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August 6, 2014 VOLU M E 53 | I S S UE 31 | 7 5 ¢
PikesPeakCourier.net T E L L E R C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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4 now vie for mayor’s seat By Pat Hill
phill@colorado communitymedia.com The Woodland Park City Council will choose the next temporary mayor of Woodland Park in a special public meeting Aug. 12. To date, the residents who have submitted applications are Phil Mella, former city councilman; Neil Levy, past president of the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce; and Gary Brovetto, current city councilman who was defeated in April by Dave Turley for the office of mayor. Gretchen Bundy-Ladowicz, a U.S. Naval Officer with NORAD, submitted paperwork Friday. Turley resigned as mayor several weeks after being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault on a child by a person of trust.
Bullet holes from ‘the dark time’ can still be viewed in the facade. Photos by Rob Carrigan
Victor residents respond to plea By Pat Hill
phill@colorado communitymedia.com
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The people of Victor have responded to a cry for help from Barbara McMillan who was feeling a sense of despair over the potential loss of the Western Federation of Miners Union Hall. “I’m emotionally wrecked,” she said, three days after fire blamed on a lighting strike tore through the historic building July 26. Yet within days of the fire, a group of residents known as the Bucket Brigade kicked off a benefit series that included a street party Aug. 2 and an address for a crowdfunding campaign at crowdrise. com/victormuh. “We just want Barbara to know we’re wrapped around her, that she has community support,” said Becky Parham, coordinator of Victor’s Main Street Program. “I can only imagine what it must feel like to think you’ve lost that building.” While Parham isn’t sure if the funding streams will raise enough to help McMillan recoup her investment on the uninsured building, it’s a start. And for the city of Victor, which is recognized statewide for its turnof-the-century architecture, the building is a vital part of the street scene. “We don’t want to see an empty shell or something damaged downtown,” Parham said. “But we want Barbara to know that we will do everything we can to help.” For the Colorado Historical Society, the hall is a critical piece of
not only Victor’s but the nation’s history, as it relates to the labor movement in America. Two days after the fire McMillan met with an engineer and an architect from the historical society. “Everybody is hopeful; it’s very important to save the building,” she said. “The engineer has a plan to shore up the building, to save the walls.” McMillan has applied for a grant from the historical society to stabilize the façade. “You just have to go through the channels,” she said. “I don’t have any more money; it’s kinda scary.” The Southern Teller County Focus Group is leading the campaign to help McMillan. Last week, the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co. offered its support to save the hall, which was built in 1899.
Ornate brick work characterized the building built more than a century ago after another big fire.
City scores Main Street recognition By Pat Hill
phill@colorado communitymedia.com
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Unwelcome daylight characterizes the view from outside in, now in a rear window.
The city of Woodland Park has been accepted as a candidate into the Colorado Main Street Program. The program provides resources, training and technical services in economic restructuring, historic
preservation, organization and promotion. Woodland Park’s application was led by the Main Street Committee, whose chair person is Vera Egbert and vice-chair, Gary Crane. “We’re excited about being accepted into the program, particularly as it relates to other Main Street Communities’ candidates,”
said Brian Fleer, executive director of Economic and Downtown Development. “The hard work, including the community support during the community assessment, helped drive the successful designation. We will continue to build on our experience with the Main Street Program as an outreach to local businesses, as we
leverage the historical and cultural aspects as the basis for economic development.” The program is sponsored by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Along with Woodland Park, the city of Buena Vista was accepted as a candidate. It takes about 2-4 years to become a fully-designated Main Street community.