Delta County Independent, Sept. 5 2018 by Delta County Independent

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

VICTIM OF WEST NILE

POPS IN THE PARK

Memorial service planned this Friday for Ed Marston, B1

SPORTS

Valley Symphony kicks off 48th season with free concert, C1

DELTA COUNTY

DELTA ROUTS THORNTON Panther victory raises the bar for football coach Ben Johnson, B6

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 36

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Hemp acreage grows by leaps and bounds BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

According to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the regulatory agency for the cultivation of industrial hemp, nearly 1,200 acres have been registered for the growth of hemp in Delta County. An additional 104,282 square feet of indoor space is registered for hemp. Ty Odle, Western Slope Extractions, reports that acreage might have been higher had growers not faced the uncertainty of water to irrigate their crops this year. “The drought kept quite a few people from growing, knowing they would likely run out of water early,” Odle said. Located on Rogers Mesa, Western Slope Extractions is one of several hemp processing facilities in Delta County. Odle started his business a year and a half ago with the goal of providing a local option for growers looking for someone to extract CBD oil from their hemp. “There’s a lot more hemp being grown this year ... a lot more than last year, and I think it’s here to stay. The demand for CBD products is growing fast.” So fast, Odle says, he and his three employees could be selling more oil to clients who are looking for large quantities.

Mike Mason counts himself as one of the growers who is still learning and expects to keep learning as the hemp industry changes “before our very eyes.” “The demand for CBD oil is through the roof,” Mason said. “The processors can’t get enough.” He said he’s been visited by a processor from the Front Range, and from California investors who would like to help him expand his operation. But he’s content to grow his operation slowly, learning as he goes and keeping risk at a minimum. “If you want to do this, do an acre,” he recommends. “That’s more than enough to get your feet wet. Learn with that before you commit to 40 acres.” Mason said five acres is as large as he’s willing to go, due largely to the cost of plants but also taking into account how labor intensive hemp can be. He said he wound up pulling weeds by hand, so next

He explains there are two sides to hemp. The first is fiber, for which farmers need to grow hundreds of acres. Because hemp can be labor intensive, no one in Delta County is into that kind of volume yet, he said. Then there are the high CBD strains used to produce salves, tinctures and gel caps. Harvest will be ramping up throughout the month of September, with the peak occurring in October. Odle explains the hemp is harvested by hand, after the grower has verified the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration does not exceed threetenths of one percent (0.3%) on a dry weight basis. After the plants are harvested, they’re dried and stripped of the buds and leaves, which are sent to a processing facility like Odle’s. Some processors buy the product outright; others do a split, meaning they keep a portion of the oil in exchange for their services. Most new growers — meaning most of the folks Odle works with — don’t have the contacts to sell their oil once it’s been extracted, so he helps with that aspect as well. He also provides a “white label” program, making retail products for the growers to sell themselves.

year he’ll be looking for an easier option. Some growers lay down plastic in the rows between plants, but he’s seen the wind pick up the plastic, along with the drip system, and whip it around through the plants. While hemp can be very hardy, there are big risks. Seeds are hard to come by and may have unknown THC levels; clones can run $5 apiece. You can put too much nitrogen on your plants and wind up killing them. When it comes to finding someone to refine your product, you have to find a reputable handler. “There are definitely risks involved,” Mason said, “but the biggest is keeping the right THC balance.” He and other growers would like to see the THC level raised to 1 percent. “Then almost all varieties would pass and we wouldn’t have to harvest early,” Mason said, explaining that the higher the THC, the higher the level of CBD oil. There’s currently a lot of research going into plant vari-

eties, with the goal of keeping the THC low while maximizing the CBD levels. The latest thing from Oregon is a variety known as “cherry wine,” a variety that Mason plans to start indoors over the winter. “There’s a whole lot of energy going into hemp, and what you can do with it,” he said. So why is CBD oil in such high demand? “It’s growing by leaps and bounds because it’s so effective,” Mason said. “My personal experience is having had stage four renal cell caricinoma. The oncologist prescribed narcotics for the intense pain. CBD oil allowed me to reduce the amount of narcotics to control the pain.” CBD oil is also touted as an effective treatment for anxiety and depression, inflammation from arthritis, sleep disorders ... even acne (healthline.com). “There has to be something to it or the demand would not have skyrocketed,” Mason said. “And all of this is without massive advertising campaigns, just word of mouth.”

Oil/gas working group begins with education BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

The Delta County oil and gas working group was formed as an outgrowth of revision of the Master Plan. A working group for concentrated animal feed operation was created at the same time. The working groups will research and develop recommendations for enforceable standards to be incorporated into the county’s land use regulations. At the first meeting of the O&G WG in June, Elyse Casselberry, county community and economic development director, and group facilitator, explained that the group would concentrate on understanding the engineering processes of oil and gas, discuss risks associated with the processes, and seek to understand the oil and gas industry’s perspective and individual operator’s perspective. The group will discuss the economics of drilling in the Upper North Fork and also the risks involved. “We will have honest discussions about all these issues,” Casselbery said. “Our goal will be to come to consensus on the collective knowledge we’ve gained as a group for the benefit of the Board of County Commissioners’ decision-making process regarding oil and gas.” As meetings occurred, Casselberry gained agreement for the definition of consensus,

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Back Page .................... D6 Business .......................A10 Church ............................C6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ..................... A8 School Zone .................. A6 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports ..........................B5-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4

which includes all the members working to support the outcome of the group’s work and not blocking or obstructing the decision or its implementation. “We can all rally behind the decision and help move it forward,” she said. The members of the O&G WG are: Alex Johnson, an environmental partner; Shane Sobtka, NGO/education partner; Wendell Koontz, representing industry; Mike Cleary, representing industry; Natasha Leger, environmental partner; Mark Waltermire, mineral owner and concerned resident; Mike Ludlow, industry, Oxbow Mining, and a member of the North Fork Coal Mine Methane Working Group. At the July 16 meeting of O&G WG, a list of “common themes” was compiled based on members’ priorities as indicated by numbers: identify risks, 172 points; understand roles and responsibilities, 112 points; identify solutions, 83 points; build trust, 83 points; fact-based consensus process, 45 points; education of working group, 35 points; and regulatory vs. policy distinction, 14 points. The risks identified were water; trucks and transportation safety; regulatory gaps; accidents; the need to work on interaction and expectations with Gunnison County; OIL/GAS TO A3

BHRC closes Friday

Photo submitted

Mike Mason said his ﬁrst year of growing hemp has been a “huge learning curve.” Given the learning curve and the drought, Mason said he’s very glad he started with just one acre. Ty Odle, Western Slope Extractions, says he spends a lot of time with ﬁrst timers, meeting and discussing options for growing hemp in Delta County.

McKee joins sheriffs in call for action on immigration reform Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee has been invited to Washington D.C. on Wednesday, Sept. 5, to meet with White House officials on illegal immigration matters, and to urge Congress to act on pending legislation to increase border security. Sheriff McKee will join almost 50 other sheriffs from across the country as a united group of elected law enforcement officers at a media event on Capitol Hill on Wednesday morning. Joined by some members of Congress, this group of sheriffs will share its experiences and public safety challenges associated with illegal aliens, and call on Congress to act on pending legislation to increase border security and reform the immi-

Bill Heddles Recreation Center will be closed Friday, Sept. 7, for maintenance. The entire facility will re-open Saturday with normal operating hours. Renee Ealey, recreation center manager, reports, “Our goal for this year’s maintenance is to get the high duct work and beams deep cleaned, finish the LED pool lighting retrofit, repaint parking lot lines, plumbing repairs that require shut offs and deep carpet cleaning among other things. Due to budget constraints, some of our normal wood flooring refinishes and painting projects have been scheduled for a future date.”

gration system. On Wednesday afternoon, the sheriffs will participate in a roundtable discussion at the White House with administration officials and policymakers. Hosted by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, the round table will focus on immigration, border security and efforts by some elected officials to prevent the critical collaboration of local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. These partnerships maximize law enforcement’s potential to identify criminals in communities and remove them from neighborhoods. “The purpose of this visit is to express the need for Congress to pass legislation on the security aspects of immi-

gration reform, as a group of sheriffs we hope to impress on Congress that their failure to deal with this issue has made our communities less safe. “During our visit to the White House, we will discuss the challenges we face as a result of the ongoing Congressional stalemate, strategies to more easily identify criminal illegal aliens, and explore ways to expand and protect our valuable and critically important relationships with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners,” said Sheriff McKee. “We will also take the opportunity to express and thank President Trump and his administration for re-establishing law enforcement’s footing to enforce our laws.”

Crawford Area Indivisible to host debate Crawford Area Indivisible, a non-partisan, grassroots organization which promotes liberty and justice for all, has invited both Republican Congressman Scott Tipton and Democratic nominee Diane Mitsch Bush to participate in a debate for the people of Delta County and the surrounding areas. Mitsch Bush has accepted the invitation; Tipton’s campaign has not responded to multiple emails and phone messages. The debate is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 9, at 3 p.m. at Hotchkiss High School. The contest is for representation in the U.S. Congress of Colorado’s Congressional District 3, which includes the Western Slope. Mitsch Bush said, “I welcome the opportunity to debate the issues with Congressman Tipton. People deserve to hear directly from the candidates that are running to be their employees. However, if Mr. Tipton is not willing to attend I’m more than happy to have a Town Hall type meeting so we can all discuss the issues.” Tipton has been in Congress for four terms. Mitsh Bush is a former two-term Routt County commissioner and a former three-term Colorado state representative.

A2 Wednesday, September 5, 2018

OPINION

LETTERS

It’s time to face the truth of climate change

Facts, not fear, show benefits of legal marijuana Dear Editor: Delta residents will likely vote on legalizing the sale, cultivation, and production of marijuana within city limits. And the prohibitionists are going to do their best to scare you into voting against it. They are going to tell you that it is a “gateway drug,” while ignoring the fact that Colorado is currently an outlier in the national opioid crisis. Opioid abuse in Colorado is declining because of legal access to a safer alternatives for painkillers. They are going to tell you crime is going to go up, while ignoring the overall reduction in crime not just in Colorado but also in other states that

have fully or partially legalized sales. They are going to claim that your children are at risk, when in fact adolescent use of marijuana has actually decreased in Colorado. Also, if you teach your children to be responsible — pretty much like you are expected to do with sex, alcohol, and other adult-oriented topics — chances are strong that they will be fine. They are going to tell you that it is going to cost the city more than the money they generate from it, while ignoring the budget surpluses and increased revenue for municipalities like Ridgway, Palisade, or DeBeque where sales were legalized.

They will cite “research” conducted by questionable sources — sources like the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a federally funded police association with an admitted anti-marijuana bias that publishes figures not supported by any peer reviewed journals. Whatever you do, please stick to the facts and don’t allow fear to decide for you. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/Facts NotFearDelta. Also, if you need sources for the claims stated in this, feel free to email me at jstooksberry@gmail. com. Jay Stooksberry Delta

The revenue from marijuana isn’t worth it Dear Editor: Nathan Clay, Kevin Carlson and Chris Ryan want to put marijuana on the November ballot in order to generate revenue by legalizing it within “OUR” city limits. Asinine was the word councilman Kevin Carlson used in response or should I say reaction to a question posed by Orval Proctor in an open forum discussion at town hall on Aug. 28. The question that Carlson was reacting to was, “Have you thought about your own kid?” As a parent Proctor, who lost a son to addiction, was trying to tell Carlson that his children are just as vulnerable as any other. The data that the state has published shows that the effects of marijuana does not discriminate between the kids of a council member or a state’s governor for that matter. I don’t think Proctor’s state-

ment was asinine but I do think Carlson’s was. Webster’s definition of asinine: “obstinate, stupid,” “literally ‘like an ass.’ As the conversation continued councilman Clay appeared to be giving a lesson to Orval Proctor (a successful business owner of Delta for over 40 years) on how business has not worked in Delta and how Delta isn’t great. I guess his thinking of selling marijuana on the streets of Delta will make us great again. Mr Proctor in another statement directed at Councilman Clay said that he had lost his son to addiction. Councilman Clay responded with, “That was before it was legal.” Clay seemed rather obstinate to Mr. Proctor’s point of view and certainly not very sensitive to the death of his son. Whether it’s legal or illegal the fact is it’s a lot easier for our children to

get pot since it was made legal. In a survey done by our school district in January 2018, 1,002 kids were asked would it be sort of easy or very easy to get marijuana if they wanted it. The response: 21.7 perent of female and 19.1 percent of males say its easy or very easy to get marijuana. Remember it’s illegal for school age kids to have pot or THC of any kind Just a mention, Councilman Ryan remained silent throughout the back an forth. So what is the cost to get revenue for our parks from selling dope. Let’s just say our parks aren’t worth the cost of our children. It’s called blood money and to put it on the ballot is just “asinine.” Trust me I have been a mental health and addiction recovery counselor for years. Scott Schaible Delta

Allocated funds should be spent or given back Dear Editor: Last week, administrator Robbie LeValley kicked off the county’s 2019 budget process with a fact-sheet and slide presentation to commissioners and department heads. To some of the points made during the presentation: Administrator LeValley began the discussion with an overview of the current economic climate and included a few historical numbers. On several occasions she mentioned that the county’s overall income growth is “relatively flat.” Her historical graph of sales and property tax, however, showed growth of more than 15 percent since 2009 and more than 5 percent growth in 2017 — this is anything but flat. While I appreciate a certain level of caution on the part of Delta County where taxpayer money is concerned, the economy is clearly trending upward. Fueling the impression of a poor and downtrodden county is self-destructive and has led to austerity measures that have forced the people of Delta County to go without even when funds exist. Next, Administrator LeValley addressed the looming question about county reserves. According to a fact-sheet provided at the meeting, the county currently holds $18.7 million in reserve. For the first time, we were shown how the various funds break down into three spending categories: Restricted, those funds whose spending is dictated by law; Committed and Assigned, funds that are voter approved, have state requirements, or are earmarked for specific activities; and Unrestricted, funds kept “in savings” for expenditures that have not already

been budgeted. I have made the argument that the county is, essentially, sitting on more than half of its budget. Administrator LeValley attempted to explain my “misunderstanding of the county budget” using the above category definitions saying that the $6.2 million in unrestricted funds currently held by the county only equates to 28 percent of the county budget rather than the 53 percent — or $18.7 million in total reserves — that I have asserted. The county has failed to fully address issues surrounding reserves. The county has a 25 percent unrestricted “savings” account which currently adds up to $6.2 million. Mesa County, with a much larger inventory of infrastructure, maintains a 20 percent reserve by policy. This means that Delta County is holding 8 percent more in unrestricted reserves than the largest city on the Western Slope — that’s almost half a million dollars in excess savings. The county must address it’s reasoning and explain why these higher reserves are required. Equally important is the $12.5 million in reserves in the other spending accounts, which brings me to my point. By the county’s own definition, these funds — restricted and committed/assigned — are all allocated to be spent or used to transfer revenues where needed. In other words, these funds are allocated with the intention that they will be used for some purpose. Having large reserves in these accounts at the end of each year is the real issue at hand. If the county already maintains unrestricted funds “to cover shortterm operations, natural

Delta County Independent

disasters, volatile revenue sources, potential state cuts,” etc., as stated by the Government Finance Officers Association, then why do the allocated accounts maintain a reserve at all? Bottom line forced austerity is self-destructive to the county. Restricted, committed and assigned funds, by their very nature, should have little to no reserve at the end of the year. In a county with minimal services, poor roads and few amenities, it is fiscally irresponsible for to hold almost half of the budget only to have the money be eaten away by inflation while languishing in zero-to-low interest-bearing accounts. Further, it’s disingenuous to tell constituents, year-afteryear, that while funds were allocated, they were not spent and therefore roll into the next fiscal budget. When this continues to happen, as it has for at least a decade, these funds became tantamount to one large slush fund. Commissioners, now is the time to rethink your budget policies. Now is the time to tell your constituents exactly how you plan to spend their hardearned money. And, if you don’t intend to provide a detailed plan, then maybe now is the time to give the money back. JoAnn Kalenak Hotchkiss

Letter to the Editor Policy The Delta County Independent welcomes letters on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address and telephone number (not for publication), and must be signed by the author. Letters may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy. E-mail:editor@ deltacountyindependent.com

Dear Editor: September looks to be a month when energy and climate change due to human-caused global warming is on a lot of minds locally. Here in the North Fork there are multiple events coming up dealing with climate change, energy transition updates and modernization, and concern about natural gas development in our area. On Sept. 8 there will be a Rise for Climate Action Rally at Paonia Town Park from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or so. The following Sunday there will be a Rally for the Valley event held at Delicious Orchards at Paonia concerning proposed gas and oil development/leasing, and then to cap off the month, on Sept. 17-18, there will be the second annual ENGAGE Energy Conference at the Energy Tech Center in Paonia. In the meantime, local, regional and national politicians seem divided between accepting the facts of science as we best can assess them, and holding on to willful ignorance. One glaring example of the latter comes in the form of a letter in the DCI last week from State Senate candidate, Mike Mason. Mason begins, in response to a previous letter by environmental activist Pete Kolbenschlag, by correctly stating that we have had worse single worst years in the midst of droughts, as judged by snowpack levels, citing 1977 and 1934 and then mentioning the drought that may

have forced the Anasazi to move to other areas. This is cherry picking data to support what is the most popular climate science denier point, “The climate is always changing and always will, so the change now is probably natural.” Yes, for the history of the earth climates have not been particularly stable and even over the last 12,000 years of the Holocene, we have had ups and downs but we also always have maintained enough of an average for human civilization to develop and maintain agriculture and cities, and those sea ports. And for the last 800,000 to possibly several million years, even through a series of ice ages and inter-glaciations, the amount of energy absorbing C02 in the atmosphere has stayed within a steady range of between about 150 to 280 ppm. We are now well out of that range due to the burning of sequestered carbon from fossil fuels, agriculture, deforestation, cement manufacturing and other human actions. Then, Mason moves from choosing misleading facts, to conspiracy theories like claiming that sea level rise data and predictions have been “misrepresented for political purposes.” Again, he mixes half-fact in with fiction like saying that “sea levels have been rising since the end of the last ice age.” That is false. They rose very rapidly at the end of the last ice age for the obvious reason, melting ice,

It’s no time to mince words Dear Editor: Mike Mason’s letter (DCI 8/29) about climate change was more than a little disturbing because this is a man who aspires to represent 80,000 Colorado citizens in the state legislature. It’s one thing to muse wistfully on one’s fanciful ideology while aging gracefully on one’s 300-acre ranch, but the rest of us need to deal with facts and reality. The debate over the reality of climate change is settled. It’s over. The remaining question scientists struggle with is not if, but how badly climate change will

affect our lives and those of our children and grandchildren. A person who willfully denies the worldwide consensus of climate scientists which is based on 40 years of intensive study is not really qualified for leadership, is he? By electing leaders who will support clean energy now, we may not prevent climate change, but we can hope to mitigate its harmful effects. I apologize for getting emotional, but this is too critical an issue to mince words about. Dick Gilmore Delta

but they reached a rough equilibrium for many centuries as evidenced by where sea ports and other infrastructure were placed as civilization began to develop. Conservative, best-science estimates now predict sea level rises of between 3 and 6 feet by the end of this century, which would indeed pose serious challenges to Miami and other low-lying areas. Then, Mason brings up another misleading denier point of CO2 being good for plants. Yes, it is if adequate water and nutrients are also present. Minus one of those and you have a 2018 Delta County hayfield in late August. CO2 is only a negative when there is too much of it, which adds too much energy, too rapidly to the earth system. Then you get too-rapid climate change. Recap — Climate Science 101: 1. The Earth is warming; 2. It’s humans; 3. Science is sure; 4. This is bad; and 5. We can fix it. And 6. Science deniers like Mr. Mason are doing real damage in trying to slow down the needed transition. Please reject Mike Mason’s willful ignorance of science and consider a vote for his opponent, Senator Kerry Donovan, who supports a thoughtful, reasonable transition to renewable energy. Thomas Wills Hotchkiss

Delta is blessed to have caring first responders Dear Editor: Hats off to Delta’s first responders — dispatchers, police officers and EMTs. Their quick response to an emergency situation very early Wednesday, Aug. 22, displayed very caring and professional actions that are much appreciated. I am sure that the young man involved and his family are very grateful as well. Delta is very blessed to have such professional and caring first responders. Lowell Rogers Delta

Law enforcement blotter The Delta Police Department blotter was not provided this week. From the Delta County Sheriff’s Office (partial list): Aug. 27: A Crawford resident reported a neighbor’s pit bull came over the fence to attack her dog. An investigation was opened into an alleged case of financial exploitation involving an 88-year-old Cedaredge man. Aug. 28: An Austin resident reported a suspicious telephone call regarding a Verizon account that had been set up in her name. Another Austin resident reported credit card fraud by skimming. Deputies assisted a mental health provider with a welfare check in the Cedaredge area. A $40 gas skip was reported by Cory Stop ‘n Save. Deputies reviewed video footage to determine the vehicle involved was a silver 2006 Chevy HHR with a dent in the back. A burglary and vehicle theft was reported from a home on Ute Trail Road north of Cedaredge. There was no sign of forced entry. On Sept. 1, the Olathe Police Department recovered the vehicle, a 2003 gray Dodge Dakota, at the intersection of Main and SW 4th. The vehicle was towed to a secured lot to be processed. Olathe officers are reviewing video footage from nearby businesses. A REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately) report was called in by a motorist following a modified school bus that was swerving and crossing the yellow line on Highway 92. The vehicle was later contacted at a gas station in Hotchkiss by town officers. The driver said the bus was swerving because a passenger was trying to fight with him. The marshal’s office allowed the driver to move the bus to the fairgrounds

until he was able to update the expired registration on the vehicle. Aug. 29: An Eckert resident called concerning a vehicle that had been abandoned on his property. A Paonia resident reported numerous calls from a family member despite a restraining order. Aug. 30: A break-in was reported at an office on Graff Road. Several guns were stolen. Deputies investigated a report of an 87-year-old Cedaredge man sending sums of money totaling $3,000 to a party in Baltimore, Md. Deputies detained a 37year-old Hotchkiss woman on an M-1 hold. Johnny Wilson, 63, of Delta was jailed for driving under the influence of alcohol after a two-vehicle non-injury accident near the Shell Station on Highway 65. The Colorado State Patrol handled the investigation. A Cedaredge area woman reported that an unknown female was attempting to open bank accounts using her address. Deputies are seeking a warrant for the arrest of Michael Lancaster on charges of criminal mischief. Lancaster allegedly took a bat to a vehicle at a residence on Highway 65. Sept. 1: Sheriff’s deputies and Hotchkiss firefighters assisted the Colorado State Patrol with an accident near 29480 Highway 92 shortly after 8 a.m. An SUV reportedly rolled 50 feet down an embankment. One individual was out of the vehicle, but several passengers required assistance. The Colorado State Patrol handled the investigation. A Paonia area resident reported a hit-and-run accident involving a van parked at his home A complaint was received concerning the illegal burning of trash at a location along Highway 65 in Eckert.

Deputies responded to a one-vehicle accident on Highway 50, mile marker 54, at about 1:40 p.m. The driver, the only occupant of the vehicle, was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The Colorado State Patrol handled the investigation. The theft of a calf was reported from a pasture on Highway 348 outside of Delta. The black bull calf was not branded or ear tagged. A man living on Back River Road reported he’d shot a neighbor’s dog with a pellet gun because it was in his yard barking. It had previously bit his wife. Sept. 2: Ruben Moore, 48, of Austin, was charged with criminal mischief after breaking out the window of a moving vehicle. A Cedaredge area man reported he’d found a green six-wheel ATV hidden behind a brush pile on his property on Cedar Mesa Road. Deputies responded to the hospital emergency room where a 6-year-old boy was receiving treatment for injuries he suffered in a dirt bike accident in the ‘dobies near Devil’s Thumb.

DELTA COUNTY

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LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

County begins 2019 budget with rebounding economy BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

On Aug. 30, county administrator Robbie LeValley met with department directors to begin the process of formulating the county’s 2019 budget. The county commissioners were also in attendance. The county’s budget

consists of multiple funds and different revenue sources to provide funding for the many county departments. The major county funds are General Fund, Human Services Fund, Road and Bridge Fund and Capital Improvements Fund. The county has 13 smaller funds, such as Economic Development, Self Insurance and Fairgrounds. The county has two enterprise funds, Landfill Operations Fund and E911 Fund which are supported by user fees.

LeValley said, “As the county heads into the 2019 budget process the economy in Delta County is moving toward the positive. Sales tax revenues are up, new construction has increased around the county, and the county’s population is beginning to rebound. “In 2015 the county’s population was 29,973, down from a peak of 30,889. In 2017 the county’s population rebounded to 30,578. We still have challenges though; property tax revenues con-

City reconsiders public safety tax

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BY PAT SUNDERLAND

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Managing Editor

The Delta City Council is backing off a 0.5 percent sales tax increase to be dedicated to public safety, but continues to weigh whether to ask voters for a tax increase for parks, recreation and golf. The city council is also trying to determine the best time to pose questions about the cultivation and retail sale of marijuana. All ballot questions were expected to be finalized at the council’s Sept. 4 meeting. The council previously discussed a percent sales tax increase to be divided between public safety and parks. Then word came from county officials that they would like to sit down with all municipalities and discuss public safety needs countywide. According to city staff, the county is concerned a city sales tax question could undermine that effort. When asked for input, DPD Chief Luke Fedler said his department could certainly use financial support, because his department is busier than ever. But the sales tax question came up so quickly, he said he doesn’t feel he’s had time to come up with a solid game plan for the additional revenue. Without facts in hand, he believes it would be difficult to get voters to support a ballot measure in November. The parks department, however, has already been gathering input from citizens and is ready to proceed. Wilma Erven, department director, added that those citizens don’t believe the sales tax increase should sunset in 10 years, as outlined in an early draft of the ballot question. Currently, one cent of the city’s three-cent sales tax goes to parks, recreation and golf. “We

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CBI looks into death of Cedaredge resident Because the Cedaredge Police Department does not have a fulltime detective on staff, a death deemed suspicious has been turned over to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. “We just wanted to make sure we didn’t miss something,” said CPD Chief Dan Sanders, who declined to comment any further. The investigation was launched Aug. 30 and reportedly involved a male living in a house on SW 5th Street, near Cedaredge Town Park. Neighbors observed crime scene tape and numerous bags believed to contain evidence.

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can not continue to support parks and recreation on one penny,” she told council. The marijuana questions also continue to be debated, sometimes with heated exchanges between council members and members of the public attending the council sessions.

tinue to decline because of the Gallagher Amendment.” LeValley noted that in 2017 Delta County spent just over $22 million and collected $23 million in revenues from taxes, state and federal payments, and user fees. “The county is on track to spend a similar amount in 2918,” LeValley said. As of the end of 2017, the fund balances for all Delta County governmental funds totaled $18.7 million. This fund balance is broken into four categories: Restricted: Funds cannot be spent except in accordance with state law. Committed: Funds can only be spent for specific purposes as approved by the voters, state, or county. Assigned: Funds that are for specific purposes, but not formally committed. Unrestricted: That portion of the county’s “savings account” which is not restricted, committed or assigned. LeValley said, “Out

Oil/gas FROM PAGE A1 who absorbs damages to community or adjacent property; understanding where potential for development really exists; how Delta County can weigh in on oil and gas leasing. The O&G WG decided to begin with an education process to enable members to understand oil and gas regulations at the federal, state and local processes. Over several meetings the O&G WG heard from a number of resources, including Jeff Robins, an attorney based in Durango, who was appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper to serve on the 2016 Oil & Gas Task Force. Several officials from Bureau of Land Management came to work with the group. This group included Greg Larson, field manager of the Uncompahgre Field Office in Montrose; Alan Crocket, supervisor of natural resources specialists from the Colorado River Valley Field Office; and Brady Owens, Larson’s assistant field manager. On Aug. 1, the working group heard from Mike Ludlow, a mining engineer who works for Oxbox Mining and has lived in the North Fork for seven years. Ludlow lived in Routt County 33 years, an area well known for oil and gas activity. (Eric Sanford, SG Interests, was a member of the O&G WG at the time of this meeting. Sanford later resigned from the O&G WG and Mike

Ludlow was appointed to the open position.) Mark Mortin also met with the O&G WG on Aug. 1. Mortin is local government liaison with Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Mortin manages the local government designee (LGD) program for the state. The LGD program is available to counties, municipalities and special districts and affords them various rights, opportunities and work depending on how active they are. Mortin said Tony Vervolet, Delta County’s local government designee, suggested Mortin come to the meeting to answer questions on COGCC rules and processes. Mortin said, “There are numerous ways that local governments can intersect with the well permitting and location permitting processes, lots of public involvement opportunities. About 55 of the 64 Colorado counties do participate and the ones that don’t basically don’t have any oil and gas in their county.” Other experts with oil and gas knowledge will be meeting with the O&G WG as their meetings progress. County staff for the working group include Casselberry; Vervolet; Robbie LeValley, county administrator; and staff members from Delta County Health Department. For further information, contact Casselberry at ecasselberry@ deltacounty.com.

leases on equipment and vehicles, but the county has no long-term debt obligations.” direcDepartment tors will be meeting with LeValley and accounting director Margaret Davey in the upcoming weeks in preparing their portion of the Delta County 2019 budget.

of the $18.7 million in fund balance the county has, 28 percent is currently unrestricted, just above the county’s policy of maintaining at least 25 percent fund balance.” Of the county’s $18.7 million fund balance, approximately 5 percent is restricted by state law: Contingency Fund — TABOR emergency, $525,000. Conservation Trust Fund — Lottery proceeds, $529,489. Total restricted — $1,054,489. LeValley said, “One of the long-standing goals of the county is to avoid taking on debt. Delta County does have short term

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A4 Wednesday, September 5, 2018

ACCENT

Delta County Independent

Summer speech camp helps kids advance skills The age old adage “it takes a village to raise a child” is demonstrated clearly in Delta when an investment of six weeks over a summer, nets each child participating in a six-week speech camp from six to 12 month advances in their cognitive skills and language skills.

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Jason Cleckler, CEO of Delta County Memorial Hospital, and Paula Ravesky, rehabilitation manager, bought into the concept and took a chance on a dream of the Delta community coming together to help children with speech and language delays. The children from ages two to 13 were invited, encouraged and nourished the team of Angela Fedler, coordinator of Delta County School District early childhood/ family resources and executive director for Delta Family Center who provided a location and structure; Delta County Memorial Hospital’s speech therapist Sandy York; and Bobbie Brewer, who works for the hospital as a rehabilitation

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technical aide and in a dual role for the school district as a speech language pathology assistant. The speech professionals worked closely together to develop curriculum and work with the children in small groups four times a week for six weeks. Angela Fedler’s daughter, Talyn, age 18 and a former speech camp participant, assisted as a role model and teen volunteer. A Colorado research study determined that the best outcomes from working with children to progress their cognitive and language skills is to consistently work with them four days a week for six weeks. The summer speech camp qualifies for insurance coverage through private insurance or Medicaid. Insurance usually covers 24 visits for a summer interim program. Over 50 parents expressed interest, but the summer speech camp had to be capped at 40 total as the speech professionals could simply not work with more than 40 children each day. When a child is born, whether at hospitals in Delta, Montrose, Grand Junction’s community, or placed into the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at St. Mary’s, babies are immediately assessed for needs. Those children identified as high risk infants can enter into Part C with an Infant Family Service Plan (IFSP), which is home based. Infants from birth to age three begin to receive extra attention from groups such as Child Find, Community Options and Delta-Montrose Home Health. Children ages three and four may participate in Delta Backpack Early Learning Academy (BELA) at the Delta Family Center as a preschool through the Delta County school system. The summer speech camp has been in place for approximately eight years with the Delta hos-

“Coco” featured Mexico, songs, dance, food and festivals; “Tango” featured Germany, the polka and cultural aspects; “Princess and the Frog” featured Louisiana, the food and Mardi Gras; “Moulan” featured China and “Moana” featured Hawaii. Snippets of each movie were shown and then comprehensive questions were asked of the children which focused on fun, learning and developing social skills at each age level. Sandy York and Bobbie Brewer led each of the classes, set goals and kept progress notes on each child, using the Colorado Department of Education standards for children in each age group and what skill sets they should be able to demonstrate by the completion of the speech classes. As anyone can witness from the photos or sitting in on a class or two, the speech language instructors have as much fun as each child who is learning, laughing and growing in cognitive and language skills. The Delta village helping raise these children are clearly Photo submitted making a difference in Songs, singing and movement were included in a the lives of area children summer camp program to help children improve with the summer speech camp. speech and language skills. pital joining the team two years ago. The theme for this year’s summer speech camp was “The songs we sing and moves we make”

Library, veterans organizations team up to help deployed troops

Lee Marts Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3571, its auxiliary, Harry A. White American Legion Post 65, its ladies auxiliary, and the Delta Library are working together again to help provide deployed active duty military men and women with “goodie boxes” from home. This joint project, dubbed Operation Troop Bounty, provides a way for community members to provide active duty military personnel with such useful and appreciated things as travel-size toiletries, snacks (nonchocolate cookies, jerky, crackers, etc.), books, hard candy, individual packets of “baby wipes,” packaged individual drinks (coffee, tea, cocoa, etc.), puzzles, combs, and more! There will be a complete list at the Delta Library or you Bill Heddles Recre- can call auxiliary presiation Center is hosting dent Della Ware at 872an American Red Cross 3327 or chairperson Jencommunity CPR/AED and first aid class Saturday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You must Butterflies to register and pay the $85 fee three days prior to the be released start of the class. For more information, for those lost call 874-0923.

nifer Wright at 640-7720. So many simple little things can mean so much in the middle of nowhere, thousands of miles from home. Items donated at the Delta Library during the month of September will be collected, packaged and shipped overseas by members of the posts and the auxiliaries to deployed individuals who share the bounty with their comrades. Local GIs always take the number one priority of the local post, so if you have loved ones deployed

in harm’s way overseas, give the Delta Library staff at 874-9630 or Jennifer Wright at 640-7720 a name and address.

BIRTHS Tyler Hardin and Amber Simineo of Hotchkiss are the parents of a son, Hendrix Shane Hardin, born Aug. 30, 2018, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. He weighed 6 pounds, 13.2 ounces and was 19 inches in length.

Learn CPR and first aid

to suicide

A “Let Your Love Fly” butterfly release for loved ones lost to suicide will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at Cerise Park in Montrose. If you have lost someone to suicide, please come release a butterfly to remember them and to heal with other people who have lost someone to suicide. For more information please contact Heather at the Center for Mental Health at 970-252-3228 or hdarbe@centermh.org.

Advanced care planning seminar to be offered

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featuring G-rated Disney movies. Songs, singing and movement are part of the curriculum featuring different countries and cultures. The movie

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Learn the difference between a living will and an advanced directive at an advanced care planning for a one hour seminar on Friday, Sept. 14, from 11:30 to 12:30 in Mesa Lake classroom in the Oncology Building, Delta County Memorial Hospital campus. The speaker is Regina M. Fink, PhD, associate professor at the University of Colorado College of Nursing and the School of Medicine. Seating is limited; please RSVP to Paula Carter at 8742298.

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Caring community

Thank you to all who voted for Food For Thought during the 10 days of the State Farm Neighborhood Assist $25,000 grant opportunity. The announcement of grant winners will be made by State Farm at 7 a.m. Sept. 25. “Thank you to all the businesses who donated to help increase our voting. Our community cares about its kids!” said Willyn Webb, director of the Vision Charter Academy. Pictured is Ernestine Ware, winner of the Taco Time gift cards.

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LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

DPD: Don’t become a victim of fraud BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

On your phone ... at your computer ... through the mail ... predators look for every opportunity to trick you into giving up your money or personal information. Delta Police Officer Nick Buffington recently identified the scams most frequently reported by Delta citizens. 1) The IRS scam. You get a call from someone claiming to be a federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent and he is seeking immediate payment of taxes he claims you owe. According to Stop Fraud Colorado, the phony agents use intimidation tactics such as threats of arrest, liens on property, deportation, or driver’s license revocation to scare consumers into making payments or disclosing personal information. The imposters often have just enough personal information to convince a taxpayer they are legitimate. A variation on this scam involves scam artists saying they have your tax return, and they just need to verify a few details to process your return. The scam tries to get you to give up personal information such as a Social Security number or personal finan-

cial information, such as bank numbers or credit cards. You may see an official looking number on your caller ID, but authorities believe many of these phony calls originate in India and other foreign countries. According to the IRS, it will never call you to demand immediate payment or require that you pay your taxes a certain way, such as with a wire transfer or prepaid money card. 2) Lottery scam. Great news! You’ve just won a vehicle or a cash prize. But in order to claim your winnings, you’re asked to pay a fee or taxes. Officer Buffington said payment often takes the form of prepaid gift cards. Two of the more popular methods of payment are iTunes and Amazon gift cards. 3) Arrest warrant. Victims are caught off guard with the unexpected threat of arrest and may be quick with personal information or money to defuse the situation. Whether the caller claims you’ve missed jury duty or failed to appear in court, it’s important to remember that officers of the court, police officers and other government representatives will never ask for personal information over the phone.

4) Facebook. Predators create fake accounts using the names of friends, then send a private message requesting financial assistance, often in connection to a grant. 5) Grandparent scam. You receive a call or an email, often in the middle of the night, from someone claiming to be your grandchild or other relative. There will be some story of an emergency — they’ve been in an accident, arrested; or trapped in a foreign country without money or a passport. No matter what the alleged emergency, this scam always involves a desperate plea for immediate payment, often via a wire transfer. The caller pretends to be too embarrassed to reach out to mom and dad, but before you do anything, give them a call yourself to verify that your loved one is safe. Regardless of the scam, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The Delta Police Department will take a report documenting any financial loss, but beyond that there’s really little they can do. The suspects almost always reside elsewhere in the country or overseas. While there’s little chance you’ll recover any money, it’s important to

TDS provides tips on how to recover from a scam Online and phone scams seem to be everywhere. They’ve appeared in platforms such as Facebook Messenger and Airbnb, and even take the shape of phony tech support. Scams are also becoming more convincing — looking more and more like legitimate pieces of communication. Even with a trained eye you can fall victim. Knowing how to recover from a scam is just as important as knowing how to avoid one. Local internet provider TDS Telecommunications provides advice on who to contact and what steps to take when beginning to recover from a scam. Reset passwords. Resetting account passwords associated with the scam, as well as other accounts that may share the same passwords is a good place to start to prevent further damage. Family and friends. Informing the closest people in your circle will ensure they are on high alert and extra protective of their own data. Not only does proximity increase the chance of being targeted, but everyone has the potential to be victim to scams. Law enforcement. Since scams are a form of fraud, notifying law enforcement in a timely

manner can begin an they fell for a scam and investigation quickly don’t report it. and can inform others about the scam. Every state has a consumer protection office which deals with issues such as consumer complaints and rights. Contact them for assistance. Banking institutions. If the scammer gains access to banking information, contacting the appropriate bank is a good start. Once you report that you are a victim of fraud to the bank, it can help you check on suspicious activity, replace your card, or put an alert on your account. Federal Trade Commission. Reporting the scam to the FTC is exactly what it is there for. The more data the FTC can collect, the more productive its service is in protecting consumers. Review financial accounts. This step can be tedious, but looking through all bank and credit card statements is important. This may also lead to changing account and credit card numbers, or any activity your financial institutions deem appropriate. Also, if you have an aging parent, talk with them about scams and reporting odd phone calls or anything that appears to be threatening. Often they are embarrassed

report fraud. According to the Office of the Colorado Attorney General, reporting fraud is a key component in identifying patterns of concern. “Fraud reports enable our office to identify and devote our limited resources to the most

egregious cases involving widespread harm to Colorado consumers and the associated business environment,” attorney general Cynthia Coffman noted on the website www.stop fraudcolorado.gov. If you believe you have been victimized by a scam

or wish to report suspicious activity, contact your local law enforcement agency, file a report at www.stopfraudcolorado. gov or contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP, 1877-ID-THEFT, or online at www.ftc.gov.

Lunch and Learn When: Where: Time:

September 6th, 2018 Bill Heddles Recreation Center 531 Palmer Street Delta, CO 81416 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

OVERVIEW: 9:00 am: Arrive, set up and prep for growers 10:00 am: Growers arrive Meet/Greet 10:15/10:30 am: Begin presentation, focus on open field growing and greenhouse/hoop house growing concepts 11:30 am: Questions and answers/open forum 12:00 pm: Serve lunch to all and visit 1:00 pm: Depart

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A6 Wednesday, September 5, 2018

SCHOOL

Delta County Independent

Backpacks, Chromebooks and library cards, oh my! BY TRACY IHNOT

Delta County Libraries

Outdoor experience

Photo submitted

Grand Mesa Choice Academy students had their choice of three-day project assessment courses to start off the school year. Some students signed up with Cody Kanz to create a school orientation video, some created iMovie student-cast movie trailers with Jennifer Milburn, and others signed up for Cole Baldwin’s outdoor community course. GMCA was the ﬁrst school to partner with The Nature Connection to use equipment in a course that the school organized and designed itself. Cole Baldwin, the course instructor, said the goal of paddleboarding at Sweitzer Lake was “to have students face social challenges as well as physical challenges in an outdoor setting that provided a sense of community and appreciation for each other as well as their natural surroundings.”

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The school supplies of today look quite different from what they did 20 years ago. Technology has transformed the academic world in preschools and universities alike, and it comes at a very high cost. According to the Backpack Index, a study that tracks classroom fee and supply costs, parents could expect to spend up to $1,355, on average, for a high school student’s supplies in 2018. A library card, however, is free. In early August, Delta County Libraries ordered the supplies necessary to make thousands of student e-cards. “We based our initial numbers on the school district’s announcement last spring to provide a Chromebook to every sixth-12th grader in the district,” explains Lea Hart, district director of Delta County Libraries. “It absolutely makes sense for every student with a Chromebook to also have a student ecard because it will give them access to all of our online resources that are essential for students,” Hart elaborates. “Reliable and trusted research databases for all grade levels, an online encyclopedia, language learning classes, and countless resources for building literacy skills are just to name a few.” The student e-card is also available for younger students as well. “Any Delta County School District staff member can request e-cards for his students from kindergarten on up,” Hart clarifies. “We subscribe to many online resources that are geared for younger students.” Delta County Libraries’ staff has long promoted library cards as one

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of the most valuable and affordable school supplies for students. In the fall of 2017, the libraries introduced the student ecard program and began issuing cards to students in January 2018. “We issued over 100 student e-cards at that time,” Hart says. “It was a great start to the program but there are thousands of students in the district. We need to do more.” Over the summer library administrative staff worked on a plan to streamline the process. “We looked at what other library districts in Colorado are doing to get library cards in the hands of students,” Hart states. “With the support of the Delta County School District staff, we are ready to launch the 2018-2019 student e-card program. We have already made hundreds of cards that are ready to be handed out.” The significant change in the program this year is that it will not require the student to complete a library card application. “The student e-cards that we are creating are set up in our system under the generic name of ‘student,’ ” says Leah Morris, collections and

Photo submitted

Delta County School District second graders Ian and Finley volunteer at the library, putting barcodes on the new student e-cards that are being distributed by Delta County Libraries. Hundreds of student e-cards are ready to go out for the 2018-19 school year. The student e-card provides access to a multitude of online resources and onsite technology without the possibility of accruing ﬁnes for overdue or lost items.

Educating teachers in the outdoors

For the second summer in a row, Colorado Canyon Association partnered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to help educate local teachers on the value of our shared public lands and their use as a classroom for their students in the coming school year. This year’s Teaching Environmental Science Naturally (TEN) teacher training course was another huge success. Using some new curriculum developed by CPW the team, which included CCA and other partners, helped get over a dozen teachers outside to experience what our national conservation areas (NCAs) have to offer their students. In addition to vis-

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iting CPW facilities in Cameo and museums in Montrose, Delta and Gateway, teachers were able to tour the oldest dwelling in Colorado, the Eagle Rock Shelter. While there, teachers learned not only about the history of the site but also the educational plan and curriculum that CCA and the BLM have been putting together. Teachers also learned about geology and history on the road to Gateway, where there were stops to discuss Dominguez-Escalante NCA and the Palisade Wilderness Study Area. Additionally, teachers received training in Leave No Trace and were exposed to a few simple ideas to teach those principles in the classroom.

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systems administrator for Delta County Libraries. “Therefore, we do not need to collect any personal information.” The e-cards do not allow the student to check out physical items from the library so accruing fines for overdue or lost items is not possible. “That is why we can issue the cards without attaching any of the personal information of the card holder,” Morris explains. “The cards we issue this year will be good until the end of August 2019, and then we will start the process over again next year.” “Library staff have been visiting classrooms and sharing resources with the schools for many years,” Hart explains. “The evolution of the student e-card program is just one example of how the libraries are constantly adapting to meet the needs of the community.” Stay tuned for more information on the student e-card and other upcoming important library news. Visit www. deltalibraries.org for more information on the library district, a calendar of events, and access to the online library.

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LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Library happenings The Delta County Libraries offer many educational and entertaining activities and events for you and your family to enjoy. If you want to know what else your library is offering, please contact the library or visit the Delta County Libraries website at www.delta libraries.org. Cedaredge Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and preschoolers are Thursdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Genealogy. The Cedaredge genealogy group meets on the first Friday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Meetings resume Friday, Sept. 7. Book Talk and Signing. Author Lauren Archibeque will be speaking about and available to sign her book “Be Nice and Get What You Really Want!” She will talk about how being nice can move you forward quickly and make your life work in miraculous ways. Thursday, Sept. 13, at 4:30 p.m. Stop Motion Madness. Teens are invited to Cedaredge Library to explore the art of bringing inanimate objects to life with stop motion filmmaking. Using LEGO, clay and more, participants will use their creativity to have fun and make a short film. Friday, Sept. 21, at 4 p.m. Nature Journal Maker Space. Visit the Cedaredge Library in September to make your own nature journal. Take your journal to the Surface Creek Trail and enjoy the September StoryWalk®, “Tracking Treasures of the Trail,” written and illustrated by the Cedaredge Plant and Dig Garden Club. All supplies provided. All ages welcome. Tech Café. Bring your devices! Bring your questions! Staff at Cedaredge Library will help you clear up your confusion with technology. From smartphones and laptops to tablets and computers, our resident techies will do their best to get you going. The second and fourth Fridays of every month from 2 to 4 p.m. Crafts Group. Crafters meet every Tuesday at 10 a.m. to share ideas and show and tell. Crawford Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and

All fire restrictions lifted in area All fire restrictions have been lifted in Delta, Mesa and Montrose counties, as well as national forests and BLM lands. Although fire restrictions have been lifted, please be attentive of your surroundings, especially in areas of dry vegetation or dead trees. For complete firerelated information on the Western Slope, visit www.WestSlopeFireInfo. com/.

preschoolers are Thursdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact the library at 399-7783 for details. Scrapbooking. Join friends at Crawford Library and get your pictures and other treasured items in your scrapbook. The first Monday of every month at 11 a.m. Tech Help. Librarians will be available to help you with questions and problems about computers or mobile devices. Wednesday through Saturday by appointment. Contact the library at 399-7783 for details. Delta Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and preschoolers are Wednesdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact the library at 874-9630 for details. Tech Information Station. Delta Library offers an open tech information station in the conference room for all ages and skill levels to seek technical assistance with computers and tablets. Attendees will also receive an introduction to utilizing library databases for online classes. Monday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m. Troop Operation Bounty. Delta Library, in partnership with the local VFW, will be gathering non-perishable food and personal items for overseas troops during the month of September. Items are gathered and shipped, with a specific focus on family members of local residents. Please contact Delta Library for a list of needed items at 874-9630. Friends of the Delta Library. Friends of the Delta Library meet Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m.at Delta Library. Harvesting Seeds. Adults are invited to Delta Library for a presentation by Kathleen Ray on seed harvesting and composting. Thursday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. Council of Teens. The Council of Teens will help plan programs and activities as well as come up with books to add to the teen collection! Meets every other Monday at 4 p.m. starting Sept. 17. Book Character Scavenger Hunt. Kids are invited to Delta Library to search for the book covers of favorite children’s book in the children’s area. All month long in September. Genealogy One-onone. The Delta genealogy group meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 5 p.m. Talk & Tangle Yarn. This is a group of knit and crochet enthusiasts who get together to talk and work on their individual projects. Anyone is welcome to join. Mondays starting at 5:30 p.m. Hotchkiss Storytimes. Baby, tot and preschooler storytimes are Wednesdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact the library at 399-7781 for details. Fifth Annual Tomato Fest. Saturday, Sept. 15, from noon to 2 p.m. This event takes place along-

American Legion offers limited scholarships Harry A. White American Legion Post 65 in Delta is searching for children of disabled or fallen post-9/11 veterans. These children may qualify for the American Legion Legacy scholarships for up to $20,000 to be used for undergraduate or post graduate college education. These are needs-based scholarships available only to the children of veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001 (including activate Reserve and National Guard members) and have a combined VA disibility of 50 percent or more or who died on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. This scholarship pro-

vides funds for a variety of educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books and more. Successful applicants may qualify for renewal of the scholarship up to six times. Applicants must be high school seniors or students in a college or university. Application forms will be available starting Nov. 9 for the 2019 calendar year. For further information on the American Legion Legacy program including how to obtain application forms, contact Greg Jackson, commander, American Legion Post 65 in Delta at 318-4236722.

side the regular Saturday farmers market by The Creamery Arts Center and features a range of fun activities including a tomato themed fashion show, tomato taste testing, a tomato “best of” contest and tomato haiku reading. The winners of the tomato haiku contest will be announced. The fashion show, sponsored by Wilder & Rose Company is in two rounds at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. Around the World at the Library. Travel the world and explore a different country with firsthand accounts from local guests. Join us for stories, snacks and activities from around the globe. All ages welcome. Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 4 p.m. Destination: Haiti. Paonia Storytimes. Baby, tot and preschooler storytimes are Tuesdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact library at 399-7881 for details. Handmade Sign Painting. Teens are invited to Paonia Library to escape their computers and learn the old skill of sign painting! Paint a wood sign for your bedroom or college dorm, learn about calligraphy, and share your opinion in a discussion about the handmade revival. Friday, Sept. 7, at 4 p.m. Knit Crochet Day. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow knitters and crocheters; share projects and browse our library of craft books for use or purchase. Always tea and cookies too! Saturday, Sept. 15, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tech Café. Paonia Library will have an open tech café in the community room for all ages and skill levels to seek tech assistance. Every Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Register for fall dance classes Register now for fall dance classes taught by Lynda Dysart at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. Classes start the week of Sept. 11. Options include preschool dance, and beginning, intermediate and advanced classes in ballet and jazz. Cost is $65 for the 10-week session with a recital at the conclusion. There is an additional fee for the recital costume. Please pick up a complete schedule at Bill Heddles Recreation Center or call 874-0923 for more information.

VCA hosts back-toschool event

Storytime

Photo submitted

It’s storytime at the library! All ﬁve libraries in Delta County offer weekly storytimes for children ages 0-5 and their parents or caretakers. Storytime is a wonderful introduction to reading that engages children with stories, music, games, movement, crafts and more. Storytimes begin at 10:30 a.m. and are offered Tuesdays at Paonia Library, Wednesdays at Hotchkiss and Delta Libraries, and Thursdays at Crawford and Cedaredge Libraries.

Vision Charter Academy announces a backto-school event that will include the dedication and ribbon cutting for the Cole Lahoe Memorial Basketball Court. The event takes place Thursday, Sept. 6, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Delta Campus on Pioneer Road. Free hot dogs and cookies will be served, and school pictures will be taken by Reve Portraits. VCA will kick off its readathon, and there will be presentations on testing, with awards given for growth and achievement. Parents can attend workshops on WOW, the Powerschool app, homeschool support, Galileo and more. Kids can learn about Destination Imagination and sign up for clubs — LEGO Robotics, MineCraft Club, swing, cooking, choir, board games, hiking and the 100 Mile Club. Don’t miss the fun at the back-to-school event Sept. 6.

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FREEZERS Chest & Upright

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The Delta County Independent publishes engagements, anniversaries and wedding stories free of charge.

A8 Wednesday, September 5, 2018 Blanche Mihelich

Blanche Marie Baker Mihelich died Aug. 11, 2018, in Brush. She was 87. She was born in Goodland, Kan., April 17, 1931, to Claud and Ethel (Richardson) Baker. She moved to Delta with her family as a teenager. She graduated from Delta High School and received her certification as a licensed practical nurse from Mesa College. On Sept. 12, 1951, she married John Mihelich in Delta. They started their married life in Bowie and later moved to Delta. She moved to Brush in 2003. She was a stay-athome mother, licensed practical nurse and caterer. She was active in the Royal Neighbors of America, Emblem Club, Practical Nurses Association of Colorado and her church. She enjoyed cooking, knitting, and crocheting. She is survived by her son, Wayne (Beverly) Mihelich of Lenoir, N.C.; daughter, Sandalyn (Michael) Garcia of Fort Morgan; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Barbara Daugherty of Winnemucca, Nev.; and brother, James (Sandy) Baker of Delta. She was preceded in death by her husband, and brother, Claud Baker Jr.

Ed Marston

Edwin “Ed” Marston, a physicist turned environmental journalist and political organizer, died Aug. 31, 2018, in Grand Junction, of complications of West Nile disease. He was 78. A memorial service will be held Friday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m. at Delicious Orchards, one mile from the Paonia exit on Highway 133. Mr. Marston was born April 25, 1940, in New York City, to Jack and Matilda Marston. He graduated from New York’s Stuyvesant High School in 1958, and from the City College of New York in 1961. He earned his PhD in solid-state physics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1968. In 1966, he married Elizabeth “Betsy” Pilat, a public television producer, in New York City. Mr. Marston worked as an assistant professor of physics at Queens College of New York, and then as an associate professor of physics at Ramapo College of New Jersey. His textbook for non-physics college students, The Dynamic Environment, was published during his teaching career. In 1974, the Marston family moved to Paonia, where the family had built a summer cabin. The plan was to take a year

OBITUARIES

off, but just months into the year, the Marstons started the weekly North Fork Times, and Mr. Marston never returned to the field of physics. The Marstons sold their first paper in 1980, and after traveling and building a spec house, in 1982 they founded an environmental paper, Western Colorado Report, then folded that publication into the environmental bi-weekly High Country News. In 1983, Mr. Marston became publisher of High Country News, which continues to cover the West for its 35,000 subscribers who live all over the country. His wife, editor Betsy Marston, was his partner in all journalistic ventures. He held that writing and administrative post for 19 years until 2002, when he retired. As publisher of High Country News, Mr. Marston received the national George Polk award for journalism in 1986 for the series “Western Water Made Simple,” which was later published as a book. In 1990, the University of Colorado Boulder awarded him its first Wallace Stegner Award “for faithfully and evocatively depicting the spirit of the American West.” He also wrote a memoir about moving West that was included in John Fielder’s best-selling book of re-photography (William Henry Jackson): Colorado: 1870-2000. Mr. Marston was always involved in public life, serving for 18 years on the Delta-Montrose Electric Association board, as well as terms with volunteer boards including Delta County Economic Development, Paonia Chamber of Commerce, Solar Energy International and the Blue Sage Center for the Arts. In 2008, he and his wife were named “Champions of the Rockies,” an honor given by Colorado College as part of its State of the Rockies annual report. Mr. Marston had definite, well-informed ideas and was an energetic ally and a formidable foe in local and regional disputes. He thrived on conversation and founded a book club. He was an avid hiker and cross-country skier, and appreciated living close to the natural world for the past 44 years. Mr. Marston is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betsy, of Paonia; daughter Wendy (Benjamin) Lehmann; son David Marston and wife Edel Clarke; three grandchildren, Maude, Bruno and Sorcha, all of New York City; a sister, Ann Rock of Florida; and extended family.

Eugene Caresia

Eugene William Caresia of Delta died at his home Sept. 2, 2018. He was 92. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Delta, with Bishop Christian Johnson officiating. Survivors include his daughter, Nancy Miller of Delta; and a brother-inlaw, Richard Maki, whom

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he raised. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and father, Robert Bryant. Memorial contributions may be made to Stanton County School Foundation, c/o Stinemetz Funeral Home at www. stinemetzfh.com.

Agnes Standing

Delta resident Agnes Standing died at her home Sept. 1, 2018. She was 88. At her request, no services will be held. Agnes Theresia Holzhauser was born Oct. 31, 1929, to Andreas and Therse (Feichtner) Holzhauser in Munich, Germany. She spent her childhood and attended schools in Munich and Austria. Agnes and her longtime partner moved to Delta from Cedaredge 11 years ago. They lived in San Diego, Calif., prior to moving to Cedaredge. Mrs. Standing enjoyed cooking, dancing, crocheting, knitting and spending time with her family. She survived by her partner of 32 years, James Hager; four stepdaughters, Bonnie (Edward) Roe, Carol (Bob) Giesbrecht, Erna (John) Schmid and Karen (Rick) Jordan; 13 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Delta County Independent

Edward, Gabriel, Raymie, Cylus, Jayden and Aria. She was preceded in death by her husband; her brother, Charles; grandson, Brent Higgins, and daughter-in-law, Letty Young.

and three grandchildren, Chad Morrison, Aaron Clause and Anna Clause. She was preceded in death by her husband, Max; son, Gerould Morrison; two sisters, Eva Miller and Nell Parker; and one brother, Robert Smith. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

June Morrison

Lucille Young

Lucille Young died Sept. 3, 2018. She was 89. Visitation is scheduled Thursday, Sept. 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Service in Delta. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at Taylor Funeral Service in Delta. Lucille Gertrude Young was born Nov. 6, 1928, in Loma Linda, Calif., to Dr. Fred and Gertrude Boothby. On Sept. 1, 1947, she married Kenneth Young in Lawrence, Mich. He was a physician and she helped out in his office at 7th and Main in Delta from 1959 to 1965. She was a welcoming woman who greatly enjoyed her herd of llamas. One of her llamas became the grand national champion. She is survived by her twin sisters, Helen and Ellen; four children, Jerry (Tina), Millie, Nancy (Jim) and Kenny (Sherry); nine grandchildren, Tina, JoYa, Jerry Jr. (Lyndall), Elly (Clint), Brent (Shannon), JoAnna (Patrick), Joel, Amy (Rayno) and Scott (Janie); and 20 great-grandchildren, Tarina, Isaak, Doyle, Lella, Eli, Grace, Canyon, Moses, Washington, Joseph, MacArthur, Grace, Patrick Jr., Elena,

June Irene Morrison died Aug. 26, 2018, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. She was 89. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at St. Joseph Traditional Catholic Church in Olathe. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at St. Joseph Traditional Catholic Church, with Rev. Bernard Welp officiating. Interment will follow at the Olathe Cemetery. June Irene Smith was born on June 5, 1929, in Olathe to Roy and Juanita (Robertson) Smith. She grew up in Olathe and graduated from Olathe High School in 1947. On April 30, 1950, she married Harold “Max” Morrison at the Baptist Church in Olathe. She spent most of her married life in California raising cattle on a ranch but she and her husband chose to retire to Colorado. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Traditional Catholic Church in Olathe. She enjoyed her church, being a homemaker and spending time with her grandchildren. Mrs. Morrison is survived by her daughter, Victoria (John) Morrison Clause of Ojai, Calif.; son, Mark (Joy) Morrison of California; sister, Thelma Lehman of Hotchkiss;

Mary Read

Mary Louise Rule Read died Aug. 24, 2018, while under the care of Lumina Hospice. She was 91. Marylou was born Feb. 6, 1927, in Bovina to Ralph and Olive (Burge) Rule. The family moved to Paonia where she spent her childhood and attended school. She married George Read in 1947 in Paonia. They moved to Rio Vista, Calif., and Walnut Creek, Calif., where they raised their family. Mr. Read preceded her in death in 2004, and she moved to Corvallis, Ore., to be closer to family. She is survived by her sister, Janet Sparks of Broomfield; three sons, Norman Read of Albany, Ore., Robert (Gale) Read of Corvallis, Ore., and Craig (Kelly) Read of Missoula, Mont.; and three grandchildren, Dena Read of San Diego, Calif., Kendra Read (Patrick Lynch) of Seattle, Wash., and Jonathan Read of Corvallis, Ore. At her request, there will be no memorial services. Memories can be shared at www.demoss durdan.com.

Toastmasters modernizes its program with Pathways Charles Bryant

Charles Earl Bryant died Aug. 23, 2018, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kan. He was 59. He was born in Grand Junction on Aug. 27, 1958, to Robert and Carol (Costello) Bryant. He served as a Marine for six years. Memorial services will be held at Stinemetz Funeral Home in Hill City, Kan., at 2 p.m. on Sept. 7. Burial will follow at Penokee Cemetery. A second memorial service will take place Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. at Stanton County Junior/Senior High School. Mr. Bryant is survived by his mother, Carol Bryant of Cedaredge; and two brothers, Joe (Christina) Bryant of Clifton and Adam (Testa) Bryant of Parker.

Toastmasters International, the world leader in developing communication and leadership skills, has launched the Pathways learning experience. The launch marks the first complete redesign of Toastmasters’ education program since the organization was founded in 1924. Toastmasters is recognized globally for empowering individuals to develop and improve their public speaking and leadership skills through local club meetings offering practice, evaluation and mentoring. Pathways builds on that foundation by helping members

Handgun safety class held monthly Certified instructors Dave Brown and Christopher McMillan will lead a “Handgun Safety” class at Bill Heddles Recreation Center Saturday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The class will be repeated Saturday, Oct. 6. Proper completion of this class allows you to apply for a concealed handgun permit in Colorado. Course consists of safety and firing techniques of a semi-automatic pistol and revolver; laws related to owning a handgun; and range safety. Lunch is on your own, then individual firing instruction is provided at a local firing range in the afternoon. The class is $80. Please register by 5 p.m. three days prior to the class of your choice. To register, call Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 874-0923.

build the competencies they need to communicate and lead in a range of situations. Highlighted by interactive, customized and flexible learning, Pathways offers expanded skill development and competencies that users can apply in their careers, personal lives and in the community. Since the launch of the Pathways program last year, users have leveraged the skills learned through the program to advance their careers. And employers around the world are using Pathways as an inexpensive option to retain their employees and enhance the skills of their workforce. This is the first complete redesign of Toastmasters’ education program in the organization’s 94-year history. Toastmasters’ board of directors called for the education program to be revitalized with a renewed focus on leadership learning, competencies that have immediate real-world applicability and online accessibility. After extensive research, Toastmasters created Pathways, offering contemporary skills that can be applied in a variety of practical settings. Pathways program highlights include: • 10 different learning paths to choose from; • More than 14 projects in each path; • Five core competencies (public speaking, interpersonal communication, management, strategic leadership and confidence); • More than 300 unique competencies; • Content available online and in print materials. Pathways remains consistent with the original vision of Ralph Smed-

ley, Toastmasters founder, and maintains what members love about the organization, which is the supportive Toastmasters club experience. Toastmaster’s redesign is flexible, competency-rich and meets the demands of a contemporary workforce. Members are able to apply the communication and leadership skills they are building in their personal as well as professional lives. To learn more for your personal or professional growth and/or to help your employees gain skills and confidence visit a local Toastmaster Club meeting. This will give you an opportunity to see Toastmasters in action and get your questions answered. In Delta, Black Canyon Voices meets the first and third Thursdays of the month from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at First Colorado National Bank, 150 Gunnison River Drive. Montrose Toastmasters meets every Wednesday evening from 6:307:30 p.m. at Centennial Meeting Room, 433 S. 1st Street.

Hear music from south of the border Join the Montrose Community Band on Sunday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion for a free concert entitled Fiesta Musica. The band will be playing a variety of music from south of the border and Spain with selections of El Camino Real, Amparito Roca, The Mask of Zorro, Blue Tango and more. This concert is proudly sponsored by Flower Motor Co. For more information visit www.montroseband. com or call 970-596-1188.

Delta County Independent

ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

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Season kickoff

Outdoor concert aids the homeless It’s time for some toetapping tunes underneath the sunshine and trees, and volunteers with The Abraham Connection Homeless Shelter have a full slate of amazing bands ready to accommodate your outdoor concert wishes for the inaugural Notes of Grace fundraiser benefit concert. Under the Pow Wow Arbor at Confluence Park in Delta, Ghost River, Fast Eddie & The Lugnuts and The Scones will each take the stage on Saturday, Sept. 15, beginning at 3 p.m. “We invite you to join us for the Notes of Grace concert, which will raise important operational funds for the shelter,” said Ed Boiani, a board member of the organization — and one of the musicians who’ll be keeping your toes tapping! First up, the Ghost River band will take the stage at 3 p.m. Ghost

River is the go-to country band for special events, rodeos, big dances and fundraisers on the Western Slope. Its popularity over the past 36 years has it returning again and again to its fans’ dancing and listening delight. Featuring Russel Austin on lead vocals, guitar and fiddle, the band is completed with Mike Bush on vocals, lead guitar, keyboards and harmonica; Bob Becker on bass; and Boiani on vocals and drums. If you like dancing and country music, you’ll love the Ghost River band! Fast Eddie & The Lugnuts are a four-piece band from the Montrose/Delta area playing classic rock, R&B, funk and country, and they will take the stage at 4:30 p.m. Members Boiani, Paul Frazier, Kurt Isgreen and Bob Becker bring over 200 years of extensive musical experiences collectively touring, playing and recording in clubs, concerts, private parties and studios all across the U.S. and parts of Europe and Asia. Their sweet, three part harmonies combined with Frazier’s and Isgreen’s intricate guitar blending is a pleasure to hear. Add Certified instructors in Boiani’s and Becker’s Dave Brown and Christopher McMillan will lead a “Handgun Safety” class at Bill Heddles Recreation Center Saturday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The class will be repeated Fort Uncompahgre on Saturday, Oct. 6. the Old Spanish Trail Proper completion of will be in fiesta mode this class allows you to Saturday, Sept. 15, for apply for a concealed its second annual Mexihandgun permit in Colo- can Heritage Celebration rado. Course consists of with entertainment and safety and firing tech- activities for the whole niques of a semi-auto- family. Events from 10 matic pistol and revolver; a.m. to 4 p.m. include laws related to owning a horse-drawn wagon handgun; and range safe- rides, live music featy. Lunch is on your own, turing mariachi singer then individual firing Alberto Mejia and Las instruction is provided at Cruces family band A a local firing range in the Lifetime to Overcome, a afternoon. cumbia dance contest, a The class is $80. Please children’s folkloric dress register by 5 p.m. three contest, piñatas, crafts days prior to the class of and games for kids, heriyour choice. tage portraits, vendors, To register, call Bill and a wide variety of Heddles Recreation Cen- traditional Mexican food ter, 874-0923. and drink. Admission

Handgun safety class held monthly

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rhythmic dynamics and you have a sound that just gets you up and begging for more! From George Strait, James Brown, Delbert McClinton and Clapton to the Subdues, Merle Haggard and more, these guys are all about making you “dance your pants off!” as they claim to do! Playing at 6 p.m. and bringing the concert to a close will be The Scones. Best known for its big harmonies, fun stage show, and acoustic guitar gymnastics, western Colorado troubadours The Scones bring a fresh new sound to the music scene. Greatly influenced by the music of the 1960s, the band has penned awardwinning songs that are reminiscent of the songs from that era with a modern twist. Incorporating guitar, flute, banjo, bass, and drums, the band dubs its sound rockin’ and rollin’ Americana. The Scones have received national recognition from Vintage Guitar Magazine praising it for its “glorious harmonies and first rate guitar work.” San Antonio Express News describes its music as “Americana for adults featuring top-notch songwriting.” The Notes of Grace

concert takes place in the pow wow arbor at Confluence Park. “Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, and kick back and enjoy an amazing afternoon of music, all a great way to benefit your hungry and homeless neighbors right here at home,” Boiani said. “This is going to be a really fun way to spend an afternoon, and better yet, a fun way to support the homeless shelter.” Tickets are just $15 at the gate for everyone 21 and older; those under 21 are free! As you enjoy the tunes, you can also enjoy a beer and wine garden and a barbecue. Credit/debit cards will be accepted, as will cash and checks. All proceeds will directly benefit homeless and hungry men, women and families in Delta County served by the seasonal homeless shelter. The Abraham Connection is gearing up for its 10th season, offering emergency food and overnight shelter to those in need by offering a hand up, not a hand out. Can’t make the event but want to help serve those most in need? Donate anytime online at www.DeltaAbraham Connection.org or call/text 970-773-8290 for more ways to get involved.

Fort Uncompahgre gears up for Mexican Heritage Celebration

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for the daytime event is free. The fort’s gates reopen at 6 p.m. when popular dance band Agrupación Clave 5 takes the stage. In addition to some great norteño music, dancing and a beer garden, the evening will feature Mexico’s Sept. 15 tradition known as “El Grito,” when Delta will join millions of revelers in plazas throughout Mexico and the United States in remembrance of “El Grito de Delores” — the call to action that launched Mexico’s war for independence. Admission for the evening event is $15, with admission limited to adults and youth aged 13

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years and older, accompanied by a parent. Fort Uncompahgre on the Old Spanish trail is a replica of a fur-trading post established in 1828 by Anthony Rubidoux in what was then Mexico. The fort remained in operation until the mid-1840s when it was attacked by a band of Ute Indians. The fort’s annual celebration honors the Mexican trappers and laborers who worked at the fort during that period, and those who ultimately died defending the post against an Indian attack. For more information, visit www.mexican heritagedeltaco.com or call 874-8349.

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A10 Wednesday, September 5, 2018

BUSINESS

Delta County Independent

County Child Support Services joins 2Gen pilot BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

In May of this year Delta County Child Support Services joined with 10 other Colorado counties in a pilot program called 2GenTransformation Project, part of a research study underway at University of Denver. The Colorado Office of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Services, describes the pilot program as “enhancing the lives of families by providing connections to services and support that benefit all members of the family.” In Delta County Albert

Martinez is administrator of 2Gen and Jeana Hughes is the legal technician for the program. One of the difficult problems in Child Support Services is getting the non-custodial parent to make child support payments. There is sometimes an adversarial relationship between the two parents on this matter, and the child is impacted by that relationship. The 2Gen (2 generations) program is designed to help resolve these problems by working with the non-custodial party to identify barriers to the child support

Work smarter with a solid business plan Did you know that 90 percent of businesses with a business plan succeed? The opposite is also true — 90 percent of businesses without a plan fail. Region 10 wants to make sure you’re the right statistics. “Business Blueprint,” a 10-week success planning series, begins Wednesday, Sept. 12 and continues through Nov. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. Weekly sessions run from 6 to 9 p.m. at

TCR to host open house Meet the staff and instructors of Technical College of the Rockies, learn about the school and its programs at an open house to be held Thursday, Sept. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. Technical College of the Rockies is located at 1765 Hwy. 50, Delta. For more information, call 874-6521 or visit tcr.edu.

the Region 10 office in Montrose. This 10-week program delivers comprehensive training and resources to small businesses by providing a better understanding of what it takes to operate a successful business. The series is highly interactive, includes engaging speakers, and is geared toward helping startups and existing businesses understand how finance, marketing, operations and management create the foundation of every successful business. Upon completion, you’ll have direction, focus and your own business blueprint in hand. The series runs $10. To register, visit region 10.net. Region 10’s Small Business Resource Center is a satellite office of Colorado SBDC. For more information about this workshop and other small business resources, contact Nancy Murphy at nancy@region 10.net or call 970-7653130.

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payments being made. Martinez said, “In Delta County our projected participation was a target group of 20 families, with 10 families choosing to participate in 2Gen. Delta County now has 26 total cases in the target group with 14 cases participating in 2Gen. “Delta was the first county to meet the projected goal, and we have been recognized statewide.” Meeting the goal happened in August, which Martinez said is National Child Support Awareness Month. Participation is voluntary. Martinez and Hughes added that all the families went through a family resources assessment process before being accepted in the 2Gen program. They noted that 2Gen seeks to improve the collective family and help it be more self-reliant. Hughes says non-custodial parties fall into four categories: willing and able to pay; unwilling but able to pay; unwilling and unable to pay; and willing but unable to pay. In the 2Gen program Martinez and Hughes can call on institutions, groups and individuals to help parties reach the point of being able to make their child support payments. There is also a small fund from which they can draw to help the non-custodial party resolve a problem. Martinez spoke of a recent such case. The only source of transportation a non-custodial parent had to get to his job was his bicycle, and the tires on his bicycle were flat. 2Gen paid for new tubes and tires for his bicycle, and he is now back riding it to work. For those who can-

not prepare a resume to use in applying for a job, Julie Cassidy from Bridges, a private work force management office, will help the person put into writing their qualifications, skills and experience. She also functions as a job coach and gives interview tips. Sometimes it is clothing that prevents the applicant from being job ready. When that feedback gets to Hughes, she contacts one of several sources from which she can obtain professional dress, work clothing, work boots, shoes and such. There are cases where the party’s driver’s license has been revoked because of non-payment of child support. If that is the only reason for the revocation, 2Gen can provide the motor vehicle registration department with a “notice of compliance,” which will get the driver back in their car for work, as long as they pay their child support payments. 2Gen can arrange counseling for people with mental health or other problems. 2Gen can provide guidance for a party to enter the GED program. For someone without the necessary self-confidence to be referred to a employer for a job, that person can be referred to the GED program or counseling. In some cases the non-custodial party has a criminal background. Martinez said there are local employers who are “felon friendly,” and a party with this situation will be referred to one of those employers. If the employer is concerned about a prospective employee who has theft charges in their background, there is a federal bonding program through the Work Force

Center which enables the employee to secure a bond. There are circumstances when a party is eligible for their charges to be sealed. Annie Trujillo, self-representative litigant coordinator with the 7th Judicial Court, is available to help the party with the filing for this procedure. Trujillo also assists with filing other pro se orders, such as domestic relations, child support, orders regarding parenting time, and domestic relations orders. Trujillo spends two days a week in Delta and three days in Montrose.

Hughes pointed out that Delta County Child Support Services is open to custodial parties from several circumstances: when partners separate; a grandparent; a child who has only one parent; a family with an absent parent; a caretaker. Determining paternity can also be part of the services. The 2Gen pilot program will run through the end of 2018. When the results of the University of Denver study are available, Martinez and Hughes said Colorado may shift toward the 2Gen approach for child support services.

Taylor to represent Delta County at Broncos opener Delta County Undersheriff Mark Taylor will represent first responders from Delta County at the Broncos’ season opening game Sunday, Sept. 9. Seventy-five first responders from Colorado and their guests will be on the field for the pregame American flag ceremony. Kickoff is set for 2:25 Undersheriff Mark Taylor p.m.

Registration opens for E2 Energy Conference ENGAGE and Delta County Economic Development are hosting their second annual E2 Energy Conference Sept. 17 and 18 in Paonia. A special kickoff event, Spark Tank, takes place at the Paradise Theatre in Paonia Sept. 17. This free event starts at 4 p.m. The conference will take place at the Energy Tech in Paonia on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Keynote speaker is Tom Plant from CSU’s

Center for New Energy Economy. Kathleen Staks and Bryan Hannegan are event moderators. Other speakers include Jasen Bronec, DMEA; Mark Dyson, RMI; Rep. Chris Hansen; Chris Riler, Guzman; and several more. Registration is $60; student rates are available. Visit deltacountyed. org or engagedeltacounty. org for more information and links to registration/ sponsorship options.

Know Your Neighbor

Looking for a professional tree trimming service? Give APB Tree Service a call

What can a tree do for you? A lot. Trees can help save energy by reducing the need for air conditioning. They help reduce the effects of climate change and clean our air. They provide vital wildlife habitat, and hours of enjoyment for birdwatchers. They can even increase our property values. (Arbor Day Foundation) You’ll want to protect your investment by pruning, trimming or cutting trees as needed. Proper pruning can save you money and give you safer, healthier and more beautiful trees. Trees may require pruning for a variety of reasons. Storms may have damaged branches, or the trees may have outgrown their yards, overpowering the landscape. For all aspects of tree trimming and removal, you can count on Andrew Biszant, owner of APB Tree Service. Andrew established APB Tree Service in 2012, after

moving from the upper peninsula of Michigan. While he’s based in Cedaredge, he serves the entire Western Slope. He can offer professional advice on

how, and why, a tree should be removed — or suggest steps you can take to maximize your trees’ health and appearance. The tree business comes

Good tree and shrub pruning promotes health, removes damaged limbs, encourages new growth and maintains the shape of your tree.

naturally to Andrew, who grew up trimming trees with his uncles and grandfather. He has since gained 22 years of experience. From stump grinding, to hedge trimming, to brush clean-up, Andrew will complete the job in a timely manner. He’ll clear away hazardous materials and clean up your lot. You’ll find Andrew to be fair, prompt and prepared to respond to an emergency 24 hours a day. He is licensed and insured. You may be tempted to try trimming and pruning yourself, but without the right tools and the right equipment, the job can be tricky — and even dangerous. Hiring a professional like APB Tree Service is much safer and well worth the investment. Give Andrew a call at 623-9937 or check out his Facebook page at APB Tree Service. APB’s normal business hours are 9-5 weekdays.

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ALWAYS A GOOD TIME! • NEVER A COVER OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! • 10 a.m.-2 a.m. 1410 Valley View Drive • Delta • 970-874-3130

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NORTH FORK September 5, 2018

TIMES

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Paonia addresses ACLU demand BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado is demanding that the Town of Paonia repeal an ordinance it considers un-constitutional. Paonia was one of 31 towns and cities across the state that received a letter from ACLU Colorado last Tuesday, demanding the repeal of “unconstitutional laws that restrict panhandling.” The letters are part of a coordinated effort to repeal panhandling laws considered to be outdated, according to a press release from ACLU Colorado. An ordinance within Paonia Municipal Code contains an article titled “Public Peace, Order and Decency” that addresses loitering. It states that “a person commits the offense of loitering if he or she... loiters for the purpose of begging.” Town administrator Ken Knight said he was unaware that the ordinance was an

issue, and that it’s not currently enforced and no outstanding citations exist. The Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA) is working with the towns and cities to address the issue, said Knight. In addition, town attorney Bo Nerlin is drafting a response to ACLU Colorado. The letter is in response to Federal District Judge’s ruling striking down a panhandling ordinance in Grand Junction in October 2015, “ruling that it violates the First Amendment rights of persons who wish to solicit charity in public places.” According to the release, in the decision “the Court explained that Grand Junction had failed to justify its regulation of expression.” At the time, ACLU Colorado legal director Mark Silverstein stated that the decision signifies “that almost every panhandling ordinance in Colorado must be repealed or seriously amended.”

Art and ag on display

Photo by Tamie Meck

A 13-foot tall bronze cast of a ﬁsherman at Lands End Sculpture Center in Paonia were among the works featured Saturday, Sept. 1, as part of the third annual Art & Ag Tour of the North Fork Valley. Lands End offers ﬁnishing, or cast-only services for artists around the world. The larger-than-life works were designed by Lundeen Sculpture in Loveland and cast at Lands End. The tour showcased farms, wineries, galleries and local food throughout the North Fork.

Tall roof raises building code brouhaha BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

A newly-constructed singlefamily house and detached accessory building in Paonia that exceed the maximum allowable roof height under town zoning regulations will be allowed to stand. Located in the 300 block of Niagara Avenue, the buildings are located on two lots zoned “R-2, Medium-Density Residential.” According to town code, R-2 zoning allows for “attached and detached single-family, two-family and multiple-family dwellings at moderate densities.” The main building’s 33-foot, 2-inch roof exceeds the maximum 25foot height allowable under R-2 zoning, and the accessory building exceeds the maximum allowable height of 15 feet by about 13 feet. Former town building

inspector Dave Coleman signed off on the plans and issued the building permit. Town Administrator Ken Knight said he first learned of the non-conformity through a citizen’s complaint after construction began and prior to the roof-raising. Knight said building permit applications are approved by the building inspector and are not subject to review by the town or the Planning Commission unless required by ordinance. Knight issued a variance and allowed construction to continue. Under the variance, if the owner makes structural changes to the exterior, the building must be brought up to code. If the property is sold, the variance must be disclosed to potential buyers. “It was an unfortunate error in judgment,” said Knight. “Building inspectors are sup-

Special meeting called to address BLM omission BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

The Paonia Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, to consider comments to the Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office regarding the proposed December oil and gas lease sales. Alex Johnson with the Western Slope Conservation Center and Andrew ForkesGudmundson with Citizens for a Healthy Community spoke at the Aug. 28 town board meeting, explaining that the town’s comments, contained in a five-page scoping letter, was omitted from the BLM’s Preliminary Environmental Assessment (EA). The town drafted the scoping letter during a series of public meetings, which it scrambled to fit into the public comment period. During these meetings, residents and trustees raised concerns about the lease sale scoping notice. These concerns included potential health impacts to residents, impacts to town revenue sources like hunting, recreation, and agritourism, traffic increases, and potential natural disasters arising from fracking-induced seismicity. “The Town of Paonia feels it is extremely unfortunate that apparently its comments were not taken into account,” said town administrator Ken Knight. During the meeting he read an email he received from Allen Crockett stating that the BLM had omitted the town’s scoping letter from the EA. Knight and some of the trustees expressed concern regarding the omission, and set the special meeting to approve a new comment

in response to the Lease Sale EA. The BLM is obligated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to respond to any relevant comment submitted during the environmental review process, said Forkes-Gudmundson. More importantly, the Town of Paonia is listed as a Coordinating Agency, meaning the BLM actively solicited the town’s input during this process. “It is clear from the contents of the Preliminary Environmental Assessment that the BLM either didn’t receive or simply ignored the scoping letter submitted by the Town of Paonia.” Last January, the BLM was instructed by a Department of Interior internal memo to complete the environmental review process for lease sales in six months or less. In previous sales, explained ForkesGudmundson, the process took over a year to complete. Johnson noted in a release, “The short timeline places unreasonable demands on the public, municipalities, and the BLM. Our communities have spent years engaging in BLM’s land management processes, and this mistake, along with the lease sale as a whole, undermines local trust in our federal agencies.” The public comment period on the EA for the December oil and gas lease sale ends on Sept. 11. Citizens for a Healthy Community and the Western Slope Conservation Center are encouraging community members to attend the special meeting, as well as submit their own individual comments prior to the deadline.

posed to know the rules.” Knight based his decision to let construction continue based “on 26 years of experience,” and on the recommendation of town attorney Bo Nerlin. He cited a 2012 case where the Michigan Court of Appeals awarded $179,000 in damages to a property owner after a municipality issued a building permit. They stopped construction after discovering a code violation, and after the property owner had spent $65,000 (see Kalkman v City of the Village of Douglas and Kowal). In the town’s case, if the owner were to sue, the town, meaning the taxpayers, would be financially liable, said Knight. He speculates that Coleman misread the town zoning map. Several parcels on the block, including the Rocky Mountain Inn and Paonia Liquor Store, are located in the “C-1 Commercial” zone, which allows for a maximum roof height of 35 feet. Coleman possibly misread the map and assumed that the property was also located in the commercial zone, said Knight. Coleman can’t be disciplined for the mistake. The town dismissed him last December, citing “an ongoing personnel matter” not subject to public review. At least two individual property own-

Photo by Tamie Meck

A roof truss is hoisted onto a newly constructed house in the 300 block of Niagara Avenue in Paonia on Aug. 10. The roof exceeds the maximum height allowable under town code by almost 10 feet and will be allowed under a variance after the town’s former building inspector issued the building permit and signed off on the plans. ers lodged complaints against Coleman in 2017: Paonia Cleaners & Laundry owner Gia Fanelli and former town trustee Suzanne Watson, both of whom were issued stopwork orders by Coleman. Fanelli’s order was lifted after Coleman was dismissed, and legal charges filed against Watson related to her stop work order were dismissed. David Struempler owns the Niagara property and was

issued a building permit in April of 2017. Struempler said he learned of the non-conformity after a man identifying himself as a local commercial developer approached him. He first assumed his building construction engineering was out of place. A self-described “refugee” from the Roaring Fork Valley, Struempler designs and builds fine furniture and cabBUILDING CODE TO B2

West Nile virus claims life of Ed Marston BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

A memorial service for longtime Paonia resident Ed Marston will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at Delicious Orchards, 29126 Highway 133. Marston, 78, was well known in the North Fork and beyond as an environmental journalist and political organizer. He and his wife, Betsy, and their children, Wendy and David, moved to Paonia in 1974 where Ed and Betsy started the North Fork Times weekly newspaper. They sold it in 1980. In 1982 they founded an environmental paper, Western Colorado Report, which was folded into the High Country News, an existing publication covering environmental issues across the western United States. Marston was publisher of the High Country News from 1983-2002, during which time he and the publication received numerous national and regional awards. He also served 18 years on the board of Delta-Montrose Electric Association, as well as on the boards of Delta County Economic Development, Paonia Chamber of Commerce, Solar Energy International and the Blue Sage Art Center. He also renovated a derelict building,

Photo by Tamie Meck

Ed and Betsy Marston ride the Democratic Party ﬂoat during the 2017 Paonia Cherry Days parade. Ed Marston died Friday, Aug. 31, from complications of West Nile virus. A community celebration of Ed’s life will be held Friday, Sept. 7, at Delicious Orchards. Turn to page A8 for his obituary. turning the Harvester Building into an active business space in downtown Paonia. In 2008 Ed and Betsy were named “Champions of the Rockies” by Colorado College. Marston died early last Friday morning at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction from complications of West

Nile Virus. According to a press release from Delta County Department of Health, a man between age 70-79 was diagnosed with West Nile on Aug. 30, resulting in loss of life. The health department confirmed that the victim was Marston. WEST NILE TO B2

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Delta County Independent

Crawford taking small steps toward better government BY RANDY SUNDERLAND General Manager

Photo by Tammy Meck

Drawing for a car

KVNF board vice president Bob Pennetta and others watch Friday as station program director Ali Lightfoot steadies the drum while volunteer DJ Felix Belmont draws the winning ticket for a 2018 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid LE. Rebecca Wilson from Hotchkiss and Haines, Alaska, was the winner. The rafﬂe was sponsored by Hellman Motors in Delta. Bill Hellman, Jr. announced the winning ticket number on air.

The Crawford Town Council spent a lot of time considering best practices for municipal fiscal sustainability during its August work session. Early this year the town agreed to participate in a three-year program through the Department of Local Affairs to improve fiscal stability through the implementation of “best practices” for budget and policy development. The process began with analyzing how the town is currently doing things, establishing a basic understanding of the town’s financial picture, and talking with staff and elected officials about their goals. Kimberly Bul-

len, northwest regional manager for DOLA based in Grand Junction, was on hand to meet with the trustees. She was joined by Parker Crowe, DOLA budget program manager. Crowe presented the results of the initial review of town budgets between 2009 and 2016. Through graphs, he explained the town’s financial situation. He painted a picture of stability, from a population little changed over that period, to revenues and expenses that are fairly evenly matched. Crowe showed that the assessed valuation of property in Crawford has held “pretty steady,” although commercial valuation is dipping while residential valuation is about the same. This is a trend that over time could be worrisome because of the taxing ratio set by the Gallahger Amendment. He noted the town has a “very healthy position” with its reserves at 250 to 300 percent of operation expenses. Crowe observed the town’s revenues and expenses have been “pretty well matched,” with little need to dip into reserves. However, that appears to be changing over the past two budget cycles. He showed the trustees that 38 percent of the town’s revenue comes from intergovernmental sources, 10 percent from miscellaneous sources, 27 percent through sales and use tax, and 18 percent from other taxing sources. Over time, according to Crowe, the town’s revenue is up slightly and expenses have gone down. The result is the healthy reserve balance. After laying a foundation with the basic financial information, Crowe went on to discuss why

the town needs financial policies. The budget is an annual process, he said, which the trustees are just beginning for 2019. Policy is longer term thinking, where the trustees set a strategic plan for finances, capital improvements and infrastrucure. “These things help the budget process,” said Crowe, “because many decisions are already made.” He suggested the town begin with a reserve policy “because without reserves a municipality is pretty much ‘screwed’ if something major happens.” He suggested staff refer to the GFOA.org website as a resource for best practices and draft policies. Crowe explained that a good reserve policy will define the purpose of the reserve; target levels; a plan to get to the target level, conditions for use; establishing who has authority over the use of reserves; replenishment; what to do with excess reserves; and periodic review of the target levels. Kimberly added, “What Parker demonstrated is you are doing pretty well in several areas ... we encourage you to pick a starting point [to improve the town’s practices] and to stay focused on that until you actually adopt a policy. Finish it before moving forward on another policy. We have been working with your town clerk, Cally Gallegos, on a reserve policy.” They have also started working with staff to develop a capital asset inventory. Gallegos reinforced the message of focusing on one thing at a time, asking the trustees to decide if they wanted to work on a reserve policy or a capital improvement plan. “I can only work on one policy at a time,” she said.

Trustee Chris Johnson said, “We don’t know what our needs are, it has never been defined what the reserves are needed for ... we know of some projects such as a new water tank. It would help to have more information before setting reserve levels.” During the discussion, it was pointed out that the capital asset inventory, which when completed, will identify the components of the town’s infrastructure and attempts to define the remaining useful life. This becomes a tool in establishing a capital improvement plan, which is also tied to the reserve policy to address future needs of the town. Crowe explained how each component plays a role in the budget process. The capital asset inventory helps the trustees and staff understand short-, mid- and long-term capital spending needs. With this information they can then set a meaningful reserve policy that can be adapted to changing needs instead of hoping things work out. Bullen pointed out, “Crawford is a disadvantaged community, which qualified you for grants, free and low interest loans ... these things can enable to town to replace aging infrastructure at a pretty reasonable rate.” Bullen suggested the town complete the asset inventory so the board knows what it has, the condition and projected life balance. “This provides a starting point so you can be knowledgeable in setting reserves,” she noted. Look for the Crawford Town Council to adopt a series of policies in the coming months, based on the guidance of DOLA.

when most human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Colorado.” According to health officials, most people bitten by a mosquito infected with the virus show no symptoms; however, some may develop symptoms 3-15 days after being bit. About one in five infected persons will have mild illness with fever, and about one in 150 will become severely ill. Physicians are urged to test patients for the West Nile virus if they show signs of fever, altered mental status, suspected meningitis or encephalitis, or sudden painless paralysis in the absence of stroke during

summer months. The Delta County Health Department urges residents to take preventative measures against the West Nile Virus. The following prevention tips are encouraged: * Drain standing water on property. * Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquito activity is high. * Dress in long sleeves and pants during dusk and dawn and in areas where mosquitoes are active. * DEET is an effective ingredient to look for in bug repellent. For more information visit www.fightthebite colorado.com or call 1877-462-2911.

mer building official with violations of height limitations for this R-2 Zone. This was an error on the part of the town government, so I am being directed to inform you (Struempler) that your structure will simply be considered as non-conforming once completed.” Paonia resident Richard Schmidt brought the code issue to the town’s attention. “I attempted to stop the house’s roof before the trusses were even built, about a month ago,” Schmidt told town trustees at the Aug. 14 board meeting during the public comment. Schmidt contacted Knight about two weeks before the trusses were put in place and asked that the town issue a stopwork order. He received a letter from town attorney Bo Nerlin stating that the town would not take action to stop construction. Schmidt asked the town board to “uphold the law,” stating that a precedent will exist if the building is not brought up to compliance. “I believe that the new height max-

imum of R-2 zoning will be 35 feet,” he told the board. Knight disagrees that allowing construction to continue and issuing a variance amounts to a change in town code. “Each application is considered separately,” he said. Knight said two of Struempler’s neighbors also complained about the building heights. After hearing the town’s explanation, “Both said it was unfortunate, but they understand.” Schmidt also requested a review of all permits issued by Coleman. Knight called the request “unreasonable.” Between six to eight permits issued by Coleman are still active, said Knight. Since building permits issued by the town have a one-year expiration date, they will all be expired no later than this December. This permit contains the “one true error” he knows of, said Knight. “Without specific complaints, the town will not review any outstanding building permits.”

West Nile FROM PAGE B1 Marston’s death marks the second West Nile fatality in Colorado this year, according to the release. The first confirmed case of West Nile in Delta County was on Aug. 23, in a Delta County resident between age 50-59. That person is recovering from the virus, according to the health department. “West Nile Virus can be a serious illness and residents should understand the health risks associated with this virus,” said Delta County Environmental Health Director Ken Nordstrom in the release. “August through September are

Building code FROM PAGE B1 inets and designed the two buildings on Niagara as his primary residence and studio/work space. When he first presented drawings to the town, he said Coleman wrote down the allowable specifications, which included a roof height of 35 feet. “I had no intention to do anything wrong,” said Struempler. “Why would I? I was given parameters and I used them.” The building footprints total 1,800 square feet, and fall within the building envelope, said Struempler. Building dimensions, he said, allowed him to build a highly energy-efficient house with almost no waste. After dismissing Coleman, the town hired former Delta building inspector Dan Reardon. Last spring the town contracted the services out to Denver-based Colorado Code Consulting, LLC, for which Reardon is a consultant. Reardon inspected the site and issued a report dated July 19, stating in part that the owner’s plans “... were approved by the for-

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Delta County Independent

Forty-two parks and done Hotchkiss lady has visited every state park in Colorado BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

“As far as I can remember, it all started in 2016,” said Marilyn Tate as she sat in her cozy sunny kitchen surrounded by Colorado state park memorabilia. In June 2016 the Hotchkiss resident was planning to visit her daughter Carol in Buena Vista. Carol suggested a trip to Eleven Mile State Park and, when Marilyn learned that three state parks were clustered together near her daughter’s home, she drove not only to Eleven Mile but also to Mueller and Spinney Mountain. Those trips did it and suddenly it was three-down and 39 to go. “I got the bug at Eleven Mile,” said Marilyn, “and I just thought wouldn’t it be fun to visit all the state parks.” It seemed a natural ambition for a woman who’s a history buff and loves to travel. Marilyn is constantly exploring Colorado and she often takes her children along on her adventures. She has four daughters and one son: Carol lives in Buena Vista, Susan is in Hotchkiss, Nancy’s in Paonia, Julie’s in Eagle, and Larry was in Colorado Springs for years before he retired from teaching and moved to Florida. When Marilyn started out on her quest, there were 42 state parks. That number was reduced to 41 when San Luis Lakes State Park was converted

to a state wildlife area. To visit San Luis Lakes, Marilyn had to travel to south-central Colorado near the New Mexico border and she got there just three days before the conversion. “Just about missed that one,” she smiled. The Colorado state parks are fee areas requiring a daily entrance charge or purchase of a yearly sticker. In addition to dutifully paying the fee, Marilyn also took advantage of a state park pass that can be checked out without cost from the Delta County Libraries. Anyone with a Delta County Libraries card can do the same. “Visiting the parks is a great adventure,” she said, “and one that I advise people to do, especially families. I hope my visits will inspire others to get out there and do it.” It was fairly easy for Marilyn to bag the state parks close to home. Crawford, Ridgway, and Paonia are all nearby as is Delta’s Sweitzer Lake State Park and a handful of parks adjacent to Grand Junction. Some parks were more challenging to reach. It took a trip to Iowa and some careful map reading to hit North Sterling State Park which is located far away in Colorado’s northeastern corner. An ambitious two-day jaunt in September 2016 allowed her to add more than a dozen state parks to her list. With her daughters along for the ride, the family drove north of Interstate 70 in a marathon road trip in order to reach 14 parks from Rifle Gap to Lory.

Firor attends summer engineering program Kaiya Firor of Hotchkiss recently attended the prestigious Women in Engineering (WIE) program at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich. More than 120 young women from 12 states were accepted into this highly competitive scholarship program. In addition, young women from England, Colombia, Chile and Bahrain participated in the program which is part of Michigan Tech’s summer youth programs. WIE is a fun and intensive weeklong look at engineering careers in areas such as mechanical, computer, environmental, electrical, biomedical, civil, geological and materials engineering. The girls explored engineering with group projects such as designing a

building strong enough to withstand an earthquake, creating an artificial intelligence army and more. They received inside information from female role models working in engineering fields. Students accepted in the Women in Engineering program receive a scholarship that covers tuition, room and board and supplies. In addition, the young women experienced college life by staying in residence halls, eating in university cafeterias and exploring campus life among others with similar interests. Following intensive classroom and lab experiences in the day, the girls enjoyed team competitions, a variety show and many outdoor activities in Michigan’s beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula.

Photo by Don Benjamin

Marilyn Tate of Hotchkiss has visited every state park in Colorado. She’s compiled her visits into a notebook which includes a description of each park and a photo of the park sign. The photograph in her right hand shows her celebrating the last location on her list. In May 2018 she completed her quest by visiting Lake Pueblo State Park in southern Colorado near the city of the same name. Does she have a favorite state park? “They’re all so different,” she said. “I don’t think I can pick a favorite. They’re all unique. Some large, some small, some urban, some rural, some wet, and some dry. Each one has something to offer in the way of recreation.” At each location, Marilyn took a photo of the park sign and then she toured the area and stopped by the visitor center for an orientation and to pick up brochures. Her final photograph, taken on May 8, 2018, shows her smiling in a ‘hooray’ pose at the entrance to park number 42: Lake Pueblo. She has compiled her park adventures into an alphabetized notebook and she has added that completed book to her other mementoes. Marilyn is a selfdescribed “outdoorswoman” who loves to be outside. She can often be found in the Kebler Pass area car-camping and making coffee on her one-burner camp stove. When not on the road, her hobbies include collecting things and she loves sharing information about her treasures. She has a wide assortment of vintage Kraft “swanky swig” cheese jars featuring beautifully etched designs from the 1950s. (She pretty much has them all including some from Canada.) She also collects local fruit packing labels. (She specializes in Paonia growers and she’s on the lookout for an old “Red Robin” label.) Plus she’s compiled a book of photographs and captions describing the region’s historic oneroom schoolhouses. Many of these rural structures have disappeared but some are still standing in sites ranging from the Muddy to Redlands Mesa and Crawford.

Marilyn was born and raised in Paonia before moving to Crawford and finally to Hotchkiss where she has lived for 60-plus years. The brick house that her grandfather built near Paonia in 1905 is still standing. Her father was born in that house and one of the old schoolhouses in her “Schools Then and Now” photo collection once stood on the acreage surrounding the house. She is a member of the Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Society. She also served for 18 years on the Hotchkiss Town Council. What’s next for the traveling collector? She’s visited every state in the nation but she prefers traveling around the West. She just got back from riding a vintage train in Leadville and she’ll soon be on her way to a college football game in Laramie, Wyo. “Anytime anybody says to me ‘let’s go,’ I do,” she laughed. And the adventurous woman has the memorabilia and the memories to prove it.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

‘Rise the Climate’ coming to Paonia Crawford Area Indivisible hosts a fun, informative, and forward looking event at Paonia Town Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8. As part of the worldwide Rise for Climate! day, there will be free live music, speakers, sign making, crafts for kids, Solution Stations, a pledge board, cards to write to public officials, a parade and more, including free digital kids’ portraits. Bring the family and a picnic lunch, chairs or blankets. Speakers will include Hannah Holm, coordinator at the Water Center at Colorado Mesa University speaking on “Climate Change Effects in Western Colorado to Water Supplies”; Dr. David Inouye, professor emeritus in biology at the University of Maryland on “Climate Change Effects to Wildflowers and Pollinators”; and Pete Kolbenschlag, environmental activist, on “Climate Activism in a Challenging Time.” Also presenting will be Perry Cabot, CSU water resources specialist for the western region, on “Climate Change Effects in the Colorado River Basin and the Effects to Agriculture.” Thomas Wills will speak to the idea that “The climate has always changed and always will.” Representatives of the Western Slope Conservation Center and Citizens for a Healthy

Community will speak to the effects of local oil/gas drilling on local resouces. Music from Kaleb Griffin & Reeder Goldman of Clifton Hanger, The Scones, Dylan Fixmer and Jon Hickam, Hard Pressed, and the Eclectic Alchemy Band will start the day at 10 a.m. Music will continue between speaker sets, and wrap up the event with a parade through the park. Displays include solar ovens, electric cars and bikes, solar energy, and more. Information from various climate action groups including the Citizens Climate Lobby, Western Slope Conservation Center, and Citizens for a Healthy Community will be available, as well as displays from local entrepreneurs. No glass or alcohol are allowed in the park.

Benefit dinner for Art For All The Kids’ Pasta Project will be serving up a dinner to benefit Arts For All on Monday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. at Delicious Orchards, 39126 Highway 133, Paonia. Reservations are required. Email kpp reservations@gmail.com or call Lenore Cambria at 985-9220.

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Delta County Independent

Man sentenced for illegally building road on public land Earl Bennett, age 72, was recently sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Gordon Gallagher to serve one year of probation and pay $30,000 in restitution for the repair of a road he illegally built on Forest Service land near the Cathedral Peaks Subdivision near Crawford. Bennett had previously pled guilty to

a Class B misdemeanor, for constructing a road, trail or other improvement on national forest system lands without special-use authorization, a contract or an approved operating plan. According to court documents, including the stipulated facts contained in the plea agree-

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ment, on June 28, 2014, Bennett, while president of the Cathedral Peaks Ranch Landowner’s Association (CPRLA), bulldozed a trail and created an unauthorized road on national Forest Service land adjacent to private property of another subdivision landowner. A witness observed the defendant on a bulldozer creating the road on Forest Service land. Later, it was determined that Bennett spent 11 hours using the bulldozer opening the road. On Aug. 24, 2014, a Forest Service crew went to the site and confirmed there was nearly a mile of newly constructed road on national Forest Service land. The damage included soil and rock removal, erosion damage, hillside weakening, and numerous oak trees cut. The road created a dangerous risk of mudslide and endangers an individual’s home, located below the damaged area. public “Destroying land is selfish and steals from all of us,” said U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer. “The U.S. Attorney’s Offices works together with the Forest Service and local law enforcement to protect our public land.” “National forests are public lands; they belong to all of us to enjoy safely and responsibly,” said USDA Forest Service special agent in charge Kent Delbon. “Constructing, placing or maintaining any kind of road, trail, structure, fence, enclosure, communication equipment, or other improvements on national forest system lands without permission is illegal and harmful to the environment.” This case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service. The defendant was prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorney Jeremy Chaffin.

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Photo by Randy Sunderland

From left, Taylor from Paonia, Raelyn from Norwood and Zoe from Paonia head toward Paonia from the Samuel Wade Bridge on Third Street Saturday afternoon. An extension of the sidewalk from where it ends just west of the Paonia Library is expected to be completed this fall.

Paonia approves sidewalk extension BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

Extension of the sidewalk ending just west of the Paonia Library on Third Street to the Samuel Wade Bridge is slated for completion this fall. A citizen’s complaint about the narrow road and its abrupt drop-off at the shoulder prompted prioritization of the project, said trustee Bill Bear. “I think it’s a natural extension of the sidewalk and I think it will improve safety for people walking that area.” Bear and trustee Mary Bachran serve on the town Public Works Committee. Both trustees “truly believe that the extension of that sidewalk to the bridge... is something that the town should budget for,” said

Town Administrator Ken Knight. Trustees awarded a contract to Delta-based C&N Construction, which quoted $17,485 to pour the five-foot-wide, roughly 300-foot-long section of concrete sidewalk and pan curb and gutter. C&N is completing a $47,500 project to install and repair several handicap ramps in town and repair damaged sections of sidewalk. Once complete, they will begin work on the Third Street section. By using C&N the town will save a significant amount on mobilization and de-mobilization costs, said Knight. Funds will come from a windfall of more than $17,000 the town will receive from the Highway Users Tax Fund. Treasur-

er Ross King explained that the state will distribute $37.12 million in additional HUTF revenue in fiscal year 2018 and $11.25 million in FY 2019 to municipalities and counties throughout the state. The town budgeted $48,000 in highway user tax revenues for fiscal year 2018, and received its additional $13,329 portion of the distribution in July. The balance of the funds will come from the Public Works budget, to be repaid upon receipt of the 2019 HUFT distribution. The state statute approving the distribution of funds identifies the approved uses of the funds “and this project falls under the uses that have been described in this section,” said King.

Pianist Kara Huber kicks off concert series The Blue Sage Family Matinee Series is pleased to present the kickoff event with pianist Kara Huber on Sunday, Sept. 9, at 3 p.m. Hailed as “absolutely dazzling ... in a word, flawless” by the New York Concert Review, Grammy-nominated pianist Kara Huber performs an exciting program featuring songs, preludes and the iconic Rhapsody in Blue by America’s own George Gershwin. The Blue Sage’s new

Family Matinee Series offers world-class music in a setting that provides accessibility offering afternoon concerts one-hour in length with ticket prices at $8, and free for kids. Tickets are on sale now at the Blue Sage Gallery located at 226 Grand Avenue in Paonia open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m., by calling (970) 527-7243, or online at bluesage.org. Inquire in the gallery for free student scholarship tickets.

Kara Huber

18th annual Mountain Harvest Festival set for Sept. 27-30 Mark your calendar to be in Paonia Sept. 2730 for the 18th annual Mountain Harvest Festival. This is our time to celebrate every local harvest that blesses our town and the river valley beyond. The festival begins with Harvest of Voices on Thursday at the Blue Sage. Paonia Town Park gets hopping on Friday with the chili cook-off, pie contest and live music, but don’t miss the Pub Crawl

downtown. Lots of activities on Saturday for all — yoga, kids’ events, festival market, hoola hoop contest, and music. Tour the wineries and organic farms or do a free range ride with the bicycle club. Saturday night features 10 bands in concert at seven venues. Tickets are $25 (in advance). One ticket lets you partake in as much music as you can fit between 7 p.m. and midnight. You will hear a great variety of musical

Delta County teams headed to ranch rodeo finals A team from Iron Horse and Cattle in Hotchkiss is among 16 teams that have qualified to compete for both team and individual honors at the Mountain States Ranch Rodeo Finals. The finals will be held Sept. 7-8 at the Montrose County Event Center in Montrose. Three other teams from Delta County — A Cross A Livestock, J.T. Cattle Co. and J $ Livestock, all from Delta — are among the fnalists as well.

Pen and doctor competition, calf branding, wild cow milking, trailer loading and stray gather are just a few of the events. A Western Heritage Expo and the 2018 Western Slope Draft Horse Challenge are free to the public prior to the Ranch Rodeo Finals, starting at 6:30 p.m. both days. Admission to the finals is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and kids under six are free. The doors open at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, and at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8.

styles from Americana to zydeco. The fun continues on Sunday with the harvest market, farmers’ market, kids’ activities and the North Fork showcase of local musicians. The festival celebrates every aspect of creativity — music, artistic expression, literature and more. The focus is on all things local — food, wine, beer, juice, art and crafts. The festival is a major fundraiser for Mountain Harvest Creative, a charitable organization whose mission is to celebrate and serve our communities. Service includes supporting agriculture and the arts, collaborating with other local nonprofits and providing educational opportunities, especially for young people. Although Paonia is a small town, it packs a punch way beyond its weight class. The Mountain Harvest Festival attracts a lot of visitors, even from out of state, who have discovered our charms, idiosyncrasies and uniqueness. Check out www.mountainharvest festival.org for the list of all festival events and to order tickets online. For more info, call joshbehrman@comcast. net or 970-618-8032.

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

SPORTS September 5, 2018

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

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Reynolds’ four scores lead Bruins past Sailors BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Cedaredge High School opened a new era in football with its exciting 34-26 victory over the visiting 3A Steamboat Springs Sailors last Friday night. The Bruins unveiled their newest offensive look against the Sailors and overcame a pair of deficits in recording the season’s first victory in Cedaredge’s season opener. Cedaredge coach Brandon Milholland noted the new-look offense was one he played in during his college days. The triple option attack was wellsuited to senior Jared Reynolds’ style, which he demonstrated just how good the fit was, with (unofficially) 119 yards rushing on 25 carries and four touchdowns and a two-point conversion in the Bruins’ win. Reynolds was one of six in the passing department for nine yards giving Cedaredge 292 yards of total offense in the game. Steamboat Springs took a 6-0 lead after a one-yard run from Austin Ban with 47.4 left in the opening period. The Bruins got on the board with a 19-yard run from Reynolds with 11:01

left in the second period. Sophomore Brody Wagner’s PAT kick gave the Bruins a 7-6 lead. The Sailors answered quickly on a 50-yard pass from Effinger to Tanner Raper. Another missed extra point gave Steamboat a lead of 12-7. Dusty Emig put Cedaredge back in the lead on an eight-yard burst capping a 65-yard drive. Reynolds ran for two points giving the Bruins a 15-12 lead with 2:52 left in the second quarter. Excited Cedaredge fans and players were quieted on the ensuing kickoff when Steamboat’s Lowen Epstein scooted down the right sideline for 90 yards and a quick six points putting the Sailors right back in the lead, 18-15 with 2:36 left in the first half. A stalled drive to begin the third quarter forced Cedaredge to punt the ball away. Steamboat got a goahead touchdown on a seven-yard run by Jonathon Kaminski. Kaminski also scored the twopoint conversion putting the Sailors ahead, 26-15 with 7:24 left in the third quarter. Reynolds scored his

second touchdown on a four-yard run with 4:03 left in the third quarter leaving the Bruins trailing 26-21. Cedaredge got two fourth-quarter scores from Reynolds on an 11yard scamper and a twoyard plunge to produce the 34-26 winning margin. Cedaredge’s defense made key plays throughout the contest to thwart the Sailors offense on several occasions. An Effinger fumble was recovered by Emig at the Bruins’ 19 with Reynolds scoring on the next play for one of his four scores; senior Taj VanderLinde sacked Effinger to end the first half and VanderLinde recovered a fumble at the Bruins’ 37 to stop another potential drive. Steamboat’s offense generated minus nine yards rushing for the game while the passing game produced 153 yards on seven completions. After the game, Reynolds was asked if he was worked a little bit and if the new offense was suited for him. “Yeah, it was a lot of fun ... this is the way the offense works. It’s a grind. The triple option is our main focus with plays underneath

that open the outside for us. We get what we can and embrace the grind.” Coach Milholland was equally pleased with the game’s results. The question of which he was most pleased with, the offense or defense had this response. “If you had told me we would score 34 points in this style offense, I’d have said no way. To come back twice like we did is hard to do in this offense. Hats off to the kids; they believe in each other. Jared did a great job. He read the triple option better than I did when I played in college in the same system.” Cedaredge travels to Buena Vista on Friday, Sept. 7, to face the 1A Demons, who are part of the Tri-Peaks League.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Bruins’ senior Wade Barnard wraps up Steamboat Springs’ quarterback Diego Efﬁnger as junior teammate Dusty Emig (21) closes in to help make the tackle in Cedaredge’s come-from-behind 34-26 nonconference win last Friday night in Cedaredge.

Bulldogs dig deep for season-opening win BY NATHAN CLAY DCI Sports Writer

Friday night lights set the stage for an impressive victory by the Bulldogs over returning state tournament participants Clear Creek’s Golddiggers. Clear Creek just edged Hotchkiss for a state tournament berth in the 2017 season, so the Bulldogs’ win meant all the more to the team and fans. “This win was a huge boost for our program and for the kids’ confidence,” said head coach Curtis Hintz. In a back and forth con-

test that saw the teams trading blows throughout, Hotchkiss was able to win by a single point as the game ended 35-34 with the Bulldogs having to dig deep to find the mental strength to battle back from 13 points down in the third quarter. Three times the Golddiggers missed on twopoint conversions, while Hotchkiss’ senior kicker Kayia Firor succeeded in converting all five of her PAT attempts. The Bulldogs boast a strong rush game, and this contest certainly

showcased that fact. Of the 512 total yards gained by the Dogs, 304 of them came on the legs of junior Jace Peebles, who also scored three touchdowns. Hintz attributes a swing in the momentum of the game to an interception made by junior Will Scarlett, who picked off the pass and made a long run to nearly the 50-yard line. This galvanized the Bulldogs, and they went on to score two unanswered touchdowns to close out the game in strong fashion and secure the win.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Cedaredge quarterback Jared Reynolds pitches the ball to junior Ryan Imhoff as Steamboat Springs’ Finn Russell closes in for the tackle in last Friday’s prep football action in Cedaredge. The Bruins came from behind with two fourth quarter touchdowns by Reynolds to score a 34-26 non-conference win.

Photo by Nathan Clay

Senior place kicker Kayia Firor makes this extra point following a touchdown by the Bulldogs in last week’s 35-34 win over Clear Creek. Firor made all ﬁve of her kicks in the game.

Paonia XC teams run in Husky Invitational BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Photo by Nathan Clay

Jace Peebles (#5 in center of frame) powers through a mass of Clear Creek bodies to take the ball into the end zone. Peebles scored three touchdowns against Clear Creek’s Golddiggers (members of the 1A Foothills League) last Friday night helping Hotchkiss score a 35-34 victory.

Paonia was among 31 teams competing at the annual Battle Mountain Husky Invitational cross country meet at Avon. The meet attracts mostly Class 4A and 3A teams. Run on a new course this year, the winning girls time was about two minutes faster than in years past, and the winning boys’ time was just over two minutes ahead of last year’s time.

Paonia’s boys team scored 377 points to place 13th overall and was second among Class 2A teams. Out of 150 competitors, senior Ethan Bartlett placed 16th with a time of 19 minutes, 16 seconds. Elijah Evans 80th 21:22, freshman Alyster Birk 93rd 22:17, senior Logan Green 96th 22:34, and freshman Alejandro Garcia 98th 22:38. Paonia’s girls scored 351 points and finished

11th overall. Junior Katya Schwieterman led the team, placing 32nd out of 133 runners with a time of 24:18. Sophomore Tawny Roberts placed 53rd (24:18). Alexandra Eaton finished 84th in 26:15, Sophia Gonzalez placed 93rd in 27:07, and Jade Ellenberger finished 100th with a time of 27:29. Of the four Class 2A teams at the meet, Lyons won both the boys and girls divisions.

B6 Wednesday, September 5, 2018

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Panthers soccer stays strong in wins BY NATHAN CLAY DCI Sports Writer

DHS’ varsity soccer men had a busy week with two games in four days as they faced Montrose on the 28th and Summit County on the 31st. Both games went down as strong wins for the Panthers against tough opposition, making the Panthers’ record for the season 3-0. Against Montrose, Delta won by 4 goals to 2. Two of the four goals were netted by Delta captain Martin Corral (Jr), with Jarret Hernandez (Jr) and Jose Pantoja (Sr) contributing one goal each. Montrose answered

with two goals but couldn’t manage to get back into the game. The Panthers kept Montrose quiet in the second half and controlled the game with tough defensive work and some acrobatic keeping by goalie Felipe Bedoy (Jr), who was named man of the match for the game against the Indians. Against Summit, Delta once again scored four times and was able to see off Summit despite stiff competition from the Tigers and some chippy play. The referee struggled to maintain control of an increasingly physical game, and each team was issued a red card toward the end of the

match for their involvement in a dust up on the pitch. The highlight of the game came near the 40th minute when Pantoja floated in a beautiful cross from just inside the byline which was met in the middle of traffic by Corral who finished emphatically with a spectacular overhead kick. Corral managed to complete a hat trick of goals and he was named man of the match. The scoring was finished off by Hernandez in the second half making the final score 4-3. The Panthers hope to continue their winning start to the season at Crested Butte on September 6.

Photo by Nathan Clay

Jarrett Hernandez (17) tries to round the ‘keeper and shoot after slipping in behind the Summit defensive line. Hernandez ﬁnished the game with two assists and a goal in a 4-2 Panthers’ win. The Panthers, with the win over Summit, move to a record of 3-0.

Delta gridders top Thornton BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Delta’s Panthers began the season with purpose against Thornton’s Trojans Saturday afternoon. The Panthers pitched a shutout winning by a score of 42-0 over the 4A Pioneer League team, and in doing so established a new Delta High

School victory standard for coach Ben Johnson and his staff. The win signified Johnson’s 67th win at Delta, with help from a combination of assistant coaches over the past 10 seasons (Johnson is entering his 10th year at Delta). Delta compiled 324

yards of total offense to Thornton’s 122 yards. Sophomore quarterback Nolan Bynum lived up to his pre-season billing with four touchdown passes and ran for another in Delta’s rout. The talented player had 44 yards on six rushes. Bynum completed 12 of 16 passes for 204 yards last Saturday with junior Skyler Kraai hauling in four passes for 79 yards

and three touchdowns in the game. Junior Cody Suave ran for 48 yards on 10 carries and scored a touchdown for Delta with junior Ku Moo rushing 11 times for 28 yards. Defensively, senior Aiden Barrios led the Panthers in tackles against the Trojans with eight tackles (five solo and three assists). Junior Gauge Lockhart, with

seniors Caleb Miramontes and Aiden Barrios contributed six tackles each in the win. Junior Hunter Hughes recorded a sack while sophomore Colton Johnson intercepted a pass and senior Kolby Keller and junior Nathan Workman deflected passes. Keller also caused one fumble in the game. Delta’s kicking game featured seven kickoffs

with Felipe Bedoy sendting three of the seven kickoffs to Thornton’s end zone for no returns. Bedoy was also six for six in extra-point attempts for the Panthers. Delta makes the trek over Monarch Pass to Salida for this week’s gridiron matchup with the Spartans. Friday night’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Photo courtesy Danielle Bynum

Delta defensive players Caleb Miramontes (28), Brandon Butler (39) and Nate Workman (far right) converge on a Thornton ball carrier in last Saturday’s non-conference football game played in Denver. The Panthers dominated all phases of the contest and walked away with a convincing 42-0 win. Sophomore quarterback Nolan Bynum (below) moves to his right on a pass play. Bynum threw for four touchdowns in the win and ran for one more in his ﬁrst varsity start.

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Nolan Bynum

Hotchkiss to host 17th CC Invitational BY TAMIE MECK

DCI Sports Writer

The only prep cross country race run in the North Fork Valley is on Saturday, Sept. 8. Races start at 9 a.m. with the middle school girls’ division, followed at 9:30 a.m. by the middle school boys. The high school girls’ race starts at 10 a.m., followed at 10:45 a.m. with the boys race. Awards are given to the top 10 individuals in each race, and a first place plaque is awarded

in each division. Considered one of the more challenging courses on the western slope, racers maneuver a hilly course that opens at Bulldog football stadium with a steady uphill climb, traverses the landscape and drops into a ravine. Following a relatively level section runners make a steep ascent, make an up and down traverse, ending with a descent toward the stadium. The boys 3,000-meter middle school course HOTCHKISS TO B7

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Panthers nip Indians, Bears BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

A pair of diamond wins in non-conference play has Delta High School showing a 4-2 mark overall in 2018. The Panthers munched Montrose 12-0 to begin play last week on Aug. 28. The 4A Rifle Bears brought an umblemished record to town on Aug. 30 and suffered their first loss of the season, 9-1, and left town with a 4-1 mark. Montrose, a 5A/4A member of the Southwestern League, finished the week at 4-3. Against Montrose, sophomore Hailee Ruble pitched a one-hitter for

the win. Ruble was the pitcher of record against Rifle on Thursday, Aug. 30, and upped her season record to 3-1 with another one-hitter in a 9-1 decision over the Bears. Delta’s hitting stars against Montrose included senior Jenna Sutliff who was 3-4 with a pair of doubles, scored two runs and drove in one run. Senior Alyssa Trujillo was also a threehit leader for the Panthers and finished the game with two doubles and scored three times. Makayla Kortz, another senior on Delta’s roster, went 2-4, scored twice and had one RBI. Ruble

collected two hits in the game, including a double, scored once and had an RBI as well. Sophomore catcher Keely Porter was 1-4 on the day and knocked in three Panthers. Senior Reagan Clay had a double in a two-hit day and scored once herself to help Delta earn the 12-0 victory. Ruble had the big bat for Delta against Rifle to go with her pitching performance. She had three hits, including another double, and drove in three Panthers in the win. Close behind Ruble’s performance was Porter’s 2-2 day which included

a double and two RBIs. Sutliff had two hits and scored three times for Delta while Clay had a hit, scored once and recorded an RBI. Kortz’s day at the plate included a double, and she added to the winning score by scoring once. Delta was scheduled to play a doubleheader against the visiting Palisade Bulldogs, (2-3 in the 4A WSL) and are scheduled to face Basalt in Delta on Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. The Panthers open the following week with a Tuesday (Sept. 11) contest at Gunnison with varsity play set to commence at 3 p.m.

Delta runners compete at Delta, Avon courses BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Six varsity and three middle school teams braved the adobe hills of Devil’s Thumb for last Friday’s Devil’s Thumb Hill Climb. The meticulous course is a serious test for the most avid runner. Gunnison sophomore Ivy Pelletier won the girls division and the Cowboy’s Colton Stice was an easy winner in the boys race. Pelletier ran the course in 31:02.71 while Stice smoked the trails with a time of 23:02.38. Delta’s top girl finisher was sophomore Grace Hall in a time of 35:13.49 in ninth place. The remaining Panther

runners completing the race included senior Abby Williams (12th, 38:48.75), freshman Maria Lamas (16th, 42:46.84), sophomore Zoe Williams (20th, 45:24.26) and freshman Sophia McCrackin (21st, 45:36.56). Sophomore Doyle Young finished 20th for the Panthers with a time of 32:12.95. Delta’s two other finishers were senior Andrew Toole (21st, 32:12.95) and freshman Austin Hurd who was 36th in a time of 33:04.66. Hall was asked her thoughts on what was the most difficult part of the race. Her answer was, “The hill going to the top was the worst.

But it was almost impossible to keep your feet when you started down the other side.” Doyle had the same question and said, “I thought the worst part was after getting down the (big) hill you had to finish the lower portion with up and down hills that put a lot of pressure on your legs.” Delta coach JB Lopez had a smile on his face when he added his thoughts on the course. “The whole course is a challenge in all parts of the race.” Several athletes bypassed the Devil’s Thumb rigors to run in Battle Mountain’s Husky Invitational in Avon on

Saturday morning. In Avon the winning boys’ time was 17:21. Delta’s John Ames finished 10th with a time of 18:46 with teammate Shad Lewis finishing 42nd (20:09), Young, with a double-dip run on the weekend, 130th (24:44), Toole, another doubledipper, 142nd (25:54) and Jack Jones, 144th (26:25). Steamboat Springs’ Maggi Congdon won the girls race in 20:42. Delta’s top runners were Beki Atchley (88th, 26:23), Aubree Andre (102nd, 27:36), Remi Baldwin (106th, 27:53), Hana Hollenbeck 119th, Emma Corbassan 121st and Shoshanna Vigil 128th.

Falcons clip Eagles 38-0 BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

That the lights at Dan Lawrence Field went out with three minutes remaining in the first half could be a metaphor for the outcome of Paonia’s season-opening football game. When the field went dark, the visiting Centauri Falcons held a six point lead and had possession of the ball at midfield. The Eagles were outrun, outsized, outthrown, out-coached and outplayed for a non-conference, 38-0 loss to the Falcons. It was a perfect storm for a young Eagles team with its smallest roster since 2010, a first-year quarterback, and a young

coaching staff with a second-year head coach, all facing veteran coaches and a team hungry for a win after last year’s three-point state championship loss in double overtime. Ninth-year head coach Kyle Forster and the defending state runner-up Falcons dominated the field, scoring early and, in the second half, often. Against Centauri’s front-line, most players weighing in at over 200 pounds, Paonia was unable to penetrate the line. With receivers wellcovered, they never completed a pass. Paonia made four turnovers on fumbles, including two in the first quarter, and threw two interceptions.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Paonia senior Anthony Felice is tackled at midﬁeld on the opening kickoff against Centauri last Friday night in Paonia. The Eagles fell, 38-0, in their season opener.

Hotchkiss CONTINUED FROM B6 record of 9 minutes, 45.82 seconds is held by Sean Graff of Montrose, now a top high school runner for the Indians. Montrose graduate Ian Meek set the course record of 17:27.77 in 2016.

The girls’ middle school record of 10:31.98 was set in 2016 by India Nornes of Crested Butte Middle School, and the high school girls’ course record of 20:06 was set by Hotchkiss alumna Natalie Anderson in 2010.

The shutout marks Paonia’s first since a 2004, 27-0 shutout against Hayden. With 3:10 left in the second quarter and Centauri leading by a touchdown and in possession at midfield, about half of the lights at Dan Lawrence Field went dark. After several minutes, an early half-time was called. Teams were informed that they would finish the first half after returning to the field, then roll directly into the second half.

With the lights back on, the teams took the field and Falcons’ junior quarterback Eric Maez threw a 50-yard touchdown pass on the opening play to end the half with a 12-point lead. In the third quarter the Falcons were unstoppable, scoring 18 points and putting an Eagles’ win well out of reach. This Friday the Eagles face the Southern Peaks League’s Monte Vista. In their opening game, the Pirates suffered a 24-0 loss to 2A Alamosa.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Delta’s Hailee Ruble delivers a pitch to a Riﬂe hitter in last week’s softball game won by Delta, 9-1. The Bears were unbeaten coming into the game and took a 4-1 record home. Delta entered play this week with a 4-2 record.

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B8 Wednesday, September 5, 2018

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Delta volleyball team back on right track BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

After beginning the season with a disappointing loss to Montrose Aug. 23, Delta’s Panthers kicked off this past week with a 3-1 win over visiting Grand Junction Central. The wins kept coming over the weekend in Gunnison with a three-game tournament schedule. In Delta’s win over Central on Tuesday (Aug. 28) junior Sara Geddes paced a trio of players with 12 kills against the Warriors. Senior Lauren Davey and freshman Erika Kuta finished the night with 11 kills each. Kuta generated six points for the Panthers on service aces with

19, to earn a 3-1 match victory. On Saturday, the Panthers were in Gunnison for an annual tournament competition Delta has attended for several years. Though there were no stats from four matches played, the Panthers defeated Norwood, Salida, Gunnison and Dove Creek to raise their overall season record to 5-1. Delta’s next court action is in Gunnison for a 6 p.m. contest against the Cowboys. On Sept. 11, Delta is in Paonia Photo by Wayne Crick for another 6 p.m. match Delta’s Madi Gieck puts a scoring swing on the ball against Central last week and finishes the week on in Delta. The Panthers won the match 3-1. Thursday at Grand Valley (6:30 p.m.) and hosts Moffat County on Saturday for matches at 3, 4 and 5 p.m.

Davey leading Delta at the net with four blocks. Junior Haylin McCulloch had 30 digs with senior Mimi Lousignont and Geddes credited with 13 digs each. Senior Abby Carlson finished the match with 36 assists and McCulloch had 22 service receptions with junior Madi Gieck next with 17. The Panthers controlled set one early then held on for a 25-22 win. Central won set two by the same score, 25-22, to keep the match even. The Panthers stormed to a 71 lead in set three and used Davey’s kill shot to win the set, 25-17. Delta rode an early lead in set four to control play and win the set, 25-

Paonia wins on court BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

The Paonia Eagles opened the volleyball season with conference wins over Caprock Academy and Vail Christian. Taralee Mautz had one error in 19 serve receives in the Eagles’ 3-1, 25-15,

with 10 kills and 26 digs. Junior Sophia Knaysi had 36 digs for the Grand Junction school. On Friday the Eagles defeated Vail Christian, 3-1. The Eagles will play their home opener against Delta on Sept. 11.

25-16, 16-25, 25-19 win at Caprock Academy. The Eagles offense made 36 kills in 117 attacks, led by Mautz, Poppy Lightfoot with eight and Carly Horn with seven. Lightfoot also had 14 assists. Senior Kylie Drake led the Caprock Eagles (1-5)

Bruins diamond crew plays five-game week BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

The Cedaredge Bruins’ softball team bounced back from losses to Montrose and Palisade a couple of weeks ago to score a 16-4 decision over Gunnison’s Cowboys at the Field of Dreams in Orchard City. The Bruins countered each of Gunnison’s scores with at least one run of their own each time. Gunnison plated one run in the first and the Bruins came back with five.

Gunnison scored once in the second frame and Gunnison countered with a six-spot to take an 11-3 lead. Each team scored once in the third inning with Cedaredge putting the game away with a four-run bottom of the fifth and a 16-4 final. Cedaredge participated in tournament play at the Sheridan Tournament in Denver Friday and Saturday. The Bruins began play on Friday with a 4-3 win over Holyoke then lost to

4A Eagle Valley 12-3. Game three on Saturday was a 7-6 loss to Lewis-Palmer with a 161 victory coming against Platte Canyon to conclude tournament play. The Bruins are at home on Sept. 8 for a doubleheader against Cortez with games schedule to begin at 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Cedaredge begins play next week on Tuesday, Sept. 11 against Aspen at the Field of Dreams at 4 p.m.

Hotchkiss volleyball team splits matches BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

At Saturday’s Fall Classic tournament at Rangley High School, the Bulldogs volleyball team defeated 4A Rifle, 22-25, 26-24, 15Photo by Wayne Crick 8. Cedaredge’s Summer Young beats out a slap-bunt against Gunnison.

Against 2A Telluride (43, San Juan Basin League), Hotchkiss was defeated, 20 (25-15, 25-17). Final scores for the Bulldogs’ tournament games Friday against Rangely and Hayden were not

available at press time. The Bulldogs face 24 West Grand at Kremmling Saturday. Mustangs’ head coach Taralee Williams was head coach at Hotchkiss in 2015 and 2016.

Olathe High School

HOMECOMING 2018 SATURDAY, SEPT. 8

THURSDAY, SEPT. 6

Cross Country at Gunnison, 9:00 a.m. Volleyball at home vs. Basalt, 11:00, Noon, 1:00 p.m. Volleyball at home vs. Roaring Fork, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 p.m.

Parade, 2:00 p.m. Football vs. Center, 7:00 p.m. Crowning of Royalty during halftime

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7

GO PIRATES!

Homecoming Dance, 8:00-11:00 p.m.

Show your support by attending the Homecoming Football and Volleyball games!

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SURFACE CREEK September 5, 2018

NEWS

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Pops in the Park opens season for Valley Symphony BY STACEY RYAN Special to the DCI

The Valley Symphony Association (VSA) kicks off the all-volunteer arts organization’s 48th season with two free “Pops in the Park” concerts on Saturday, Sept. 8, in the Cedaredge Town Park and Sunday, Sept. 9, at Cobble Creek Golf Course in Montrose. Performances start at 5 p.m. For their only outdoor concerts of the season, the orchestra and chorus will perform a range of popular or “pops” and contemporary music styles, including Americana, movie music, rock ‘n’ roll, Broadway tunes, and traditional marches. “This ‘lighter fare’ appeals to all ages, as we’ll be doing everything from ‘Harry Potter’ movie music to selections of early Broadway numbers like ‘Porgy and Bess’ and lots in between,” said orchestra director Michael Kern. He explained that the VSA is comprised of “your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow citizens. We look to the regional community to support us, and we hope you’ll bring your friends along for a pleasant afternoon of popular music.” The chorus will reprise selections from its popular “Sounds of the 60s and 70s” concert held in March. It will perform names like Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, The Beatles, and James Taylor in choral settings that are rich and true to the original songs. “The audience had a tough time staying still while listening to the music from this generation presented by the chorus in our spring concert,” said chorus director Allyson Connally. VSA board member Priscilla Fry emphasized that VSA’s music is for everyone, not just those who consider themselves

classical enthusiasts. “This season’s five concerts offer a wide range of themes that appeal to all ages, so ordering season or individual concert tickets are a great way to plan in advance for date or family night, or to purchase as gifts or employee incentives.” Having an all-volunteer arts organization such as the VSA is “a rare and special thing for a community, and we need assistance to help keep it going and growing,” Fry said. The organization saw a large uptick in concert attendance last year because of its increased publicity efforts. It rebranded with a new logo, an updated website, and an increased social media presence. “Along with selling more season tickets to a larger demographic, we’re looking to attract past and new sponsors and volunteers to support our organization and keep us in the music-making business.” The VSA provides the free “pops” concerts annually to expose everyone to the accessibility of its offerings for all ages and to encourage season ticket sales. “Because our Christmas by Candlelight concerts often sell out, buying tickets in advance guarantees you a seat,” Fry said. “You can save up to 40 percent by purchasing season tickets.” The Cedaredge concert includes a homemade pie and ice cream social fundraiser. Food and drink will be available at the Cobble Creek concert. For information, upcoming concerts, the audition process, and tickets, visit the VSA on Facebook @valleysymphony association and at ValleySym phony.net. Tickets are also available in Delta at Clubb’s and in Montrose at DeVinny Jewelers and the Pavilion Event Center.

Stark illustration of drought

Photo by Don Benjamin

This photo taken last week at Baron Lake on Grand Mesa provides a stark illustration of the continuing dry conditions plaguing western Colorado. When full, the lake holds about 800 acre feet of water. Now the lake, which sits at an elevation of 10,120 feet, is so low that the cabins appear stranded next to a rock-strewn beach. In a typical year the lake goes down a bit due to irrigation and municipal use but the distance paced off across the mud that lies between the typical shore and the current water’s edge is pushing 25 yards — that’s a quarter of a football field. Baron eventually drains through a series of sister lakes into Kiser Creek, which in turn flows into Ward Creek — a major source of water on the south side of the mesa. All the reservoirs along this chain are growing increasingly shallow and the creeks that link them have steadily slowed to a trickle. One thing plainly evident in the shoreline mud: bear tracks, large and small, left by opportunistic bruins that appear to be fishing the shallows to their heart’s content.

CMS teacher eager to share G-camp experience Learning geology in a classroom and laboratory is key to understanding and teaching Earth systems, but experiencing geology firsthand in the field is a whole different story. Instead of chalkboards on the horizon, wide-open vistas fill your eyes. Instead of typing notes on a keyboard, your hiking boots slide and skid on slick clays, and your hand reaches for a rock ledge that holds millions of years of history in its layers. There’s nothing like experiencing the extraordinary features of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison or Carlsbad Caverns for the first time, and each summer for the last 10 years Texas A&M University’s College of Geosciences has given that opportunity to STEM educators from throughout Texas and the United States. This year, Kayla Jubert, a science teacher at Cedaredge Middle School, was one of the lucky 36 educators participating in G-Camp for Teachers, which takes 36 fifth through 12th grade teachers on a three-week field trip through the Southwest U.S. Jubert, who is beginning her fourth year at CMS, said she didn’t learn a lot of geol-

ogy in college so she seized the opportunity to gain more in-depth knowledge of a subject she’s required to teach. “It turned out to be a fantastic program,” she said. This summer’s itinerary began June 26 and concluded July 13, and included adventures everywhere from the slopes of volcanoes, to the footwalls of faults, in the depths of glacial valleys, on the toes of landslides, and in pristine streams and ancient marine deposits. Jubert looks forward to sharing what she learned about the geology of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and the Colorado National Monument, both of which are familiar to her students. She also enjoyed discovering new destinations like the Capulin Volcano National Monument in New Mexico. “I didn’t even know there were volcanoes in New Mexico!” she said. Participants studied geological features and also developed curricula as they traversed Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, from some locations near sea level to those higher than 12,000 feet. “Through astounding vistas

Photo submitted

Kayla Jubert, science teacher at Cedaredge Middle School, spent part of the summer at G-Camp for Teachers. She experienced the extraordinary geology of the Southwest on a three-week ﬁeld trip.

and sights, such as Capulin Volcano, Great Sand Dunes, Carlsbad Caverns and the PgT boundary created when a meteorite stuck Earth, resulting in the extinction of dinosaurs, we map Earth’s geological history,” said Dr. Rick G-CAMP TO C2

Three talented artists to perform at art center BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Photo by Don Benjamin There’s an old vaudeville On the ﬁrst Friday of the month throughout the summer, joke: downtown Cedaredge is a hub of activity as artists and crafts Mr. A. says, “I come from a people showcased their talent in an art walk. The ﬁnal First musical family.” Friday of the season is this week, although it is likely the Mr. B. asks, “Oh really?” Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center will continue the event Mr. A. responds, “Why yes, with an indoor setting during the colder months ahead. my father was a bass and my mother was a piano tuna.” But when Severin Browne says he’s from a musical family, he’s not kidding. Leaving aside his famous brother Jackater. son, Severin Friday’s theme is “Picture has referred This” and individuals and to his father, families should come preClyde Jackpared to view and purchase son Browne, hand-crafted items and also Browne as “The try their hand at creating world’s their own works of art. Downtown merchants will greatest unpublished songThe last of Cedaredge’s be open late as well as the writer.” Severin learned to play First Friday art walks will arts center which continues take place from 5-7 p.m. on to host the enchanting works piano and guitar at an early age then spent some time writSept. 7. of artist Arleta Pech. But it only marks the Don’t miss Kids Corner at ing songs for Motown records end of the ‘outdoor’ season. 105 Main Street from 5 to 7 until the label produced his Thanks to the Grand Mesa p.m. where kids of all ages first two albums. Twenty Arts & Events Center taking can create a fun finger paint- years later came album numover the First Friday event, ing with an Impressionz Gal- ber three, entitled — someall indications are that the lery artist. The gallery is what appropriately — ‘From popular art walk will con- also hosting the Black Can- the Edge of the World.’ That tinue indoors in the center’s yon Camera Club artist show 1995 work showcased Severin’s flair for inspired soul gallery, classrooms, and the- during September.

First Friday set for Sept. 7 Popular outdoor art walk likely to continue with indoor venue this fall

and rhythm and blues. Severin kept writing and another album followed in 2001 then a CD in 2012. Severin lives in Southern California in an 80-year-old home built by his grandfather. Californian Laurie McClain is an Americana folk singer/ songwriter whose powerful lyrics and honeyed voice seem made for the intimate surroundings of Cedaredge’s Bank McClain of Colorado Theater. Critics report that she “turns each venue into her own living room and each listener into a new friend with her disarming humor and passionate performance.” Her latest CD was released in 2014. Entitled, ‘Live at the Purple Moon,’ it was recorded at the Purple Moon Coffeehouse in Lincoln, Neb. The CD features 10 of her original songs plus stirring a capella covers of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Suzanne’ and the traditional Shaker song, ‘How Can I Keep From Singing.’

Ellen Stapenhorst is a Western Colorado folk singer who has been entertaining audiences more for than five decades. She began performing in L.A. cofStampehorst feehouses in the 1960’s, then migrated to Colorado in the 1970s where she sang and played with Tanglefoot, the Aspen-based country-rock band. She did stints in Nashville and northern California before settling on the Western Slope. She’s sung in a German castle, European concert halls, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, sharing the stage with performers from John Denver to Frankie Valli. Severin Browne and fellow musicians Laurie McClain and Ellen Stapenhorst will perform at the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center (GMAEC) on Tuesday, Sept. 11. The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are still available at Starr’s Guitars in downtown Cedaredge. For concert information, call 970-856-2331.

C2 Wednesday, September 5, 2018

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Grand re-opening set for Grand Mesa Lodge BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

After record snowfall followed by record drought, Mike and Rose Wenner, owners of Grand Mesa Lodge, are still standing and so is their new building. Their lodge is situated at 10,500 feet in a rustic area adjacent to Island Lake and it was recently reconstructed, virtually from scratch. Between November 2016 and January 2017 heavy wet winter snows

on Grand Mesa reached record levels. Accumulated snow strained the historic lodge and caused its sixty-year-old roof to fail. An article in the December 2017 DCI (“Lodge makes major repairs after big 2016 snow”) documents the couple’s efforts to reconstruct their building and maintain their business. Throughout reconstruction the lodge stayed open year-round. Demolition of the old

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damaged structure began in August 2017 and major reconstruction commenced last year on September 23. Finally, this week on Saturday, September 8, the Wenner’s will celebrate their grand re-opening. “We were busy with visitors all summer,” said Rose, “And the final construction inspections were just completed so it was time to celebrate the changes.” And the changes are dramatic. From a pair of rustic A-frame structures connected by a shaky roof (the part of the original building that succumbed to the heavy 2016-17 winter snows) the new building has emerged as a solid reinforced log edifice that blends well with the lodge’s alpine setting. Particularly impressive is the lodge’s new dining area which offers a panoramic view of nearby Island Lake. The September 8 event will feature a meet-andgreet open house that extends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The lodge will serve up food and drink specials. There will be door prizes, art displays and demonstrations, and opportunities to meet with the contractor to learn more about the building’s restoration.

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Photo by Don Benjamin

After the roof of their vintage lodge collapsed in January 2017, Mike and Rose Wenner and their faithful dog, Wiley, kept their business aﬂoat during reconstruction. Now the newly-designed lodge will host an open house re-opening on Saturday, September 8. The lodge has a history of survival. The original structure was built in 1899. That building collapsed in 1950 only to be rebuilt and collapse

again in 2017. The new construction is more solid and built to survive the extremes of summer temperatures, hard rains, and future heavy snows.

The lodge is located at 25861 Highway 65 on Grand Mesa. For more information, visit the lodge’s Facebook page or call 970-856-3250.

housing, and travel costs for the entire three weeks are covered by the program. “My motto for the camp is, show and teach them a lot, keep them busy and you’ll never have a complaint,” Giardino said. “So far, our participants have proved me right. Teachers spend 12-hour days in an exhausting but exhilarating whirlwind of learning. They keep a daily field book of sketches, measurements and general observations, and develop lesson plans each night.”

Jubert said the three weeks just flew by. “I am humbled by our teachers’ ability to translate their G-Camp experiences into life-changing opportunities for their students, and ultimately igniting their students’ passion to pursue science as a career path,” said Dr. Debbie Thomas, interim dean of the College of Geosciences. “I am in constant awe of Dr. Giardino’s boundless energy and drive to provide lifechanging professional development opportunities for our teachers.”

G-Camp FROM PAGE C1 Giardino, the professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Texas A&M who developed and leads G-Camp. Saudi Aramco is the lead sponsor of G-Camp, and the company has continually supported G-Camp for many years. Generous donations from Chevron and ConocoPhillips also helped support G-Camp in the program’s early years. Attendees only have to pay for their transportation to College Station; once they arrive in Aggieland, their food,

Cedaredge UMC pastor begins fall preaching series “How do we live with dementia?” is the first question Joe Agne, pastor of Cedaredge United Methodist Church, will address in a fall preaching series that will pair questions asked by members of the congregation and the parables of Jesus. The series began Sunday, Sept. 2. The congregation will focus on these parables and questions in worship on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. and during its Sacred Bites Bible Study at 4Bs Brewery at 12:45 p.m. on Thursdays. The title of the series is “Jesus’

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Stories that Surprise, Provoke and Disturb.” “The Good Hamas Member” is the title of Pastor Agne’s second sermon in the series, which will be presented Sunday, Sept. 9. The question of the week is “Does greed lead to vengeance and violence?” Pastor Agne says, “The sermon title comes from the fact that the first century Samaria is the same land as today’s West Bank. The Jews and Samaritans hated each other then. We are hoping people will think about what it might mean to have our lives saved by a member of a group we hate. “ The Good Samaritan will also be studied in the Sacred Bites Bible Study on Thursday, Sept. 6, at 12:45 p.m. at 4B’s Brewery on Main Street in Cedaredge. • The question and parable for Sept. 16, “How can Christians deal with depression and suicide?” The Kingdom of Heaven is like Yeast. • Sept. 23 — “Do we value truth?” The Pearl of Great Price. • Sept. 30 — “How can Christians respond to climate change?” The Mustard Seed. • Oct. 7 — “Why do we treat some people as ‘other’?” The Pharisee and Tax Collector. • Oct. 14 — “How can a congregation help people age-in-place?” The Labor-

ers in the Vineyard. • Oct. 21, “Are marijuana and opiates helpful in dealing with chronic pain?” The Widow and the Judge. • Oct. 28, “How can we respond to ‘me too’ in the church?” The Rich Man and Lazarus. The resource for these sermons and Bible studies is “The Short Stories of Jesus,” a book by Amy-Jill Levine, a rabbi who teaches New Testament courses at the Divinity School of Vanderbilt University. She invites readers to listen to the story with the ears of Jesus’ contemporaries, avoid allegorizing, refrain from looking for the approved meaning, search for our own meaning now, avoid domesticating Jesus’s stories and prepare to be surprised, provoked and disturbed. The books are available at the church.

School reunion The annual Eckert School reunion luncheon for anyone attending the Eckert School will be Wednesday, Sept. 19, beginning at noon at the Eckert Presbyterian Church. Bring a side dish to share, along with your stories, pictures and memories. Call Pat Moore at 874-0126 with questions.

Camera club members featured at reception

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Members of the Black Canyon Camera Club are being featured at the ImpressionZ Gallery during the month of September. An opening reception is planned Sept. 7, 5 to 7 p.m., during the final First Friday Art Walk of the season. They would love for you to wear something funky or fancy so they can take your picture. Members range from novice to professional. Their work can be seen in multiple public locations in this area including Delta County Memorial Hospital, Delta County Courthouse and Bill Heddles Recreation Center to

name a few. They will be hosting activities and presentations every Saturday in September, including a pet party photographic event Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your pet (and yourself) for a 4x6 print that you can pick up the following Saturday. The cost is $5; larger prints can be ordered from the photographer. On the following Saturdays, from 1 to 3 p.m., presentations will feature high dynamic range photography, photo editing and cell phone photography. Call Rae-Ann at 8567809 for more information.

TELEVISION LISTINGS

Delta County Independent

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TELEVISION LISTINGS

Delta County Independent

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Drought task force moves to phase two BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Contributing Writer

After six weeks discussing drought condition indicators, the Orchard City drought task force is preparing to move to phase two of its plan. This phase will focus on developing guidelines for conserving and reducing water use should a drought be declared. “I don’t care if this process takes six months,” said trustee Doug Keller. “We’re not dealing with the current year’s drought situation. We’re looking towards the future.” Each meeting held by the task force has proven beneficial. The discussion, said Keller, is useful and “great.” The first phase focused on determining what categories the board could evaluate in future need for determining drought. At the Aug. 28 meeting, it narrowed the list further, from four to three. It advises that in the spring, the board look at current spring flow versus demand, the winter supply flow and demand, and SNOTEL data for future predictions of water availability. “We’ve arrived at what we feel comfortable presenting to the board,” said Trustee Keller. He indicated that if one of these categories is considered “not normal,” there likely won’t be a drought

declared. Two not normal categories, however, will need further investigation. If all three indicators show lack of water, a drought will most likely be declared. However, other factors, like spring rains or late snowfall, could alter the likelihood of a drought even if all three indicators show low water content. This policy will mainly serve as a guide for future decisions. Eventually, the task force will also discuss a phase three to the drought policy: what to do when a drought is called off. Trustee Keller also note that the group is doing the best it can, as there’s no set scientific way to creating a drought policy. “The main thing is we’re concerned about water content and devising a method for the indicators to be population sensitive,” he said. There will be at least one more meeting, if not more, for the drought task force. The Sept. 4 meeting was postponed due to the holiday and will be held on Sept. 11. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. at 9661 2100 Road in Austin. Currently 10-12 citizens consistently come, and three board members facilitate discussion. Although trustees take part in discussions, no official action takes place during these meetings.

Staff Writer

Each month a new story appears for the enjoyment of hikers who frequent Cedaredge’s Surface Creek trail. Displayed on a series of trailside placards, the stories begin at the portion of the trail that intersects with SE Independence Avenue and they continue sequentially north toward SE Deer Trail Avenue. Or do they? This month’s StoryWalk® tale may very well lead readers on an unexpected adventure. Entitled “Tracking Treasures of the Trail,” the September story was written and illustrated by the Cedaredge Plant and Dig Garden Club and the result of its creative efforts is anything but typical. Instead of passively following a work of fiction, hikers are invited to interact with a story that helps them explore and learn about the surrounding environment of Surface Creek. Lisa Joss who serves as the plant and dig club’s secretary explains the story’s content: “Some of the pages are intended for early readers. One asks children to stand in a circle and count the different colors of green (they can see around them) while another explains how to find a roly-poly bug and (helps them) realize that these ancient creatures once lived alongside

What’s bugging you? Local gardening questions and answers BY JIM LESER Cedaredge Tree Board

Have you ever noticed that one patch of grass in your garden that’s inexplicably dry or burned? Ever wondered how it got there? Here’s a hint. Watch where your dog goes to the toilet. Is it in the spot with the dried up grass? Bingo! Guilty as charged. Don’t own a dog? Look to your neighbors. These brown spots happen because dog urine is rich in nitrogen, which is known to kill grass where concentrated amounts collect. It is a common misconception that “acid” in a dog’s urine is what causes the brown spots left behind on our lawns. However, the culprit causing lawn burn is actually the high nitrogen content of the dog’s urine. This nitrogen is “the waste” in the urine and is the result of protein breakdown through normal body processes. Because a canine diet is very high in protein, there will be high levels of nitrogen, and you’ll be battling blemishes for as long as your or your neighbor’s dog uses the lawn for its place of business. The effects of dog

urine on your lawn are similar to that of a nitrogenrich liquid fertilizer. A small amount of fertilizer makes your yard healthy, but too much will kill your lawn. There are many home and commercial remedies that promise to correct this problem, but most of them are ineffective and a few of them can actually make the situation worse for your lawn or negatively affect the health of your dog. I will describe factors that contribute to lawn burn and give a few recommendations for preventing this problem in your own yard. But first let’s bust the myth that only female dog’s pee causes brown spots in your lawn. Female dogs are more likely to cause lawn burn than males because females void their entire bladder in one location by squatting instead of lifting their leg and marking, like males. However, some male dogs squat like female dogs and therefore can be the guilty party. Large dogs deposit more urine so they increase the quantity of nitrogen in one location, making lawn burn more likely. And dogs fed a very high protein diet are more likely to produce a urine that causes lawn

Take an interactive StoryWalk® BY DON BENJAMIN

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Photo courtesy Jim Leser

Looking guilty, this dog studies a brown spot in the lawn caused by its urine. burn. fertilized Heavily yards are already receiving near maximum levels of nitrogen. The additional amount of nitrogen in dog urine may be all that is needed to put these lawns over the edge and cause turf burn. And lawns that are stressed are more susceptible to damage. Lawns that are suffering from drought, disease, or are newly sodded or seeded are more susceptible to turf burn. Ryegrass and fescue grasses are the most urine-resistant type of grass, while Kentucky bluegrass and Bermuda are the most sensitive. Buffalo grass also is sensitive. But before you start implementing changes to correct lawn burn, you need to make sure that a dog is actually the culprit. Several lawn diseases can look like lawn burn, causing small, characteristic brown patches. First, make sure that the brown spots are in areas where you suspect a dog urinates. Most dogs will have an area in the yard that they choose to use over and over again when they relieve themselves. Unfortunately, your neighbor’s dog usually prefers to pee in other’s yards. Make sure that the grass in the brown spots is still firmly attached. Grab a handful

and give it a steady pull. If the grass is firmly rooted, that points to lawn burn. If the whole bunch of grass pulls up, roots and all, then you may be dealing with a white grub problem. “Dilution is often the solution to pollution,” a concept that holds equally true in the case of urine scald on our once green lawns. Therefore, the best way to help prevent brown spots from developing is either by dilution or by addressing the external environment. Pouring water on the area after your dog urinates will help to dilute the urine and lessen the effects of the nitrogen on your lawn. You can also encourage your dog to drink more water. The more your dog drinks, the less nitrogen will be concentrated in the urine and the less damaging it will be to your lawn. It will also be healthier for your dog as well. You can also train your dog to pee in a less problematic area. What about your neighbor’s errant dog? That’s a different matter and I refuse to go there.

dinosaurs. Middle school the Cedaredge Public zons Healthcare and readers can learn about Library to take part in Retirement Community Monarch butterflies and activities and create a in Orchard City. Gloria the importance of milk- craft related to the story. Good and Waynella Gonweed to their survival or For more information con- zales are co-presidents, how to tell the difference tact Cedaredge Library Barb Klein is treasurer, Jim Leser retired to between a crow and a at 970-399-7674. and Lisa Joss is secreCedaredge in 2007 after raven. We even included The Plant and Dig Gar- tary. a career with Texas A&M a panel to help readers den Club of Cedaredge The StoryWalk® ProjUniversity Extension in identify (and avoid!) poi- meets monthly and has ect was created by Anne entomology. He is a memson ivy.” twenty members. The Ferguson of Montpelier, ber of the Cedaredge Tree The idea for a non- organization maintains VT and developed in colBoard and a Colorado fiction book that guides gardens at Pioneer Town laboration with the KelMaster Gardener. readers to explore as in Cedaredge and Hori- logg-Hubbard Library. they hike the urban trail came about with a chance meeting. According to � �� Lisa, “On a mild day in � � � � � �� February, two (plant and � � dig) club members hap�� pened to meet on Cedar�� edge’s Surface Creek � �� path where each had �� been enjoying the cur� � � � � � � rent Story Walk. Being �� avid gardeners and read�� ers, they mused on what �� kind of story their club�� could create that would �� focus on the plants living �� along the creek. The club �� began to flesh out ideas �� and eventually, a theme took shape. Instead of �� writing a fictional story, the club decided to create pages that would encour�� age young readers to use �� their eyes, ears, noses, and hands to explore and �� learn about the unique features along Surface �� Creek. Our last panel encourages readers to �� take this experience and �� continue to explore their �� own backyards.” “Tracking Treasures �� of the Trail” will be on �� display throughout the �� month of September. After the walk, readers �� are encouraged to visit ��

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Sarah Smith (center) from the Cedaredge Public Library and Lisa Joss (left) and Patt Jones who are members of the Plant and Dig Club of Cedaredge worked together to install this month’s StoryWalk ® which calls upon readers who hike along the Surface Creek trail to use their senses to learn more about their surroundings.

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C6 Wednesday, September 5, 2018

CHURCH

Delta County Independent

Financial Peace University provides hope More than 5 million people have positively changed their financial future through Ramsey Solutions’ Financial Peace

University (FPU). Created by financial expert Dave Ramsey, the nine-week digital course provides families and individu-

als with practical tools to gain control of their finances and set themselves up for long-term financial success. FPU

will be held in Delta at Delta Christian Church, 795 1600 Road. The classes will begin Thursday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. Go to

Date Night set for Sept. 13 Delta County Women’s Connection is excited to host its Sept. 13 event, open to women of Delta and the surrounding areas from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Delta Christian Church. This month is Date Night, DCWC’s annual fundraiser with a gift basket and dessert auction. This is the one event a year that you can bring a fellow, whether it be your husband, son, grandson, or friend.

Focusing on providing a quick retreat from the hustle and bustle of the everyday, the DCWC event is a great place to unwind, laugh, learn, share, and re-charge in the company of other women. Because this is a catered event, reservations are appreciated. Reservations for children will be needed as well, and moms are asked to bring a sack dinner for each child.

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This month guest speaker Drew Felix, LTC USAR Retired, presents “An Army of One – What You Learn When Your Life Goes Sideways.” There will be a live musical performance by Aniyha Cohick. The $15 cover charge includes a catered dinner. RSVP by Sept. 10 by phone to Cindy at 970921-5412, text 919-7958968, or email dcwc reservations@gmail.com.

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areas of your life,” says Ramsey. “We make learning about money fun and easy to understand so people in every situation can benefit from the information.” An FPU membership includes access to online video lessons, financial coaching assistance, digital tools and a one-year subscription to the EveryDollar Plus budgeting tool. Also included is the follow up course, Legacy Journey, which shows families and individuals what to do once they have control of their finances and helps them navigate their way through building wealth, so they can leave a lasting legacy. Go to Dave Ramsey.com/FPU for more information.

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Founded in 2008, DCWC provides a safe, caring environment where women of all ages and backgrounds can come together for a good meal and entertainment. Free child care is always provided. Delta County Women’s Connection is an outreach of Stonecroft. To keep current on what’s happening, like: http:// fb.com/DeltaWomen Connect.

www.fpu.com/1068816 for more information or to register. Through common-sense principles, FPU gives people the tools they need to change their behavior and succeed financially. Along with Ramsey personalities Rachel Cruze and Chris Hogan, Ramsey teaches lessons on budgeting, relationships and money, getting out of debt, saving for emergencies and investing. On average, families who complete FPU pay off $5,300 and save $2,700 in the first 90 days. Following the class nearly 94 percent of those families budget regularly. “FPU will not only transform the way you handle money, but also your marriage and other

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Classifieds

September 5, 2018

Real Estate

D SECTION

Delta County Independent

BUY • SELL • TRADE

Real Estate

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� ��TODAY

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Help Wanted

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Lost & Found REWARD $300 – MISSING IPod First Generation Classic/ Shuffle. Disappeared during home repairs. No questions asked. Return intact w/contents. 970-903-3766. (1x36) ADVERTISE! 874-4421.

Pets

Recreational Vehicles 2005 BORN FREE 26RSB Class C motor home for sale by owner. Sleeps 4, generator, satellite, kitchen, dinette, bathroom/shower, super clean, many improvements. $26,900. Call 970596-8193. (3x36)

Help Wanted

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�� ROTTWEILER STUD SERVice. Purebred for backyard breeding. I owned mom and dad of stud. Call Jay at 970-856-4544. Cedaredge. (4x33)

Wanted

BESTCELLULAR.COM is growing nationwide & adding more team members to its Grand Junction and Hotchkiss locations. Must be able to multi-task in a fast paced environment, be punctual, & have reliable transportation to both locations. No prior experience necessary but basic computer skills, a willingness to learn & an attention to detail are required. Must be able to pass random drug testing. Best Cellular is an American owned & operated prepaid wireless phone company. Our goal is not only to provide the Best phone service & the Best customer service but also the Best employment experience as well. Part/ Full-time available. Bring in a resume to the Hotchkiss Store and introduce yourself! For any questions, please call Best Cellular Customer Service at 970-549-2378. (3x36)

FULL-TIME JOB OPENings for laborers installing prefabricated water tanks MATURE COUPLE WANTS and dry storage silos nationto house-sit in Cedaredge or wide - travel is required. surrounding area. Currently No experience necessary. campground hosts on Must be able to pass a drug Grand Mesa. Available Oct. screen. Per diem and lodging provided. Please email 1 406-871-5935. (2x36) inquiries and resumes to: BUYING OR SELLING M C T S p a g o s a @ o u t l o o k . Find it in the DCI Classifieds. com or contact Luis at 970417-6432. (4x35)

Classified Ads are the place where sellers find buyers. Call today. 874-4421.

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Help Wanted

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Classified Ads can fit any budget.

Call 874-4421

for one of our ad representatives to help with your advertising needs.

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BOLINGER AND QUEEN is now accepting employment application in Hotchkiss for a full-time inside sales position. Applicants must have a valid driver's license and be able to work and communicate with a wide range of people. Applications can be picked up at 32874 J Rd. in Hotchkiss. For questions call 970-872-3371. (2x36)

HUNTING GUIDE WANTed for 1st rifle season possible more. Contract help 6 days work $200 a day for experienced guides. NFS CALL TODAY TO SUB- permit. Call 970-739-0888. scribe!! 874-4421. (2x36)

HUNTING GUIDE WANTed for 1st rifle season possible more. Contract help 6 days work $200 a day for experienced guides. NFS permit. Call 970-739-0888. (2x35)

D2 Wednesday, September 5, 2018 Public Service

CLASSIFIEDS

Public Service

WHAT TYPES OF Cottage Foods Can I Produce? Whole eggs, spices, teas, dehydrated produce, nuts, seeds, Honey, jams, jellies, and preserves, fruit butter, candies, certain bake goods If you have any questions, please call: 8742165. Delta County Health Department. (4x34) THE DELTA COUNTY Independent runs these items as a public service free of charge for non-profit organizations, if no fees are charged. However, each group is asked to please keep them current by calling 874-4421. DELTA FOOD PANTRY needs meals for Delta families who are temporarily in need. Donations of nonperishable food may be brought to 628 Meeker.

Miscellaneous

Public Service

THE KINGS TABLE SOUP Kitchen needs egg cartons. If you have any to give please call 250-6637 and we will pick up. WANNA PLAY A ROUND? Golf with a fun group of ladies. Two membership options available. Sign up at www.cedaredgeladies golf.com. Get to know us on Facebook at “cedar edgeladiesgolfclub” ALCOHOLICS ANONYmous meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. Friends of Bill W. Club. 897 Palmer Street, Delta. HELP!!! KEEP THE animal population under control, and SAVE an animal's life. Adopt your new cat or dog from the Delta County Humane Society. Adoption fee is minimal. Call 874-2149.

Miscellaneous Colorado Statewide �� Network

To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or call Colorado Press Association Network at 303-571-5117. SPORTING GOODS �� Cash for Mineral Rights �� Call:�� Write: �� Email: �� Colorado Press Network

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Public Service

CO FATHER’S NETWORKdedicated to providing community and education to fathers of special needs kids. Meets twice monthly on the 1st Saturday at 11 a.m. and the 3rd Monday at 6:30 p.m. - 511 E. 10th St, Delta. See our website for more details: www.codads. org AL-ANON AND ALATEEN: Hope and help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Delta: Al-Anon and Alateen, Tuesdays at 7:30 pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 145 W. 5th St., contact Elizabeth 970-874-9832 or Shirley 970-323-5067. CARING FOR CAREgivers, C4C - supporting hearts that care. Open to ANY caregiver. Meets monthly in Delta, 2nd Tuesday at 11 a.m. - 511 E. 10th St, Delta. THE ABRAHAM CONNECtion homeless shelter, located at 480 Silver St., Delta, offers emergency overnight shelter and food to men, women and families in the Delta area midOctober- April. Call us at 970-773-8290 to make a referral, or for information on how to volunteer or donate. www.Delta AbrahamConnection. org.

Delta County Independent

Public Service

HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS Wanted! Delta County Memorial Hospital needs hospital volunteers. Days and hours are flexible. There are currently openings in the ER, Oncology, Gift Shop and some additional areas. If you are interested, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Barbara Hall at 250-2105 for an application.

Public Service

AARP DRIVER SAFETY Course. Save on insurance, keep up on newer traffic laws, learn defensive driving techniques. For details and schedule contact John Loring (970) 856-6924 or (970) 424-1778.

WOMEN ONLY AA MEETings, Delta, Saturdays, 11:00 a.m., at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5th & Palmer (back door).

AL-ANON: HOPE AND help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Cedaredge: Al-Anon, Thursdays, 8 pm, Wick Hall behind First Baptist Church, 370 W. Main St., contact Mary M. 970-856-6123 or Jim 970-874-7855. CHECK OUT THE BOOK store at the Delta Library. You'll find a great selection of paperbacks at reasonable prices.

FREE DIAPERS FOR UP to one year! Pregnant women in Delta County can now get help to quit smoking and get something they can really use after their baby arrives — free diapers. Healthy moms have healthy babies. Enroll in the Baby & Me Tobacco Free program today. Contact the Delta County Health Department at 874-2165 or your local physician.

IF YOU LOVE BOOKS, you will love the Downstairs Bookstore in the basement of the Delta Library. NARCOTICS ANONYmous meets at 9th and Palmer, Delta, Mondays and Fridays at 8 p.m. THERE IS A VFW MEETING on the first Monday of each month. At 6 p.m. there is a potluck and the meeting is at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 1250 Pioneer Rd., Delta. For further information, call 874-8172 Jim Baker, Quartermaster.

SUPPORT THE DELTA Library. Give a gently used book in the Downstairs Book Store.

WELCOME RETURNING Veterans, Post 9221 VFW meets at 5:00 p.m. on the 4th Thursday of each month in Cedaredge. To SAVE EYEGLASSES, OLD find out how to participate jewelry and silver or bits of in promoting patriotism gold and silver scraps. The and assisting veterans, conGrand Odd Fellow Lodge is tact Wayne Hamrick, (970) sending them to: New Eyes 250-1180. for the Needy, 549 Millburn AMERICAN Ave., Short Hills, NJ 07078 PAONIA or send them to: Gale Legion runs a year round Conger, Secretary of IOOF non-perishable emergency Lodge #116, 5516 Hwy. 348, food pantry. This is for the North Fork area. For inforDelta, CO 81416. mation, call 527-6252.

HILLTOP COMMUNITY Resources offers free services and support to victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. There are also ongoing support groups. Please call our office at 970-773-2251 for more information or if you are in crisis please call our 24 hour crisis line at 1-844990-5500.

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DELTA HAS A BOOKstore in the basement of the library featuring gently used books and magazines. Come check it out!

AL-ANON: HOPE AND help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Paonia: Al-Anon, Wednesdays at 7 pm, United Methodist Church, 3rd & Onarga, contact Lisa 970-395-3608, Chris 970527-3366 or Marjorie 970433-1856

dential assistance. Call 1800-QUIT-NOW.

THE AMERICAN RED Cross needs you. Become one of the Red Cross volunteers who says, “We’ll Be There, Because Help Can’t Wait!” Call your local Red Cross Chapter at 970-2424851 or 1-800-HELP NOW for information on the difference you can make in someone’s life as a disaster volunteer.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Support Group for Adults and Children: Every Wednesday in Delta from 5-7 p.m. there will be a free support group for adults whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence and a separate group for children at the same time. Please call 970-8744941 to sign up.

HEALTHY BABIES START with early prenatal care. Delta County Health CHAPTER, UNITS OF DAV Department. Offers access regular meetings on the to immediate, temporary second Monday of each Medicaid for pregnant month at 7 p.m. at the women who qualify. 874Veterans Building, 15th & 2165. Howard, Delta. For further information, call Paul Carter BOOKS MAKE GREAT stocking stuffers. Find 874-5150. books at great prices in YOU HAVE THE POWER TO the basement of the Delta change a child's life! Public Library. Children are waiting for senior partners in Delta THINK YOU'RE PREGCounty right now! Can nant? Abused? Need help? you spare 3 hours a week? The Pregnancy Resource We need your help! Call Center in Delta offers free today for more informa- service, support and advice tion. Please volunteer to to all teenagers and women spend time with a child in in crisis pregnancy situaour community. Partners tions. For Christian help, of Delta, Montrose and anytime, call 874-5733. Ouray, 874-4661, www. YOU CAN QUIT. WE CAN partners-west.org. or www. help. Colorado Tobacco deltayouth@montrose.net. Quitline offers free, confi-

HOTCHKISS-CRAWFORD Historical Museum. Winter hours, Saturdays 1-4 p.m. $3 admission or free to members. Come see our museum at 2nd & Hotchkiss Streets in Hotchkiss. 8723780.

Starting at just $26 per year (in-county senior rate)

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AL-ANON: HOPE AND help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Hotchkiss: Al-Anon, Mondays at Noon, Methodist Church 285 N. 2nd, contact Elsie 970-210-8090 or Marjorie 970-433-1856.

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Delta County Independent

B A C K P A G E

A passion cut from metal Photos by Emy Lynn Roque Cineros

Each project begins with Josh Milner designing it on his 70” monitor. To his left sits a laser engraving and cutting machine which cuts through most materials like wood, leather, glass, rubber, marble, steel and more. Elsewhere in his shop sits a plasma cutter to turn his graphic designs into cut metal which is then crafted into beautiful art, signs and other custom items.

BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CINEROS Contributing Writer

hile a piece of metal or wood might not look like much to most, to Milner CNC it’s an opportunity to personalize and explore the possibilities. From metal signs and art, to wooden business cards or log furniture, this Paonia business can engrave, cut, or design most materials and ideas. “Customizations are my speciality,” said Josh Milner, the owner and creative behind the business. To define what Milner does is a little difficult, since his skills are diverse. Some might classify his career as metalwork or woodwork. At the core he’s a graphic artist. “Most of what I do is design and assemble pieces together to make art,” he said. “I can make or build just about anything in my shop.” A Video Changed His Career Milner doesn’t describe himself as artistically gifted, claiming he can’t even draw a stick figure. He went to college in Denver for computer programming, not design. After graduating in 2008 and seeing the declining tech industry, he decided to continue with the job he began in college. “After 10 years I was just in a rut and didn’t enjoy my work anymore, even after being promoted to logistics coordinator,” he said. Then, one day a YouTube video changed Milner’s plans. At shooting practice a friend showed him a video of a man who built his own steel shooting gallery. “I thought I could enjoy designing things like that and figured I might find at least a few people to

The Skyhawk Winery sign is Milner’s largest project to date. It was a joint effort, requiring another company to build the frame and do the powder color after Milner designed and cut it. ‘From what I know, It’s the biggest sign in the county made like that,” he said.

Milner uses various techniques to achieve desired looks in his art. On the left he paints with heat, varying the time and distance from the piece for different colors. On the right, this simple cow decor piece took about 15 minutes to make once he ﬁnished the digital design. buy similar projects here and there,” he said. What followed was selling everything he could, saving and moving. Thankfully, Milner had extra income from helping his dad flip houses. He explained, “Once I made good profits on two houses I was working on, the rest was a matter of budgeting to build my business.” Having been born and raised in Paonia, it made sense to Milner to return to his roots and save money by being closer to family. With about $70,000 Milner renovated an old barn shed into his shop with an apartment loft and purchased all of his machinery. He now has no debt, and few bills. Previously, the shed was used for storing hay, according to his grandmother Barbara. With help from his dad Milner was able to move back in May 2017, finish the renovations and start his business in October — less than a year after viewing the YouTube video. “It’s been difficult, but I enjoy working for myself,” he said. “I like having my own place and free will as I craft.” Looking back, Milner is surprised at the difference between what he thought would happen to where he is now. “I thought I could be somewhat retired by not having so many bills and make enough money from selling at five or six trade shows,” he said. “I try to customize what pieces I bring to shows, like dogoriented ones for a dog show, but it’s hard to estimate what people will buy.” Instead, he receives more requests after shows, enough to sometimes result in sixday work weeks. Custom orders also take longer than he thought, usually fitting in five a week. Diversity From the Competition For a project Milner will easily spend three hours on the design, and another three hours finishing it. Of course, this also depends on the size and scale of the project. While Milner wishes for more complex designs and

challenges to build intricate orders, he admits a good chunk of his time is spent with engravings. “I find it humorous that so many people want their names and designs on cups and mugs,” he joked. He reasons he gets requests for these projects because he doesn’t charge an art fee like others. He enjoys crafting the designs and doesn’t mind making modifications for clients later on or allowing them to use his art for other projects, like graphic t-shirts. Milner has also given clients the extra metal scraps after a project is finished. For example, one customer requested a sign that required being cut out from a large piece of metal. Milner gave him the scraps and the client put the extra inverted sign on his fence with some welding. The Creative Process To start a project, Milner said clients usually show him a picture they’ve seen as an idea. From this picture he works with them to identify what they want changed or enhanced and Milner designs it on his 70-inch monitor. “With my computer I feel like I can do anything,” he said. “The creativity comes from the design.” Then, depending on if it’s a laser engraving or cutting, or plasma cutting and metal fabrication depends on which machine he’ll use. Both operate similarly, using blacks and whites to determine what is cut/lasered. The engraving machine, an Epilog Helix 50 Watt Laser, operates on a grayscale, allowing him to also make laser designs of varying depths depending on the darkness of the black. His Lincoln Electric Torchmate 4800 is a computer numerical control (CNC) machine, which is where Milner gets the CNC in his business’ name. Simply put, this means that after he has designed the project he uploads it, adjusts the servos of where to start and the machine takes care of the rest. Milner pays close attention to detail to ensure pieces are inside an object or else they fall through. Creating clean

Milner’s Lincoln Electric Torchmate 4800 allows him to cut any shape or design desired. The next step is to smooth the edges and add color. lines is also key. Once cut, Milner will clean up the project and add finishing touches like paint or bluing. Bluing is a signature look of Milner’s where he uses heat to add colors such as purple, blue, orange or white. The plasma cutting machine Milner uses did require a three-day training but otherwise he is completely self-taught. He credits YouTube and Google as helping him learn this process. “Once the design is made, it’s simply about sending it to the machine,” he said. He credits being a gamer toward helping him understand the design process. Milner also advertises being able to make rustic log furniture, but he finds himself staying too busy with the other projects to push that part of the business. Future Plans As the business continues to grow, Milner wants

to streamline the production process and expand his shop. “Having designated areas for painting and crafting will help reduce the time,” he said. After Christmas he hopes to get into hydro dipping — applying printed graphics to three dimensional objects. Milner hopes others see the value in his personalized approach to metalwork and design. Creating art using machines and tools means the possibilities are endless. “The sky is not the limit,” his website’s ‘About Us’ says. “your mind is.” To collaborate with Milner, he can be reached at 303-6183002. He’s also been at different shows like Paonia Cherry Days, the Delta County Fair and will be at the upcoming Mountain Harvest Festival and AppleFest. Pictures of Milner’s past projects, and a list of services are available on his website at www.milnercnc.com.

Josh’s grandmother, Barbara, enthusiastically shows off her metal artwork by Milner. Here is an intricate cut out piece. The color is achieved by “painting” with heat.

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