Elbert County News 0802

Page 1

PLAY BALL! Baseball exhibit pairs history with national pastime P13

75 CENTS

AUGUST 2, 2018

ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Douglas County Fair & Rodeo reaches 100th birthday P3

Economic Development Zone becomes hot topic Some fear possible effects of commercial development BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Alyssa Carver, an archivist with Douglas County Libraries, examines historic fair programs and articles in the library’s archive on the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo. JESSICA GIBBS

Golf tourney, veteran support therapy ranch Former soldier rounds up support for Eagle’s Nest facility at sheriff’s event BY TOM MUNDS TMUNDS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

When Elbert County Sheriff Shayne Heap held his seventh annual golf tournament July 13 at Spring

Valley Golf Course in Elizabeth, he selected the Eagle’s Nest Ranch to receive the proceeds — a decision that prompted Desert Storm veteran Sgt. Tony Drees to come to help raise money for the ranch that also serves veterans. Suzy McKenzie runs the ranch in Elizabeth, which has the purpose of bringing hope, trust and growth to adults and children who have experienced or are experiencing invisible wounds.

“We have helped Eagle’s Nest Ranch and all they do since 2014,” Heap said. “I decided since this is my final golf tournament since I am term-limited, it would benefit the ranch.” Drees said he is executive director of Veterans’ Passport to Hope, which focuses on helping raise money that is then donated to the top veterans’ service organization in a community.

Citizens of Elbert County expressed their concerns with approving an overlay map for the proposed Economic Development Zone, which members of the planning commission considered adding to the official zoning map during the July 24 meeting. The planning commission members voted unanimously to approve the amendment, which still must be voted on by the county commissioners. The EDZ was approved as an amendent to the text of the Elbert County Zoning Regulation on March 28, with the purpose being “to promote economic activity and mixed uses along select Elbert County roadway corridors,” according to the summary of request dated July 12. Any properties within a half-mile of the centerline of EDZ corridors could develop commercial property or build mixed-use developments. While the EDZ was created to promote eonomic activity and allow freedom of property rights, many residents expressed opposition to the approval and what it could mean for their county.

SEE SUPPORT, P19

PERIODICAL

DID YOU KNOW ... INSIDE

SEE ECONOMIC, P15

Elbert County was established in 1874 and named for Samuel H. Elbert, then Colorado’s territorial governor. Source: Colorado Encyclopedia

VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 13 | CALENDAR: PAGE 6

ElbertCountyNews.net

VOLUME 123 | ISSUE 27


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