Staff Writer @Anna Lynn Winfrey interviewed James Pavlich, executive director of operations at MCSD, as well as director of property service Philip Bailey and director of the early childhood center Penny Harris. The three discussed the school's new master plan along with their rationale for the decisions. 

The link below will go live at 6pm, at which point you'll be able to watch the whole interview.

Have any questions for Anna Lynn or any of the district employees? If so, drop them in the comments below and we'll follow up!

So far, the only local tenant to sign a lease is Montrose Anglers. Another one of the tenants is a restaurant, but it’s unclear what the restaurant will be.

Monrose Urban Renewal Authority’s expenses, as of Sept. 23, are over $9.8 million. It’s anticipated outstanding expenses are just below $2.5 million and the total anticipated out of pocket expense is $11.5 million.

The MURA board also approved and authorized City of Montrose staff to apply for a Colorado Community Revitalization Grant grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade to cover increased costs, which would help out tenants facing these increased costs.

Read Staff Writer Josue Perez's latest to catch up on all the details of this project. 

What are you expecting out of the new complex? What types of businesses would you like to see there?

On our website and in print, we posted some upcoming events, but I wanted to share some here too. 

Over Oct. 16 and 17, the Scarecrow Festival will take place at Montrose Botanic Gardens.

On Oct. 13,  The League of Women Voters of the Uncompahgre Valley will host a ballot info forum at 8am at the Montrose Forum.

On Oct. 14, there’s an opening for “Unbroken Spirit: Western Colorado’s Captive Mustangs” solo exhibit by artist Savannah Conley at the Healthy Rhythm Art Gallery. 

And on Oct. 16, the 10th Annual Pioneer Social, presented by Montrose County Historical Society, will take place at Montrose United Methodist Church. 

Which of these events are you most excited about? 

Also, do you have any events to add? Share them in the comments below and I’ll add to this post.

Clerk and Recorder Tressa Guynes said she doesn’t suspect any problems with the 2020 vote, but is going forward with the re-tabulation to assuage any concerns that county residents might still have. 

The re-tabulation will be done through a contract with Clear Ballot at a price of $18,490. It’s not an official recount, but is instead meant to check whether the Dominion voting equipment used returned the same results. 

Per Assistant Editor and Senior Writer Katharhynn Heidelberg’s reporting, Guynes said they’ve seen zero evidence of any voter fraud, but the re-tabulation is for the community’s sake. 

What do you think of the re-tabulation? Is it a necessary precaution? Were you concerned about voter fraud in the last election?

Montrose Women March walked down Townsend before holding a presentation at the courthouse. Event participants expressed concerns for national threats to reproductive rights, as well as the consequences for underserved communities who face challenges regarding reproductive needs and support before, during and after birth. 

The presentation given dealt with sexual assault statistics and personal stories from speakers, while marchers in attendance also expressed a desire for quality sex and reproductive education for everyone, not just young girls. 

To get a sense of the energy at the event, listen to Jayne Bilberry introduce herself at the courthouse in the audio clip below.

Did you attend the march on Saturday or see the event? If so, what were your thoughts? Have you attended similar events in Montrose before?

Members of the public can apply to join sub-committees for MHS and Centennial, which will convene later this fall at least two times to brainstorm mascot alternatives. The meetings will be guided by structured agendas and action items. The district wants these subcommittees to include current students, athletes, coaches, teachers, parents and alumni. 

The subcommittees then make recommendations to principals Barnhill and Simo, who will present the prospective mascots at the scheduled Dec. 14 meeting of the school board. The board makes the final decision using the recommendations. The infrastructure changes are likely to start at the beginning of next year. 

We've had lots of talk on NABUR in the past about mascot names, and now some of those ideas could come to fruition. 

For her article on the process, Staff Writer Anna Lynn Winfrey spoke with MCSD Public Information Officer Matt Jenkins. Here he is discussing why the district has factored the community into the decision making. 

What do you think about the process? Do you wish there was more community input? Will you apply to join a subcommittee?

Griswold came to the newsroom last week and spoke with reporter Cassie Knust to discuss election security and voting access, including the lawsuit to remove Mesa County’s clerk and recorder following a protocol breach in May. 

Griswold also spoke about her recently denied request for personal security that would be funded by a political action committee. Griswold made the request after receiving repeated death threats on social media. The Ethics Commission unanimously decided that the state would have to pay for any such security rather than a PAC. 

Griswold said she’s in talks with legislators for a bill next year related to personal security, and emphasized the increased danger that female secretaries and elected officials face with regard to threats of violence:

As for election security, Griswold gave a dual answer -- she wants to both increase access and refine security. It remains to be seen exactly what that means, but the secretary promised a big legislative agenda that has not been announced yet. Previously, Griswold worked to guarantee access to either a drop box or voting center on all public universities and tribal lands, and started an automatic voter registration program.

What do you think about the secretary’s words? What kinds of issues are important to you when you think about election security and voting access? Are you happy with Secretary Griswold’s performance since her installment in 2019?

The event will take place Oct. 9 in the newly built Rotary Amphitheater at Cerise Park. All Points Transit organized the event as one of its main fundraisers, with several sponsors like the City of Montrose, Telluride Express and Peak Professionals.

Workers are still in the process of making finishing touches on the amphitheater this week and the site is still closed to the public, but construction fencing will be removed a day or two before the event.

General admission tickets are on presale for $35 but are $45 at the gate. Access without an alcohol pass costs $20, but children 12 and under can enter for free. Standard tickets include beer tasting, live music and all festival activities, but do not include food.

Read Cassie Knust’s latest to learn more about how All Points Transit put this event together. 

What are you most excited for about Oktoberfest? How do you think this year will be different than past years?

The tiny strip of walkable space between San Juan Construction and Synergy One Lending is due for improvements, according to the city. As long as the city receives the state department of transportation grant they’re applying for, the changes will go through. 

Along with Dark-Sky-compliant lighting, the pocket park should be getting new benches, bike racks and artwork. Also, a tree that obstructs the view would be removed.

With the scheduled renovations in mind, do you think there are any other public spaces around Montrose that need a similar upgrade? What kind of improvements need to be made?

Staff Writer @Cassie Knust  will be speaking with the Hispanic Affairs Project of Western Colorado and the Olathe Language Connection about the ongoing issues facing the Hispanic and immigrant communities in Montrose, about resources and legislation and about Hispanic Heritage Month in general. 

Tune in to watch the conversation live, and please comment any questions you might have for the guests or for Cassie on this post -- before or during the event.