2013 year in Review for Prowers County: July & August
Russ Baldwin | Dec 30, 2013 | Comments 0
The Prowers Journal is Providing News Highlights from 2013
July 2013 Year in Review
RN Tammi Clark was hired as Deputy Director for the Prowers County Health and Environment Department. Clark had resided in the county for almost 30 years and had served as a RN in a number of capacities over the years. The search continued for an Executive Director for the Department, while another search was being conducted, for a replacement for Linda Fairbairn who was resigning has head of the county’s Department of Social Services. Fairbairn tended her resignation earlier in the year, effective on December 31, 2013.
Election ballots became mail-in ballots for Prowers County and all others in the state with the introduction of HB 1303 which covered general, primary, municipal and old-year elections. The usual polling places in the county would no longer be necessary according to Jana Coen, County Clerk & Recorder. The Prowers County Courthouse was selected as the voting center, which moved the County Commissioners to conduct operations at the Lamar Senior Center on East Olive Street until after the November elections and all votes had been certified.
Troop 2C of the Colorado State Patrol moved from their location behind Colorado East Bank & Trust to the former Big R Warehouse on East Washington Street. On open house was held on July 17 to showcase the enlarged facilities. Some warehouse space to house the patrol cars was included in the new rental agreement with PCDI which owns the Big R Warehouse and offices spaces.
Sparks from a cutting torch ignited construction debris at the Old Gym at the former Holly School on July 10. The wood was old and dry according to Holly Fire Chief Kyle Neal. He said it took only about 90 seconds before the debris became fully engaged. Metal beams were being cut for salvage. There were no injuries, but strong winds through the afternoon and evening kept the fire department on alert status. A decision was made to allow the fire to burn safely.
Working from $1,000 seed money from the Colorado Creative Industries, Eads, La Junta and Lamar each was funded to create an art project to reflect the personality of the community which would be displayed during the September Pedal the Plains event which would bring about 800 bicyclists to each of the towns. The Southeast Colorado Arts Council matched the initial funds and began work to secure additional donations to create a mural which would be displayed on the front lawn on Bicentennial Park. The project was open to all residents, young or old, who wished to help create the 10 by 36 foot mural. Most of the initial work was done in a vacant store on West Elm Street under the direction of local artist Jeremy Cooper.
August 2103 Year in Review
Area Veterans had only a day to wait before they could receive medical visits at a new location in the community. The VA Clinic at Prowers Medical Group ended their lease on August 31 and the following day, a mobile clinic was in operation at the former KOA campsite west of Lamar on Highway 50. That facility was in use through the rest of the year as the VA searched area locations for a permanent site for a clinic in Lamar.
McClave residents came out August 22 to enjoy the new pavilion and playground equipment erected in the middle of town. Work, partially funded by a GoCo grant, was done mainly by local contractors. While residents enjoyed a BBQ and ice cream social under the new pavilion, youngsters played on the equipment and set up a few basketball games on the newly equipped court. Several new teachers for the 2013-2014 year were introduced and former teacher, Jill Smith was recognized for her years of service to the student body.
Holly students have been enjoying their brand new facility since the start of school in August. The year long project had a few finishing touches, mostly on the street and curb that needed finalizing, but students were in their new classrooms. The 109,000 square foot building was funded by a voter approved, $3.4 million bond which generated BEST matching funds of $25 million for the project. The school features state-of-the-art equipped classrooms, a new baseball diamond and football and track and field stadium.
Toward the end of the month, PCDI officially introduced Lance Benninghoff as the new executive director of Prowers County Development Incorporated. Benninghoff, who had worked for Mayor Hancock in Denver, also had experience in the Arkansas Valley when he interned at the Otero County Commissioner’s Office.
He has been working towards a master degree and has been involved in various state level economic committees. Benninghoff said he will help educate the Front Range about the economic benefits that can be provided from southeast Colorado and Prowers County.
(Editor’s Note: September & October will be Highlighted on December 31)
Filed Under: Featured • Prowers County
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