NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
STREET ART
SPORTS
NEWEST EXHIBIT
Colorful mural brightens the street in front of Paonia Elementary, B1
FALL PREVIEW
Memorabilia from Grand Mesa boathouse now at Pioneer Town, B6
Expectations are running high for area athletes, coaches, C1-8
DELTA COUNTY
AUGUST 26, 2015 VOL. 132, NO. 34
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Governor tours Doughty Steel BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
A visit to Doughty Steel was like a step back in time for Governor John Hickenlooper — his mother’s family once owned the oldest family-held steel fabrication company in the United States. He shared several memories while touring Doughty Steel en route to a town hall meeting in Montrose last Thursday. “Ours is also a family business,” said Scott Doughty, who is a partner with his brother Wayne. “Our dad, Melvin, started the business in 1935 in an old adobe blacksmith shop in Eckert. We moved to Delta in 1956 and have gradually added on and added on.” The original building and much of the equipment was donated to Pioneer Town in Cedaredge, and used to set up an old blacksmith shop. At the shop on Highway 92, the manual machine shop is still fully operational, but Doughty Steel is also expanding its use of computer-driven lathes and mills to deliver precisely cut/drilled components in just minutes. The shop’s press brake and computerized lasers ensure precise cuts regardless of the configuration and thickness of the finished piece. When it comes to assembling the components, Scott said Doughty Steel is fortunate to have several highly skilled welders on staff. The final step — plating or powder coating — is done by firms in Delta and Grand Junction. Wayne Doughty oversees another aspect of Doughty’s operation — crane rentals.
He had to miss the governor’s visit because he was setting up one of Doughty’s five cranes in the Meeker area. Scott said Doughty cranes were recently used to set the girders for the Highway 92 project at Stengel’s, as well as the girders for the bridge carrying Union Pacific trains across the Gunnison River in Austin. Water tank fabrication is another big part of Doughty’s business. Scott Doughty pointed out how the steel plates are squared and rolled in the spacious shop. The tanks are erected and painted on site. In 2007, Doughty Steel entered the Jeep after-market parts business with the purchase of Mountain Off Road Enterprises, or MORE. Skid plates, motor mounts, dead pedals, bumpers, brackets and more are manufactured on site and shipped to wholesalers across the country. Jeep enthusiasts can purchase products directly at www.mountainoff road.com. Scott said about a quarter of MORE’s business is retail through the website. “When you’re in a rural area, you do a little bit of everything to make it,” Scott told the governor. “That’s the rule of the jungle,” Hickenlooper responded. The governor says he enjoys visits to local businesses like Doughty Steel, DIP Manufacturing and Amarna, which he toured on a previous visit. “Seeing numbers on sheets of paper is not the same as seeing who’s doing what. It’s always very illuminating,” he said.
Photo by Pat Sunderland
Scott Doughty (right) explains how laser cutting systems minimize waste, but maximize speed and efficiency, when used to cut materials. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper (left) visited the long-standing Delta business en route to Montrose last week.
Economic opportunities lie in ag, tourism, manufacturing BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
After months of stakeholder meetings and in-depth analysis, an economic recovery plan is taking shape for Delta and Gunnison counties. The plan was funded by a U.S. economic development assistance grant administered by Region 10, with partnerships from cities, counties and the Department of Local Affairs. The purpose of the grant is to improve and enhance the economic resiliency and sustainability of Delta and Gunnison
County seeks interest in Rogers Mesa site BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer
County government is issuing a call for “letters of intent” from businesses or other organizations that have a proposal for use of the shuttered CSU agricultural research station on Rogers Mesa. Completion of a fourmonth-long feasibility study on possible community uses for the 70-acre former ag research facility has led to the call for interested users. At a courthouse meeting last week, the feasibility study was released and a roundtable discussion with community leaders was led by consultant Laurian Unnevehr, Ph.D. of the University of Illinois. Her study was funded by Delta County, Region 10 and CSU. The purpose for the study was to “determine the market feasibility and organizational sustainability of a potential agricultural-based education program and/or farm incubator at the Rogers Mesa site.”
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Back Page ................... D8 Church ............................B5 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ............... A6, A8 School Zone .................. A5 Service Directory ........ D7 Sports ..........................C1-8 Surface Creek News ...B6-8 TV Listings ................. D5-6
The study resulted in two recommendations: 1) Delta County should request clarification in writing from CSU regarding the terms of any potential use agreements for the Rogers Mesa site, and; 2) Delta County should issue a call for letters of intent to determine which organization(s) will take the lead for any new programs at Rogers Mesa.” During last week’s feasibility study rollout, a local representative of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union said the organization is interested in submitting a letter of intent and has a use in mind for the site. The RMFU is involved with both ag co-ops and ag education. Other local organizations noted that may have a possible use for the site under the study guidelines include Valley Food Partnership, Delta County Soil Conservation District, School District 50, Economic Development, and/or any viable commercial
operator who could partner with other organizations. Stated goals for future use of the research station are stated in very general terms which are well-suited to the desired non-profit and/or educational use of the facility: • Create a sustainable organization that complements the county’s ag industry and heritage; • Promote economic development and enhance educational opportunities; • Conduct research that will aid local producers in refining and developing best management practices; • Involvement, if possible, with “existing partnerships.” According to the feasibility study, the CSU Rogers Mesa ag research station was established in 1961. It engaged research in tree crops, grapes, vegetables and alternative crops. Weather and water monitoring activities were also conducted there. ROGERS MESA TO A3
counties in the wake of coal mine layoffs. “This certainly doesn’t mean that we don’t feel we should do everything possible to save our coal jobs, but it’s being realistic about moving our economy forward and not being quite so dependent on that one source of revenue for our communities,” Michelle Haynes, Region 10 director, explained at a city council work session last week. Through a competitive application process, Better City was selected as project consultant. Since January, the firm has completed an economic assessment, market analysis and a report with recommended projects and action plans. Each step was vetted through a steering committee comprised of the board
of directors of Delta County Economic Development. Agriculture, manufacturing and tourism were identified as having the greatest potential for bringing outside money into Delta County. The discussion narrowed to two potential projects that are now the focus of feasibility studies — projects that will “put Delta County on the radar for the things we’re great at,” said Trish Thibodo, DCED director. The first is a “gateway” riverfront development that would be located in Delta, but would be a “statement” for all of Delta County. The centerpiece would be a nationally branded hotel with conference center and a restaurant located along the river. Eventually, ECON. DEVELOPMENT TO A3
OHVs allowed on city streets BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The City of Delta has adopted the 2010 model traffic code with an amendment that permits the operation of off-highway vehicles on any street, alley or other public right-of-way within the city, excluding Highway 50, Highway 92 and Highway 348. Drivers must be licensed. City council also clarified the handling of abandoned vehicles. When vehicles are abandoned on public property, the Delta Police Department will contact a tow truck operator for removal, and the city will foot the bill. When vehicles are abandoned on private property, the property owner shall be responsible.
The clarification addresses specific instances where the police department has been asked to facilitate removal of vehicles left in business parking lots for days and even weeks. Portions of the traffic code that are not applicable to the city (such as driving on mountain highways) were deleted. The purpose of the model traffic code is to provide a system of traffic regulations that are consistent throughout the state and the nation. A penalty assessment schedule for use in municipal court is a separate document that is also being reviewed and updated.
Graduation dates set
City offices close early
Rockies invite CHS
Five members of Hotchkiss High School’s graduating class missed commencement ceremonies in May because of state baseball competition. To avoid conflicts with regional and state baseball and track next spring, Delta County schools are leaving free both Saturday, May 14, and Saturday, May 21. Graduations will take place Sunday and Monday. The 2016 graduation dates are: Sunday, May 15 — Hotchkiss at 1 p.m., Cedaredge at 4 p.m., and Delta at 7 p.m. Paonia High School graduation is set for 7 p.m. Monday, May 16.
City of Delta offices will be closed Friday, Aug. 28, from noon to 5 p.m., for an employee appreciation event. Bill Heddles Recreation Center will also close at noon and remain closed until Saturday, Aug. 29, when regular operating hours resume. Devil’s Thumb Golf Club will be open as usual both Friday and Saturday. Bill Heddles Recreation Center announces a full facility closure Tuesday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 7. Front desk staff will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 1-4 for registration/information. Call 874-0923 for more details.
The Cedaredge High School marching band has been invited to play the national anthem at the Colorado Rockies baseball game in Denver Saturday, Sept. 5. The band will join about four other state championship bands from other competition classes. Mckenzie Moore, DCI intern and a member of the Bruin marching band, reports band members will be “camping out” in director Melissa Gross’ old band room, to save money. The band is currently raising funds to travel to Washington, D.C., for Memorial Day 2016.