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Schoch and Cole are re-elected to their town boards for second terms; lets meet the
- Courtesy Photo by Bess Cole
Over the next few issues, The Valley Beat will be featuring the newly and re-elected trustees
in the towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe, so residents will have an opportunity to “meet” those
individuals that govern.
In the town of Silver Cliff, Stacey Schoch was re-elected to another term on the board. When
asked why she decided to run for re-election, Schoch stated, “I really enjoy serving the
community that I live in. Being a trustee is a way for me to do that.” She continued, “I have
already served one term as a trustee and wanted to continue to serve in any way I can.”
Schoch expressed that biggest obstacle facing the town at this time is “everything that is
happening with COVID-19. All of our restaurants have closed for right now and our citizens are
being impacted. I believe we need to work with the public health department to come up with a
plan for reopening our community in a manner that will keep everyone as safe as possible, while
still allowing our businesses to operate.”
Having a big heart for her community, she would like the citizens to know that she is here to
represent everyone. “If they have concerns or questions, I want them to feel free to contact me,
and I will do what I can to help. I am here to serve them and our town.” What is the best way to
reach Schoch? “Email is the best way to reach me at trustee4@silvercliffco.com. I am always
available to hear any concerns from our citizens and promise to address them in a timely
fashion.”
When asked what goals she has for the town of Silver Cliff, Schoch said, “I actually have
quite a few goals! I would like to see our town revenues increase, begin the road improvement
project, attract more diverse businesses to our community, make the park a gathering place with
a variety of activities, and create a “town square” where our community can gather for special
events and celebrations. Schoch continued, “I have a lot of ideas and hope to implement them
soon!”
Schoch and her family moved back to Custer County during the summer of 2014 and have
lived here for over five years, although her family has been residents of the county since the
1990’s. “My husband Brandon Schoch, is a Sergeant for the Custer County Sheriff’s Office.
Together we have three children. Our oldest child is in the United States National Guard. Our
middle child is working full-time at a business here in town, and our youngest is a senior in high
school.” In her spare time, she enjoys staying busy and staying involved in the community. “I
was the cheer coach, secretary of the Booster Club, a member of the American Legion, and a
member of Sustainable ways. I also love to sing, read, and make crafts. Staying busy and
involved is another way that I feel I can serve my community.”
During the Town of Westcliffe’s meeting on April 8, Bess Cole, returning board trustee, was
nominated by Mayor Paul Wenke, to be the new Mayor Pro-Tem for the town. The previous
Mayor Pro-Tem, Jim Bistodeau, moved to Florence to enjoy family and a well-deserved
retirement. The trustees voted to confirm Cole as the new Mayor Pro-Tem. The following is the
bio submitted and written by Cole, to be included in this week’s issue.
Bess decided to run for trustee because she wanted to give something back to the community
and learn more about issues facing the town. In the first two years of her tenure before running
for her second term, she volunteered to be a Westcliffe representative on the inter-governmental
broadband initiative made up of Custer County, Silver Cliff, and Westcliffe. She considers
bringing broadband to Westcliffe (and Custer County) to be one of the top challenges the town
will face in the next four years. That and balancing economic development with preserving the
beauty and atmosphere of our ranching community. One of the many things that attracted Bess
to Westcliffe when she first visited her brother here over 30 years ago, was the similarity to the
small, farming community where they both grew up in the rolling hills of Bucks County, along
the Delaware river in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Bess holds a B.A. in Psychology combined with post- graduate work in Business
Administration and Computer Science. She has lived in the town of Westcliffe for four and a
half years, and has served as a trustee for two of them. In the first 20 years of her working
career, Bess held management positions in technical sales, marketing, and product management
for three different companies. Sixteen of those years were spent in the telecommunications
industry selling and supporting the sale of heat shrinkable products to major telephone
companies in the U.S. and around the world, for construction and maintenance of copper and
fiber telephone infrastructure. In the latter part of her working life, she worked in the banking
industry and did financial management for a personal care home.
In addition to being a trustee, Bess volunteers as the treasurer of KLZR, as a tax aide doing
returns for local residents as part of a free service AARP provides February through April, and
does volunteer work as a financial consultant to the board of the historic Beckwith Ranch.
When not volunteering, Bess enjoys playing and teaching bridge, playing Scrabble, going for
walks, and socializing with friends.
Bess has two brothers and a sister. Jim is retired and lives nearby in Hillside, CO with wife
Claudia. Susan works for a biotech company in southern California doing business development
and licensing for instruments used in DNA discovery. Younger brother, Peter, lives in
Guatemala with his wife, Berenice, doing residential and commercial business development.
When asked what Cole sees as the biggest challenges facing the town, she replied, “lack of
broadband internet, and the push - pull of economic development versus keeping Westcliffe a
quiet, ranching community.”
Her goals for her next term are to “listen to and serve the best interests of all the residents of
Westcliffe and to assist in bringing broadband internet to Westcliffe.” The best way to reach
Cole is by phone at 719-735-0155.
in the towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe, so residents will have an opportunity to “meet” those
individuals that govern.
In the town of Silver Cliff, Stacey Schoch was re-elected to another term on the board. When
asked why she decided to run for re-election, Schoch stated, “I really enjoy serving the
community that I live in. Being a trustee is a way for me to do that.” She continued, “I have
already served one term as a trustee and wanted to continue to serve in any way I can.”
Schoch expressed that biggest obstacle facing the town at this time is “everything that is
happening with COVID-19. All of our restaurants have closed for right now and our citizens are
being impacted. I believe we need to work with the public health department to come up with a
plan for reopening our community in a manner that will keep everyone as safe as possible, while
still allowing our businesses to operate.”
Having a big heart for her community, she would like the citizens to know that she is here to
represent everyone. “If they have concerns or questions, I want them to feel free to contact me,
and I will do what I can to help. I am here to serve them and our town.” What is the best way to
reach Schoch? “Email is the best way to reach me at trustee4@silvercliffco.com. I am always
available to hear any concerns from our citizens and promise to address them in a timely
fashion.”
When asked what goals she has for the town of Silver Cliff, Schoch said, “I actually have
quite a few goals! I would like to see our town revenues increase, begin the road improvement
project, attract more diverse businesses to our community, make the park a gathering place with
a variety of activities, and create a “town square” where our community can gather for special
events and celebrations. Schoch continued, “I have a lot of ideas and hope to implement them
soon!”
Schoch and her family moved back to Custer County during the summer of 2014 and have
lived here for over five years, although her family has been residents of the county since the
1990’s. “My husband Brandon Schoch, is a Sergeant for the Custer County Sheriff’s Office.
Together we have three children. Our oldest child is in the United States National Guard. Our
middle child is working full-time at a business here in town, and our youngest is a senior in high
school.” In her spare time, she enjoys staying busy and staying involved in the community. “I
was the cheer coach, secretary of the Booster Club, a member of the American Legion, and a
member of Sustainable ways. I also love to sing, read, and make crafts. Staying busy and
involved is another way that I feel I can serve my community.”
During the Town of Westcliffe’s meeting on April 8, Bess Cole, returning board trustee, was
nominated by Mayor Paul Wenke, to be the new Mayor Pro-Tem for the town. The previous
Mayor Pro-Tem, Jim Bistodeau, moved to Florence to enjoy family and a well-deserved
retirement. The trustees voted to confirm Cole as the new Mayor Pro-Tem. The following is the
bio submitted and written by Cole, to be included in this week’s issue.
Bess decided to run for trustee because she wanted to give something back to the community
and learn more about issues facing the town. In the first two years of her tenure before running
for her second term, she volunteered to be a Westcliffe representative on the inter-governmental
broadband initiative made up of Custer County, Silver Cliff, and Westcliffe. She considers
bringing broadband to Westcliffe (and Custer County) to be one of the top challenges the town
will face in the next four years. That and balancing economic development with preserving the
beauty and atmosphere of our ranching community. One of the many things that attracted Bess
to Westcliffe when she first visited her brother here over 30 years ago, was the similarity to the
small, farming community where they both grew up in the rolling hills of Bucks County, along
the Delaware river in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Bess holds a B.A. in Psychology combined with post- graduate work in Business
Administration and Computer Science. She has lived in the town of Westcliffe for four and a
half years, and has served as a trustee for two of them. In the first 20 years of her working
career, Bess held management positions in technical sales, marketing, and product management
for three different companies. Sixteen of those years were spent in the telecommunications
industry selling and supporting the sale of heat shrinkable products to major telephone
companies in the U.S. and around the world, for construction and maintenance of copper and
fiber telephone infrastructure. In the latter part of her working life, she worked in the banking
industry and did financial management for a personal care home.
In addition to being a trustee, Bess volunteers as the treasurer of KLZR, as a tax aide doing
returns for local residents as part of a free service AARP provides February through April, and
does volunteer work as a financial consultant to the board of the historic Beckwith Ranch.
When not volunteering, Bess enjoys playing and teaching bridge, playing Scrabble, going for
walks, and socializing with friends.
Bess has two brothers and a sister. Jim is retired and lives nearby in Hillside, CO with wife
Claudia. Susan works for a biotech company in southern California doing business development
and licensing for instruments used in DNA discovery. Younger brother, Peter, lives in
Guatemala with his wife, Berenice, doing residential and commercial business development.
When asked what Cole sees as the biggest challenges facing the town, she replied, “lack of
broadband internet, and the push - pull of economic development versus keeping Westcliffe a
quiet, ranching community.”
Her goals for her next term are to “listen to and serve the best interests of all the residents of
Westcliffe and to assist in bringing broadband internet to Westcliffe.” The best way to reach
Cole is by phone at 719-735-0155.
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Thursday, April 9, 2020
1504 Hours: A deputy conducted a traffic stop for speeding on Hwy. 69 at MM 57. Theresa Jackson (57) of Westcliffe, was issued a ticket for speeding 77 mph in a 55 mph posted zone. 1317 Hours: A deputy investigated a possible restraining order in Wetmore. The deputy determined there was no criminal intent. Friday, April 10, 2020 1130 Hours: Deputies and WMFPD responded to the 3000 blk. of CR 140 for a grass/grass fire. The fire was quickly contained to approximately 50 acres and extinguished. No criminal charges. Saturday, April 11, 2020 No incidents to report. Sunday, April 12, 2020 No incidents to report. |
Monday, April 13, 2020
No new incidents to report. Tuesday, April 14, 2020 No incidents to report. Wednesday, April 15, 2020: 0900 Hours: A deputy received a report of a stolen license plate on Beneaton Lane. No suspects. 0256 Hours: A deputy investigated a traffic accident involving bighorn sheep on Hwy. 96 near MM 15.6. No citations issued. Thursday, April 16, 2020 0424 Hours: A deputy responded to CR 198 MM 2.5, to investigate a hit- and -run accident. An unidentified vehicle struck a cattle guard belonging to the County of Custer. Carlos Rivera (24) of Colorado Springs was issued a summons for Hit- and -Run, Careless Driving, and Driving While Driver's License Under Restriction. |
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