Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – December 2003 – Colorado Central Magazine
Gateway to Open
Alamosa Voters approved a new lodging tax to fund the building of a Gateway Center, slated to house a cultural center, visitors center, and museum. The city also passed a sales tax to fund water treatment for arsenic. In Monte Vista, businessman Don Schall was elected to the city council. Schall, a member of the committee to resurrect the city’s finances, is seen as the town’s best hope to recover after years of money mishaps.
Blanton Better?
One of the most notorious murderers in the Valley, Carolyn Blanton, may be released from the state mental hospital. Blanton, now Jane Woodry, killed and dismembered Alamosa artist Peter Green 10 years ago. Her doctors say she’s OK now, as long as she takes her medication. District Judge Pattie Swift has ordered an independent psych evaluation before she makes a decision.
County Mines Money
Mineral County sold 10 acres on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass. The result is money for a new public health clinic, and property tax revenue from the new owner, David Brown.
Elbow Room
Municipal Judge John Wilder wants Monte Vista to re-open its jail. The city shut the doors as part of its necessary fiscal cutbacks this year. The city has been storing its baddies in Saguache County at a cost of $65 per day. Judge Wilder, known for sending people to the clink more often than any other municipal judge in the state, wants to maintain his record and continue to scare scofflaws. He also says that a local jail allows for work-release programs, helping offenders keep their jobs, thus keeping the crime rate down.
Subdistricts Sinking?
The Rio Grande Water Conservation District has received lukewarm response to its idea for sub-districts for managing water. Owners of only 10 percent of the land in question have agreed to the idea so far. A majority is needed to establish the sub-districts, which would set up an economic model to conserve water.
Brief Briefs
* Lucy Salazar, grande dame of Conejos County, retired after 20 years as correspondent for the Conejos County Citizen. A lifelong La Jara resident, she and her husband, Pat, have had a positive impact on almost every aspect of life in the county.
* The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad made a comeback, meeting its projections for the year. The little engine that could hauled over 18,000 people to generate $1.1 million on a limited schedule.
* Creede Repertory Theatre saw record attendance this year. Over 17,400 butts filled the seats at the historic theater. RV parks in South Fork saw record numbers, too, this summer. No forest fires and a better economy are getting the credit.
* Leach Field, Saguache County’s version of DIA, received $83,400 in grants for improvement. The money comes from the state Department of Transportation.
* Trinidad State Junior College Valley Campus received a gift of five acres west of Alamosa. The land will be home to more programs in mechanics, welding, and nursing.
* Scot Davisson is the new director of the SLV Red Cross.
* Creede dancers Hailey Waters and Chelsea Kephart will perform during halftime of the Hula Bowl in January.
* The National Alliance, a white supremacy group, distributed racist fliers in parts of Alamosa. Police are investigating.
* Cattle prices are soaring, after years of drought and herd reduction. Ironically, ranchers helped boost prices by selling part or all of their herds.
* John Salazar, the Valley’s first-term state representative, is considering running for U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis’s seat. Salazar is the brother of state Attorney General Ken Salazar.
* Conejos County Hospital laid off or cut the hours of about 30 employees. The La Jara facility has been struggling financially for years.
