by Patty LaTaille
Update on the La Veta Pass Transmission Power Struggle
In the latest round of opposition to the utility companies promoting a new transmission line proposal, an employee of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Engineer and renewable energy expert Richard Mignogna recently testified regarding the Public Service Company’s application to amend its 2007 Colorado Resource Plan to modify/delay solar resource acquisition.
According to the Valley Courier, Mignogna recommended the PUC approve the request to defer acquisition of 250 megawatts concentrating solar power until the 2011 Electric Resource Plan process. He claimed “the San Luis Valley to Calumet to Comanche transmission line will affect solar resource development in the Valley, the solar market has changed, and it might be beneficial to a pursue smaller project, such as 50 megawatts.”
Justice is Served …
Carlos Dean Heredia, the former Center police officer, who had multiple charges pending from an incident where he allegedly tasered an Aguilar family member several times, entered a plea agreement to Judge Amanda Pearson recently.
Terms of the plea agreement included a guilty plea to an amended charge of second degree official misconduct, a class one petty offense. All other charges were dropped. Heredia was sentenced to pay a $400 fine and court costs.
Heredia’s arrest was related to when he responded to a non-violent domestic dispute at the home of Monserrate, Marival, Rogelio and Jaime Aguilar on September 29.
Saguache Elections Controversy Continues
Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler spoke recently to Saguache residents to answer questions about concerns stemming from races overturned in November after a voting machine allegedly malfunctioned. Saguache County Clerk Melinda Myers has refused to give ballots to Secretary of State and denied Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests to review the ballots, which were submitted by the Denver Post, the Center Post-Dispatch and others.
In her CORA denial, Myers wrote that “C.R.S. 24-72-204(6)(a): when an official custodian of a public record believes that the disclosure of such content would do substantial injury to the public interest, such official may withhold the records and apply for review by the District Court. In my opinion, the release of documents that are confidential would create distrust of the election process by the voters of Saguache County, whom I am obligated to protect, and cause injury to the overall public interest.”
At this point, Saguache appears to be setting a new precedent in dealing with election issues, with the hope that when all is said and done, this challenging process may lead to laws, rules and procedures that further define elections standards and practices in Colorado.
Chicks and Bunnies In! Roosters – Out!
The Alamosa City Council recently unanimously approved a modified ordinance regarding livestock in the city limits, now permitting the sale of adult poultry – excepting roosters – and bunny rabbits.
Such sales will be permitted for seven weeks consecutively or 26 weeks total. Councilor Marcia Tuggle promoted the modifications to the ordinance and added; “People look for ways to augment their income, and we are stepping on people that are just trying to do what people have been doing for generations. We are a farming community,” she said.
Councilman Leland Romero chimed in, saying that he has a neighbor who has chickens in the city limits, and it has not been a problem.
Resident Leon Moyer said the city should be upfront in claiming that it was passing this ordinance so sales tax from the Easter baby chick sales at Big R could be collected.
Alamosa business owner Ruthie Brown offered her garden store for chicken sales and presented gifts for the city councilors – a box of Peeps.
