COMMUNITY
CHAMPIONS
2021 Community Champions
The Fort Morgan Times and Brush News-Tribune are proud to present 2021 Community Champions, a special supplement honoring a variety of individuals who support and promote our community. Many of the selections for this inaugural year honor those who have stepped up and shone during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic that has plagued our world for the past year. The individuals and groups honored represent a cross-section of people in various fields who are passionate about making a positive difference, whether professionally or through volunteer work, or both, in the lives of people living in and around the Morgan County community. We are fortunate to have many such champions, and we look forward to honoring more of them in future editions.
Honorees Here are this year’s honorees, in order of appearance in this publication: Emergency Response.......................... Travis Freeman Sports and Recreation.......................... Ernie Marquez At Large ............................................................ Lyn Deal Health Care............................. Long-term care workers Agriculture............................ Food-processing workers Non-Profit....................................................... Kelly Paris Youth........................................................... Class of 2021 Education................................................. School nurses Public Sector............................................. Robin Mastin Business .. Allo Communications and Viaero Wireless Copyright 2021, Prairie Mountain Media
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Our Staff Publisher Brian Porter Editor Sara Waite Assistant Editor Jenni Grubbs Reporter Maegan Olmstead Advertising Andrew Ohlson Production Kent Shorrock
Emergency Response
Travis Freeman’s dedication to helping others inspired by father
difference in people’s lives before they even arrived at the hospital. Following EMT school and becoming a fully certified paraBorn and raised in Fort Morgan, medic, Freeman was most recently Travis Freeman seeks every appointed Director of the Morgan opportunity he can to give back to County Ambulance Service. his community and its citizens. “I know I am very young to be Freeman began his journey awarded this position and it is very when he was just 16 years old and humbling,” Freeman said. “I’m went to the state patrol youth acad- very proud of myself and very emy in Golden. His father works proud of the staff that I work with. for the state patrol and Freeman That they see the leadership and has always looked up to him and growth in me to put me in this admired how he helps people. position is incredibly humbling.” However, Freeman was too “My goal as Director is to proyoung at the time to pursue a vide the best ambulance service to career with the state patrol and the citizens of Morgan County and decided to join the Cadet program all those that visit. I also want to with the ambulance service. support our staff and to let them Through these ride-alongs, Freeknow that we are going to help See FREEMAN, pg. 5 man realized that he could make a
By Maegan Olmstead The Fort Morgan Times
Courtesy photo
Travis Freeman is the director of the Morgan County Ambulance Service.
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Travis Freeman, second from left, poses with fellow A Shift paramedics Darcy Chrisp, Alex Gerk and Garrett Strobel in front of a Morgan County ambulance.
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS • APRIL 24, 2021 • 3
Sports & Recreation
Ernie Marquez uses boxing gym to make positive impact on community By Maegan Olmstead The Fort Morgan Times
Ernie Marquez was trained as a boxer by his father who was trained by his father before him. The importance of family that Marquez instills at his gym, Gladiators Boxing, goes beyond those gym walls and expands deeply into the community. The non-profit boxing team offers boxing fitness classes for all ages and fitness levels, competitive and non-competitive boxing and MMA classes. However, the other mission clearly stated on the team’s Facebook page is that they strive to make a positive impact in their community. When the pandemic struck, the gym was forced to close its doors and Marquez “literally thought my dreams were going to come to an end. My heart was broken,” he said. He suddenly was faced with no outlet to train his students and the possibility of losing his business. Courtesy photo / Fort Morgan Police Department Ultimately, though, Marquez Ernie Marquez, center, and his coaches at Gladiators Boxing Gym were honored with a Certificate of Appreciation continued to seek out ways to help by Fort Morgan Police Department in 2020. Marquez was nominated for one for FMPD's 2020 Community Awards See MARQUEZ, pg. 5 for his work in bringing workout sessions to local first responders.
Fort Morgan Times file photo
Adalyn Marquez-Tarin, 2, sits between her grandparents, Jessica and Ernie Marquez, at the Marquez family's table at the Kids At Their Best Superheroes Gala Nov. 5, 2016, at the Country Steak-Out in Fort Morgan. 4 • APRIL 24, 2021 • COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
Fort Morgan Times file photo
Fort Morgan Gladiators boxing coach Ernie Marquez (center) talks with Brodie Keefe (right) while he spars with Isaiah Lopez (left) in practice in 2017 at the boxing gym.
FREEMAN from page 3
them achieve their goals to become a better paramedic and a better person,” he added. One of the main things that keeps Freeman so hooked on what he does is that he loves education. He explained that by being in healthcare and medicine in general he is constantly learning as medicine evolves every day. He hopes to continue to educate other kids so that they may potentially find their passion, whether that be as a paramedic, an EMT, a nursing student or a doctor. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it changed a lot in people’s everyday lives and especially in the lives of healthcare workers. “One of our biggest difficulties was probably having to keep the social distance and taking all the extra steps to disinfect,” Freeman said. “It’s very different in the sense that we don’t just walk into the house anymore. Instead we have to make sure that no one has COVID or has been in contact with anyone who has COVID before we can enter the home and begin assisting. We also then have to go back and deep clean the ambulance and our gear every time. It
was a challenge to be sure.” Not only is Freeman working full-time on call as a paramedic and handling the duties of director but he also teaches EMT classes at the Morgan County Community College, and recently founded the Start with the Heart LLC. This newly-founded company’s mission is to provide high quality education to local healthcare providers, businesses, organizations and citizens to instill the confidence and knowledge to treat every day emergencies. With Freeman’s passion for learning, he is hoping that the Cadet program will be able to start back up again this summer, as it was paused due to COVID-19. “One of our biggest programs is the cadet service in emergency medicine. Any high school students age 16-19 who maintain a C average in school are able to go through a formal application process to then be able to ride around on the weekends,” Freeman said. “Even if they don’t want to be a paramedic it can provide another perspective on the work paramedics do and help people to better understand.”
Jenni Grubbs / Fort Morgan Times
All that's visible of Garrett Strobel is his hand and a splash after fellow Morgan County Ambulance Service worker Travis Freeman's baseball hit the mark and sent Strobel falling into the dunk tank Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, at the Carnival of Fun at Riverside Park. The ambulance workers organized the carnival to benefit the family of one of their co-workers, Carissa Meeks, and her cancer-stricken son, Nathan.
Freeman is a community champion for all the hard work he has done and continues to do to serve the citizens of Morgan County. From being a part of the cadet pro-
gram himself at the age of 16, to now being the Director of the Morgan County Ambulance Service, Freeman lives to serve others.
MARQUEZ from page 4
the community and its people during an uncertain time. The gym gathered volunteers to help pick up and deliver students’ lunches in the community who were unable to either because their caretaker was working or because they did not have transportation. Eventually the gym was picking up and delivering 150 lunches a day. “I grew up in poverty and grew up kind of rough in Pueblo, so I can relate with kids whose parents are struggling or lost their job,” said Marquez. Marquez also offered his gym as a location for support groups during the pandemic and agreed to take donations and make bimonthly deliveries for the Rising Up shelter in Fort Morgan. The gym has also worked with the Fort Morgan Police Depart-
ment to provide opportunities for first responders to reach out to the community and has hosted multiple training events. When recently presented as Citizen of the Year by the Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce, Deb Elrick said, “no matter what the issue is, big or small, Ernie Marquez is a man who will go out of his way to help anyone in need.” Gladiators was originally opened in 1998 by Marquez’s father and Marquez attributes his leadership and philosophy to his family. “When you become a member of our gym you become a part of the Gladiator family and we’ll look out for you,” said Marquez. The gym has recently reopened and is offering classes again in accordance with county guidelines.
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS • APRIL 24, 2021 • 5
At-Large
Lyn Deal passionate about preserving community’s history By Maegan Olmstead The Fort Morgan Times
Lyn Deal speaks after taking the oath of office to serve on the Fort Morgan City Council representing Ward 3 in January 2020.
Lyn Deal has been a figure in Fort Morgan for over 50 years. She is a prominent advocate for the city and its history and is sure to share a story or two should one ever meet her. Fort Morgan Times Originally from Oregon, Deal file photo has come to fully embody the spirit of Fort Morgan and her love for its people, buildings and history runs deep through her veins. “The real beauty here is in the people,” Deal said. “I have such great friends here and I would never leave. I’ve had such a blessed life here and all of my interests have been fulfilled here.” Deal first discovered her love for historic preservation when she and her husband bought a historic house on Sherman Street in Fort Morgan. They wanted to restore the house, and this put Deal in touch with the profession of historic preservation and allowed her to become involved with the Colorado Historical Society, now called History Colorado. She loved the work so much and the idea of bringing back pieces of history that she began to take classes and went on to do a register of historic places and buildings throughout the county. Deal has also been sure to be involved with future growth of the city and was on the Fort Morgan City Council from 2008-2012 and rejoined again in 2020. During those years she created a preservation board and implemented a city ordinance to pursue local preservation. Fort Morgan now has 20 buildings on Main Street designated as historic buildings, which makes them eligible for grants and fundCourtesy photo ing for their store fronts. Deal has Lyn Deal rides in J.P. Curry's historic buggy. Knowing its historic value, her late husband, Floyd, traded a pickup See DEAL, pg. 7 truck for the buggy. It now is in the Fort Morgan Museum collection.
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DEAL from page 6
worked with the city for preservation for 30 years now and has no plans of stopping. “It’s a great community,” said Deal. “We have great bones here and great potential for growth. Our structural layout, our wide streets, our location from the Front Range, we just have great potential for future growth.” For Deal, she feels the quality of the community is so high that it is worth it for her to continue to preserve the history. “The Front Range keeps pushing out and right now with the growth of Denver that’s pushing out here, I want to be involved with future developments,” said Deal. When the pandemic struck the effects were felt nationwide. For Deal, though, it was the community that kept her spirits high. “Through the pandemic this last year I’ve never been more grateful to live in Fort Morgan because there was such caring of one another,” Deal said. “We just transitioned into that very gracefully. There was just a closeness of taking care of one another.” This only served to solidify Deal’s affection for Fort Morgan and for all of the people that make up the community. “I have a deeper appreciation for living here with the people. It all stems back to people and knowing people and we just know one another,” Deal said. When asked about being recognized for her hard work, Deal explained that she simply enjoys doing these things and is very
Fort Morgan Times file photo
Lyn Deal, second from right, talks with then Fort Morgan City Councilwoman Lisa Northrup at a public event reviewing the creation of a new comprehensive plan for Fort Morgan in 2016.
humbled that she could be acknowledged for merely doing what she loves. “I’ve gotten so much back,” she said. “I will always work with preservation. I hope to continue to pass along my love to the next generation. I had wonderful mentors who gave me the confidence to pursue my passions and now
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I’m finding young people that have the same interests. I want to try to hand that baton over.” Deal loves to joke that she is an older resource for the community now and believes that with her age has come a greater appreciation and understanding of who she is and how intertwined her heart has become with the Fort
Morgan community. “I know I will never leave here,” said Deal. “My heart is here. I like to see the young people continue to move our city forward. I’ve been gifted with this community’s people. I’m doing all of the things that I love here, so until I fall over, that’s what I want to continue to do.”
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COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS • APRIL 24, 2021 • 7
Health Care
Long-term caregivers protected most vulnerable during pandemic
By Maegan Olmstead The Fort Morgan Times
Nursing homes were especially hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic with many patients falling into the category of likely to be severely affected by the virus. All of the caregivers at Valley View Villa, Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, Sunset Manor, Centennial Manor and The Bee Hive Assisted Living worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of their patients. “It is hard for me to formulate words to convey how proud I am of the team at Valley View Villa,” said Jessica Strong, Executive Director at Valley View Villa. “From the very beginning the pandemic hit the long-term care industry hard. Early on, we were guided to close our doors to visitors, and isolate our residents from the rest of the world. While it was for their safety, it was hard. My team devoted themselves to the residents, doing everything in their power to keep their spirits up, show them love, and continue to provide excellent care.” Valley View Villa was not alone in its efforts to maintain morale and support the members of its care facility. Eben Ezer CEO Shelly Griffith worked to do everything she could to direct personal protective equipment to her staff during a time when resources were scarce. “Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community,” said one statement released from Eben Ezer. “We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our neighbors during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.” Visits from loved ones were no longer allowed and staff members took it upon themselves to enliven
Fort Morgan Times file photo
"Super Heroes work here" reads one message posted along an outer fence at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush to support their workers, who are caring for all the facility's neighbors, including treating some residents who have COVID-19.
their care centers, while also dealing with the weight of the pandemic themselves. At Valley View Villa, theme days were implemented, and staff members would dress up all in the hopes of raising their patients’ spirits. “Every single member of the team deserves recognition from housekeeping and laundry to dietary, nursing, maintenance, therapy and the management team,” Strong said. “It’s not many buildings your maintenance director gets certified to feed residents. It felt like we were on an island and it became clear that every person was an integral part of the team. They really drew together to support each other, the residents and do the best we could to support the families.” Every nursing home caregiver throughout Morgan County took it Valley View Villa / Courtesy photo upon themselves during the panStaff at Valley View Villa receive feeding course certification to help feed demic to truly embody their role and really look after their patients. residents during the pandemic.
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Agriculture
Food processing workers helped feed America during shutdowns
Cargill / Courtesy photo
A Cargill production worker is shown.
By Maegan Olmstead The Fort Morgan Times
Farmers across America were impacted when the pandemic took effect and it became especially evident when focus turned to Americans’ food supply chain. The Northeast Colorado Health Department acknowledged that its six-county district (Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma) is home to multiple critical businesses associated with food processing. All of the meat producers and dairy farms throughout Morgan County made an exceptional effort to continue production and ensure that Morgan County citizens and Americans remained fed during the pandemic. It was not until February of 2021 that agricultural workers in food manufacturing and supply were announced as essential workers for Phase 1B of the vaccine distribution plan by the state
Northeast Colorado Health Department / Courtesy photo
Volunteers shown helping with the on-site COVID-19 vaccination clinic held March 5 and 6 at Cargill Protein in Fort Morgan include Josie Castaneda and Kim Senn.
health department. In March, Cargill Meatpacking plant worked to offer the COVID19 vaccine to 1,600 essential employees. Shortly after, Brush Meat Processing along with Colorado Lamb worked in coordination with the Northeast Colorado Health Department to distribute 170 vaccines. “It’s all a step forward,” said Sarah Pokoski, a public health response specialist with the Northeast Colorado Health Department. “In a small commu-
See PROCESSING, pg. 11
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COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS • APRIL 24, 2021 • 9
Non-profits
Matt Jackson / Nine Stories Creative
Kelly Paris, director of Break the Silence, sits in the Fort Morgan band shell and explains Break the Silence in a promotional video.
Kelly Paris’ Break the Silence advancing suicide prevention
tember of 2019 and file a 501(c)3 to create the non-profit that exists today. When the pandemic hit in The non-profit Break the Silence March 2020, Paris explained that was founded by local community levels of suicide were already member Kelly Paris. Its mission is extremely high in the county and to raise awareness for suicide pre- many more people began to suffer. vention and mental health through Paris instantly began thinking of community music events. more ways for how she could Paris created Break the Silence reach out and help people during in 2017 back when she also had an this time. event planning business called “I was praying for a sign that I Music for Life. Break the Silence was on the right path. Then I got started as a festival that she was in my car and was furloughed the able to plan through her other same day,” said Paris. “I took that company and its connections. The as a sign to take Break the Silence festival garnered such a great to the next level and I gathered my response from the community that board to discuss creating a free Paris decided to expand in Sepdrop-in mental health center for
By Maegan Olmstead The Fort Morgan Times
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the community.” Paris and her board members began the application process for a capital grant to make her dream a reality. With the creation of a community center, Break the Silence plans to offer access to peer support groups, more resources, programs and they are also looking to get into school assemblies to talk about bullying and suicide awareness. The non-profit started the grant process and found out that they had two weeks to raise $45,000. They ended up raising $57,500 and are continuing to see donations come through. “The majority of our donations
came directly from Morgan County businesses and the Morgan County community,” Paris said. “This means everything to me. To know that I have the community support and this network, this is why I started doing this. To make an impact in people’s lives was my dream in 2016 and to have the support to reach our goal just proves that we are on the right path for this community.” The center has not been built yet but will be located at 612 East Railroad Ave. in Fort Morgan. In the meantime, Break the Silence is already conducting and organizing programs for suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
See PARIS, pg. 11
PARIS from page 10
The pandemic also presented a unique challenge for the non-profit as they usually host their annual music festival in September. They had filed their application and were given the go-ahead in January 2020 but only a few months later they would have that upended. “I was calling the health department multiple times a week to try to get the festival to still happen. Then three weeks out from the event we got the go-ahead,” said Paris. “We had a full social distancing plan and the city council voted unanimously for the event to take place. We were able to have 24 vendors, five bands and people from all over came out to show their support. Even though it took quite a bit of extra work it was well worth it.” At the heart of Break the Silence is the desire to help the community and to raise awareness. “For me it’s one of those things where I just feel blessed to be able to help people,” said Paris. “People know we are here now and are reaching out to either help or use us as a resource. People trust Break the Silence.” “We are looking to expand and
An aerial view of the 2019 Break the Silence concert in Fort Morgan.
be everywhere. To be able to help as many people all over. But, of course, we are dedicated to Fort Morgan,” Paris said. “This is my hometown and there is no other place I feel more at home and I
Matt Jackson / Nine Stories Creative
just love this community so much. It warms my heart that I am able to do this here.” Break the Silence is already in the process of working to host this year’s fifth annual Break the
Silence Suicide Awareness Festival on Sept. 4, 2021 in Fort Morgan. They will also be hosting the first annual Break the Silence Suicide Awareness Festival on May 22, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky.
rino and Dairy Farmers of America paid the other half. This was an important way for Leprino Foods to keep staff employed and food processed. All of the meat producers and dairy farms in Morgan County
are critical in the nation’s food supply chain and made significant efforts to thoroughly clean equipment, keep employees healthy and safe, and to continue to feed Americans during a very scary time.
PROCESSING from page 9
Brian Porter / Fort Morgan Times
Those arriving for COVID-19 immunizations at Brush Meat Processors were greeted by a couple of dinosaurs.
nity, 170 vaccinated is a big step. They can feel confident in seeing their loved ones safely.” Leprino Foods is one of the nation’s leading suppliers of cheese to pizza companies. During the pandemic pizza outsold any other foodservice category in this recent period, according to Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI). “A great opportunity came our way during the pandemic,” said Marilyn Hershey Chair, DMI. Leprino Foods approached DMI leadership to address a surplus of cheese as restaurants across America were shut down. A meeting followed with Papa John’s, which resulted in the chain agreeing to add 2 ounces of extra mozzarella cheese on several of its menu offerings. Papa John’s agreed to cover half of the cheese cost while Lep-
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS • APRIL 24, 2021 • 11
Youth
Class of 2021 has shown resilience and persistence
By Maegan Olmstead The Fort Morgan Times
The pandemic brought with it a number of changes to daily life, but for students it ended many once in a lifetime and pivotal moments. Activities such as sports, prom and concerts were all canceled when the pandemic began, and students were forced to adjust to virtual learning. The seniors at Fort Morgan High School, Lincoln High School, Brush High School, Weldon Valley High School, Wiggins High School and Prairie High School, all were handed a very different year than what they expected but each class was sure to make the best of it. When the school year opened in the fall of 2020, students tentatively made their way into the school buildings aware that COVID-19 was present throughout the nation and the world. They could have been scared or hesitant to return but instead they were present Heldwin Brito / Courtesy photo while in classrooms and when Rows of seats are taped off for proper social distancing in a classroom at Fort Morgan High School on Aug. 31, See STUDENTS, pg. 13 2020.
Education
School nurses served on front lines to keep COVID-19 from classrooms By Maegan Olmstead The Fort Morgan Times
When you think about school nurses, the image that comes to mind might be of someone dispensing Band-aids, administering
ice packs or helping to stop a bloody nose. But the pandemic put school nurses on the front lines against COVID-19 in Morgan County schools. It was an incredibly trying time and these individuals continued to devote themselves
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to their work and helping others. Throughout the county, school nurses continued to go work and help not only their students but also their fellow staff members, as COVID-19 cases saw a sharp rise in Colorado. They were there to care for others at a time
when it was also extremely stressful for themselves. All of the school nurses in Fort Morgan, Brush, Wiggins and Weldon Valley displayed incredible bravery and dedication. At the beginning of the pandemic,
See NURSES, pg. 13
NURSES from page 12
Fort Morgan Times file photo
Fort Morgan High School seniors will see tribute signs posted in City Park again this year like these ones posted in 2020.
STUDENTS from page 12 things were shaken up again as November rolled around and members began to test positive, they tackled remote learning with great resolve. Sports were slowly reintroduced, and students began to spend more time around their peers doing the activities they loved but the pandemic wasn’t over. They knew that if someone tested positive, whether a student or a staff member, they would be returning to virtual learning while they quarantined. It was an unprecedented time to be sure and The Fort Morgan Times and Brush News-Tribune would like to acknowledge every senior graduating class for persevering through a challenging time.
“They were very resilient and adjusted well,” said Kari Quick, School Counselor at Brush High School. “They really made the best of everything given to them. They were creative with things that they missed out on and found ways to make this year special however they could. They’ve really thrived through everything they’ve been handed and I’m really proud of them.” Resilience in the county’s young people is always admirable to see but especially during a time when the entire world was faced with an overwhelming obstacle. Every senior committed to the school year and showed great resolve. Graduations will still not be entirely back to normal with
many car parades still taking place this spring, but every senior has certainly earned their moment of celebration.
they were instrumental in helping districts begin implementing social distancing health and safety recommendations. Schools were forced to adjust, and nurses, administrators and support staff began to put new systems into place for when pos itive COVID-19 results arose. It was a particularly difficult time for the nurses as they made every effort to ensure their patients were taken care of and that they were not bringing anything home with them that could infect friends or family. With the pandemic arising in March, schools had the summer to make a plan for how students would return and what they would do should someone test positive for COVID-19. Morgan County was able to return students to in person learning at the start of the fall but come November, Brush Middle School, Brush High School, Fort Morgan High School and Weldon Valley School had all moved some or all grades’ classes to remote learning. When a staff member or student tests positive, those initial feelings of illness are reported and taken to the school nurse who is then risking their life to evaluate their patient. Every sin gle school nurse throughout the county showed incredible fortitude during this time and the community thanks them immensely.
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COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS • APRIL 24, 2021 • 13
Public Sector
Robin Mastin paving way for better quality of life in Log Lane Village
space and is getting ready to do two more streets with water lines. Building up the infrastructure is very important to Mastin to Robin Mastin is the current ensure that her town continues to mayor of Log Lane Village and grow and attracts more people has been in Log Lane for 25 and businesses. years. She feels a deep sense of “I want to keep building and affection for her town and keep going and keep our kids out expresses that in every way that of trouble,” she said. “Our kids she continues to advocate and are our future. I just feel like the improve her community. more that we give to the kids the “Being mayor of Log Lane more that the kids will want to means everything,” Mastin said. give back to our town.” “It’s my home. It’s an amazing There are a lot of kids in Log community and we have our prob- Lane Village, according to Maslems, but everyone pulls togethtin, and she wants to ensure that er. Our employees are also the all that she does is not only helpgreatest ever and if there’s ever a ing her community as a whole but problem we pull together to fix continues to fuel the kids to be it.” the best that they can be and that Mastin has made great efforts they in turn give back. to build out Log Lane and to She feels a deep sense of commake her community a prospermunity and makes an effort to get ous one. She not only owns her to know all the citizens of her own local business but has helped town and to make everyone feel Courtesy photo / Log Lane Village bring big businesses to town, has like Log Lane is one giant neighCorporal Josh Katz swears returning Log Lane Village Mayor Robin Mastin See MASTIN, pg. 15 into office in April 2020. repaved streets an added park By Maegan Olmstead The Fort Morgan Times
Business
Telecom companies stepped up to help kids keep learning remotely By Maegan Olmstead The Fort Morgan Times
When the pandemic struck, it became evident that the internet was a vital resource to continue to connect people to one another. Allo Communications and Viaero Wireless both made major investments to ensure students could successfully make the transition to remote learning and enhanced broadband service throughout the community. In 2018, Fort Morgan signed an
agreement with Nebraska-based internet provider Allo Communications. Allo leases and operates the city’s fiber optic system, which can provide speeds of up to 1 gigabit. During the pandemic, for every new customer that signed up with
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The importance of access to highspeed internet goes far beyond being able to stream movies and video chat with friends. It can make or break a local economy, business and government leaders say. Viaero Wireless has been based in Fort Morgan for 27 years and Allo from July to September, the knows the benefit of living and company donated $50 to local operating in a small community. schools. In total, the company They converted hundreds of inexdonated over $172,000 to schools in pensive smartphones into wireless Breckenridge and Fort Morgan, as hotspots for families in Fort Morwell as a number of schools in gan during the pandemic. Nebraska. See TELECOM, pg. 15
Fort Morgan Times file photo
Costumed kids get candy from Mayor Robin Mastin and Trustee Martha Manion out of the back of the mayor's SUV decked out in patriotic decor during Log Lane Village's 2018 Trunk or Treat.
MASTIN from page 14
TELECOM from page 14
borhood. “We have an amazing community and I want to keep giving back to the community,” Mastin said. “I’ve had my business out here for nine years. Without my customers and the community, I would not have my business.” Mastin explained that there are many parents working long hours and busy trying to keep a roof over their heads and groceries and other necessities, so it really is important for kids to have more to do than sit inside and play video games or play on their phones. She recently helped organize the refurbishment of one of the town’s basketball courts and noted that they have a lot of people that rent the community building out for birthday parties. “It’s all about everybody helping everybody. There’s always a neighbor to help and to me that’s what it’s all about,” said Mastin. “This is our town.” Mastin was reelected mayor in April 2020 following an uncontested election to serve another term.
“While emergencies are usually caused by extreme weather events, this emergency temporarily impacts customers’ ability to pay their bills. Avoiding service interruption is no less an emergency and we want customers to know Viaero is here to help them,” stated Mike Felicissimo, Executive VP and CFO of Viaero Wireless. Investing in higher-speed service for the area was something the Fort Morgan City Council saw
Fort Morgan Times file photo
Colorado Health Foundation Program Officer Rose Green, left, and Log Lane Village Mayor Robin Mastin, right, look at options for types of play equipment that could be added to the park playground in Log Lane during a meeting in 2018.
as a necessity for their future. The city of Fort Morgan invested $6 million of its own money to build a fiber-optic network after years of hearing from residents and businesses struggling to make do with inadequate internet service. Allo Communications and Viaero Wireless made sure that students and businesses were able to continue to work remotely during the pandemic.
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