Jeff Schwartz has leased property adjacent to his Delicious Orchards for three years as camping sites. The property is owned by the Town of Paonia so he attended the Oct. 9 council meeting to request another lease.

The property covers about one-half acre. Individuals, couples, families and small groups use the camping area. Schwartz said he had 140 people camp during the Mountain Harvest Festival. For the first two years of operation he charged $5 a night. He now charges $10 a night. Insurance costs him $2,000 a year.

Schwartz views the camping sites as providing a service to the Paonia community.

The town approved a new five-year lease at $25 a year.

Paonia resident Richard Schmidt objected, wanting Schwartz to pay $5,000 to cover legal and monitoring fees over the past three years.

Read more...

Because it's budget time and approaching the end of the year, various organizations come to ask for donations from their town governments.

Last Thursday, Ed Hagins, clinical program manager, thanked the Town of Hotchkiss for its annual support of The Center for Mental Health.

Read more...