News
Elbert 5-23-13
Elbert County
May 23, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourelbertcountynews.com
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 118, Issue 17
Elizabeth gains veterans memorial Wall in cemetery displays plaques for military branches By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com Board members of the Elizabeth Veterans Memorial plan a grand opening celebration Memorial Day weekend to unveil the memorial wall installed in the Elizabeth Cemetery. The husband and wife teams of Bill Mansell, Diana Robins-Mansell and Lance and Norma Homer began planning the memorial wall in the fall of 2012 in hopes of meeting a 2013 deadline. The memorial wall was installed in the northeast corner of the cemetery, visible to passers-by, with a series of flagpoles that will fly the American, Colorado and POW/ MIA flags. The wall is made of concrete covered in stucco, about 6 feet high and 36 feet long, with permanent plaques for the five branches of the military. Construction of
the memorial wall came from donations of labor and material from building supply companies in Elizabeth, Parker and Castle Rock, Robins-Mansell said. “This was a long time in the making,” she said. “This has been a real community effort.” The board will celebrate its grand opening at 9 a.m. May 27 with the help of American Legion Post 82 and local Boy Scout Troop 636. The Boy Scouts will conduct a presentation on the proper care, folding and retirement of the American flag. The troop will accept American flags slated for retirement and conduct a retirement ceremony in keeping with protocol, Robins-Mansell said. The flag retirement ceremony will take place at a later date. The memorial wall dedication will include a 21-gun salute, taps, a prayer from a Navy chaplain and a celebration the board hopes becomes an annual tradition. “There are so many veterans buried in this cemetery,” Robins-Mansell said. “We have always tried to support veterans and veterans’ activities. The whole veteran community loves this.” Personalized bricks to honor service
Diana Robins-Mansell, left, her husband Bill Mansell, center, and fellow board member Lance Homer gather at the Elizabeth Veterans Memorial, under construction at the Elizabeth Cemetery. Photo by Rhonda Moore members are available for purchase and permanent installation at the memorial wall. The bricks are $150 each and available
to order online at http://evmf.webs.com. For more information call 720-300-4927 or email dlrobi72@gmail.com.
New laws get tails wagging Protection act, focus on shelter pets become law By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com
Bill Sneed, president of the Elizabeth Stampede board, stands at his property overlooking Elizabeth. The Stampede was named the Mid Size Rodeo of the Year in 2012 by the Mountain States Circuit. Photo by Rhonda Moore
Stampede lassos another honor Renowned rodeo adds mid-size recognition to awards collection By Rhonda Moore
rmoore@ourcoloradonews.com The Elizabeth Stampede is ready for another year of small-town rodeo, with a recognition that bumped its status up a notch. POSTAL ADDRESS
The Stampede in 2012 was named Mid Size Rodeo of the Year by the Mountain States Circuit, a circuit comprising Colorado and Wyoming. The recognition as the top mid-size rodeo on the circuit came after the Stampede’s numbers became too large to call it a small rodeo. In addition, the Stampede made a national mark in the last two years as the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association’s top national small rodeo for 2011 and 2012. While the Stampede was recognized in years past as the circuit’s top small rodeo
of the year, recognition on a national level from the PRCA is a “very big deal,” said Bill Sneed, president of the Stampede board. “In the circuit, Elizabeth is the role model for small market rodeos,” Sneed said. “We are huge innovators in enhancing the spectator experience and the treatment of contestants. And we just keep growing.” The growth of the Stampede resulted in a purse large enough to bump its rank in the Mountain States Circuit from a small to a mid-size rodeo, Sneed said. The size of the purse — the amount of prize money awarded contestants — determines where rodeos land in the categories, Sneed said. In 2012, the Elizabeth Stampede RoPrinted on recycled newsprint. Please deo purse was more than $46,000 and the recycle this copy. one-night Elizabeth Stampede Xtreme Bulls purse was more than $15,000, according to the Stampede’s online report of 2012 rodeo winners. The purse comes from sponsorships Stampede continues on Page 12
Dogs had their day in Denver as Gov. John Hickenlooper signed two pieces of legislation that led to some serious tailwagging from our four-legged friends. The governor — who brought his dog Sky to a bill-signing at the Denver Animal Shelter — put his signature on a bill aimed at protecting dogs whenever police are called to their owners’ homes, and another that designates dogs — and cats — that are adopted from animal shelters as the state pets. “These pets become a huge part of people’s lives,” Hickenlooper said at the bill signing on May 13. Each bill received support from Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly this legislative session. “This is a bi- Report partisan day for dogs,” said Sen. David Balmer, R-Centennial, who was flanked by Democratic lawmakers, Sen. Lucia Guzman and Rep. Lois Court, both of Denver. The three co-sponsored Senate Bill 226, known as the “Dog Protection Act.” The bill requires law enforcement agencies to put in place training, and to adopt policies and procedures that officers would be required to adhere to whenever they respond to homes where there are dogs. The measure allows dog owners the opportunity to put their pets outside or into another room whenever police come to the home for calls involving non-violent situations. The bill calls for the creation of a volunteer task force that will outline officer
Capitol
Dog continues on Page 12