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Susan Miner book signing Jan. 21
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Monument Town Council, Jan. 3 and 17 – New Monument board sets aside investigation until new law firm hired
By Chris Jeub Correction The Jan. 7 article in OCN (“Special investigator claims Home Rule Charter void in report alleging illegal electioneering by Monument staff”) misstated Laura Kronick as the person who wrote the check curing the misappropriation of funds stated in the investigator’s report. The writer of the check was Brandy Turner. OCN regrets…
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Jan. 12 and 26 – Board awards adult-use cannabis licenses, discusses stalled Elephant Rock project
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans The Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) met twice in January; the first meeting was preceded by the board meeting in its role of Local Licensing Authority to consider two requests to operate adult-use cannabis retail stores. Resident Gary Atkins was honored by the board, and Mayor Glant Havenar…
Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Jan. 10 – Committee restructure, Kilmer presentation, strategic plan update
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) discussed a restructure of the district’s committees, an update to the strategic plan, and initiatives related to financial transparency. Committee restructure Board of Education liaison Tiffiney Upchurch and Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine reported on the board’s discussions regarding the hierarchical structure…
Monument Academy School Board, Jan. 3, 12, and 27 – Board hires financial consultant
By Jackie Burhans At a Jan. 3 special meeting, the Monument Academy (MA) board hired a financial consultant. At its regular meeting on Jan. 12, the board heard from its interim chief operating officer (COO) on its strategic plan and announced the process for upcoming board elections. Finally, at a special meeting on Jan. 27,…
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Jan. 23 – Board discusses budgeting strategy for facilities, passes amended budget
By Harriet Halbig In response to conversations at the December board meeting and Jan. 10 work session, the board was presented with detailed information on the condition of facilities, a strategy for funding improvements, a letter to stakeholders, and an amended budget for the 2022-23 school year. Above: At the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board meeting, students…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 9 – Board sets rules for new year
By James Howald The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board voted on two resolutions in its first meeting of 2023 that define the rules and procedures for the rest of the year. During public comments, the board heard from a resident interested in running for a seat on the board. In his Manager’s Report,…
Continue Reading Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 9 – Board sets rules for new year
Monument Sanitation District, Jan.18 – Raspberry Lane repair launches
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald Correction In the January issue of OCN, it was incorrectly reported that candidates for seats on the MSD board had until Feb. 24, 2024, to file a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form. In fact, that paperwork must be filed by Feb. 24, 2023, with Peggy Rupp, the Designated Election Official.…
Continue Reading Monument Sanitation District, Jan.18 – Raspberry Lane repair launches
El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Jan. 19 – Water re-use project holds first meeting
By James Howald On Jan. 19, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) held its first board meeting in Monument Town Hall. The board passed a resolution that lays out the operational rules it will follow and presented bylaws for future adoption. It chose a legal firm and an accounting firm to assist…
Triview Metropolitan District, Jan. 19 – Rate increases approved; NDS pipeline project moving along
By Natalie Barszcz At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Jan. 19, the board approved water and wastewater rate increases effective Feb. 1, received an update on the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline project, received multiple other updates, and held an executive session to discuss water delivery infrastructure and water and property acquisitions. Director…
Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, Jan. 18 – Deputy chief receives recognition upon retirement; property loss averted
By Natalie Barszcz At the Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD) meeting on Jan. 18, the board recognized Deputy Chief James Rebitski on his retirement from the fire service, heard how crews averted a disaster, received multiple department updates, and heard about a new evacuation notification mobile application for smart phones and tablets. Director…
Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Jan. 25 – Sun Hills storage agreement approved; subdistrict dissolution process begins
By Natalie Barszcz At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on Jan. 25, the board approved the Sun Hills property (formerly Station 3) for use as a storage facility; discussed the sub-district dissolution process; heard about a 911 Hero award recipient; approved an accounting firm, a letter of engagement for the 2022 audit;…
Monument Fire District, Jan. 25 – Palmer Lake declines ambulance contract; district leads county mass casualty plan
By Natalie Barszcz At the Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Jan. 25, the board discussed a letter from the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) declining Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from the district; heard about district staff leading a county mass casualty plan; received multiple updates; and held an executive session to discuss a…
El Paso Board of County Commissioners, Jan. 10, 17, and 24 – New chair and vice chair appointed
By Helen Walklett During January, the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appointed a new chair and vice chair. Chair and vice chair appointed At the Jan. 10 BOCC meeting, the commissioners appointed Commissioner Cami Bremer as chair and Commissioner Carrie Geitner as vice chair. Bremer takes over the role from Commissioner Stan VanderWerf,…
Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO), Jan. 21 – New board introduced; guest speakers discuss transportation, impact fees
By Marlene Brown Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) held its bi-monthly meeting on Jan. 21. The first order of business was the introduction of the new Board of Directors that was voted in at the November meeting. The new board is made up of President Mike Aspenson (Vista Clara Villas HOA),…
January Weather Wrap
By Bill Kappel The year has started off on the cold and snowy side, which is good news for us as we have started the snow season with a deficit so far. Temperatures were well below normal, especially for the second half of the month, and snowfall was above normal, punctuated by an Arctic air…
Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Whispers of nature and wildlife around us
By the staff at Covered Treasures “The mountains are calling and I must go.”—John Muir Many of us live in Colorado because we are at home in the outdoors. These books transport you to the outdoor world when you can’t be in it and prepare you for the times you can be in it. Whispers…
February Library Events – Winter Adult Reading Program is underway
By Harriet Halbig The 2023 Winter Adult Reading Program will run from Feb. 1 to March 31. Patrons who register and log 30 days of activities will receive a Rocky Mountain Chocolate bar and a program mug. Each day you read for 30 minutes or more, do activities such as join a book club, read…
Continue Reading February Library Events – Winter Adult Reading Program is underway
Palmer Lake Historical Society, Jan. 19 – Historical Society holds annual meeting
By Marlene Brown The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) held its annual Potluck and Membership Meeting at the Palmer Lake Town Hall on Jan. 19. It was the first Potluck and Membership Meeting since the pandemic began in 2021. The mission statement of PLHS is to preserve, protect, promote, and provide access to historical data,…
Continue Reading Palmer Lake Historical Society, Jan. 19 – Historical Society holds annual meeting
High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – Bringing nature indoors: seedlings, plants, and soil
By Janet Sellers February indoor gardening Our coldest month is typically February here, but we still can start up some of our gardening and nature plans now. It is a perfect time to plan the spring garden. Planning is key to success. With a plan at hand, taking action is simple and offers an organized…
On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Trail etiquette
On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Trail etiquette By Steve Pate Last spring, the Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC) assembled equestrians and others to get input on how to share trails with hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. Here are the resulting recommendations to a Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation committee…
Continue Reading On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Trail etiquette
Art Matters – Valentines and the fates of flirts
By Janet Sellers Valentine’s Day is just around the corner on Feb. 14. It’s a day to exchange gifts, particularly for giving a thoughtful gift to one’s sweetheart. In our culture, point-blank asking what the giftee wants has been taboo for some time. Somehow, asking what a person wants makes the giver look less thoughtful.…
Continue Reading Art Matters – Valentines and the fates of flirts
Snapshots of Our Community
Susan Miner book signing, Jan. 21 Above: Susan Miner of Palmer Lake signed copies of her first novel, Jewels of Kidron on Jan. 21 at Covered Treasures Bookstore in Monument. More than two dozen people showed up, including Vivian Cobb seen in photo, to have their copies signed. It took Miner five years to write…
Our Community Notices
By Janet Sellers Although we strive for accuracy in these listings, dates or times are often changed after publication. Please double-check the time and place of any event you wish to attend by calling the information number for that event. Please notify us if your event listing needs to be updated. D38 Talent Show District…
Our Community Calendar
By Janet Sellers Although we strive for accuracy in these listings, dates or times are often changed after publication. Please double-check the time and place of any event you wish to attend by calling the info number for that event. Please contact calendar@ocn.me with changes and additions. GOVERNMENTAL BODIES Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, Pinon Pines…