New group will host seminar on truck bypass

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

The recently formed Northern Colorado Rural Development Association will get people talking by tackling one of the county's most controversial issues --a truck bypass--with an April 21 public seminar.

"We're an informational exchange," said NCRDA President Bob Dobson, a Wellington area resident and broker with Re/Max Alliance in Fort Collins, adding that the association does not promote a specific policy.

He said the group has organized to serve economic and other needs of the unincorporated areas of Larimer and Weld counties and the small communities within those areas. A nonprofit organization, NCRDC lists other areas of concern such as water, renewable energy, transportation, growth and development involving rural environments, education and research.

Its first informational seminar is scheduled for April 21, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Eyestone Elementary School gym in Wellington. Invited speakers include Kathay Rennels, county commissioner; Mark Jackson, Fort Collins transportation director; Nicole Seltzer, representing the Northern Integrated Supply Project that includes the proposed Glade Reservoir; Carol Parr of the Colorado Department of Transportation; and Cliff Davidson, executive director or the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization. Presentations will be followed by questions, which must be submitted on cards at the meeting.

People will have to "check emotions at the door," Dobson said, stressing that the purpose is to provide information from sources that don't often gather under the same roof.

Other NCRDA board members are Russell Chapman, vice president; Barry Friedrichs, treasurer; and Vicky Andersen, secretary.

Chapman, a Wellington resident, is a licensed professional counselor who has worked as head counselor at Harvest Farm for six years. "I have a great concern for all aspects of agriculture including the preservation and well-being of the agricultural lifestyle; animal husbandry; healthy crop, tree and herb cultivation; and the preservation and good management of our water and soil," Chapman said.

Issues that can make living in the area better or worse need to be brought to the attention of local residents, he said, so he has volunteered to serve on the new board to make more information available to the public.

Friedrichs, another Wellington resident, is a former town board member and current member of the planning commission. He works as a real estate agent.

Rural resident Vicky Andersen is office manager for ReQuest Real Estate Co. She was an active volunteer in schools, served as secretary for the Wellington Centennial Committee and now volunteers with the Wellington Community Activities Commission.

Professional editor Heidi Scott of Wellington has volunteered to be the association's grant writer. Anyone with suggestions for funding sources is asked to call her at 568-7097.

In addition to seminars, the association will hold regular meetings to share information. According to the group's mission statement, "The diversity of the base of NCRDA membership is what creates the quality of the information. Members bring to the organization the unique views, experiences and perspectives needed to weave the fabric of our mission."

More volunteers are needed and donations to support the work are welcome. The group's office is located at 8305 Sixth St. in Wellington, phone 204-7739. The web site is www.ncrda.org and e-mail address is info@ncrda.org.