member roster, the Archuleta County Airport Advisory Commission (AAC) is again looking to fill two empty seats.

With the sudden April 21 resignation of Pagosa Springs Town Manager Mark Garcia — who also served as an ex officio member of the AAC — and the abrupt resignation of commission vice-chair Pat Artis late last month, the commission is again two members short of full status.

Because Garcia’s AAC position represented town interests, town Mayor Ross Aragon will eventually appoint his replacement, while the AAC must now find someone to fill Artis’ post.

Of course, one question remains: under which membership qualifications will the prospective appointee be scrutinized?

The AAC normally consists of seven voting members appointed by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) and four ex officio members without voting privileges. Ex officio members generally include one individual each from the town and county governments, the airport manager and a representative of Avjet, the fixed base operator.

Following the January resignations of airport manager George Barter and then commission chair Elmer Schettler, the commission realized two immediate vacancies, including a voting and ex officio member.

In April, three more voting positions opened when terms for commission vice chair Gerard Pearson, secretary John Weiss and member Wade Duncan expired. Since, the BoCC has appointed Michael Arbuthnot, Kate Steen, Jim Carrey and Ralph Goulds to fill commission voting positions, while hiring Bill McKown as airport manager.

Now, however, Mayor Aragon must fill Garcia’s recently vacated ex officio spot, while the commission commences another search for Artis’ replacement.

To add a wrinkle to the process, prospective BoCC appointees to the AAC have historically had to meet certain conditions, including loosely defined residency requirements.

In fact, prior to May, when Arbuthnot, Steen, Carrey and Goulds officially joined the commission, questions lingered over what actually constituted a county resident.

At the time, five volunteers stepped forward to fill the four seats available, but one was eventually deemed ineligible after sometimes contentious BoCC debate finally decided residency is, in part, determined by where a prospective appointee votes in national elections. The question first arose as part-time area residents began applying for commission participation.

To further confuse the commission framework, sitting commissioner Mark Weiler has recently been appointed to the Pagosa Springs Town Council. Though the town manager has traditionally served as an ex officio commission member, logic would seem to suggest Weiler be moved to that position, and two new voting members be appointed by the BoCC.

However, commission members have yet to discuss that option, which may or may not happen at their regular monthly meeting at 3 p.m. today. The meeting will take place in the offices above Nick’s Hanger on Piedra Road.

Meanwhile, the commission has examined a revised list of membership requirements and forwarded them to the BoCC for guidance and subsequent approval.

Among the most notable changes:

• prospective members must be able to attend a majority of monthly meetings per year;

• candidates must have previously served on an AAC working group, or have volunteered for an airport activity or function;

• five of the voting members must meet the above requirements and be recommended by the commission, while the remaining two will be approved and sponsored by the BoCC;

• the five candidates meeting the first two items listed above will have met residency requirements;

• non-voting members are determined by their positions relative to the airport, county or town.

Assuming the BoCC ultimately approves the new membership criteria, and a new town manager begins work by October, it could be months before the commission is again at full strength.

Meanwhile, the search for at least one new voting member begins again. Interested parties meeting the above requirements should contact county administrator Greg Schulte at 264-8300, or stop by his office in the Archuleta County Courthouse.

Two backcountry rescue incidents in past week

Local medical and search and rescue teams were called upon twice this past week for backcountry rescues from the Piedra Falls Trail.

The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office was notified Thursday afternoon of a stranded party in the Piedra Falls area. Volunteers from the Upper San Juan Search and Rescue (USJSAR) and the Colorado Mounted Search and Rescue (CMSAR) were dispatched, and Pagosa Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Pagosa Fire Protection District (PFPD), and the American Red Cross also responded to the call.

The teams found a 26-year-old male stuck 125 feet off the ground on the opposite side of the falls at approximately 3 p.m. The man had allegedly crossed the river and climbed up the rocks to have his picture taken. The rock shelf gave way behind him, blocking his return to the ground. The man then climbed higher in attempt to find a way out, but eventually was stranded.

After nine hours and two unsuccessful attempts to reach the man, the Sheriff’s Office Incident Management Group decided to come down from directly above the man. At approximately 1 a.m. Friday a rescuer reached the man and secured him with a rope. He was then assisted to the top of the cliff and out of the area. The entire rescue process took approximately 12 hours.

On Monday morning, the Sheriff’s Office Incident Management Group, USJSAR, CMSAR, and EMS were dispatched to assist a 61-year-old man who broke his ankle while hiking up the Piedra Falls trail.

EMS arrived on the scene first and stabilized the patient. After search and rescue teams arrived, the man was carried out by a team of nine at approximately 12 p.m. and transported to Pagosa Mountain Hospital.

St. Patrick’s Shamrock Festival Sept. 5 and 6

Save the date for this year’s Shamrock Festival at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church.

It will begin Friday, Sept. 5, with a silent auction. Doors open at 3:30 for the silent auction. There will be a catered dinner, cash bar and entertainment under the tent at 6. The auction will end at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday’s festivities will begin at 8 a.m. with the traditional activities of the festival which includes, bake sale, continental breakfast, book nook sale, children’s boutique, Country Cupboard and great activities for the children. The Men’s Fellowship will hold their sporting goods and tool sale as well. Quilt raffle tickets will be sold up to the time of the drawing at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, while tickets last.

St. Patrick’s donates proceeds from this festival back to the community to different organizations that serve the needs of our county. Recipients in the past include Pagosa Outreach Connection, Women Helping Women, Loaves and Fishes, Seeds of Learning, Habitat for Humanity to name a few.

So, save the dates: Friday Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6, for the Shamrock Festival at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. 225 S. Pagosa Blvd.

For more information, or if you would like to donate, call 731-5801 or 946-7545.

Review underway to study pros and cons of higher ed stipends

The Department of Higher Education (DHE) has announced that it has contracted with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education to conduct a study of how well the College Opportunity Fund (COF) is working for Colorado students and the colleges and universities in the state.

The Colorado Legislature and then Gov. Bill Owens created the COF in 2004 as a way to tie a portion of state funding for higher education directly to students who enroll in any of Colorado’s public colleges or universities (and in some private colleges). The legislation required that the Colorado Department of Higher Education evaluate the program and report back to the Legislature by 2010.

The study also comes after some criticism that the COF stipend is cumbersome for colleges and universities to administer and that many students are not aware the funding is available.

The review will examine how the COF has affected student participation in higher education as well as how the colleges and universities administer it. Researchers will also consider whether the original objectives of the program are being achieved.

“We’re very pleased that the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education can apply its expertise and objectivity to an evaluation of the COF,” said David Skaggs, Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education. “This method for funding higher education is unique to Colorado, and the legislature wisely directed an evaluation after the first few years. That’s what this study is all about,” Skaggs added. “We need to better understand both the positive and any problematic aspects of the current COF system in order to see if any changes are needed.”

After a detailed analysis is completed, WICHE will report on its findings and present options for any policy changes that appear warranted. These findings will be provided to the legislature, meeting the requirement to report back by 2010. “We’ve set out to do a comprehensive evaluation not only of the COF and how it is functioning, but also how it intersects with other components of public funding for higher education,” said David Longanecker, President of WICHE. “Our research will be impartial and should provide meaningful direction for moving forward.”

“We support improving public access to higher education,” said Tony Lewis, Executive Director of the Donnell-Kay Foundation, which is providing financial support for the study. “WICHE can use their expertise to lay out ways to improve the COF, and make it easier for schools to administer the program and for students to go to college.”

“We are fortunate and grateful that the Donnell-Kay Foundation is supporting this effort with a generous grant to the department,” said Skaggs.

The WICHE study will cost $79,000, with DHE paying $39,000 and the Donnell-Kay Foundation $40,000.

PAWSD board approves $11.2 million loan, summit in offing

Amid mounting respect and cooperation, the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) Board of Directors and members of the community continue to resolve issues surrounding the proposed Dry Gulch Reservoir. Of course, questions of impoundment size, cost and financing still remain.

During its rescheduled monthly meeting Tuesday evening, the PAWSD board took steps to advance development of Dry Gulch, while further informing the public of the process, and easing impacts of upfront development costs.

By unanimous consent, the board voted to approve a resolution accepting a loan and loan contract between the district and the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), to be dated July 21, 2008.

According to the resolution, the loan in the amount of $11,217,060 will pay off an $8.6 million bridge, or short-term, loan obtained by the district from Wells Fargo Brokerage Services, LLC last October. Those funds were used to secure the initial purchase of more than 600 acres of land necessary for the development of Dry Gulch.

According to the district board, the balance of the loan (approximately $2.6 million) will pay for the purchase of additional necessary lands and other pre-construction costs, including the completion of mandatory environmental studies and acquisition of required construction and diversion permits.

As reflected in the loan documents, the district has pledged the adjusted net revenue from its water and wastewater enterprise funds as security for repayment of the note. The terms include 3.5 percent interest financing over the next 30 years.

Though some in the community — apparently including the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) — question the need for a loan of such size, the district board has repeatedly explained that the money is necessary to pay off the short-term higher-interest Wells Fargo loan and other expenses.

At the PAWSD meeting Tuesday night, county administrator Greg Schulte presented a list of talking points by the BoCC stating:

“The BoCC is concerned that the PAWSD Board acceptance of the proposed Colorado Water Conservation Board Loan is over the amount necessary for the purchase of the required land for a 12,500 acre ft. (foot) reservoir.

“The BoCC in expressing this concern is representing the taxpayers of Archuleta County who have expressed their opinion thru votes of the need not to exceed the 12,500 acre feet.”

While the BoCC failed to suggest what an appropriate loan amount might be, or what percentage of “taxpayers” have voted to limit the size and scope of the reservoir, it did specifically express “no confidence and non-support of a reservoir over 12,500 acre feet.”

By Wednesday afternoon, however, Commissioner Bob Moomaw retracted much of what the statement said, and described the document as “a shot across the bow.”

“I wish we hadn’t put the 12,500 acre feet in there,” he said in a phone interview, “because the size is not the issue. The important thing is the funds that are available within the community as a whole.”

Moomaw went on to explain that the county wants to work with PAWSD and all other taxing entities in the community to determine the fairest, most reasonable “impact” fees that will improve infrastructure, without discouraging economic growth and the development of necessary capital projects.

Moomaw said the town, county and PAWSD gathered for their regular quarterly meeting Wednesday morning and voted to organize a summit with all taxing entities to address just such matters.

Meanwhile, Pagosa Springs councilman Mark Weiler also presented the PAWSD board with written suggestions Tuesday, suggesting a way to proceed with Dry Gulch, including another creative approach to financing it. With the board’s inability to promptly review the document, it declined immediate comment, but agreed to look it over.

A quick glance at Weiler’s proposal, however, opened questions of support for some of the figures included therein, while readers were left wondering how a recommended financing scheme could be administered fairly to new, versus existing, PAWSD customers.

Tuesday night, PAWSD officials did announce plans to utilize two new consultants to re-calculate the need and expense of a reservoir this year, based on updated growth estimates and construction costs.

Staff is also working to complete an informational document entitled “Our Water, Our Future,” which better explains the Dry Gulch plan, its size and scope, how it will be financed, and how it will serve future community needs.

The board also voted to extend the newly adopted method of calculating Equivalent Units (EUs) for commercial developments to the construction of single- and multi-family units, as well. The system based on the Uniform Plumbing Code determines the number of EUs by counting fixtures to establish meter size.

According to PAWSD Assistant Finance Director Shelley Tressler, adoption of this new method will eliminate the square-footage-based Capital Investment Fee imposed on new residential development.

County planning commission to consider two agenda items

The Archuleta County Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. July 23 in the Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting Room in the Archuleta County Courthouse. Public comment is welcomed and encouraged.

The agenda includes:

Call to order.

New business:

• Presentation for review and recommendation of Rock Ridge Minor Subdivision, Final Plat, Pagosa Springs, Colo.

This is a request to subdivide approximately .24 acres, currently known as a portion of the Rock Ridge Mobile Home Park into four townhomes.

Location: 72 Great West Ave.; also known as Parcel B, Lot 1, Block D, Rock Ridge Country Estates.

Owner: Rock Ridge, LLC.

Planner: Cindy Schultz.

• Presentation for review and recommendation of Terry’s Ace Hardware — Major Amendment Conditional Use Permit (CUP 2008-02).

The applicant is requesting approval of a major amendment to an approved Conditional Use Permit CUP 2005-07.

Location: 525 Navajo Trail Drive; Lot 27 Ridgeview Subdivision.

Owner: Terrence S. (Terry) Smith.

Agent: Debbie McAlister.

Planner: Cindy Schultz.

Old business.

Other business that may come before the planning commission.

Review and approval of minutes for July 9, 2008.

Adjournment.

State fines increase for traffic violations

Motorists traveling the highways of Colorado now have another reason to consider safer driving habits.

Beginning July 14, 2008, new legislation in Colorado has greatly increased — more than doubled in many cases — traffic fines for moving traffic violations. Traditionally Colorado motorists have paid some of the lowest fines in the nation for violations such as speeding, bad passing, and others, while motorists in states like Massachusetts and Vermont typically pay fines that are about three times higher than motorists here pay.

Here are some examples of how much violators can expect to pay, including victim’s assistance surcharges, for some of the more common violations:

• Speeding 5 to 9 mph over the limit; was $56, now $91.

• Speeding 10 to 19 mph over the limit; was $77, now $162.

• Failing to wear a seatbelt; was $22; now $72.

• Running a stop sign; was $46, now $81.

• Careless driving; was $67, now $167.

• Following too closely; was $46, now $111.

• Passing on a double yellow; was $46, now $111.

Troopers often hear comments of surprise from out-of-state violators who receive what they consider to be a “cheap ticket” compared to a similar ticket received in their home state. The increase in fines applies generally to moving violations, that is, violations that typically cause crashes or injuries. Other violations, like those pertaining to drivers license or registration laws for example, did not see an increase in fines. The State Patrol hopes the increase in fines will make drivers think harder about their driving habits, thus decreasing the numbers of fatal and injury crashes caused by poor driving. Sponsors of the bill say that Colorado has not seen an increase in fines in about 30 years.

League of Women Voters to hold forum

The League of Women Voters will host a candidate forum Tuesday, July 22, at 6 p.m. at the Extension Building.

The forum will include all county commissioner candidates and district attorney candidates. The forum is open and everyone is invited to participate. 

The League of Women Voters forum will begin with introductions. Each candidate will be provided a set list of questions and the answers to those questions will be presented at the forum. Following this, the floor will be open to questions. 

In a change from previous League forums, the League of Women Voters will not screen questions, but will call on audience members to ask their questions directly from the floor. 

The League of Women Voters was founded in 1920 to promote political responsibility through informed and active citizen participation in government. There are approximately 80,000 members of the League of Women Voters within all 50 states and the Virgin Islands. There are 1,500 members in Colorado. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that never supports or opposes any candidate or party. The LWV does take position on issues based on in-depth study. As such, the LWV enjoys a strong reputation in the community for providing reliable, balanced information to voters. 

Local League membership is $15 and all citizens are encouraged to join and get involved. For more information on the LWV, visit the Web site at http://lwvac.org/league.html.

For more information on the forum contact: Mary Beth McAuley, mbmcauley@hotmail.com, 264-2566, or Leanne Goebel, lgoebel@centurytel.net, 731-1841.

Immunization clinics for school vaccinations

While we’re still in the midst of summer, parents should be making sure their children are fully vaccinated for this coming school year. San Juan Basin Health Department is reminding parents that Colorado requires school vaccinations be obtained before the first day of school.

Along with all the other routine appointments and preparations for school starting, remember to schedule your child’s immunizations by calling San Juan Basin Health at 247-5702 or your pediatrician for an appointment. San Juan Basin Health Department provides routine childhood and adult immunization services every Monday by appointment only.

Local groups host ‘Pakistan People and Their Customs’

This summer, Habitat for Humanity is building two houses for two low-income families in Pagosa Springs.

However, that is not the only work keeping members of the organization busy. Four volunteers from the Pakistan aid organization, Pakistan Relief will be visiting Pagosa Springs July 20-27. During their visit, they will stay with several host families in the Pagosa area, work alongside volunteers building two Habitat houses, and explore the wonders of Pagosa Country.

On Thursday July 24, they will present a free Pakistani community event. This visit will help our Pakistani friends to know and understand the culture of rural America, and to help Americans understand Pakistani people and their customs.

The community event, “Pakistani People and Their Customs: Coming Together for Humanity,” is sponsored by Habitat for Humanity, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and Rotary.

This cross-cultural event will be held at the Parish Hall located in downtown Pagosa Springs at 451 Lewis St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. when a traditional Pakistani dinner prepared by our Pakistani guests will be served. The menu will include various types of meat and vegetable curries, all made with recipes and spices brought directly from Pakistan. Traditional Pakistani desserts have also been promised.

The dinner will be accompanied by a brief documentary film, many slides illustrating village life in Pakistan and an exhibition of Pakistani handicrafts. Recipes for preparing the Pakistani dishes will be available.

This community event is open to the public and is free. To reserve a place at the dinner table, call 264-6960. Only the first 100 who call can be served.

Following the dinner, the Pakistanis will make a short presentation on “Pakistani People and Their Customs,” which will focus on life in Pakistani villages.

Pakistan Relief volunteers played an important role in the initial first aid and rescue efforts following the devastating 2005 earthquake centered in northern Pakistan. Following their initial rescue work, Pakistan Relief volunteers have established several programs aimed at rebuilding and generally improving the quality of life in the affected areas. Establishing centers where villagers can develop computer and sewing skills has been an important priority. Safe food preparation and storage practices have recently been added to the curricula. These and other programs are having a direct and positive affect on the lives of people living in these remote villages. This presentation will start at 7 p.m.

Following the presentation, donations will be requested to build a new skill center in a mountainous village, which may be called the Pagosa Springs “sister” village in Pakistan. This village is located in the Gurez Valley of Azad Kashmir, near the remote city of Skardu.

These funds will be used to purchase used computers and sewing machines, and to set them up in an area that is easily accessible to both boys and girls in the village.

Pakistan Relief will select and train instructors, recruit students, provide a syllabus for the six-month courses, and provide for external examinations.

In addition to improving the skills of children living in this village, this skill center will provide an avenue for promoting a better understanding and acceptance of the world outside the village. When people in this village know that their skill center was funded by friends in America, they will have tangible proof that individual Americans accept diversity, even in an Islamic village halfway around the earth.

Establishing a “sister” village in Pakistan will give Pagosans a direct, personal and continuing connection that may be highly effective in combating Islamic extremism.

Traditions We Treasure
July 31 – August 3rd

Fair dedicated to Bernice Crowley,
volunteers honored

This year’s Archuleta County Fair is being dedicated to the memory of a great friend of the fair: Bernice Crowley (May 23, 1913-July 4, 2007).

Bernice Crowley was born in Higgins, Texas, and raised in Enid, Okla., and Edith, Colo.

She married Irwin Crowley in 1935 and they spent 54 wonderful years together, most of those years on the Crowley Ranch in Chromo.

Family was the center of her life and she proudly raised three children — Russell, Harvey and Carolyn. Their years were spent surrounded in ranch life and, naturally, 4-H. Bernice was a 4-H leader for many years and her children were involved in the program as they grew up.

Bernice was a member of the County Fair Board from 1952-55. Due to the success of the first fair in 1951, more locals were needed to assist with the instant growth of this new county event. Bernice was recruited for her organizational skills, general knowledge of ranching and the other adults in the community who could be recruited to be judges and superintendents. She was heavily involved as the fair grew and changed in its initial five years.

She was well known for her love of the ranch, the wildlife that frequented the hillsides, and the river near the house that would draw her outdoors, oftentimes with a camera. She was a gifted artist and found great pleasure in sharing the flowers and plants with many of her friends.

Bernice leaves her passion for learning to her six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and also leaves a wonderful legacy in the Archuleta County Fair.

Super Superintendent: Sue Diffy

We wish to recognize Sue Diffy and her efforts and dedication to the Archuleta County Fair and honor her with this year’s Super Superintendent Award.

Sue and her husband, Ray, moved to Pagosa Springs in 2002 after searching for a small friendly place to live that offered snow skiing and beautiful scenery. That year, Sue attended her first Archuleta County Fair and fell in love.

Her affection for fair events is rooted in her upbringing. Being born in Plain View, Texas, and raised by her parents and grandparents near Lubbock, gave Sue her love for “country” and its folks.

Volunteering for the fair was a natural for Sue and she began as a superintendent in the floriculture department in 2005.  In 2006 and 2007, she moved to being the superintendent in Children’s Photography, volunteered with gusto and made the gigantic job a total success. 

After completing her duties within her designated department, she is one of the first superintendents to help others with anything they need. Her enthusiasm and gregariousness is welcomed by all.

Sue volunteers her time in Pagosa Springs as a member of the Community Methodist Choir and she is a talented soloist and board member with the community choir.

She and Ray have two grown children and will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year. Ray is a talented watercolorist.

Sue’s happy attitude, smile and spirit encourage us all to do our best, as she does as a superintendent for the Archuleta County Fair. 

Super Volunteer: Mark Bergon

Volunteers are what power the county fair. This year, the Fair Board would like to honor Mark Bergon, who has been the mainstay of the horseshoe tournament since the early 1990s.

Mark moved to Pagosa Springs in 1977. He entered the horseshoe tournament at the fair in 1985 and placed second. The following year, he placed first — and still has the trophies to prove it.

Tournament organizers moved from Pagosa and the annual event went dormant.

In the early 1990s, Mark and a few horseshoe-pitching friends got the annual tournament going again and it’s been an annual fixture at the county fair every year since.

Mark has been the volunteer who keeps this event alive each year. Basically, he organizes and runs the tournament. Mark credits all the other pitchers for their participation and help in this endeavor. However, running the tournament typically means that you cannot participate in the pitching.

“If you pitch, you loose the flow of the tournament,” said Mark. “I have other opportunities to pitch and I really enjoy running the tournament.”

Mark learned about pitching horseshoes from his dad when he was a kid. He started entering horseshoe tournaments regularly in the late 1980s in Aztec, N.M. He joined the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and got a book on how to set up tournaments, which is what inspired him to reorganize the dormant fair activity.

Pitching is an active hobby for Mark, who travels regionally to participate in tournaments. He has participated in the Colorado state tournament and two world tournaments held in the U.S.

A farrier by trade, Mark has worked at Wolf Creek Ski Area since 1990. He is the proud father of three children: Gretchen who lives in Ft. Collins, Caleb who is in the Army, and Madeline who just graduated from high school and is off to Colorado State University.

The Horseshoe Tournament at the county fair has been a two-decade-long tradition. The Fair Board is grateful to have Mark as one of the volunteers who help keep this tradition alive.

Archuleta County Fair Royalty

Our Fair Royalty this year includes Queen Anna Ball, and Princess Amber Onello

Anna Ball is 17 years old and entering her senior year in high school. Currently, she is the president of the 4-H County Council, the group that oversees all 4-H clubs, and president of the Shady Pines 4-H Club. This year, she is enrolled in four 4-H projects which include wildlife, leather craft, baking and ranch horse. She has held many leadership positions in the past both in 4-H and in extracurricular activities. In May, Anna was elected as president of 4-H Region District 9, which includes 4-H clubs and programs in Archuleta, La Plata and Montezuma counties and brings these entities together for regional representation within the state. Anna’s goal as president of this regional council is for the region to be more active and have more coordination between counties. A personal love is music and she plays the clarinet and saxophone and sings. She has set a personal goal to graduate with honors from high school and pursue a college degree in hotel and resort management. She is a member of the National Honor Society, was junior class President and is very involved in youth activities at the Community United Methodist Church. “Our county fair brings the community together for laughter, excitement, education and sharing,” states Anna about why the county fair is important to our community.

Amber Onello is in the Pagosa Peaks 4-H Club and is in the cake decorating, candy making and leather craft projects this year. As an 11-year-old, sixth-grade graduate, she is on the intermediate school’s honor roll for achieving all As and Bs. Amber is in her sixth year of membership of Girl Scout Troop 1279, secretary of the Junior Rotary Club and also loves soccer, volleyball and playing the clarinet. She states that 4-H has helped her with her leadership and communication skills and she has competed at the state fair. She wants to be a teacher after she graduates from college. “The county fair is important because it is a very fun, safe and educational place for the whole family,” writes Amber.

There is no Fair Lady this year, nor is there a Western Heritage award.

LPEA announces $2.3 million patronage capital refund

La Plata Electric Association customers who have maintained an account for at least one year, are scheduled to receive a patronage capital refund during August.

The size of the refund will correspond to the amount of money each customer has paid over the years.

The LPEA Board of Directors recently voted to refund $2.3 million in patronage capital (also known as capital credits) to LPEA members. These refunds will be credited to customers’ electricity bill or mailed as checks during the August billing cycle. Since incorporation in 1939, LPEA has refunded more than $27 million, with in excess of 80 percent of this amount returned since 1990.

“LPEA is a not-for-profit corporation with a 501 (c)(12) tax designation,” said Greg Munro, LPEA CEO. “As part of that tax designation, which establishes us as a cooperative, we are required to return capital credits to our members. These refunds are a major point differentiating us from other types of utilities. We give the money back to our members instead of giving it to investors.”

Annually, the electricity payments made by customers above the cost of providing their electric service (which is the margin) is placed into a patronage capital account in each member’s name in proportion to the member’s contribution to those LPEA margins. This capital, along with borrowed funds, can be used to finance improvements such as electrical lines, poles, transformers and substations.

“In other words,” said Munro. “LPEA invests the margins earned by each owner back into our system. It helps build members’ equity and reduces the amount of money LPEA has to borrow — so it reduces interest charges we’d have to otherwise pay. The margins allow LPEA to maintain system reliability at its highest level and help keep rates low.”

According to Munro, patronage capital refunds are the method by which electric cooperatives like LPEA return some of the excess capital to the members. When times are good and certain equity requirements are met, the LPEA board determines a refund amount. Patronage capital credits accrue in proportion to a member’s electrical usage.

For further information, call 247-5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.

Fund established for Norris family

Several months ago, Mark and Joyce Norris found out that their 3-year-old granddaughter, Oceana, has leukemia.  They are raising their granddaugther on their own here in Pagosa Springs.  They have lived here for awhile, and need this community to stand with them in this battle.  They need prayers, food, fuel and funds. 

The family is making trips back and forth to Denver, to Children’s Hospital.  The news has come that chemo treatments are not working and she will start radiation next week.  Oceana is not covered by the grandparents’ insurance and the medical bills are enormous.

 Mark works for the Sheriff’s Department as a detentions officer in the jail.   Fellow department employees have donated sick leave to Mark so he can be with his wife and Oceana when the need arises. Joyce was laid off from her work, since she was gone so often, tending to the needs of her granddaughter.  Mark drove a delivery truck on his days off and shoveled snow this winter and did other odd jobs to raise extra money.

 A fund has been set up at the Sheriff’s Department for anyone wanting to help these grandparents and this precious little girl.  When it comes to helping, there are no strangers in Pagosa Country. 

You can contact Iris Warren at 264-2131 if you have questions.  You may also stop by the Sheriff’s Department office in the county courthouse and drop off your donation there.  Any donation is welcome, in particular groceries that will keep, such as canned goods and mixes; gift certificates for groceries; funds for fuel; or funds to help defray the cost of stays in Denver and medical bills.

Thank you for your prayers and acts of kindness toward Mark, Joyce and Oceana.