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NORTH FORK TIMES
DELTA COUNTY
BRAGGING RIGHTS
Readers’ choices for “The Best of Delta County” spotlighted, Inside
OCTOBER 14, 2015 VOL. 132, NO. 41
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Ballots arrive in the mail this week BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
County election officials report that ballots should begin arriving in voters’ mailboxes this week. In the coordinated election, two school board seats will be filled (see related story) and there is one statewide measure: Proposition BB, which asks voters to decide if around $66 million in excess marijuana revenue should go back to taxpayers, or should be used for projects such as school construction. More information on that issue can be found by going to the nonpartisan www.colorado bluebook.com. The majority of municipalities in Delta County are posing a question about telecommunications services. The question comes on the heels of a $5.2 million grant for broadband development in Delta and Montrose counties. Because broadband has become so critical, many communities regard it as a basic infrastructure need, on par with roads, water systems and energy grids. Colorado Counties Inc.,
(CCI) and the Colorado Municipal League (CML) recently issued a summary of the issue: “The increasing demand for broadband service — often driven by economic development concerns — has forced many local government officials to re-examine their role in the provision of broadband services.” One of the biggest impediments to local governments enhancing broadband infrastructure is a law passed in 2005 which is commonly referred to as SB 152. “SB 152 prohibits most uses of municipal or county money for infrastructure to improve local broadband service, without first going to a vote of the people.” Thus the question posed to voters in Cedaredge, Crawford, Delta, Paonia, Hotchkiss and Delta County. CCI and CML note that in the past few years, 10 municipalities and three counties have placed measures on the ballot to override the prohibitions in SB 152. “These measures have passed handily in
virtually every jurisdiction, with the support of citizens who are frustrated and want timely action on broadband service in their communities.” The vast majority of local governments which have passed SB 152 questions (or are going to the ballot in the near future) are not interested in hooking up homes and businesses and providing actual broadband services themselves. “By and large, these jurisdictions are working to enhance local broadband infrastructure in order to attract service providers who would otherwise be unwilling or unable to serve their communities,” the CCI/CML summary relates. In the meantime, local communities are moving forward in partnership with DMEA and Region 10 to plan buildout to anchor institutions in DMEA’s service area. Once access points are established, the network would be available for private “last mile” providers to deliver highspeed Internet service to businesses and homes.
Jurca, Novinger eager to serve school district BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
There is just one contested race on the ballot this year, to determine who will fill the Director District 2 school board seat being vacated by Kathy Svenson. All registered voters within the school district can cast ballots in this race, even though the director district is centered in the City of Delta. In Director District 3 — the Cedaredge and Orchard City areas — Pete Blair is unopposed. Blair is finishing his first term in office and is currently president of the school board. The District 2 candidates are Jill Jurca and Genevieve Novinger. Both have kids in Delta schools and share a commitment to education. Jurca served on the district accountability committee, multiple school district budget panels, a citizen panel during the search for a superintendent, and as a classroom volunteer and DestinationImagination coach. She is currently on the Delta High School Booster Club/parent accountability team and sitting president of the DHS Band Parents. She is thankful for the “admirable and excellent” education her two daughters have received, and that’s partly why she’s running for school board. Novinger was a BELA parent advocate on the Colorado Preschool Program. Since announcing her candidacy in March, she has attended every school board meeting
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Agriculture .....................B6 Back Page ................... D8 Business .........................B7 Church ............................B5 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries .................. A6-7 School Zone .................A10 Service Directory ........ D7 Sports ..........................C4-7 Surface Creek News ...C1-3 TV Listings ................. D5-6
and policy review hearing. She made it her goal to visit every school in the district, as well as every bus garage and maintenance building. She talked with parents, principals, teachers, students and voters, and believes she has a well-rounded understanding of what’s going on in the school district. Both candidates attended a forum hosted by the district accountability committee, certified council and classified council in Delta last week. The League of Women Voters hosted a second candidate forum in Hotchkiss Monday night. In Delta, the women were asked about their vision for the school district. Jurca says the school district is headed in the right direction; Novinger believes more parent and community involvement could help relieve the district’s financial burdens. She cited the Delta United Methodist Church’s program for early release days. Novinger said she has a lot of ideas and is willing to serve as an advocate for the school district here and at the state level. When asked about priorities, both said kids should come first, but Jurca said teachers are “right up there.” How can Delta County hire and retain great teachers? Teacher retention is a problem in our district, Jurca said, and could be addressed through more competitive pay and a better support system in the community. Jurca said
all staff members, classified and certified, must feel valued. Novinger talked about factors outside the school district that affect teacher retention. SCHOOL BOARD TO A3
Cedaredge voters are also being asked to raise the town’s sales and use tax from 2.0 to 2.5 percent, and the North Fork Water Conservancy District is asking for permission to “collect, retain and expend full revenues” without regard to TABOR limitations. Those who wish to cast bal-
lots in person can stop by the Delta County Courthouse or the North Fork Annex in Hotchkiss during business hours. On Election Day, Nov. 3, both locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In both Delta and Hotchkiss, voters will also find 24-hour dropoff boxes.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT Cedaredge Elementary Cedaredge Middle Cedaredge High
2015 355 202 267
2014 Difference 366 -11 219 -17 248 19
Garnet Mesa Elementary Lincoln Elementary Delta Middle Delta High Delta Opportunity
554 504 499 613 97
582 507 494 629 101
-28 -3 5 -16 -4
Hotchkiss K-8 Hotchkiss High
369 205
390 202
-21 3
Paonia Elementary Paonia Junior/Senior North Fork Montessori NF School Int. Studies
176 224 129 25
175 226 124 0
1 -2 5 25
TOTAL
-44
While enrollment continues to decline in Delta County Joint School District #50, administrators were pleased the numbers did not drop as dramatically as feared. “This is a celebration for us,” said school superintendent Caryn Gibson. The largest decline would appear to have occurred at Garnet Mesa Elementary, but administrators explain some students were shifted between Garnet Mesa and Lincoln to better balance enrollment. The figures above are an October-October comparison.
Police chief allowed to retire ‘on a positive note’ BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
A release signed by Robert Thomas, former chief of police for the City of Delta, has been disclosed by order of Judge Steven Schultz. The document was the subject of a court hearing last week after a Colorado Open Records Act request was filed by the DCI and other media. The release reveals a little more information about why Thomas was placed on paid administrative leave a month prior to announcing his retirement. At that time, Mayor Ed Sisson alluded to an investigation into Thomas’s conduct. The release refers to complaints investigated by Heather Coogan, who was identified in court as a “third party contractor” for city attorney David McConaughy. An Internet search reveals Coogan is a retired police chief who now owns a firm that specializes in workplace investigations. Because she was retained by the city attorney, “the limited information
provided by Heather Coogan about alleged wrongdoing by Thomas” is protected by attorney/client privilege. The release states those records are “separate from any involving complaints of others for which an investigation may proceed (such investigations shall not have Thomas as the primary subject), including involving complaints related to allegedly unfair discipline where the discipline may be analyzed as necessary.” The DCI specifically asked for information contained within Thomas’s personnel file related to complaints of any type in the last 12 months, and was told there were no such documents in Thomas’s file. There is also reference to “alleged, but not substantiated, allegations of CCIC violations.” In this context, CCIC apparently refers to the Colorado Crime Information Center, a computerized information system that contains crime/ arrest records, driver license/
vehicle information and a broad range of other data, all intended to be used solely in a professional capacity. Thomas did not return a phone call from the DCI, and his attorney did not appear at the court hearing, although he did file a letter objecting to disclosure of the release “because such disclosure would have a chilling effect on resolution of employee and employment matters. It is Mr. Thomas’s position that the public interest is best served by quick and confidental resolution of such matters.” The judge disagreed. Maintaining confidentiality of a settlement agreement “may provide some indirect benefit to the public by encouraging the prompt and efficient resolution of future disputes by public entities,” he noted in his written decision. “That consideration, however, is far outweighed by the public’s direct and paramount interest in the disclosure of the underlying public records, which is necessary to allow the public POLICE CHIEF TO A3
Is your voter info current?
Cleland tennis courts closed
The League of Women Voters reminds us that voter registration is the key to ensuring that all Americans can engage in our political process. Don’t forget, if you have moved or changed your name since the last time you registered to vote, you will likely need to update your voter registration information at www.govote colorado.com. You may register to vote online at www.govotecolorado.com. Online registration deadline for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, election is Monday, Oct. 26. If your registration is being mailed, it must be postmarked by Oct. 26. You may also register to vote in person by appearing at a voter service and polling center through Election Day. County election officials report the ballots will be in the mail this week.
Due to safety concerns, the tennis courts at Cleland Park have been closed indefinitely. The tennis courts at Confluence Park provide an alternative for local players. The city plans to replace the six tennis courts at Cleland with four new tennis courts, which it believes will accommodate current usage. The 2016 budget will include $350,000 for replacement, but the city anticipates the bulk of the cost will be funded through grants. Parks director Wilma Erven said she expects the restrooms to be upgraded at the same time, and it’s possible a second pavilion could be built, depending on funding. Erven said the tennis courts will likely be closed all of 2016, due to the length of time it will take for design, bid and construction of the replacements. The closure will force the high school tennis team to find a new host site.