March 24, 2016
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Candidate opts against GOP assembly Whistler, who seeks the District 1 commissioner seat, aims to petition onto ballot By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media Elbert County Republicans emerged from their assembly at the fairgrounds on March 19 energized. The GOP faithful applauded talk of unity and the importance that Elbert County Republicans play in statewide elections. The assembly was, however, not without some controversy. One hour before the call to order, District 1 county commissioner candidate Jim Whistler informed Elbert County Republican Chairman Tom Pe-
District 1 hopeful Jim Whistler chose not to participate in the assembly process and is petitioning for a place on the June primary ballot. Photo by Rick Gustafson
terson that he would not be participating in the assembly. Whistler, who announced his candidacy in February, was concerned about the lack of support he might receive from delegates at the assembly and decided to petition voters directly for a place on the Republican primary ballot on June 28. Whistler was informed that as a result of his decision he would not be allowed to address the assembly, which led the Whistler camp to accuse the central committee, specifically Peterson, of “freezing him out.” “I don’t know why the chairman chose to not allow me to speak,” Whistler said. “I believe in competition, in Whistler continues on Page 6
Democrat pursues seat in District 1 Commissioner candidate Soderberg is an alternative healer who helps horses By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media
Ruby, 5, left, and Nicolas, 7, Gonzales choose from a selection of children’s books offered as part of the Elbert County Coalition for Outreach’s Easter Egg Hunt on March 19. Photos by Rick Gustafson
Eggs put in multiple baskets
Annual hunt moves inside because of snow By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media Planning an outdoor event for the last day of winter can be a risky proposition, and when forecasters predicted snow for most of March 18
and into the morning of March 19, organizers of the Elbert County Coalition for Outreach’s annual Spring Egg Hunt had to act fast. Instead of sending the children traipsing through the 4 inches that fell on Fawn Valley Park in Kiowa to dig eggs out of the snow, ECCO Director Pam Witucki transformed the event into a trick-or-treat-style “bag-o-eggs” affair inside ECCO’s thrift store at the
Lion’s Hall in Kiowa. “We’ve been doing this for eight years, and this is the first year that we’ve had bad weather,” said Witucki. “Seven years, I guess we’ve been pretty lucky.” From 10 a.m. until the eggs are gone, read the flier announcing the event on March 19, and the first Eggs continues on Page 9
March has been a busy month for Elbert County politics. A record turnout for both parties’ respective caucuses at the beginning of the month was followed by enthusiasm at county assemblies. At their county assembly on March 5, Democrats nominated longtime county resident Marie Soderberg to represent them for the District 1 commissioner seat. Soderberg’s father was a developer in Elbert County in the 1960s. She received a bachelor’s Soderberg degree in psychology from Colorado Women’s College and studied graduate-level psychology at the University of Northern Colorado, but eventually elected to leave the program. “So, I just went out to experience life,” she said. “I was a cab driver. I did construction. I worked at a veterinarian’s office. I did a lot of different things, and then I got involved with creating alternative healing.” Soderberg practiced alternative healing Soderberg continues on Page 6
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