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July 30, 2014 VOLU M E 53 | I S S UE 30 | 7 5 ¢
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Manriquez speaks out about issues By Pat Hill
phill@coloradocommunitymedia.com It’s a matter of principle, said Mark Manriquez who is running for a second time against Mike Ensminger, who was elected Teller County Sheriff four years ago. This time around Manriquez is running as an unaffiliated candidate, a change from when he ran as a Republican against Ensminger, also a Republican. “First off, the office hasn’t improved. Eighty-six people have left since 2010,” he said, referring to the turnover of law enforcement officers as well as civilians in Ensminger’s administration. Manriquez has a list of negatives. “We know from the last time we ran about Mike’s lack of experience,” he said. “He said he had 27 years of law enforcement experience - we know that’s not true. He backed off that position and says now he has ‘several’ years of experience.” However, a check with press secretary for the Committee to Re-elect Mike Ensminger, offers a different scenario. “Sheriff Ensminger’s resume is very strong. The county’s top law enforcement official has 35 years of experience. He also has a bachelor’s of science degree in organizational management and human resources from Colorado Christian University,” said Mike Perini. “Here is where he has served in law enforcement: 1977 to 1979 — Anaheim Police Officer Reserve; 1979 to 1982 - City of Imperial Beach Police Officer; 1982 to 1986 — San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
deputy; 1988 to 2010 — Pikes Peak Community College & Regional Police Academy Professor of Criminal Justice; 2010 to 2014 — Teller County Sheriff.” Manriquez cites his 35 years of experience in law enforcement, 28 years with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, the last six-and-a-half as a criminal investigator with the Colorado Division of Gaming. On another issue, while Manriquez is against Colorado’s gun-control laws he would enforce the law, if elected. “If you choose not to enforce that law, what other law are you not going to enforce? No, I didn’t agree with Hickenlooper’s laws but whether you have 15 rounds or 30 rounds it really doesn’t matter,” he said. “When you try to limit magazine capacity, just look at a handgun, a .45 caliber Glock or an AR-15.” If he made the laws, Manriquez would enforce punishment for crimes committed with firearms. “Unfortunately, our district attorneys and lawyers plea-bargain that away,” he said. “We can have the strictest laws on the book but if we plea bargain them away how effective are they?” The candidate questions the sheriff’s commitment to the Second Amendment. “He leads the state in discretionary revocations (of applications for gun permits). So an applicant passes all the backgrounds yet the office of the sheriff still has discretion on whether or not to issue those, based on whatever criteria he creates,” Manriquez said. “According to state statistics, Teller County is responsible for onethird of discretionary revocations.”
Mark Manriquez is going for a second chance to beat Teller County Sheriff Mike Ensminger in the November election. Photo by Pat Hill Speaking for Ensminger, Perini objected. “Concealed handgun permits can be taken by any officer in the state of Colorado and can happen anywhere in the state when an arrest is made. The permits are then turned over to the Sheriff’s office. All revocations have been a result of the card carrier being arrested for a crime. The holder can appeal and most do, pending the outcome of their criminal matter.”
ENSGMINGER RESPONDS Ensminger bristles at the criticisms. “My job as sheriff is to make this county the safest in Colorado. When I walked into
this office in 2010 we didn’t have 24/7 supervision; that was changed right away,” he said. “We have a subdivision patrol that has decreased our burglary rate. We have increased our juvenile diversion program that has been successful in turning around the lives of our youth in Teller County.”
CHOICE IS AN ISSUE IN THIS ELECTION Manriquez talks about choice. “You saw what happened to Betty Clark-Wine as the incumbent (assessor) in her own party — Manriquez continues on Page 2
POSTAL ADDRESS
This photo of the Miners’ Hall in Victor first ran in Miners Magazine, Sept., 1902. It has been called “the most significant, historical building in the state of Colorado,” by area preservationists. Courtesy photo
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P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
The sound of gears whirring added emphasis to the beauty of small engines of the past. As a special display during Gold Rush Days this month, the Ag and Mining Museum featured residents who explained the workings of the replicas. The museum houses several antique tractors and a lathe, a result of donations by Milford Ashworth.
Engines stand out at Gold Rush Days By Bonnie Sumner For the Courier
Victor Gold Rush Days July 18-20 are always fun for everyone, from the children panning for gold in a huge trough set up in the street to the burly men competing in the mining-equipment competition. An exhibit that may have been overlooked by some was the display of amazing small replicas of working engines. Inside the cavernous Ag and Mining Museum, mostlyretired gentlemen proudly explained the time and precision work that went into each of their fully-working models.
Engines continues on Page 2
The little machine is a replica of a working engine. The machine was part of the exhibit at Gold Rush Days in Victor the weekend of July 18-20. Photos by Bonnie Sumner
Lightning strikes Miners Union Hall By Pat Hill
phill@coloradocommunitymedia.com The historic Miners Union Hall in Victor was nearly destroyed in a fire that started around 2 pm. July 26. According to Deb Downs, Victor city manager, by Monday morning the walls of the hall were starting to buckle. The unofficial cause of the fire was a lightning strike, Downs said. Barbara McMillan owns the building and spent the weekend watching the destruction as fire crews from Victor, Cripple Creek, Four Mile, Divide and Northeast Teller County Fire Protection District helped battle the blaze. By Sunday morning, the fire was out but there were hot spots throughout the building, Downs said. . Downs credits the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co. for providing a major source of water for the firefighters. “Without the mine, I’m not sure the fire could have been put out,” Downs said. “The mine also brought in a diesel truck to support the firefighters.” As of Monday morning, residents of Victor and Goldfield were advised to boil their drinking water. As well, water was available at the Victor Fire Station. Built in 1899, the union hall is a critical piece of Victor’s history.