OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS SECTION
3/18/2006
- Community members invited to Pike bicentennial planning meeting
- Contractors, excavators attend meeting on safe excavating
- Republicans set 2006 caucus locations
- Round Table discussions on projects, director applicants
PCDI well attended, busy

By CRYSTAL TERRELL

LDN Staff Writer

Prowers County Development Incorporated (PCDI) recently held its Round Table Meeting on Wednesday, March 8th, at PCDI headquarters in Lamar.

Present at the meeting were Bill Wootten, Skip Ruedeman, Russ Baldwin, Pat Palmer, Cathy Buxton, Tim Wheaton, Elwood Gillis, Carla Scranton and Lawrence Brase.

The meeting began with a report from former Lamar Mayor, Elwood Gillis, who gave an update on the Colorado Judicial Review board on which he serves.

Wootten reported that the next Pike Celebration meeting will be held on Monday, March 13th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Cultural Events Center at the Library. Wootten also stressed that volunteers are needed to assist with event planning as well as the organization of the events. He also reminded the round table attendees that the Library Director, Rebecca Atkinson will soon be leaving for her new job in Pueblo and her absence will greatly limit the amount of time which she will be able to devote to the project.

Wootten also reported on the Repowering project. According to Wootten, the project remains on schedule in regards to the cleanup of the Maple Street property. Wootten stated that the relocation of the power poles has also begun and the construction site is proceeding apace.

Ruedeman addressed the round table group reading a letter from the Commissioner of the Babe Ruth League, Robert Faherty, Jr. (See related story, page 1)

Ruedeman plans to attend the Lamar Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting to discuss the four-plex baseball field plans.

In other updates, the round table attendees were advised that the Lamar Utilities Board has appointed Donald Steerman to a seat which was left following the resignation of Ron Anderson.

The latest news from the prison site selection committees was addressed by Brase who reported that the Wiley Prison Site Selection Committee had reviewed several possible sites for consideration that would be suitable for a 750 bed prison. Brase reported that the committee felt that the Wiley water supply would not support a 2,250 or 3,000 bed prison facility. Therefore the committee is putting full support behind the Granada site proposal.

Brase also reported that he attended the Southeast Colorado Power Association (SECPA) board meeting in Kansas. Brase commented that it is his understanding that there are companies which have looked at the Southeast Colorado area for relocation or expansion projects but the companies are unaware that broadband is available in this area. According to Brase the board made the decision to begin to promote the broadband system which has been available and in place for some period of time, yet not widely advertised. He further added that SECPA has signed a contract with the State of Colorado to provide broadband services to all areas of Southeast Colorado.

In news regarding the Star School, Palmer reported that the project has suffered a small setback in the efforts to get the Star School designated as a National Historic Site. Palmer reported that the next application deadline is October 1st.

In news from the Lamar School Board, board member, Tim Wheaton reminded the group of the upcoming Lamar High School play, which will be presented beginning Thursday, March 9th at 7:00 p.m. and on Friday, March 10th. The play will be held at the Lamar High School in the Auditorium. Wheaton updated the round table on the position for the new Lincoln Elementary School principal. Kermit Snyder will begin his position on March 20th following Spring Break.

Baldwin reported KVAY Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction is in need of bachelors and bachelorettes for the auction which is slated to be held on April 15th. Individuals are asked to contact Baldwin at KVAY by phoning (719) 336-8734 to nominate a person for the auction or if interested in participating in the auction.

According to the PCDI round table minutes, it was reported that approximately 250 riders attended last weekend's motocross races which was considered a good turnout.

Buxton wanted to remind the community that the last round table meeting of the month will be held at 6:00 p.m. instead of the regular time of 9:00 a.m. The evening meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 29th to allow local merchants the ability to voice comments as the morning meetings prohibit them from attending during business hours. The change in meeting times is response to requests from some of the local merchants who are unable to attend the morning meetings. Buxton notes that the change in scheduled meeting times will be held on a trial basis. According to Buxton the last evening meeting had a low turnout .

Scranton advised that the weekly round table minutes are now posted on PCDI website. Those interested may access the actual minute reports by logging on to the world wide web and going to www.procolorado.org . Theminutes may be accessed by clicking on "PCDI Board and Staff" which brings up a link on the right side of the home page for the Meeting Minutes.

PCDI feels that by posting the minutes on the website it will be available to a larger group of people for access and to inquire on community activities.

The PCDI Round Table meetings are held every Wednesday beginning at 9:00 a.m. Businesses, members of clubs, organizations, churches as well as the public are encouraged to attend and become involved in community growth and development.

For any additional information, questions or comments please relay them to the Prowers County Development Incorporated (PCDI) office, which is, located at 201 South Main Street or by calling Carla Scranton at the PCDI headquarters at (719) 336-2384.