Five years ago, the Grand County Board of County Commissioners sent letters to state legislators asking them to oppose legislation that would allow Jefferson County to withdraw its funds from the Colorado County Officials and Employees Retirement Association. Nearly 190 counties and municipalities in Colorado (including Grand) utilized that association to secure retirement benefits for their employees. A U.S. Navy officer whose family lived in Granby led his squadron of attack jets to victory over Saddam Husseins forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cmdr. Craig Kauber was the leader of Strike Fighter Squadron 2, which flew off the deck of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln stationed in the Persian Gulf and made a major contribution to the Allied military efforts that toppled Husseins dictatorial regime. East Grand School District voters most likely would be asked to approve a bond issue on the November election ballot to pay for the repair and construction of school facilities. The EGSD Board of Education was discussing what the possible school bond issue and how much it might cost. The total price tag for the entire bond issue project totaled $12,421,230. Bill Needham received the Lyman Thomas Award from Club 20. Steve Overtons Granby NAPA Store won an excellence award. The Grand County Sheriffs Office was having trouble hiring officers to fill vacancies. And, Bob and Denise Harveys 18-month-old chocolate Labrador Harley had 13 puppies, the largest litter of Labrador puppies local veterinarian Mike Brooks had ever seen.Ten years ago, the East Grand Board of Educations hiring and firing of head coaches and activity sponsors was questioned again. The EG School District superintendent presented a draft administrative procedure on coach/activity sponsor appointment, which stated it would be the intent of the district to give preference, when possible, to the hiring of staff members. The Grand County Board of County Commissioners talked about installing GPS systems at the Kremmling and Granby airports. The global positioning systems would be installed by state aviation officials and funded by the Federal Aviation Administration. Outgoing Hot Sulphur Springs Mayor Spaulding Goetze passed the gavel to newly elected Mayor Stan Bernal. Also sworn in were trustees Clara Garner, Phil Shipman and Mike LaSelle. The new boards first action item was approval to participate in a mosquito control program to coincide with efforts of the Hot Sulphur Springs Resort. They authorized an expenditure of almost $5,000 for spraying and fogging. Organizers were busy preparing for Michael Martin Murpheys July WestFest at SilverCreek. Details on parking (to accommodate up to 5,000 automobiles), traffic control, marketing, limited bus shuttle service and community awareness were on schedule. Chris Bergquist won the new Ford Ranger pickup in the Granby ice fishing contest. Erik Peterson and Renata Goetzendorf won the men and womens ski division at the Spring Splash (first-place men and womens snowboarders were Peter Lawrence and Vanessai Wood). Author and holocaust survivor Jack van der Geest was a guest speaker at Middle Park High School. And, the whistling belly buttons of the Mountain Man Ballet captivated Cabin Fever Folly audiences.Twenty-five years ago, home-rule supporters outnumbered the opposition more than three-to-one as Winter Parks home rule charter was passed in a special election. The final vote tally was 71 to 21. No exact count of registered voters within town limits existed, but a committee that examined county voter lists estimated the number to be about 130. The district attorney was convinced someone deliberately set the blaze that destroyed the Gibsons Discount Center in Granby. He expected to file charges against one or two suspects within the next month with proof the fire was arson. KUNC-FM, a non-commercial Public Radio station, was seeking public support for its FCC application to install a translator on Waltons Peak southwest of Rabbit Ears Pass. A spokesman for the station told the Middle Park Times there would be no advertising and the translator would enable the station to reach as far as Kremmling and Steamboat Springs. Als Barber Shop opened for business across from Middle Park Bank in Granby. Eddie and Colleen Nelson opened the Bed & Bath Place in the Granby Minnie Mall. The Middle Park Stockgrowers elected Grady Culbreath and Alan Wheatley as their president and vice president. Two Winter Park men were arrested on suspicion of robbing an Australian vacationer at knifepoint. And, a Grand Disposal trash truck fell part way through a bridge over the Fraser River in Winter Park.Fifty years ago, a hearing regarding the water rights of the Bethel Hereford Ranch (in Kremmling) was scheduled for the Grand County Courthouse in Hot Sulphur Springs. The case was being tried because the Willard Taussigs refused to sell the property, so the Denver Water Board will contest the water rights. Successful candidates in the HSS municipal election included Mayor Carl Fischer, incumbent, for another term, and trustees D.I. Blouch, Leonard Hager, George Hurt, C.R. Newland and W.W. Shiflet. D. Clark was a successful write-in candidate for the board. Clerks were Jessie Hemphill and Linda Thompson. Gasoline tax in Colorado passed its 39th birthday, but the day was not marked by much celebration, only the spinning of pump meters continuing to roll up tax revenues in this state at the rate of nearly $1 million every week. April 9, 1919, was the first day Colorado motorists began paying a tax on gasoline. Nationally the total take of federal gasoline tax was more than $1.5 billion a year, and of all gas taxes, more than $4.5 billion annually. Colorado retained fifth place in the nation for construction mileage under way on the Interstate Highway System. The report, by the Federal Highway Administrator and the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads, also ranked Colorado seventh in Interstate System mileage completed through February, with 62.8 miles. Cost was set at $8,677,000. Mary Alyce Wakefield and Robert Krist were engaged. Marilyn Nair was discharged from St. Lukes Hospital. Fay DeBerard reported the theft of two heifer calves within the past 10 days. It was marble time at the VFW and the group was seeking a champion, age 1-15. And, pranksters were evidently under the impression that calling the Kremmling Volunteer Fire Department set off the siren.