Current smoky conditions are a product of the wildfires burning in California, according to meteorologist Norv Larson with the National Weather Service. “Looking at satellite trajectories, we can follow it all the way back to California.  These fires are so large and burning so hot they’re generating their own weather and lofting smoke thousands of feet into the atmosphere.”

There is a west/southwest air flow that is carrying the smoke in an easterly direction. “There is some dispersion that occurs along the way,” said Larson, “so what we’re seeing speaks to the amount of smoke these fires are generating.”

There are a few fires in Utah and some smaller fires in Colorado, but they are not of the size that would produce this amount of smoke.

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The Town of Estes Park is in now accepting applications for grant funding from organizations that provide services in the Estes Park area. The Town appropriates money to non-profit organizations at the discretion of the Town Board, subject to current Town Board goals and availability of funds. Traditionally, organizations have been funded under the general categories of Human Services, Arts, Education, Youth and Housing. In 2009, the Town provided $362,491 to local service organizations through tax revenue in the General Fund budget. However, Trustees may consider a 5% decrease in grant funding for 2010.

To apply for 2010 funding, please complete a Community Services Funding Application and return it no later than Monday, September 14, 2009. Applications are available at the Town Clerk’s Office in Room 150 of Town Hall, located at 170 MacGregor Avenue in Estes Park and at www.estes.org. Completed applications should be mailed to: Town Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 1200, Estes Park, CO 80517; dropped off at the Town Clerk’s Office, 170 MacGregor Avenue, Room 150; or e-mailed to cdeats@estes.org.

Organizations that receive funds in 2010 will be required to complete an Annual Report -2009 Grants form outlining actual expenditures and reporting on the project outcomes. The report must be completed and filed no later than March 31, 2010. If you have questions related to the application process, please contact the Clerk’s office at 970-577-3703.

Alicia Mittelman

Mittelman, who joined the staff in August, has an M.A. from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C. in Museum Education and a B.A. from Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT in Anthropology and Sociology. While in Washington, D.C., Mittelman worked at the National Museum of Natural History, the International Spy Museum, the Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens, and the Robert Brent Museum Magnet Elementary School. While at Saint Michael’s College, she spent a semester in Madrid and has a minor in Spanish language and literature. Mittelman has local ties as well-she was born in Colorado, and last year she interned for the Department of Education and Outreach at Rocky Mountain National Park. Prior to accepting this position she was a teacher in Boulder.

“We’re delighted to welcome Alicia to the Estes Park Museum,” says Director Betty Kilsdonk. “She brings a strong academic background, a wealth of skills, and a knowledge of this area to the position. We are excited by what she has to offer.”

As the Museum’s Curator of Education/Public Information Officer, Mittelman’s duties include developing program series, working as part of the exhibit development team, assisting with grants, producing publicity materials, maintaining websites, delivering outreach programs, and coordinating volunteers.

The public is invited to meet Mittelman at the Rocky Mountain Elk: A Local History exhibit opening on October 2.

At the August 25 Estes Park Town Board meeting, Trustees adopted a resolution to send an Initiated Ordinance regarding the Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority (EPURA) to a special election on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Voters will decide whether or not to abolish EPURA and if a vote of approval will be required before the creation of any new Urban Renewal Authority.

As a coordinated election with Larimer County, ballots will be mailed to registered voters of the municipality.  Since election material cannot be forwarded, voters should ensure their valid mailing address is registered with the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder by calling 970-498-7820 or visiting www.co.larimer.co.us.

The proposed measure was brought forth by citizens William Van Horn and Larry Pesses. The Town Clerk’s office approved the Initiated Ordinance form on April 28, 2009. On July 8, 2009, 27 petitions were submitted by Van Horn and Pesses. Signatures from 5% of the registered electors, or 226 valid signatures, were required; petitions were determined valid by the Clerk’s office with 229 signatures. The Town Board had the following options regarding the Initiated Ordinance: Adopt without alteration the ordinance as proposed; refer the Initiated Ordinance to the registered electors of the municipality at a coordinated election on November 3, 2009; refer the Initiated Ordinance to the registered electors of the municipality at a special election to be held on a Tuesday between October 27, 2009 and January 19, 2010.

EPURA is an independent governmental entity established by the Town of Estes Park in 1982 to plan and implement physical improvements to enhance the Estes Park community and economy. For more information on EPURA, please visit www.estes.org/EPURA.

For information on the special election, please contact the Town Clerk’s office at 970-577-3702.

The proposed establishment of the Estes Valley Fire Protection District to provide fire and rescue services to the entire Estes Valley will go to the voters this November. Each week, until the election, the Fire Services Initiative Committee will answer questions submitted by the residents of the Estes Valley. Questions are being grouped by subject. This week the questions involve the proposed 1.95 mill property tax levy.

I already pay tax and get fire protection services. Won’t I be paying twice?

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Members of the 2008 CERT Team from Estes Park

Citizens are encouraged to sign up for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainings, which will take place September 14 through October 8. Classes will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday and Thursday evenings at the Dannels Fire Station, located at 901 North Saint Vrain Ave. The series is free; space is limited to 20 individuals. For more information or to sign up, please contact Amanda Nagl, Community Services Manager for the Estes Park Police Department, at 970-577-3822. Once the series is filled to capacity, a wait list will be established for 2010 CERT training.

CERT is a local effort to teach Estes Valley citizens how to care for themselves and their neighbors when Emergency Response services are not available. Topics include general disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue operations, incident command and disaster psychology. A practical drill will be held during class time on October 5. Past training has been offered by emergency response service professionals from the Estes Park Police Department, the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department, Estes Park Ambulance, Rocky Mountain National Park and Larimer County Search and Rescue. CERT training was first offered last fall and will now be offered twice yearly with quarterly continuing education.

CERT is a program of Citizen Corp, a national organization designed to make communities stronger by educating and training its members in areas such as public health and disaster/terrorism response. Funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the mission of Citizen Corp is accomplished through a network of state, local and tribal Citizen Corp Councils.  Estes Park is part of the Larimer County Citizen Corps Council, which was introduced through the “B Ready” Campaign in 2007. The “yellow reminder,” B Ready was hosted by local residents, organizations and businesses to remind citizens to prepare for disaster by preparing emergency survival kits.

For more information please call 970-577-3822. Please visit the Town website at www.estes.org. To receive Town news in your e-mail inbox, please e-mail spetrie@estes.org.