Tri Lakes Tribune 0219

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February 19, 2014

75 cents | Volume 49, Issue 5 Tri-Lakes Region, Monument, Gleneagle, Black Forest and Northern El Paso County A publication of

tri-lakestribune.net

Tri-Lakes police keep close eye on Palmer Lake pot vote Agencies ‘hoping for the best, preparing for the worst’ By Danny Summers

Dsummers@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Just what kind of effect will the legalized sales of recreational marijuana have on Tri-Lakes area police departments if Palmer Lake voters pass the ballot issue in April? Nobody knows for sure, but the heads of the two agencies are keeping a close eye on the happenings. “We are a little concerned,” said Lt. Jason Vanderpool of the Palmer Lake Police Department. “I have expressed my concern to the Town council. “We’ll see what happens. I’m here to serve the community.” Vanderpool has six part-time officers under his command. Like most police departments, his staff is stretched to the limit. “The main concerns would be the volume of traffic and the possible rise in crime,” Vanderpool said. “We’re hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.” Palmer Lake is a town of about 2,500. It has been speculated by some residents that the population could swell to 40,000 people a month by those flocking to the area to buy pot or check out the scene. Monument would be greatly affected by the increase in visitors to the area since the largest flow of traffic would likely be on Highway 105. If folks are coming from Douglas County, they probably would get off on County Line Road.

“It may have an effect on accidents and it may have an effect on arrests,” said Monument Police Chief Jacob Shirk. “Right now we’re in a wait and see attitude. The increase in traffic could be nothing, or it could be a public safety issue.” Shirk has 13 commissioned full-time officers, including himself. On rare occasions, El Paso County Sheriffs are called upon to help handle unique or escalated situations. The shooting at Big O Tires a couple of years ago is one example that Shirk pointed out. Shirk attended a Palmer Lake Town Council meeting last summer when the council voted to opt out of the legalized sales of recreational pot. “I was just a spectator,” he said. “It will be interesting to see which way the voters go in April. A lot of times there are unintended consequences when people vote with their pocketbooks or emotions.” The concern over additional traffic in the Tri-Lakes area appears to be a legitimate concern. Manitou Springs Police Chief Joe Ribeiro has said that his department is gearing up for dramatic increase in traffic when retail shops open in his city, which could be as early as April. When pot shops first opened in Colorado in January there were huge lines of folks waiting to make their purchases. “Everybody in the Tri-Lakes area is concerned with the direction Palmer Lake goes,” said Palmer Lake Town councilmember Michael Maddox.

Police officers in the Tri-lakes region could have increased case loads if recreational marijuana sales are approved by Palmer Lake voters in April. Courtesy photos

Marijuana talk stamped out at town hall meeting Residents who showed up to talk about drug had attention diverted to fire house issues By Danny Summers

Dsummers@ coloradocommunitymedia.com With the April election just around the corner, things are starting to heat up in Palmer Lake. The Feb. 15 town hall meeting featured about 35 residents, many of who were on hand to talk about the possible legalization of medical marijuana. Also on the agenda was the state of the fire house, as well as tips on fire mitigation. But to the surprise of many, town council members — led by Mayor Nikki McDonald — elected to take the topic off the table. “I don’t want this to turn into the (venting) session about marijuana,” McDonald said. “It’s going to be put to a vote (on April 1). Let’s not beat a horse to death. I don’t want arguments about marijuana. “My biggest concern is our fire department, and then the lake. But the fire department is the main issue.” POSTAL ADDRESS

Dino Salvatori, owner of Palmer Lake Wellness Center, addresses the crowd at the Palmer Lake town hall meeting on Jan. 18. Salvatori supports the legalized sale of marijuana in Palmer Lake. Photo by Danny Summers According to McDonald, less than 200 of 1,900 registered voters in Palmer Lake voted in the last election. Among the central figures in the debate who showed up to talk pot were Dino Salvatore (owner of Palmer Lake Wellness Center), Jim Adams (Palmer Lake planning commissioner) and James McVaney (who

TRI-LAKES TRIBUNE

spearheaded the drive last fall to get the issue on the April ballot). Salvatore, a resident of Golden, is a central figure on several fronts. He is the leading voice in the pro legalization camp and a somewhat controversial figure in the possible major overhaul of the fire department. Last month, he offered to buy the (USPS 418-960)

OFFICE: 325 Second Street, Suite R, Monument, CO 80132 MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 340, Woodland Park, CO 80866 PHONE: 719-687-3006 A legal newspaper of general circulation in El Paso County, Colorado, the Tri-Lakes Tribune is published weekly on Wednesday by Colorado Community Media, 1200 E. Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO. 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. 12 p.m.

town of Palmer Lake a used fire truck valued at around $12,000. “We looked at it and I don’t think it’s appropriate to have one pot grower give the town a gift,” McDonald said. “That’s just a little over the top.” Salvatore, 54, said his intentions should not be misinterpreted. “They need money and I’d like to help ‘em,” Salvatore said. “Part of my plan is to help the town.” Salvatore has stated that if legalized sales of recreational marijuana were allowed in Palmer Lake, most, if not all, black market pot dealers would flee the town. “Weed funnels everything else (for these dealers),” Salvatore said. “I actually do want to run some of the drug dealers out of town. I’ve been threatened by them and I don’t like it. “Recreational marijuana today is expensive, real expensive,” Salvatore continued. “When I sell it, even with a 25-percent tax, it will be less than street value. In medical marijuana dispensaries, the average price of weed is $240 plus tax. I sell it for $175, including tax.” Salvatore added that street dealers are Talk continues on Page 2

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