By Patty LaTaille
Political Upset in Center
The voters of Center recalled the mayor and two town trustees in a special election on March 19, while one trustee retains his position after the recall election over efforts to improve the town water system.
Mayor Susan Banning was recalled by a 253-218 vote, and trustees John Faron and Maurice “Mo” Jones were recalled by 252-206 and 243-209 votes, respectively, as noted by Center Town Clerk and Treasurer Christian R. Samora on Wednesday. Trustee Julio Paez, was retained by 10 votes, 235-225.
Residents also voted on those who will replace the mayor and trustees. Herman Dickey Sisneros will succeed Mayor Banning, with no opposition in his bid for mayor. Edward W. Garcia will be succeeding Trustee Faron. Trustee Jones will be replaced by Geraldine Martinez.
Why Not Tell the Obvious Truth?
A Colorado state patrol trooper pulled over a woman driving erratically near Ft. Garland in October 2012 and saw a number of clear plastic baggies in plain sight. When he asked the presumably impaired woman what was inside her rental car, she answered, “Everything.”
The trooper had a reasonable understanding of what the woman was saying, but just to confirm his suspicions, he asked again.
“Crack … meth,” the woman allegedly said on Oct. 29. “All over the car.”
Suspect Karen Anne Hubble then failed a sobriety test and was booked into the Costilla County Jail for driving under the influence of drugs.
The trooper allegedly found numerous baggies full of crack cocaine and methamphetamine, along with two baggies full of heroin. The search also revealed hypodermic syringes, drug paraphernalia, butane torches, acetone, measuring equipment and a handwritten letter that detailed its author’s prior interactions with law enforcement agents. Indeed – everything.
Organically Yours in the SLV
David and Candace Toews and Royce and Tamara Nickel, Saguache County, and Merlin and Rachelle Yost, Rio Grande County, have submitted conditional use permits to produce eggs for the Wisconsin-based Organic Valley Co-op.
The hen housing and pasture would be certified by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the home for 10,000 Bovans Brown hens will also meet Organic Valley Co-op specifications, according to the Saguache County permit application. The hens will be cage-free and allowed to roam freely inside the barn and out in the pasture, comprised of native grasses and alfalfa. During the winter, the hens will have access to the pasture if the weather is good but will always have access to natural light with the required barn windows.
According to the Valley Courier, the Toews and the Nickels wrote in their application, “We, together our families, are enthused about this opportunity and we see it as a long-term and sustainable method to provide income here in Saguache County, as well as the rest of the San Luis Valley, through the agricultural way of life that we all so much appreciate. We invite you to share in the enthusiasm needed to provide new ideas and energy to implement them for the enjoyment of us all.”
Cheating on School Tests?
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) supported an internal investigation of La Jara Elementary School regarding alleged cheating on Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) tests. The investigation was not about testing security procedure violations during the 2013 testing window, but rather was focused on inconsistencies discovered during previous testing windows.
TCAP scores are becoming more important, as the Colorado legislature passed and Gov. Bill Ritter signed Senate Bill 191 in May 2010, which changes the way both principals and teachers are supported and evaluated in Colorado, according to the CDE. At least 50 percent of a teacher’s evaluation will now be based on the academic growth of their students.
