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VOLUME 21, NUMBER 8
LYONS, COLORADO
RESIDENT / OCCUPANT PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID LYONS, CO PERMIT No 2053 $.50
SEPTEMBER 16 / OCTOBER 14, 2020
It’s hard to be TOGETHER By Sally King The Bears are staging a “TOGETHER” Happening at the corner of 5th Ave and High Street and they insist that if you’d like a TOGETHER sign you may take one home. The problem with TOGETHER is that it can be so divisive. My sister and I vote differently and it can be painful when we talk. The Bears understand That it is hard to be together. It’s easy to get attached to the honey of being right. And hard to let it go. Human evolution is beyond politics Together is being with that which is beyond my point of view. TOGETHER. Milton Glasser, the artist who penned I heart New York, has given us the TOGETHER graphic as featured here.
Aria Johnson, Eridanis Tucker, and Tallulah Johnson display their Together signs, made by Sally King. King and the girls installed the signs in front of her iconic Bears sculpture at the intersection of High Street and 5th Avenue in Lyons. PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS
B •R •I •E •F •S Lyons Elementary School began August 18 online LYONS – Lyons Elementary School has been in session since August 18, with all students logging in to their classes online. Many kids are attending virtually from home, on their own or with a parent or caregiver, while others are a part of small groups of kids (typically referred to as “pods”) who gather together each school day and log in on one device. Before the first day of school, each student was provided with an iPad and various other supplies to use for their schoolwork, and new supplies are picked up by families about every other week. Teachers are working from their classrooms, teaching via video conferencing software called Webex. This “distance learning” model is set to continue through at least September 30, and the St. Vrain School District is expected to announce plans for October sometime before that date. Continue Briefs on Page 7
I •N •D •E •X LYONS
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TRUSTEES’ CORNER
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EDUCATE
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OPTIONS
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INSIGHT
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OPPORTUNITY
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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FORWARD
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LOOK AHEAD
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WILDLIFE
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Lyons Town Board makes a difficult call on a liquor license and other issues By Susan de Castro McCann Redstone Review Editor LYONS – It was a dark and stormy night and the power was flickering at the Lyons Town Hall on Tuesday, September 8 when the Lyons Town Board was conducting its regular meeting on Zoom. Several staff members and the Mayor and one trustee were working from the town hall. Deputy Town Clerk Merissa Davis read the renewal liquor license application for Lyons Den Tavern, located at 160 Main St., to the Town Board. Davis said in her statement that Lyons Den had five noise citations which are still pending in Lyons Municipal Court. The Lyons Den was asked to suspend outdoor entertainment due to the violations of COVID and zoning regulations but spoke to the Town Administrator who offered a modification, and an agreement was reached. Davis said that Lyons Den did not comply with the agreement and the agreement was revoked on August 31. New stipulations were offered on September 3. On another matter concerning Lyons Den, Davis said the finance director
(Jill Johnson) found that Lyons Den was noncompliant on reporting and on paying sales tax. The board was notified of the noncompliance issue with sales taxes. Town Administrator Victoria Simonsen said that two payments were made on the taxes, one for April 2019 and one for July 2020. The Lyons Den open up on April 24, 2019. Mayor Nick Angelo read some letters of complaint into the record. Some of the letters said that the music did not always stop at 10:30 p.m. when it was supposed to, others said that sometimes the music stopped on time and everyone went inside for about a half hour then they came right back out and started playing on the patio again. Chrystal DeCoster, owner of Western Stars Gallery, said that she wanted to support the Lyons Den and wanted them to get their liquor license renewed. She said that they were sort of roommates. Western Stars is located on the western end of the building complex that is shared with Lyons Den. Randall Yarbrough, owner of Lyons Den, spoke up in his own defense saying that he has been in compliance with the noise ordinance for the prior week-
end. He went on to say that he had a partner who was supposed to be paying the sales taxes but did not. “I was new to the business and it was her (the partner’s) area to pay the taxes. We are just trying to run a successful business. It’s not easy. I’ve done so much mitigation to comply. I don’t want to see the 14 employees I employ go without a job. We have art shows too. We bring in some good business.” Trustee Mark Browning asked who was responsible for paying the sales taxes after Yarbrough’s partner left last November. Yarbrough said he guessed that was responsible. “Do you understand that when you collect sales taxes, under state law those taxes are trust funds for the state, the county and the town?” asked Browning. “Yes, I do now sir,” said Yarbrough. Trustee Browning asked him if he had a payment plan in place with the Colo. Dept. of Revenue or if he was just in discussion with them. Yarbrough said he was in discussion with the Dept. of Revenue. Browning asked if he was in compliance with the Feds for their income taxes and Yarbrough said that he was current. He added that his new accountant, Julie Hamilton, who owns Scope Accounting was handling his accounts and his payments. Mayor Angelo lamented, “AccordContinue Town on Page 15