Courier View Pikes Peak 6-26-13
Pikes Peak
Teller County, Colorado • Volume 52, Issue 26
June 26, 2013
75 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourtellercountynews.com
First responders were honored during special ceremonies last year as the event followed the Waldo Canyon Fire.
All set for July 5th symphony By Pat Hill
touch along with the magnificent sounds of the Philharmonic. With an annual guest conductor from the community, the symphony’s celebrity this year is Teller County Commission Chair
phill@ourcoloradonews. com A Woodland Park tradition for 33 years, the July 5th Symphony Above the Clouds has a down-home
Dave Paul. “It’s a great honor to be the guest conductor,” Paul said. Admittedly a novice at directing a professional orchestra, Paul will be granted one rehearsal before the big evening. However, Paul has one up on the new experience. “From my mother’s attempts to provide me with culture I do know how to read music,” he said. Perhaps a bit daunted by the challenge, Paul acknowledges a sense of gratitude for the musical selection. “I’m assured it’s going to be a march which should make any errors I make easy for the symphony to overcome,” he said. Paul is among the regu-
Symphony Above The Clouds draws listeners of all ages to Woodland Park Middle School.
The hills are alive with sound of music every July 5 as Symphony Above the Clouds reaches new milestones. Photos by Rob Carrigan lars who spend the evening listening to the annual event sponsored by the Ute Pass Symphony Guild. “This is a significant event for Woodland Park; it’s attended by 5,000 to 7,000 people, it’s patriotic and smalltown,” said Woodland Park city manager David Buttery. “It’s just wonderful, families, generations, neighbors, friends, visitors enjoy the most beautiful music in a beautiful setting. Because there is no fee, businesses and individuals support the annual concert.” Woodland Park Mayor
Dave Turley highlights the ritual aspect of the event. “The July 5th Symphony Above the Clouds brings together our entire community and out-of-town guests for a glorious event with good times, great music, great food and a great celebration of the birth of our nation,” he said. “The 1812 Overture, fireworks (hopefully), and the Fort Carson cannons conclude an evening of fun and remembrance!” For many residents and tourists, the celebration that honors America’s inde-
pendence from England is two-day occasion. “The 4th is always a good time in Memorial Park while the Symphony Above the Clouds is icing-on-the-cake,” Turley said. “We all owe so much to the Ute Pass Symphony Guild for ensuring the success of this great event centered around the performances by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. Everyone should come. Elevate your spirit and enjoy this great evening in the shadow of Pikes Peak. Life is good in Woodland Park!”
Marijuana ordinance on hold in Green Mountain Falls By Pat Hill
phill@ourcoloradonews.com As some nearby municipalities have dodged the marijuana bullet by prohibiting anything to do with the now-legal substance, the Green Mountain Falls’ board of trustees delayed their decision on the issue. Swayed by several public comments at the meeting June 18, the board tabled the issue until July 2. “What are you all scared of? It’s been here for 50 years; why don’t you make a little money off it?” said Kim Wert,
who owns the town’s liquor store. Joanna Bartko agreed. “Everybody else is doing it, as long as you have a handle on it. If we can make money off it, as opposed to charging for other things, I think it’s something you should consider,” she said. Jeremiah Nelson emphasized that Colorado votes legalized recreational marijuana. “Why don’t we treat it like alcohol and make money off it,” he said. “It’s a lot better than alcohol; I don’t see people going around getting DUIs; you can’t overdose on it, you’ll fall asleep first.”
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‘If we can make money off it, as opposed to charging for other things, I think it’s something you should consider.’ Joanna Bartko Mike Urban drew a laugh with his comment. “I would say with age, marijuana becomes less recreational,” he said. Defending their decision for prohibition on the first reading of the ordinance, the trustees spoke out. “Ours was a not a kneejerk decision; we did a lot of research,” said Margaret Peterson. Howard Price offered reassurance. “If the ordinance passes, it does not mean you cannot smoke grass in Green Mountain Falls,” he said. With all the distance restrictions on marijuana establishments, the town is pretty much locked out of earning revenue from the sale of the substance, said Ralph LoCascio. “If we say it’s legal why do we make it so
difficult?” Tyler Stevens offered another reason for not supporting the ordinance for prohibition. “I think it’s premature until we receive guidance from the Department of Revenue, and what that’s looking like around the nation and statewide,” Stevens said. “I do see it as a potential opportunity for our community. I think we’re foolish to shut the doors immediately without evaluating the opportunities.” In the end, the board agreed to look at placing a moratorium on marijuana-related business rather than an outright prohibition. In another decision, the board voted unanimously to limit the new town hall to one story, with no basement.