“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light” George Washington
“If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed” Thomas Jefferson
The Origins of Memorial Day
by Veteran’s Administration
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. It is believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The ceremonies centered around the mourning- draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.
Local Observances Claim To Be First
Local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead already had been held in various places. One of the first occurred in Columbus, Miss., April 25, 1866, when a group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at Shiloh. Nearby were the graves of Union soldiers, neglected because they were the enemy. Disturbed at the sight of the bare graves, the women placed some of their flowers on those graves, as well. Today, cities in the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. Both Macon and Columbus, Ga., claim the title, as well as Richmond, Va. The village of Boalsburg, Pa., claims it began there two years earlier. A stone in a Carbondale, Ill., cemetery carries the statement that the first Decoration Day ceremony took place there on April 29, 1866. Carbondale was the wartime home of Gen. Logan. Approximately 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, many of them in the South where most of the war dead were buried.
Official Birthplace Declared
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff. Supporters of Waterloo’s claim say earlier observances in other places were either informal, not community- wide or one-time events. By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities. It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays.
Some States Have Confederate Observances
Many Southern states also have their own days for honoring the Confederate dead. Mississippi celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday of April, Alabama on the fourth Monday of April, and Georgia on April 26. North and South Carolina observe it on May 10, Louisiana on June 3 and Tennessee calls that date Confederate Decoration Day. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day January 19 and Virginia calls the last Monday in May Confederate Memorial Day.
Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime” urged: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”
The crowd attending the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was approximately the same size as those that attend today’s observance, about 5,000 people. Then, as now, small American flags were placed on each grave — a tradition followed at many national cemeteries today. In recent years, the custom has grown in many families to decorate the graves of all departed loved ones.
The origins of special services to honor those who die in war can be found in antiquity. The Athenian leader Pericles offered a tribute to the fallen heroes of the Peloponnesian War over 24 centuries ago that could be applied today to the 1.1 million Americans who have died in the nation’s wars: “Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.”
To ensure the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission
on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.
The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”
Local Government Can Correct Our Rising Property Taxes
By Colorado State Senator District 1: Byron H. Pelton ( R ) Sterling
We are in the final days of the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session, four days remaining to be exact. One would think that we, as the State General Assembly, would be trying to wrap up work on the remaining bills and that there would not be any new bills still being introduced this late in the session. However, this is not the case as we saw the introduction of Senate Bill 23-303 “Reduce Property Taxes And Voter-approved Revenue Change.”
Whether we like it or not, property taxes are going up in our state. We are predicted to see an increase of up to 30% on property taxes, and this is going to be detrimental for our senior population. Our elderly community members are often confined to a fixed income and strict budget. It is called a fixed income for a reason as they will not see an increase in their social security checks even though they will see an increase in their daily expenses. Utility bills are rising, food prices (like eggs) are rising, and fuel cost is rising all while incomes and pay remain the same.
From my experience as a commissioner in Logan County, I can distinctly recall the tough conversations that I had with many of my county employees who would ask for an increase in their wages. Regardless of how hard working and deserving these county employees were, the county budget was already stretched thin and would not allow for these additional funding requests. Budget limitations are a harsh reality for many municipalities and private businesses, even when faced in a state where everything is getting more expensive.
As a part of local control, county commissioners can help alleviate the financial hardship that many of their constituents are facing by either offering a temporary property tax credit or by lowing the mill levy. I know because five out of the six years that I served as a Logan County Commissioner, I voted to either lower the mill levy or to give a temporary tax credits. Special districts, like fire districts and school districts, also have the authority to lower mill levies. These potential solutions are all ways that local governments can help relieve the financial burden from the rising property taxes that we are experiencing here in Colorado.
While the intention of SB23-303 is in the right place, we do not need state interference and the execution of this bill would mean stealing from our tabor refunds. Local governments can correct our rising property taxes; which is why the citizens of each community need to start getting involved with their county’s budget process and start talking with their local elected officials – county commissioners, fire chiefs, school board members, etc. – about how responsible budgeting, lower mill levies, and temporary property tax credits can curb the impact of property tax increases.
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE
Page 2: Way of the World
Page 2: May Older Americans Month
Page 3: Jon Caldera: The Great Property Tax Scam Explained
Page 4-6: Brush 2023 High School Graduates
Page 5: Wiggins School District News
Page 6-13: Fort Morgan 2023 High School Graduates
Page 16: Hudson Fishing Derby & Public Safety Day Events
Way of the World
by Bob Grand, Lost Creek GuideThis past Sunday was Mother’s Day. Being a mother is something special. You have to be the ultimate decision maker. You don’t always have the ability to get expert advice from people who supposedly know everything. All you can do is the best you can do. In most cases that works out generally well. That is how life works. We do not always have the luxury of time to wait for all the input in the world. Our politicians could do well to watch and learn how mothers keep their worlds turning, perhaps not perfectly, but at least moving in the direction they want.
Come the end of the month we celebrate Memorial Day. Try and remember a veteran and thank him or her for their service. We are free because they and the many before them, sacrificed a lot to ensure our way of life continued. It is not a political event. When you serve, they do not ask whether you are Democrat or Republican, they ask you as an American to do your duty. Thank God there were so many who responded affirmatively.
The day of reckoning for the President’s son, Hunter is coming. There are indications that Hunter Biden set up over 20 limited liability companies that received over $10,000,000 from various foreign entities that involved multiple transfers in what appeared to be efforts to obscure the sources of those funds. This all raises serious questions about national security. The President has steadfastly stood by his son. I realize the President lost a son, and I understand his wanting to support Hunter, but there is the question of the law. There is also the uncomfortable fact that it appears the letter produced to claim the infamous Hunter laptop as a Russian disinformation piece that was orchestrated by former acting Director of the CIA, Mike Morell containing the signatures of over 50 intelligence officials was generated by an effort by now Secretary of State Antony Blinken who was a senior campaign official for Joe Biden at the time. Could this have affected the 2020 election results? One will never know. What one should understand is that government employees should be nonpolitical. They are there to serve the best interests of the American people, not to be political hacks while being paid by the American People. But we as a people should begin to tell our politicians, of both parties at all levels and the bureaucrats that work for them that this type of behavior should not be allowed. Maybe we need to enforce the laws that are applicable. With no accountability there is no reason to expect things to change.
Jeffery A. Tucker had a piece in the Epoch Times entitled “The Racket of Regulatory Capture”. In it he referenced Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a possible democratic candidate for U.S. President, questioning the collusion between free enterprise and government, meaning in both cases, big enterprise, and big government. In it he talked about the impact of regulation that makes it almost impossible for a small beef producer to market his products to the public. The implication is that the big beef producers work with the federal regulatory people, under the guise of our safety, to prevent us from being exposed to what fed multiple generations in the past. Of course, no one asks if what the big cartels in the food industry produce today is really healthy for us? Competition is generally a good thing. Overly controlling bureaucrats that focus on reducing competition to the benefit of well-funded cartels is not. Who is supposed to watch out for our interests? Our elected officials, that is who.
We watch with interest as a case is being decided at the Supreme Court which may seriously impact the control of the unelected bureaucratic structure. It involves a 1984 case known as Chevron vs. National Resources Council. The case involves what has become known as the Chevron Defense. “The principle is that the Courts should defer to reasonable agency interpretation of ambiguous provisions in Congressional statues and that judges should refrain from crafting their own reading of the law.” This would clearly result in a significant weakening of the administrative state. This puts a spotlight on legislation, instead of being carefully crafted, is purposely left vague and up to interpretation bureaucratic agencies.
You should all have received your county’s tax assessments. Not a pleasant surprise as your 2024 tax bill will reflect between a 30% to 50% increase. Now recognize that your local school districts will, for the most part, not be receiving additional monies. What will happen is the amount they would normally receive from the state to offset their expenses will in effect be paid by the increased local tax revenue paid by you and me. What will the state do with all that extra money? Maybe we should ask Governor Polis. Now the question of what the other tax authorities like your town, fire district, library district, water district, and others do, is up to the taxing authority. They could look at their balance sheets, decide how much money they really need in reserves and lower the mill levy to effectively take less of your money, something that Weld County does. I wonder how many will really do that, or how many will hope you do not notice and therefore do not ask that question. As President Reagan said of the Russians, trust but verify.
As always, your thoughts and comments are appreciated: publisher@lostcreekguide. com
May Proclaimed Older Americans Month
WELD COUNTY, CO — To celebrate and show appreciation for older citizens in our community, the Weld County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed May Older Americans Month.
A growing number of older Americans contribute their time, wisdom, and experience to our community and often still face forms of discrimination and indifference. Members of the Weld County Department of Human Services’ Area Agency on Aging (AAA) were present for the proclamation on Monday, May 1, 2023, including Human Services Department Director Jamie Ulrich and Deputy Director Tami Grant.
Commissioner Coordinator for Human Services Scott James said, “I have had the honor in my first couple of years as commissioner in serving on the AAA as the commissioner coordinator, and the services that AAA…and everyone in our Department of Human Services (DHS) provide, is in my opinion, second to none. Weld County is lucky to have you.”
The Board of County Commissioners urges Weld County residents to combat negative stereotypes regarding older Americans, to emphasize the many positive aspects of aging, and to embrace our community’s diversity. In order to create a more inclusive society residents are asked to accept the challenge of flexible thinking around aging.
For more highlights and information on Older Americans Month, see the official Weld County Government Facebook and Twitter pages throughout May. To learn more about AAA, please visit www.weldaaa.org.
Caldara: The Great Colorado Property Tax Scam Explained
By Jon Caldara, President Independence InstituteIf you’ve opened your property tax assessment you’ve already had your coronary. Your property value has gone up between 30% and 70%.
That means because the legislature, under Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter, froze mill levy rates (preventing them from lowering) and because voters foolishly repealed the Gallagher Amendment in 2020, your property taxes are going to go up some 30% to 70% next year.
But don’t worry. The same people who have put you in this bind are going to pantomime rescuing you just as the clock runs out on their legislative session. What heroes.
The Colorado legislature, with Gov. Jared Polis riding on a white stallion, will look like they are saving you from the tax haul they skillfully masterminded. And the media will likely help them sell the con of getting you to pay (again) for what looks like property tax relief.
But let’s start the scam at the beginning. The theme, as always, is elections have consequences. That is the polite way of saying — hey idiots, you voted for this, would you please stop acting surprised.
The people of Colorado voted to repeal the Gallagher Amendment which capped property taxes for both residential and commercial property. Many conservatives irrationally supported the repeal because of a fair gripe they had with it — Gallagher hid taxes from voters.
You see, businesses don’t pay taxes. Only people pay taxes. Gallagher put most of the property tax burden on commercial property owners. Residential owners got unfairly low taxes, making them more friendly to voting “yes” to increasing mill levies for schools, roads, etc. Clever, huh?
But businesses must always pass their taxes to their customers. You’re paying King Soopers’ property tax in every loaf of bread you buy; it just doesn’t feel the same as your own property taxes.
But now both caps are gone, the low one for homeowner and the high one for commercial.
Why did the repeal pass? The ballot question the legislature wrote to repeal Gallagher was wildly duplicitous. It was the ugliest, shyster, slimy-used car-salesmanreferred voter ballot title I’ve ever seen come out of that parliament of whores.
The first five words of this love sonnet, tax-hiking ballot question was, “Without increasing property tax rates.”
Without explaining that as their property assessments rose (but the tax rates staying the same) their tax amount would, duh, also rise. This led most unsuspecting voters to believe that their taxes wouldn’t increase.
The ballot’s siren song went on to say, “to help preserve funding for local districts that provide fire protection, police, ambulance, hospital, kindergarten through twelfth grade education, and other services, and to avoid automatic mill levy increases…”
So basically, the Legislature lied and said, “no tax increases to fund first responders, kids and puppies.”
Anyone with a calculator knew once homeowners realized they’re in for the largest property tax hike in state history, they’d be sharpening pitchforks. So why are Dems waiting until the very end of session to look like they’re going to do something about it?
Two reasons. First, theatrics. Waiting until folks get their property assessments and freak out, well, that gives them a planned fire to put out.
And secondly, with only days left in the session there’s less time to shine light on the shell game.
Property tax is a complex issue. Half the legislators aren’t up to speed on it and nearly all reporters will just regurgitate press releases on it.
With nearly $2 billion of excess tax revenue which by our state constitution, via TABOR, must be refunded to us, I suspect they will refund much of that to us by relabeling it as some sort of property tax relief.
This of course will make them look heroic with one small teensy-weensy, itsy-bitsy problem: it’s a complete lie. If tax relief comes from surplus revenue, it comes from our money which was to be returned to us anyway!
Slapping a label on it that says “property tax relief” doesn’t make it so. Taking it out of our tax refund check is still theft.
Real property tax relief would be passing a law to restrict property tax increases to inflation. They have the power to do that before property tax bills hit. In fact, it is the best way to fix the con job they have perpetrated on their victims, the trusting people who put them into office.
Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute, a free market think tank in Denver.
Sydney Ruth Ann Odle graduated with honors at the Missouri Valley College 2023 Commencement Ceremony
MARSHALL, MO (05/10/2023)-- Sydney Ruth Ann Odle of Brush, Colorado graduated with honors Saturday, May 6, during the commencement ceremony at Missouri Valley College. Odle earned a bachelors degree in Physical Education.
Missouri Valley College conferred 218 degrees during the ceremony at GreggMitchell Field. President-Elect, Dr. Joseph A. Parisi, gave the commencement address.
About Missouri Valley College
Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval. edu.
NOTE: You are receiving this press release because the student or their parents are from your area. This press release above was prepared for: Editor - Lost Creek Guide.
Attachments
• Congratulations to our recent graduates! : http://app.readmedia.com/news/ attachment/184152/Untitled_design_9.png
Edward Jones,
By Morgan County Rural Electric Association
