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Monday April 6 2020
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Welcome To The 37th Issue of the Valley Beat!
Our Fifth Free Issue!
Message from the editor
Message from the editor:
We are living in very uncertain times. There is a lot of fear out there, both founded and
unfounded. I will do my absolute best to make sure that The Valley Beat (TVB) remains
unbiased, 100 percent factual, and dependable.
Over the previous 33 issues, we have tried to show how much you, our subscribers and
advertisers are valued and appreciated. 'My goal in creating TVB was never to become wealthy.
It was to do what I love, while bringing news to the people of my community, each week.
Because of this, after prayer, I have decided that during the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19,
I will be publishing the next month of issues online for everyone to view FREE-OF-CHARGE. 'I
will also not be asking for advertisers to make payments. 'Existing subscribers will receive an
extra month FREE. The same will be extended to my valued advertisers that have paid months in
advance.
I believe that this is a small way that I can give back to our community.
We are a strong, resilient people. We will make it through this crisis stronger, if we all work
together.
Please share far and wide, so that your family and friends have access to the local news. We
publish Monday mornings each week.
May God bless each and every one of you and your families, always!
With gratitude,
- by Tracy Ballard
We are living in very uncertain times. There is a lot of fear out there, both founded and
unfounded. I will do my absolute best to make sure that The Valley Beat (TVB) remains
unbiased, 100 percent factual, and dependable.
Over the previous 33 issues, we have tried to show how much you, our subscribers and
advertisers are valued and appreciated. 'My goal in creating TVB was never to become wealthy.
It was to do what I love, while bringing news to the people of my community, each week.
Because of this, after prayer, I have decided that during the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19,
I will be publishing the next month of issues online for everyone to view FREE-OF-CHARGE. 'I
will also not be asking for advertisers to make payments. 'Existing subscribers will receive an
extra month FREE. The same will be extended to my valued advertisers that have paid months in
advance.
I believe that this is a small way that I can give back to our community.
We are a strong, resilient people. We will make it through this crisis stronger, if we all work
together.
Please share far and wide, so that your family and friends have access to the local news. We
publish Monday mornings each week.
May God bless each and every one of you and your families, always!
With gratitude,
- by Tracy Ballard
Custer County
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
10 Hermit Lane #5
Silver Cliff, CO 81252
(719) 276-3369
April 2nd, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject: At 6:00 PM on April 2nd, 2020, Custer County Department of Public Health is implementing Custer County Public Health Agency Order 20-04. This Public Health Order (PHO) implements the Stay At Home Order and Essential Business Regulations. The PHO will be effective April 3, 2020 at 8:00am until Midnight April 30, 2020, and is subject to continuing review, amendment, and extension by the Public Health Director.
Custer County Public Health recognizes that based on scientific evidence it is critical to slow the transmission of COVID-19 as much as possible to protect the most vulnerable, and to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed. One proven way to slow the transmission of COVID-19 is to limit interactions among people to the greatest extent practicable, and to increase the distance between individuals in the work environment. This Public Health Order (PHO) helps to preserve the welfare of our residents by reducing the chance of spread in our community, our workplaces, while preserving critical emergency and healthcare capacity in Custer County.
Below are a few highlights of the Custer County Public Health Agency Oder 20-04:
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
10 Hermit Lane #5
Silver Cliff, CO 81252
(719) 276-3369
April 2nd, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject: At 6:00 PM on April 2nd, 2020, Custer County Department of Public Health is implementing Custer County Public Health Agency Order 20-04. This Public Health Order (PHO) implements the Stay At Home Order and Essential Business Regulations. The PHO will be effective April 3, 2020 at 8:00am until Midnight April 30, 2020, and is subject to continuing review, amendment, and extension by the Public Health Director.
Custer County Public Health recognizes that based on scientific evidence it is critical to slow the transmission of COVID-19 as much as possible to protect the most vulnerable, and to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed. One proven way to slow the transmission of COVID-19 is to limit interactions among people to the greatest extent practicable, and to increase the distance between individuals in the work environment. This Public Health Order (PHO) helps to preserve the welfare of our residents by reducing the chance of spread in our community, our workplaces, while preserving critical emergency and healthcare capacity in Custer County.
Below are a few highlights of the Custer County Public Health Agency Oder 20-04:
- All residents of Custer County are ordered to stay at home whenever possible.
- All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside of a residence are prohibited. Nothing in this PHO prohibits the gathering of members living in the same residence.
- Residents of Custer County that have traveled out of Colorado for more than 24 hours must be under a 14-day self-quarantine. This includes part time residents returning to Custer County.
- All people visiting Custer County are directed to return home. Custer County Public Health Agency strongly discourages all variations of vacationing in Custer County until April 30, 2020.
- Restaurants, liquor stores, coffee shops, etc. must establish curbside pickup only, no customers are to be allowed inside the establishment. This allows for proper compliance with Social Distancing Regulations.
- Custer County Public Health strongly recommends that retail establishments in Custer County (grocery stores, dollar stores, hardware stores, food pantries, etc.) limit the number of customers within the store in order to abide by Social Distancing Requirements.
- All short-term lodging must cease operations until April 30, 2020. This includes, but is not limited to, hotels, motels, short-term rentals (30-days or less), bed and breakfast establishments, Airbnb, and lodging.
Food Distribution this Wednesday
Due to the closure of the courthouse in March, we will be doing distribution of 'The
Emergency Food Assistance Program’ (TEFAP) Commodities on Wednesday April 8, at 9 a.m.
at the Custer County Courthouse.
The address is: 205 S. 6th St. Westcliffe, CO 81252. Clients should bring verification that
they live in Custer County. Types of valid verification would include ID, utility bills, or mail
received at your current address. Distribution will take place at the south end of the scale house
behind the court house. Commodities will be handed to the first 30 households.
- Press Release via FaceBook
Emergency Food Assistance Program’ (TEFAP) Commodities on Wednesday April 8, at 9 a.m.
at the Custer County Courthouse.
The address is: 205 S. 6th St. Westcliffe, CO 81252. Clients should bring verification that
they live in Custer County. Types of valid verification would include ID, utility bills, or mail
received at your current address. Distribution will take place at the south end of the scale house
behind the court house. Commodities will be handed to the first 30 households.
- Press Release via FaceBook
Citizens of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe to vote on proposed sales tax increase, trustees, and Silver Cliff, a new Mayo
This Tuesday, April 7, residents in the two towns will vote for town trustees, whether to approve a request made by each municipality, to institute a one percent sales tax increase, and in the town of Silver Cliff, a vote of confidence in H.A. “Buck” Wenzel as the new Mayor.
Mayor Pro-Tem Wenzel has called Silver Cliff home, since 2009. He, his wife Terri, and their daughter, Ashley (Wenzel) Franklin, would come up to Custer County from Pueblo, and enjoy all the area has to offer.
Wenzel is getting ready to retire from the Custer County Sheriff’s Office on May 1, just days before the new mayor recites his oath of office. He served in the United States Air Force, and then in Law Enforcement, honorably for over 42 years. Even though Wenzel is running unopposed, he has approached this campaign as if he was opposed. “I'm running unopposed, but I opted to pass out bumper stickers and buttons, to let people know the Mayor position isn't a given and I really care. I've worked hard throughout my life for everything I have. I paid for my campaign myself. I was honored that my supporters wanted to host fundraisers for me, but instead, I'm asking for donations to our park or museum instead of for myself or my campaign.”
When asked why he decided to run for Mayor this year, Wenzel replied, “For the past two years, I've had a lot of support and encouragement from the community, asking that I run for this position,” he continued, “not only from residents of Silver Cliff, but Westcliffe, and the county. I chose to run in hopes that we can move forward with economic development, attainable AFFORDABLE housing, amenities, (park and museum) and improving our roadways, while keeping the historic values of our Town.”
Wenzel sees a bright future ahead for Silver Cliff. “As always, the biggest challenge for our Town is the consistent lack of funding to properly operate and maintain our infrastructures, and provide a safe environment and amenities for our residents and guests.” If the sales tax request does not pass, it could make the crumbling infrastructure more difficult to fix. “Of course, not relying totally on any revenue from an increase in the sales tax, we'll be working on grants, loans, and fundraisers to supplement our budget to accomplish our goals.” And, on the topic of the proposed sales tax increase, Wenzel strongly feels that it is needed. “Our current budget and revenues aren't sufficient to properly maintain our roadways. We've got the best Public Works Superintendent, (Roger Squire) this side of the Mississippi and then some. The revenue generated from the sales tax will be applied for materials and equipment to upgrade our roads to a safe standard. We have a plan in place. Without the materials, we will be in a constant fight to try and keep up with the way things are right now. The water, scrape gravel, and eat dust solution doesn’t work.”
Speaking further on goals, Wenzel expressed what he would like to accomplish during his upcoming term. “Stability and consistency. Roadway upgrades, rebuilding our park, updating the museum, all while exploring the feasibility of a new Town Hall and Town square. Always doing the best I can to ensure the safety and security of our residents and guests.”
Wenzel is known for his friendly demeanor and fairness. So, what can citizens, visitors, and staff members in Silver Cliff expect from him? “Honesty, integrity, accessibility, dedication, team- building, and partnering.” He expressed that he will always fight for the needs of the staff, Town, and residents. “Problem solving within, means always doing the right thing - even if the right thing isn't popular. Most importantly, no double- speak as many people appreciate that I'm not a politician.” After he is sworn in as the new Mayor, Wenzel will “be a regular figure at Town Hall, on the roads, or at the park or museum. A quick telephone call to Town Hall, my cell phone, or an e-mail should get a rapid response.”
The Silver Cliff Board of Trustees voted to declare a State of Emergency for the Town, last Monday, March 30. This declaration will allow them to get assistance from the state and federal governments, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What message does Wenzel have for the citizens of his Town? “Honestly, the panic and hoarding is of more concern to me than the virus itself. Please DON'T PANIC, and don't play into the panic, whether perceived or real. It's good to take precautions - wash your hands, limit your excursions, practice the social distancing six-foot rule, and by all means, wash your hands. We've lived through all different types of flu and viruses in the past, and have survived. We will also survive this one.”
Make sure to return your ballots to the Silver Cliff Town Hall before 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, April 7. “I’m excited and ready to go!” exclaimed Wenzel.
(Next week, The Valley Beat will run features on the new trustees in both the Town of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe.)
- by Tracy Ballard
Mayor Pro-Tem Wenzel has called Silver Cliff home, since 2009. He, his wife Terri, and their daughter, Ashley (Wenzel) Franklin, would come up to Custer County from Pueblo, and enjoy all the area has to offer.
Wenzel is getting ready to retire from the Custer County Sheriff’s Office on May 1, just days before the new mayor recites his oath of office. He served in the United States Air Force, and then in Law Enforcement, honorably for over 42 years. Even though Wenzel is running unopposed, he has approached this campaign as if he was opposed. “I'm running unopposed, but I opted to pass out bumper stickers and buttons, to let people know the Mayor position isn't a given and I really care. I've worked hard throughout my life for everything I have. I paid for my campaign myself. I was honored that my supporters wanted to host fundraisers for me, but instead, I'm asking for donations to our park or museum instead of for myself or my campaign.”
When asked why he decided to run for Mayor this year, Wenzel replied, “For the past two years, I've had a lot of support and encouragement from the community, asking that I run for this position,” he continued, “not only from residents of Silver Cliff, but Westcliffe, and the county. I chose to run in hopes that we can move forward with economic development, attainable AFFORDABLE housing, amenities, (park and museum) and improving our roadways, while keeping the historic values of our Town.”
Wenzel sees a bright future ahead for Silver Cliff. “As always, the biggest challenge for our Town is the consistent lack of funding to properly operate and maintain our infrastructures, and provide a safe environment and amenities for our residents and guests.” If the sales tax request does not pass, it could make the crumbling infrastructure more difficult to fix. “Of course, not relying totally on any revenue from an increase in the sales tax, we'll be working on grants, loans, and fundraisers to supplement our budget to accomplish our goals.” And, on the topic of the proposed sales tax increase, Wenzel strongly feels that it is needed. “Our current budget and revenues aren't sufficient to properly maintain our roadways. We've got the best Public Works Superintendent, (Roger Squire) this side of the Mississippi and then some. The revenue generated from the sales tax will be applied for materials and equipment to upgrade our roads to a safe standard. We have a plan in place. Without the materials, we will be in a constant fight to try and keep up with the way things are right now. The water, scrape gravel, and eat dust solution doesn’t work.”
Speaking further on goals, Wenzel expressed what he would like to accomplish during his upcoming term. “Stability and consistency. Roadway upgrades, rebuilding our park, updating the museum, all while exploring the feasibility of a new Town Hall and Town square. Always doing the best I can to ensure the safety and security of our residents and guests.”
Wenzel is known for his friendly demeanor and fairness. So, what can citizens, visitors, and staff members in Silver Cliff expect from him? “Honesty, integrity, accessibility, dedication, team- building, and partnering.” He expressed that he will always fight for the needs of the staff, Town, and residents. “Problem solving within, means always doing the right thing - even if the right thing isn't popular. Most importantly, no double- speak as many people appreciate that I'm not a politician.” After he is sworn in as the new Mayor, Wenzel will “be a regular figure at Town Hall, on the roads, or at the park or museum. A quick telephone call to Town Hall, my cell phone, or an e-mail should get a rapid response.”
The Silver Cliff Board of Trustees voted to declare a State of Emergency for the Town, last Monday, March 30. This declaration will allow them to get assistance from the state and federal governments, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What message does Wenzel have for the citizens of his Town? “Honestly, the panic and hoarding is of more concern to me than the virus itself. Please DON'T PANIC, and don't play into the panic, whether perceived or real. It's good to take precautions - wash your hands, limit your excursions, practice the social distancing six-foot rule, and by all means, wash your hands. We've lived through all different types of flu and viruses in the past, and have survived. We will also survive this one.”
Make sure to return your ballots to the Silver Cliff Town Hall before 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, April 7. “I’m excited and ready to go!” exclaimed Wenzel.
(Next week, The Valley Beat will run features on the new trustees in both the Town of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe.)
- by Tracy Ballard
The Slow-Moving Musical Morale Machine brings cheer to the community stuck at home during the pandemic
If you were out and about running errands, or reside in one of the two towns last Wednesday
afternoon, April 1, chances are you were treated to an impromptu concert organized by TC
Smythe of Smythe and Taylor, and sponsored by the Custer County Chamber of Commerce.
Smythe reached out to Chamber of Commerce President, Candace McDaniel, and she was
excited to help bring joy to local residents stuck at home during this pandemic. McDaniel drove
her flatbed and the band members observed safe social distancing guidelines while performing
many of their hit songs while making the rounds.
They were met with clapping, smiles, and cheers from people of all ages and backgrounds.
Many communities around the country are doing what they can to make the best of these
“difficult times.” Custer County is not any different. Smythe commented that she hopes she can
do this again and bring the gift of live music to the community she loves.
- by Tracy Ballard
afternoon, April 1, chances are you were treated to an impromptu concert organized by TC
Smythe of Smythe and Taylor, and sponsored by the Custer County Chamber of Commerce.
Smythe reached out to Chamber of Commerce President, Candace McDaniel, and she was
excited to help bring joy to local residents stuck at home during this pandemic. McDaniel drove
her flatbed and the band members observed safe social distancing guidelines while performing
many of their hit songs while making the rounds.
They were met with clapping, smiles, and cheers from people of all ages and backgrounds.
Many communities around the country are doing what they can to make the best of these
“difficult times.” Custer County is not any different. Smythe commented that she hopes she can
do this again and bring the gift of live music to the community she loves.
- by Tracy Ballard