With the news still fresh that the downtown City Market will close on Sept. 11, various community groups and individuals are voicing their concerns in attempts to have the decision reversed.

If a Denver-based Internet provider, Southwest Colorado Broadband (SWCBB), receives a $27 million grant in stimulus package money allocated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, Pagosa Springs and Archuleta county could benefit big if that company elects to locate its regional data center in the area.

Unemployment in Archuleta County took a minor dip last month, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment in a report released late last week, falling from 9 percent in June to 8.8 in July.

The Archuleta County Board of Commissioners will host the third community meeting of 2010 on Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. in Arboles at the County Road and Bridge Facility. The address is 95 County Road 973.

Despite anecdotal reports of a vigorous sales month in June, Archuleta County and the Town of Pagosa Springs experienced a 2.41-percent decline in sales tax revenues relative to the same month last year.

With seven months of the year behind them, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners received the monthly financial report and again heard that, while many funds are at expected levels, others continue to be of concern.

The Archuleta County Planning Commission will hold a work session meeting on Thursday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m. at the County Extension Building at the fairgounds on U.S. 84. Public attendance is welcome and encouraged.

Unofficially, the results are in for the Aug. 10 primary, with Archuleta County voters both agreeing and disagreeing with the statewide results.

As Tuesday’s primaries wrap up, attention turns to November’s General Election and to a number of issues at the state and local level that could change how government finances operate and what residents support.

As per the legal process, attorneys for Archuleta County, TreeTops of Pagosa, LLC, and Bill Darling have filed their responses following a June 21 motion seeking to have a judgement made that would put to rest a portion of a lawsuit filed by Darling.

Construction on the proposed La Plata Electric Association Ponderosa electrical substation “upgrade” has been given the green light with the approval of a Conditional Use Permit by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners Tuesday.

Tackling the issue of medical marijuana for the second time in as many weeks, the Pagosa Springs Town Council voted at Tuesday night’s meeting to extend a moratorium on medical marijuana centers in the town until July 1, 2011, with the first reading of an ordinance.

After being returned to the planning commission for reconsideration, an application for the proposed Eagle Mountain gravel pit was denied, but is still on hold, this time at the request of attorneys for the applicant and opposing neighbors.

The Archuleta County Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, in the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room at the county courthouse.

Evidence of a diminishing rift between the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioner and the Board of Directors of Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District, the two boards met Tuesday night to discuss the content of a Memorandum of Understanding that would outline the structure of the BoCC’s oversight over the special district.

The presentation of the 2009 Archuleta County audit report Wednesday morning indicated the county continues to rebound from its 2007 financial meltdown, showing positive governmental fund balances.

Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners and planning commission concerns over the handling of the Archuleta County Planning Department’s series of “Road Show” results became a point of contention with planning department staff at a joint meeting of the boards July 8.

In the course of preparing an article last week concerning the upcoming Republican primary election race for county coroner between incumbent Carl Macht and challenger Rich Aldahl, SUN staff was unable to contact Aldahl for an interview.

Following is an official Primary election notice for Archuleta County issued by the county clerk and recorders office.

The Town of Pagosa Springs extended a moratorium on medical marijuana centers until July 1, 2011, due to a decision by the Pagosa Springs Town Council during last Thursday’s mid-month meeting.

The labor market in Archuleta County took a hit in June when unemployment rose from 8.8 percent in May (revised up from a preliminary 8.6 percent estimate) to 9.1 percent last month.

Keeping a close eye on the local and national economy, the Pagosa Springs Town Council decided last Thursday to remain at a 15-percent budget reduction (from 2008 spending levels) despite a recommendation from Town Manager David Mitchem to return to a 10-percent reduction.

Following a Town Charter riddled with inconsistencies and errors, the Pagosa Springs Town Council agreed that the document requires a badly-needed tune-up but decided that corrections, which must be approved by town voters, do not require a special election and can wait for a space on the April 2012 ballot.