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October 15, 2014 VOLU M E 53 | I S S UE 41 | 7 5 ¢ SPECIAL SECTION
PikesPeakCourier.net
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T E L L E R C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Candidates go head-to-head By Pat Hill
phill@coloradocommunitymedia.com Teller County voters packed Woodland Park City Council chambers the evening of Oct. 8. Most were there to hear the debate between the two candidates for sheriff: Mark Manriquez, the unaffiliated candidate who hopes to unseat the incumbent Sheriff Mike Ensminger, a Republican. This week’s issue of The Courier will report on that debate, leaving the unopposed incumbents for next week. Questions were asked by John Thomason with Debbie Miller as the time keeper. Q. What do see as the most significant issue you might face in the next four years? A. Ensminger: One of my priorities is to keep this county safe. We’ve increased our subdivision patrols, tried to collaborate and partner with our community. We’ve seen a reduction of 22 percent in major crime categories; a reduction in burglary by 19 percent, in child abuse by 56 percent, in narcotic/street drugs by 50 percent. We’ve seen a reduction, because of our juvenile diversion program, by 50 percent of juveniles who run away from home. We’re on the right path and want to continue that. A. Manriquez: Our focus is to rebuild the agency, restore professionalism, provide these men and women with the police officer bill of rights, to inform them of administrative processes and return the
agency to transparent community-based policing. We need to rebuild the jail to minimize liability. We have to have the ability to solve major crimes and protect our public. The current administration has not been able to do that. Q. Describe the relationship with your counterparts in neighboring counties and how that might be beneficial to your position? A. Ensminger: We have a close working relationship with Fremont, Douglas, El Paso and Park counties. In fact, I’ve been endorsed by every single one of those sheriffs. We have started an investigative task force that incorporates detectives, not only from inside but outside Teller County and we meet on a monthly basis to discuss major cases. We have been very successful in resolving major cases in the last four years. A. Manriquez: In my job as a criminal investigator for the state of Colorado I have not established those relationships with law-enforcement entities. But what we talk about in terms of community-oriented policing, collaboration is an important part of what we’re trying to accomplish. So whether it’s training, regional training, we know that POST mandates aren’t what they should be so it’s about establishing those types of core training. Q. If elected, what are the three top goals for the sheriff’s office? A. Manriquez: Create an environment within the organization that is free from sexual harassment and intimidation. We
The only contested race is that of the office of sheriff. However, officials who expect to serve a second term took part in the forum Oct. 8 at Woodland Park City Council chambers. From left, Mark Manriquez, who is running against Sheriff Mike Ensminger; Al Born, coroner; Ensminger; Krystal Brown, Teller County clerk and recorder: Dave Paul, Teller County commission chair; and Bob Campbell, the county’s treasurer. Photo by Pat Hill will do that through the police officer’s bill of rights. We will be the first agency in the state of Colorado to do so. We need to change the image of the organization, through professionalism, training and the image. We believe the current administration uses SWAT as a first resource instead of a last resort. We need to use SWAT appropriately. A. Ensminger: Our first goal is safety, which involves thorough investigation.
We had a successful prosecution of a child molester by a person in a position of trust; we broke a forgery ring that extended from Teller County to Colorado Springs and recognized by the Secret Service for doing so; we apprehended an escapee from the Air Force who was transported by this organization to our jail. Lastly, we were able to Candidates continues on Page 6
Aquatic Center information meetings well attended POSTAL ADDRESS
PIKES PEAK COURIER (USPS 654-460)
OFFICE: 1200 E. Highway 24 Woodland Park, CO 80863 PHONE: 719-687-3006 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Teller County, Colorado, the Pikes Peak Courier is published weekly on Wednesday by Colorado Community Media, 1200 E. Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WOODLAND PARK, 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
Two meetings, two audiences, different kinds of questions By Norma Engelberg Contributing writer
A total of about 80 residents attended two meetings on Oct. 4 at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. The meetings were designed to give Woodland Park voters the information they’ll need to make an informed decision on the Woodland Aquatic Center Ballot Question 2A on Nov. 4. At each meeting, Woodland Park Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Keating introduced Woodland Aquatic Project board members and Ken Berendt of Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture. Board President Gerry Simon gave a brief history of the project and talked about benefits, Berendt went over the concept design and Woodland Park City Manager David Buttery answered questions about funding. “We’ve learned some tough lessons,” Simon said. “This time we’re not asking for new taxes and this project won’t be a full recreation center; it’s only an aquatic center designed to fit the needs of our seniors, veterans and kids. It won’t compete with local businesses; it won’t take money from the Memorial Park renovation project or our streets. … We have our ducks in a row.” According to Bob Carlsen, Woodland Park City Council aquatic project board liaison, most of the questions asked at the 1:30 p.m. meeting pertained to how the center will function. However, the 7 p.m. audience mostly asked about funding. In August, Woodland Park City Council referred a bond question
Courtesy graphic to the November ballot, asking Woodland Park voters to approve increasing city debt by not more than $10.1 million with a maximum repayment cost of $15.7 mil-
lion, which is based on a 3.9 percent interest rate. The $10.1 million would likely buy a 21,000-square-foot facility in Woodland Station. It would have a
25-yard, 6-lane competition pool with bleachers; a leisure pool featuring water play and a “lazy river,” viewing areas, an outdoor spa and sundeck and locker rooms. “These are only concepts,” Berendt said. “There will be a few final adjustments.” When asked why only Woodland Park residents are voting on aquatic-center funding when county residents will also reap its benefits, Keating answered that cities must ask for voter approval when taking on long-term debt. Buttery said the city’s general fund is almost entirely generated by sales-tax, 50 percent of which is paid by city residents and the rest paid by county residents and visitors. He said he is confident that the city’s revenue streams are healthy and will remain so for the 20-year duration of the debt without raising taxes. Someone asked why the city is building a center whose operations will have to be subsidized at about $98,000 a year. Keating said Woodland Park already subsidizes its park and recreation programs and facilities. Buttery added that cities almost invariably subsidize services its citizens want. “You get to decide whether an aquatic center is a service you want,” he said. When he was asked for a better handle on the debt-service interest rate, Buttery said it will probably be lower than 3.9 percent but it could be a few percentage points higher. “We don’t know what the interest rates are going to be next year,” he said. “I’ve based this estimate on what our financial planners are saying and I’ve tried to be conservative.” He added that he has also been conservative on his revenue projections. On the subject of using grant Aquatic continues on Page 6