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4-H members discuss challenges of raising farm animals
Local athletes work out to fast-paced music
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SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2009
VOLUME 122, NUMBER 47 • STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO • www.steamboatpilot.com
Whiteman faculty lauds grads Robert ‘Bobby’ Rankin wins Head of School Award for contributing to school Brandon Gee
PILOT & TODAY STAFF
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
From the moment The Lowell Whiteman School’s class of 2009 entered the gymnasium to Buffalo Springfield instead of “Pomp and Circumstance,” it was clear Friday’s graduation wasn’t going to be your typical commencement exercise.
With 32 graduates, the ceremony was atypical even by the school’s standards. The private high school in Strawberry Park has graduated that many seniors only once before. And never have so many graduates — 19 — attended Lowell Whiteman all four years of high school. Twenty-one 2009 Lowell Whiteman graduates have received scholarships totaling
$188,750. They will attend several schools in Colorado and across the country. Buddy Kinder will enroll as a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. “We are all very proud of them and what they’ve accomplished,” said Nancy Ventrudo, president and chairwoman of the school’s
Student awards Community Service Award Kaeli Nolte Friend to all Daniel Wright Dean of Students Award Ben Von Thaden Academic Dean Award Sarah Baumgartner Head of School Award Robert “Bobby” Rankin
See Grads, page 7A
JOHN F. RUSSELL/STAFF
Cyclist John Ward rides his bike in one of the recently created bike lanes on Oak Street in downtown Steamboat. The city is undertaking a number of initiatives to make Steamboat Springs more bike- and pedestrian-friendly.
Bike growth emphasized City plans upgrades for riders, pedestrians Brandon Gee
PILOT & TODAY STAFF
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
The city of Steamboat Springs is making the most of a strapped budget in an effort to maintain the “Bicycle Friendly Community” designation it received two years ago from the League of American Bicyclists. A new bike lane has been painted on Oak Street in Old Town Steamboat, and it has been very well received by local cyclists. “It was just a step we could do at very minimal cost,” said Public Works Director Philo Shelton, who noted the bike lane matches a downtown streetscape plan approved by the city last year. “It kind of tells people where they need to be and helps them share the road better.” Deputy City Manager Wendy
MATT STENSLAND/STAFF
Fred Gardner and Mary Labor recently were named the 2008-09 Friends of Education by the Steamboat Springs School Board. Gardner created the district’s 5th Quarter program, and Labor has coordinated the school district’s spring flower sale for the past eight years.
Selfless service
Fred Gardner and Mary Labor named Friends of Education
T
he Steamboat Springs School Board took little time deciding whom it would select as the district’s 200809 Friends of Education. Board members tossed out the names of only two individuals — Fred Gardner and Mary Labor. They made a motion and voted unanimously to approve their selections. Gardner and Labor have worked for
Both exemplified the types of people the school board wanted to recognize, board members said.
SUNDAYFOCUS STORY BY JACK WEINSTEIN
Keeping children safe
years to support the district. Gardner was instrumental in the inception and operation of the high school’s 5th Quarter program. Labor has organized the spring flower sale for about eight years.
The 5th Quarter was Gardner’s “brainchild,” said Lucianne Myhre, the leadership See Friends, page 7A
DuBord said the Steamboat Springs City Council has set a goal of making downtown Steamboat more pedestrian friendly. A news release from Routt County Riders bicycle club notes that the group recommended the bike lane and said it soon will be followed by a similar lane on Yampa Street. The group also is working to build new trails on Emerald Mountain. There are a number of other pedestrian and bicycle improvements planned or under way in the city, and the Routt County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to begin discussions later this month about multiple uses of county roads. “I think everything has been well received,” said Robin Craigen, of Routt County Riders. See Bike, page 9A
Rail spur work to start this month Xcel asks Routt County to allow longer trains than previously planned Blythe Terrell
PILOT & TODAY STAFF
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
After years of negotiations and discussions, work is scheduled to start this month on Xcel Energy’s rail spur near the Hayden Station power plant. The utility plans to start with rail earthwork this month and the realignment of JOHN F. RUSSELL/STAFF A Union Pacific train rolls through downtown Steamboat Springs during the Routt County Road 27 later this winter. Work on an Xcel Energy rail spur is scheduled to start this month. summer, Xcel spokesman Mark PAGE DESIGNED BY STEVEN RECKINGER
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Stutz said in an e-mail. But the path isn’t completely free of obstacles. Xcel has asked for amendments to the special use permit the Routt County Board of Commissioners approved for the project. The requested changes are scheduled to go before the Routt County Planning Department on June 18. The initial permit allowed as many as five trains a week consisting of about 70 cars each. Xcel
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has asked to change that to 115 cars per train. That’s a result of Union Pacific Railroad requirements, according to the application for an amendment. “We believe that the (Union Pacific) will make only three or sometimes four trips a week, however,” Stutz wrote in the email. “So there is an anticipated reduction in the number of total trips per week.” The Xcel plan consists of recon-
structing an existing rail spur to take coal to the Hayden plant. The project will include railroad bridges over U.S. Highway 40 and Routt County Road 27. The county approved the plans in 2007. As part of the requested amendments, Xcel wants the county to remove a bond for the U.S. 40 bridge. The Colorado
DELIVERY PROBLEM?
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LAST WEEK: Should the city change its zoning regulations to allow taller buildings and increased density at the base of the ski area? Results/5A
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THIS WEEK: The BLM just gave added protection to a large parcel of Emerald Mountain. How do you recreate on Emerald Mountain?
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