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Week of April 6, 2023
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 128 | ISSUE 8
Rodeo warns of ticket scams Elizabeth Stampede tickets should be purchased through official website BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
I really feel like God definitely funneled me into this. I have to admit that up until probably the last few years, I always felt school boards were one of those “throwaway” elections. And then I started hearing this national stuff going on with different school boards and I thought, “holy moly, what is going on here?” So that started to bring it to my attention more. Then, through one of my prayer groups, we were praying generally for the board and that they would be blessed and that everything would be fine. Then somebody
The Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo is among many ticketed events across the country that are falling prey to fraudulent ticket sellers using social media scams and sellers that charge exorbitant prices. “This isn’t an Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo issue, this is an internet scam issue,” said Lee Anne Russell, member of the Elizabeth Stampede Foundation Board of Directors in a phone interview from March 28. “Rodeos all over the country are experiencing the same problem.” There are two possibilities that Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo ticket buyers should be on the lookout for: 1. Fraudulent social media accounts are attempting to sell tickets before they have officially gone on sale to the public. These accounts are likely automated bots that are pinged when the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo makes event announcements. “We started to have bots trying to sell fraudulent tickets for the concert before they were even on sale,” said Russell. “If you look at their profiles on Facebook, there isn’t a lot of substance behind them. This is universal. We see it across the board with other rodeos.” 2. Unauthorized third-party ticketing sites are selling event tickets at exorbitant prices. These sites function by selling tickets to the buyer
SEE POWELL, P4
SEE RODEO, P2
Mary Powell, right, is sworn in as Elizabeth School Board secretary by Shellie Scobee, the district’s student data management specialist. Powell was chosen for board service by members Rhonda Olsen and Heather Booth, who had been the only members COURTESY OF ELIZABETH SCHOOL DISTRICT remaining after three others resigned in mid-March.
School board adds new member Mary Powell wants to uphold traditional education and promote conservative values BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Following the resignation of three Elizabeth School Board members, Mary Powell was appointed on March 14 to one of the vacant seats, where she will serve as board secretary. Powell is a 22-year Elizabeth resident who identifies as Christian and is currently living out her retirement with her husband, Dave. She was chosen for the board by remaining members Rhonda Olsen and Heather Booth.
The Elbert County News sat down with Powell on March 24 at the Elizabeth School District office for a Q&A interview about her hopes and plans for her time on the school board: Who is Mary Powell?
I have been retired for four years after a 30-year legal career. I was a paralegal in law firms doing business litigation. I also worked in the corporate world as a senior contracts manager for a medical supply company. I am married. I have two grown daughters and two grown granddaughters. What is your experience with the Elizabeth School District?
About 10 years ago, our two granddaughters lived with us for about a year and went to the schools here. So I have one year of experience with the school district.
We’ve lived here for 22 years altogether in the school district and in Elizabeth. Why did you want to be a part of the Elizabeth School District Board of Education?
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14
T BEFSTHE O T S E B
2023
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