NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
PROACTIVE PLAN
NATIONAL FINALIST
Special district proposed to ensure funding for ambulance, B3
SPORTS 2A STATE CHAMPS
Cedaredge writer is in the running for Golden Heart award, C1
Paonia Eagles win back-to-back state baseball titles, B4-6
DELTA COUNTY
MAY 30, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 22
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
DURA eyes new parcel for hotel BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer
SB18-005 becomes law
Photo by Pat Sunderland
On Friday, May 25, Governor John Hickenlooper held bill signing ceremonies in Montrose, Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs and Delta. At the Needle Rock Brewery in Delta, he signed a bill four years in the making titled “Rural Economic Advancement of Colorado Towns.” The bill was sponsored by Sen. Kerry Donovan and Sen. Ray Scott (also pictured). Also pictured are several local residents who attended a brief town hall hosted by Senator Donovan prior to the bill-signing ceremony. She called the legislation a “paradigm shift,” because rural communities suffering economic struggles and substantial job losses no longer have to reach out to multiple state agencies in Denver. Instead, the Department of Local Affairs will coordinate nonmonetary assistance to assist rural communities with job creation or retention. “We have some incredible resources at the state capitol, but we can’t expect a town in time of economic crisis to manage all these departments from six hours away,” she said. “It’s actually a pretty simple concept, but it could benefit 214 municipalities in 49 of Colorado’s counties.”
Members of the Delta Urban Renewal Authority met May 22 to discuss an intriguing dilemma. A buyer has expressed interest in the parcel of land previously designated for a hotel. In response, an adjoining landowner was approached by DURA staff, and has identified one of his parcels as a more attractive location for the hotel. He also proposed exchanging some of his land for city land being held for future recreational development. At a previous meeting Scott Schaible, local resident and entrepreneur, shared his conviction that an indoor/outdoor water park would draw more visitors to Delta. Schaible was present May 22 to continue encouraging the DURA board to develop the water park, not just a hotel. The discussion continued with DURA commissioners bringing up numerous possibilities for what could be realized for the citizens of Delta
if one of many options they discussed were to become a reality. Ron Austin, chairman of the DURA board, advocated for the water park, saying it is a way to generate revenue for community activities without relying on taxpayer money. He recommended face-to-face negotiations with private investors. Austin said this is the first time the city has had such an opportunity. “Let’s have the fortitude to move forward promptly. This opportunity won’t ever happen again,” he said. The most pressing question for the board was whether it should revise the request for proposal that originally addressed bringing a hotel to Delta. Caitlin Quander, DURA attorney, attending the meeting by Skype, said that DURA could revise the RFP, and she advised keeping response on a tight timeline; too much delay and the hotel developer may DURA TO A3
DHS grads reflect on hardships, success BY EMILY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer
On Wednesday evening, May 23, 113 Delta High School graduates marched down the field at Panther Stadium to begin the 120th commencement ceremony. After assistant principal Rosie Johnson welcomed friends and family to the evening’s program, Derek Carlson, principal, introduced the co-salutatorian speakers with GPAs of 4.2, Alexia Quinn and Lucy Streich. Quinn began with sharing Abraham Lincoln’s quote, “Whatever you are, be a good one,” as encouragement to her class. Her speech then focused on the 10 most important things she’s learned in school: be bold, brave and courageous; give second chances but never a third; never lose hope; look people in the eyes; and pause, relax and take a deep breath. She ended her list with a lesson that made the entire stadium laugh, “Being on time means being 15 minutes early. But if you’re going to be late, you might as well grab some food.” She concluded her speech by reminding her classmates to keep a piece of DHS with them as they move forward in life. Streich’s speech addressed the class’ reputation. She compared the class to a “middle child,” being “sandwiched between a class ahead, glorious, and a class below, victorious.” Being the middle child, she said their class was misunderstood and many only see negative traits.
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A5 Back Page ................... D6 Business ........................ A6 Church ........................... D4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D2-3 North Fork Times ........B1-3 Obituaries ......................C5 School Zone ...................C6 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports ..........................B4-6 Surface Creek News ...C1-2 TV Listings ..................C3-4
“But those traits are what makes us, us,” she said. She took several traits and showed the positive to each. She related this to how in the future others might judge the graduates because of their roots in a rural community. She urged the graduates to see how being from Delta is beneficial and actually gives them more opportunities. “Look up, look around. This place is beautiful,” she said. “This place is home.” Before concluding, Streich recognized the loss of DHS students this past year. “We have learned to value life and that has made us stronger,” she said. Carlson introduced Valedictorian Jasper Carmichael, who had a 4.3 GPA. He began with Walt Disney’s quote: “All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” He took the class down memory lane of their less-thanimpressive reputation that began in middle school. “But we have turned out to be more than ‘that’ class,” he said. Carmichael focused on inspiring the class to see past the challenges they’ve faced and to know they are prepared for the future. “Now is the time to realize the value of being kicked in the teeth,” he concluded. “We have suffered, been victims and been underestimated, but we have courage, have persevered, and have proven to ourselves we are a class that
Fire restrictions Stage 1 fire restrictions are now in effect on the Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Due to higher fuel moisture measurements and a low/moderate fire danger level the Grand Mesa National Forest will NOT implement fire restrictions at this time. Fire restrictions on the Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests mean that campfires are limited to manufactured fire grates and grills within developed campgrounds and picnic grounds. Smoking is allowed only within a vehicle or developed recreation site.
can succeed.” He ended his speech by thanking the staff for their dedication and support. Kaleigh Nethington, senior student council officer, introduced the commencement address speaker, Ty Gallenbeck. Her introduction reflected the positive impact he’s had on her life and Delta. Gallenbeck, 2001 alumnus, began sharing how he’s active in the community he originally ran away from, but now loves. He is a professional magician, though this was never part of his plan. “Life is crazy like that,” he said. “I’ve come to see that DHS GRADUATION TO A3
Photo by Emily Lynn Roque Cisneros
Graduates expressed their individuality with quotes, pictures and sayings on their caps.
Photo by Emily Lynn Roque Cisneros
DHS grads toss their caps into the air in jubilation.
Hyundai, trash truck collide
A collision between a 2001 Hyundai sedan and an International trash truck resulted in the death of Kristina Hutchins, 73, of Paonia, the driver of the Hyundai. The crash occurred Wednesday, May 23, at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Highway 92 near mile marker 9. The driver of the trash truck, a 67-year-old male from Paonia, sustained serious injuries. A 52-year-old male passenger in the trash truck, also of Paonia, sustained moderate injuries. Both were taken to Delta County Memorial Hospital. Neither of the males was wearing a seat belt. Hutchins was using a seat belt, but died at the scene. According to the Colorado State Patrol, Hutchins was eastbound on Highway 92, went off the right side of the roadway slightly, returned to the roadway, crossed over both eastbound lanes, and into the path of the trash truck, which was westbound in the westbound lane. The trash truck rolled onto its roof. Drugs/alcohol are not considered as factors. The crash remains under investigation. In the same area, and at about the same time, a truck pulling a flatbed with a piece of heavy equipment reportedly started several small blazes along the side of the road when a tire caught on fire. The two incidents appeared related but were not.