News
ELBERT 12.20.12
Elbert County
December 20, 2012
75 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourelbertcountynews.com
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 117, Issue 47
Chamber names member of year Coontz honored with ‘well-deserved award’ By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com Ann Coontz, a sales associate with Viaero Wireless, was named 2012 Member of the Year by the Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce at the group’s annual meeting Dec. 13. Coontz, who was nominated along with Dr. Brooke Terry of Elizabeth Family Dental, was selected for her many business and charitable contributions throughout the community. “I was very shocked when I heard my name,” said Coontz, who insists the award is more about the community than it is the individual. Coontz said the honor is the result of a growing symbiotic relationship between the chamber and the community, describing it as a “tornado of positive energy that just keeps coming back.” “The chamber is really a way for all of us, as members of the business community, to
give back by things like employing students or supporting the school,” said Coontz. “It’s great when we can rally together and connect with each other in a variety of ways.” “The award is very well deserved,” said chamber president Kari May. “Ann’s willingness to step up and help, as well as her positive attitude is, I think, what I appreciate most.” Coontz said one of her main goals for the coming year is to develop an ambassador program where new members of the community could be welcomed with a gift basket of community resources. The award ceremony also coincided with the chamber’s annual meeting. Chamber members Tammy Hanes of 2 Chics and a Kitchen, Trudy Slack of BC Building Services, Shawna Jarvis of Big R of Elizabeth, and Kari May of the Elbert County Library District were named to the 2013 board of directors. May and chamber executive director Beverly Durant presided at the luncheon meeting held at Spring Valley Golf Club. Each year, chamber members nominate candidates for the award and vote on a list of finalists.
Ann Coontz, a sales associate with Viaero Wireless in Elizabeth, was named Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year at an annual membership luncheon, held Dec. 13 at Spring Valley Golf Course. Coontz and Dr. Brooke Terry of Elizabeth Family Dental were both nominated for the award recognizing community contributions by local business members. Photo by Deborah Grigsby
Official ousted by board
Trustees suddenly terminate contract of town administrator By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
“When his country called, he answered,” U.S. Sen. Mark Udall said of Schar. “This is a place, a home to transition back to civilian life.” A grateful Schar stood to thank the crowd, joking how “total strangers built a house for a guy they don’t even know.” Schar’s parents presented the large pewter ceremonial key and local Boy Scouts marked the occasion with a flag-raising detail. While on his third deployment, Schar lost both of his legs above the knees on Sept. 19, 2007, when an explosive projectile stuck his vehicle as it traveled through Baghdad. After more than two years of rehabilitation, Schar walks with the help of specialized prosthetic legs. While handicapped-accessible, the couple’s apartment still presented several challenges including a small kitchen, carpeted floors and cabinets that were too tall. Homes for Our Troops is a national non-
A recent Elizabeth Board of Trustees meeting turned sour when members voted to terminate the town administrator’s contract. According to witnesses, the move at the trustees’ Dec. 11 meeting dropped jaws and fostered an atmosphere ripe for speculation. “A motion was made by a member of the board and there was a vote of 4-3 to terminate the contract of Trudy Peterson,” confirmed Elizabeth Police Chief Michael J. Phibbs. Phibbs, who now also serves as the acting town manager, said there was no formal discussion of the matter preceding the motion and he is unaware of any personnel issues that may have prompted the action. Those at the meeting, as well as Phibbs, confirmed after the vote that Peterson was escorted to her desk where she collected her personal things, relinquished keys and was immediately removed from the premises. Phibbs would not speculate on reasons or motives behind the board’s decision. Attempts to contact Peterson were unsuccessful at press time. Trustees and other officials were not available for comment. Town Hall was closed to accommodate a move to new offices at 151 S. Banner St. However, Phibbs said neither Peterson’s departure, nor the move, will disrupt local government services. “We’ll still have police services, you can still pay your water bill and streets will still get plowed,” he said. “For most citizens, they won’t really see much of a change at all.”
Schar continues on Page 10
Ouster continues on Page 10
Local Boy Scouts help Army Staff Sgt. Brian Schar (wearing cap) raise the flag over his new home in Elizabeth on Dec. 15. Homes for Our Troops presented Schar with the keys to his new home, specially adapted to meet the needs of the Iraq War veteran and double amputee. Photo by Deborah Grigsby
‘Welcome home, Schar family’ By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com Five years ago, when Army Staff Sgt. Brian Schar lost both legs in in Iraq, he had doubts he’d ever walk again, much less walk down the driveway to his new home in Elizabeth. But he did. On Dec. 15, Homes for Our Troops presented Schar and his family with the keys to
a new, specially adapted home in Elizabeth. Schar, his wife Michelle and infant son John made their way through a sea of American flags to the small heated tent outside their new home in the Wild Pointe Ranch subdivision. More than 100 members of the community, including friends, family and elected officials, braved the chilly Colorado weather for a key presentation and tour of the couple’s new home.
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