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March 30, 2007
BREAKING NEWS: Bush's National Forest Planning Rules Thrown Out By Federal Judge
March 30, 2007 3:06 PM
The Bush administration violated federal environmental laws when wrote new rules governing America's National Forests. It is unclear what today's ruling means for the Pike San Isabel National Forest and Cimmarron and Commanche National Grasslands. A new plan for the grasslands is in it's final phase, it is the first in the nation written under the new rules. Efforts to re-write the plan for the Pike San Isabel were launched last December, it is in the very preliminary phase.
Read More -->Each one of America's 155 National Forests are supposed to write new comprehensive plans every 10 years. They govern everything from how many trees can be cut, to public access and wildlife habitat. In 2005, the Bush administration modified the rules for writing Forest Plans. It substituted planning practices more common in the corporate world.
Four national environmental groups, led by the Defenders of Wildlife, immediately sued. They charged that the administration failed to perform a biological analysis of the impact of the new rules, and that it failed to properly notify the public of the rule changes. Today a U.S. District Court judge in California agreed, and says the new rules cant be used.
The ruling throws into limbo some 40 national forest plans currently being written across the country.
Tune in to KRCC this evening at 5:30 to hear more.
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Iraq Resolution Passes State Senate
March 30, 2007 2:27 PM
Colorado does not support President George W. Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq. That's according to a resolution state senators passed Thursday. The vote followed a somber debate, and lawmakers voted along party lines. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
http://www.capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?375
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:27 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Military , Politics
March 29, 2007
Allan Savory: Stopping Global Warming Starts With Mind, Soil
March 29, 2007 4:26 PM
Stopping global warming is going to take more than expensive, high-tech solutions, it's going to take a new way of making decisions. So says research biologist Allan Savory, founder of Holistic Management International. He says changing the overabundance of carbon dioxide in the air starts with choosing better ways to manage the soil under our feet.
Alan Savory speaks tonight at 7:30 p.m., in Gates Common Room, third floor of Palmer Hall on the Colorado College campus, 1025 N. Cascade Ave. (east of Tutt Library) free.
[ To hear Eric Whitney's conversation with Allan Savory, CLICK HERE ]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:26 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Environment , Visiting CC
Legislature Gets First Look at 2008 Budget
March 29, 2007 4:21 PM
After months of hearings lawmakers introduced a $17.8 billion spending plan for the state earlier this week. It's the second state budget crafted since the voters gave the state a break from TABOR spending limits. The proposed budget will increase funding for state programs from prisons, to schools, to driver’s license offices. Senators debated the bill for several hours Wednesday. It’s scheduled for a final vote Thursday before it heads to the House. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Listen to this story following the link below.
http://www.capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?374
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"Savoring the Sacred in a Secular World"
March 29, 2007 4:06 PM
Julia Becker is associate professor of art and art department chair at the University of Great Falls, Great Falls, Mont. She earned a B.A. from Evergreen State College and an M.F.A from Montana State University. She is a painter, printmaker, installation artist, sculptor and award-winning filmmaker. She has exhibited her work at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, Great Falls, Mont., University of Great Falls, University of Montana, Camberwell College of Art, The London Institute, University of West England, University of Utah and the Plains Art Museum. Becker has an installation up at the Worner Center of Colorado College. The installation will remain up until Friday (3.30.07) Morning
[ To hear Becker's conversation with Colorado College student Tay Wiles, CLICK HERE ]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:06 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture , Visiting CC
March 28, 2007
Governor Signs New Renewable Energy Laws
March 28, 2007 3:08 PM
Colorado utility companies must get twice as much energy from renewable sources under a bill the Governor signed into law Tuesday. Governor Ritter also signed a bill to give companies more incentives to build transmission lines, which are key to developing renewable energy. The laws are part of Democrats’ pledge to boost renewables in Colorado. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
http://www.capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?373
Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:08 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Energy , Politics
Pinon Canyon Bill advances
March 28, 2007 3:05 PM
U.S. Army Training Expansion
Colorado would not support the U.S. military’s use of eminent domain to expand the Pinon Canyon military training site in south-east Colorado under a bill that overwhelmingly passed the House Monday. But legal experts and lawmakers say the bill can't stop the military from condemning private land. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver
http://www.capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?372
Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:05 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Ft. Carson , Military
Springs Culture Cast, Edition 6
March 28, 2007 9:01 AM
It's Springs Culture Cast Episode 6.
More information at [ Springs Culture Cast website ].
Posted by Delaney Utterback at 9:01 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture
March 27, 2007
Activists, Council Discuss Parade: Raw Audio
March 27, 2007 3:55 PM
You can hear the entire discussion between activists and Colorado Springs City Council about the St. Patrick's day parade by clicking below.
[ LISTEN ]
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Springs City Council Agrees to Dialog With Peace Activists
March 27, 2007 1:22 PM
Peace activists and members of Colorado Springs city
council today agreed to meet and talk. This in the wake of the citys
St. Patricks Day parade, in which seven activists were arrested.
The agreement to meet came during the regular public input portion of
todays city council meeting, in which six peace activists signed up
to talk about the parade, police behavior and rights of free expression.
The activists say they had a legal right and city permit to march in
the parade. Parade organizer John ODonnell, who is not a city
employee, contends that the activists violated the terms of their
permit, which did not allow for advocacy of social issues. ODonnell
says thats why parade organizers asked police to ask the activists
to leave the parade.
Tony Abdo, one of the activists arrested, today told city council he
doesnt buy that.
ABDO: I think the city and John ODonnel himself deliberately waited until we started off in order to deliberately
ambush us with the police force.
WHITNEY: Mark Lewis, who also marched with the activist group in the parade says they were not given adequate warning that their signs and
banners were violating the rule against social advocacy, nor adequate
warning that police were going to remove them from the parade. He
disputes assertions that their group blocked the progress of other
parade participants.
LEWIS: We were not given the option here, to put away offending
banners, or banners that might be in violation of this ambiguous
rule. Had we had that option we of course would have complied immediately because we had put most of our banners away and deemed them to be inappropriate already.
WHITNEY: The activists say the police brutalized and assaulted some
of their members, including senior citizens. Members of council have
largely deferred from comment about the parade pending the results of
an internal investigation by police.
Activists contend that the media and parade organizer ODonnell have
mischaracterized what happened. Eric Verlo, president of the Pikes
Peak Justice and Peace Commission made this request.
VERLO: That the council direct that our city's new police chief participate in a town hall meeting to
discuss the police's role in respecting diversity of opinion and a citizens right to protest.
RIVERA: I believe the police chief probably would like to get to know your organization better, and thats something that we should do.
WHITNEY: Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera.
RIVERA: And I'd be more than willing, happy to participate with the
police chief in some kind of a meeting now whether or not it's a town hall meeting or not that's yet to be determined, but I think that's a good suggestion and we should set that up.
WHITNEY: But Mayor Rivera did take issue with some of the activists
terminology.
RIVERA: I disagree with the terms excessive use of force, police
brutality, the citys hiding behind John ODonnell,we ambush you with police force,
we assaulted veterans, whether a taser was fired, trying to intimidate folks,
our officer's using a choke hold, treating
citizens with lack of respect and dignity, and abuse by our police
force. There certainly are a lot of photographs, and we are doing an internal investigation. And I think before people are throwing out
terms like you did I think it's fair to
allow that investigation to move forward.
WHITNEY: City Councilmember Jerry Heimlicher said he was concerned
that some of the activists were under the impression that the council
as a whole approves of what happened at the St. Patricks day parade. 09
HIEMLICHER: To be honest with you, I know not much more about what
happened at the parade that what Ive seen in the paper and watched on
TV, and I didn't like any of it. I didn't like the reflection on our community and I will join
the mayor and the city manager and anybody else to have meetings to see that this kind of event doesn't happen again
and be a negative impression of our community
because we all cherish the rights we have by living here as Americans. At the same time
I can't say anything about it right now because I dont
know enough about it.
WHITNEY: No date, time or format for the meeting between the council,
activists and police was set today. But after the meeting, several of
the activists who spoke said they think the willingness of some
council members to hold a meeting with them and the police sounded
like a step forward.
Activist Mark Lewis says those arrested are still considering filing
civil or criminal charges against the city based on what happened.
They have asked the American Civil Liberties Union for legal
representation and are waiting to hear back before taking any action.
To hear the entire exchange between the activists and the Colorado
Springs city council, got to KRCC.org, you can also review a
transcript of this story and much of our other news coverage at the
site.
With local news on KRCC, Im Eric Whitney.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:22 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Military , Politics
March 26, 2007
Largest Episcopal Church in Colorado to Leave Denomination
March 26, 2007 5:55 PM
The vestry of Grace Church and St. Stephens Parish in Colorado
Springs, the largest Episcopal parish in the state and one of
Colorados oldest churches, voted to leave the Episcopal Church on
Monday morning. Effective today the parish affiliates with the
Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a missionary
diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican).
Read the Entire Press Release by Grace Episcopal Church Here
Posted by Matthias Barker at 5:55 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Gay & Lesbian , Religion
Bishop: Grace Epsicopal Can't Leave Diocese
March 26, 2007 5:44 PM
WHITNEY: The bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Colorado says Grace Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs cannot leave his diocese.
Read More -->His announcement came just hours after Grace and St. Stephens Parish, the largest Episcopal congregation in Colorado, voted to end its affiliation with the Episcopal diocese of Colorado and the American Episcopal church. It says it will affiliate instead with the more conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America, or CANA.
The split is a reflection of similar actions being taken by parishes across the country, which are protesting American Episcopal leadership. That leadership chose in 2003 to begin ordaining gay clergy and blessing same-sex marriages.
But, Bishop Robert O’Neill, Bishop of the diocese of Colorado says the church in Colorado Springs can’t leave. Diocese spokesperson Beckett Stokes reads from a release written by the bishop.
STOKES: “The fact is that people may leave the Episcopal Church but parishes cannot,” Bishop O’Neill stated. “Grace and Saint Stephen’s Church remains a parish of The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and will continue to be so for any and all who desire to be members of The Episcopal Church.”
WHITNEY: O’Neill has removed the members of Grace’s vestry, or board of directors, and all other local church officers.
STOKES: Taking this step affords the Bishop the opportunity to provide appropriate pastoral care to those remaining within the Episcopal Church, while, at the same time, protecting the assets of the parish in light of the serious allegations pending against Father Armstrong concerning potential long-term and significant financial defalcations.
WHITNEY: The diocese placed Father Don Armstrong, rector of Grace and St. Stephen’s, under what is basically administrative leave while allegations against him are investigated. Both Father Armstrong and the church have retained prominent attorneys in the case, and some local parishioners are raising money for his legal defense.
Earlier today Jon Wroblewski, senior rector at the church explained why leaders of the approximately 2,000-member Grace and St. Stephens congregation chose to split from the diocese of Colorado and the Episcopal church of America.
WROBLEWSKI: we want to stay rooted in the Anglican tradition, and we feel that the Episcopal over the past few years has been moving away from traditional Biblical scripture. Traditional, conservative churches like ours have been increasingly uncomfortable with that.
WHITNEY: Wroblewski says the split is not solely over differing views on the roles of homosexuals in the church, but that it is a point of contention between Grace and national church leadership.
Beckett Stokes, spokesperson for Episcopal bishop of Colorado John O’Neill reads from the statement he issued today.
STOKES: “My primary pastoral concern is for all those who remain loyal to Grace and Saint Stephen’s and The Episcopal Church,” said Bishop O’Neill. In a letter sent out to parishioners today, Bishop O’Neill stated that they will hear from him soon regarding provisions for this Sunday’s worship and new pastoral leadership for the parish until such time as the parish is restored to its property.
WHITNEY: Bishop O’neill and leaders at Grace and St. Stephens appear to be at odds over church property.
WROBELESKI: Our position is that we built it, we maintain it, we attned it, it’s ours. And our name is on the deed, so we think we own the church.
WHITNEY: At this point, neither Bishop O’Neill nor the Episcopal diocese of Colorado are commenting beyond the press release issued this afternoon.
To read transcripts of our coverage of this story, log on to KRCC.org
With local news on KRCC, I’m Eric Whitney.
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Statement from the Diocese of Colorado Regarding Grace and St. Stephen's
March 26, 2007 5:22 PM
Robert ONeill, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado, said today that it is with great sadness that I have received the news that the vestry of Grace and Saint Stephens Church decided this morning to affiliate with an Anglican bishop in Nigeria.
Read the Bishop's entire press release here
Posted by Matthias Barker at 5:22 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Gay & Lesbian , Religion
State's Largest Episcopal Church Abandons National Leadership
March 26, 2007 4:41 PM
The split in the Episcopal church in America has erupted in Colorado Springs. This morning the vestry, or board of directors, of states largest Episcopal church, Grace Episcopal and St. Stephens parish in Colorado Springs announced that it is severing its ties with The Episcopal church in America. Instead it will affiliate with the more conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America, or CANA, led by Nigerian Bishop Peter Akinola.
Read More -->KRCC NEWS DIRECTOR ERIC WHITNEY: Episcopal churches around the world have been splitting since 2003, when the church in America began ordaining gay clergy and blessing same sex marriages.
John Wroblewski is the senior warden at Grace Episcopal in Colorado Springs. He says gay issues are not the sole reason his church is choosing to separate from the larger Episcopal church in America.
WROBLEWSKI: No, thats just a symptom of a larger problem. The larger problem is the unwillingness to put scripture first, and to say that that is the final authority. Now if you do not put scripture first and you do not see the Bible and the scripture as the final authority then that allows you to make all kinds of moral relativistic decisions about what's right and what's wrong. At that point everything becomes in play and the traditionalists obviously don't want that, and we feel that there are a lot of issues that are then spawned that become very problematic. And the ordination of gays into the ministry and the blessing of same sex marriages for instance is just one of those issues.
WHITNEY: Grace Episcopal has been at odds with the Episcopal diocese of Colorado for some time now, and not just over issues of faith. The state body suspended Reverend Don Armstrong, Grace's rector, for allegedly misappropriating church funds. Some parishioners have protested that decision. Wroblewski says this morning's vote to leave the American church has nothing to do with that.
WROBLEWSKI: No, this is not about Don Armstrong, although that's once again a symptom of a larger problem. He takes a different view and has been very outspoken in his conservative traditional beliefs and that is at direct odds with our bishop. It's very difficult to opperate when you're at odds with your own bishop in your diocese. This is an issue too that has spread throughout the entire Episcopal church, and a lot of parishes all over the country are dealing with this issue.
WHITNEY: Grace's decision to leave the epsicopal church is not yet final, as the congregation has yet to formally weigh in. Wroblewski says that will come after 40 days of prayerful reflection, but he expects most of the congregation to agree to affiliate with the more conservative CANA. He said the vestry would not have voted the way it did if it did not believe it was in synch with its parishoners.
CANA leader, Bishop Anikola of Nigera has come under criticism for advocating the passage of law in his native Nigeria that would jail people who commit homosexual acts. I asked ROBE-leski if his parish has any qualms about affiliating with Akinola.
WROBLESKI: Well, I prefer to just wait. I'm sure that's an issue that we need to address and will but I'm basically concerned with the running of our local church here, not international issues, and we will be looking into that, and certainly comment on that in the future.
Posted by Matthias Barker at 4:41 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Gay & Lesbian , Religion
Bill Would Enhance Home Owner Protection
March 26, 2007 3:34 PM
A Republican lawmaker says the home building industry threatened her when she wouldn’t agree to vote how they wanted. The lawmaker was the only Republican on a house committee to support a bill that would give home owners more protection from shoddy construction. The bill passed the committee Friday. It’s scheduled for debate on the house floor this week. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Sorry, no transcript available.
Listen to this story here:
http://www.capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?371
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Oil and Gas Commission Remake
March 26, 2007 3:31 PM
After more than two hours of debate, lawmakers Thursday gave the initial nod to a bill to remake the commission that regulates the oil and gas industry. Republicans offered dozens of amendments because they say the bill would hurt the state’s economy. The bill scheduled for a final vote in the house Friday. It then goes to the senate where it faces more opposition. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Sorry, no transcript available.
Listen to this story here:
http://www.capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?370
Posted by Matthias Barker at 3:31 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Politics
Ethics Amendment Compromise
March 26, 2007 3:26 PM
Democratic and Republican leaders from both chambers reached a compromise on an ethics in government bill. The chambers have been at odds over how to address the ethics amendment voters passed last fall. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Sorry, no transcript available.
Listen to this story here:
http://www.capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?369
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Speak English or No Graduation?
March 26, 2007 3:20 PM
A bill that would forbid high school graduation for students who cannot speak English competently was given initial approval at the capitol. This came despite stiff opposition from several Democrats. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Sorry, no transcript available.
Listen to this story here:
http://www.capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?367
Posted by Matthias Barker at 3:20 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Education , Politics
More Protection From Domestic Violence
March 26, 2007 3:14 PM
Victims of Domestic violence would get more protection from the courts under a bill that passed a house committee unanimously. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Sorry, no transcript available.
Listen to this story here:
http://www.capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?366
Posted by Matthias Barker at 3:14 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Politics
Bill Proposes Mental Health Aid for Military Families
March 26, 2007 10:48 AM
Mental health counselors in Colorado Springs say a growing number of soldiers' families are coming in for treatment. But the military doesn't always pay for the care they need. A bill in the Colorado legislature would provide state money to bridge that gap. Ryan Warner talks to Sharon Raggio, chief operating officer of Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:48 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Military , Politics
Fort Carson Expansion Sparks Eminent Domain Debate
March 26, 2007 10:41 AM
The Pentagon wants to expand Fort Carson's Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site in southeastern Colorado. A bill introduced in the state legislature would block the Army's use of eminent domain to acquire the necessary land. KCFR'S Ryan Warner talks to the bill's author, Rep. Wes McKinley, a Democrat from Walsh, and Brian Binn, president of Military Affairs for the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. He opposes the bill. We also hear from rancher and landowner Mack Lowden.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:41 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Ft. Carson , Military , Politics
Wind for Schools Program Could Get State Funds
March 26, 2007 10:35 AM
KCFR's Ryan Warner talks to Tom Potter of the Golden-based National Renewable Energy Lab about Colorado's Wind for Schools Program. It's the first of its kind in the country and could get a boost if state lawmakers approve new grants. (First broadcast March 13, 2007.)
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:35 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Education , Energy , Environment
Interview: The Journalist Who Profiled Tim Gill
March 26, 2007 10:04 AM
KCFR's Ryan Warner talks to Josh Green, a senior editor of the Atlantic Monthly, about his profile of Denver software millionaire and political activist Tim Gill. Gill is targeting state legislatures with stealth campaigns that have put many gay-friendly candidates in office. (First broadcast March 21, 2007.)
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:04 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Gay & Lesbian , Media , Politics
March 21, 2007
Gov. Bill Ritter Interview on KCFR
March 21, 2007 10:15 AM
Governor Bill Ritter joins Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner for a monthly interview to discuss key state issues, including education, health care, immigration, and the environment. Interviews will air the third or fourth week of each month, depending on the governor's schedule.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:15 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Politics
Small Business Health Care Coverage
March 21, 2007 10:10 AM
More than 770,000 people in Colorado don’t have health insurance and the number is rising. A state law that allows health insurance companies to base rates on medical history is partly to blame, according to proponents of a new health care bill that’s expected to be introduced as early as Tuesday. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:10 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Capitol Coverage , Health
Ira Glass Talks to KRCC's Noel Black
March 21, 2007 10:07 AM
The beloved radio program This American Life is now on TV. Host Ira Glass talks about making the transition to television with KRCC's Noel Black.
[ LISTEN ]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:07 AM| Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture
March 19, 2007
New Attempts To Regulate Oil and Gas Drilling in Colorado
March 19, 2007 4:06 PM
Lawmakers are grappling with how Colorado should deal with the state's energy boom. Last year the state issued more than 5 thousand oil and gas drilling permits, a record number. Bente Birkeland spoke with Aspen Public Radio's Kirk Siegler about some of the major energy bills making their way through the statehouse.
Listen Here: Listen Here
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:06 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Capitol Coverage , Energy
Anti-War Marchers Arrested at C.Springs Parade
March 19, 2007 3:13 PM
Seven people were arrested at Colorado Springs St. Patricks day parade downtown on Saturday for failing to cooperate with police. Those arrested say the police interfered their free speech rights and physically abused them. Read More -->
VERLO: Were now even portrayed as protesters and people who were crashing the parade, and we werent that at all, we were participants and we werent protesting at all, we were advocating peace.
WHITNEY: Thats Eric Verlo, owner of The Bookman bookstore and Chairman of the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission. Verlo applied for and was given a permit to participate in the parade under his business name. He says about 45 friends and members of the Peace and Justice Commission marched in the parade for about two blocks before police descended upon them, told them their permit was revoked and that they had to leave the street on which the parade was being held.
VERLO: And so it was kind of a matter of having an exchange of, by whos authority and why.
WHITNEY: Heres the explanation of how Colorado Springs Police got involved in the incident, from Police Spokesman Lt. Raphael Cintron.
CINTRON: we were contacted by one of the parade officials advising us that there were some individuals wanting to march in the parade. Although they had obtained a permit, the fact that they were going to be discussing or protesting a social issue, that was going to be in violation of the permit, so he basically was prohibiting them from marching in the parade, and he asked us to intervene.
WHITNEY: Parade organizer John ODonnell did not return a phone call from KRCC seeking comment.
Both Lt. Cintron and Eric Verlo agree that most of the people marching in the Bookman group, most wearing green t-shirts with peace signs on them, complied with police requests to leave the parade. But seven didnt, and they were arrested. Verlo says some of those arrested were treated with, quote, excessive brutality, and that at least one elderly woman was injured when police dragged her across the pavement.
Police Lt. Raphael Cintron.
CINTRON: We have not received any official complains regarding the actions our officers took out at the scene, although we have initiated an internal investigation about the incident, were going to be taking a close look at what occurred out there. And were certainly asking anyone who witnessed the incident and/or took photographs or videotapes of the incident to call our internal affairs unit at 444-7417, wed be very interested in hearing what they saw or were able to capture on tape.
WHITNEY: Verlo says those arrested are considering filing either criminal charges or a civil complaint against the police or city of Colorado Springs. Hes emphatic that it wasnt the intent of those marching with him to get arrested or engage in civil disobedience, they just wanted a chance to share a pro-peace message with people watching the parade.
VERLO: And we were refraining from saying anything like impeach Bush, or bring him to trail, or even speaking specifically about Iraq or Afghanistan, we were talking about war, we were talking about ending war.
WHITNEY: Verlo said his group marched with the same message in last years St. Patricks Day parade and had no problems.
The Police departments Lt. Cintron says internal investigations into incidents like this one are not unusual, and the departments motive for launching the investigation is just to take a closer look at exactly what happened. He says that not everyone thinks the police overreacted.
CINTRON: actually weve received numerous phone calls here at the police department about individuals that witnessed the incident, that were very supportive of the actions of the officers at the scene, and mentioned the great restraint that the officers utilized at the scene.
WHITNEY: The seven people arrested at the parade were released at the scene. They are due in court on April 10th.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:13 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Military , Politics
March 17, 2007
Springs Culture Cast, Editions 3-5
March 17, 2007 3:31 PM
Catch up on the latest Springs Culture Casts (like we've been meaning to). Episodes 3, 4 & 5.
More information at [ Springs Culture Cast website ].
Posted by Delaney Utterback at 3:31 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture
March 15, 2007
Springs Council Candidates Talk Status Quo, Campaign Contributions
March 15, 2007 2:06 PM
Incumbents brag about their accomplishments, challengers criticize them and Tom Gallagher answers a question about potential conflict of interest.
Read More -->WHITNEY: In the race for Colorado Springs city council, there are four incumbents, and at least three of them want you to know that the city is running smoothly, and has improved under their watch.
Among them is Larry Small, who is a retired engineer finishing his second term on council. Small backed several tax measures that he says are making things better here. He’s the chairman of the Rural Transportation Authority, which voters created and funded to improve roads in and around Colorado Springs.
SMALL: And that’s coming along. Our transit system is improving because of what you gave us. Our public safety is improving, because you gave us a public safety sales tax, and we’re able to give you two more police detachments this year, and two more fire stations in our city.
WHITNEY: Attorney Randy Purvis is also serving his second term on council. He, too has touted public safety and transportation improvements under his watch. Here, Purvis defends his vote that this election should be mail-in only.
PURVIS: I looked at several things. One, it costs less to run a mail-in ballot than it costs to run a polling place ballot. Two, it’s a lot easier to get people to work the polls. Three, you get much larger turnout on a mail-in ballot. You get a much more representative reflection of the people in the community who are voting.
WHITNEY: Bernie Herpin, who works for a defense contractor, has only been on council for 11 months, having been appointed to replace Richard Skorman. He says he’s proud and supportive of what council has accomplished lately.
HERPIN: Being a part of the status quo is not a bad thing, so I’m very please and honored to be serving on city council.
WHITNEY: Tom Gallagher, a surveyor, is running for his second term on council. But during his campaign he’s highlighted his differences with the rest of the body. Perhaps the largest is his vocal backing for an alternative to the pipeline that would bring water to Colorado Springs from Pueblo Reservoir at a cost of nearly a billion dollars. Instead, Gallagher backs building a new reservoir near Penrose, one that he says would not only create lake front, golf course real estate, but also generate significant hydroelectric power.
GALLAGHER: For four years I have tried to get people to pay attention to 60,000 acre feet potential in Penrose, Colorado. It’s zero carbon footprint. It’s 66% of what we generate now.
WHITNEY: It’s also a project in which his employer’s family, the Morleys, have a substantial interest. The Morley family are Gallagher’s biggest campaign donors, too. Gallagher says he doesn’t stand to benefit from the deal financially, and always recuses himself when business involving the Morleys comes before council. At a candidate forum Tuesday night, Gallagher was asked whether there’s a potential conflict of interest in his being on council and being such a vocal advocate for his employer’s family’s project.
GALLAGHER: He makes a whole lot less money doing this, but the community gets a whole lot more. The conflict would be in ignoring it.
WHITNEY: Another beneficiary of Morely family money is candidate Dave Martin. The Colorado Springs Independent reports that he’s received at least $15,000 from Jim and Mark Morley for this election. During the campaign, Dave Martin has complained that city council has spent too much money and time on the Pueblo to Colorado Springs water pipeline, with too little to show for it.
DAVE MARTIN: I am committed to get a resolution to the water project. I think if we look at our communities out east, we can’t keep growing at that pace without a resolution for our water.
NULL: Well, I’m glad to hear at least a couple of our council members defending the status quo, because I think the status quo needs a rest.
WHITNEY: 138 125ax to null1
That’s Bob Null, most decidedly not an incumbent. The retired Air Force colonel and internet service provider has served on both the city and county planning commissions.
NULL: We need to re-instill faith in our city government, whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter, the perception is there: They meet and decide for us voters.
JAN MARTIN: I’m the one who’s thrown out the term ‘status quo’ in this election.
WHITNEY: Jan Martin is the only woman on the ballot. The small business owner says she wants to shake up “sameness of thought” on the council, and advocate strongly for the arts and economic development.
JAN MARTIN: I really do believe the election comes down to whether the community is content with the way things are today, or if they agree with me that we could be so much more.
WHITNEY: Another candidate advocating for change in the status quo is Tom Harold. At 40 years old, Harold is the youngest candidate running,
HAROLD: it’s time for new ideas, it’s time for a vision, it’s time for community building, and it’s time most importantly for progress not politics. 10
WHITNEY: Although a first time candidate, Harold has served on numerous civic committees, including chairing the city’s stormwater runoff fee advisory committee and the rural transportation authority committee.
Another first time candidate is Greg Timm, and attorney and commercial real estate developer who also owns a motorcycle shop. Timm wants city council to stop acting as the board that oversees Colorado Springs utilities, and says he’s seen too much infighting on the current council.
TIMM: I have a strong desire to see downtown Colorado Springs further develop. I own buildings down here, I office and I work down here, and I don’t want us to lose downtown Colorado Springs.
WHITNEY: The city mailed ballots for Colorado Springs’ city council election yesterday. They must be completed and returned to the city clerk by April 3rd.
To hear this story again, or to hear the entire council candidates forum held last Tuesday, log on to KRCC.org
With local news on KRCC, I’m Eric Whitney.
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Springs Council Candidates Forum 3.13.07
March 15, 2007 9:28 AM
Click here to listen to the entire hour and 15 minute forum held at Penrose Public Library downtown on Tuesday, March 13th.
This forum was co-sponsored by KRCC, The Independent, Citizens Project, The Black/Latino Leadership Coalition, KILO and The Eagle, Comcast and KKTV. Moderator: Don Ward, KKTV 11 News.
[ LISTEN ]
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March 14, 2007
Springs Council Candidates Talk Diversity, Culture
March 14, 2007 3:57 PM
Candidates for four seats on Colorado Springs city council had a chance to sound off on cultural and diversity issues last night (Tue., 3.13.07).
KRCC NEWS DIRECTOR ERIC WHITNEY: All nine at-large candidates attended a forum co-sponsored by The Citizens Project, a local civil rights group that advocates for pluralism and diversity.
About a hundred people showed up. A question from the audience
asked three candidates whether they would support a city proclamation honoring Pridefest, the annual parade and celebration of Colorado Springs’ homosexual community.
GALLAGHER: No, I wouldn’t.
WHITNEY: That’s incumbent Tom Gallagher, who gave the most provocative answer.
GALLAGHER: Because I don’t think, in a truly diverse community, it matters. I don’t dwell on the sexual orientation of people. I dwell on people, that's what's important, the heart, the mind. Ok? Not the penis, it doesn't think.
WHITNEY: Bernie Herpin, also an incumbent said he, too, would oppose a city proclamation for Pridefest.
HERPIN: I do agree with Tom in one aspect. Dr. Martin Luther King said we should not judge people by the color of their skin, but their character. When we start to single out groups, I think we're not fostering diveristy, we're hurting diversity. I would like to see us be a homogeneous community where what you do in the privacy of your bedroom is not my business or anybody's business. So I do not think I would support a proclamatin for that reason. I think it is detrimental to diversity when you single out groups for special treatment like that, rather, I'd like to see us come together as a city.
WHITNEY: Only three candidates were asked whether they’d support a city Pridefest proclamation, and of those three, only challenger Dave Martin said yes.
DAVE MARTIN: and I will do so because I think that is the first step for that perception that we have as a conservative community to start changing. I guess it's just plain and simple, yes I will support it. And I think that we need to start as a whole as a community to start changing that mindset I've said open your hearts and open your minds repeatedly, and that's what I'm about. Thank-you.
WHITNEY: One candidate who went out of his way to prove he was pro-diversity was challenger Bob Null. Here’s his response to a question asking whether city council needs to address Colorado Springs’ image as an ultra-conservative city.
NULL: Three years ago we were rated the best city in America, almost, except one exception, we still have discrimination. You know, when we come down I-25, instead of seeing a sign that says, 'Colorado Springs that way,' there ought to be a sign that says, 'We welcome you. You are part of our fabric.' that's when people will start to believe. Think about when companies come here, they bring people, they bring families, they bring citizens, and we need to welcome them.
WHITNEY: Challenger Tom Harold, too, said that council has a job to do in ensuring that Colorado Springs is a welcoming community.
HAROLD: I think I can help promote that by reaching out to the organizations that promote cultural diversity. Having a microphone, having a voice, getting out there and talking about it, getting into the schools talking to the kids about cultural diveristy and why that's good. Because it does make our community better. It helps in economic growth. It makes us a more welcoming community, so small businesses want to start here, large businesses want to come here and stay here. is It's just good for the overall community. So I would do everything in my power to promote cultural diversity.
WHITNEY: Greg Timm, also a challenger, said he believes Colorado Springs does have a conservative image, but he’s not sure it’s accurate.
TIMM: I think the press has embellished on that greatly. We are a diverse community, I've lived here a lot of years, and I know we are a diverse community. And I think we have a lot to blame on the press. So we as city council have to be sure that the press is getting right message to the country.
WHITNEY: Ballots for the Colorado Springs city council election will be mailed tomorrow. This is a mail-in only election, and completed ballots must be returned to the city clerk’s office by April 3rd.
We’ll have more from last night’s Colorado Springs city council candidates forum throughout the week on KRCC News. And you can check out this story and others about the council election on our website, krcc.org. With local news on KRCC, I’m Eric Whitney.
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March 13, 2007
Ethanol: Pros and Cons for Colorado
March 13, 2007 10:40 AM
There are at least 17 gas stations in Colorado that sell ethanol fuel. It's called E-85, and much of it is produced from corn and other crops grown in Colorado. In this piece, we hear from a Colorado farmer and ethanol booster, as well as an environmentalist who is skeptical of how much ethanol will really benefit the state. Lindsay Patterson reports.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:40 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Environment , Transportation
March 12, 2007
Same Sex Adoption Bill Advances
March 12, 2007 3:25 PM
Same sex couples could adopt each other’s children under a new bill that passed out of a house committee with bi-partisan support. The conservative Focus on the Family denounced the bill on their website but no-one testified against the legislation during a hearing Thursday. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:25 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Gay & Lesbian , Politics
New Health Regs for Oil/Gas Industry?
March 12, 2007 3:21 PM
Lawmakers say Colorado is failing to address the serious health affects associated with oil and gas drilling. Under a new bill the state could not issue oil and gas drilling permits without consulting the state health department. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:21 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Energy
Reading: Clifford Chase, author of WINKIE
March 12, 2007 1:18 PM
Noel Black's interview with Clifford Chase [ LISTEN ]
Cliff Chase stunned the literary world with the 2006 release of WINKIE, his first novel, which has garnered rave reviews from editors and readers alike. How did a mild-mannered teddy bear come to life - and why was he arrested as a suspected terrorist? With its audacious plot, brilliant social satire, and deeply moving, emotionally honest writing, WINKIE is a book unlike any other. There will be a book signing after the reading; CC Bookstore also will have books available for sale. Sponsored by the CC National Endowment for the Humanities Professorship and the Pikes Peak Library District.
Location: Gaylord Hall, main floor of Worner Campus Center, 902 N. Cascade Ave.
Tickets: free
This event is open to the general public.
Read More -->
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Media Ecology: Technology Shaping the Human Environment
March 12, 2007 1:00 PM
How is technology shaping the human environment?
Professor Lance Strate explores that question at Fordham University in New York. Tonight (3.12.07) Strate will talk about Media Ecology and digital culture at Colorado College. His lecture, Eight bits about Digital Culture happens at 7 O clock in the Worner Centers WES room located on the corner of Cache La Poudre and Cascade. CC student Matthias Barker recently interviewed Strate.
[ Listen to CC student Matthias Barker interview Strate here ]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:00 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Visiting CC
March 7, 2007
Eating Locally, Thinking Globally, Sustainability and the Food System
March 7, 2007 2:38 PM
University of Wisconsin Professor of Rural Sociology Jack Kloppenburg will discuss the sustainability of our food system. Kloppenburg is the author of the award-winning book "First the Seed" and has successfully developed a farm-to-cafeteria food program in Madison, Wis. A reception will follow. RSVP to Spencer Wood at swood (at) coloradocollege (dot) edu or 719-227-8221. Sponsored by the sociology department, dean's advisory committee and EnAct.
Hear CC Student Tay Wiles interview Kloppenburg here
Location: Gaylord Hall, main floor of Worner Campus Center, 902 N. Cascade Ave.
Tickets: free
This event is open to the general public.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:38 PM| Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Environment , Visiting CC
Opening the Oil and Gas Books
March 7, 2007 1:49 PM
Oil and gas tax documents would no longer be confidential under a new bi-partisan bill in the statehouse. Lawmakers say the bill will help Colorado determine whether energy companies are paying their fair share to the state and royalty owners. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:49 PM| Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Capitol Coverage , Energy
End Eminent Domain for Army in Colorado?
March 7, 2007 1:43 PM
Lawmakers say Colorado can’t stop the federal government from taking over private land to expand the Pinon Cañon military training sight site in southeast Colorado. But that didn’t stop legislators from passing a bill out of committee that aims to give landowners more rights. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:43 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Ft. Carson , Politics
March 6, 2007
Springs Candidates Talk Open Space
March 6, 2007 4:59 PM
Candidates for Colorado Springs City Council praised the local trails and open space tax, and they generally favor opening the south slope of Pikes Peak to recreation.
Eleven of the 13 candidates for council and the mayors seat talked trails, open space and other issues at a forum hosted by the Springs Trails and Open Space Coalition, a non-profit advocacy group.
[ LISTEN ]
KRCC NEWS DIRECTOR ERIC WHITNEY: The event drew about 80 people, roughly double the number that attended the previous candidate forum last Thursday.
Two candidates were singled out by the coalition for one question dear to their members hearts: Why did they vote against the city acquiring Red Rock Canyon park, which has since become a part of the city park system?
Mayor Lionel Rivera said there were actually two votes on Red Rock Canyon acquisition, and explained why he voted against it the first time.
RIVERA: I voted no to purchase it because I thought we were paying about half a million dollars too much.
WHITNEY: The second vote, Rivera said, was whether to use so-called certificates of participation, or COPs, to pay for the land. COPs are financial instruments that are like bonds, which allow governments to borrow money. Some conservatives and tax hawks dont like COPs because they allow governments to by-pass state TABOR rules that say any new public debt must be put to the vote of the electorate.
Sitting Councilmember Tom Gallagher, who is seeking re-election, said that he voted against using COPs for Red Rock Canyon. Gallagher called it a safe no vote, because he knew a majority of councilmembers were going to vote to acquire the new park. And Gallagher said he had no problem with the city adding the property, just using COPs to buy it.
Incumbent Randy Purvis said he had no problem using COPs to acquire the park, despite what he called their political unpopularity.
Not all the candidates had a chance or chose to talk about certificates of participation, but almost all of them went out of their way to praise the citys Trails and Open Space, or TOPS tax, passed in 1991, which funds acquisition and maintenance of open land. Here's candidate Bob Null.
NULL: Think: Two-thirds of the citizens of this city agreed on something, we voted for TOPS.
WHITNEY: Bernie Herpin, who has served 11 months on council after being appointed to replace Richard Skorman, went out of his way to praise the Trails and Open Space Coalition, which worked hard to pass TOPS.
HERPIN: What you do is unbelievable. This is how citizens get things done, by banding together. As a citizen activist myself, I know what you do and I respect it, and youll always have a friend on city council from me.
WHITNEY: New candidate and businesswoman Jan Martin said that Colorado Springs city founder General William Palmer knew that parks and open spaces are important.
J.MARTIN: Thats what he envisioned for Colorado Springs. I think over time weve let that slip a little bit.
WHITNEY: Martin said that the TOPS tax is going a long way toward addressing the slip.
WHITNEY: But Dave Martin, president of the Falcon School board, says not all parts of the city are seeing the same benefits from the Trails and Open Space tax.
D. MARTIN: I'm a big fan of our TOPS program, but we must make sure those values are integrated at the neighborhood level. I believe that new development should increase, not decrease the ability of parks and open space. Growth is not accounting for proper trails and open space in our new neighborhoods.
WHITNEY: First time candidate Greg Timm, who is developing commercial real estate in the Falcon area, told the trails and open space coalition that despite being a developer, open space people do like me. He said he has purchased land and given it to government entities to help complete trail linkages in Colorado Springs and Summit County.
Another hot topic at the Trails and Open Space Coalition Forum was opening public access to the south slope of Pikes Peak. It's currently off limits because Colorado Springs utilities is worried about impacts to several drinking water reservoirs on he south slope. Vice Mayor Larry Small says he favors opening the south slope.
SMALL: I think its the right thing to do and were making a lot of progress on it.
WHITNEY: Small says he was on council when the north slope of the Peak was open and that its worked out well. Opening the south slope would allow completion of the ring the peak trail, which would delineate a route encircling Pikes Peak.
SMALL: Can you imagine the attraction that a ring the peak trail would have for bicycling and hiking and other recreational uses? I think that it would just further enhance Colorado Springs image as an outdoor community.
WHITNEY: Almost all the other candidates said they favor opening the south slope, too, although Small and Bob Null did express some concerns about security for the citys drinking water supply. Other candidates like Tom Harold and Mike Coletta, who is running for mayor, said open the reservoirs to public access would actually help protect them, because there will be more people in the area to keep an eye on them. Colorado Springs Utilities is in the process of writing a plan to allow access to the south slope. And candidate Coletta also offered to make his personal collection of photos of Colorado Springs area open spaces available to the public for free on the internet if he is elected.
There are at least seven council fora remaining before the April 3rd deadline for mailing in city council ballots, this is a mail-in only election. The Democratic Women's Club is sponsoring a forum tonight at 6pm at Penrose Librarys main branch downtown. And KRCC is co-sponsoring a forum at the same location on March 13th.
For more details about that forum, or to hear this story again, or read a transcript, please visit us online the address is KRCC.org.
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March 5, 2007
Aspen Comedy Fest Honors Colbert
March 5, 2007 6:03 PM
Comedian and faux conservative talk show host Stephen Colbert was honored over the weekend at the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. From Aspen Public Radio, Kirk Siegler reports.
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New Life, Gazette Lay Off 77 Employees
March 5, 2007 5:54 PM
Colorado Springs lost 77 jobs at high-profile organizations over the weekend. The total inclues 44 at New Life Church, and 33 at its daily newspaper, the Gazette. The Gazette job cuts came just prior to a local television station announcing that it will add staff.
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The Gazette announced its job cuts on Saturday.
It says it laid off 23 full- and part-time employees Friday, and is eliminating the equivalent of 10 other full time jobs.
P. Scott McKibben, president and publisher since November, says the paper is balancing the company’s financial goals with an evolving media landscape.
The Gazette is owned by Irvine, California-based Freedom Newspapers, its flagship operation being the Orange County Register in Santa Ana, California. The job cuts locally include “about 10” in the newsroom, the paper says.
A story in Saturday’s Gazette says its weekday circulation is about 100,000, Freedom’s website puts that number at 200,000. It is the second largest paper in Fredom’s chain, behind only the Orange County Register. Freedom owns some 70 publications reaching what it says are a million subscribers. It also owns nine television stations from New York to Texas, which it says reach a combined 3.5 million households.
After eliminating 33 jobs on Friday, the Gazette is keeping about 475 full and part time employees. One of those leaving, though is 21-year-veteran Cartoonist Chuck Assay. The paper says Assay is merely taking a planned retirement a few months early.
Publisher McKibben said in Saturday’s edition of the Gazette that the entire newspaper industry has been down nationwide in the last several years, that it’s battling advertising and circulation losses from changing readership habits, and competition from the Internet and 24-hour TV news channels.
At the same time the Gazette is laying off, one LOCAL television station says it’s adding half a dozen positions, and new newscasts to an existing local cable channel.
KOAA –TV announced today that it is beefing up its 24 hour local weather channel to include three local newscasts per day. The station says that starting in June, it will provide daily newscasts at 4, 7 and 9pm on Comcast channel 9 in Colorado Springs and channel 247 in Pueblo.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:54 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Media
States Sign Global Warming Agreement, Not Colorado
March 5, 2007 11:17 AM
Five western states have signed what’s being called an historic agreement to work together to reduce green house gas emissions. Bente Birkeland explains why Colorado didn’t sign on.
Click here to listenhttp://capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?346
Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:17 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Energy , Environment
March 2, 2007
A Sample of Springs City Council Candidates
March 2, 2007 4:50 PM
The race for the mayor’s chair and four seats on the Colorado Springs city council is getting underway. Last night nine of the 13 people running took part in a candidate forum that only drew an audience of about 40 people.
Listen here:
KRCC NEWS DIRECTOR ERIC WHITNEY: Missing were council candidates Tim Greg and Dave Martin, and mayoral contenders Tony Tyler and Tony Carpenter.
The candidates who were there spent less time trying to distinguish themselves from one another than enunciating their principles, reasons for running, and top priorities for the city. Broadly echoed, for the most part, were concerns about water, infrastructure and transportation. Current council member and candidate Randy Purvis talked about another issue that was popular with candidates.
PURVIS: And finally I’d like to see us to continue to work on our public safety, improving and expanding police and fire services, and ensuring that we have a safe community to live in and one that will continue to merit Money magazine's best city in the country.
WHITNEY: Vice Mayor Larry Small, running for one of the at-large council seats touted his work with the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, his former work on the city charter commission and the fact that two new fire stations have come on board during his tenure. Mayor Rivera also said he’s made significant contributions to public safety by ensuring that each city fire house has at least one paramedic on staff at all times. Council incumbent Tom Gallagher, too, said he worked hard to pass the special sales tax for public safety. He says it proves how seriously he takes the issue, and disproves that the city is “tax averse.” Gallagher says the Springs will get behind a tax increase if it’s fair, targeted and explained well.
A couple of questions and exchanges highlighted race and minority issues in the city. One, posed to appointed councilmember Bernie Herpin, asked what the city could or should do to assimilate recently arrived immigrants. He said the city needs to distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants.
HERPIN: Legal immigrants who come here are assimilating well into our community. We have, for example, a Hispanic chamber of commerce, we have business set asides for minority-owned businesses. For the illegal immigrants, I support the federal government establishing some kind of guest worker program, where we can be sure those coming here to want to improve their lives are coming here to improve their lives, and not for illegal activities or terrorism, or stuff.
WHITNEY: Candidates were also asked what could be done to increase minority representation on city boards and commissions. Jan Martin, the only woman running, and Randy Purvis said the city needs to be more aggressive about recruiting. But Candidate Bob Null, who has served on numerous boards and commissions in the city and county used stronger language.
NULL; I think we have a problem other than qualified people don’t apply.
WHITNEY: Null says his contacts in the minority business community have told him that they don’t feel like it would do any good to apply to boards and commissions, and implied that city government is biased against non-whites.
SMALL: That is absolutely not the case at all.
WHITNEY: That’s Vice Mayor Larry Small.
SMALL: We have recently appointed and African American to the civil service commission. We’ve appointed two ladies to the planning commission.
WHITNEY: Mayor Rivera also took issue with Null’s suggestion of bias in appointments to city boards and commissions. He says nothing could be further from the truth, and that on his watch, the city has always appointed the most talented candidates without regard to race.
Candidate Tom Harold said that, as a young Hispanic himself, he feels like he’s helping increase minority representation by not just running for council, but by serving on the Regional Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Commission, Highway 24 task force and city stormwater advisory committee.
Not all candidates had a chance to chime in on all issues, but Tom Gallagher, Jan Martin and Tom Harold all said they want to work to save and restore the city auditorium. Bob Null and Randy Purvis both agreed that spending Regional Transportation Authority money on more bus service and other alternative forms of transportation is important. Both Null and Pervis say they’re big backers of bike paths for both recreation and transportation. Purvis and Martin said they favor a proposal in the legislature that would double the amount of renewable energy that utilities are required to have in their portfolios. That includes the Springs’ city-owned utility. Mayoral candidate Mike Colletta says he’d like to move motorcycle cops out of “speed traps” and into neighborhood policing. He also said he’s taken a stand against graffiti in his neighborhood by personally confronting taggers, and getting rocks thrown at him for his troubles.
Thursday’s forum was sponsored by the Council of Neighborhood Organizations. There are more forums scheduled for March 5, 6, 7th and 8th, as well as on the 12th, 13th and 14th. KRCC is co-sponsoring one of the forums on the evening of March 13th, all nine at-large council candidates have agreed to participate. For more information on that forum, visit KRCC.org.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:50 PM| Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Elections , Politics
March 1, 2007
All Candidates for At-Large Seats on CS Council Agree to Forum
March 1, 2007 3:52 PM
All nine at-large candidates for Colorado Springs city council have agreed to participate in a candidate forum in two weeks. The event will be held at the Penrose Library downtown on Tuesday, March 13th, starting at 6pm.
Most of the candidate forum will be devoted to taking questions from the audience, but reporters from KRCC and the Colorado Springs Independent will ask questions, too, as will representatives of the Citizens Project and the Black/Latino Leadership Coalition.
All nine at large candidates for Colorado Springs city council will have a chance to speak their piece, and take an equal number of questions during the 3 hour event. It happens Tuesday, March 13th at Penrose Library downtown. For more information, visit KRCC.org.
Ballots for the Springs city council election will be mailed starting on March ninth, they must be returned by April third.
Read More -->Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:52 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Politics , Slideshow
'Colchas,' Folk Art From the San Luis Valley at UCCS
March 1, 2007 2:46 PM
The stories and colors of the San Luis Valley, portrayed in stitches, are on display at UCCS. The show of "colchas," New Mexico-style embroidery, opens tonight and runs until the end of the month. Noel Black talked to the show's curator, and featured aritist Josephine Lobato.
Read More -->"My name is Josephine Lobato. I'm from Chama, Colroado. I do colcha, traditional colcha, New Mexican-style, traditional colcha, which is embroidered, but not really. It's only one stitch, and it's called the colcha stitch."
New Mexican style colcha is a colorful, textured embroidery that is often hung in the home. Beginning tonight and running through the month of March, Josephine Lobato's colchas will hang in the lower level of the student center at UCCS. The show is a labor of love for organizer Suzanne McCauley. She's an ethnographer and folklorist in the visual and performing arts department. MacCauley has written a book on Colcha called "Stitching Rights." She met Lobato in 1990 while doing research on colcha revitalization projects in the San Luis Valley and has been working with her ever since.
"I consider her a collaborator, a co-worker, certainly not an object of research."
In fact, Lobato wouldn't cooperate with McCauley's research unless she learned the technique herself. Though "colcha" means quilt or bed spread in Spanish, the term has come to be associated with these kinds of embroidered paintings.
"They take the name from the stitch, and the stitch is just basically a straight stitch with an anchoring stitch that runs perpendicular to it. And the reason I stress that is that it creates an interesting visual texture, and also tactile. So it's lovely to touch these things."
Early colchas were primarily representational, depicting mostly floral motifs, but none none told stories. The narrative colchas began appearing during revitalization movements in the San Luis Valley in the 1970s. Lobato began stitching during a second wave of revitalization in 1988 when she was 55 years old. She was working on a story for the Colorado Historical Society about the tradition. Lobato is now considered a master of this visual folk art .
"Josie is a an artist who is literally driven by her visions and her passion to create these pieces. And they grow out of her imagination, her memories of the valley during a very particular time during the transition, between the Hispanic culture and the Anglo influences that came into the valley. "
One of Lobato's uniquely historical colchas titled "La Sierra," tells the story of a land battle in the San Luis Valley involving her husband and a land owner named Jack Taylor.
"This was a major battle. They went to the supreme court. It shows you Jack Taylor with his gun, shooting. And the trucks are carrying the lumber out, because he was selling lumber. And the environmentalists from the colleges were coming down, so there's some environmentalists under one of the trucks, and that's Rocky Madrid who was very active with the land rights council, that was fighting. And that's Rocky Madrid on the gate, he handcuffed himself to the gate."
Visually, the piece is deceptively simple and almost child-like, but even the cheerful colors of the mountains tell a deeper a story about the true fabric of the Chama community and the sophistication of Josephine's artistic talents.
"The purple color is - purple is a color of penance, or a color of conflict, and I took art classes, and I love Van Gogh, so I try to make my sky move like Van Gogh did, because it needed to show movement and conflict. "
Lobato uses only 100% Peruvian wool yarn to stitch her labor-intensive pieces onto muslin. She incorporates the colors of the images she sees around her everyday.
"I go out in the morning and look at the sky, and try to visually kind of put them into the pieces. In fact, I do a first draft and a second draft, sometimes a third and fourth before I decide it's time to put them on the cloth. "
Though the colchas could be considered visual histories or folk narratives of her life in Costilla County , Lobato prefers to think of them more broadly.
"I think most of them are memories and traditions and culture and some of the things that I feel are going to be lost. And I think they are, pretty much some of the traditions are being lost anymore."
This narrative way keeping traditions, she says, is also what distinguishes her work from other more common forms of colcha.
"In the New Mexico area, you find a lot of pieces in the Spanish Market The difference between what that I do and what they do is that I do stories. I like to do stories."
Josephine Lobato's works will be on display through the month of March in celebration of Women's History Month. You can call 262-3865 or go to the events calendar at uccs.edu. To see a slideshow of Josephine's colchas, go to krcc.org.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:46 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture , Slideshow
