Lamar Council Events and Community Dates

The Lamar City Council had a full and diverse agenda this past Monday, August 14^th.  City Administrator, John Sutherland, noted the change of the Department of Local Affairs (DoLA) representative for southeast Colorado.  “Crestina Martinez will replace Lee Merkel as the Southeast Regional Manager,” he stated, noting the lengthy period that Merkel had worked on behalf of the communities in this part of the state.  He also noted the self-funding Lamar Animal Shelter Pet Calendar for 2018, being put together my shelter manager, Stephanie Strube, “This is another opportunity for a business to advertise locally, while helping support our local shelter,” he explained.  The calendars will be available in late September and can be purchased ahead of time for $10.  Call 36-8769 for additional information.

Prowers Economic Prosperity, (PEP) is hosting a town hall meeting this Thursday, August 17^th which features legislators, State Senator Larry Crowder and District 64 Representative Kimmi Lewis.  The event will be held at the Large Lecture Hall at LCC beginning at 6pm.

Alta Vista Charter School will host activities celebrating its 100^th year history on Saturday, August 26^th from 4pm to 7pm and the date for a council work session has been changed from September 4^th to the 5^th to accommodate the Labor Day holiday.

Councilmember, Anne-Marie Crampton noted that the council may want to begin discussing becoming the fiscal agent for the Southeast Rural Philanthropy Days Convention. This will be the first time that Lamar has played host to the event which will be held next June, the 13^th through the 15^th.  Communities attend seminars which instruct municipalities and organizations in the best practices to follow to secure grants.

In other news, the city received $25,000 through a REDI Grant which will be applied to the $50,000 renewal contract for Buxton Company due in September. Buxton provides lead contacts and retail sales assessments to aid the city in developing new businesses.

The next City Council meeting will be held Monday, August 28th in Council Chambers.
By Russ Baldwin