2nd Congressional District Art Competition 2013 This competition is sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives in a nationwide art competition for best piece of artwork from high school students. Artwork is on display at Wildfire Community Arts Center, 425 Massachusetts Ave., Berthoud, April 15-27, 1 - 5 p.m. Awards ceremony and reception will be held on Saturday, April 20, from 3 - 5 p.m.
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Thursday, April 18, 2013 © Berthoud, Colorado
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Fracking and the drought By John Gardner The Surveyor
During years with less-than-average snowpack and lower water levels in area reservoirs, water use can be a contentious issue. Last week, the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District board decided to distribute 60 percent of its water shares (down from 90 percent in 2012) from the Colorado-Big Thompson Project (CBT) due to the continuing drought. While most of the water is used for domestic uses such as drinking water and for agricultural purposes, other uses, like the controversial process of natural gas hydrolic fracturing, or “fracking,” also uses quantities of water and other liquids to break up rock formations underground. But should valuable water be allowed for uses like fracking during years of drought? According to Public Information Officer for Northern Water Brian Werner, the amount of water supplied through the CBT to the energy industry is minimal and isn’t a cause for concern. “People say that there’s not enough water, or that we’re taking water from others to supply other uses,” Werner said. But that’s not true. The amount of water provided by Northern Water used in fracking accounts for only one half of one percent,
Werner said. According to Colorado Oil and Gas Association spokesman Doug Flanders, the oil and gas industry statewide only accounts for between 0.8 and 1.3 percent of all consumed water. Most energy companies across the state conserve water by recycling their flowback and produced water, according to Flanders. “Nearly all major Front Range operators recycle 100 percent of their flowback water to be re-used in subsequent operations,” Flanders said. Northern Water provides water to more than 640,000 acres of irrigated farm and ranch land and to about 860,000 domestic customers from eight Northeastern Colorado counties through the CBT project, according to the organization’s website. “By and large we are not taking water off farmer’s land to give to other uses,” Werner said. Agriculture uses account for approximately two thirds of CBT water supply, while municipalities account for the remaining portion. Municipalities, like Berthoud, are required to plan for water needs decades ahead of its current use volume. By doing so, the towns are allowed to lease some of its shares for other uses. Energy companies purchase water from municipalities under a bulk water rate, similar to other bulk water uses like land developers and even the railroad industry.
Photo by Jan Dowker
Top students in the 2013 graduation class honored teachers that have made a difference in their lives.
The Berthoud High School (BHS) Commons was filled with some very uncommon students last Wednesday evening as BHS administrators, teachers, students and family members gathered for the Third Annual BHS Leonard Sherman Teacher Appreciation Night. Modeled after the Boettcher Foundation’s Teacher Recognition Awards Program, BHS Principal Chris Garcia began holding the event to give the top 15 Berthoud High School grads an opportunity to recognize a teacher that had made a difference in their life. “The reason I like to do it is our best students are honoring teachers ... and it’s about other schools, not only the high school,” said Garcia. “You have seniors talking about their thirdgrade teacher. It’s about recognizing those teachers. This is a way for students to thank teachers, formally, for inspiring them to be successful.
“We’re also recognizing Len (Sherman) for the work he did on the school board after serving for so many years as the principal. He’s stayed involved,” he continued. Ranked by grade-point average, the top 15 seniors each have a 4.0 or better. Of the 15, 13 participated in the event, with two, Bailie Holst and Madelaine Angus unable to attend due to schedule conflicts. The 13 students and their honored staff participating in the evening’s celebration included Sierra Stippich and Mrs. Ballard, now retired from BHS; Sarah Brickey and Mr. Rohrbouck, BHS; Nathaniel Ver Steeg and Mrs. Brandvold, BHS; Lindsey Loberg and Mr. Kindt, BHS; Aja Mattise Lorenzen and Ms. Steele, BHS; Emilie Henning and Mrs. Gonzales, BHS; Stefani Messick and Mr. Gallagher, Fossil Ridge High School; Kelsey Angus and Mrs. Cline, BHS; Hannah Haggas and Ms. Barrett, Loveland High School; Lindsey Karlin and Mrs. Boney, St. John the Evangelist Catholic School; Megan Loberg and Mrs. Rector, Turn-
Volume 10, Number 16
DROUGHT CONTINUES?
According to Berthoud Town Administrator Michael Hart, the Town of Berthoud has some short-term lease agreements of its CBT shares to energy companies that use the water for fracking, but the amount of water used is “inconsequential” for the town. “Fracking isn’t really an issue for us,” Hart said. “Berthoud is pretty well prepared. (Berthoud) has a good surplus for the town as it is currently and, as the town grows, we are prepared for that as well.” These short-term leases provide municipalities with additional revenues to invest in water infrastructure while keeping water rates low to domestic customers. Editor’s note: Colorado Constitution: Article 16, section 6 — The right to divert the unappropriated waters of any natural stream to beneficial uses shall never be denied. Priority of appropriation shall give the better right as between those using the water for the same purpose; but when the waters of any natural stream are not sufficient for the service of all those desiring the use of the same, those using the water for domestic purposes shall have the preference over those claiming for any other purpose, and those using the water for agricultural purposes shall have preference over those using the same for manufacturing purposes.
Seniors recognize inspirational teachers
By Jan Dowker The Surveyor
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er Middle School; Anna Megenhardt and Mr. Jones, Berthoud Elementary School; and Andrea Vigil and Mr. Brickey, Bill Reed Middle School. With Mr. Paul Farus directing, the BHS high school orchestra played while photos of students with their teacher and families were taken, recognizing an evening of accomplishment for students who had worked so hard to excel, and recognizing the difference that teachers make in the lives of their students far beyond the classroom. Thompson School District Superintendent Dr. Stan Scheer attended, saying, “I think it’s symbolic of how adults touch kids’ lives and that they want to honor them. I don’t think you can get more valuable feedback about how you touch their lives than through an evening like this.” Garcia agreed saying, “They’re really excited to talk about a teacher that really made a difference to them and recognize them in front of their peers.” He went on to share that he had “received letters from teachers saying it’s the best thing that’s ever happened ... ” as he spoke about the evening’s event. As the students, one by one, walked to the podium with their honoree, the
Photo by Becky Justice-Hemmann
Rocky Mountain National Park reports over 36” of snow as of Wednesday morning and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District reported a total (since Sunday) of 14 inches of snow, with 1.11 inches in much-needed moisture in Berthoud.
room would quiet in anticipation and then smiles, tears and laughter would follow as stories were shared about why that particular teacher was so special to that high school senior. Karlin recalled her third-grade teacher Mrs. Boney as being a “gentle and kind personality that had such an incredible impact on me ... she really cared about her students.” And Boney shared, “I was so honored that nine years later ... I was overwhelmed that someone would think of their third-grade teacher ... it’s why we do it ... it’s a tremendous honor that we are that important in their lives.” Kelsey Angus looked to Mrs. Cline, a counselor at BHS, as the teacher who inspired her, saying, “She’s a great blessing in my life. She listens to me.” And looking at her teacher she said, “Truly you have changed my life so I can never be the same again.” As Vigil said, “I had Mr. Brickey in middle school and he inspired me ... but also taught me to relax and laugh ... mixing fun with learning and never talking down to us.” On reflecting about the impact students have on their teachers, Brickey said, “When a student sends you a note that says you changed their life ... every teacher I know has a file of
those notes and every teacher pulls it out on those tough days ... it’s the golf shot, it brings you back.” Brickey now teaches at Bill Reed Middle School, but taught a number of BHS students when he was at Turner Middle School. Megenhardt chose Mr. Jones of Berrthoud Elementary School, saying “He was a very fair, patient and positive person.” Turning to him on the stage she said, “Thank you for helping me build myself up ... build a strong foundation ... to launch into the next exciting part of life.” Messick reflected on how Mr. Gallagher, now of Fossil Ridge High School, changed her life as her BHS sophomore English teacher, saying “he brought passion, approval and inspiration” to the classroom, and “turned (her) passion for words into a reality.” The evening continued as students shared with their families and peers the importance their honoree played in their life. When the event was done and hugs and goodbyes were said, it was Sherman’s statement that seemed to tell the story best, “Schools are about teaching and learning, and this event brings out the fact that teachers need to be an expert in their subject matter and they need to care deeply about their kids.”
JOG-A-THON
Look who’s in the news! Lexia Wyse Whitley Porter Forrest Eppler Kristina Cavey Austin Bending
Caleb Kelly Maycee White Ashlee Rome Lily Smith Dorothy King
Classified ................................... 9 Crossword .................................. 7 Legal notices .............................. 9 Opinion ...................................... 4 Sports ........................................ 6 Then & Now ............................... 5 Weather ..................................... 2
Berthoud Elementary School held their annual Jog-A-Thon on April 11 to raise money for the school. Left to right/front-back: Runners from the all day and afternoon kindergarten classes included Jackson Beckett-Goltz, Rosie Dart, Malia Sylva, Zoe Taylor, Jeremiah Parker and Armahni Castillo. They are hoping to raise $5,000. Lloydini Magic will come to the school for a magic show if they meet their goal.