News
Elbert 7.25.13
Elbert County
July 25, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourelbertcountynews.com
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 118, Issue 26
Lions, tigers and
books, oh my!
Circus acts delight crowd, support library charity
Circus general manager and tiger tamer Trey Key scratches Delilah, a rare 350-pound golden tabby tiger, shortly before her performance on July 21 in Elizabeth. Key is part of the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus that held two afternoon performances in the Elizabeth Public Library parking lot. Portions of ticket sales were returned to the Elbert County Libraries Foundation Photos by Deborah Grigsby
By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews. com
W
hile the Elbert County Library District has plenty of books on lions and tigers, director Kari May admits she never thought the large cats would ever make a live appearance in her library parking lot. But, never say never. The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus stopped in Elizabeth for two afternoon performances July 21 at the Elizabeth Public Library, to the delight of both young and old — and to raise money for the Elbert County Libraries Foundation. The small, tented one-ring circus featured a variety of traditional acts, delighting both young and old, and raising
money for the foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing library facilities, programs and services. “It worked out nicely,” said May. “We were able to provide the circus with a place to perform and a small portion of the ticket price will come back to the libraries.” Based in Hugo, Okla., the circus performs approximately 31 weeks out of the year, according to general manager and resident lion tamer Trey Key. Key, who’s been with circus for seven years, feeds, grooms and trains the three large felines that headline the show as well as handling many of the logistics. While small family-owned circuses seem to struggle in
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Circus continues on Page 8
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Francis, a 500-pound black-maned African lion, examines his surroundings before a July 21 performance in Elizabeth with the Culpepper and Merriweather Great Combined Circus. The large cats are provided ample opportunity to stretch their legs and become acquainted with the ring before performing. Different surfaces can make the cats feel insecure in their footing.
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Rowland defends decision on oil, gas Commissioners rejected amendment to land-use regulations By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com Amid sharp criticism for voting down vote down Elbert County’s first new oil and gas regulations in more than a decade, District 1 Commissioner Robert Rowland said the decision was necessary to keep the county from violating state law. In a 2-1 vote July 10, the Board of County Commissioners rejected an amendment to current land-use regulations that would have better defined the county’s application process for issuing oil and gas exploration permits. Rowland, who along with Commissioner Kurt Schlegel voted against approving the documents, said the way they were written put the county at risk of not only being in conflict Rowland with state oil and gas regulations, but also of complicating the county’s ability to sit down and negotiate with potential producers. “I did not, truly, reach my decision on the matter until less than 24 hours before the vote,” he said. “The bottom line was that we have to protect the county from issues associated with oil and gas exploration, but at the same time be open to embracing the benefits that come with it.” According to Rowland, founder of the Elbert County Tea Party, his decision stems from the fact the all-volunteer planning commission that dedicated more than two years to crafting the regulations created more of a “political document” than it did a legal document. “Their job was never to write the regulations,” he explained. “That’s the job of staff. The planning commission’s job was to take what staff put together, interpret it, apply the law to it and then provide recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. To have a commission that writes the regulations and then turns around and recommends them to the board seems like a bit of a conflict of interest to me.” But Rowland emphasized that the planning commission is not to blame. In fact, he praised the group for accomplishing their mission in spite of difficulties he feels predate the current BOCC. “The planning commission accomplished their goal and did so in a stellar fashion,” he said. “They went out among a diverse population, brought people together and built a consensus, and there is no way that we would be where we are now without their contributions.” Bottom line, according to Rowland, the documents are not a waste. “In fact, staff is finishing up the memorandum of agreement now,” he said. As for oil and gas regulations, Rowland said the county will refer back to existing state laws and concentrate more on creating workable agreements with potential oil and gas producers. “We are plowing new ground here,” he said. “No one ever said it would be easy, but this is something we’ve got to get right.” Schlegel said he anticipated documents being ready by the Aug. 14 BOCC meeting.