NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
PLAN AHEAD
WATER SHORTAGES
Pre-registration required for some Cherry Days events, B1-2
SPORTS
Cedaredge, Orchard City weigh restrictions on water use, C1
DELTA COUNTY
CHSAA HONORS
Paonia’s Seriani, Miller named Player, Coach of the Year, B7 JUNE 20, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 25
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Upon reconsideration, Delta bans sale, use of fireworks BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
In the wake of Stage 2 fire restrictions throughout much of western Colorado and at the urging of Mayor Ron Austin, Delta City Council reconsidered the sale and use of personal fireworks at its June 18 meeting. The meeting was held one night earlier than usual due to a Colorado Municipal League conference in Vail which many council members planned to attend. When the resolution was initially considered on June 5, it failed on a 4-1 vote, with Gerald Roberts casting the dissenting vote. At that meeting, and in the intervening weeks, the Delta Police Department and the Delta Volunteer Fire Department have repeatedly expressed concerns about the use of personal fireworks, given the high fire danger in and around the city. At the June 18 meeting, council members raised many of the same issues they discussed two weeks earlier, but
time ...” The council’s decision will not affect the 4th of July fireworks display presented in Confluence Park by the Delta Volunteer Fire Department. In other business, council members appointed Ryan Crick to the planning commission to fill the term of Arla Nelson. Crick was one of three applicants interviewed by the council on June 5. The use of the city-owned parking lot was granted to Hoolie’s for its annual motorcycle show July 7. Wilma Erven, director of parks, recreation and culture, provided an update on the wellness pool repairs. With the assistance of American Leak Detection, a leak was finally located in a surge pump. Repairs have been made and the wellness pool has re-opened. Betsy Suerth, public works director, reported the storm system improvements at the intersection of 1st and Palmer are on track.
this time voted 4-1 to ban both the use and sale of personal fireworks in the city. Mayor Austin cast the “nay” vote because he was open to the sale of fireworks, but not the use. Other council members said that would just be confusing. “It becomes kind of hypocritical to allow them to be sold, but not used,” said council member Gerald Roberts. The ban extends to the temporary permits granted to fireworks stands, which in years past have been operated at Safeway and Walmart. The sale of fireworks is the main fundraiser for the youth of the Rivers Church (formerly the Assembly of God). Council member Nathan Clay recognized the impact on the youth, saying it was unfortunate the council’s decision would take away those revenues. “That was a very heavy consideration for most of us,” he said. “That isn’t something I take lightly, but at the same
Chamber’s new director gears up for summer events BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Paul Stockwell has been named the new executive director of the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce. Stockwell, formerly the program coordinator for Delta County Economic Development, will provide a similar type of business support, with a focus primarily on Delta, as opposed to DCED’s efforts countywide. “When I think of the chamber, I think of being very active with the local businesses,”
Stockwell is also familiar Stockwell said. “It was the same with DCED, with a lot of with the logistical challenges communication back and forth of putting together events, with businesses and members knowledge he will quickly on issues affecting the area. I apply to the Downtown Deltaalready know a lot of business Fest on June 28 and to Deltapeople, so hopefully it will be rado Days in late July. Fortunately, the chamber board is a smooth transition.” “We are very excited to have CHAMBER DIRECTOR TO A3 Paul as the chamber executive director,” said chamber board president Portia Vigil. “His experience with economic development and his involvement with the community will be a great asset to the chamBY ANNETTE BRAND ber and its members.”
Managing Editor
One June 24, bicyclists will depart Leadville for a sevenday cycling tour that will take riders through Aspen and Carbondale. On June 25, they’ll tackle McClure Pass, which tops out at 8,763 feet, and pass through Paonia and Hotchkiss en route to Delta. After an 87-mile day, the cyclists will set up camp in Confluence Park, where chamber ambassadors will have lunch ready as the riders roll into Delta. The Kiwanis are serving dinner, and the chamber is coordinating the beer garden and entertainment. The gym and conference room at Bill Heddles Recreation Center will also be available for overnight accommodations. The Delta High School
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Back Page ................... D6 Business ........................ A8 Church ............................C6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Health & Fitness ...... B4-6 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-3 Obituaries ..................... A6 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports ..........................B7-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4
Sadie Jackman of Grand Junction entertained herself with a hula hoop prior to the opening of Girl Scout Day Camp June 13-16. Daisies, Brownies and Juniors gathered at Fort Uncompahgre to learn about early settlers, then moved to Delta United Methodist Church for badge work, games and crafts. Swimming and an overnight campout were included in this year’s event.
Commissioners comment on North Fork mancos development Staff Writer
Bicycle Tour of Colorado to make stop in Delta BY PAT SUNDERLAND
Girls on the go
Photo by Pat Sunderland
band is serving breakfast early, so cyclists can set out for Grand Mesa, taking back roads to Cedaredge and the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway. The 72-mile ride ends in Palisade. Another 75-mile ride takes cyclists into Glenwood Springs, where they’ll enjoy a relaxing day off. The last day of riding will include a climb over Tennessee Pass, elevation 10,424 feet, and back to Leadville for a tourend celebration. Local organizers are not certain how many riders — and supporters — will stop in Delta, but they plan to have plenty of food on hand for all the participants, plus any community members who want to stop by, enjoy the live music, grab a beer and mingle with the visitors.
On June 7, the Delta County Board of Commissioners submitted to the Bureau of Land Management its comments on several elements of the North Fork Mancos Master Development Plan. Water. Commissioners wrote that protection of the quality and available quantity of water is always a concern of the county, particularly when construction and/or oil and gas development is conducted in any upstream watershed of water sources draining into and used by Delta County residents. They requested that Bureau of Land Management and U. S. Forest Service specifically address this issue and review the adequacy of proposed plans. Off-site impacts to the county, municipalities, roads and traffic. Commissioners noted their concern about the unknown cumulative off-site impacts caused by increased oil and gas development in or near Delta County. The county’s maintenance of Forest Service Road 265 within Delta County, under
an agreement with the Forest Service, is affected by the proposed plan. The county requests that the county be consulted for support roads and existing roads, and that county road standards be adhered to and maintained. It is likely that Stevens Gulch Road, similarly maintained, may also be used at times in support of the NFMMDP, which will also be of concern for the county. The county requests the EA acknowledge and address any impact of the project on these roads, even if the ultimate use will be limited. Wildfire and emergency preparedness. The board stresses that all measures necessary to minimize wildfire hazards due to the proposed operations be imposed through the approval of the plan. This is an area with private property and where mutual support by county emergency resources and fire districts would be available, utilized and expected. Recreation and tourism. The areas around the project on both Forest Service and BLM lands are key recre-
ational areas on the eastern side of Grand Mesa, served by the county and its towns. The county emphasizes the need to provide for minimal interruption and delays on Forest Service roads during development under the plan. Any negative impact on recreation or on tourists is of major concern as that impact extends beyond the unit boundaries and into the surrounding economy of Delta County. Air quality, soils and erosion. Delta County stresses the need for adequate measures in the EA to curb any degradation to the soils, and run off or dust-related issues, tied to operations during normal and heavy weather conditions. and Socio-economic cultural resources. Delta County recognizes the socioeconomic benefits of energy development to our nation and our communities. It is also understood that such development impacts other important economic sectors in our communities, such as recreation and tourism. All such impacts should be addressed. NORTH FORK TO A3
Charges dropped
Public hearing scheduled
Primary election
Charges have been dropped against Robert “Bob” Neirinckx of Delta, with prejudice. Neirinckx was charged with manslaughter, a class 4 felony, following the death of John Spinelli on Friday, June 1. Neirinckx was apparently attempting to restrain Spinelli, holding him on the ground until law enforcement could arrive, when Spinelli died. According to Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee, the charges were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they can be refiled once the sheriff’s investigation has been completed.
A public hearing will be held Monday, June 25, at 1:30 p.m. to consider a proposal for the North Fork Ambulance Health Service District. If the service plan is approved by the Delta County Commissioners, the question of organization of the North Fork Ambulance Health District will be presented to voters in the November election. Voters will be asked to approve a maximum levy of 5.75 mills to fund ambulance services to an area encompassing 1,550 square miles. The service plan and a description of district boundaries can be found at www.deltacounty.com. The hearing will be conducted in Room 236 of the Delta County Courthouse, 501 Palmer St.
The polling center in the Delta County Courthouse will be open Saturday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for voters who wish to vote in person. The polling center will also be open Election Day (Tuesday, June 26) from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Regular business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can find 24hour mail dropoff locations outside the courthouse, at the North Fork Annex, 196 W. Hotchkiss Avenue in Hotchkiss, and at the Cedaredge Library.