Meet 4-H Member Caiden Healey

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Lost Creek Guide August 5, 2020

Meet the 4-H Member- Caiden Healey

By Madison Richmann

Weld Central High School freshman, Caiden Healey lives West of Brighton where she raises show lambs. Caiden shows market lambs, goats, steers, and breeding sheep. She home raises some of her sheep, and purchases some from all around the country along with steers and goats. “I have shown lambs for seven years, steers for four years, and goats for three years,” says Caiden. She has had great success with all of her a n i m a l s throughout her years showing due to her hard work and dedication. She shows at Adams County Fair, and Southeast Weld County Fair. Caiden also shows her livestock at Colorado State Fair, Arizona Nationals, and National Western Stock Show. Caiden says that her most memorable moments and accomplishments are winning Overall Grand Champion Ram at the 2019 National Western Stock show with her lamb, and winning Grand Champion Junior Steer Showman at the 2019 Adams County Fair. Healey’s favorite part about being in 4-H is the friends she has made along the way. “Many people have been a huge inspiration to me.” Caiden went on to say that her biggest inspiration is her mom, Cassi. “We have both made it so far from where we started and we have both put so much into learning about these projects.” Caiden would also like to give thanks to everyone who has helped her throughout the years of her showing experience. Good Luck to Caiden as she continues her showing career in 4-H.

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Weld County’s Hidden Zone District

By Dave Kisker

Most readers are likely aware that a central element of land use planning is the concept of zoning. Through zoning, governments control sprawl. Designated “zone districts” typi- cally focus on types of uses such as Agricultural, Residential, Commercial and Industrial and attempt to concentrate similar uses.

While adjacent zones need not be identical, similar intensities leads to harmony, which results from gradual transitions from low to high intensity uses. When this sort of tran- sitional land use occurs, the negative economic, environmental and health effects of more intense uses are unlikely to cross boundaries and conflict with their much lower intensity neighbors.

In Weld County, however, there is another Zone. It’s not listed in the rulebook--the Weld County Code. The County Commissioners would deny that it exists. Yet, the evi- dence is overwhelming that in addition to the Agriculture, Residential, Commercial and Industrial zone districts, there is another district: The Sacrifice Zone.

According to Wikipedia,

“A sacrifice zone is a geographic area that has been permanently impaired by environ- mental damage or economic disinvestment. They are places damaged through locally un- wanted land use causing «chemical pollution where residents live immediately adjacent to heavily polluted industries….»

«In the name of progress (economic development, education, religion, factories, tech- nology) certain groups of people (called inferior) may “need” to be harmed or sacrificed in order for the other groups (the superior ones) to benefit.”

The Weld County Sacrifice Zones are not necessarily located in areas of economic dis- advantage, but, instead have been imposed on regions that are desirable to the cronies of County leaders.

The economically disadvantaged MAY also be sacrificed, as in the Bella Romero case, where the County acceded to the demands of the now bankrupt Extraction Oil company despite the neighbors’ health fears.

Other times, homes may just happen to lie within an area that is desirable to the Com- missioner cronies. The neighborhood surrounding the DCP Mewbourne facility near Gil- crest has now expanded to include similar facilities by Occidental and AKA, completely changing that rural area because of the frequent emissions, noise and odors that emanate from those operations.

The most recently established, crony-driven Sacrifice Zone was designated last Wednes- day, July 22, 2020, when the Commissioners ignored the reams of competent testimony offered by the residents of Indianhead Estates that documented the negative impacts of the Martin Marietta Materials facility on WCR 13, just south of US 34. The facility, which directly abuts that residential neighborhood, has been in operation without a valid land use permit for 2 years. During that time, the neighbors have been under nearly constant assault from noise and dust, and now have clear evidence of health impacts and well as property value losses. (The factual information that the Commissioners ignored is here: https://tinyurl.com/y2xk9377 )

Yet, the County Commissioners ignored all that, and instead accepted the falsified in- formation submitted by Martin Marietta to justify rezoning that 131 acre facility to Heavy Industry, I-3, immediately placing the Indianhead area, as well as the nearby farms and small businesses into the Sacrifice Zone district. Evidence exists that the Commissioners had decided the outcome days before the hearing.

In fact, we have now learned that our homes have been in the Weld County Sacrifice Zone since the 1970’s. At that time, the Colorado Court of Appeals observed:

“The record clearly demonstrates that the planning director for Weld County and … the planning commission and the Board of County Commissioners did not want a develop- ment of single-family residences isolated from other developed urban areas, even though their subdivision regulations had no such restrictions.

They met and planned, not only for the purpose of thwarting plaintiffs in their efforts to have their subdivision approved, but also to devise means to defeat plaintiffs’ attempt to obtain F.H.A. approval as well as plain- tiffs’ efforts to meet Weld County’s water requirements. We cannot escape the con- clusion that the deliberate delays caused by defendants were solely to obstruct, in any manner possible, a final approval of the subdivision.” Interladco, Inc. v. Bill- ings, 538 P.2d 496 (1975)

Although it’s taken 45 years, the Com- missioners have finally implemented their long desired Indianhead Sacrifice Zone.

But, Indianhead Estates is not alone. The neighbors of DCP Midstream, the res- idents along WCR 29, and the neighbors of Extraction know this. And, many other families in Weld County know this, some of whom have literally lost their homes as a result of finding themselves in a Sacrifice Zone.

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Lost Creek Guide August 5, 2020

Community UMC Reopens for Worship

Community United Methodist Church in Keenesburg reopened for worship services on June 7, 2020. Rev. Linda Meyer, Pastor of Community UMC, said the church is following strict guidelines published by the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church. The church had to request approval to re-open, which was granted by Rev. Dr. Tezenlo Thong, District Superintendent. In order to reopen, the church has had to make several changes in the sanctuary. Two out of three pews are closed, allowing for six feet between the pews that are available for seating. A table at the back of the sanctuary is sanitized weekly, and worship bulletins are positioned on the table so that people may pick up one bulletin without having to touch other bulletins. Hand sanitizer is also available on this table. The main door into the church is propped open for no-touch entry. The entire service, including hymn lyrics, may be vied on several television screens positioned around the sanctuary.

Community UMC also had to make changes in their worship service. They are not receiving an offering during worship. Instead, a collection plate is positioned at the back of the sanctuary, and it is sanitized weekly. Pastor Meyer said, “We still have Offertory music, and we still sing the Doxology, but we are not passing an offering plate in an effort to keep everyone from touching the same surface.” Anyone who wants to come forward for the Children’s Sermon sits in the front pew in the center of the church. The church requests everyone wear a mask, however it is not required. They also request anyone not feeling well to please stay home.

Pastor Meyer talked about the need for being cautious, due to how contagious Covid-19 is. She said, “Several families have not returned to church, and we completely understand they are not ready to join us. We miss them, and look forward to seeing them whenever they are ready to attend worship.” Weld County Department of Health and Environment’s website has a map of Covid-19 cases by zip code, and Pastor Meyer checks it weekly to see if there is an increase in cases in the Keenesburg and Hudson area. If cases were to start rising, or if anyone who attends worship becomes ill from Covid-19, the church will close until cases begin to fall again. That map may be found at https:// www.weldgov.com/departments/health_and_environment/2019_novel_coronavirus/covid19_data .

Community UMC’s worship services are being recorded, and are available later on Sunday afternoons on their Facebook page and on their YouTube channel. If you wish to view any of their services, please go to Facebook or YouTube and search for “Community UMC, Keenesburg”.