NORTH FORK TIMES
SPORTS
CHERRY DAYS 2017
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
HEADLINE
Paonia celebrates ‘Family, Friends and Freedom,’ B1-7
NIGHT ON THE TOWN
Teaser copy covering two lines, 3B
Pioneer Town offers old-fashioned fun for the entire family, C2
DELTA COUNTY
JUNE 28, 2017 VOL. 134, NO. 26
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Suspect extradited from S.C.
Elderly woman bilked of $85,000 BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
An investigation launched in April 2016 has resulted in the arrest of a South Carolina woman who obtained over $85,000 from an elderly Delta resident. The Delta resident was told she had won several million dollars in a lottery, but would need to send money to cover taxes and other expenses before claiming her prize. Over a period of several months the Delta resident sent $85,400 to an individual located in South Carolina. Sheriff ’s investigators were able to identify the person in South Carolina allegedly receiving the checks. Based upon their extensive investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained and on June 20, Patricia Millidge, age 66, was extradited. She is charged with criminal impersonation, a class 6 felony, and theft from an atrisk adult, a class 3 felony. “In the majority of lottery scam cases such as this, the
thieves avoid prosecution as they are working from another country or routing funds through means which are impossible to track,” said Delta County Undersheriff Mark Taylor. “Generally speaking, it’s very difficult to trace these scam phone calls,” agreed Sheriff Fred McKee. “So I’m very thankful for the investigative work the sheriff ’s office did to get this woman charged and brought back so the district attorney can pursue prosecution.” Millidge was released from jail after posting $500 bond. The Delta County Sheriff ’s Office reminds everyone that there are many forms of scams being used to target the elderly via phone, mail and electronic communication. Scammers are very good at what they do and lure thousands of people a year out of millions of dollars. Please talk to family members and friends and never send money to anyone you don’t know. You SCAMS TO A3
Gunnison Energy closes some facilities BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer
The Board of County Commissioners on Monday heard a report that Gunnison Energy LLC is working on decommissioning some of its production facilities in Surface Creek and elsewhere. Bruce Bertram, local government designee, told commissioners that the work was “the first step” in an areawide structures abandonment process. A 12-inch low pressure flow line that once transported gas from wells in the Surface Creek area to a compressor station near Highway 65 has been unplugged and abandoned, it was reported.
Gunnison Energy has had as many as six wells in the area, one on public lands and the others on private lands. There was a 500-gallon oil spill involving maintenance fluids in secondary storage that occurred during decommissioning of the compressor station. It was contained and cleaned up per regulations, Bertram reported. Gunnison Energy is also abandoning production facilities at Oak Creek, Stevens Gulch and in the Muddy Creek drainage. The company has expressed plans for future operations in the Muddy Creek drainage and further east. COMMISSIONERS TO A3
Jin Ho Pack named county court judge Gov. John Hickenlooper has appointed Jin Ho Pack as a judge on the Delta County Court in the 7th Judicial District. She fills a vacancy created by the resignation of the Honorable Sandra Miller. Pack currently serves as the county attorney for Delta County, a position she has held since 2015. In that capacity, Pack manages the county’s civil law proceedings, reviews and approves contracts for the county, and provides general legal advice to the county’s elected officials and agency leadership.
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Agriculture ................... C6 Back Page ................... D8 Business ........................ A8 Church ........................... D6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-5 North Fork Times ........B1-7 Obituaries ....................A10 Service Directory ........ D7 Sports .............................B8 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4
Previously, Pack worked as an assistant county attorney for Delta County (2014-15), as an associate at Kaplan Law LLC (2013-14), as a child support enforcement unit attorney for Young Williams Child Support Services (2011-13), and as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Honolulu, Hawaii (2005-06). Pack earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University in 2000 and her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 2003. Pack’s appointment is effective Aug. 4.
Photo by Pat Sunderland
Twins in tow
A deer with twin fawns was spotted off Highway 133 in the Somerset area. Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports that deer commonly give birth to twins.
Hospital CEO prefers ‘repair’ to ‘repeal’ of health care act BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Delta County Memorial Hospital dodged a bullet when the hospital provider fee was moved into a state enterprise fund, ensuring continued financial support for rural hospitals in Colorado. But with the Republican proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, DCMH continues to operate in a world of uncertainty, CEO Jason Cleckler reported at an Indivisible gathering in Cedaredge. Indivisible groups nationwide have mounted an effort to fight what they’re calling “TrumpCare.” The Cedaredge gathering was low-key, with Cleckler talking about why it’s better to try and tweak the existing health care legislation. He said the Affordable Care Act was the result of escalating health care costs — costs that were pricing many consumers out of the marketplace. With the U.S. spending 25 percent of its gross national product on health care, the current system was not sustainable. Sweeping reform was enacted, with the intent of improving the quality of care, controlling or decreasing the cost of health care, and improving access so folks weren’t showing up at the emergency room with chronic illnesses that could have been managed or prevented through primary care. The ACA has forced Delta County Memorial Hospital to focus on those three pillars of health care, Cleckler said. Reimbursement is tied to quality of care. Efforts are being made to help patients manage chronic health condi-
tions such as diabetes. And it’s no accident the hospital is opening a clinic in Hotchkiss, an urgent care facility in Paonia and rehab services/lab draw station in Cedaredge. Electronic medical records are another facet of the Affordable Care Act. Electronic records make it fast and easy to share information with other providers. They also ensure consistent treatment, but Cleckler said implementation has been expensive and it sometimes seems medical providers spend more time interacting with their computer than with their patients. Physicians have also expressed frustration, he said. But most frustrating for most consumers is the lack of affordability in the Affordable Care Act. In Delta County, only Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield offers coverage in the marketplace. The company has exited the marketplace in Indiana and Wisconsin, and Cleckler fears a domino effect. If no plans are offered through the marketplace, the only option for individuals not covered through the workplace will be to seek individual plans. Those plans may not have ACA protections, including coverage for pre-existing conditions. But the scenario could be worse under the GOP’s American Health Care Act, with an estimated 20 million individuals losing coverage across the nation, Cleckler said. Prior to implementation of the ACA, Cleckler said 12 to 13 percent of the care provided by Delta County Memorial Hospital was uncompensated. That percentage dropped to 2.25 percent, which is “absolutely remarkable.” Some
Fourth of July fireworks display planned
The Delta Volunteer Fire Department will present its annual 4th of July fireworks display Tuesday at Confluence Lake. The show — the only public fireworks display in Delta County — begins as soon as the sky is dark. The fireworks show is funded entirely by donations, so please be generous when firefighters pass the boot the night of the show. Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee reminds everyone that fireworks are prohibited on public lands. At this time, they are allowed on private property in the unincorporated portions of Delta County, but due to weather conditions, fire restrictions may be put in place at any time. If you intend to use fire-
works in a municipality, check with the local police department concerning authorization. “Please be extremely cautious, as hot dry weather is expected and you may be held responsible for any fires started by negligent use of fireworks,” McKee cautioned. Legal fireworks include sparklers, smoke, wheels and spinners, fountains, crackle and strobe and other novelties. These fireworks have very limited burn space and should be used only in areas where no other combustible material is present. Bottle rockets, firecrackers, roman candles, missiles, parachutes, or any other aerial fireworks are prohibited.
people purchased individual policies, as mandated by the ACA, but here in Delta County it’s really reflective of how many people signed up for Medicaid, Cleckler said. While Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement rates for the hospital are low, at least residents have some type of coverage. He reiterated the hospital’s desire to improve quality of care, remove barriers to access, and be transparent about costs. But true savings will not be realized until pharmaceuticals, insurance companies and medical manufacturing companies step up to the plate and help control costs. “If that happens I think we would see a drastically different health care system,” he said. Cleckler encouraged members of the group to reach out to Senator Cory Gardner, who he believes is truly listening to input. Senator Michael Bennet, he said, is in favor of keeping the Affordable Care Act, but is open to ideas about how the law can be tweaked. Rep. Scott Tipton, while very supportive of Delta County and Delta County Memorial Hospital, has already voted in favor of the House version of the American Health Care Act. Cleckler is the featured speaker at a health care town hall meeting in Paonia Monday, July 10. He will provide an update on the hospital and talk about the most recent changes in the Affordable Care Act. His presentation runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Paradise Theater. There is no charge for admission and everyone is welcome.
City seeks input Area residents are invited to offer input on needs/wants for city parks, trails, recreation and open space during an open house Thursday, June 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. This will be an opportunity to brainstorm oneon-one with city staff and the consultants hired to complete a master plan that will help city leaders identify funding priorities for coming years. In addition to the open house, surveys will be sent to over 3,500 households in the city. To learn more, visit www. cityofdelta.net/parks.html.