NORTH FORK TIMES HOLIDAY KICKOFF Crawford hosts Parade of Lights, Festival of Trees, B1
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
SPORTS
DECK THE HALLS
PLAYOFF HOPES END
� ����� Recipes, crafts, gifts fill 2016 � � � �����
������� �����
���������������������������
��������
Delta, Paonia settle for the top four in the state, B8-10
��� �������
Christmas Gift Guide, Inside
�������� �������������������������
DELTA COUNTY
NOVEMBER 23, 2016 VOL. 133, NO. 47
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Roadless Rule under review
Mining exception is back on the table BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources are evaluating three alternatives for reinstating the North Fork Coal Mining Area exception as written in the 2012 Colorado Roadless Rule. The Colorado Roadless Rule was finalized by the Forest Service in 2012 after seven years of collaboration with three governors and diverse stakeholders across Colorado. Hundreds of thousands of public comments were received and reviewed. Three alternatives were examined in detail in the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement published in the Federal Register Nov. 18. Alternative B was selected as the preferred alternative, which reinstates the North Fork Coal Mining
Area exception, which applies to about 19,700 acres. In addition, boundaries associated with the Colorado Roadless Area and the North Fork Coal Mining Area were corrected and aligned based on more accurate road inventories. Stan Dempsey Jr., president of the Colorado Mining Association, said the USFS decision reaffirms the bipartisan process that developed the Colorado Roadless Plan, and its commitment to responsible development of Colorado’s natural resources. Dempsey said the exception applies to about 19,700 acres out of the approximately 4.2 million acres protected by the roadless rule. The exception allows construction of temporary roads and will allow for possible development of Colorado’s coal resources. The North Fork Coal Mining Area Exception would not
Kick off Christmas in Delta Saturday BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Delta’s Parade of Lights arrives a week earlier this year, just in time for Small Business Saturday. The Delta Area Chamber of Commerce has planned a full slate of activities in downtown Delta Saturday, Nov. 26. This is a great opportunity to support local merchants who pride themselves on friendly, hometown service and an eclectic variety of merchandise you won’t find in the mall or online. The chamber suggests you skip the crowds and the long lines while supporting the independently-owned businesses that contribute to the community year-round. In addition to sales and giveaways, a kids’ scavenger hunt and kids’ crafts are being offered. To participate in the scavenger hunt sponsored by ARC of Western Colorado, pick up a game card available at many Main Street retailers. After kids have completed the scavenger hunt, they can turn their cards in at the chamber office at 3rd and Main. Every participant will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift card and other goodies. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a kids’ craft area will be set up on the banquet room at CB’s Tavern. Delta High School students will monitor activities so parents can do some shopping on Main Street. Parents also have an opportunity to win some great prizes, simply by entering the drawings in participating stores. Darnell Place-Wise, chamber director, says there are gift cards of $25, $50 and $100, plus train tickets for the Durango-Silverton Railroad. At Westminster Hall, 4th
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A5 Agriculture .....................B6 Back Page ................... D8 Bruin Tracks ................C3-5 Business ........................ 6A Church ............................B5 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ...............A10-11 School Zone ............... A8-9 Sports ........................B8-10 Surface Creek News . C1-8 TV Listings ................. D5-6
and Meeker, an ugly sweater workshop will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. to benefit Young Life. The workshop is free with the purchase of a sweater at 2nd Edition or Raising Hope; otherwise, the cost is $5 per person or $10 for a family. Santa will be available for photos at Good Vibrations, inside the Columbine Mall at 326 Main Street, for a small fee. Columbine Mall is also hosting music by David and Tamara Hauze during the day. Beginning at 4 p.m., Main Street will be closed to set the stage for the parade. About the same time, you might begin to spot groups of carolers. These talented vocalists are choir members from Delta High School. While you’re waiting for the parade to start at 6 p.m., keep warm with a chili supper at St. Luke’s Church, 5th and Palmer, or the macaroni and cheese cookoff at the Doghouse Espresso. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. stop by St. Luke’s for an eat-in or take-out bowl of chili for $3. Add a tortilla and hot drink for $5. The macaroni and cheese cookoff benefits the Abraham Connection homeless shelter. Doghouse Espresso, 449 Main Street, has graciously offered to host the event, which begins with tasting at 5 p.m. A $5 donation per person is suggested. Tasting is open until 6:30 p.m. Winners will be announced at 6:45 p.m. With the closing of Main Street, a stage will be erected in the Wells Fargo parking lot. The high school show choir, a barbershop quartet, Beth Williams and some of HOLIDAY KICKOFF TO A3
authorize any new leases; it would simply allow for the construction of temporary
roads so the option for coal mining is not foreclosed, Dempsey said.
He added, “The reinstatement of the North Fork Coal ROADLESS RULE TO A3
Photo submitted
Stocking up
Cheryl Oeltjenbruns and Brad Kolman, volunteers with the Abraham Connection homeless shelter, sort through donations that were gathered during last weekend’s supply drive. Shoppers at Don’s Market in Paonia, City Market in Hotchkiss, Cedaredge Food Town and Walmart, Safeway and Dollar Tree in Delta donated over $2,500 worth of supplies and $1,000 in cash for the shelter. “I continue to be amazed with the continued support of the shelter from our community,” said Abraham Connection board member Lance Boren. “Everyone who contributed went above and beyond our expectations, and we are so thankful.” The board also wishes to thank the stores that hosted volunteers, as well as Rotary, Altrusa, Lions (Delta and Hotchkiss), Delta High School JROTC and Delta High School’s student council, which helped during the drive.
List of police chief finalists includes four Delta residents BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The City of Delta has released the names and short biographies of seven candidates for chief of police for the Delta Police Department. The list of finalists includes four residents of Delta, two of whom currently work for the Delta Police Department. Candidates will be introduced at a meet-and-greet Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Bill Heddles Recreation Center from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The candidates will make brief presentations about their backgrounds and qualifications, and will interact with community members. The seven candidates, in alphabetical order, are Jesse Cox, Tony Erickson, Lucas Fedler, Jim Greyson, Tim Jantz, Charles Kettle and Greg Tuliszewski. Jesse Cox, a resident of Delta, has been in law enforcement for over 19 years. He is commander of the Delta Police Department and previously worked for the Delta County Sheriff ’s Office. Cox has completed coursework at Colorado Mesa University in various subjects including government and psychology.
He served honorably in the U.S. Navy. Tony Erickson resides in Grand Junction. His 27 years of experience in law enforcement include the Colorado Springs Police Department and chief of police for the Town of Palisade. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Delta resident Lucas Fedler has 16 years of law enforcement experience, including the Delta Police Department and as detective sergeant with the Delta County Sheriff ’s Office. Fedler has a bachelor’s degree in public management. Jim Greyson currently resides in Colorado Springs. He has served over 30 years in municipal law enforcement including with the El Paso County Sheriff ’s Office and as chief of police for the City of Monte Vista. Grayson has a BA in criminal justice and political science and a master’s in public administration. He is a graduate of Colorado’s Police Executive Leadership program and was awarded the Police Executive Certification from the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police. Tim Jantz is a Delta resi-
dent. He has served over 34 years in municipal law enforcement including with the Craig Police Department and as the Moffat County sheriff for eight years. Jantz was an instructor at the Colorado Northwestern Community College. He is a graduate of Colorado’s Leadership in Police Organizations Executive Training program. Charles Kettle, interim police chief, is a resident of Delta. He has nine years of law enforcement experience. He completed coursework at Colorado Mesa University in criminal justice and public administration. He served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps. Greg Tuliszewski currently lives in Craig. Tuliszewski has served over 25 years in municipal law enforcement including with the City of Lone Tree Police Department and as chief of police for the Town of Hayden. Tuliszewski has a BS in public administration. He is a graduate of Colorado’s Leadership in Police Organizations Executive Training program and was awarded the Police Executive Certification from the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police.
DURA boundaries eyed
Thanksgiving closures
Holiday meals
Delta city manager David Torgler reports that letters have been mailed to property owners in a large section of the city that could geographically fall within a yet-to-be-determined project area for the Delta Urban Renewal Authority. The letters inform property owners of a pending conditions survey, the first step in determining if the property should be contained within project boundaries. Whether the property ends up within the project area or not, there will be no effect on property values “or anything else,” Torgler said. Once boundaries have been established, the project area can not be enlarged so the city is taking a broad approach.
The Delta County Courthouse in Delta and the North Fork Annex in Hotchkiss will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24-25, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. City of Delta offices will also be closed Thursday and Friday. Trash which is normally picked up on Thursday will be picked up on Wednesday this week. Friday’s refuse will be picked up as scheduled. Bill Heddles Recreation Center and Devil’s Thumb Golf Course will be closed Thursday only.
There will be no community Thanksgiving meal in Delta this year. The church that has hosted the meal in the past reports the main organizers moved out of town and no one stepped forward to take on the job of preparing the holiday meal. In Cedaredge, Creekside Café will host a Thanksgiving meal with donations going to the animal shelter (see page C1). Hotchkiss Senior Center is also the site of a community meal (see page B1).