Library closes for installation
The Penrose Community Library will be closed August 23 through 26 for the installation of new shelving,
a display system for artwork and local history items and a kiosk for book display.
Although the construction of the new library was
completed in the spring of 2009, the amount of shelving was the same as in the old library.
With money raised through the Denim and
Diamonds fundraiser and individual donations, the library was able to purchase 340 linear feet of shelving. Southwestern style end
caps for the shelves were made and donated by John Archuletta.
Authors featured in book talk
Two Colorado authors of unusual books
will be featured at a book talk at the John C. Fremont Library, Aug. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
Charmaine Ortega Getz will discuss her recently
published book, “Weird Colorado: Your Travel Guide to Colorado’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets.”
"Weird Colorado,” the latest
in the "Weird U.S." series, gives the scoop about where to find the pleasurably odd attractions that the tourism bureau does not know
about and wild Colorado history that was not included in history books.
Carol Ann Wilson will discuss her novel, “Stillpoint of the
Turning World: The Life of Gia-fu Feng.” Feng was the author of the best-selling translation of the Tao Te Ching.
Wilson tells the
story of the rogue Taoist scholar who taught alongside some of the most prominent members of the Beats, such as Jack Kerouac and Alan
Watts. Gia-fu Feng went on to found Stillpoint, a Taoist commune in Wetmore. Stillpoint exists today as a non-profit organization
promoting community through the humanities.
Wilson is ForeWord Reviews' 2009 Gold Award winner.
City seeks grant to improve park
By
Diana Armstrong
Citizen staff writer
The City of Florence is applying for a $45,000 mini-grant from the state board of Great Outdoors
Colorado Trust Fund for phase one of Florence River Park improvements.
Resolution 10-2010 approving the grant application was passed
at the city council’s regular meeting on Monday, and it allows the city to seek assistance in paying for the $60,000 total cost for
phase one of the plan.
The resolution also notes that the city will be responsible for the remaining $15,000, which Florence Finance
Officer Sunny Warzecha said already is available in the city’s conservation trust account.
Phase one will improve the entrance driveway
and parking lots and will grade and surface pedestrian and bike trails within the park.
Previously, the city hired the Colorado State
University Extension to draw up a plan to improve the park.
The overall scope of work includes adding a river rafting boat launching
area, road improvements, culverts, walking trails, a footbridge to walking trails, new picnic tables and new benches.
Also included
in the plan is the construction of a fish cleaning station, new restrooms, a gate and new signs.
Only one visitor, Yvonne Smith of
Self Made Community Outreach in Canon City approached council, offering to help the city with community service projects. Mayor Paul
Villagrana told her about The Grassroots Project, Florence’s similar community service organization, and recommended that she get
in contact with the group’s leader.
In old business, Pioneer Day Board President Virginia Rankin requested that the city once again
pay for the liability insurance premium for Pioneer Day festivities, which totals $520.28
She briefly went over the history of Pioneer
Day and reminded council members that the organization is a non-profit organization.
She further explained that even though the board
charges money for approximately 30 booths, the rental fees are only $10 because the booths are rented by non-profit organizations.
Most Pioneer Day activities are paid for with donations.
Rankin listed nearly $3,000 worth of items that are purchased for the annual
event including rentals of chairs, tables and portable restrooms, food, entertainment, postage for donation request letters, awards,
and parade entry fees for the king and queen to attend out-of-town parades.
“The only money we have is from the non-profit booths that
are $10,” she said. “Everything else is volunteered.”
Councilman Ron Hinkle expressed his concern that if the council approves paying
the insurance, then it will be paying for some events and not others.
Councilwoman Nichole Prickett moved that the council approve
providing insurance coverage for the Pioneer Day festivities because it is a non-profit organization, and it has always been covered
by the city. The council members approved the motion unanimously.
Mayor Paul Villagrana said that five class reunions are scheduled
for Pioneer Day totaling approximately 420 people so far.
In new business, council members approved Louie’s Place’s request for modification
of premises and street closure for its annual street dance on Pioneer Day, with the stipulation that the alley behind the bandstand
be kept clear to allow for emergency vehicle access.
The council also approved a contract for the demolition, removal and site clean-up
of the 250,000 water storage tank located on Mica Avenue. According to City Planner Don Moore, the job will cost no more than $8,000,
and money generated from the steel that will be recycled from the tank will go back to the city. The recycling is expected to generate
approximately $6,000.
In Finance Officer Sunny Warzecha’s report to council, she said that sales tax revenues from June are in, and
for the first month this year, the city is above where is was last year.
In comparison to last year, tax revenue is down 3.3 percent,
and in comparison to budget, it is down 1.6 percent.
She also gave the council attendance totals from the Florence Municipal Pool,
which will close for the season after the upcoming weekend. The pool had 4,823 swimmers from May 29 through July 31.
In City Manager
Lew Quigley’s report, he pointed out that the street signs downtown have been replaced with a new style with large, six-inch lettering.
According
to Quigley, all city signs will have to be changed to the new style by 2012 in order to be eligible to receive any federal funding.
The cost of each new sign with a post is roughly $100.
In other business:
OTR comment period
extended
The 45-day public review and comment period for the Over The River™ Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been extended
for an additional 15 days, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced. All written comments are now due on or before Sept.
14.
“The BLM has received a number of requests to extend the 45-day comment period; citing 45-days is not enough time to review and
submit comments on the Draft EIS. We realize that there is a lot of information in the 1400-page document. We have received a number
of substantive comments and extending the public review and comment period will provide the opportunity for even more, which will
further improve the analysis and the Final EIS,” said Keith Berger, the deciding official for the EIS.
A copy of the OTR Draft EIS
is available on the Web to view or download at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/planning/otr.html then click on the OTR Draft EIS Documents
link in the gold box on the right. The Draft EIS is also available on a compact disc upon request by calling 719-269-8500. Review
copies are available at the RGFO, 3028 E. Main Street, Cañon City; Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Office, 307 West Sackett Ave.,
Salida; Cañon City Public Library, 516 Macon Ave., Cañon City; the Salida Regional Library, 405 “E” Street, Salida, and the Denver
Public Library, 10 W. Fourteenth Ave. Parkway, Denver.
Written comments may be submitted by the following methods: using the
online comment form at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/planning/otr.html, email to co_otr_comments@blm.gov, fax at 719-269-8599, or mailed
to BLM RGFO, OTR Comments, 3028 E. Main Street, Cañon City, CO 81212. Be sure to write “OTR Comments” on the subject line if sent
by fax or email.
