Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – October 2005 – Colorado Central Magazine
The Game
It was an undercover (er, under sleeping bag) operation for two DOW officers posing as hunters. The sting involved cryptic radio messages, camping gear and video cameras. The prize: poachers. The bad guys, said to be from Kansas, had thought no game wardens would catch them in the high country. Their smugness earned them a $45,000 fine.
Jay Young wasn’t quite as successful on his quest. The head of Colorado Gators was summoned to try to capture an alligator living the good life in L.A. The 7- to 9-foot reptile was released in Machado Lake and has eluded capture since.
Politics Seasons
Monte Vista voters will elect a mayor for the first time. Until this year, the city head was appointed by the city council. Current Mayor Don Schall is running to keep his seat; three other positions are open on the city council.
Six open seats on the Alamosa Board of Education have attracted 15 candidates, but the Monte Vista Board of Education election was canceled due to a dearth of candidates.
The San Luis Valley Board of Cooperative Services, which coördinates public school services, hosted a forum on Referenda C and D. Speakers in favor of the measures included State Sen. Lewis Entz, State Rep. Rafael Gallegos, and delegates from Adams State College and The San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center.
Users Unite
Water users of the Conejos River and its tributaries are forming a coalition. The group hopes to address conservation and regulation of water use.
In other ag news, three Valley ranches were named Colorado Centennial Farms: the Hanna/Myers Ranch, Rio Grande County; the Selters Farm, Saguache County; and the Getz South Farm, Rio Grande County.
Brief Briefs
Valley spuds are goin’ global. Mexico is importing more potatoes from the SLV, and Japan sent a delegation to inspect the tubers for possible importation.
Enterprising Center residents are taking advantage of the rising cost of wooden palettes. Illegal home businesses are cranking out the products, according to Center police. The palettes sell for $3 to $5 each.
The Creede Repertory Theatre received a $500 award from the American Express Foundation, a matching gift award from one of AE’s employees.
KRZA, the Valley’s public radio station, celebrated its 20th anniversary with the opening of a new studio.
A branch of the Conejos County Library is now open in Antonito.
David Svaldi, provost, was named acting president of Adams State College. President Richard Wueste was placed on administrative leave pending a termination hearing.
The Ruth H. Brown Foundation was honored by the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust for its dedication to environmental preservation. William A. Porter, founder of E*Trade, was given the Billy Adams Award at ASC.
Alamosa County approved two new subdivisions. Combined, they’re 17 lots in east Alamosa.
Antonito has formally contracted with Conejos County for law enforcement patrols, and Rio Grande County will do building inspections for Monte Vista.
Alamosa’s Law enforcement Center held an open house, attracting 1,000 visitors.
Center Town Clerk Carol Brewer retired after 30 years of service. Saguache County Administrator Peggy McIntosh resigned.
Sierra Grande High School in Blanca received a $300,000 grant to take part in the High Schools That Work Initiative.
The U.S. Forest Service will harvest and sell over 25 million board feet of timber from Rio Grande National Forest. The beetle-infested trees will reap about $600,000 for the local economy.
A group of 20 musicians from Alamosa High School will tour Europe next summer as part of the Colorado Ambassadors of Music.
Alamosa gave historic designation to the Rialto Theater and Casa del Sol apartments.
ASC”s Athletics Hall of Fame now includes Pat Melgares, John Esquibel, Cindy Young, Dr. Doris Watson, and Rodger Jehlicka.
