30 years ago- June 9, 1989
Viola Laird celebrated her 94th birthday in grand style at the Black Forest Inn on June 3, surrounded by numerous friends and well-wishers. Born as Viola Oliver in Central City on June 3, 1895, Viola married Rae L. Laird on November 2, 1917. For many years she taught school at the Clark School in Central City and worked alongside her husband, former publisher of the Register-Call, until the paper sold in 1970. Rae passed away April 11, 1971. Viola has resided at the Christopher House in Wheat Ridge for the last several years, although she greatly missed Central City, her lifelong home, which she tries to visit frequently. Viola’s birthday celebration at the Black Forest Inn included lunch, followed by a cake and ice cream reception. A total of 26 friends and former students attended the special occasion.
Drastic changes proposed for the 1872 Mining Law could have serious repercussions for the mining industry, particularly small miners. “There’s no room for individual miners or small mining companies,” said Boulder Attorney John Henderson, Tuesday, “under the new act that is now being considered. This new legislation can well be called the ‘Anti-Mining Law of 1989.’” Among the changes proposed by Senator Dale Bumpers of Arkansas is an eight percent gross royalty payment to the government on all claims located under the new act. In addition, annual assessment work requirements on new claims established from $1,000 to $2,000 per claim. The current assessment requirement is $100. Worse news yet is a clause in the proposed law that will require currently existing claims to be assessed a whopping $5,000 per year in work requirements. Changes in patent requirements are also in the works, says Henderson, and these will mean major problems for mom and pop operators, as well as for small companies. Hearings began June 7 in Washington and Henderson hopes to have a progress report on the legislative activity next week. In the meantime, he is urging all small miners to write their United States Senators protesting the proposed changes to the law. “Time is of the essence,” Henderson said. “They’re trying to ram this thing through the Senate with as little fanfare as possible.”
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