Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
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| Bicyclists and Chamber of Commerce representatives gathered at the Hotel El Capitan prior to embarking on the El Cap to El Cap bike ride to El Capitan Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, some nearly 70 miles north of here. (Photo courtesy of Beth Nobles) |
- Ten cyclists rolled up Highway 54 from the Hotel El Capitan in cold, windy weather last Thursday, March 11, to help Van Horn and the Texas Mountain Trail assess the tourism potential of that scenic route.
The small “fam” or familiarization tour was organized by the Texas Mountain Trail, according to Beth Nobles, TMT’s Executive Director. “We have many cross-country cyclists coming through Van Horn on their way from Florida to California, and it seemed to make sense to provide other options for travelers who like to ride their bikes on vacation,” says Nobles. “That’s why we wanted to explore more local options for cycling visitors, besides I-10. We know some local citizens enjoy Hwy 54 for bike-riding and running, so what we learn should benefit people living in Van Horn, too.”
Thursday’s press bike ride came about as a result of a regional marketing effort, a regular project of the Texas Mountain Trail. “I was visiting with a reporter from the Austin American Statesman newspaper, and telling her about this ‘undiscovered’ cycling route on Hwy 54, and she said, “if I come out and write about it, would you ride it with me?” says Nobles. “So I bought a bike and started training, so I could experience the route for myself. The writer was open to having others join us, and this press trip was born.”
The list of participants includes: the Austin American Statesman journalist and a writer for The Racing Post, a bike racing publication. Other well-connected cyclists, who could spread the word about Van Horn and the Hwy 54 route also participated from all over the state: Wichita Falls, Fort Worth, Fort Davis, San Antonio, Marfa, and El Paso.
The riders were hosted by the Hotel El Capitan, one of the Texas Mountain Trail’s cycle-friendly properties. While they were here, the cyclists ate at Pappa’s Pantry and had breakfast burritos from Mija’s. “We wanted them to eat at our restaurants, so they could tell other cyclists we have great dining opportunities in town,” said Nobles.
Sag support and lunch was provided by the Davis Mountains Education Center of Fort Davis, which organizes and conducts group tours in the area. The Center already brings busses to Van Horn for fuel and meals as they tour Far West Texas.
The Van Horn Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Van Horn assisted with the support effort by providing vehicles and drivers, and providing water and snacks for the riders. “We had wonderful support from Van Horn—the City and the Chamber and the Hotel El Capitan really rolled out the red carpet. The cyclists noticed all the community support we had for the ride and they really appreciated it. I heard many positive comments from the riders about their experience.”
The riders also gave the Texas Mountain Trail feedback about Hwy 54 as a cycling route, about services hotels could offer cyclists, and about supplies and bike parts local businesses could offer for sale. “We are 100 miles from the nearest bike shop, and our cross-country cyclists would like to have more biking supplies available to them,” said Nobles.
Already the event seems to have attracted business. “One participant has already expressed interest in having an ‘El Cap Metric Century’ ride, and we’ve learned another group from Midland is planning an unsupported ride later this year. When the Texas Mountain Trail gets these leads, we’ll refer folks to the right people at the City or the Chamber to get the events planned,” said Nobles. “The Texas Mountain Trail helps with marketing and tourism assessment, and we’re so happy our efforts seem to bringing opportunity to Van Horn, but we couldn’t have done it at all without the tremendous support from our local folks.”
City gives Aero Alternative Energy preliminary PPA
Van Horn City Council members met Tuesday evening and again heard from Darlene Snyder, of Sierra Blanca, representing Aero Alternative Energy Industries.
Snyder, president of the firm, appeared before council to ask if the previously agreed to Power Purchase Agreement was ready for formal signature.
City Attorney Steve Mitchell reported that the preliminary Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was ready for council to sign. He noted that it needed to be preliminary because several questions remain unanswered and so the outright PPA could not be signed.
Snyder told council how great this proposal will be for Van Horn and she added that the bio-waste portion of the project will be even better. (It should be here noted that while all of what Snyder says sounds good, this reporter has seen nothing in writing to substantiate or document her proposed project, the project costs, how it will be funded and by whom, or what the projected timelines might be.)
Council did provide Snyder with the signed preliminary PPA.
Carlos Urias, Jr. (Tito) came before council to ask for a prorated golf membership for the month or so that he will be here helping the high school golf team, to teach golf lessons and work on the development of a private foundation to teach local youth the game of golf.
After hearing his plans, council did approve the prorated golf membership telling him that other parts of his request would be addressed when they take up the next fiscal year budget.
The idea of waiving green fees for folks who are here working on projects was nixed. If they’re staying at motels or RV Parks, they can see if the motel or park is a member and they can play on that membership.
And, while talking golf course, council members approved waiving green fees for a benefit golf tournament this Saturday. They are using the tournament as a fundraiser for kids going to Washington, DC this summer.
Council took the following actions with regard to other agenda items considered at the meeting:
* Approved a request from Hotel El Capitan to adopt an ordinance designating the front of the Hotel as a ‘Loading Zone’ so that folks don’t block their guests unloading or loading baggage.
* Approved a request from the Van Horn Housing Authority to have an alley graded, calichi laid, and covered with gravel.
* Approved a request to close the golf course from April 12th through the 18th so that an aeration contractor can aerate the greens and fairways.
* And called for a special budget meeting on the FY 2010-2011 budget for next Tuesday, March 23rd, at 7 p.m.
Court opts not to fill JP1 vacancy
Culberson County Commissioners met Monday morning with only one item on their agenda....to fill the vacant Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 seat or not.
Commissioners Garibay and Norman, after last weeks session, had met with County Attorney Steve Mitchell and Rita Carrasco who has been nominated to be her party’s candidate for that office. Since there is no Republican challenger, Carrasco will be the elected Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 in November and will formally take office on January 1st, 2011.
Commissioners noted, Monday, that the office is vacant with the retirement of Oscar Espinoza, and that the office is still bringing in about $33,000 + each month without a JP.
Following discussion which centered on things the county has done to achieve some savings and cost effectiveness, commissioners heard Lyndon McDonald provide an analysis of two Attorney General opinions which indicated that the salary for an elected offical can only be changed at budget time.
Appointing Carrasco to the vacant office at this time would mean that she would get the former JP’s salary, nearly $44,000 a year.
Commissioiners did hear Carrasco say that she would accept $38,000 and sign a hold harmless agreement if she were to be appointed.
Commissioners, on a three to two vote (County Judge Molinar, Commissioner McDonald and Commissioner Norman voted not to fill the vacancy while Commissioners Garibay and Corrales voted to fill the vacancy) opted not to appoint Carrasco to the office and will wait until she assumes the office in January.
Commissioners will consider her 2011 salary and work schedule when they do the next fiscal year budget in August.