100 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
October 1, 1926
Work on the gravel walk on Hermosa street and the concrete walk on east Pagosa street is progressing in splendid shape.
The New Light and Power Co. ditch broke late Sunday night and the city was without power until late Monday evening, when the auxiliary steam plant was utilized. The ditch break was repaired yesterday.
The Robinson & Schidler circus, owing to the rainstorm, failed to arrive in Pagosa early enough Monday to show, but remained over until the following day to present their show to crowded houses — or rather tents.
A telegram received yesterday from Carl S. Milliken, secretary of state, informs us that the supreme court has rendered a decision to the effect that Amendment No. 4 is not to appear on the official ballot. This was the famous or infamous Civil Service Amendment.
75 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
September 28, 1951
The next Congress will be asked to give preliminary authorization to the proposed San Juan River water to the Rio Grande.
Colorado River Commissioner Fred E. Wilson said the commission has been asked to draft the bill.
The proposed project would consist of about a half dozen dams along the upper Colorado and its tributaries of which the San Juan is one. The storage project would “control and regulate” flow of the river. Mr. Wilson said to aid in administration of the Upper Colorado compact and provide hydroelectric power.
Mr. Wilson said it was reported from Washington that Secretary of Interior Oscar Chapman would ask for preliminary authorization for the Shiprock irrigation project for northwest New Mexico. He would agree, it was reported, to preliminary authorization to the transmountain diversion division project.
That project would channel San Juan water across the mountains into the Chama river and then into the Rio Grande.
The extra water to reach the Rio via tunnels and canals would be used for supplementary irrigation in the Rio Grande valley.
50 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
September 30, 1976
One of the best items of news to come along in quite some time was the announcement Monday that the bill introduced and sponsored by United States Congressman Frank Evans had passed the House of Representatives. This bill would eliminate the tributaries to the Piedra River, other than in the Wilderness area, from study for classification as a wild and scenic river.
It was rain and more rain this past week with a total of 1.68 inches of precipitation at the U.S. Weather Station in town. This brought the total precipitation for September through Wednesday of this week to 3.78 inches.
This is the heaviest rainfall for September since 1970 when 5.68 inches fell. Last year 1.64 inches fell. There have been only three out of the past 18 years when more than three inches of rain fell in September. This would seem to make this an unusually heavy rainfall month.
25 years ago
Taken from SUN files of
September 27, 2001
Sales taxes collected in Archuleta County continue to come in at a record-setting pace. Through August, collections for the year amount to almost $3.3 million, 13.5 percent above collections for the same time last year.
August totals were compiled before Sept. 11 terriorist attacks impacted the national economy. The effect of the terrorist attacks on the local economy as reflected in retail sales will show up in next month’s sales tax collection report.
A 6.91 percent sales tax is levied on most retail sales and services within Archuleta County, including within Pagosa Springs town limits. Most of the collections are made within town, since that’s where most of the businesses are located. Of the 6.91 percent, the state skims 2.91 percent off the top. The remaining 4 percent is divided equally between the county and the town.
Both county and town dedicate sales tax receipts to capital improvements. More specifically, the county dedicates 1 percent to the general fund and 1 percent to capital improvements.
On Jan. 1, 2003, 2 percent of the tax shared by the county and town expires. Town voters approved a replacement 2 percent sales tax during 1999. County voters are being asked to approve a 2 percent sales tax on the coming Nov. 6 ballot.
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