Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – March 2003 – Colorado Central Magazine
Whooosh!
CoPIRG is urging the Valley to think about turning its infamous winds into $$$. The Colorado Public Interest Research Group says wind farming would generate energy and income for farmers hit hard by the drought and recession.
Cyanide Bill
A bill that would have banned cyanide heap leach mining in Colorado died in the state senate. Mining lobbyists said such a ban would kill the industry in the state, and that cyanide isn’t the culprit for the downstream pollution — it’s the heavy metals. Catch the response at www.responsiblemining.org.
Cats in Court
Do lynx cause forest fires? The Mountain States Legal Foundation filed suit against wildlife managers, saying yes. The property-rights advocates claim that the planned release of lynx in the area will inhibit timber harvests, leading to more wildfires. More trees will also mean less water for property owners, they say.
Eastside Down
Joe Davis, the manager of Eastside Energy, was arrested on parole violations. Davis’ criminal record includes felony convictions dating back to 1980. Eastside Energy opened last year amid controversy; opponents claimed there wasn’t enough biomass to keep the plant going. Then in December, employees of the company complained to the D.A. about bounced paychecks. Eastside’s parent company is in Columbus, OH.
Awarded at Last
Reynaldo Lucero received 10 medals for his service in the Big War. Lucero, 77, earned a Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and other awards. He served with Gen. George Patton in the European Theater and was injured by a fellow infantryman. Lucero also received some much-delayed compensation from the government for his service.
Eschew Choo Choo?
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad’s 2003 season is in doubt. The train belongs to the states of New Mexico and Colorado, jointly, and is overseen by a commission.
The operation contract has been awarded to the Rio Grande Railway Preservation Corp., the same operator that was previously fired for shoddy track maintenance and financial problems.
New Mexico’s lieutenant governor pledged her state’s support for the railroad, but Colorado’s Rep. Lewis Entz told the railroad commission not to expect any financial support from the state this year, due to the recession and TABOR restrictions.
Whether the train will begin running on Memorial Day — or at all — remains to be seen.
AWDI Eroding
The interminable legal mess surrounding AWDI and the Baca Ranch seems to be winding down. One case involving access, Strong v. Vaca Partners, has been resolved and the case dismissed.
Another case, Cabeza de Vaca Land & Cattle Co. v. AWDI was settled through arbitration, with AWDI getting $694,000 and 10 percent of the water assets to the Baca Ranch and Villa Grove Ranch.
More cases involving the property are slated for hearing on March 3.
Brief Briefs
Sierra Grande school in Blanca received the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award for increased CSAP scores. The school has 309 students in grades K-12.
The Alamosa Big Kmart is getting the axe. The company is closing 300 stores nationwide, and The SLV’s outlet, which employs 81 people, is one of them.
Monte Vista jacked up its wastewater rates after years of running in the red. Residents are boiling, saying they received no notice of the increase.
The Rio Grande Water Conservation District is asking well owners to cut usage back 20 percent this year. The city of Alamosa is asking residents to do the same.
Alamosa scored another convention, luring the Colorado Outfitters Association to town for a lucrative weekend.
Kay Wyley, administrative director of Creede Repertory Theatre, retired after 20 years with the company. Also retiring is Ruth Acheson, a 20-year veteran of the public defender’s office.