Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – May 2002 – Colorado Central Magazine
Wreck Center
Alamosa has green-lighted a plan for a $3.85 million community recreation center, and kicked off controversy among residents. Voters have repeatedly said “no” to funding such a project and feel city officials have pulled an end run.
Some say the center is needed to support rec programs, others say the Boys and Girls Club is under-used and could serve that role, and many say a new senior center should come first. The battle rages on local radio waves and in newspaper columns.
Runway Start
Alamosa has joined the pageant circuit. Miss Alamosa and Miss Rio Grande are on their way to a competition for Miss Colorado. Both winners are Adams State students and can use the $500 scholarship that came with each title.
No SHARE-ing
Colorado SHARE, the low-cost food program, has closed several sites, including all in the San Luis Valley. Run by Catholic Charities, Self-Help and Resource Exchange sold about $30 worth of food for a few dollars and two hours of community service. Participation declined through the economic boom, and the program has been cut back throughout the state.
Break Time
Conejos County imposed a six-month moratorium on new communications towers. That will give officials time to develop a detailed review process for new applications.
Hoosegow to Grow
Alamosa County may go ahead with the jail expansion. The offer from INS to help fund the addition was almost turned down by the commissioners. Public opinion turned the tide. More money is still needed to make the idea a reality, and voters may have to decide whether and how to fund the project.
Back from the Front
Local musician Jeff Valdez returned from entertaining American troops in South Korea. The rocker was part of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation tour.
Brief Briefs
Summer’s coming and that means construction season. Valley-Wide Health Services, the archipelago of low-cost clinics, will build a new facility for administration in Alamosa. And the old Montgomery Ward building will become a downtown parking lot.
The Rio Grande Compact Commission is predicting a very dry summer for Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, with water shortages on the horizon.
Valley DA Pete Comar wants a prosecutor to handle drug cases full time. A grant will fund the position.
Alamosa County Administrator Tom Brown quit without notice in April. Turns out his resignation was “requested” by the commissioners.
A jail inmate asked for more time for his armed robbery conviction. He said more time inside will help him beat his chemical addiction.
