On Tuesday, May 27, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a regular work session in Arboles at the TARA Community Center.
All but one item on the work session agenda was specifically tailored to the Arboles community.
Topics the BoCC discussed included the Arboles ranch brands, a Fourth of July parade and community support from the county.
“This meeting is going to be about Arboles business,” Commissioner Veronica Medina said, explaining the BoCC strives to hold at least one meeting a year in Arboles.
Fair Coordinator Tonya Steadmon explained the fair board is doing a “mail out” for ranch brands in the county to be part of the Archuleta County Fair book and on the fair’s website, as well as for a permanent display.
Steadmon encouraged anyone who is interested in having their ranch brand included in the county fair to contact the fair board.
She also mentioned the county fair board currently has eight open positions.
“We desperately are still needing volunteers,” Steadmon said, explaining volunteers are needed to help put on the event, scheduled for July 31 through Aug. 3
“We want all of our communities to be a part of it,” she added.
Commissioner Warren Brown asked what kind of time commitment is needed to join the fair board, with Steadmon explaining the board meets once a month, except for July, when it meets weekly.
She noted that some meetings can be attended online.
“We’re pretty flexible on that; we just need help.”
She also noted that fair board members are asked to be at the county fair “as much as possible.”
Supporting Arboles
“It’s always good to come down here,” Brown said, explaining that he and other commissioners have spoken before about the importance of Arboles to Archuleta County.
“Arboles is an important place in our county,” he added, going on to mention, “Historically, I think Arboles has gotten the last of everything, if they get anything.”
Brown also noted that over the past four to six years there has been a “pretty concerted effort” from the county to increase support in Arboles, specifically noting funding increases to the TARA Community Center.
“I know we’ve increased some of our funding,” Brown said, adding, “Money’s not always the answer, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.”
Brown explained that he wanted to hear from community members about what else the county can do to support the Arboles community.
One comment from a member of the public expressed that Eagle Nest could be graded, and that a neighborhood watch program or having more law enforcement presence could be helpful.
Brown then moved on to the topic of Arboles’ Fourth of July parade, asking the public what the county could help with.
“I always love the Fourth of July parade here,” Brown said, mentioning there is always “such great community participation.”
Brown noted that the Pagosa Springs’ Fourth of July parade will not be happening this year and that the Arboles parade may get more attendees than usual.
“You may get a lot more attendees than you would historically get here,” he said.
“Or want,” Medina interjected.
Brown explained that he wanted to see what members of the Arboles community might need help with in regard to the parade.
“I think that it would certainly be nice to see what needs and requests might come towards us,” he added.
Road and Bridge Manager Eric McRae also provided a brief update on work that has been done in Arboles, noting that “mag chloride is done for the season.”
He explained that this is the second year the Road and Bridge Department has started in Arboles with its magnesium chloride application on roads and that the county will likely continue to do that in future years as he’s been pleased with the overall results.
“The roads are in great condition,” McRae said in reference to arterial roads in Arboles.
clayton@pagosasun.com
