Courier View Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak 8-21-2013
Teller County, Colorado • Volume 52, Issue 34
August 21, 2013
75 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourtellercountynews.com
Park and rec offers more than physical fitness By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com A refuge and sanctuary, the Cripple Creek Park and Recreation building is a place to come to, especially for the city’s children. “We want to show them that they fit in here, that they belong and are valued,” said Connie Dodrill, executive director of the department. Dodrill, with Jamie and Gene Johnson, initiated the Kids Helping Kids Project to give children a purpose and a goal while hanging out at the rec center. The theme of the project is reflected in the Johnsons’ soup kitchen. “Kids meet me at the door, help me carry stuff in from the car,” Jamie Johnson said, referring to at least 10 students who set up and help serve the lunch on Tuesdays in the summer and Fridays during the school year. Distinguished by the Johnsons’ culinary expertise, salads, homemade soups and fresh breads, the kitchen is a response, in part, to the statistic that 40 percent of students in the RE-1 School District receive free lunch. As a result, the couple found a serendipitous connection with the need and a spiritual direction that sprang from their church. “They talked about loving others in a practical way, of being the hands and feet of Jesus every day,” Johnson said. Johnson comes from good stock as her mother, Barbara Blommer, has been serving lunch once a week in Woodland Park, now at the city’s community church on Valley View Drive. The Warrino and Richards families are a vital part of the project. “We just try to help people,” said Meredith Warrino, who, with her children, Richie and Sophie, come every week, along with Chloe Richards, to help set up and serve. “So many kids qualify for free lunch at school that the project started out as a Fri-
The Cripple Creek Park and Recreation Department is a center of activity, including social hour and lunch served once a week in the “Kids Helping Kids” program. On the right side of the table, helping to serve lunch are, from left, Richie Warrino, Sophie Warrino and Chloe Richards. On the left are, Colson Rice, foreground, and Gabe Torres. Photo by Pat Hill day lunch when school is out.” From serving the city’s children, the lunch has evolved to a social hour for the community. Most days 80 or more children, as well as adults, enjoy lunch with their friends, new acquaintances or not. The children, many of who are alone during the summer days, find more than
nutritional nourishment at park and rec. There’s a playground outside, roller skating, pool and air hockey, in addition to just hanging out with others. “This is really a community center,” Johnson said. “Everybody feels comfortable coming in here.” Throughout the summer days, the chil-
dren lend their enthusiasm and energy to the building, which doubles as an entertainment venue as well as a fitness center that serves more than 800 people a month. “It’s kind of a culture we have here, we try to participate in the community, such as being involved in the school so they know we’re supportive,” Dodrill said.
Council votes to annex property with plans for recycling facility Mayor voted against measure, citing contiguity issues By Rob Carrigan
rcarrigan@ourcoloradonews.com Woodland Park City Council voted 6-1 to annex an area on County Road 231 that Teller County Waste has plans to improve and use as recycle drop-off center. Mayor Dave Turley was the only vote against it, citing contiguity issues. “I do have an issue with the contuguity. It seems we are pushing the envelope with that.” Turley said. “The plan is good, recycling would be a good thing, but I do have an issue with that.” On June 6, the Council voted unanimously to consider 1000 and 1050 County Road 231 for annexation on first reading, as a standing-room-only crowd traded comments for hours on both sides of the proposed annexation. The vote was unanimous then, but Turley was not in attenThe newest addition to the city of Woodland Park, Teller County Waste, has submitted plans to improve the distant dence. lot, Waste Management’s containers are in the foreground on another property, and create a recycle material drop-off “The City believes that reasonable aplocation. The Woodland Park Council voted 6-1 to annex the property on Thursday night, Aug. 15, after two lengthy and proach has been taken to achieve contiguity from current city limits boundary, contentious public hearings. Photo by Rob Carrigan labeled as the Skyline South Annexation, across the highway right-of-way to the POSTAL ADDRESS contiguous property boundary ... this approach and interpretation of the statue is in substantial complance to the law,” acPrinted on recycled cording to staff reports and the council’s newsprint. Please findings in that earlier meeting. recycle this copy. Jay Baker, owner of Teller County Waste, which performs some operations at the property in question, says his company seeks the annexation to provide a dropoff, free recycling location at the site. A lawsuit with Teller County has been
progressing in the courts for more than 12 years. “Teller County is suing Jay Baker to enjoin him from operating a ‘waste transfer facility’ without a special use permit,” according to material provided Michael Perini, spokesman for Teller County Waste. The company contends that recycled material is not defined as waste, and as such, does not constitute waste transfer. Additionally, the company says the use is “grandfathered” in that location. Baker’s attorney Bill Lewis called and 9-pound, 800-page binder regarding the suit “the big book of nothing,” and says he has asked the county to “tell my client what he is doing wrong?” Several homeowners who reside near the property suggested at both hearings that Baker was trying circumvent a lawsuit with the county. And heavy traffic, not just with the company’s trucks, but drop-off traffic from those bringing material in for reycyling, would create problems. An independent traffic study found minimal increases in traffic and suggested additional chip and seal measures, but Teller County was not in complete agreement in regard to some of those findings. According to those residents opposed to the City’s annexation of the property, 76 people have signed a petition that reflects that sentiment. Speaking against the anexation, several said the primary concern was the environment, and suggested there were “ongoing violations for years.” Others spoke in favor of the annexation, Baker’s and Teller County Waste’s record of community service and planned recycling facility.