NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
A TOAST TO 2017
Celebrate the new year with music, community potluck , B2
SPORTS
A FRESH START
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Libraries can help turn your New Year’s resolutions into reality, C2
Hoopsters rest, regroup for the rest of basketball season, C6
DELTA COUNTY
DECEMBER 28, 2016 VOL. 133, NO. 52
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Vacant building eyed for business hub BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
A group of stakeholders has come together to bid on the former City Market/Chaco building at 124 E. 6th Street in Delta. The major players include Delta County Economic Development (DCED), Delta County Joint School District, Delta-Montrose Technical College and the City of Delta. Tom Huerkamp, DCED vice president, said the initiative “popped up” in the last two weeks, when DCED learned the price on the property had dropped substantially. DCED is proposing a business incubator coupled with
an expanded campus of DeltaMontrose Technical College in the heart of downtown Delta. The building would also house offices for DCED, Region 10 and the Small Business Resource Center, DMTC classrooms and an innovation center to support entrepreneurship. outlined Huerkamp DCED’s vision while asking the Delta City Council to release $25,000 in discretionary funds for the project. The $25,000 was earmarked in the 2016 budget for a specific DCED project. Initially, DCED had asked the funds be committed to marketing materials for the riverfront
property. After discussing that project twice with members of the Delta City Council, DCED abruptly switched direction. “We think this is a priority that is timely,” Huerkamp said. “It doesn’t take away from the need for the market study, but we think this is more important at the moment.” He explained a lowball offer for the building had been rejected, but negotiations are ongoing. DCED asked for the city’s contribution before closing out the 2016 books so the funds can be used either for building acquisition or as matching funds for remodeling grants. He promised that
if the deal “doesn’t fly,” the funds will be returned to the city. With that caveat, council voted unanimously to release the funds to DCED, although the building will be owned by Delta-Montrose Technical College if the deal goes through. Councilmember Gerald Roberts said the project would be a “fantastic use” of that building. Christopher Ryan said he was surprised by DCED’s rapid change in direction, but understands DCED is working on a number of projects simultaneously. “I still feel we need to move forward with
Pet, owner reunited after 13 months BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Photo by Pat Sunderland
A vacant building at 124 E. 6th Street is being eyed for a collaborative project involving DeltaMontrose Technical College, Delta County Economic Development, Delta County Joint School District #50 and the City of Delta.
Delta, Delta County jump into Jump Start program BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The City of Delta has followed the lead of Delta County and is now a participant in the Rural Jump Start program. The program was established by the Colorado State Legislature for the express purpose of encouraging economic development in the rural areas of Colorado. By agreeing to participate in the program, Delta County will refund 100 percent of business personal property tax and 100 percent of county sales and use tax for approved businesses. The City of Delta agrees to refund 100 percent of the municipal sales and use tax that would be imposed on the new business. Relief is limited by statute to eight years. The Colorado Economic Development Commission is responsible for designating eligible businesses. A participating business must be new to the state, hire at least five employees, export goods and services outside a “distressed” county, and not directly compete with the core
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Back Page ................... D6 Business ........................ A8 Church ............................B4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-3 Obituaries ..................... A6 School Zone .................. A5 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports .............................C6 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4
function of a business that is already operating in the state. Although the qualifications seem rather narrow, Mesa County has seven participating businesses representing just over 200 jobs. Montrose, Logan, Las Animas and Pueblo counties have also joined the program. “Since both Mesa and Montrose counties are Jump Start zones, it only makes sense for Delta County,” Thibodo said. “There are definitely opportunities out there, and over time I believe it could be a strong recruitment tool.” Trish Thibodo, executive director of Delta County Economic Development, points out that existing businesses would also qualify if they created new divisions offering something unique. The legislation defines a distressed county as a county with a population less than 250,000 reflecting certain indicators of economic distress, such as lower per capita income than the statewide average, unemployment levels higher than the statewide average, a declining
workforce, or higher concentration of students eligible for free lunch than the statewide average. A new business that establishes a relationship with a higher education institution in the Jump Start zone will receive additional state tax benefits. Delta County is eligible to work with Colorado Mesa University, DeltaMontrose Technical College and Western Colorado Community College. State income tax for both the business and the employees is waived. Employees must be making at least the county median wage, and must work for the new business for six months to receive benefits. During discussion of the Rural Jump Start program, it was noted the towns of Hotchkiss, Orchard City, Paonia and Cedaredge are also looking at participating in the program. “My goal, is wherever in Delta County people want to go, there will be a Jump Start zone,” Thibodo said. The program will not affect real property tax collections.
the marketing plan, but the incubator could spark some growth,” he said. Bill Raley welcomed the opportunity to find purpose for a building that’s been vacant for “a long, long time.” All recognized the value of having Delta-Montrose Technical College students in the downtown area where they can access shops, restaurants and the movie theater. Huerkamp said the school district is looking at moving business and drafting classes downtown so health care programs can be VACANT BUILDING TO A3
Delta resident Carol Feichko is celebrating her own Christmas miracle after being reunited with the beloved pet she lost 13 months ago. “Baby,” a poodle-chihuaua mix, or “choodle,” escaped from Feichko’s house on 7th Street through a damaged fence in November 2015. Feichko, daughter Sabrina Fernandez and two great-granddaughters looked and looked for the small black dog. They posted ads in the newspaper, called area shelters and prayed incessantly. “My family kept telling me ‘Mom, don’t cry ... she’ll come home.’ ” Then in early December, Fernandez was taking granddaughter Alexis to a dance recital at Columbine Wellness in the Columbine Mall on Delta’s Main Street. In Good Vibrations, a store that occupies the lower level of Columbine Mall, Fernandez spotted a dog that looked a lot like her mother’s. Later, when she returned with her mother to
attend the dance recital, they again saw the dog in the arms of store manager Brenda Suiter. When Feichko walked up to the dog, she instantly jumped into her arms and kissed her “two million times.” Baby was back home. Baby had been with Suiter for four months and with the previous owner for two months. Only Baby can say where she was in the months immediately following her disappearance, but Feichko said she was always eager to jump into a car and go for a ride. When Suiter came into possession of the dog she was known as Sally. Because she was so gentle and well-mannered, Brenda took her everywhere, including to work, although she normally kept Sally in the office. When she saw the touching reunion between dog and owner, she said there was no question about returning Sally to her original owner. “I would have wanted someone to do the same thing, but it wasn’t easy,” she said. “Sally is an REUNITED TO A3
Photo by Pat Sunderland
Carol Feichko and great-granddaughter Alexis hold Baby close. “We prayed her home,” daughter Sabrina said.
Holiday closures
‘Noon’ year parties
Parks pass costs more
Delta County Libraries will be closed Monday, Jan. 2. City of Delta offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 2. Trash normally picked up on Monday will be picked up Tuesday, Jan 3. Bill Heddles Recreation Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. New Year’s Eve and noon to 5 p.m. New Year’s Day. Devil’s Thumb Golf Course will be closed Monday, Jan. 2. The Delta County Independent will be closed Monday, Jan. 2. The deadline for legal and classified advertising is 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30.
The Delta Library is hosting a New Year’s “noon” party for kids Saturday, Dec. 31, at 11 a.m. Crafts, games and snacks will be provided for this pre-New Year’s gathering. The Delta Elks Lodge is also hosting an event for kids of all ages. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, kids are invited to the lodge at 563 Main Street for music, food, games and fun. A bubble wrap stomp and sparkling cider toast will take place at noon. Both the event at the library and at the Delta Elks Lodge are free.
The Western Slope No-Fee Coalition reports that new legislation will eliminate the National Park Service’s $10 lifetime Senior Pass (formerly Golden Age Pass) and replace it with a pass costing $80. Parks can begin charging the new price as soon as their internal systems are updated. The coalition urges those close to turning 62 to act as quickly as possible to take advantage of the $10 pass, which allows entrance to all national parks that charge admission. A new “Senior Annual” pass has been added at a price of $20, good for one year from the date of purchase.