Aguilar's Hardware Store

One recent Sunday, I needed a tool to work on a plumbing problem. Since I live in Walsenburg, I checked the store hours for the Ace Hardware store in Colorado City.  I saw that it couldn't make it there before they closed.  I did another search for hardware stores and saw there was a store in Aguilar.  I wasn't aware they had a store.

I made it before they closed and bought the tool I needed.  Today I went to get some BBQ at the Exit 30 Cafe, so I drove by the hardware store to take a few pictures. 

Black Bear Hardware, 155 E. Main, Aguilar, Co. 81020  719-941-6022.

The Walsenburg Gas Department

 The Walsenburg Gas Department

I have been researching how we got to the present situation where we are paying for a 150% increase in gas prices here.  There are stated reasons for the increase.  It has been a long time since we had an increase since 2018.  The price of natural gas is increasing because of demand in Europe and China.  All of this doesn't resonate well when you are facing sub-zero temperatures in Walsenburg.  

I am checking the Council minutes to see if anyone raised a single objection to the increase.  Back in 2016 there was an uprising over a small increase. At that time the question was raised about the gas department loaning money to other departments in the city.  Have these loans been paid off?  If not, were they factored into the need for the present increase.  

Is anyone on the city council representing the citizens of Walsenburg? Most votes in the council are 100% yes.  How can there always be a unanimous vote?  

I digress.  The question arises about disconnects for non-payment. Recently, I became aware of a disconnect for non-payment within a couple of days after a bill was sent out.  According the Muni ordinance, there would be a minimum of 30 days before a disconnect could be done.  This would need to be preceded by a hand delivered notice or a 1st class mail notice of impending disconnect.  

Nobody's perfect.  We all make mistakes, but some mistakes can result in misery for people who are without heat in winter.

The Recent "boil water" Situation

Well, I went out on Feb. 3, to buy ice and water as a result of the boil water order posted on Feb. 2nd a day after the water break.

This morning on Feb. 4, I tried to find out the current status of our water supply. I checked the city website and there was nothing current about it.  

I posted a question about it on the Huerfano Community Bulletin Board and got several replies that the order was recinded yesterday.  

Getting news in Walsenburg is like the "Whose on 1st" routine that Abbott and Costello used to do.  

https://youtu.be/sYOUFGfK4bU .

When I contacted my council person, they said it was recinded.  This was not posted on the city website, but it was found on the Walsenburg, Co. Facebook page.  The date was Feb. 3 at about 4pm.  This was the last place I thought about looking.

Some of the people on the bulletin board received emails and phone calls.  Manual Luan suggested signing up for code red alerts. 

A City Police Department

In 2016 a group of citizens who were aware of many reasons to sack the local police department did a petition drive to get the issue placed on the ballot.  

The drive was a success and in the election there was a clear choice made to eliminate the department.  

The question that comes to mind is why the current city council is beating the drum for a repeat performance.

Is there a reason why the council doesn't want to renew the contract with the county? Maybe some people have a short memory about the costs of running a police department.

If there is a problem with the sheriff's department, why not air it in a council meeting.  Invite the sheriff and let him answer any questions the citizens have.

Also, what is the cost of the current contract renewal?

There may be some folks in city government who just like the idea of having a police department that can be directly controlled by the council.

The former police chief moved to a position in Adams county where he was investigated for undisclosed actions. The article about this is posted on this page. 

Revisiting the Failure of a City Police Department in Walsenburg

This is the outline for a more detailed article looking at the resurgence of the idea that Walsenburg needs its own police department.

My first impression about the former police department was the high cost to maintain it.  I noticed a few years ago that while the city budget was about 1.4 million that the police department used about $900,000 of that.  That appeared to be the biggest one cost that we had.

What did we get for that expense?  We got never ending liability stemming from complaints and continuous requests for vehicle repairs and money for canine training and upkeep and pension expense and medical insurance expense.

Many of these expenses increase year after year.

If we contract for police services, a lot of liability and other expenses are covered. I am looking for confirmation that the city is proposing the expenditure of about $25,000 on a study to decide if it is cost effective to continue contracting services.

Instead of paying someone to tell us what we need, how about being transparent about the current numbers.  How about inviting the Sheriff to attend a council meeting and go over the numbers and the services included in the contract.  It would be informative to know what percentage of the current budget is set aside for law enforcement.

Sewer and Water Infrustructure in Walsenburg

A lot of money, time, and effort was expended on the Northlands Sewer Project which is in the area north of the city.  About 20 landowners received the benefits of new water, gas, and sewer lines at a cost of several million dollars. 

At the time questions to the city council about the aging infrustructure in the city were met with assurances that a stategy of replacing pipes using a section by section approach.  The northeast section would be first.  Some were concerned that sewer service lines were blocks long to reach the nearest main line.  Oh, that would be addressed.  Of course, the new sewer line would go directly to the customer's house.  No problem with long service lines there.

The Northlands project is done.  It is complete with miles of line to reach the treatment plant and an expensive lift pump to push waste over the humpback.  How about the new sewer and water pipes for the city?  When are they going to be in place?

Kavanaugh Confirmations

What an incredible waste of time and energy!  This doesn't even address the amount of money spent on the hearings including security.  What happened to the idea of "what can I do for my country?"  The polarization of the population seems to be over the question of destroying our nation or building our nation.

A rational person would see what freedom brings to our society.  It even makes our country a magnet to people all over the world wanting to enjoy the freedoms we offer. Why would anyone want to destroy this great country? 

Self elevation is the only thing that would explain this.  If a person cannot sell his political ideas, he falls back on the free stuff theory.  If you tell people they will get free food and money for supporting you, it is a phishing scheme.  Socialism has never worked before, but sell the line that it is different this time.  Don't mention Venezuela. 

We are enjoying an economic revival not seen in years if ever.  Why would anyone want to deny this?  Maybe it doesn't fit the narrative.  The powers that have enjoyed free reign in government so many years do not want to step down.  They will do anything to keep power.  That is exactly why they must go.