DELTARADO DAYS
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
HATS OFF TO AG
Parade, music, car shows, BBQ highlight 81st celebration, B5-12
CHAPEL CONCERTS Great entertainment coming out of small venue, 3B
DELTA COUNTY
NORTH FORK TIMES GRANT AWARDED
Paonia entrepreneur receives coalition money, B5-12 JULY 13, 2016 VOL. 133, NO. 28
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INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Resources lacking for mentally ill BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
“There’s a crisis in our communities, and it’s affecting nearly every family, our schools, our libraries, our hospital, even county adult/child protective services,” says DCMH emergency room manager Misty Sakala. She’s referring to the lack of resources to appropriately care for individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis or psychiatric emergency. The problem is not restricted to rural western Colorado, but is being felt across the state of Colorado, where a shortage of inpatient beds leads to patients being held for hours, and even days, in jail or the hospital emergency room. By law, an individual placed on an M-1 hold can be held in the county jail — without any charges — for 24 hours. During the last legislative session,
the County Sheriffs Association backed a bill that would have extended that length of time — not because they want to house the mentally ill in their jails, but because there are few alternatives. “Our issue is that many times we’re unable to locate a bed within the required 24 hours and we find ourselves having to make a choice between the individual’s safety, the community safety and the statutory limitations placed upon us,” said Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee, who several times traveled to Denver to testify in favor of the bill. The bill would have allowed the county sheriffs to petition to the court to hold those individuals for a longer period of time. By definition an M-1 is an involuntary hold where it’s been determined by a licensed professional that the patient is a grave danger to them-
selves or someone else. The bill made it through the legislature but was vetoed by Governor John Hickenlooper. “There was a lot of concern about due process for these individuals who are being held in our jails without any crimi-
nal charges,” the sheriff said. “I was surprised how many people were not aware that was taking place, so if nothing else, we at least brought this issue to the attention of the legislators.” In the emergency room at
Delta County Memorial Hospital, Misty Sakala and emergency room personnel were facing their own challenges. An elderly male who arrived in an acutely psychotic state was approaching his 30th hour MENTAL ILLNESS TO A3
School budget supports staff, student achievement BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
With the fiscal year beginning July 1, Delta County Joint School District staff members received a two-pronged boost to salaries called a “step and roll.” The “step” entails a bump in the salary schedule for current employees; the “roll” is an adjustment to the salary schedule that moves up starting salaries for beginning teachers, while also supporting existing staff. Between the two, staff members receive an estimated salary increase of 4 percent for 2016-17. The intent, explained business manager Jim Ventrello, is to reward and recognize support staff and teachers, “the single biggest contributor to student growth and achievement.” The school district also keeps an eye on salaries offered in Mesa and Montrose school districts, to avoid losing valued instructors to neighboring communities. Efforts to make salaries more competitive will hopefully improve teacher retention. Staff was recognized as a top priority by members of the budget advisory committee which met last spring. Board input and recommendations from the budget advisory committee were incorporated into the 2016-17 budget. The largest percentage of the budget goes to salaries and benefits. Other priorities include funding for professional development, continued improvements to classroom technology, implementation of middle school language arts curriculum, implementation of online student registration software and continued upgrades of the
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Agriculture ...................A10 Back Page ................... D8 Business .......................A12 Church ............................C4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Deltarado Days ....... B5-12 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ..................... A6 Service Directory ........ D7 Sports .............................C6 Surface Creek News ...C1-3 TV Listings ................. D5-6
bus fleet. The school district’s multi-passenger vans are slowly being replaced by mini activity buses. The per-pupil allocation that comprises each principal’s discretionary budget was increased, and $100,000 was set aside for music programs countywide. Food service transfers have increased, due in part to the mandated “breakfast before the bell” program at Lincoln Elementary School. Total per-pupil funding is $7,181.18. While that amount has grown each year, it’s been offset by declining student enrollment. The 2016-17 budget was built around an anticipated drop in enrollment of 100 students from last fall. “Over the last several years, the general population in the school district has declined by over 1,200 persons,” Ventrello noted. “School enrollment has declined by nearly 400 students since 2012. “The district has been fortunate that an increase in state revenue has offset most of the revenue lost due to the enrollment decline.” One new program of note is an online school called the Achieve Blended Learning Academy, which will initially focus on grades 6-12. Support will continue for the North Fork Montessori School at Crawford, entering its third year as a school of innovation; the North Fork School of Integrated Studies, a “school within a school” at Paonia Elementary; and A KidZ Clinic, a school-based health clinic at the Delta Center. The general fund totals $46.3 million, which does not include nearly $4.5 million in federal and state grants.
Closure Pioneer Road, between Cherry and Frontier Delta, will be closed to all traffic on Tuesday, July 19, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., to allow for utility work involving water and sewer taps. Kissner GC will be doing the work at the Vision Charter Academy.
Come on in ... the water’s fine!
Photo by Pat Sunderland
With temperatures soaring into the upper 90s, a dip in Sweitzer Lake is a great way to cool off. Delta County is home to three state parks — Sweitzer, Crawford and Paonia. While Sweitzer is open to day use only, Crawford and Paonia also offer camping.
GOP accountability committee releases findings on Sorenson BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The accountability committee charged with investigating Delta County Republican Central Committee chairperson Linda Sorenson, and evaluating “the quality of the chair’s apology” released its findings at the monthly committee meeting held July 5. Sorenson, and by association, the local Republican party, was the subject of local and national news coverage in the wake of a Facebook meme portraying President Obama as a chimpanzee. Both Republicans and Democrats expressed outrage over the offensive post, which they considered to be racist. Sorenson and executive committee members initially claimed Sorenson’s Facebook page had been hacked. Sorenson later acknowledged she had “liked” the post, and apologized for her insensitivity. The fallout continued on social media, in newspapers and on TV broadcasts. For the sake of transparency, Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee suggested the accountability committee prepare a full report on the matter. The involvement of committee members Bob John-
son, Ron Rowell, Mike Nelson, Roger Bentley and Fred McKee in that investigation was acknowledged with thanks at the monthly central committee meeting. “This has been a very unpleasant task; however, the integrity of our party is worth the effort,” the report noted. Prior to public release, the accountability committee’s findings were delivered to members of the executive committee for their rebuttal. Individual meetings were held with the treasurer, secretary and chair. Vice chair Vic Ullrey declined the invitation to meet. The meeting with Sorenson ended abruptly June 30 with her resignation. The first order of business at the central committee meeting was a vote to formally accept Sorenson’s resignation. A secret ballot ensued, with 21 voting in favor, four against. Don Suppes was elected to chair the meeting for that night only, and the accountability committee delivered its findings. Regarding the Facebook meme, committee members noted, “While we disagree with the ‘share’ of the offensive meme, no rules or bylaws
were violated and the right of free speech must be protected.” They addressed “inconsistent” statements of executive committee members regarding the Facebook meme, and determined the meme had indeed been “shared” by Sorenson. The committee noted no minutes were taken at an executive committee meeting held May 28, shortly after the controversy first surfaced. “This shows a lack of executive committee transparency.” As for Sorenson’s apology, the committee noted that Sorenson ignored recommendations of the Delta County elected officials and state Republican chairman Steve House regarding the content of the chair’s public statement on June 7. Bob Johnson defended Sorenson, saying the state’s recommendation amounted to little more than a “politically correct pandering document.” “I don’t think anyone in this room would put their name on that piece of crap,” he said. The fifth and final finding, concerning alleged candidacy preference by both the chair and vice chair, in violation of GOP FINDINGS TO A3
Hospital earns second national award
Delta County Memorial Hospital has received a second national award as one of the “Top 50 Critical Access Hospitals to Know” from Becker’s Hospital Review. The Delta hospital is not officially recognized with a critical access designation, but is defined as a district, rural community hospital serving Delta County families. Hospitals on this list represent a variety of regions across the USA, predominantly located in rural locations, and are playing a crucial role in the health and well being of their respective communities. This is the second year that Becker’s has released a list of top critical access hospitals. The selected hospitals were chosen based upon ranking and awards from respected organizations including iVantage Health Analytics, Healthgrades, National Rural Health Association, Truven Health Analytics, Women’s Choice Award and the Leapfrog Group. Included hospitals earned recognition from one or more of the these organizations within the past two years. Delta County Memorial Hospital was also named as one of the top 20 rural community hospitals in the nation earlier in 2016 by the National Rural Health Association, and is in the top 100, (or top three percent) of rural community hospitals nationally according to iVantage Analytics. Becker’s Hospital Review is a monthly publication with a circulation of 18,000 offering up-to-date business and legal news and analysis relating to hospitals and health systems.