Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – October 2002 – Colorado Central Magazine
Special Delivery
Blanca postal carrier Kathi Smith saved an elderly disabled woman on her route last month. The 87-year-old had fallen almost a day before and broken a hip. Smith, who checked on the woman’s welfare when making deliveries, called for help. Both are recovering from the experience.
Watch out, Ed!
A group is mounting an effort to ban smoking indoors throughout Alamosa County, to match the no-butts rule within city limits. (Puffers can still light up in bars). Maybe someone should start franchising opium dens again.
Home Improvements
A steering committee in San Luis is sending out feelers to determine whether Costilla County voters will support a recreation district. If approved, a mill levy would fund an indoor rec facility.
Meanwhile, Alamosa will form an historic preservation advisory committee. The group will suggest which properties should be designated historic; those property owners could qualify for tax credits and grants for restoration.
The road to Zapata Falls needs an upgrade, and Alamosa County is happy to let someone else do it. The BLM and Forest Service want to improve the road and add a campground, but cannot while it’s owned by the county. Alamosa County is willing to give the 3-mile road to the feds. Work should commence in about four years.
Site Up
Project Impact has a website. The site will offer info on natural disasters and severe weather. Users can download booklets, a calendar and other useful stuff. The address is www.slvprojectimpact-oem.org.
Drought Downers
You’d think lack of rain would translate into lack of weeds, but folks in Alamosa County are asking for financial help for weed control. Conejos County already has a cost-sharing program for its residents.
In other water news, Home Lake is dry and Platoro Reservoir is suffering. State AG Ken Salazar recommends that lawmakers reinstate well inspectors; enlarge reservoirs and strengthen dams; and allow ranchers and farmers to donate water to fish. No explanation as to how this would increase rainfall.
Hungry bears are roaming the yards and even the streets of the Valley. The bruins are particularly common in Saguache County.
Second Career?
First he retired, then he was arrested. Former Adams State College staffer Jim Campbell was arrested on suspicion of embezzlement. Allegedly, $170,000 was boosted from the booster club fund.
$$$ Needed
Alamosa County could use some booster money to defend itself against a lawsuit. The $40,000 earmarked to fight the feds is gone, and another $100,000 or more is needed. The U.S. Justice Department has accused the county of racial discrimination in its practice of electing commissioners on an at-large basis.
Brief Briefs
— Attendance was down sharply at Center’s Harvest Festival over previous years. Organizers are unsure whether they’ll repeat the event. However, Creede’s Salsa Festival was a smash, with over 300 tasters partaking in the spicy fun.
— Splashland, the heated pool in Alamosa, closed a week early this year because of burglary and vandalism.
— The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad got a late start, but it’s chugging along. The narrow gauge train will run seven days a week until Oct. 20.
— Alamosans are arguing over a gateway center, which will include a museum, visitors’ center, and convention center. Where to put the facility is the subject of heated debate.
