in the news: November 13, 2007

 New Leadership for CICA

 Back (L to R):  Reed Kelley, Ron Rehfeld, Kimmi Lewis, Wayne Rusher, Doug Zalesky, John Reid, and Bill Bledsoe 
 Front: Tom Hendrix and Gerald Schreiber
The Colorado Independent CattleGrowers Association Board of Directors met in Buena Vista, CO on September 28, 2007. The ballots were counted and John Reid of Ordway, CO is the new president. Other officers were nominated and voted in by the Board of Directors. Kimmi Lewis, Kim, CO is the new vice president, Gerald Schreiber, Woodrow, CO, is the new secretary, and Wayne Rusher, Ordway, CO will continue to be the CICA treasurer. New directors who were voted in by the mail-in ballot include Steve Jarmon, Cortez, CO; Richard Kipp, Pleasant View, CO; and Bill Bledsoe, Hugo, CO. Other directors re-elected were Reed Kelley, Meeker, CO; Gerald Schreiber, Woodrow, CO; and John Reid, Ordway, CO.

The CICA board members made plans to continue to work hard for the cattle producers by focusing on key issues, such as Animal ID, Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site Expansion, and the shut down of wells along the South Platte and Republican Rivers. President Reid gave a report on the Colorado Coalition Opposing Mandatory Premises Registration for 4-H and FFA Members. He was proud to claim a small victory by getting the Colorado State University Extension Service to rescind their policy mandating 4-H youth into NAIS premises registration.

Vice President Lewis reported on the Pinon Canyon expansion, in which CICA is strongly opposed to. She stated that a one year moratorium has been placed on the expansion.

Director Tom Hendrix, Wray, CO gave a report on the drastic situation along the Republican River in Northeastern Colorado. His concern was the loss of production affecting family farmers due to the drought and governmental regulations. These economic losses are following the same pattern as the losses along the South Platte River.

Membership was discussed with the new membership committee that was appointed at the annual convention. The membership committee was given $500 from CICA to help increase membership.

Membership brochures and affiliations were discussed, as new brochures need to be ordered. CICA is currently affiliated with R-CALF USA, Stewards of the Range and is the CCMP(Cattlemen's Competitive Market Project) stakeholder for Colorado.
 
CICA Directors Attend La Junta Good Neighbor Forum
 CICA Directors (L to R): Gerald Schreiber, Kimmi Lewis, Wayne Rusher, and John Reid
The La Junta Good Neighbor Forum was held at Otero Junior College on September 22, 2007. The all-day forum consisted of educational information presented by various speakers including CICA President, John Reid, who spoke on Animal ID. Vice President Kimmi Lewis gave a power point presentation on the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site Expansion. A video developed by the Rocky Mountain News was also shown, pertaining to the Pinon Canyon issue. The video was a spring branding at the Muddy Valley Ranch. Dr. Chuck Leaf from Merino, CO gave a presentation on water, as he is a water engineer, but also a member of CICA. One of the most compelling speeches was given by Kennie Gyurman, Tyrone, CO who talked about losing part of their family ranch by condemnation for the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in 1983. Kennie is a CICA member and is still fighting the battle of eminent domain today. Other speakers were Mack Louden, Branson, CO; Dr. Corey Ciocchetti, Denver, CO; and Jim Beers, Centreville, VA.

CICA Director's Wayne Rusher and Gerald Schreiber also attended the meeting to gain knowledge on key private property issues concerning citizens throughout Colorado. The Good Neighbor Forum is organized by an all-volunteer group of people in an area that are dedicated to keeping our Republic and Constitutional rights. Eli Wiesel in his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize stated, "We must take a side." The Good Neighbor Forum proves that as servants of our community, state and country, we can no longer stand idle while property value is demolished, families are destroyed, and businesses close.

CICA donated $500 and was proud to hang our banner at the Good Neighbor Forum in La Junta, Colorado. The first Good Neighbor Forum was held in Greeley, CO in February, 2007. Dr. Leaf and Kimmi Lewis were also speakers at that forum.
Membership Committee Members (L to R): Leesa Zalesky, Hesperus - Martin Canterbury, La Junta -and Janell Reid, Ordway
   

Good Neighbor Committee
P.O. Box 155 - La Salle, CO  80645
info@goodneighborlaw.com

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