NORWOOD – The Uncompahgre Medical Center received a visit from U.S. Senator Mark Udall’s regional representative Gaspar Perricone on Tuesday. He came to tour the facility, which has received federal funding as a rural Community Health Center for the last 30 years.

According to UMC Executive Director Steve Siegel, Perricone wanted to develop a better understanding of the medical center’s care deliver model and offer support from Sen. Udall. “He was very impressed,” he said.

In addition to receiving operating support from the federal government, UMC has received two rounds of American Recover and Reinvestment Act stimulus funding. The first round supported increasing provider access in the new dental program; the second will fund a 1,500-square-foot expansion designed to increase UMC’s capacity to provide care while creating local construction jobs.

“On the state level, due to the budget deficit and ensuing cost-cutting measures, all CHCs in Colorado, including UMC, were surprised with sizeable cuts to services for the underserved and uninsured, damaging the state’s health care safety net,” said Siegel. UMC is currently examining strategies to offset this loss of revenue.

Town of Norwood Website Comes Online

The Town of Norwood has launched a new website enabling community members and visitors easier access to information about the town and its various entities, including the Planning and Zoning Commission, Norwood Water Commission, and Sanitation District. It also provides access to forms and documents, as well as tourist and relocation information through area links.

“As we progress, I think it will become a very handy tool for residents and visitors alike,” said Norwood Town Administrator Patty Grafmyer.

Created and hosted by Norwood-based Lawrence Media, the site came online in July. Among the useful items visitors will find there is a calendar of events, San Miguel County Transfer Station hours, Community Center and Log Cabin rental rates, and timely seasonal announcements, such as current public works projects within the town. The site also provides downloadable building permit applications, copies of the Land Use Code and Master Plans along with corresponding maps, and minutes and agendas for the different town boards.

Visit the Town of Norwood website www.town.norwood.co.us.

Reward Offered in Deer Poaching Case

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is seeking information to help apprehend a poacher who illegally shot and killed a buck deer in the Uncompahgre National Forest.   
The incident occurred during the week of Aug. 17-21 in the Brewster Creek area, just south of Norwood.
Poachers removed the buck's antlers but left the carcass at the kill site. Division of Wildlife officers found evidence at the scene and are asking for additional assistance from the public to help solve this case.   
A cash reward is available through Operation Game Thief for information that leads to issuing a citation or making an arrest in this case. In addition, anyone who has information and is willing to testify in this case could receive a free Unit 70 buck license under the Turn in Poachers (TIP) program.   
Anyone with information can contact District Wildlife Manager Mark Caddy at 327-4489 or provide information anonymously through Operation Game Thief, toll free, at 877/265-6648.


Correction

Last week’s Around the Cone column passed along information from an email sent out by Sunnylandseeds’ Ruth Marie Moore regarding the Aug. 22 Paradox Valley Farm Fest that was incorrect. The Paradox Valley event was neither sponsored nor supported by either the Paradox Valley School nor by the Paradox Valley Sustainability Association.