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March 3, 2005 Edition • Front Page •

Photo by Ann E. Wibbenmeyer Bullet holes mar the Robert Emmet kiosk on the Mineral Belt Trail. The vandalism was discovered by Greg Race Friday morning and is estimated at $800, according to Howard Tritz, chairman of the MBT Advertise YOUR committee. The shooter, who used a .22, apparently Business HERE! was in the parking lot adjacent to the kiosk and shot so that the bullets went into E. 5th St. The MBT committee is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the person causing the vandalism.

ICO stalls at council City council made no motion on the Institutional Control Overlay District (ICO) at Tuesday’s meeting The issue was the main item of discussion for the city Planning and Zoning committee on Feb. 23, where it decided to recommend the initiation of a text/map amendment to city council. [more] Attend PUC hearing The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will hold a public hearing in Leadville on Tuesday, March 8, to take public comment on Qwest's proposal to deregulate most retail telephone services. The public hearing will be at 7 p. m. in the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum conference room, 120 W. 9th St. [more]

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ICO stalls at council by Ann E. Wibbenmeyer Herald Staff Writer City council made no motion on the Institutional Control Overlay District (ICO) at Tuesday’s meeting The issue was the main item of discussion for the city Planning and Zoning committee on Feb. 23, where it decided to recommend the initiation of a text/map amendment to city council. The initiation of the amendment would have started the discussion between city council, the public and the EPA. It would not have passed the ICO. The ICO would mandate property owners to have 12 inches of clean soil in the perimeter of any building. This would require a place to take contaminated soil and a place to get clean soil to replace it with. Councilmember Scott Marcella started discussion Tuesday by recalling the brown envelope he received from the EPA 17 years ago, and compared the ICO packet to the same brown envelope. Advertise YOUR Only this time the EPA is taking the back-door approach by Business HERE! using the elected officials to do their dirty work, he said. People put their trust in their elected officials to protect them from things like the ICO, Marcella said. Councilmember Carol Hill said, “There is zero benefit for current Leadville/Lake County residents.” She also mentioned the added layer of bureaucracy the ICO entails. For Hill, the only good option would be one that guarantees residents would not have to pay a dime, and that comes with a date the EPA would leave Leadville. Mayor Bud Elliott brought up the Harrison Avenue slag pile, reminding the council that the Union Pacific Railroad would not sell the property until the ICO was passed. After this, the railroad company would no longer be the primary responsible party. The property has sat empty for years and would be a prime location for commercial development, if it could be sold. Robin Littlepage, from the audience, asked Elliott about making just one piece of land an ICO district. He explained that the city could pass an ordinance to cover part or none of the area proposed. Brad Littlepage, a member of the audience, took the opportunity to read a prepared statement voicing his concerns with the ICO. He said there was very little public input into the ICO passed in the county, and that many decisions were made illegally in executive sessions. Public meetings should have been scheduled for each of the operable units (OU) put into the ICO, he said, but one was held for OU 9 only. Elliott disagreed with Littlepage, saying that many public meetings were scheduled and posted at the courthouse. Linda Hollenback, acting city clerk and director of administrative services for the city, reminded the council that the ICO was on the agenda in order to initiate a process that included public hearings. Marcella and Hill both asserted that they would not initiate the process. At the end of the discussion, Elliott asked if there was a motion. None was brought forth.

Attend PUC hearing The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will hold a public hearing in Leadville on Tuesday, March 8, to take public comment on Qwest's proposal to deregulate most retail telephone services. The public hearing will be at 7 p. m. in the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum conference room, 120 W. 9th St. Qwest has applied to end regulation of virtually all retail services, asserting that there are adequate competitive alternatives in residential and business markets for both local and long distance telecommunications services throughout the state. The PUC ruled on Feb. 1 that the law does not allow for total deregulation of telecom services that currently are fully regulated - such as basic residential and business service. However, if granted, Qwest's proposal could remove some of the PUC's price and service quality regulation over those services and move them one step closer to deregulation. Services that are already more flexibly regulated - such as in-state long distance and advanced features such as call waiting and Caller ED - could be deregulated in this application. The PUC is seeking public comment on the availability and effectiveness of competitors for all telecommunications services. People who are unable to attend the public hearings can submit written comments to the PUC, 1580 Logan St., Office Level 2, Denver, CO 80203. Comments should be addressed to Docket No. 04A-411T. A formal evidentiary hearing is scheduled for April 18-29 at the PUC in Denver.

CASA needs support The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) needs Lake County volunteers and support. CASA serves Lake, Summit, Eagle and Clear Creek counties, advocating for abused and neglected children. A CASA volunteer is appointed by a judge to a child who has been removed from his home. The volunteer talks to everyone involved in the child’s life, as well as the child, to make recommendations to the court about the child’s future. Anne Marie Chapin, CASA member, said the hope is for the adoption of the children by grandparents or aunts and uncles. CASA was put onto the Colorado State tax form for donations as a charitable nonprofit organization by the Colorado legislature. Donations can be made to CASA at the time taxes are filed.

Grant to enhance gardens The Healy House Museum, 912 Harrison Ave., received a $10,000 grant from the Colorado Garden and Home Show. The grant, along with a $10,000 match from the Colorado Historical Society, will be used to restore and enhance the gardens on the museum grounds. In 1949, after acquiring the Healy House and Dexter Cabin, the Colorado Historical Society commissioned S.R. DeBoer, renowned Denver architect, to design a landscaping plan for the property. This design has been adapted to fit into the present available space and will include a gazebo and formal garden area with shaped flowerbeds and Victorian statuary. Additional flower gardens will be planted with heritage flowers and shrubbery, chosen for their ability to flourish at high altitudes. Additional plans include interpretative garden programs and a souvenir booklet. The programs will educate the public about the horticultural challenges of living at 10,200 feet in the 19th century and today. The booklet will take the visitor on a walking tour that identifies flowers and shrubs in the different gardens and planters. Space will be allocated in the booklet for note-taking and journal entries. Interpretive signage will be spaced throughout the gardens to aid the visitor. For more information, call (719) 486-0487. Soldiers reunite

Photo by Craig Peterman Earl Clark and Dick Over, former 10th Mountain Division soldiers, get together at the reunion, hosted by Ski Cooper on Friday.

Mini-grants to fund activity programs for seniors The Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program, which is based at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, announced that $7,788 in mini-grants have been awarded to eight Colorado communities to aid them in developing physical activity, improved nutrition and fall prevention programs. Leadville, through the Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging, in cooperation with Lake County Recreation Department, is one of those communities. The award will provide assistance in bringing two activity programs for older adults to the community. Details about both of these activity classes for older adults of Lake County will be presented at a community information meeting at the Lake County courthouse in the commissioners’ meeting room from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9. Two members of the Lake County Recreation Department, trained in the Arthritis Foundation’s People with Arthritis Can Exercise activities as well as the Arthritis Foundation’s Aquatics Program, will teach the classes in Leadville. The programs’ aim is based on growing awareness among public health officials and medical experts that even modest improvements in diet and activity can promote healthy aging. A van will be available to transport individuals attending the information session to both the Lake County Aquatics March 3, 2005 Edition Sports & Recreation Page

Contributed photo Showing the 1955 skijoring spirit are (from left) Ed Kerrigan, Joe Gash, Fritz Hauser and Heiko Kuhn. Sitting in the background is John Hren. This photo ran in a 1955 issue of the Herald Democrat.

Advertise YOUR Skijoring’s thrills and spills have a 56- Business HERE! year history here by Ann E. Wibbenmeyer Herald Staff Writer Jocks, cowboys and gamblers will gather on and near snow- filled Harrison Avenue in Leadville this coming weekend. Skijoring is invading Leadville’s main street again with truckloads of snow and six-foot ski jumps. The city street department will work together with the county road and bridge department to stack, move and remove snow for the event. Allen Brownlee, city street department, estimated that the city will use four trucks and three loaders for the effort. The county will contribute two or three trucks and one loader. Snow stacking will start Thursday morning at the football field and the rodeo grounds on Sixth and McWethy streets, said Paul Diedrich of the street department. In the past, there has been trouble finding enough clean snow. That’s not the case this year, said Brownlee. “ We use nothing but the cleanest,” he said. This year, there will be enough dirt-free snow at the football field and the rodeo grounds. Friday morning Harrison Avenue will close, and the stacks of snow will begin filling main street. By 11 a.m. Friday morning, the snow will be ready for CMC to groom and flatten. This is when Jody Manly will get to begin his work. Manly has been setting skijoring courses since 1955, and will set the course again this year. He has set courses in Durango, Eagle, Dillon and many other places that have held skijoring competitions. Manly even has a history of skiing in courses that he set. “ I know where all the ice, rocks and bumps are,” he said. “It messes with the head.” He likes challenging the skiers when he sets the courses, he said, because that’s what they like. The course should be set by Friday night, ready to start competition the next day. After registration closes at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, the skiers and horses will be drawn from hats to match teams for the day. This is called a draw. In the past, preset teams were allowed to enter together. Erica Dube and Jason Dahl were a team last year. They won first both days. Dube wants to be matched with Dahl again. “ We have a title to defend,” she said. “ It’s nice knowing I have a chance when I enter,” said Dahl about teaming up with Dube. This year, according to Don Ferrie, teams will all be chosen through draw. Craig Schreiber, a past skijoring skier, said, “Leadville’s style is to mix it up, draw style.” The draw sets the stage for the Calcutta, an auction of the teams. An auctioneer will sell the teams to the highest bidder, and the money goes into a kitty for prize money. The prize money goes to the spectator who buys the winning team. The more who buy into the Calcutta, the more the lucky spectator will have in his pocket before going home. The course is set, the competitors are teamed: it’s time to give the spectators a show. Skijoring is a sport that proves challenging for both the skiers and the riders. The sport involves a skier being pulled by a horse down a course usually with three jumps and two sets of hanging rings. The skier reaches out with a baton to catch the rings. The skier with the fastest time, and the most rings caught, wins. “ A fast horse and a good skier doesn’t guarantee a thing,” said Dahl. The horse reaches top speed by the time the skier hits the first jump, he said, “and then there are the rings to contend with.” There is no better feeling than barely hanging on, and then seeing the rings on his arm, he said. “ Hardly anyone beats Jason, except his brother Greg,” said Kevin Sisti, who did beat Dahl in a skijoring competition in Wolcott, outside Eagle, held Feb. 19 and 20. Sisti will be competing against Dahl again during Leadville’s event. “ It’s a rush going 800 feet in 13 seconds,” he said. Schreiber will be hanging up his towrope this year due to an air-catching incident at A-basin. His vintage, 1982 ski boots broke, he said. “ It is hard to stick the rings when your eyeballs are jiggling,” he said about his experience in skijoring. Schreiber pulled a spontaneous back flip under the Sixth Street light one year. It was one of the more stupid, dangerous or carefree moves he ever pulled. He couldn’t quite decide which word described it best. “ My hat goes off to anyone who can sit on top of a horse and run,” he said of the people who have pulled him down the courses. One of the oldest participants in the sport is a rider, Jon Mallette, who claims to be at least 20 years older than the others. Mallette said he rides mostly for the sport of it. Dube, an all around skijorer, has tried skiing the courses as well as pulling skiers on her horse, Elliot. “ I didn’t like it as much as riding,” she said about skiing the course. “It just wasn’t me.” The challenge for Dube is getting the horse started straight. Then, down the course, to look at the skier and course and know to go faster or slower is definitely difficult, she said. After the competition is over Sunday afternoon, it will again be time for the road crew to haul snow. The snow goes, in fewer loads than it took to cover the avenue, to the sanitation office. Friday morning, Leadville residents wake up to an avenue filled with snow, said Brownlee. Monday morning they wake up and find the avenue back to normal Snow hauling begins Sunday at 4 p.m. and is usually completed by 10 p.m. In all, 120 truck loads of snow are hauled through the course of the weekend. Photo by Bill Klauber The 22km racers are off with eventual winner Karl Remsen on the left.

A great day for a Loppet One hundred people participated in this year’s Leadville Loppet, the second annual event which consisted of 22km and 44km Nordic races held on the Mineral Belt Trail and the CMC trails. Karl Remsen, 23, Leadville, was the winner in the 22km event with a time of 1:15:04. Of special note was the winner for the females, Katie Stege, 14, who took 9th place overall in the race with a time of 1:30:10. In the 44km race, first place was taken by Chris Clark, 22, of Anchorage, Alaska, with a time of 2:11:29. For the women, Natalie Dawson of Los Alamos, N.M., finished first and 23rd overall with a time of 2:42:57. Howard Tritz, chairman of the Mineral Belt Trail Committee, was pleased with the event. “ There were no complaints about the course and everyone said they’d return next year and bring their buddies,” he said. The good weather helped, too. Tritz was grateful for all the food donations and volunteer help form many community members. “ It was a real success,” Tritz said. Race results follow.

Panthers drop three in district tourney As the first round of the district tournament brackets came out, the Panthers found themselves facing the Buena Vista Demons for the third time. Would the third time be a charm for the Panthers? The Panthers came out of the gate red hot against the Demons, knocking down four 3 pointers in the first half. Despite the precise perimeter shooting by Panther guards Justin Vigil and Kyle Ruzicka, the Panthers found themselves down by 14 points at halftime. The second half turned into a dogfight. The Panthers clawed their way back into the game trailing by seven with two minutes to go. A three point attempt by Vigil rimmed off that would have cut the lead to four. The Demons held on to beat the Panthers by the final score of 61-52. The Panthers were led by Ruzicka with 16 points, Vigil with 13 points and Kel Cheze with 10 points and four rebounds. Oguer Peinado (10 points, 5 assists) played great point guard. Coach Ryan Voehringer said, “We played our hearts out tonight. Buena Vista is one of the top 3A teams in the state. We battled them all the way to the end on their own home court. I can’t ask for anything more out of my guys. They played 110 percent.” The task didn’t get any easier in the second round of the tournament for the Panthers. They would be facing St. Mary’s Pirates ranked #7 in the state. The Panthers perimeter game kept them in the game like it has all season. The Panthers made ten 3 pointers in the game, but it wasn’t enough, as they fell to the Pirates 60- 48. The Panthers were again led by Ruzicka with 18 points (six 3 pointers) and Vigil with 16 points (four 3 pointers). “ We have two of the best 3 point shooting guards in Class 3A, who have been carrying us throughout the year,” stated Voehringer. “If we only had one solid 6’6” post player like every other team in the Tri-Peaks we would be a powerhouse. We are so undersized. Funny thing is, it never seems to bother my guys. We always compete whether the guy is 6’8” or 5’8”. That’s what I love about my kids.” The third game of the tournament found the Panthers facing the Lamar Savages. The game was a shootout throughout three quarters. The Panthers erased a 10-point deficit to tie the game at the buzzer on a coast to coast layup by point guard O. Peinado. The Panthers ran out of gas in overtime, falling to the Savages 70-64. The Panthers were again led by guards Vigil with 17 points, Ruzicka with 15 points, O. Peinado with 11 points and Randy Cavalli with 4 points and 11 rebounds. Voehringer said, “We didn’t execute very well in the overtime. We played extremely well in the fourth quarter, both offensively and defensively. We just couldn’t carry that into the overtime. It really hurt us when Vigil fouled out late in the fourth quarter. I was very impressed with the play of freshman point guard Carlos Madrid. He played extremely well when Vigil fouled out. The bottom line is we’re still playing and there are 20 plus teams in 3A who have checked it in for the year. I am very proud of my guys for qualifying for the Class 3A (field of 32) state tournament.” The Panthers will travel to Englewood on Friday to face Kent Denver. The Panthers have their work cut out, as Kent Denver is 21-1 ranked #1 in the state.

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The other 20 percent We like to think that our informal motto at the Herald is “We show up.” It’s not quite as erudite as “All the news that’s fit to print,” but it serves us well. The expression, of course, is taken from the Woody Allen quote, "Eighty percent of success in life is just showing up." When something happens, we show up, take pictures, write a story and even go back to get the correct names of the people for the cutlines. So, what happens if, for some unavoidable reason, we don’t show up? You’ll find out in this issue of the newspaper. The annual Colorado Press Association convention took place this past weekend, and we headed off to Denver to hone our journalistic knowledge, catch up with people we know at other newspapers and pick up a few awards for the Herald. All worthy activities. But while we were doing this, we missed the 10th Mountain Division Reunion, the groundbreaking for St. Vincent’s new clinic in Buena Vista, the Full Circle Family Fun Day Advertise YOUR activities at the Nordic Center, the Leadville Loppet, the Business HERE! dinner honoring ex-commissioners Jim Martin and Bill Hollenback, the finals of the Elks Hoop Shoot in Salida featuring three Leadville kids and the big rummage sale at the senior center. There may be more, but we hope not. Under normal circumstances, we would have covered almost all of these events in person and enjoyed doing so. Instead, we were forced to depend on the kindness of our readers. Sure enough, people came through for us, submitting their own photos for our use so that these events would not go unchronicled and filling us in on what happened. Thanks to Bill Klauber, Howard Tritz, Kendra Kurihara, Craig Peterman, Linda Hollenback, Dick Dougherty, Jeff Dick, those nameless people who got their hands on Jeff Dick’s camera and our fellow journalists at the Chaffee County Times and The Mountain Mail for the photos and the information about the events of the past weekend. For sure, we couldn’t have done it without you. ••••• With all the good news in this issue, we’re saddened and angered by the vandalism to the kiosk on the Mineral Belt Trail at the Robert Emmet location. The MBT is such a bright spot for Leadville, and it’s especially unfortunate that such a thing would happen just before the Loppet, which served to showcase the trail. There’s a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter who caused this damage. Keep your ears and eyes open for anything that might help bring this person or persons to justice. Marcia Martinek Herald Editor

March 3, 2005 Edition New Arrival

Mara Camryn Green Buck and Renaye Green are the proud parents of Mara Camryn Green, born Feb. 3, 2005, at 7:32 p.m. at St. Vincent Hospital. She weighed 10 lbs. 2 oz. and was 22 1/2 inches long. She joins siblings Jorel, 11 years old, and Adrienne, 10 years old. Grandparents are Rudy and Annabelle Mascareñas of Dixon, N.M., and Jim and Janet Banicki of Montrose. Great grandparents are Isabel Mascareñas of Dixon, N.M., Johnny Witt of Montrose, and Carolyn Green of Gunnison.

Lynn Thomas Aulwes Kallie Vaughan and Tony Aulwes of Leadville are the proud parents of Lynn Thomas Aulwes, born Feb. 24, 2005, at 8:52 p.m. at St. Vincent Hospital. He weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz. and was 19 inches long. Grandparents are Thomas and Michelle Aulwes, Anoka, Minn., and Roland and Jean Vaughan, Tuskegee, Ala. Great grandparents are Fred Thomas Aulwes of Richfield, Minn., and Jean and Sydney Cook, Union Springs, Ala. March 3, 2005 Edition Obituaries

Louis ‘Lou’ Babovich Jr. Louis Babovich Jr., 73, died Feb. 17, 2005, at Deaconess Billings Clinic in Billings, Mont., surrounded by his family. Babovich Jr. was born Nov. 25, 1931, in Leadville to Josephine (Hren) and Louis Babovich Sr. He was raised in Leadville and graduated from Leadville High School. He attended the University of Colorado and graduated from the University of Oklahoma. Babovich Jr. then entered the Army, serving his tour overseas. On Jan. 9, 1951, he married Patricia A. Dwyer. Together they raised four children in Los Alamos, N.M., where he worked for Zia Company. His work in human resources brought Babovich Jr. and his family to Billings in 1984 where he became the first human resources director for Yellowstone County until his retirement. After retirement, he pursued his love of fishing on the Big Horn River, golfing and frequent trips to Las Vegas. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife of 48 years Pat; son Steven Louis; and sister Mildred Swarthout. Babovich Jr. is survived by his daughters Jennifer (Tim) Donovan, Laura Babovich and Rachel Eubank, all of Billings; and grandchildren Courtney and Ryan Donovan, April and Amber Eubank, Sarah Kearns and Elise Vopal. Memorials can be made to Big Sky Hospice, P.O. Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107 or charity of one’s choice.

Morris Howard Gay Morris Howard Gay, 82, died Feb. 13, 2005, at his home in Leadville. He was born in Leadville on June 23, 1922 to Maurice A. and Ida Belle (Switzer) Gay who were ranchers and sheepherders on the Cavalli property, Turquoise Lake area and Tennessee Pass. " Jr.,” as he was known, went to school at St. Mary's Catholic School in Leadville and then enlisted in the United States Army. He was involved in the Battles of Cologne, Brest, Remagen Bridge and the Battle of the Bulge. He was part of the 13th wave landing on Utah Beach on D-Day. He received the American Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal as well as the Good Conduct Medal. After being wounded, he was flown to England, which was the only time he was ever on an airplane in his life. Just before he returned to active duty, the war ended and Gay received his honorable discharge before returning to Leadville. He went to work for the Climax Molybdenum Mine, working his way up to the position of Shift Boss in the ball mill. Gay retired from Climax in 1987. Gay's hobby was truly his work. Almost from the time he could walk, he had a job and helped support the family. He only had a 6th grade education and could barely read or write but Gay raised his family, provided for them, was able to retire and got along very well, all without ever owning a credit card of any kind. In his younger and healthier years, Gay enjoyed fishing, but arthritis eventually kept him away from the high lakes and he stayed busy closer to home. Gay was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Ray, Bill, Alice. Shirley, Frieda and an infant; stepgrandson Kristopher Paul Brown; and his first wife Rose Stepisnik. He is survived by children Sherrie (Bob) Clotworthy, Elko, Nev.; and Russell "Rusty" Gay, Denver; brother Laverne "Corky" Gay, Castlerock; grandchildren Heather (Ben) Steel; and Carrie Clotworthy; second wife Alice Lorraine (Thelin) Nellson, Nathrop; stepchildren Douglas Raymond (Jackie) Brown, Mack, Colo.; and Carol Lynn Johnson, Grand Junction; and stepgrandchildren Tammy Christine and Shanna Diane Johnson. Gay is also survived by his good friend Frank Bradach, who, for the past several years has done all the shoveling and shopping for him, has taken him to all his doctors appointments and checked on him daily. Gay and Bradach had a special bond that will never be forgotten. According to his wishes, Gay was cremated. A memorial service was held on Feb. 20 at Bailey Funeral Home Chapel. The service was officiated by Father Jay Jung. Honorary pallbearers were Frank Bradach, Sherrie Clotworthy, Corky Gay, Lorraine Nellson, Jack and Maryanne Owen, Lynn Johnson, Douglas Brown, George Webster and Hal Joseph. A reception followed at the Golden Burro where Bradach enjoyed many a meal. Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.

Roy D. (‘Mac’) McDowell Roy D. (‘Mac’) McDowell, 77, died at home in Grand Junction on Feb. 5, 2005, of COPD. He was born June 1, 1927, to Roy and Margery McDowell in Grand Junction. He spent his childhood and attended school in Grand Junction and Delta. He often helped out at the Delta Canning Co. McDowell served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. He spent five years as a Colorado State Patrolman. The majority of his career was spent working as an expediter for Climax Molybdenum Co. where he attained a management position. In 1971, he married Marie E. Hawkins. They lived in Leadville until they took up motorhoming in 1988. During the early 1990s, they lived in Buena Vista, where McDowell enjoyed calling bingo games at the American Legion Post. They settled in Grand Junction in 1999. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and the beauty of Colorado. He never met a stranger and always had a joke to put a smile on one’s face. He is survived by his children Bryant (Janice) McDowell; Margie (Eddie) Martinez; and Sandy Blamey, all of Denver; and David (Susan) McDowell, Colorado Springs; and stepchildren Pat (Cindy) Hawkins, Grand Junction; Sue (Bill) Lockwood, Demorest, Ga.; and Sandy (Kevin) Merchant, Newcastle, Wash.; 19 grandchildren, five great grandchildren; and many friends. No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado.

He is survived by his children Bryant (Janice) McDowell; Margie (Eddie) Martinez; and Sandy Blamey, all of Denver; and David (Susan) McDowell, Colorado Springs; and stepchildren Pat (Cindy) Hawkins, Grand Junction; Sue (Bill) Lockwood, Demorest, Ga.; and Sandy (Kevin) Merchant, Newcastle, Wash.; 19 grandchildren, five great grandchildren; and many friends. No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado.

Charles Morrison Former Leadville resident Charles Weldon Morrison, 54, died Feb. 16, 2005, in Columbia, S.C. Morrison was born in Rock Springs, Wyo., to Charles Weldon and Florence Eveleen Morrison. Soon after, they moved to Leadville where Morrison grew up. Morrison served in the U. S. Air Force for four years. He received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from USC. He worked as an accountant for C. C. McGregor & SCANA Corp. for 15 years. After leaving the accounting field, he worked at the BP/Amoco on Rosewood for seven years. He is survived by his daughter Vera E. (Kevan) Anderson, Columbia, S.C.; brother David (Betty) Morrison, Farmington, N. M.; sister Sally (Phil) Romero, Salida; nieces, nephews and many friends. Services were held on Feb. 19, 2005, at Rosewood Baptist Church in South Carolina with interment following in Elmwood Cemetery. The Reverend Louie McDonald officiated. The family strongly requests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.

Bertha E. Ross Bertha E. Ross, 79, died Feb. 19, 2005. She was born in Leadville; her father, Henry Blake, was an “original ‘59er.” She is survived by her husband Robert Lorenz Ross; sons Robert (Joan) Ross and Ronald (Lena) Ross; granddaughter Lara Ana Ross; brothers Henry Blake and George Blake; and sister Frances Powell. Funeral services were held on Feb. 22 at Newcomer Family Funeral Home, 190 Potomac St. Aurora. Inurnment was at Rosebud Cemetery, Glenwood Springs.

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Hinton: Why public should vote for him I am writing to inform the public why I feel they should vote for me in the upcoming recall election for the St. Vincent Hospital Board of Directors. Voting yes to recalling Molly Barnes and Yes to put me on the board will bring about many positive changes for St. Vincent’s. I have many close community ties and have been a resident of Lake County for 45 years. I understand small communities, small business and most of all, Lake County. I have served on numerous boards including many rodeo boards, such as the National Little Britches Rodeo Association, the Coors Classic board for many years on the entertainment committee, and the State High School Rodeo Committee Board serving as the head of the rules committee. I feel that my knowledge of small business and small communities will be my biggest asset as a board member at the hospital. George Gipson thought he was being funny and insulting when he insinuated that we wanted to go back to living in the old days but We Do. If I were a member of the board I Advertise YOUR would be instrumental in seeing to it that the hospital goes Business HERE! back to the old ways and shows a bottom line profit. I would like to see it go back to the old days where the employees were treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. I would go back to the old ways and spend money in a responsible manner knowing that the new slogan “Build it and they will Come” does not and will not work at our hospital. Instead I would see to it that the hospital budget balances, that we use tax dollars wisely, and I would make decisions based on facts and community identified needs, not personal associations. I would like to see the hospital re- establish and maintain employee morale in order to keep the current and future employees, I would seek to establish an organizational culture of trust where physicians feel safe and empowered to voice suggestions and concerns internally. I would insist on the implementation of a code of conduct that must be adhered to by all. I would seek to hire a CEO who is people orientated, visible to the staff, cooperative with the community and capable of providing strong leadership. If you are desirous of seeing a positive change at the hospital that will insure the longevity and success of the hospital, please vote for me on April 5, 2005. Don Hinton Lake County

Hospital provided great care I am not a resident of Leadville, but have followed the trials and tribulations of your situation involving St. Vincent Hospital. Of all the letters submitted regarding your situation, Nancy Boeve’s seems the most rational and objective solution. My daughter recently delivered our first grandchild at your hospital, and we were there for the delivery and following hospital stay. We were very impressed with the staff and quality of care they received. I feel it is imperative to a town, not only the size of Leadville, but the location, to have a facility like St. Vincent to provide quality service for their community. When I told my sister in Michigan, who has been a nurse for over 30 years in both big and small hospitals, the exceptional care our daughter received, she was amazed. It seems problems exist everywhere in the health profession, but she felt that small communities have a better chance of overcoming them because of their commitment to provide those services without the faceless bureaucracy that bigger cities encounter. Would becoming a satellite increase that bureaucracy? Hard to say. But I think Nancy is on the right track in acknowledging that a partnership with a “flagship” hospital would be beneficial to not only the staff, but the patients. Please pull together to keep this wonderful facility a vital part of your community, and keep the environment friendly so your local citizens want to be part of this project and its transition to serve Leadville and its future citizens!! A quality medical facility is vital to your future – don’t let that goal divide your wonderful community! Thanks to all the maternity staff at St. Vincent. You helped make a precious event a family affair with your incredible care and love of what you have chosen to do. I only hope you are given the support you deserve. You definitely have our thanks and support! The Dudley Family Conifer

Why pay school taxes? Because of the conditions in the Lake County school system, my grandchildren have been homeschooled for several years. They are, however, registered as part-time students in Lake County and as such are entitled to attend school events. At 13, many boys are somewhat shy about going to dances, but when a friend asked my grandson to go to a middle school dance, he said yes and was very pleased and looked forward to it. However, he was turned away at the door because he was “homeschooled.” Is it any wonder so many Lake County students choose to be homeschooled or attend schools in other counties? This has certainly eliminated any chance of re-enrolling in the Lake County school system! June Hervert Twin Lakes

Do the math I enjoy the Herald Democrat immensely. Please believe me when I say I have better things to do than point out editorial errors in your paper, but your Feb. 24 article “Going beyond ‘them and us’” has a doozie. Your first paragraph states total population increases in Lake County from 1990 to 2000 as 19 percent. Actually, if you do the math, it’s 30 percent. Your statement that the foreign-born population increased more than 100 percent is technically correct; however, that understates the data tremendously. The actual increase is 1082 percent. I just had to get that off my chest. Betty Sober Sober & Co., P.C. Boulder Editor’s note: Thank you for bringing this to our attention and allowing us to correct it for the record. The 19 percent was the figure for the increase in population for the entire state of Colorado between 1990 and 2000; the foreign-born population increased by in population for the entire state of Colorado between 1990 and 2000; the foreign-born population increased by 159 percent for the entire state during that time. So that makes Leadville’s increases in both categories, especially the foreign-born, stand out even more.

Wrestlers need uniforms The Lake County Middle School, for the second year in a row, has more than 30 wrestlers. In past years, with smaller numbers, it was easier to use the old high school equipment when the high schoolers got new equipment. Last year we had four different styles of warm-ups and singlets, and still had to borrow some from the high school. The school district has already gone over its sports budget for the year. We are looking at a sweat suit and bag for our team members that, including embroidering, could run $60. This does not include the singlet which could run $40 and head gear, which is a safety issue, at a total cost of $300. This will be school property and will be reused for many years. The Two Mile High Collegiate Club has written a check for $1,985. So far the Elks have donated $750 and Scott and Allison Hinton have donated $200. We would like to ask the community for any help they can give to outfit these kids, so the youth club will not be on the hook for the balance. We still need $1,200. All money raised will go to the middle school wrestling program, but checks need to be made out to Two Mile High Wrestling, P. O. Box 457, Leadville CO 80461. The middle school wrestling team will have its only home meet on Thursday, March 3, at 4 p.m. at the high school. Teams from Salida, Buena Vista, Summit County and Battle Mountain will also participate. The public is invited. Evan Rees LCMS Head Coach John Leahy LCMS Assistant Coach

Science Fair gets kudos Bravo to the students, parents, teachers and anyone else who participated with the sixth grade Science Fair, what a wonderful event. To the students, you should all be proud of your excellent projects, the way you presented yourself professionally, knowledge of your subject, and the enthusiasm and courtesy you conveyed to the judges, teachers and families of the fair. You the students are the future for this small globe we live on and it will be people like you that will make this world a better place. To the parents, it was obvious the pride you take in your children's future and the love you have for them. With parents like you it seems our future is bright. To Evan Rees, event organizer, no one can thank you enough for the hours and commitment it must have taken to make this event happen. You left behind no child and you must be commended for the care and nurturing you expounded. Thanks for letting us be a part of this great event. Gene Csuti Granite Brad Littlepage Leadville

First Nordic Weekend a success The weekend of Feb. 26 and 27 marked the first “Leadville Nordic Weekend.” Saturday had Full Circle sponsoring shorter family ski races at the Piney Creek Nordic Center that consisted of a kids’ race, a 5K and 10K race. Sunday, Feb. 27, marked the second annual Leadville Loppet. This, for those of you who might not be familiar, is a ski race consisting of two distances. Both begin on the CMC campus. The 22K (13.64-mile) race ends near Big Al’s mini storage and the longer 44K (27.28 mile) makes a “U” turn at Big Al’s and returns to the CMC campus. There were 100 participants in this year’s race, and it was a resounding success by any standards. The participants completed questionnaires and were elated about the race. Beautiful views, great course, super aid stations, and a wonderful awards party were cited many times. But the most impressive comments were how important the volunteers were to the quality of the event. Registration workers, course maintenance workers, aid station volunteers, awards party volunteers were all mentioned. Comments such as efficient, warm, friendly, upbeat attitude were specified frequently. There were many other volunteers the participants never saw but without whom the race couldn’t take place. Those who solicited door prizes, stuffed race bags, helped with course maintenance, timed and compiled race results, made the crock pot soups, chilies, desserts, helped with the awards ceremony and many others. One comment was, “What a great community effort” and it truly was. So thank you to all who volunteered, provided door prizes and watched the race. You all made it possible. We hope you will be willing and able to help again to make next year’s Nordic Weekend and the Leadville Loppet even more successful. It’s fun, it’s a very nice community event and it brings people into our community who spend money here and enjoy our wonderful town. Sherry Robinson for the Mineral Belt Trail Board

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