County news: Mock emergencies, lodgers taxes and racetrack plans

Zane Devilioso races through the turn at the Montezuma Speedway in 2012. Promoter Kevin Fadis plans to bring more races to the speedway and increase bleacher capacity.
County to take part in pill drop exercise

From June 15-17, Montezuma County emergency managers will participate in a mock emergency involving distributing pills to the public. A C-130 will land at the La Plata County Airport, and empty pill bottles will be delivered by truck to the county annex in Cortez.

“It is a fictitious medicine, and we won’t be notified what it is for until the day of the exercise,” said emergency planner Paul Hollar. “We are determining how many people we can serve.”

County employees and senior center members will be used for the pill dispensary. Counties statewide will hold similar mock exercises to practice for when a real medical disaster strikes.

Masons to install time capsule at courthouse

Montezuma County commissioners gave permission for the Masonic Lodge No. 133 to install a cornerstone and time capsule in the new combined courthouse.

County board distributes funds from lodgers tax

The Montezuma County Lodgers Tax board distributed annual funds to local chambers of commerce and organizations from tax revenues.

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center received $1,000; the Cortez Cultural Center, $20,000; the Dolores Chamber of Commerce, $30,000; the Mancos Chamber of Commerce, $35,000; Mesa Verde Country, $60,000; and the Galloping Goose, $1,000.

Promoter wants to expand fairgrounds race track

Kevin Fadis, the new race track promoter for the fairgrounds, plans to bring in more races and expand the bleachers.

“There is a lot of potential for bigger events like monster truck shows and freestyle motorcycle competitions,” he told commissioners. “Race fans will travel to good events, and locals love it too.”

The Journal

Apr 7, 2017
Cortez Historic Preservation Board turned down for state grant