30 years ago – March 27, 1987
American War Games Inc., will not be permitted in Gilpin County. In order to please residents of the county who were opposing the potential business proposed for mid-county, the name of the corporation was changed to Paint Ball Sam. The announcement was made at a public hearing before the Gilpin County Planning Board on Wednesday. Members of the board are also the county commissioners. Four residents of the county attended the meeting as well as Mel Hensley, secretary of the corporation, and Erwin Goetzfried, president. Dr. Warren Hern of Gilpin County said we are a society that glorifies war and violence. Based on general principles, he objected to the granting of a Special Use Permit. Hern said that Gilpin County is not a haven for war games. James Ratte agreed with Hern. He said that he is already hearing gun shots in his area and did not know if it was people target practicing or if the shots were coming from patrons of the business. Hensley replied that there was not any activity at the site presently because they were told to cease the operation. Gilpin County Sheriff Rosetta Anderle expressed concern about drug and alcohol use, if people were allowed to bring their dogs, traffic safety, among other things. Planning Board members present at the hearing procedure were Commissioners Leslie Williams, Alan Baird, and Carroll Beck, as well as J.J. Petrock, county attorney. Williams said that 11 adjacent property owners were notified of the proposed use of the property by certified mail. Responses were received from three people who were against the project. Petrock said that the special use was not a use by right and the planning commission could either accept or reject the proposal. The request was denied because it was not in harmony with the neighborhood and in the best interest regarding health and welfare of the county. Denial of the proposal will be presented to the Gilpin County Commissioners on April 6.
The Gilpin County Library was filled with a variety of bunnies on Wednesday. Thanks to the efforts of the library staff and volunteers, a weekly story hour is held for kids of all ages to participate in and enjoy. Amy Thomas, Gilpin County resident, is in charge of the children’s story hour. On Wednesday she managed to keep the bunnies hopping. The program started with a story entitled, “Who’s in Rabbit’s House,” an old African tale. With the help of several mothers and Thomas the children made bunny ears. The Nederland schools are on spring break this week and several children participated in the activity. It was an enjoyable hour for the children and their mothers was well as the reporter from the Weekly Register-Call. The story hour is held each Wednesday at the Gilpin County Library between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
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