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March 5, 2015 VOLU M E 1 2 0 | I S S UE 5 | 7 5 ¢
ElbertCountyNews.net E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Officials approve ‘sunshine’ policies Paper notifications get priority over Internet By Rick Gustafson
Special to Colorado Community Media
Elbert County Coalition for Outreach Director Pam Witucki rings up a customer sale Feb. 28. Photos by Rick Gustafson
Group helps sustain community County’s outreach coalition offers assistance for residents in need By Rick Gustafson
Special to Colorado Community Media
POSTAL ADDRESS
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100)
It might be easy for motorists passing through Kiowa to drive past the Lions’ Hall without understanding or even noticing the abbreviation displayed on the yellow marquee in front. But for some individuals and families, “ECCO” translates into the kind of help that can make a crucial difference in their lives. Founded in 2006, ECCO, the Elbert County Coalition for Outreach, was established as a nonprofit 501(c)3 to serve as a hub of outreach for residents of Elbert County. “Prior to the formation (of ECCO) we would have these groups, three or four of us doing the same program, and no one else doing something else that was needed,” said Sheila G. Kelley, member of the coalition board of directors and Elbert County’s CSU 4-H Extension Agent. “The first year that we met, we coordinated our programs and identified other needs in the commu-
nity. We really educated each other about what our unique services were.” ECCO views the type of help it offers as a hand up, avoids competing with programs offered by other organizations, and prides itself on its collaborations with member agencies to provide emergency support services to families, individuals and victims of crime. “We don’t do this on a continuous basis. One family can’t come in every single month and get something. We’ll get you back up on your feet,” Kelley said. “If they come back in six months and they’ve shown us they’ve tried to get a job but something has happened, we may help them a second time.” In 2007, ECCO reopened the thrift store located in the Lions’ Hall at 336 Comanche Street. “After much discussion, a lot of work, and our great luck in finding Pam Witucki as our director, we jumped in with both feet,” Kelley said. “Looking back, it was a really big dive.” “My focus is in our community,” says Witucki who sees plenty of opportunities for volunteering in Elbert County as well as at ECCO, whether it is sorting donations, preforming general
OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100
Sunshine continues on Page 7
The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners reached an agreement on policies regarding public notification and posting policies for meetings as they pertain to Colorado’s open meetings and open records laws — also known as the “sunshine statutes.” The new policy also establishes a procedure for electronic notifications for public meetings and designates bulletin boards on the first and second floors of the County Administration Building (the old county courthouse) as the official posting place for all meeting notices and agendas. In addition to its regularly scheduled BOCC meetings held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, the county will formally post notices and agendas for meetings designated as work/ study sessions and employee supervision/ staff administration meetings. Members of the BOCC conduct the work sessions as needed to discuss issues, and receive updates from county staff or advisory committees. The employee supervision meetings are also scheduled as needed to address the day-to-day oversight of property or supervision of employees. Neither the work sessions nor the employee meetings are considered public hearings, and though the public is invited to observe, there are no provisions for public comment. Public policies, regulations or resolutions may not be adopted during study sessions or at employee supervision meetings. The county will continue to post meeting notices on the calendar page of its website, but due to possible Internet disruptions — such as the one the county experienced when a broken water main flooded the basement of the administration building last summer, crippling the county’s telecommunications networks — the BOCC did not designate electronic notification as the official posting place. “The Internet is not always as reliable as a paper posting,” County Attorney Wade Gateley said. “It can’t go down and it’s not Sunshine continues on Page 7
A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal: Thurs. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 10 a.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Donated food from local grocery stores and coffee shops is given away.
Wade Gateley, county attorney, explains and entertains questions at the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting on Feb. 25. Photo by Rick Gustafson