Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – September 2006 – Colorado Central Magazine
Smashed Potatoes
You knew it could happen, and it did. The San Luis Valley, now teeming with passenger trains and potato trucks, saw its first collision of same. The truck burst into flames, but there were only a few minor injuries (except, presumably, to the spuds). An investigation is pending and the train is back on track.
Arts Alive
Alamosa artist Kym Allison had a cow. Her piece, “San Luis Valley Cow,” is featured in the CowParade Denver 2006 show, currently on display throughout the Metro area.
Monte Vista painter Tom Lockhart, featured in the December, 1997, edition of Colorado Central, once again made the finals of the Arts for the Parks competition with “Trail to the Loch.” The contest celebrates the country’s national parks.
In the performing arts, the national mandolin champion, Travis Thompson played with his family band, Second Wind, in Alamosa. Valleyites also got a treat when the Colorado Symphony Orchestra performed in Alamosa in July.
Water News
District Judge John Kuenhold has approved the first sub-district of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District. The sub-district will now form a governing board and develop a water use plan.
On higher ground, the U.S. Forest Service upheld its decision to allow access to the proposed Village at Wolf Creek. Two ingress points from U.S. 160 will be made to the development site. The decision made both sides unhappy, as the developers wanted one road, and the opponents to the planned mini-city wanted none. Everyone is appealing.
Clerk Caught
Bill McClure, former town clerk of Center, was sentenced to five months in prison plus five months of home detention for preparing false tax returns. McClure was charged with filing tax returns for clients showing false businesses in order to boost tax refunds. He also must pay $1,996 in restitution to the IRS.
Brief Briefs
Center resident Paula Trujillo has published a novel, “On Hawk’s Wings,” under the pseudonym Sue Truejo. A review will appear in a later issue.
GOCO grants were awarded to RiGHT (featured in the October, 1999, edition of Colorado Central) for $247,500, to be used for a conservation easement on the King Ranch; and to the Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley for $187,895, for a community park.
A proposed RV resort has Alamosa residents talking. The development is requested for part of the Alamosa Ranch, which belongs to the city as open space. So its quality of life vs. incoming dollar, a common debate in the West.
Nathan Cherpeski will be Alamosa’s new city manager. The graduate of BYU is finishing a stint as management assistant in Redding, Calif.
Adams State College held its first joint meeting of the board of trustees and the board of the ASC Foundation. The aim is to improve communication to benefit the school.
Michael Chase resigned from the Antonito Board of Trustees.
Doctor spouses Susan and Dave Geiger are now practicing in Alamosa.
Alamosa’s plan to make Main and Sixth Streets one way is stalled for funding and design reasons. The city council has issues with parking and railroad crossings, and money is tight, as always. The project, estimated to cost $13.5 million, is slated to be put up for bids next summer.
The feds approved one million dollars to repave Colorado 150 to the Dunes.
Zaven Yaralian is the new owner of the Rio Grande Club in South Fork.
Volunteers spruced up the ice skating rink and the Head Start playground in Alamosa.
The senior management team at San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center was honored as one of the top three in the nation by Health Leaders magazine.
