Delta County Independent, October 17, 2018 by Delta County Independent

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

ELECTION 2018

MAJOR MAKEOVER

Voters consider special district for ambulance service, B1

SPORTS SOFTBALL HISTORY

Buell Foundation funds remodel of Little Sprouts playground, C2

DELTA COUNTY

Delta Panthers celebrate regional title, B7

OCTOBER 17, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 42

75¢

INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Delta Fire Protection District #1 seeks mill levy increase BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Ballots are in the mail

Chief deputy county clerk Rene Loy Maas organizes the ballots that will be mailed this week. She advises that some eligible voters who live outside of the Delta Fire District 1, North Fork Ambulance Health Service District, North Fork Park and Pool Recreation District or Crawford Water Conservancy District but own property within those districts may receive more than one ballot packet. For information about polling places, drop boxes and other details, see the ad on page A6.

The November ballot will contain a question from Delta County Fire Protection District #1, which covers the Delta area, seeking its first mill levy increase since the fire district was organized in 1944. The mill levy is currently 3.17 mills, reduced from the original 5.0 mills as a result of “ratcheting down” provisions in the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR). If the 1.8 mill increase is approved, the fire district’s total property tax would be slightly less than the 5.0 mills previously authorized by voters. Property tax collections would increase an estimated $210,000 annually. According to figures provided by the fire district, the increase amounts to $1 per month for every $100,000 of residential property, and $4.35 per month for every $100,000 of commercial property.

A second ballot question asks voters to exempt the fire district from TABOR revenue and spending limitations. A “factual summary” recently mailed to electors within the special district outlines the fire district board’s three-year strategic plan, which calls for: a) constructing living quarters for firefighters at the existing station; b) hiring the fire district’s first two paid firefighters; and c) building and equipping two substations. According to the summary, the additional staffing, facilities and equipment will significantly improve the quality of service, cut response times and reduce the fire district’s ISO rating, which could reduce insurance costs for home and business owners. Adam Suppes, a former firefighter who now serves as chairman of the fire board, explains the reasoning behind

the three-year strategic plan. He says a growing call volume is straining the all-volunteer crew of 26. “A big majority of our volunteers have 8 to 5 jobs, and our pool is just not big enough to provide weekday response,” he explained. The board believes the answer is hiring two paid firefighters to cover those weekday calls. Suppes said about half the department’s calls are minor fender benders, carbon monoxide/smoke alarms, fluid clean-ups, small brush fires and other incidents that can be handled by two firemen and one truck. To continue that coverage 24/7, volunteers would be assigned to cover night and weekend shifts from the fire station, with the goal of reducing response times and volunteer callouts. FIRE DISTRICT TO A3

Sheriff expresses frustration with mental health care system BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee last week released a press release highlighting the urgent need for mental health services for individuals who are a serious threat to our communities. After sharing his frustration with the lack of options available to a mentally ill inmate, he says he received a positive response from the state Office of Behavioral Health. “Although the subject remains in jail, I believe they’re sincere about trying to find appropriate placement for this individual,” he said on Monday. McKee was a board member with Midwestern Center

for Mental Health for 12 years and served as president of that board for two terms. He helped initiate the movement that eventually led the way for legislation which prohibits sheriffs from incarcerating individuals suffering mental health crisis without criminal charges. He was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to a mental health task force to work out the details of this new legislation. “Mental health care for our citizens is a serious matter to me,” he said in his press release. “With that said, I am very frustrated with the behavioral health care in our state.” He detailed the situation currently facing the individual in question, who is

described as facing an acute mental crisis. “He does have criminal charges but they are minor and he needs to be in a hospital. A district judge has issued an order stating that this individual has mental illness and as a result, is gravely disabled and long term care and treatment is appropriate. A senior mental health care provider has stated that he is the most seriously ill person she has ever worked with. A bio-hazard clean up team has to be called upon to clean his cell. Also, his immediate family and close relatives have all received restraining orders against him. He has been evaluated and re-evaluated several times in the last MENTAL HEALTH TO A3

DCMH expands, updates services to meet changing environment BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

“It is remarkable to look back over the past decade and see how far Delta County Memorial Hospital has come in a rapidly changing and challenging health care environment,” Jason Cleckler, CEO, says. “The hospital has grown to be a system that is focused on improving access, quality of care, reducing cost of care, and treating the whole person.” Delta County Memorial Hospital has been a part of the community for over 100 years. In 2018 Cleckler, the board and staff of 650 people adopted

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Back Page ................... D8 Business .......................A12 Church ..........................A10 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Health & Fitness ...... B4-6 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ....................C12 School Zone .................. A9 Sports ..........................B7-9 Surface Creek News .C1-11 TV Listings ................. D5-6

an aggressive strategic plan: 1) Stabilize and build primary care; 2) Provide access for special services to patients through complementary medicine; 3) Achieve financial viability. Revenue has improved in the last couple of months, Cleckler said. He stresses that DCMH has a commitment to service for the entire community and has established a total of nine clinics: DCMH Family Medicine, Delta; DCMH Urgent Care; Grand Mesa Rheumatology; Grand Mesa Oncology and Infusion Center; West Elk Walk-in Clinic in Paonia; West Elk Clinic in Hotchkiss;

Fall cleanup

The City of Delta’s annual fall cleanup campaign begins Monday, Oct. 22. Residents are advised to have their items out by 7 a.m. Monday to avoid being missed — city crews will systematically visit each neighborhood just once. Place your items for easy pickup next to where you normally place your trash receptacle. Please separate brush and branches from other items. Branches (up to 4 inches in diameter) should be no longer than 10 feet in length. Crews will not pick up tires, batteries, refrigerators, freezers, oil, paint or e-waste, including TVs or computers.

Delta Montrose Home Health; Premier Women’s Healthcare of Delta; and Internal Medicine Associates. Several complementary medical services are available in the DCMH network, including acupuncture, Tai Chi classes and yoga classes. Several nurse practitioners have been hired by the hospital and are located throughout the county in primary care and urgent care clinics. DCMH has been part of an ACO (Accountable Care Organization) for two and one-half years which provides services within the Delta, Montrose, Gunnison and Aspen health care systems. The goal is to DCMH TO A3

Photo courtesy Delta County Fire Protection District #1

In addition to ﬁre suppression, Delta volunteers are trained to handle rescues, extrications and hazardous materials.

Millions in marijuana seized by Delta PD PRESS RELEASE Delta Police Department

On Oct. 12, eight Delta residents were arrested in connection with an illegal marijuana cultivation and processing facility within the City of Delta. The ensuing investigation led investigators to believe the marijuana was being cultivated and processed for the purpose of illegal distribution in Miami, Fla. Multiple firearms were seized, along with marijuana processing equipment valued in the thousands. In addition to the equipment and firearms, 28 marijuana plants and approximately 860 pounds of processed marijuana were seized. The Florida street value of the marijuana was estimated between $2.75 and $3.44 million. The search warrant was executed at 1293 H25 Road with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Bureau of Alco-

hol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s Black Market Marijuana Task Force and the 7th Judicial Drug Task Force. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Delta Police Department arrested eight Delta residents — Lisset Alvarez-Perez, age 48, Balmer Able Sierra, 45, Yasser Able Sierra-Marin, 43, Yosbany Atucha-Pelaey, 41, Freddy Perez-Maya, 27, Manuel Antonio Morejon-Urquiaga, 80, Dayami Guerra-Arias, 25, and Juan Ayala-Milian, 54. All eight are charged with cultivation of marijuana, a Class 2 drug felony, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, a Class 1 drug felony. Lisset Alvarez-Perez, Balmer Able Sierra and Yasser Able Sierra-Marin face additional charges of keeping/maintaining property for controlled substances, a misdemeanor.

Ballots require 71¢ in postage County clerks in Colorado began mailing ballots on Monday, Oct. 15. With the exception of Orchard City and Cedaredge, most active registered voters in Delta County will be receiving a two-page ballot for the 2018 General Election. The first page will be printed front and back; the second page will be printed on the front only. The Delta County clerk and recorder’s office reminds voters to complete both pages. Ballots may be returned by mail or at a 24-hour drop box located at the Delta County Courthouse, 501 Palmer Street in Delta; the North Fork Annex, 196 W. Hotchkiss Avenue in Hotchkiss; or the Cedaredge Library, 180 SW 6th Avenue, Cedaredge. The polling location in the Delta County Courthouse opens Oct. 22. The county clerk must receive your ballot no later than 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 for it to be counted. Mailed ballots will require a first class stamp and an additional ounce stamp. Eligible voters who live outside of the Delta Fire District 1, North Fork Ambulance Health Service District, North Fork Park and Pool Recreation District or Crawford Water Conservancy District but own property within these districts may receive more than one ballot packet.

A2 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

OPINION

LETTERS Don’t sell out to corporate oil/gas interests Dear Editor: I’ve been a farmer in Colorado for more than a decade and am proud of the business my team and I have built. Every year, we grow between two and three acres of vegetables to sell locally in the North Fork area. As a farmer, I rely on a healthy environment to grow produce for my community. But recently, I learned that the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Interior are considering leasing 224,000 acres, including land in the North Fork Valley, to oil and gas companies. When I heard this news, I was shocked, threatened and felt terrified at this prospect and its potential impacts on my farm. This news has kept me up at night ever since. This poorly conceived and exploitative proposal has the potential to not only rob me of my livelihood, but contaminate the water we drink, pollute the air we breathe, and erode the land on which we live, work, and play. It could turn our small town of Paonia into a ghost town. I cannot begin to

wrap my mind around the logic to justify selling off our pristine lands in perpetuity in order to advance the interests of corporate polluters. It just doesn’t make any sense. I was drawn to Colorado by the majestic mountains that offer a stunning, one-of-a-kind backdrop to our dayto-day lives. I moved to Paonia because of the mountains, the fertile farmland, and the fresh water supply. All of this is in jeopardy due to the Trump administration’s proposal, led by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, to lease this land to outside oil and gas companies so they can make a quick buck. Oil and gas development in North Fork is wrong for our community. Fracking poses an inherent risk of water contamination, but the risk to our home doesn’t end there. As a country, we need to move away from unsustainable fossil fuel development and instead look toward sustainable energies that will help preserve our land and water for future generations.

In the valley, we should focus on developing our huge potential for solar energy. The idea of tarnishing our community’s pristine lands is a complete slap in the face to residents like me who rely on the land to make a living. It is known that burning fossil fuels has exponential impacts as the main driver of climate change, a reality that is not just theoretical in my world. As a farmer, I am acutely impacted by chaotic weather patterns, damaged landscapes, and polluted air. If I had the opportunity to speak with Interior Secretary Zinke and President Trump, I would tell them that some places are simply too special to drill, and that selling out the North Fork Valley to corporate interests is a grave mistake. Instead of pandering to oil and gas companies, let’s create something that is sustainable for the future and provides our children a healthy environment to grow up in. Scott Horner Paonia

Ranchers support balanced approach Dear Editor: This past spring our community went through a Master Plan process, hosting multiple meetings in each community. I was fortunate to attend the majority of these meetings representing the Delta County Livestock Association. The subject that was guaranteed to bring lively debate was the future of energy development in Delta County. Our county is one of the most diverse places in the state, especially when it comes to opinions on which direction our energy industry should head. The majority at these meetings called for a balanced approach and responsible development. I thought the overall opinion of

our community during the Master Plan meetings, was well expressed in Goal 7.0: Facilitate responsible, beneficial energy development in order to promote the wise use of natural resources, while also working with energy businesses, land and mineral management agencies, and neighboring county government to eliminate or mitigate, to the extent feasible within the county’s jurisdiction, both on and off site impacts of energy development activities to the environment, water resources, communities, public infrastructure, surrounding land uses, and the public health, safety and welfare within. Based on the one-sided information in circula-

tion, one might think the opinion of the county was anti-energy development. If I had not personally attended the Master Plan meetings and listened to the opinions of my fellow citizens, I would be led to believe that was the consensus, contrary to the goal stated above. As a community if we do not support a diverse economy, we will lose the things we love most about our area. Delta County Livestock Association fully supports a balanced approach to energy development and multiple-use of our federal lands. Nate Adam President Delta County Livestock Association

Carlson, Clay, Ryan deserve praise Dear Editor: For somebody who doesn’t own property within city limits and cannot vote in city elections, Scott Schaible certainly seems to know a lot about “the will of the people” in City of Delta. Schaible continues to ignore the will of the people in his own special way. City of Delta voters elected Nathan Clay, Kevin Carlson, and Christopher Ryan — the three council members who Schaible berates every chance that he gets — because the voters trusted them. The people have spoken: These are the guys for the

job. Like it or lump it, this is how representative government works. If they are as bad as Schaible claims, then he can follow his own advice and start circulating a petition for a recall vote. I am willing to wager that he will not find much success with this endeavor, and learn that the only way to come close to objectively measuring the people’s will is through an election — something which Schaible seems very antagonistic about happening. I, for one, think that these council members deserve praise for taking

on some pretty challenging issues — and doing so despite the constant barrage of vitriol they have endured. It is obvious that these council members care deeply about this city and its residents, because they certainly don’t get paid enough to deal with these nonstop hissy fits. They deserve to be commended for their service. And this compliment should mean a little extra something coming from the guy who ran against Kevin Carlson and lost. Keep up the good work, gents. Jay Stooksberry Delta

Fund that ride in a fair way Dear Editor: Right now the people of the North Fork have the opportunity to fund their ambulance service with a property tax. Is this system fair? Well, everyone who lives in a house or apartment would directly or indirectly pay this tax. Homeowners pay their property taxes directly. Those who rent or lease pay their landlords, who include the cost of their property taxes in the rent they charge. Therefore, pretty much all of

us would be funding our ambulance service. To correctly and easily determine your property taxes for the proposed ambulance service, multiply 0.00575 times the “Net Total” value in the “Assessed” column (upper right hand area) of your annual Real Estate Property Tax Notice. (Do not use “Actual” value.) Most folks will find their tax will be in the range of the current donation system, which is between $40 for an individual and $75 for

DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT

DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT (UPS 152-700) is published weekly on Wednesdays at 401 Meeker St., Delta, CO 81416. Second class postage paid at DELTA, CO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT, PO BOX 809, DELTA, CO 81416 401 Meeker St. • (970) 874-4421 editor@deltacountyindependent.com ads@deltacountyindependent.com

a family. Many will pay even less. That seems pretty fair to me. The current donation system clearly needs to change because too many people do not contribute. However, regardless of age, race, income, or creed, when your family’s day or night of need arrives, you will be mighty thankful when EMTs and ambulance drivers like Ralph and Patrick arrive promptly and professionally to evaluate the need and take appropriate action. Residents of the North Fork, please join me in voting “yes” on Ballot Issues Number 7E and 7F to adequately and as fairly as possible fund the North Fork Ambulance District. We’ll have to go clear to the end of a long ballot to find these issues, but it is worth it to do what’s right for our community. Helen Groome Crawford

Delta County Independent

Don’t be fooled by Tipton’s claims Dear Editor: So, Tipton sends out a terrifying flier, “Diane Bush is a socialist!” Seriously? We have years of Diane’s work in the state legislature to see she is no socialist. She worked across the aisle to protect our schools and water, jobs and public lands. These are more critical to District 3 than anything Tipton can claim doing. Instead he voted to take health care away from over 18,000 District 3 families, voted to give the richest 1 percent 85 percent of a tax break that will leave our children and grandchildren in debt forever. He voted to increase deficit spending 87 percent! But, he wants you to forget all

that. He also wants you to forget that he voted to open all our public lands to oil and gas development against our wishes, and to gut environmental protections that we’ve placed on the industry. I’ve also seen ads warning that Democrats are “Marxists” and “Communists.” All meant to TERRIFY you into forgetting Tipton’s voting record. He just voted to allow CCP holders from lax states to ignore Colorado’s laws, and carry here when they would not qualify under Colorado’s laws. We’re Democratic socialists. So what is a Democratic socialist? We believe in capitalism — but regulated capital-

ism. We have hundreds of socialist programs in the U.S. that work very well: public schools and highways, freeways and the defense department, police and firefighting, Social Security and Medicare. They are any program where pooling our money to pay for something everyone uses makes sense. Would you rather have public roadways or turn all highways into toll roads because we gave the tax revenue to the rich? Don’t be fooled into voting away your Social Security, Medicare and public roads and education. Look at their voting records! Carol Nudell Eckert

Darker money ... darker outcomes Dear Editor: Recently I received my 20th full color campaign flyer from the campaign for Olen Lund for Senate District 5. As I leafed through my sizable collection of Lund material, I also noted that nine of the 20 were negative attack ads aimed at Olen’s opponent, Kerry Donovan. I know Olen Lund, and the multi-million dollar dark money backing that he has secured, is a situation that should alarm us all. For two years, I sat across the Delta Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) board table from Mr. Lund. Time after time, when presented with new opportunities, Olen always voted NO. He was strongly opposed to DMEA embarking on a broadband services program, opposed to DMEA

seeking lower cost power supply options and in general opposed to any change at all. I quickly learned that Olen lacks the intellectual curiosity to probe issues to understand their ramifications, both good and bad. He will without question, cheerily follow the direction of his distant handlers and do their bidding no matter what the cost to our local communities. It is also interesting to note that Olen has been an almost invisible campaigner. He is purely relying on a dark and remote campaign engine to manage every detail of this process for him. This is another example of his low energy and lack of a set of strong core principals, as well as his unwillingness to engage with the community around him. On the other hand,

Kerry Donovan stands in stark contrast to Mr. Lund. She is visible and highly supportive of key Western Slope issues. As an example, earlier this year, DMEA identified some critical changes that were needed to SB18-002, a bill addressing financing of rural broadband deployment. Kerry was instrumental in assisting DMEA in getting key amendments incorporated in this bill that made it more impactful for rural communities. Without her support, this bill would have been far less beneficial. Please join me in celebrating our strong reputation for western independence by keeping this dark money out of our local political system. I urge you all to vote for Kerry Donovan for Senate District 5. John Gavan Paonia

Tired of city’s wanton tax-and-spend behavior Dear Editor: Delta City Council members are trumpeting a familiar cacophony. They’re begging a tax increase for familiar reasons, using similar justification and the same old rationalization. One wearies of this wanton municipal tax and spend behavior. The current gaggle of greedy government reps wants to increase the sales tax to cover their shopping list. Some hired consultant concluded “...additional revenue is required...” which is all the justification the council needed to proceed with a ballot measure. First, more loot is required to pay for a “lengthy list of deferred maintenance needs.” Gotta keep up the stuff we already own, right? City infrastructure is apparently corroding, eroding, collapsing and can’t be maintained with existing revenue, so they want to increase a tax to keep it all together. We got here with lousy planning, you

think? Also included on the dream list is the creation of more trails, more river access, more soccer fields and “other projects” (whatever they are.) All this and we can’t afford to maintain the existing city property? Isn’t this a sort of preplanned deferred maintenance for more infrastructure that will eventually need further tax increases to cover more deferred maintenance? We see deferred maintenance every year in Delta. Funding from our utility bill payments, set aside for long-term support and care of those utilities, is diverted. Some $400,000 is squandered yearly on The Golf Club for the tiny few Deltoids who apparently feel it is their right, at the expense of others, to engage in a dying activity. Rather than robbing the utilities of that extravagant yearly sum, some 40% of the tax increase (estimated at $1,000,000 annually) apparently is going straight to The Golf

Club. That hardly seems equitable to most of us. Perhaps it’s time to start shutting down some parks and recreation properties, beginning with The Golf Club, until we can afford to maintain what we retain at the current rate of revenue. There is another unmentioned problem here. Have any of these financial wizards planned how we’re going to maintain the infamous Main Street bypass? One can imagine sizable costs at some time in the future. What has been set aside for that inevitability? And don’t we still owe some 20 million dollars on that lovely project? Live within your means, city council. Is that too much to ask? You heard it here first: If this tax increase passes, it expires in 11 years. At that time, its renewal will be on the 2029 ballot advertised as “Not an Increase in Current Taxes.” Alan Metcalfe Delta

Don’t let profit, politics trump our kids’ safety Dear Editor: People who compare alcohol to marijuana are usually the same people who are attempting to minimize the dangers to our children as to its use. These are the same people who want to legalize a self serving agenda either to gain income from it or self indulge themselves with it. It’s just like the rebellious generation of the 1960s: “We want it because you said we cant have it.” It’s like trying to tell a 5-year-old no. Why? Because it will make you sick — then the kid throws a tantrum. In a DCI letter written on Sept. 26, Jay Stooksberry signed it as the chair of the Libertarian Party of Delta County. It would appear that Stooksberry is sending a message to engage party politics in order to win the battle for marijuana on the November ballot. Since September of 2017 I have been very much in the forefront of the mari-

juana argument. I have written several letters as a former treatment clinician in addiction recovery. I have publicly spoken and shared research to hundreds in our community. I have experienced my own recovery and now have been sober for 10 years. It’s a well documented truth that alcohol is addictive, legal or illegal, but has always been more difficult for children to acquire. I have never treated a 13-year-old for alcohol addiction. In a 2018 survey of 1,002 kids in our school district, 408 say it is easy to get marijuana. A Grand Mesa Choice Academy commented, “Kids are turning to drugs; they are making it their life.” What wasn’t surveyed was how many kids were Lib, Republican, Democrat, independent, rich or poor. Addiction to marijuana doesn’t have a preferred political party or station in life. When you are sitting in front of par-

ents of well-raised kids who are crying and saying “What did we do wrong,” that would not be a good time to ask about party affiliation. The Colorado School Safety Resource Center parents fact sheet states that use at an early age WILL — not maybe — become addicted. It’s not marijuana anymore, it’s about marketing the higher levels of THC that is in it. The real agenda is not about our kids’ safety but about profit and party politics. Those I have talked to about marijuana never bring up party affiliation except the Libertarian Party chair Jay Stooksberry. In my above analogy it is now the 5-year-olds saying to the adults NO. Why? Because it’s making us sick. Parents listen to your kids not political parties. In November vote NO to ballot numbers 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H. Scott Schaible Delta

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

DCMH FROM PAGE A1 provide care coordination, to get care at the right call at the right time, and to reduce cost. Because of the success of the ACO, DCMH continues to work with other regional programs which provide specialty services. “When we all work better together, we are all stronger,” Cleckler said. “Now, and in the future, hospitals need to work on transparency and how to reduce the cost of care through care coordination. “We need to be active on the political front in trying to drive change, at the local, state and national level. DCMH will continue to be a force for rural hospital care. I see our hospital as an anchor institution in the community, responsible for health and wellness of the community. We are a major employer and also a big part of economic development,” he said. When he started in health care, Cleckler said, the trend was health and traumatic injuries. Now wellness and prevention prevail, with emphasis given to preventing chronic illnesses and

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traumatic injuries. Health care professionals are working on improving mental health. “We are trying to provide early intervention and integrating behavioral health into the primary clinics regionally. Mental health provides better access to crisis services,” he said. Cleckler said, “In recent years mental health visits to the ER outnumbered visits for traumatic injuries. Central to treating a mental health inpatient is a psychiatric bed. That bed is in Grand Junction, Denver or Colorado Springs. That drives up the cost and keeps the patient away from his or her support system. He said, communitywide, we need to reduce the stigma attached to mental health. It’s okay to talk about mental health; it helps. The sooner the patient gets help, the better. There is an opioid crisis nationwide and the crisis is on the rise in rural areas, he said. “Last year five hundred billion dollars — billion — were spent in the United States on treatment, crisis response, and health care needs caused by opioid abuse. Opioid abuse is the leading cause of death in our nation,” Cleckler said. The ALTO Act was adopted in an effort to effectively treat pain and reduce opioid use and

Fire district

FROM PAGE A1 When asked about �� firefighter response to �� this proposal, Suppes �� said most volunteers rec�� ognize they’ll be at home �� or at work more often, �� because they won’t be �� called out for every inci�� dent. The call for addi�� tional support will go out �� only when warranted. �� To accommodate 24/7 �� coverage, living quar�� ters will be added to the �� fire station at the corner �� of 5th and Grand. The �� building already contains a small kitchen, bathand showers. SUBSCRIBE TO DCI rooms To further reduce response time, the fire 874-4421 district proposes two substations to meet ISO and National Fire Protection �� Association standards of �� a station within five road

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Mental health ��

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addiction by using nonnarcotic medicines and treatments. Alcohol and crystal meth are also prevalent. Another major challenge for DCMH is the continuing increase in the cost for pharmaceuticals. Cleckler said there was an 18 percent increase in cost for pharmaceuticals in 2018. In July the hospital enrolled in the 340B pharmaceuticals program to help get a discounted price. “This topic needs to be on the agenda for legislators,” he said. “There are more lobbyists per legislator in Washington in pharmaceuticals than for any other industry.” Cleckler advocates working collaboratively with insurance companies to provide better care coordination, improve care, and reduce cost of care, saying such collaboration will lead to better viability for rural hospitals and help to reinvest in health care for our community. For three years in a row — 2016, 2017, 2018 — DCMH has been recognized as a Top 100 Rural Hospital in the nation. This recognition is for rural hospitals with 100 beds or fewer. DCMH has 49 beds. Cleckler welcomes feedback from community members by telephone, 874-2229, email, jcleckler@deltahospital. org, or website,www.delta hospital.org.

FROM PAGE A1 months and placed on mental health hold and still all appropriate facilities in Colorado refuse to find a bed for him. These facilities all claim to be full, and perhaps they are, but I do not believe these beds are being used by people more gravely ill than this individual. “I am confident that if a person suffering a heart attack presented himself to a primary care emergency room and they were full, they would find a bed for him. I believe the same should be true for our mental health hospitals and care facilities.” McKee said Colorado taxpayers provide millions and millions of dollars for mental health care, which is not sufficient but still the most critical ill should receive care. “Colorado must sufficiently fund the state mental hospital in Pueblo so that they can take in these individuals that are a serious imminent danger to our communities,” he concluded.

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miles of every structure. Suppes said a consultant has identified two broad areas — east of Delta in the neighborhood of 2000/2100 and F roads, and west of the city somewhere near D Road and Highway 348. Volunteer firefighters living in those areas would be able to deploy more quickly than if they have to drive in to town, grab a truck and gear, and head back to the incident. With these measures in place, Suppes said the board believes the average response time of 12.4 minutes can be cut by 4.5 to 5 minutes. In addition to fire suppression, the volunteers are trained to handle rescues, extrications and hazardous materials.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Number of 3.2 beer licenses grows in Delta BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

After lengthy hearings on Oct. 2, the Delta City Council granted 3.2 off premises beer licenses to the two Alta convenience stores in Delta and held off on a final decision on a third application from Stinker’s. Separate hearings were held for the Alta stores at 1430 Highway 50 and 1520 Howard Street. Dennis Dirkse, vice president of operations, discussed employee training and outlined how in-store compliance checks are conducted by “secret shoppers” to ensure employees are verifying ages for purchasers of both alcohol and tobacco. To demonstrate the neighborhood’s “needs and desires” for an additional 3.2 beer outlet, Alta contracted with Oedipus, Inc., to survey adult inhabitants in the area. Oedipus CEO Max Scott explained the methodology for conducting the survey and then distributed detailed reports for both stores. In both cases, support for the application was overwhelming. Council members unanimously approved both licenses, taking note of the comprehensive applications. Council then heard from Stinker’s, which shares a building with Wendy’s at 101 Main Street. Council members asked if Wendy’s management and employees had been included in the “needs and desires” survey. That answer was not clear. In response to concerns about controls, general manager Jerry Nichols said the beer would be located in a cooler directly in the cashier’s line of sight. Stinker’s opinion survey was conducted internally with vastly different results than Alta’s. City clerk Jolene Nelson said it’s up to applicants to determine how they want to provide evidence for the needs and desires requirements of the state statute, whether that’s through a petition or testimony or a combination of both. In the case of Stinker’s, Nelson said she provided a sample of a petition form that they modified for their own use. The completed petitions were turned in to

Nelson who tallied the results: 142 against, 123 in favor. Council members expressed concern over those numbers, as well as the lack of information on the petitions. Some signatures were illegible, others did not fill in the blanks for ages and addresses. It was not clear how many of the surrounding residences had been contacted. Based on the lack of

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support, a motion was made and seconded to deny the 3.2 beer liquor license application. That motion was withdrawn after council members expressed a desire to give the business “the benefit of the doubt.” They agreed to give Stinker’s a chance to make a more compelling argument, and invited representatives to return to the Nov. 6 council meeting.

CORN MAZE

Straw Bale Maze Pumpkin Patch

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�� Volunteers of all ages �� and abilities are invited to make a difference in someone’s life at the Abraham Connection Homeless Shelter.

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A4 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

ACCENT

Delta County Independent

Delta Christian Church honors one of its own Perhaps you’ve heard it said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, and in his own household.” Actually, it’s a statement made by none other than Jesus Christ himself during a time when he had returned to his hometown and found that the

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people he grew up around had disdain for him as a teacher because they were so familiar with him and saw no reason to esteem him any more than the other local kid who grew up there. The people of Delta Christian Church seem determined to not make the same mistake the people of Nazareth did. In fact, in late August, the church ordained one of its own as its teaching pastor, because it had the opportunity to witness his growth and faithfulness through the years they’ve known him. Eric Duncan grew up in the Delta area and attended church at Delta Christian with his parents Terri and Scott

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Wyley. Eric attended New Life Christian School at Delta First Assembly of God through fifth grade. After that he and his brother enrolled in public school in Delta. In 1999 Eric met Kim Yoder who grew up in the Cortez area. They were both a part of the opening crew at Outback Steakhouse in Grand Junction ... it was a classic hostess/busser love tale. Eric and Kim were married in 2003 and have two daughters and a son. Kim is a registered nurse and is employed at St. Mary’s Hospital as a supervisor in the Women’s and Children’s Department. In 2000 Eric entered the U.S. Army where he served as an M1-A1 tank crewman. He was stationed in Germany for the two years of his enlistment and then at Fort Carson outside of Colorado Springs for another two years, until his unit was deployed to Iraq in 2003. Eric tells of one of the

BIRTHS

Brandon and Emily Brown of Delta are the parents of a daughter, Emerson Jo Brown, born Oct. 7, 2018, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. She weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces and was �� 19 inches in length. ��

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Jack and Christ Judkins of Crawford are the parents of a daughter, Isla Rein Judkins, born Oct. 11, 2018, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. She weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 20 inches in length.

defining moments in his life which occurred while he was serving in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. Eric was driving the lead vehicle in a military caravan during a Sunday maneuver. Under the direction of the commanding officer, they were directed down a back street through a dangerous neighborhood. In a moment’s time, a non-friendly stepped into the street ahead, pointed a shoulder-fired rocket in their direction, launching it in another moment. The rocket screamed toward the cab of Eric’s vehicle leaving the customary trail of smoke, then it just as suddenly disappeared without a trace. Upon returning home, Eric told Kim the story of what happened that Sunday when he saw a rocket coming straight at him and then it wasn’t. Kim, in turn related a Sunday when she was sitting in church and experienced an overwhelming need to leave and pray for Eric’s safety. It turns out that it was the same day. That day Eric and Kim both experienced God’s overwhelming presence and power while separated by nine hours and 7,000 miles. Who wouldn’t want to serve a God who does that? Even today, the Duncans believe God is taking them on another adventure that began in 2012. It was that year Kim travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, in Africa to serve in a short-term mission to children at an orphanage. Upon Kim’s return, after seeing the need for adoptive families, the Duncan family began the process of learning about, then planning for their

Art Fair to be held at tech college The Arts Coalition of Delta County and the Technical College of the Rockies announce the first annual Delta County Art Fair to be held on Friday, Oct 19, and Saturday Oct. 20, at the technical college just south of Delta on Hwy. 50. This Art Fair will show the work of Delta County artists and is open to the public free of charge from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday evening and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The public is invited to come see and perhaps purchase a great piece of art for your home and meet many artists from Delta County who create the art on exhibit. Make a day of it by visiting galleries in Cedaredge, Crawford, Delta, Hotchkiss and Paonia. Artists from Delta County who haven’t reserved their spot for the Art Fair should call 640-6520 to arrange their exhibit area ASAP.

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Eric Duncan is ordained as teaching pastor at Delta Christian Church. own international adoption. It has taken years for them to work through the many obstacles international adoptions present, and some incredibly difficult disappointments along the way. Presently, they have been paired with a child from India and after 11 months are waiting for their invitation to travel to India to complete the adoption process and bring their, now nearly two-year-old daughter and sister home to her family in Delta. There has not been a day since the adoption process began that their hearts haven’t been drawn to the child they long to see and hold. Even with all this anticipation, Kim and Eric agree that God is faithful to complete what He began in a time frame that He chooses. Eric began serving as a volunteer in student ministry at Delta Christian before being hired for the job in 2014, after graduating from Colorado Christian University. Eric, often with Kim at his side, worked primarily with middle and high school students, but it wasn’t unusual to see them working with younger children and adults of any age. A few years ago Eric decided to take lessons to learn to play the drum set, so

the youth band could have a drummer. Soon he found himself drafted as an occasional drummer during Sunday morning worship. When the church began using a preaching team for Sunday sermons, Eric joined with others, who also accepted the challenge, becoming a regular speaker. When church leadership began the discussion of hiring a teaching pastor, Eric responded, saying both the Holy Spirit and his wife were urging him to step up and make himself available. Eric’s only stipulation was that he was not willing to give up working with student ministries and would work at creating ministries that involve a number of adults in the mentorships, teaching, and activities that comprise the church’s middle school and high school ministries. In the 112 years since Delta Christian Church first began gathering for worship, church historians don’t know of any other teaching pastor who served the congregation that originated from Delta County. So, perhaps it is possible that a prophet can be honored in his own hometown, and among his own household.

Mary Jo St. Jean named Volunteer of the Year Mary Jo St. Jean received the Beacon Volunteer of the Year 2018 award at the BeaconFest held in Montrose on Sept. 20. The Beacon Senior newspaper accepted nominations for the award from the Delta, Montrose, and Grand Junction areas. The public had the choice of three finalist nominees to vote on for the 2018 Volunteer of the Year. Mary Jo received the most votes as she has a “stellar” record of volunteering at Delta County Memorial Hospital, HopeWest, Heirlooms for Hospice, Delta Coun-

ty Museum, Crossroads Senior Living, and as an ambassador for the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Jo St. Jean

Halloween square dance is Oct. 20 Tricks and treats! The Delta Hubwheelers Square Dance Club will host its Halloween-theme dance on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 7-9 p.m., in the aerobics room at the Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 531 N. Palmer Street, Delta. Come in costume and show off your ghoulish spirit! Come early for “Plus Workshop” at 6:30 p.m., with Naaman Moorehouse, who will call the dance.

Dances are “Mainstream” with “Plus” Tips. Round dances are to recordings. Bring refreshments to share during the evening! Dance fee is $6. Nondancers welcome to come and watch, meet our dancers and find out about upcoming lessons! If coming from out of town, call us to verify dance dates and details: Zee Pacheco, 835-3771, or Paul Ash, 773-4495.

POW/MIA ceremony scheduled Oct. 19

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On Friday, Oct. 19, members of Lee Marts Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3571 and Harry A. White American Legion Post 65 will be dedicating a missing man table and performing the POW/MIA ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the Confluence Café, 440 Main Street, in Delta. This somber ceremony is done in honor and remem-

brance of the thousands of American servicemen and service women who are prisoners of war or missing in action. All members of the community, veterans or not, are invited to devote a few minutes of their time to observe this moving ceremony and honor and remember those missing service members.

ELECTION 2018

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Unopposed candidates poised to fill county offices BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

The November ballot contains the names of five candidates who have no opposition for county offices. All five candidates are Republicans, and all but one is an incumbent. Lance Boren County Coroner Lance Boren, Republican, was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to fill a vacancy in the county coroner position in October 2016. He is now running for election as county coroner for a four-year term. County coroner duties include determining the cause of death when a person dies and notification to the family. If needed, the county coroner schedules an autopsy. He also completes and signs the death certificate. The office of coroner requires state certification. The Colorado Coroners Association provides classes for the original certification of coroners. Continuing education is required and the association holds two three-day conferences every year for that purpose. Boren graduated from mortuary college in Texas in December 1999 and was employed as a funeral director in Texas. He wanted to live in Colorado and responded to a position advertised by Taylor Funeral Services in Delta. He joined Taylor Funeral Services in November 2009. Jesse Messenger County Surveyor Jesse Messenger, Republican, is an unopposed candidate for Delta County surveyor. Messenger began his surveying career in 1971. He passed the exam to become a licensed surveyor in the State of Colorado in 1978. He has been self-employed as a surveyor, primarily in western Colorado, since

1984. Messenger served as the elected county surveyor for three terms in the late 1980s and 1990s. In 2006 Messenger was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to fill the vacancy of county surveyor. He was elected to the position in 2007. He is currently serving the final year of his second term as county surveyor. The office of county surveyor is established by state statute. The county surveyor represents the county in any boundary disputes of real property owned by the county, and provides other assistance to the board as the need arises. The Delta County surveyor currently reviews all subdivision and boundary adjustment plats for compliance with state statutes before they are recorded. Messenger is a native of Delta County, having been born in Paonia and raised in Crawford and Delta. He graduated from Delta High School and from Mesa Junior College (now Colorado Mesa University). He and his wife Cheryle have raised their family here in Delta County. Messenger is a member of Colorado Association of County Surveyors. Lisa Tafoya County Treasurer Lisa J. Tafoya was appointed to that position in September 2013 after serving in the treasurer’s office for six years. She was elected in 2015 to her first four year term. Tafoya has gained 38 years of diverse financial expertise. She started her financial career at United Bank of Delta in 1979, followed by employment with Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, Dean Witter, and Security Service Federal Credit Union.

These opportunities provided Tafoya with extensive knowledge, including, but not limited to, statistical preparation and analyzing, operations leadership, financial investment support, accounting and major event coordination. She was also a successful small business owner who taught and sold a variety of handmade décor. In June 2017 Tafoya earned her certification from Colorado Mesa University as a treasurer and public trustee for Colorado. She is a graduate of Cedaredge High School and holds an associate degree in computer information systems and programming. She is a board member of Colorado County Treasurers Association and has supported the Treasurers of Colorado as its treasurer since 2015. She is the chairman of Colorado Western Region Treasurers Association. She volunteers with HopeWest. Tafoya and her husband Tim have been married 38 years. They have two sons and an 11year-old granddaughter. Tim also graduated from Cedaredge High School, is a native of Delta County and a 22-year retired

veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Their two sons are also veterans of the armed forces. Debbie Griffith County Assessor Debbie Griffith, Republican, has worked in the assessor’s office for 29 years, with 10 of those years as assessor. She was appointed to fill the open position of assessor in April 2008, elected to that position in November 2010, and re-elected in November 2014. Griffith describes her position as discovering, listing, valuating and classifying all the property in Delta County. She is trained in every phase of property assessment and mass appraisal valuation law and application. She is certified in Colorado Certified General Appraisal. She has over 1,000 hours of education through the Colorado Division of Property Taxation, International Association of Assessing Officers, McKissock College, Kaplan College, the Appraisal Institute and other training. In 1989 Griffith provided bookkeeping for small businesses in Delta County. The technical college offered classes in computerized computing. Griffith completed 84 quarter hours of credits,

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Pictured are Republican candidates (left to right) Lisa Tafoya, county treasurer; Mark Taylor, county sheriff; Teri Stephenson, county clerk and recorder; Lance Boren, county coroner and Debbie Grifﬁth, county assessor. Only Stephenson faces opposition in November, from Democrat Stacy Lowe.

within a year, through that program. “I wanted to be the top of the notch, to be as good as I could be,” she said. Griffith’s family moved from Garfield County to Delta County in 1976, her junior year of high school. She graduated from Cedaredge High School and married the same year. She and her husband Jeff have been married 41 years and have three children. Griffith said, “It is a tremendous honor and pleasure to serve the people of Delta County and I look forward to serving them another four years. “I’m still excited about my work and look forward to coming to work every day. I have an absolutely incredible staff.” Mark Taylor Delta County Sheriff Undersheriff Mark Taylor, Republican, is an unopposed candidate in his candidacy. He will replace Sheriff Fred McKee, who is retiring at the end of the year. Taylor says, “I am committed to upholding the longstanding tradition of excellence that has elevated the Delta County Sheriff ’s Office to one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the state. As your undersheriff for the last 14 years, I’m proud to say that I’ve helped to build that reputation of excellence through a variety of improvements and initiatives that have made our community safer.” In April 1989, Mark Taylor graduated from the Delta-Montrose Technical College Criminal Justice Academy. He joined the Delta County Sheriff ’s Office as a patrol deputy on May 1, 1989. He worked as a patrol deputy for about five years, during which time his duties were to protect life and property while providing law enforce-

ment to the citizens of Delta County. In 1995 Taylor was promoted to patrol sergeant. His duties as patrol deputy continued and he also provided direct supervision to other patrol deputies. In 2001 Taylor was assigned as an undercover drug investigator for the 7th Judicial Drug Task Force, and in 2003 he was appointed undersheriff. He has held that position for 14 years. His duties include managing approximately 67 employees in detentions, dispatch, food services, patrol and administration. Taylor carries out these duties by effectively planning, organizing and directing staff to meet organizational goals through knowledge of principles and practices of modern police administration. Training is an on-going part of the responsibilities of law enforcement professionals. Taylor is a graduate of FBI National Academy, considered the West Point of law enforcement training. He is also a graduate of the Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives, Rocky Mountain Command College, Executive Leadership Training, and the DEA Academy, Quantico, Va. He attended college at University of Virginia and Western Wyoming Community College. Among Taylor’s responsibilities are administrative duties, including preparing and working within a $4 million-plus budget; West/Central POST training coordinator; internal affairs coordinator; board member for Youth Substance Abuse Program; and FBI anti-terrorism task force member. Taylor is an honorably discharged veteran.

A6 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

ELECTION 2018

Delta County Independent

Seven ballot measures put before Delta voters BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Voters in the City of Delta will be asked to consider seven local measures on the November ballot. Referred Issue 2B seeks a half-cent sales tax increase to be used for parks, golf and recreation. Currently, one cent of the city’s three percent sales tax is dedicated to those departments. “If we can get this half penny, we can remove the burden on the utilities and keep our parks, rec-

reation and golf course in good operating condition,” said Mary Cooper, who is heading an issue committee advocating for the sales tax increase (see related story). Measures 2C and 2D seek voter approval for the sale, transfer or conveyance of city-owned properties. The first question concerns Cottonwood and Riverbend parks. Voter approval could facilitate a swap for acreage on the south side of the Gunnison River. Wilma Erven, director of parks, recre-

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ation and golf for the City of Delta, explains that property is more accessible for youth who use the soccer fields at Cottonwood Park. Like the fields themselves, restrooms and parking areas at Cottonwood are very rudimentary. A land swap would create an opportunity to develop a thoughtfully designed sports complex, with land left for trails, riverfront development and the hotel that’s been a focus of the Delta Urban Renewal Authority. Measure 2D concerns the municipal power plant at 1133 S. Main Street in Delta. The power plant was permanently retired in 2014 based on the age of equipment and the prohibitive cost of installing catalytic converters to meet environmental standards. “There’s no way that plant will ever be fired back up,” said Adam Suppes, electric superintendent for the City of Delta. The city has been approached about possible uses for the historic building, which prompted council’s decision to place this question on the ballot. The building is currently used as a base for ML&P operations, so if a sale goes through, crews and equipment will have

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— 2E, 2F, 2G and 2H — are frequently lumped together, but voters can consider each one individually. The first question concerns the establishment of retail marijuana stores, and the second covers the establishment of medical marijuana centers. With voter approval, Measure 2G would permit retail marijuana cultivation, retail product manufacturing, retail marijuana testing facilities and retail marijuana transporters. Measure 2H confines those same operations to medical marijuana. Strong opinions have been voiced on this issue. Proponents point to the potential for sales tax revenue, while opponents say those gains will be offset by additional expenses

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

At the recommendation of the Colorado Municipal League, Delta City Council unanimously adopted a resolution opposing Amendment 74, Just Compensation for Reduction in Fair Market Value by Government Law or Regulation. According to CML, the ballot measure was drafted by out-of-state corporate interests and could have potentially disastrous consequences for municipalities. Delta Mayor Ron Austin, who describes himself as a proponent of property rights, said the state Constitution already gives property owners the right to seek compensation from state or local governments. Amendment 74 expands this concept by requiring the government to compensate private property owners for virtually any decrease in the fair market value of their property due to any government law or regulations. “Because of its vague-

ness, this amendment actually pits neighbor against neighbor,” Austin said, even for something as simple as fixing a pothole or resurfacing a street. “One person could perceive property values are going to go down beause of increased traffic on that street,” Austin said, “while the other neighbor may believe that if the city doesn’t fix the potholes or repair the street, their property values are going to go down.” If a lawsuit is filed, it will be up to the courts to decide who’s right and who’s wrong, and that’s going to cost a lot of money in litigation, Austin said. “The taxpayers are the ones who will be on the hook for that expense.” “This amendment absolutely opens the door to litigation,” Austin said. “I think it was purposely written this way.” CML says that large payouts will mean higher taxes for citizens and a reduction in essential government services such as parks, police and utilities.

BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS the city’s ability to make tee member, said a sales On Oct. 4 the group “Half Penny for Parks and Recreation” held an informational session on City of Delta ballot measure 2B. Three city staff were also available for questions. “This is a solution to various complaints,” said committee head, Mary Cooper. She explained that a .5 percent sales tax increase would help

improvements on trails, parks, the recreation center and the golf course. Without the increase, which translates to half a penny on every dollar, services will be cut, said Vicki Ripp, committee member. For example, rec center memberships might increase, bathrooms could be closed and playground equipment will continue to degrade. Jo Rosenquist, commit-

NOVEMBER 6, 2018 DELTA COUNTY, COLORADO BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED TO ALL ACTIVE REGISTERED VOTERS THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 15, 2018 BALLOTS ARE NOT FORWARDABLE SO PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS IS CURRENT. YOU CAN VERIFY, UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS OR REGISTER TO VOTE AT www.govotecolorado.com Sample Ballots are available online at www.deltacounty.com

Delta County Clerk and Recorder's Office 501 Palmer St. Delta Co North Fork Annex 196 W. Hotchkiss Ave Hotchkiss Co

Voter Service and Polling Center Locations Dates Hours Starting October 22, 2018 Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm *24 Hour Drop Box Saturday October 27, 2018 9:00 am - 1:00 pm available starting Saturday November 3, 2018 9:00 am - 1:00 pm October 15, 2018 Election Day 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Monday November 5, 2018 Tuesday Election Day

Town of Orchard City Tuesday Election Day 9661 2100 Rd. Austin Co

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed for lunch 12:30 - 1:30 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

*24 Hour Drop Box available starting October 15, 2018

7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Mail Ballot Drop off Location Only Cedaredge Library 180 SW 6th Ave Cedaredge Co

October 15, 2018 -

A similar measure was enacted in Oregon. In a few short years, according to CML, the measure led to thousands of individual claims totaling in excess of several billion dollars. “It took Oregon voters about two years to figure out they couldn’t afford that statute, so they removed it,” Austin said. The amendment poses a real Catch 22, Austin said, because a municipality can be forced to defend an action it took, or it can be forced to defend an action it didn’t take — on the same issue. The resolution adopted by city council states, in part: “Any arguable impact upon fair market value — however reasonable or justified or minimal or incidental or temporary — resulting from state or local government action could trigger a claim for the taxpayers to pay.” “The bottom line, it will cost a lot of money to come up with an answer in the courts, and that will be coming straight out of taxpayers’ pockets,” Austin said.

Committee urges approval for half penny tax increase

NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION

Location

for policing and enforcement of regulations. To be proactive, the April municipal ballot contained a question about taxation of marijuana sales. By a margin of roughly 61-39 percent, voters approved a 5 percent excise tax on unprocessed marijuana and a 2 percent sales tax on the sale of retail marijuana. At that time, the city estimated revenues of $325,000 annually for excise taxes and $275,000 annually for retail marijuana sales. Revenue for the halfcent sales tax increase is projected to be $1 million annually, based on established data. Because no similar history exists for marijuana sales, estimated revenues are simply an educated guess.

City council adopts resolution opposing Amendment 74

Contributing Writer

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to be moved. On the other hand, the city will save the expense of upkeep on the power plant. “There is an ongoing expense to the taxpayers to maintain that building,” explained Mayor Ron Austin. “Though it’s not being used to produce electricity, because it has that ability, the city has to maintain the proper amount of insurance.” “Yes” votes on 2C and 2D do not guarantee the sale of either property. The final decision will be up to Delta City Council, which will consider property appraisals and purchase options before final approval of any transaction. Four additional questions on the ballot address the sale of marijuana in Delta. The four questions

Election Day 7:00 p.m.

*Available 24 Hours

tax increase is beneficial because anyone shopping in Delta will be helping. Without a property tax, operations funding comes primarily from sales tax revenues in addition to fees, rentals and grants. A half-percent might not seem like much, but to this group it’s all they need. Monies generated will also help to secure matching grants or funds. We can make our projects happen using a sales tax increase without burdening our community, said Wilma Erven, director of parks, recreation and golf for the City of Delta. For instance, a sales tax increase would mean the Devil’s Thumb Golf Course wouldn’t use utility funds for maintenance. If the sales tax increase is implemented, committee members said they’ll evaluate the long list of deferred maintenance needs and desired projects to prioritize what should happen first. Another initiative on the ballot is the sale of Riverbend and Cottonwood parks to purchase land on the south side of the river. “The focus is to get soccer into an area more accessible to kids,” said Erven. However, even if the sale or swap of the land is approved, the project’s progress could be stunted without the half-penny increase. Overall the committee feels confident that City of Delta residents will vote “Yes” on item 2B when they receive their ballots. “We won’t be out of line with other municipalities or even above them,” said Ripp.

ELECTION 2018

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Amendment 73 would boost K-12 funding PRESS RELEASE Delta County School District

Amendment 73 is on the ballot, calling for a tiered increase of state income taxes for the wealthiest Coloradans to fund K-12 education. Specifically, the increase would move from a 4.63

flat income tax, upward incrementally, for those individuals making $150,000 or more annually. If your income falls under $150k annually, your 4.63 income tax rate will not increase. Below is the breakdown of income and income tax tiers

should measure pass. • $0-$150,000 income — 4.63% income tax • $150,001-$200,000 income — 5% income tax • $200,001-$300,000 income — 6% income tax • $300,001-$400,000 income — 7% income tax • $400,001-$500,000 income — 8% income tax • More than $500,000 income — 8.25% income tax The measure will also increase the state corporate income tax from 4.63% to 6% and decrease property tax rates in school districts;

A guide to commonly asked election questions With the Nov. 6 general election around the corner, here’s a handy guide to some of the most common questions the Colorado secretary of state’s office is fielding: When will I get my ballot? County clerks will begin mailing ballots this Monday, Oct. 15. How do I check to make sure I’m registered? If you have a Colorado driver’s license or state ID, you can visit GoVoteColorado.com and select Find my registration. From there, you can update any out-of-date information by clicking on the change my address or change my party affiliation links. You can also find a polling location in your county or check the status of your mail ballot. I got a mailing asking me to register to vote, but I thought I was already registered? Many outside groups send these types of mailings before the election, but their information is often out-of-date. You can confirm that you are registered, visit GoVote Colorado.com or contact your county clerk and recorder. I’ve looked up my record on GoVoteColorado.com, and it says I’m inactive. What does that mean? If your record is inactive, it’s because the county clerk sent you mail that was returned as undeliverable by the post office. County clerks only mail ballots to active, registered voters. You can update your record and

become active by visiting GoVoteColorado.com, filling out a paper voter registration form, or visiting any polling location in your county beginning Oct. 22. What’s on my ballot? You can view your sample ballot online by looking up your record on GoVoteColorado.com, or by clicking on the View my sample ballot link on our website at www.sos. state.co.us and entering your address. I didn’t get my blue book or I have questions about my blue book. Who can I call? The Office of Legislative Council of the Colorado General Assembly is responsible for compiling and distributing the blue book, which describes the 13 statewide ballot measures and includes information about judges up for retention. For questions about a missing or defective bluebook, contact bluebook.ga@state. co.us. You can view an online version of the bluebook in English and in Spanish. When is the last day to register to vote? In Colorado, you can register to vote through election day, Nov. 6. To receive a ballot in the mail, you must register no later than Oct. 29. After that date, you will need to visit a polling location in your county to register and vote. I’m traveling, a student, or temporarily away from Colorado. Can I still vote? Yes. If you are within the United States, you can visit GoVote

Colorado.com and provide the address where you want your ballot mailed. If you are overseas, you can also apply for an overseas ballot. If you haven’t left home yet, you can pick up a mail ballot packet early at your county clerk’s office. Where can I drop off my ballot or go to vote? You can drop off your ballot at any drop box or polling location in your county. Many drop box locations will open Oct. 15, and polling locations Oct. 22. To find a polling location near you, visit your record at Go VoteColorado.com. What’s the last day to return my ballot? The county clerk must receive your ballot no later than 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 for it to be counted. Postmarks do not count.

the decrease does not include assessments rates for mines and lands producing oil and gas. Arguments For The Measure • The state needs a sustainable source of revenue to adequately and equitably fund public education. • Create the Quality Public Education Fund that can only be used for public education and is exempt from TABOR revenue limit. • The measure is expected to raise $1.6 billion a year; allocating half to specific educational programs such as fulltime kindergarten, special education, and gifted and talented programs, in addition to the perpupil rate. The remaining would be allocated to public schools as determined by the legislature. • The measure provides property tax relief for business property owners, farmers, and ranchers who have paid an increasingly higher proportion of property taxes compared to residential property owners. • One of government’s most important functions is to provide children with a high-quality education. • Stabilizing the local share of required school formula funding and creating a dedicated source for state revenue for education provides additional flexibility for the state to use more of its general operating budget on other core programs, such as transportation, public safety, and health care.

Arguments Against the Measure • The measure imposes a tax increase without any guarantee of increased academic achievement. • Increasing the state income tax could negatively impact the state’s economy. Businesses will have less money to invest in their workers. • The measure complicates an already complicated property tax system. By creating one assessed value

for school districts and another assessed value for all other local taxing entities, the measure will lead to confusion among taxpayers and further complicates tax administration for state and local governments. • The measure does not allow the state legislature to adjust the income tax thresholds to account for inflation. If passed, Amendment 73 proves to be a big boost for school districts across Colorado.

Editor’s Note: The candidates for House District 54, House District 61 and Senate District 5 were proﬁled following the Club 20 debates (Sept. 12 issue) and the Democrat-Republican candidate forum (Oct. 10 issue).

Candidates host meet and greet, walk day Olen Lund of Paonia, who is running for State Senate District 5, and Matt Soper of Delta, who is running for State House District 54, will host a Delta walk day from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, following the visit of U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton at the Delta County GOP headquarters at 428 Main Street in Delta. From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Soper and Lund and other candidates and supporters will be sign waving on Main Street. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Lund and Soper

will be joined by fellow Delta County legislative candidate Mike Mason of Cedaredge in hosting a meet and greet with hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate and a few snacks at the Delta GOP headquarters. Other local Republican candidates will also be present. Those interested in volunteering are invited to come on down to the Delta Republican headquarters on Thursday. For more info, please email olen@olenlund.com or electmattsoper@gmail. com.

Is your blue book missing? Colorado voters receive “blue books” before an election, highlighting ballot measures and judges on the ballot. This year, however, there have been a couple of problems. A printer’s data processing settings defaulted to physical addresses instead of mailing addresses in 36 counties where residents get their mail via post office boxes the books were not delivered. Other voters received their blue books but pages were missing. The Colorado Secretary of State’s office does not issue the blue books — that is done by the legislature’s nonparti-

san Legislative Council. They report that 90,000 books have been resent and county clerks have been supplied with extra books. Blue books are also available online at https://leg.colorado.gov/ content/initiatives/initia tives-blue-book-overview/ ballot-information-book let-blue-book. The blue book describes the 13 statewide ballot measures, the pros and cons for each and fiscal impacts. The books also contain a section on the judges up for retention, and whether they met or failed to meet performance standards.

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A8 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Enhance your business with library resources BY TRACY IHNOT Delta County Libraries

Meeting spaces. Consumer Reports. Digital projectors. 24-hour highspeed wireless internet. Online continuing education courses. Grant writing support. Computer classes. Copy and fax machines. All of these resources and more are available through the libraries. “People don’t automatically think of the libraries as a contributor to the local business community,” says Leah Morris, collections and systems administrator for Delta County Libraries. “However, there are a number of resources that local business owners can utilize to enhance business while saving on overhead costs.” A good example of this

is the online resources that the library district subscribes to annually. Universal Class is one of those resources. “Universal Class offers over 500 online continuing education courses, including courses in accounting, web design, office skills, business, career training and computer training,” states Morris. The courses are educator led and provide a certificate of continuing education upon completion. “Business owners can use Universal Class as a cost-effective way to increase their own skills and provide professional development opportunities for their staff,” Morris explains. Another online resource, AutoMate, provides the most accurate and up-to-date service

and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported vehicles. Local businessperson Brandon Dowell, of Carquest Auto Parts (Duckworks) in Hotchkiss, utilizes AutoMate to support staff and assist customers. “AutoMate has been very valuable to us,” Dowell says. “And the price is right!” “All you need is a library card to get started utilizing resources like Universal Class and AutoMate,” Morris elaborates. The library district also subscribes to Regional Business News, Consumer Reports, Legal Information Reference Center, Law Check, the Community Resource Center Grants Guide, Business Source Premier,

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and much more. Local businesses can also take advantage of on-site resources at the five libraries in Delta County. “We offer meeting spaces and the necessary technology to conduct meetings, presentations, or trainings,” says Lea Hart, district director of Delta County Libraries. “We also offer high school equivalency

testing, ESL classes and other valuable employee resources.” Not to mention hundreds of books and ebooks on money management, entrepreneurship, effective business practices, startups, marketing, and more. “Additionally, our libraries bring a lot of foot traffic to the communities they serve,”

Hart states. “Over 900 people walk into our five libraries every day. That kind of activity certainly serves as a benefit to the nearby businesses.” For more information, contact your local library or visit www.delta libraries.org. Apply for a library card online or in-person and begin taking advantage of these resources today.

Law enforcement blotter From the Delta Police Department (edited for length): Oct. 7: An officer red tagged an abandoned vehicle on Clark Street. Officers took a theft report from a residence in the 500 block E. 10th Street. The missing property was returned later in the day. Officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of 1550 Road for a disturbance. Charles A. Kuene, 55, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged harassment. Oct. 8: A theft was reported from a residence in the 500 block of Elizabeth. Officers checked on a suspicious vehicle behind Walmart. Majacemeno “Xac” Gallegos, 20, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged possession of controlled substance (two counts). Oct. 9: Officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of W. 6th Street for a disturbance. A theft was reported at a residence in the 1300 block of E. 3rd Street. Officers conducted a marijuana compliance check on a residence in the city of Delta. A theft was reported at a business in the 1800 block of 1600 Road. At about 5 p.m., officers responded to Cleland Park for a fight in progress between an adult male and some juveniles. David Gonzalez-Mendieta, 36, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged harassment and child abuse. Oct. 10: George W. Bryant, 33, of Delta was issued a ticket for alleged theft at Delta Ace Hardware. Officers responded to the 100 block of W. 4th Street for a two-vehicle crash. No injuries were reported or observed. Ashley N. Groda, 30, of Delta was issued a ticket for alleged following too closely and failure to present evidence of insurance. Officers responded to Sonic on a report of possible counterfeit currency. Oct. 11: An officer took a report of an attempted first degree criminal trespass of a vehicle which occurred in the 900 block of E. 5th Street. Officers responded to Delta County Memorial Hospital for a disturbance. Keith H. Hanna, 64, of Hotchkiss was arrested and jailed for alleged second degree assault (two counts). A theft was reported in the 600 block of E. 3rd Street. Oct. 12: Six men — Balmer Able Sierra, 45, Freddy Perez Maya, 27, Yosbany Atucha-Pelaey, 41, Manuel Antonio Morejon-Urquiaga, 80, Juan Milian Ayala, 54, Yasser Able SierraMarin, 43 — and two women, Dayami Guerra-Arias, 25, and Lisset Alvarez Perez, 48, all of Delta, were arrested and jailed for alleged cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. An officer responded to Walmart on a report of possible counterfeit currency. Juan Milian Ayala, 54, of Delta was arrested and jailed on a warrant with a $50,000

bond. Officers responded to Cleland Park for a fight in progress. Two juvenile males were involved. There were no injuries and no charges filed. Oct. 13: Merrill Wade Brandon, 62, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged violation of a restraining order. Lindsay Janae Logsdon, 29, of Grand Junction was arrested and jailed on a warrant with no bond. Jill Ann Johns, 54, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged harassment and child abuse (simple, no injury) as an act of domestic violence. Lucas Ryan Terry, 25, of Grand Junction was arrested and jailed for alleged violation of a protection order. Please remember: All criminal charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty.

From the Delta County Sheriff’s Office (partial list): Oct. 8: A harassment complaint was filed by a Delta area woman who says a roommate’s ex-boyfriend is sitting in a parked car across the street and watching their house. An Eckert resident reported that blank checks were taken from his vehicle some time during the night. Similar reports were received from a number of Orchard City residents, including a man who said a .22 caliber semi-automatic and a revolver were taken from his vehicle. An Austin resident reported her husband’s wallet had been taken out of the center console and the glove compartment had been emptied. A woman residing on 2150 Road, Delta, reported that someone had gone through her vehicle but nothing of value was taken. At the request of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy visited a residence on Elm Avenue in Crawford. They found a 2001 silver Pontiac Grand Prix that had been reported stolen from Mesa County, but did not locate the suspect at that address. Jake Pierce, 24, of Austin was charged with harassment, domestic violence, criminal mischief and violation of bail bond conditions after a disturbance in the Austin area. He was transported to Delta County Jail. Oct. 9: A male reported he had been pepper sprayed by his girlfriend while they were staying in a Winnebago motor home on O Road outside of Paonia. When deputies arrived at the Winnebago, they found a window broken out. The occupant, Aleen Voyles, 43, of Hotchkiss, said she believed her boyfriend was going to assault her, so she sprayed him. Further investigation revealed the boyfriend was given access to work on the Winnebago, but Voyles was not known to the property owner. She was charged with second degree burglary and criminal mischief. Oct. 11: At about 10:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a residential fire on Grange Road, Paonia. Paonia firefighters were on scene, blowing

smoke out of the house with a large fan. It was determined that a faulty power strip had caused a smoldering fire that destroyed a mattress and some newspapers. There was no serious structural damage to the home. Oct. 12: A Cedaredge area resident reported the theft of license plates from her vehicle. A Delta area resident reported that a neighbor’s dog had killed his sheep. Oct. 13: At 12:30 a.m., while on routine patrol on Highway 92 near 2200 Road, a deputy observed a driver that failed to use his turn signal. The deputy pulled in behind the sedan and observed the driver was unable to maintain a single lane. He activated his emergency lights; the driver of the sedan accelerated and went into the opposite lane of traffic on Highway 92. The deputy backed off, in accordance with the department’s pursuit policy, but maintained visual contact. The driver turned onto Redlands Mesa Road and upon reaching 3100 Road, turned around and came back down the hillside. He lost control of his vehicle at the edge of a driveway; the vehicle rolled and came to a rest on its wheels. The driver, Kenneth Gallob, 34, of Eckert was transported to Delta County Memorial Hospital and later transferred to the jail. He is charged with vehicular eluding, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, driving with expired plates, violation of a protection order, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance believed to be methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence. Because a passenger in the vehicle wanted him to stop, and he refused, he’s also charged with second degree kidnapping. A man who damaged election signs was contacted by deputies. He was not aware that the prior property owner had given permission for the signs to be displayed. No charges were filed. A piece of equipment used to dig irrigation trenches was reported stolen from a farm on Sprulin Mesa Road. Deputies and EMTs were dispatched to a residence on Fir Avenue, Crawford, for a 70-year-old woman with blood on her arms and legs. It was determined the woman had fallen and was having trouble remembering what happened. Oct. 14: The theft of 50 to 70 hemp plants and an industrial sprayer was reported by a Paonia residence. The suspects cut a hole in the fence and in the greenhouse to gain access. A disagreement over irrigation water was investigated in the Hotchkiss area. Crimestoppers Alert Crimestoppers is seeking information about a burglary at All Safe Storage that occurred on Aug. 21. Among the items taken from a storage unit at 7454 Highway 65 is an elk head that’s considered a family heirloom. Anyone with information about the location of the elk head is asked to call Crimestoppers at 874-8810.

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

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SCHOOL

Delta County Independent

Students of the Month

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Photos submitted

At Delta Middle School, September Students of the Month were highlighted for showing perseverance. This is the ability to achieve success through hard work despite difﬁculties, previous failure or opposition. Pictured above are eighth graders Vanessa Cortez, Rachel Esquibel, Kelly Finley, Samantha Stackhouse, Adonai Browne and David Love.

Photo submitted

Scouts, assisted by their parents and leaders and supervised by local veterans from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts in Delta, retire damaged, faded, and otherwise unserviceable ﬂags in a time-honored method.

VFW, Scouts retire flags

Seventh grade Students of the Month are Shayla Curtis, Mario Dawson, Stormie Kuster, Matthew Lee, Regann Alsdorf, Cassidy Wear and Mackenzie Newport.

Sixth grade Students of the Month are JJ Cross, Ryan Hendrix, Cya Smith, Anika Hovel, Lexie Ferganchick and Kameron Neill.

Food for Thought celebrates $25,000 State Farm grant In just 10 days in August, 167,000 people cast 4.5 million votes in support of their favorite causes. As a result, 40 communities, in 19 states, including Delta, will be getting an assist from State Farm. State Farm is proud to announce

Veterans from Lee Marts Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3571 and Harry A. White American Legion Post joined with their auxiliary members to demonstrate and explain the way that damaged, faded, and otherwise unserviceable flags are honorably retired by veterans organizations. The veterans demonstrated the proper way of folding the flag, and helped the scouts practice this technique. The veterans explained that the 1923 United States Flag Code has a section stating that unserviceable flags are to be destroyed “preferably by fire.” This method of retirement was in use at the time by both the VFW and Legion, and

This annual retirement event gives the VFW and Legion veterans the opportunity to work with the scouts and help them learn some of the proper respect to be shown the the American flag, considered to be a living symbol of the nation.

was adopted by all of the military branches after the publication of the Flag Code. The scouts then retired all the flags local veterans organizations had collected during the year, under the supervision of the veterans present.

Afterschool program offered

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�� Bill Heddles Recre�� ation Center is offering �� an after-school program with activities ranging �� from swimming and rock �� climbing to sports and �� outdoor games. Snacks � � are provided and there will be time for home� �� Three �� monthly work. �� sessions are ��offered Mon�� day-Thursday from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. each day (program will not operate during holidays and school breaks). A designated school bus will transport students from school to the recreation center. �� Students must be at �� least 8 years of age to register. The �� registration �� deadlines �for upcoming �� monthly sessions are Oct. �� 25 and Nov. 29. �� For more information, contact Tyler Schum�� acher at 874-0923 or �� tyler@cityofdelta.net. ��

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that Vision Charter Academy and its Food for Thought program is one of the top 40 vote-getting causes that will receive a $25,000 grant to improve their community. State Farm Neighborhood Assist is a crowdsourced philanthropic

program that empowers communities to identify issues in their neighborhoods. Nonprofits affiliated with each of the top 40 causes receive grants to address them. Willyn Webb, executive director of Vision Charter Academy and Food For Thought program coordinator, expressed her appreciation for the community’s support, “Every vote made a difference; we were successful in a very tight competition,” said Willyn. “Thank you, �� State Farm, for such an �� amazing opportunity,” �� she added. “Food for �� Thought will be sustain�� able, with other fundrais�� ing and food drive efforts, �� for two more years as a result of the award.” �� “State Farm is here to �� help life go right in neigh�� borhoods all across the �� country. We look forward �� to seeing the changes in �� these 40 communities �� because of these Neighborhood Assist grants,” �� said Tamara Pachl, Pub�� lic Affairs Spokesperson �� at State Farm. �� At least one submis�� sion was received from �� each of the 50 states. �� The State Farm Review � �� Committee selected the �� top 200 finalists from � � �� 2,000 submissions. In �� the seven years of the �� program, more than 250 �� causes have received �� a total of $7 million to �� in their ��enact��change �� communities. �� Celebration Event �� A event �� celebration �� is planned for Oct. 24 �� at three Vision Charter �� Academy locations and �� the Delta County School �� District office. �� The celebration and �� thank you road show will �� begin on the Delta Cam�� pus from 10-10:30 a.m., �� travel to the Surface �� Creek campus for a cel� �� ebration from 11:30 a.m. �� to noon, then move to the �� North Fork Campus in �� Paonia to kick off Food �� service�� for Thought to�� the Hotchkiss and Paonia �� p.m.� schools � � �� at 1:30 �� Vision Charter �� Acade�� my will host a communi�� ty reception �� at the Delta �� County School District �� office at 5 p.m. Oct. 24. � ��

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A10 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

CHURCH

Delta County Independent

BoCC hears update from Nature Connection BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

Kat Fitzpatrick, executive director of The Nature Connection, gave an update concerning summer programs of Nature Connection to Commissioners Doug Atchley, Don Suppes and Mark Roeber at their Oct. 15 meeting. The Nature Connection received a GOCO Inspire grant award to implement “place, program and pathway” developments in Delta County and Olathe. Kitzpatrick reported The Nature Connection has place developments in Olathe, Delta, Cedaredge, Crawford, Paonia and Hotchkiss, and programming in Hotchkiss, Delta,

Cedaredge and Olathe. Nature Connection carried out “Gear to Go” pilot programs for Paonia seventh graders, NFSIS fifth and sixth grades, Grand Mesa Choice Academy, Cedaredge Middle School and Hotchkiss ninth grade. Fifth grade students participated in “Enjoy Your Park” state park trips and sixth graders enjoyed Cottonwood Days. National Public Lands Day at Lost Lake was open to all students. “Skis for Kids” was available to students in fourth and sixth grades in Delta County School District and in Olathe. A bike decorating event at “Gears and Beers” was open for all grades and

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Nature Connection is joining the Kids Pasta Project for the next dinner Monday, Oct. 22, at Delicious Orchards. All

BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

The county commissioners are seeking a GOCO grant for trail planning, engineering and permitting for several related projects to improve trail access and connectivity to Dominguez-Escalante. The first project identified is to establish a route between the Confluence Park and the Escalante State Wildlife Area.

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kppreservations@gmail. com. said Fitzpatrick Nature Connection will be moving forward plan-

ning 2019 summer programming and satellite hubs and planning more “Gear to Go” opportunities for class trips.

County seeks trail planning grant

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proceeds from the dinner will help get kids outdoors for recreation and education. Reservations can be made at

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The next project would look to formalize a route through DominguezEscalante to Whitewater. The route would likely begin at the intersection of Sawmill Mesa Road and Escalante Rim Road, traversing Escalante Rim Road into the Hunting Grounds. The third project is a series of trails at the Escalante Triangle. This grant project provides an opportunity to

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integrate planning efforts and complete critical work necessary to move these trail segments forward toward completion. This is a multi-county project involving Delta and Mesa counties that would include cross streets in the City of Delta. The total project cost is projected at $200,000. Delta County’s grant request to GOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado) is

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$75,000. Delta County will provide a $25,000 match. The total project cost includes the value of in-kind and cash contributions to the project. The commissioners are also submitting a grant request to DOLA to provide financial assistance for local law enforcement agencies to cover investigations and/or prosecution expenses of unlicensed marijuana cultivation or distribution operations.

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Delta County Independent

ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

A11

�� Concert series opens Oct. 20 ��

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The Delta-Montrose Community Concert Association opens its 70th season on Saturday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m., at the Delta Performing Arts Center, 820 Grand Avenue. The concert features a mixed vocal quartet, 7th Ave. This group of vocalists was brought together in 2016 by Chris Rupp, the founder of Home Free. From the mind of Chris Rupp comes a brand new vocal quartet that is ready to forge a new identity in the music world. Each member has a unique musical and performance background, allowing for exciting possibilities. Combining elements of pop, swing, rockabilly, country and more, 7th Ave is aiming to re-invent and uproot the standard definitions of all of those genres through its innovative arrangements and fun performances. Members of 7th Ave include the founder and director, Chris Rupp, who was born and raised in Mankato, Minn., where he spent his life surrounded by music with his mom as a professional musician. After graduat-

ing from Mankato State University he spent the next 10 years teaching privately and working to build Home Free into the sensation it is today after its 2013 season and victory on the Sing-Off. He has collaborated with artists such as Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys and others and has released his own solo album. Triston Rupp comes from the same musical Rupp family. Her degree from Mankato State is in musical theatre and she now pursues singing, act-

ing and dancing in Los Angeles. She has been seen on Criminal Minds, Shark Tank and the film About Last Night with Kevin Hart. Adam Bastien, from a small town in Michigan, began singing at the early age of 12, mostly in the form of duets with Celine Dion CDs. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and has traveled the world as a singer on cruise ships and has sung with several a cappella vocal groups including The Alleycats, Blue

Jupiter and Home Free. The performance will begin at 7 p.m., which is a new time for the concerts. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for ticket sales. Season tickets will be available for $45/adults, $15/students or $95/families. Single admission tickets will be available at the door for $20/adults or $5/ students. For further information, contact Bob Brown, 970-835-4480, or visit the website at www.delta montroseconcerts.com.

7th Ave

Old Spanish Trail field trip planned The Interpretive Association of Western Colorado and Fort Uncompahgre will host an Old Spanish Trail field trip Thursday, Oct. 25. Jon Horn with Alpine Archeological Group, Montrose, will be the tour guide. Horn will retrace the North Branch (NB) of the Old Spanish Trail west of Delta to the Delta County line. Chris Miller, executive director of the Interpretive Association, states that this will be an opportunity to share the designated trail alignment with the public. History connects the dots with Fort Uncompahgre and the North Branch of the Old

Fly tyers gather monthly Thirsty Thursday Tyers Table (4T) will be seating Thursday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Warriors Resource Center/Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans, 4 Hillcrest Plaza Way, Montrose. This is the final monthly gathering of Gunnison Gorge Anglers (GGA) fly tying group before the holidays. As we head into the winter season, come prepared to tye your favorite midge pattern and stock your fly box for winter fishing adventures. All experience/ability levels welcome, as well as veterans and nonveterans. Membership in GGA is not required to participate. As always, there will be a materials bag available to purchase for $5 with enough materials to tye five of the fly du jour for October, Greg Garcia’s Rojo Midge.

Spanish Trail. Antoine Robidoux built his trading post on the south side of the Gunnison River because of its location to a historic Indian trail coming from the Uncompahgre Plateau and leading to the Grand Mesa and the historic trade route leading from Santa Fe to Los Angeles known as the North Branch of the Old Spanish Trail. Today’s replica of the fort was officially designated, “Fort Uncompahgre Interpretive Center” September 2017. The fort is the first interpretive site/center to be officially certified by the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management which coadministers the Historic Old Spanish Trail. Previous explorations in 1765 by Juan Rivera, Escalante and Dominguez in 1776 would lay the foundation for individuals like Antione Robidoux to build Fort Uncompahgre on the south side of the Gunnison River to trap furs, host trappers, trade with the Utes prior to the

Mexican War in 1846. The movement of trade goods and livestock over the Northern Branch during the Spanish, as well as the Mexican period provided the foundation for later American exploration starting with the Gunnison Expedition in 1853. Gwinn Harris Heap, with his second in command Edward F. Beal, traveled through this area just months before Gunnison, during June and July, 1853 and used much of the same trail that would become layers of history for future generations. It was not until the removal of the Utes, a result of the cession of land in 1873, that settlement was opened up in western Colorado. With the discovery of gold in the San Juan Mountains large numbers of American miners surged into the area to seek their riches. With the growth of mining-related population, growth occurred in the Uncompahgre Valley with farmers and merchants arriving to support the mines. The

Salt Lake Wagon Road is quite visible in the Fool’s Hill area of Delta County. The Road was constructed in the mid 1870’s as a way to move freight from Grand Junction over to Delta. Ruts from the Road are visible along the top of Fool’s Hill, as well as the stretch into Wells Gulch. There are also ruts from the Gunnison Expedition that are visible from Wells Gulch to the top of Fool’s Hill. Jon Horn is a historian and archaeologist with over 30 years of experience working in all of the western states except Nevada. He is one of the founders of Alpine Archaeological Consultants in Montrose. Please plan to meet up at Fort Uncompahgre on the Old Spanish Trail, 440 North Palmer Street in Delta no later than 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25. Transportation will be provided by the Interpretive Association. RSVP is required by calling 970-874-8349 or 970640-7065. Participation is limited to the first 45 registrations.

Valley Symphony presents masterpieces from 1700 to today The Valley Symphony Association (VSA) presents its fall concert, “Masterpieces from 1700 to Today,” on Sunday, Oct. 28, 3 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion. The VSA is an all-volunteer arts organization now in its 48th season. The fall concert celebrates four centuries of great music and features selections highlighting masterworks of the baroque period (Bach), the classical era (Mozart), romanticism (Schubert and Massenet), and the 20th (Copland) and 21st

centuries (Harbinson). “This concert will be interesting to hear how the selections across centuries are alike and different from era to era,” said orchestra director Mike Kern. He explained that the pieces will be recognizable and enjoyable for any age. “Figuratively, we’ll be turning the entire orchestra into a pipe organ with Bach’s famous ‘Toccata and Fugue,’ which you’ll be familiar with from Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ or from a more contemporary perspective, ‘Phantom of the

Opera,’” he said. “We’ll also be playing a piece by Copeland, one of America’s best-loved composers, and, of course everyone loves Mozart, so his ‘Marriage of Figaro’ will get the party started.” For information, upcoming concerts, the audition process and tickets, visit the VSA on Facebook @Valley SymphonyAssociation and at ValleySymphony.net. Tickets are also available in Delta at Clubb’s and in Montrose at Montrose Music and the Montrose Pavilion.

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A12 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

BUSINESS

Delta County Independent

DCMH introduces new personnel New directors of home health, the emergency department, Urgent Care/ICU and a manager of West Elk Clinics have joined Delta County Memorial Hospital. “I am pleased to

announce Herbert Grigat, RN, MSN as the new director of DeltaMontrose Home Health, announced Jody Roeber, chief clinical officer, RN, MSN. Grigat comes to Delta County Memorial Hospital’s home health department with 25 years of home health, hospice and palliative care experience. He has worked as a nurse administrator, home health/hospice consultant in the United States for more than a decade. He has worked in Ireland and Germany (his homeland) where he started a hospital based home health hospice and palliative care center. His

Herbert Grigat

early career included ER/ ICU nursing. He holds an MSN in public health, and MBA in medical management and education. He and his wife, Mary Duncan Grigat, who is a medical anthropologist and published author, just relocated to this area from Ohio. Karen Lyons, RN, BSN, is the new ICU/ ER/Urgent Care director. Lyons is a seasoned RN who comes with extensive ER/ICU/flight nursing experience. She worked for Baptist (Tenet) Health in San Antonio, Texas, for five years where she had a unique role as the regional manager over

five emergency departments. Lyons managed all the administrative duties of those five emergency departments, Roeber commented. She also worked for the Department of Defense in the

Karen Lyons

role of trauma ICU nurse for two years for the military’s wounded warriors returning to the states with post war injuries. Her clinical strengths include cardiology, burns, neurology and trauma (Level 1-4). She personally supervised 300 fulltime employees, and her departments had combined revenue of $20 million in billing/day. Lyons developed an electronic medical record audit program, participated in intra-facility and regional professional development, case reviews, outreach activities and established cohesive team oriented cultures through

County earns ‘SolSmart Gold’ honors Delta County has received a gold designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. The initial bronze designation in 2017 was an effort led by AmeriCorps VISTAs at Solar Energy International, and recognized Delta County for

taking measurable steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles to solar development. The prestigious gold designation, also a VISTA-led undertaking, recognizes further efforts and milestones, which include completion of a solar project in Delta County by a local installer using the state’s commercial property-

Photo submitted

At the ENGAGE Energy Conference in Paonia, county ofﬁcials were awarded gold designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar.

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assessed clean energy (CPACE) financing tool and a permitting and inspection training for local municipalities held by Delta County and Solar Energy International. Elyse Casselberry, Delta County’s community and economic development director, states, “Delta County is working to diversify its economy, and supporting solar energy development is one of the many strategies the county is pursing. The county’s support of solar includes supporting the C-PACE program, keeping government barriers out of the way of solar development, and making information accessible on our solar landing page [http://www.deltacounty. com/667/Solar-Energy]. The county is also a partner in ENGAGE, Delta County’s entrepreneurship and innovation support program which emphasizes business development and innovation in the energy and agricultural sectors.” The permitting and inspec-

tion training hosted by the county was attended by representatives of the City of Delta and the Town of Cedaredge. The C-PACE project installed at Ela Family Farms in Hotchkiss was completed by local installer Empowered Energy Systems. Completion of that project using the new financing tool was a major factor in taking the county from bronze to gold. Owner Brad Burritt says, “Empowered Energy Systems is proud to have contributed to Delta County’s SolSmart Gold designation! We’ve been in business in the county since 2004, empowering our customers to produce their own clean and reliable energy. The SolSmart gold designation is sure to benefit our county in many ways, helping make solar even more mainstream and reducing the hurdles to going solar, especially for lower income folks.” The designation was announced in Paonia at the ENGAGE Energy Conference, and in Delta

at the Forum for CoalReliant Communities put on by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of DevelopOrganizations ment (NADO). Solar Energy International then led a tour for the forum participants at its Paonia campus, where officials and representatives from local governments were able to discuss options for encouraging economic development through solar market growth in their communities. SolSmart is led by The Solar Foundation and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. More than 200 cities, counties, and small towns have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016, but Delta County’s designation is especially impressive in that it is the second smallest county in the U.S. to receive the recognition.

coaching. She is an outdoors person and prefers a smaller community and hospital. Lyons has family in Salida, Denver and Buena Vista. Page Osborn is the new clinic manager for the West Elk Clinics in Hotchkiss and Paonia. Jan McCracken, clinics director for DCMH, said, “Osborn brings with her the knowledge and experience to move the West Elk Clinics in Hotchkiss and Paonia in a positive direction with the ever changing dynamics of the health care world.” Osborn started her career in health care 25 years ago in Flagstaff, Ariz. For the first 15 years of her career, she worked in orthopedics, general surgery, pain management, and family practice providing oneon-one patient care, while also raising her two children who are now 18 and 25. In the last 10 years, she has transitioned to the management side of health care and is excited to be joining the West Elk Clinics, which offer teambased, patient-centered, whole person care. Her hobbies include candle and soap making, reading, hunting and spending time with her family. New to the Delta County area, Osborn is enjoying the Hotchkiss atmosphere and looks forward to getting to know the communities throughout Delta County.

Page Osborn

Know Your Neighbor

Having trouble with your laptop or desktop? Cornerstone Computers is here to help Whether your computer is a decade old, or you’ve got a high-end gaming system that’s acting up, Cornerstone Computers can get you back on track. “Many years of experience means we can work on old and new computers,” says owner Roger Robinson. “We’re fast, friendly and easy on the wallet!” Roger was owner-partner of Eastwind Computers in Gresham, Ore., for almost 20 years. He built a very successful business with a great reputation. “We did a tremendous business until I sold out after almost 20 years to move to Delta,” he explains. “Now I am open as Cornerstone Computers and already have been very busy helping people in Delta and all the surrounding communities.” Cornerstone Computers is located at 705 Crawford Avenue and is open 8 to 4 Monday-Friday. “We fix all makes and models of laptops and desktops,” Roger says. “We carry many computer parts and peripherals and sell laptops and desktops. We specialize in high-end gaming systems.” When asked how he got into the computer repair business, he says it was a “God thing.” He had been working in the grocery business for 11 years when he got a part-time job at Eastwind Computers in Gresham.

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He’d been on the job just a short time when the owner decided to get the business out of his name to pursue another venture. He signed the store over to Roger, who’s never looked back. Whether it’s time to replace your outdated home computer, or you need help removing a virus or updating the systems in your small business, Roger delivers professional customer service with 100% satisfaction guaranteed. “Our number one goal is happy customers,” he says. “That is why we will go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience

from beginning to end.” For service you can trust, give Roger a call at 970-316-5788 or email roger@cornerstonecomputers.net.

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Red Shed Produce

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NORTH FORK October 17, 2018

TIMES

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Voters consider mill levy increase, de-Brucing for special districts BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The North Fork Pool, Park and Recreation District and the Crawford Water Conservancy District are seeking a property tax increase on the November ballot. Special districts throughout the state have seen revenues drop with a decline in residential property assessments triggered by the Gallagher Amendment. Over the 25 years of its existence, the NFPPRD has seen its mill levy reduced by TABOR from 1.4 to 0.893. With the additional reduction of mill levy income caused by the Gallagher Amendment, the NFPPRD is facing continual shortfalls in its budget, endangering its existence. The NFPPRD has reduced costs over the years by keeping equipment as long as possible, reducing hours of service, reducing the number of employees on staff, and increasing some fees; however, these efforts cannot keep up with the reduction in operating revenue. (Source: Blue book) The mandatory increase in minimum wage has put additional strain on the NFPPRD, which manages the North Fork Pool, soccer fields, and bicycle/hiking trails in Hotchkiss, as well as the Apple Valley tennis/pickleball courts and skate park in Paonia. Coming in 2019 are four new baseball and softball fields. “All of these recreational facilities have a positive economic and lifestyle impact to our valley,” Cambria said.

Along with the increase in wages, costs of products and maintenance have also gone up since 1995 while operating revenue from property tax has decreased. NFPPRD is asking voters to approve an additional mill levy of 1.607 mills, for a total of 2.5 mills beginning Jan. 1, 2019. The difference for the average homeowner would be less than a tank of gas over the course of the year, said district administrator Lenore Cambria, but would ensure that the North Fork Pool, Park and Recreation District can continue to operate and provide vital services to the youth and our community. “If we aren’t able to sustain ourselves, we can’t apply for grants to expand facilities,” Cambria explained. “As a special district, we have successfully been granted funds from GOCO, DOLA, and other major granting foundations, to expand our recreational facilities, which would continue if we remain viable.” Ballot Issue 6D is a question from the Crawford Water Conservancy District seeking permission to collect, retain and expend all revenues it collects, without regard to TABOR limitations. This question is commonly referred to as “de-Brucing.” According to elections supervisor Rene Loy Maas, there are 901 active registered voters in the Crawford Water Conservancy District. Ballots will be mailed to an additional 74 property owners.

Relax ... it’s harmless

A metal sculpture of a spider at Paonia River Park may be big, but it’s harmless. The spider is one of many metal insects, ﬁsh, birds, turtles and other animals found throughout the river park — all made by local metal artists.

Paonia board approves three grant applications BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

Paonia trustees recently approved three grant applications for the town, two related to parks and recreation, and a third related to marijuana enforcement. A $45,000 Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Local Park and Outdoor grant would go toward “substantial improvements” to Poulos Park. Rotary Club of the North Fork, which has helped to upgrade and maintain the

Voters consider special district for North Fork Ambulance BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

After three years of carefully considering options, the North Fork Ambulance (NFA) has determined that the path to sustainability lies in the creation of a special district. The November ballot contains a question asking voters to approve the creation of the North Fork Ambulance Service District. A second question would elect five longtime members of the NFA board as representatives of the service area. The five candidates are Gregg Angelovich, Marcus Roeder, Daniel Miller, Larry Hughes and Bonnie Eisenburg. Ballot Issue 7F addresses funding of the special district. The membership-based emergency medical service asks voters to approve a property tax of 5.75 mills annually. The property tax would raise approximately $897,236 in operating revenues, to cover the cost of emergency medical services, responder training, equipment, vehicles and improvements. NFA representatives, including executive director Kathy Steckel, have been busy educating voters. Steckel highlighted NFA’s needs for members of the Hotchkiss Town Council on Oct. 11. Steckel explained that the NFA’s service area encompasses 1,500 square miles in three counties. In addition to the communities of Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford, NFA services extend to the top of McClure Pass, mile marker 56 over Black Mesa, Payne Siding and Stevens Gulch to the Mesa County line. The nonprofit was formed in 1969 and is capable of providing an advanced level of care with quick response vehicles that are also equipped with four-wheel drive. While the NFA has the support of 1,800 members, that represents just one in three of the residents of the North Fork and memberships are simply not keeping pace with the rising cost of ambulances, life-saving equipment and professional training.

“Our ability to bring in enough income to cover expenses has been stretched to the limit,” Steckel told Hotchkiss council members. Because of insurance caps, Steckel said NFA has to write off about 51 percent of its billings to Medicare and private insurance. The Medicaid program in Delta County is growing by leaps and bounds. Five years ago, Steckel said, 1,200 residents qualified for Medicaid in Delta County; now it’s over 10,000 — a third of the population. “That 34 percent of membership can not sustain 100 percent of the system,” she said. Another challenge is the growing number of calls for service — growing gradually from 40 in 1969, its first year of operation, to nearly 800 calls for service annually. “As you can see, with growing demand, rising expenses and limited income, our problem becomes long-term financial sustainability,” she said. “This life-saving service is nearing its breaking point.” Formation of a special district will provide the core financial support to maintain quality ambulance service and response times, Steckel said. “It will allow us to upgrade and replace aging equipment and ambulances, and it will help us retain and attract oncall staff members and provide them with quality EMS training. “We don’t want to change the way we operate; we just want to change the way we’re funded,” Steckel explained. She broke down the cost — $41.40 annually on $100,000 of assessed value for residential properties. Steckel said directors would like to keep the existing 501(c)3 in place to support the North Fork Ambulance Health Service District, but is waiting legal advice on how to handle the membership fees that have been collected. Council members had few questions, but urged citizens to exercise their right to vote either for or against the proposals.

Photo by Tamie Meck

“Vote to the end of the ballot,” added Steckel, who pointed out that the North Fork Ambulance questions are the final questions on the lengthy November ballot.

Letters of interest due Nov. 1 Paonia residents interested in serving on the Paonia Town Board of Trustees have until Nov. 1 to submit a letter of interest. Qualified applicants must be 18 or older, a registered voter, and have lived within town limits for the past 12 consecutive months. The appointment will expire when a new board is seated following the April 2020 municipal election. For more information, visit townofpa onia.com or call 527-4101.

Bridge closed

park, “was the catalyst” for the application, said Paonia Mayor Charles Stewart. Rotary has a long history of supporting and maintaining Poulos Park, and in 2005 adopted a renovation of Poulos Park for its Rotary International Centennial Project. In 2017, after several hours of park clean-up and assessments, Rotary proposed a partnership with the town to install lighting and signage, re-design the irrigation system, repair the straw bale wall at the east side of the park from damages due to arson, and plant new vegetation in the park. There is also some discussion about a memorial for Ed Marston, said Stewart. A 25 percent match by the town — 15 percent inkind and 10 percent cash — is required. Rotary and others have offered to help with that match, explained Elaine Brett, who authored both grant applications. A GOCO Parks and Outdoor Recreation planning grant of $75,000 would fund development of a town Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan encompassing Apple Valley, Lee’s, Poulos, Town, and Paonia River parks. The master plan would include possible connector trails and paths between the different parks, local schools and other public places. Town administrator Ken Knight said that if the Poulos Park project can be completed, the board could check it off from the Parks Master Plan. It would also be a step toward updating the town’s Comprehensive Plan, which hasn’t been updated since

1996. Not having an updated comprehensive plan is becoming problematic, said Knight. “The lack of planning has resulted in everything that we do being (done) piecemeal.” Knight thanked Brett for writing and presenting the grant applications. Brett, who has written other grants for the town, volunteers her services. “She’s unbelievable,” said Knight. Thus far, Brett has invoiced $4,500 to the town and has waived 100 percent of it, “to ensure that the services are considered in-kind contributions to the town.” Two other GOCO grant applications by Western Slope Conservation Center on behalf of the town were recently approved by the board. A $25,255 GOCO habitat grant would fund the “North Fork River Riparian Restoration Project” to restore habitat and remove tamarisk and Russian olive — identified by the state as invasive weed species — from “key public spaces,” including the Paonia River Park, a 16.8-acre parcel located between Paonia Junior-Senior High School and the North Fork of the Gunnison River owned by the Delta County School District, a 3.5-acre parcel of riverfront property on Coburn Road, and 42.2 acres at the Paonia wastewater treatment plant located between Highway 133 and the North Fork River. The grant would further the community’s efforts to build a connector trail system between local parks, the junior-senior high school, the library and downtown Paonia, which ties in with the town’s PAONIA GRANTS TO B2

Photo by Tamie Meck

The foot bridge over Minnesota Creek at its confluence with the North Fork of the Gunnison River at Paonia River Park is closed until further notice after being damaged during a July 8 flash flood. The bridge connects the river park trail with a nearly mile-long trail loop along the river.

B2 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Ambulance questions are at end of ballot North Fork Ambulance officials want voters to know their two ballot initiatives are the last two questions on a very long ballot this year. “We have two ballot measures this year, 7E & 7F,” says Kathy Steckel, executive director with North Fork Ambulance. “They are the last two questions on the ballot, so we’re encouraging voters to be sure to vote all the way to the end of the ballot!” Steckel says voting yes on both 7E & 7F would establish and fund the North Fork Ambulance Health Service District. 7E asks voters to approve the formation of a Special District and also establishes the initial Board of Directors. 7F asks for funding of the district. The formation and funding of a Health Service District will provide the core financial support needed to maintain quality ambulance service from three communities. Priorities are

to upgrade and replace aging equipment and ambulances, retain and attract on-call staff members, and provide quality EMS training. Mail-in ballots went out on Monday so voters will have the opportunity to start voting this week. North Fork Ambulance has never received public funding and has been funded instead by membership, grants, donations and fees for service. However, calls for service have increased 18 percent over the past 10 years alone. Insurance industry standard caps by Medicare and private insurance cause write-offs of 50 percent of expenses billed. The Colorado Medicaid program pays 12¢ on the dollar resulting in an 88 percent write off. The ambulance is also struggling with the rising cost of EMS equipment, vehicles, training and supplies. Only one out of three residents are currently members.

While this reflects great support and community participation, these few cannot continue to carry 100 percent of the system! North Fork Ambulance board members have been researching options for financial sustainability since 2015. Through financial analysis, it is clear that for this service to continue and have the flexibility to meet the needs of the future, the current financial structure must evolve. The board determined the best solution is the formation of a Health Service District to sustain quality ambulance service now and into the future. Please visit www. NorthForkAmbulance. com for more information.

Paonia budget workshop is Oct. 18

Photo by Tamie Meck

A Great Outdoors Colorado grant application by the Western Slope Conservation Center would fund construction of a 1,000-foot trail proposed on Delta County School District land located between Paonia Junior-Senior High School and the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The trail would be part of a larger system connecting Paonia’s public parks and schools.

Paonia grants FROM PAGE B1 Recreation and Trails Master Plan. It would also engage and educate local students and the community on the value of river ecosystems through hands-on service activities. Project cost estimate is $47,915. The in-kind match includes WSCC volunteer hours, and $1,000 in use of machinery supplied by the town. WSCC has also secured a matching $10,000 “Fishing is Fun” grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife and a $1,500 New Belgium Water Steward-

The Paonia Board of Trustees will hold a workshop to discuss the 2019 draft budget beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at Paonia Town Hall. The town’s budget is the financial plan through which all income and expenses are approved. The workshop provides the public an opportunity to learn about the 2019 budget prior to a public budget hearing scheduled The 10th annual family for Nov. 13. friendly Gears and Beers Festival will be Saturday, Oct. 20, in Paonia. Join in the fun by jumping on your bike and raising a glass to celebrate the North Fork Valley. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Western Slope

ship grant. A second, and similar, application for a GOCO/ Colorado Youth Corps Association Habitat Restoration grant would fund a crew from the Western Colorado Conservation Corps to conduct trail maintenance, repair damage to the Paonia River Park trail system caused by a flash flood in July, remove invasive vegetation, and construct up to 1,000 feet of trail system on the high school property. Also approved was an application for a Gray & Black Market Marijuana

Enforcement grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. In light of passage of recreational marijuana laws that went into effect on Jan 1, DOLA has made available $6 million annually under state statute to help “local law enforcement agencies and district attorneys with investigation and prosecution costs associated with unlicensed marijuana cultivation or distribution operations.” No in-kind or cash matches are required, said Police Chief Neil Ferguson.

Gears and Beers set for Oct. 20

Hotchkiss chamber invites nominations

The Hotchkiss Community Chamber of Commerce invites nominations for Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Nonprofit of the Year. “It is again time to recognize those businesses, individuals and nonprofits in our community that really shine,” said chamber president Nathan Sponseller. Please email your nominations to chambe rinfo@hotchkisschamber. com no later than Oct. 19. Please provide at least one paragraph of reasoning for each nomination. Winners will be honored at the chamber’s annual meeting, to be held Nov. 14 at the Hotchkiss Fire Station.

Conservation Center. There will be group bicycle rides, including a youth ride (8-12 years) at 10 a.m. and a road ride and a mountain bike ride at 11 a.m. At 11:30 a.m. join the e-bike ride. A bike parade and fashion show from Paonia

Town Hall to the alley at Cirque Cyclery and Remedy Cafe is scheduled at 2 p.m. with contests for best costumes and decorated bikes. There will be live music by J Mo Morley and Friends, beer tasting, kids’ activities and more.

Iron Point 3D Seismic Project comments requested The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests is accepting public comment on the Iron Point 3D Seismic Project. Gunnison Energy LLC (GELLC) has proposed conducting a 3-D seismic survey on approximately 28,000 acres of public lands north of Paonia in Delta and Gunnison counties to determine if there is oil and gas development potential, identify locations for exploratory drilling and locate subsurface features that could impede development of existing oil and gas leases. The proposed project will be conducted in two phases. The first

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phase includes resource (cultural, slope determinations, etc.) surveying to determine placement of seismic survey points. The second phase is a recording phase and will include the placement of source and receiver lines, heliportable shot hole drilling, data acquisition and cleanup. The proposed 3-D seismic program includes the use of vibroseis buggies on existing roads, where appropriate, and shot holes (buggy drilled and heliportable), as appropriate, as the energy source. Activities in Colorado Roadless Areas will occur by crews walkingin or helicopter long-line

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delivery of supplies only. There will be no removal of vegetation or road construction/reconstruction for any of the project area. Project activities will also avoid streams and big game winter range. The project is estimated to begin mid- to late October 2018 and last approximately 40-60 days for the entire project area. Please submit comments by Oct. 26 to: District Ranger, Levi Broyles, PO Box 1030, Paonia, CO 81428 or submit online. Additional information and maps are available online at: https:// www.fs.usda.gov/project/ ?project=54846.

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NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Paonia declares opposition to Amendment 74 BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

The Paonia board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution opposing an amendment to the Colorado Constitution that voters will be asked to consider in the Nov. 6 ballot. The resolution states that Amendment 74, “Compensation to Owners for Decreased Property Value Due to State Regulation Initiative,” or the “Just Compensation” initiative, would “drastically limit state and local government services at a high cost to taxpayers.” Also referred to as the “takings” measure, the ballot question asks voters to consider whether property owners should be compensated “when a government law or regulation reduces the fair market value of the property?

“The amendment isn’t referring to eminent domain when a person’s property has been taken for a public purpose, said Paonia Mayor Charles Stewart. “We’re talking about a reduction in fair market value caused by any government law or regulation.” The Colorado Municipal League, a nonprofit, non partisan organization providing services and resources to help the state’s cities and towns manage their governments, opposes the amendment. In September CML released a memo to all interested municipal officials, requesting “careful analysis of this measure...” The memo provides examples of potential impacts, sample resolutions, editorials and the possible negative implications to the amendment to back CML’s position.

The memo also refers to the State of Oregon’s 2004 passage of Amendment 37, a similar amendment that allows property owners to sue if a government action reduced a property’s fair market value. Almost 7,000 claims were filed in 36 counties, estimated at in excess of $17 billion, according to the State of Oregon website. Improvements to infrastructure, broadband, adult entertainment establishments, economic development, affordable housing and land use decisions are other areas where decisions by governments could result in lawsuits, according to the 18-page memo. CML and other opponents to the amendment warn that passage, which would be done constitutionally and not statutorily, would be difficult to

reverse and could have broad and unintended consequences. “The problem is just about everything that we do has impact, one way or the other, on the value of citizens’ property,” said Stewart. That means that every zoning decision, granting of a license, or passage of an ordinance, someone could come forward and claim the action decreases the value of their property and claim they’re entitled to restitution, said Stewart, a practicing attorney. “You could end up with almost endless litigation because of that... The amount that the municipality could be paying out could be fairly substantial.” Examples of potential situations provided by the CML are infrastructure improvements, regulations of Airbnb units, access to broadband ser-

vices, adult entertainestablishments, ment economic development, affordable housing, and land use decisions. A town could vote to prohibit Airbnbs and get sued by property owners who want to run Airbnbs, said Stewart. If voters approve them, neighboring property owners could sue because the Airbnb resulted in increased traffic and noise that devalues their property. An amendment proposed by mayor pro tem Chelsea Bookout to amend the motion to approve the resolution removed its last nine words, which state that the Town opposes Amendment 74, “...and strongly urges a vote of NO this

DCMH Laboratory Now Offering Phlebotomy (Blood Draw) Services

BoCC comments on wilderness BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

Delta County Commissioners Doug Atchley, Mark Roeber and Don Suppes have submitted their assessment concerning wilderness in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The commissioners noted that Delta County currently encompasses wilderness and wilderness study areas. In addition, a number of parcels fall under the Colorado Roadless Rule, a 2012 law that requires management to preserve their roadless character. The CRAs are entirely independent of the USFS GMUG Plan, the current wilderness planning process, or wilderness designation, the commissioners emphasize. The CRAs also include “Upper Tier” areas which have a more restrictive management scheme than general CRAs, including a total prohibition on utility rights-of-way corridors for oil and gas activities or utilities. The commissioners stated that all CRAs must continue to be managed under the 2012 rule, regardless of the outcome of the new GMUG planning process; therefore, areas that are currently being considered for wilderness which are already CRAs represent a less drastic management shift than areas under consideration that are not CRAs. The commissioners urged that long-term implication of wilderness designation be carefully considered before moving to recommendation, stating, “When an area is designated as wilderness, flexibility and ability to manage are severely limited. The recent beetle

kill infestation is a clear example where hard restrictions have limited the ability to proactively manage and/or treat. The unfortunate result has been a reduction in forest health both short- and long-term.” Other points requiring careful consideration include trail maintenance and water infrastructure for both domestic use and livestock allotments. Water maintenance projects in the current West Elk Wilderness provide the best on-the-ground example. Livestock watering is required to be primitive and the West Elk permittees have worked diligently with the Forest Service to accomplish this. Wilderness requirements make it very difficult to maintain water infrastructure or to address drought years. Another concern is the water infrastructure for numerous irrigation and domestic water companies. The Forest Service has indicated it has specifically carved out areas where infrastructure exists; however, if any of these companies want to maintain, expand or add additional storage, they will be bumping up

posed of aspen. Research indicates managing aspen aids in extending the life of groupings and the landscape. If the area is designated wilderness, flexibility will be reduced and the aspen may suffer. Previously mentioned concerns with water infrastructure with the Norris Ditch were included. The remainder of the proposed areas for consideration for wilderness designation fall within the “moderate” category. The commissioners recommended that these parcels not move forward in evaluation, or recommendation for wilderness designation, due primarily to the irrigation and domestic water supply infrastructure in place and the need for adaptive management at the landscape level. “Delta County Board of Commissioners is working with collaborative groups to address management concerns on certain surrounding existing wilderness. We believe that this approach allows for flexibility and adaptive management to be the foundation for how landscapes are managed for present and future generations,” they stated.

at the

DCMH West Elk Clinic – Hotchkiss 230 E. Hotchkiss Avenue Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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With snow dusting the tops of the mountains, thoughts are turning to the holidays in Crawford. The Pioneer Days Committee has big plans for this year’s Parade of Lights and Crawford’s Festival of Trees and invites everyone to begin preparing. There is no entry fee for the Parade of Lights, set for Friday, Nov. 23.

the music of Ivanovic and Haque is carefully balanced between blazing virtuosity and sheer beauty. The workshop will inspire attendees with rhythms, melodies, techniques, and ideas inspired by the flamenco rhythm, American jazz, classical, rock, and traditional music of the Balkan region At 7:30 p.m., the duo, will perform a concert at the Paradise. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 the day of the concert, and $15 for students. They are available at the Paradise box office, Lizzy’s Market, and online at brownpapertickets.com/ event/3598338.

Goran Ivanovic and Fareed Haque

Just show up and join in the fun. The parade starts at 6 p.m. For the Festival of Trees, the committee is actively looking for tree/ wreath or Christmas decorations (center pieces or an actual decoration) that can be entered into this year’s auction. If you have something to donate contact Tristan Pfeffer at 206-679-7998 or email tristan.pfeffer@gmail. com, or Collenette Vervloet at 970-921-5505 or email ynotchuk@verizon. net. The drop-off schedule for trees or wreaths at Crawford Town Hall is different this year. There will be a morning drop off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19. Drop off times on Tuesday, Nov.

20, are 4 to 7 p.m. Watch for additional details on the Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Night, set for Tuesday, Nov. 27, and the High Tea at Crawford Town Hall Thursday, Nov. 29. There will be some new food items and the committee is looking for folks willing to decorate a table for High Tea. There will be a prize for the best dressed/ decorated table. Call Collenette Vervloet at 970921-5505 if interested. Wrapping up the Festival of Trees is the big community potluck and auction on Friday, Nov. 30. So don’t delay. Start getting your tree, centerpiece or wreath ready for this year’s Festival of Trees in Crawford.

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Time to get your entry ready for Festival of Trees

Paradise hosts master guitar class

A guitar master class with the international duo, Goran Ivanovic and Fareed Haque, will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at the Paradise Theatre in Paonia. Ivanovic and Haque are in the North Fork area as part of the “World Music in Paradise” series of concerts produced by local musician/teacher David Alderdice. The class is being provided with support from The Learning Council, Wisehart Springs Inn, A Little Help, Arts for All and Embodying Rhythm. Considered the finest guitar artists of their respective generations,

against proposed wilderness designation and thus the delay will begin. Trail maintenance is another area of concern for the BoCC. There is a backlog of trail maintenance, and each year the growth and expansion of woody species further exacerbates the trail issue. Every season the maintenance of trails is delayed and hikers are unable to locate trails and safely maneuver through the wilderness areas. For the West Elk Wilderness, chainsaws can be used for maintenance up until July 4; however, this exception is not included in enabling legislation for every area. One hundred percent of the Mount Lamborn unit is already managed as an Upper Tier CRA, which is designed to conserve the roadless values of the area through restrictive management; therefore, wilderness designation would not drastically alter the management of this area. The commissioners pointed out that designating the Beckwiths as wilderness would bring additional problems with the proximity of private land. The area is com-

November.” The amendment passed, 4-1, with Trustee Bill Bear voting nay. “While I have no issue with the position of the town, I do have issue a the town releasing documents telling people how to vote,” said Bookout. Trustee Mary Bachran agreed. “I think you lay out the argument clearly to the people and let them make up their own minds.” Trustees also tabled proposed revisions to the personnel handbook until town attorney Bo Nerlin has had an opportunity to weigh in. Revisions would affect Section 807 — “Grievances” — as proposed by the personnel liaison group.

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B4 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Drought resilience requires investment BY HANNAH HOLM Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University

If it hadn’t been for the salts in the soils beneath his farm near Hotchkiss, Tom Kay (TK) likely would not have been able to fully irrigate his corn field this past summer. Because he has salty soils, TK was able to get government assistance to replace an old flood irrigation sys-

KPP dinner to benefit The Nature Connection The next Kids Pasta Project fundraising dinner will be held Monday, Oct. 22, to benefit The Nature Connection. It will be held at Delicious Orchards, 39126 Highway 133, Hotchkiss, beginning at 6 p.m. Cost is $14 for adults, $8 for kids, which includes salad, lasagna (vegetarian or meat) and dessert. Reservations are required. Email kppreservations@gmail. com or call Lenore at 985-9220. Vegetarian and gluten-free options must be requested when you make the reservations. This is an opportunity to help The Nature Connection, meet the TNC staff and enjoy a great meal.

tem with a center-pivot sprinkler system several years ago. Sprinklers place water more precisely where the crop needs it, so less water soaks below the root zone or runs off fields. That means less salt from the soils gets carried into the Gunnison River and, subsequently, the Colorado River. Salty irrigation water causes crop losses downstream, which is why government money is available to do things like help TK buy sprinklers. Since 1974, the Salinity Control Program has spent tens of millions of dollars each year to reduce salt levels in the Colorado River. It has succeeded in dropping salt levels enough to lower annual economic damages from salt loading by about 38%, although they are estimated to still exceed $350 million. The Salinity Control Program wasn’t designed to help upstream farmers weather drought, but in TK’s case, that is exactly what it has done. Despite having the good fortune to be on a ditch with senior rights on the Gunnison River, his portion of the ditch flows this past summer would not have been enough for him to irrigate a reasonable crop using his old flood system. With his sprinkler system, however, TK was able to stockpile his ditch water in a small regu-

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lating reservoir (which he paid for himself) and then meter out what his corn needed through the sprinklers. He also fallowed a significant portion of his ground. His reduced supply of water went exactly where it was needed, without leaking out of a dirt ditch on the way, and TK was able to get more productivity out of each drop — ultimately resulting in one of his best ever harvests. Recently, policymakers in the states that share the Colorado River have made headlines for progress toward developing a Drought Contingency Plan. This plan is intended to keep water levels in the river’s two major reservoirs, Lakes Mead and Powell, from falling too low to keep water flowing to all the people and farms that rely on it. Within Colorado and the other upstream states, the plan also seeks to preserve the ability to produce hydropower at Glen Canyon Dam and fulfill legal obligations to the downstream states. There is significant concern about the potential for water use cuts to be required if ongoing drought makes it difficult to keep honoring those obligations. Regional water leaders have strongly advocated that any use cuts to protect reservoir levels should be voluntary, temporary, and paid for. This matters to farmers like TK, because they don’t want to be legally required to cut their use. It also matters to communities like Hotchkiss, because their economies depend on farms using water to grow crops. So, a Drought Contingency Plan that prevents a crisis in the big reservoirs and avoids legally required water use cuts would be good for TK and good for Hotchkiss, as well as many others in Colorado and the rest of the upstream states. However, what about when water delivery cuts are mandated by nature rather than laws and policies? When the snow doesn’t come, and you aren’t downstream from a

Photo courtesy Hutchins Water Center

Hotchkiss farmer Tom Kay at the center pivot of his irrigation system used to water his corn ﬁeld. The system was cost-shared through the federal salinity control program. big reservoir, or your reservoir is already tapped out, you sometimes have to make do with less, regardless of how good your water rights are or what the policy documents say. That was the case for many irrigators this past year, and is likely to be the case more often in the future as temperatures continue to warm. When there is simply less water to go around, infrastructure investments like the cost-share program that helped TK buy his sprinklers can make the difference between viability and non-viability for farms and ranches and their rural communities. There are lots of scattered programs that can help with this, some focused on water quality and habitat improvements, and others focused on irrigation efficiency. They’ve brought millions of dollars to rural communities and done a lot of good, but some programs have also suffered from excessive red tape and poor planning. As policy makers are

working on keeping Lake Powell and Lake Mead functioning, it would be worth sparing some time to also think about the programs supporting drought resilience in headwaters communities, and how to make them more effective. *** Hannah Holm coordinates the Hutchins Water Center at Colorado

Mesa University, which promotes research, education and dialogue to address the water issues facing the Upper Colorado River Basin. Support for Hutchins Water Center articles is provided by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation. You can learn more about the center at http://www. coloradomesa.edu/watercenter.

Volunteers wanted to work on grouse habitat The Gunnison Sage Grouse, endemic to western Colorado, is endangered. Already suffering from habitat loss, the Buttermilk Fire of this past summer has made the population of sage grouse that call the Gunnison Gorge NCA home all the more vulnerable. To help protect this important, native bird, the Western Slope Conservation Center, in partnership with the BLM, is working to improve habitat in an area thought to have a population of around 100 Gunnison sage grouse in the Gun-

nison Gorge NCA. A work day is set for Tuesday, Oct. 23. Volunteers will be removing young juniper and pinion trees from a predominately sagebrush landscape. Sage grouse prefer wide-open landscapes free of trees or tall objects, where predatory birds could perch and pose risks, especially during mating and brooding season. For more information and to sign up to volunteer, visit the Stewardship Page of the Western Slope Conservation Center website.

Photo by Randy Sunderland

Leave no traces

It was disappointing to see this pile of spent shotgun shells on the ground next to the entrance to the Escalante State Wildlife Area along the Gunnison River near Delta. Apparently an uncaring waterfowl hunter emptied his pockets upon returning to the parking area, rather than properly disposing of his spent shells. It is not uncommon to ﬁnd empty shells scattered along the trails in the area as well. The state uses the area for youth hunting. Perhaps these hunters should set a better example for the next generation.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Embrace the season of make believe BY LISA MOCK Delta Family Center

I was recently reminded of my creative ability, or rather my lack of creative ability, when my mom found a small clay bear I had made in the first grade. Now, I use the word “bear” loosely, as when she found it, she said to my sister, “What IS this??” So while my sister may not have known what it was, I fondly remember creating my “bear.” This time of year often brings out those creative genes, as Halloween and subsequent holidays begin to creep into our lives from now until January. The endless costumes at the store and the pages and pages of Pinterest ideas ... all attempting to support our creative intuition. As I go about my days surrounded by preschoolers, I am reminded that this creative intuition begins at a very young age. Children are natural dresser-uppers. They love to find shoes too big for them and coats and scarves to make them into something they are not. According to www. psychologytoday.com, “Many people often think

of play ... (as) games of tag, ball, using slides, swings, and physically exploring their environments. But physical play is not the only kind of play ... Over the last 75 years a number of theorists and researchers have identified the values of such imaginative play as a vital component to the normal development of a child.” The article goes on to say, “Research has demonstrated that parents who talk to their children regularly explaining features about nature and social issues, or who read or tell stories at bedtime seem to be most likely to foster pretend play. (Shmukler 1981; Singer & Singer 2005).” When you read a book, and a character is introduced to you through a descriptive passage, do you automatically envision that person or thing? A great example of this is, “It was a stout little fellow about two and a half feet high. Although it was about the size of a small child, it looked much more like a little gentleman, with its smooth white waistcoat in front and its long black tailcoat dragging a little

behind. Its eyes were set in two white circles in its black head. It turned its head from one side to the other, as first with one eye and then with the other, it examined Mr. Popper.” (Mr. Popper’s Penguins, p.18) Did you envision a penguin as you were reading the passage? This excerpt vividly describes Mr. Popper’s first penguin without ever telling you what it

is. Imagination is a pow- said over 100 years ago, child” and every day is a erful means to develop “Play is the work of a great day to play. your young child’s quest for learning. So as this season of make-believe and pretend descends upon us, I would challenge to foster your child’s inner creative spirit and read books to them, let them dress up, tell tall tales, make unrecognizable “bears,” and generally have fun playing. As Maria Montessori Photos submitted

Stay connected with Five-year employees Shipley (left) and Patricia Hunt were the Lifeline program Tina recently recognized for ﬁve years of service at Staying connected to local resources and emergency services can improve and possibly save many lives, say state regulators. Access to local emergency services and community resources is vital to our low-income and elderly residents. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) wants residents to “stay connected” and is reaching out to those who need telecommunications service but can’t afford it. The Lifeline program offers discounts to help

Photos submitted

A decade of service

Certiﬁed medical assistant Emily Brown (left), Jessica Gibson (center) and Helen Roberts, rehab services, were recently recognized for 10 years of employment at Delta County Memorial Hospital.

residents have access to voice or broadband services. Lifeline helps lowincome consumers connect to the nation’s communications networks, find jobs, access health care services, connect with family, and call for help in an emergency. Under the federal Lifeline program, customers who participate in certain public assistance and veterans’ pension programs, or qualify based on income, can receive a discount of at least $9.25 per month off their monthly bill for phone, broadband, or bundled phone and broadband service. More information on program eligibility and rules is available at http://www. lifelinesupport.org. Almost 87,000 people in Colorado receive the Lifeline discount, according to 2015 statistics from the Universal Service Administration Company. To see a list of telecom companies that offer Lifeline service in Colorado, visit https://data.usac.org/ publicreports/Companies NearMe/State/State Option/CO. Note: not all companies service all areas of the state. Please contact the company to find out if it offers service to your address.

Delta County Memorial Hospital.

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B6 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

HEALTH AND FITNESS

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Delta County Independent

Breast cancer survival rates soar

A breast cancer diagnosis can be a devastating blow. Upon receiving such a diagnosis, people may begin to ask questions about treatment and the impact cancer may have on their personal lives. Many people who are diagnosed with cancer also begin to wonder about their mortality. An estimated 266,120 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 63,960 new cases of non-invasive, or in situ, breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year, according to breast cancer.org. The good news is that breast cancer incidence rates began decreasing in 2000 after increasing for the previous two decades. In addition, death rates from breast cancer have been decreasing steadily since 1989.

Early detection and better treatment options are improving the chances of surviving breast cancer. indicates cancer death For anyone doing the rates among women math, over the last 25 decreased by 1.4 percent years or so, 322,000 lives per year between the years have been saved from of 2006 and 2015. The breast cancer. American Cancer SociCurrently, the five-year ety says that decreasing net survival in the United death rates among major States is 85 percent. cancer types, including Increased knowledge prostate, colorectal, lung, about breast cancer, early and breast cancers, are detection through examidriving the overall shift nations and mammograin survival. The ACS says phy and improved treatbreast cancer death rates ments are helping to drive among women declined up the survival rates of by 39 percent from 1989 breast cancer. Although to 2015. That progress this does not make diages outside this time will is attributed to improve- nosis any less scary, it take affect later in the ments in early detection does offer hope to those year. The counselors will and treatment protocols. recently diagnosed. work with clients, and look at the many plans to find the best fit and cost for the client. They can also help with any other Medicare problems and concerns. This service is impartial, and not sponsored by any insurance or drug company. For more information and to make an appointment, call the Region 10 Medicare office at 2492436, option 2. Appointments in Montrose, in person or by telephone, can also be made by callPhoto submitted ing the same number. Availabilities are filling fast, so the sooner Laura Gleason is congratulated on 25 years of you call, the better your service by Donna Park, manager of medical chances of getting the records at Delta County Memorial Hospital. best time for you.

The National Cancer Institute says that the change in age-adjusted mortality rates are an indicator of the progress being made in the fight against breast cancer. The most recent SEER Cancer Statistics Review released in April 2018

Medicare counseling available in Delta

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Medicare counseling sessions are available at the Delta Library, 211 W. 6th Street, on Monday, Oct. 22, and on the fourth Monday of each month, by appointment. This free service is available through the Region 10 Medicare counseling office in Montrose, which has five trained Medicare counselors, who are trained by the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), and who volunteer their time to help Medicare clients. This year’s open enrollment period for Medicare started on October 15 and ends Dec. 7. During this time, Medicare clients can change their Part D prescription drug plans and have the changes start on Jan. 1. Chang-

25th anniversary

Discover Health

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Through December 2018, Delta Library is hosting a traveling, interactive exhibit for all ages. It covers topics such as the faces of health care, how human body systems work, and healthy choices/healthy living. Discover Health makes learning about health science topics fun through hands-on, multi-media activities in both English

and Spanish and a series of events and programs to engage children, teens and adults! Discover Health/Descubre la Salud is a program of the University of Colorado/Anschutz Medical Campus. Funding is provided by the National Institutes of Health. Visit deltalibraries.org or call 874-9630 for details and a schedule of events.

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Photos submitted

15-year employees

Shanda Pullins and Tricia Keller were recently recognized for 15 years of service at Delta County Memorial Hospital.

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

SPORTS October 17, 2018

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Panthers make softball history

Delta wins Region 3 title

BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

The Delta High School Panthers’ softball team added another chapter to its 2018 season with a 3-2 win over Montezuma-Cortez last Saturday. Delta won the 3A WSL title with a 19-2 overall record and finished 11-0 in league play. Not only did the Panthers win a league title, again, they finished second in Class 3A in RPI standings to mark the first time a Delta softball team has been ranked in the top five for that category. As regional pairings were released, Delta managed to hold onto its top ranking in the RPI polls to garner a number three seed and a firsttime ever hosting role in regional play. Delta hosted Region 3 with league foe Montezuma-Cortez (No. 14) and No. 19 Peak to Peak (3A District 1) looking to advance to this year’s state softball championships.

Cortez (12-8) squared off against Peak to Peak (1-14) in last Saturday’s first game and earned a berth in the Region 3 title game against Delta with a 9-3 win over the Pumas. The title game was played under warming blue skies with the stands, and surrounding fenceline borders, filled with excited fans from both teams. Good pitching and solid defense carried this game to the late stages before Delta scored a goahead run in the bottom of the sixth on a pitching infraction by Cortez. That run would hold up to make the final score 3-2 after Cortez left two runners on base in the top of the seventh to end the game. Cortez got the game’s first run in the second inning when leadoff hitter Presley Frost leaned on a Hailee Ruble fast ball that sailed high over the left centerfield fence

for a home run. Ruble finished the inning with her third strikeout of the game with no more damage. Delta’s bats remained silent until the bottom of the third. With two outs in the inning, senior Alyssa Trujillo drilled a single to right center field and then took second on a throwing error. A triple off the bat of senior Jenna Sutliff tied the game when Trujillo came home on the hit. The home-team Panthers took its first lead of the game in the fifth frame. A walk to Trujillo and Sutliff being hit by a pitch gave Delta two base runners. Two batters later, sophomore catcher Keely Porter banged a double to score Trujillo for a 2-1 lead. Delta’s defense suffered its worst inning in the top of the sixth when a series of throwing errors allowed Cortez’s Morgan Short, who had reached base on a sin-

gle, to score from first on three errant throws from Delta infielders. Sutliff prevented another possible run with a diving catch of a line drive off the bat of Cortez’s Alyssa Cornett. With one out in the bottom of the sixth, senior Makayla Kortz laced a single past the infield to give Delta a base runner with one out. Sophomore Chloe Sanchez was sent in to run for Kortz. Senior Tatum Saddoris was Delta’s next batter and she laid down a bunt to advance the runner on first. On the throw to first, Sanchez didn’t hesitate at second and raced to third, where she would later score on the illegal pitch by Cortez’s Taylor Comisky. The pitch was hit to center field where it was caught but was not counted as an out with the pitch being ruled a dead ball negating action afterwards. Sutliff was 2-2 with a triple and an RBI

for Delta with Porter’s double accounting for the other earned run for Delta. Ruble went the distance for Delta with seven innings of work giving up two runs on two hits and three walks. The Delta ace finished the game with 11 strike outs and picked up her 14th win of the season (second in Class 3A behind St. Mary’s Peyton Richter who has 16). There was plenty of celebration following Delta’s victory. Delta coach Jerry Sandoval, in his second season at the helm, was visibly excited. “We did what we had to do. We didn’t stroke it well today, but we won. This team has character. It was gut-check time, and we did it!” When the season began, there was always talk of post-season play. “From the beginning we talked about that one opportunity. Only one team gets to hold that trophy. We’ve worked hard all season long to get here. It’s a new season now,” stated Sandoval. Continuing on about the season, Sandoval

noted, “Oh, man ... not only did we get to host for the first time ever ... we won it!!! So many things play into a win; the catch by Jenna at short and the amazing stop by Keely on a high pitch that could have gone to the backstop and advanced a runner. Amazing!” Ruble and Porter have teamed to be a dominating battery in Class 3A in 2018. Ruble’s calm in the sixth inning when she delivered several pitches out of the strike zone didn’t have much affect on her feelings. “I feel I held my composure well today,” noted a confident Ruble. As for Porter’s save on a high pitch; a simple shrug of the shoulders and a big grin. Sutliff ’s bat has been an impact on Delta’s success all season long and she is a leader who has calming qualities for her teammates. All three agreed Saturday’s contest against Cortez was one of the closest games of the season. Ruble’s final comment said it all, “We were super energetic all week long; we were ready to go.” Three 3A WSL teams qualified for state tournament play.

Delta, Meeker, Cortez move on BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Photo by Wayne Crick

The Delta Panthers’ 2018 softball team poses following a milestone victory in the Region 3 qualifying softball round in Delta. Delta’s win is the ﬁrst regional title in the Panther’s ﬁrst-ever shot at hosting a regional site. The Panthers defeated Montezuma-Cortez 3-2 to win a berth in this year’s state tournament.

Bulldogs fall in volleyball BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Hotchkiss High School has had its difficulties getting its volleyball program back on track this season and last week’s three-set loss to 2A/1A WSL second-place Vail Mountain dealt another blow to the Bulldogs’ season.

The Gore Rangers are currently sitting in second place in 2A WSL standings at 11-1 in league play and 15-3 overall. Only Meeker has a better record (10-0, 170). Hotchkiss (1-9, 4-13) is near the bottom of the standings with only two matches remaining on its regular season schedule.

Vail Mountain started strong last Friday and kept a heavy foot on the gas for a 25-12 win in set one. Hotchkiss cut into the deficit margin in the next two sets which included scores of 25-14 and 25-21. The Bulldogs held the lead for a good portion of the time in set three before being over-

taken late for the fourpoint loss. Hotchkiss will host Cedaredge on Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. (varsity play) and travels to Rangely on Oct. 20 for a 3 p.m. varsity start time. League pool play is set for Oct. 26-27 with regionals scheduled for Nov. 3.

The 3A WSL softball league sent four teams into regional competition this past weekend. Only Delta achieved a chance to host. The Panthers were seeded third and hosted play in Region 3 with No. 14 Cortez and No. 19 Peak to Peak. Both Delta, as the regional champion, and Cortez, as a state qualifier move on. Meeker entered the weekend as a number 9 team in Region 8 in Limon. The Badgers hosted with their 15-8 record with No. 24 Sheridan (9-13) and Meeker (139) playing the opening game. Meeker trounced Sheridan 21-4 and moved on to face Limon. In a tight game, Limon came away with a 10-8 win, sending both teams to Aurora this next weekend. Cedaredge (9-13) was the WSL’s fourth team in regional play. The Bruins traveled to Faith Christian (Denver) where the No. 21 team faced No. 12 Ft. Lupton (14-8) Saturday morning. Unfortu-

nately, Terry Montoya’s Bruins were unable to stay with the Bluedevils and were eliminated from further play by an 8-0 score. Cedaredge ended its season with a 9-14 record. The 3A state softball pairings were released late Monday morning and Delta (20-2) kept its No. 3 ranking and will face No. 19 Sterling (1212) at 12:15 Oct. 19 at the Aurora Softball Complex. Meeker (14-10), comes in at No. 11 and will play No. 6 Lamar (17-7) at 12:15 on Oct. 19. Cortez was the next to last team in this year’s tournament and is seeded 15th with a 13-9 record and takes on No. 2 Eaton (19-5) the same day and time. Losers of the 12:15 games are eliminated and winners advance to the quarterfinal round, also to be played on Oct. 19. The winners in quarterfinal action move on to Saturday, Oct. 20 for the semifinal and final rounds. All divisions of softball, 5A, 4A and 3A will play at Denver’s Aurora Sports Complex this coming weekend.

Bruins stay near top after net loss BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Cedaredge High School split a pair of volleyball matches this past week with a win in Carbondale over the Roaring Fork Rams and a 3-0 loss at home to Coal Ridge. The loss to Coal Ridge has the Titans on top of the 3A WSL standings at 8-0 in league play and 12-5 overall. The Bruins fell out of a tie for the top spot with their record of 7-1 and 14-2. In Carbondale, the Bruins fought off a deterRoaring Fork Photo by Wayne Crick mined Hotchkiss senior Carson Collins, 12, and junior Ally Regelman, 6, provide the Bulldogs with a perfect squad to win set one, 25block against Vail Mountain last Friday night in Hotchkiss. Even though Collins blocked the ball for a 23. A 25-13 second set win gave Cedaredge a 2-0 point, the Bulldogs suffered a 3-0 loss to the Gore Rangers.

lead with one set to go. The Rams did not go easily in the final set making the final score 25-21 in favor of Cedaredge. Senior Courtney Freeman led the Bruins at the net with 15 kills with junior Makayla Kehmeier adding nine kill of her own. Sophomore Kammie Henderson and Kehmeier had four and three service aces, respectively, for the Bruins in the match with the same two athletes recording eight digs each. Sophomore Baylee Harris dished out 33 assists on 102 attempts in the three-set match. BRUINS’ VB TO B8

B8 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Delta netters volley past Basalt BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Delta’s Panthers played just one volleyball match this past week and posted a 3-1 decision after visiting Basalt on Monday, Oct. 8.

Delta won the first two sets 25-11 and 25-8 before losing set three 2523. A fourth set was needed to decide the winner and the Panthers obliged with a 25-20 win to make the final score 3-1.

Junior Sara Geddes had a big day for Delta with 17 kills and 16 digs with senior Lauren Davey finishing the match with 11 kills. Senior Abby Carlson doled out 33 assists in the

win for Delta with juniors Haylin McCulloch and Madi Gieck topping stats in service receptions with 20 and 15 respectively. Freshman Erika Kuta was the Panthers’ top ace producer with three.

Delta is fourth in the 3A WSL with its 52 league record and an 11-6 overall mark. Coal Ridge rests on top of the league with an 8-0 and 12-5 slate. Cedaredge is second (7-1 and 14-2) and

Aspen is third (4-1 and 12-5). This week’s volleyball schedule had Delta at Coal Ridge on Tuesday, Oct. 16 and at home Oct. 17 against Olathe (2-6 and 5-12).

Bruins roll to 30-18 grid win BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

After suffering five straight losses in games played in consecutive weeks, Cedaredge High School’s football team broke through to the win column again with a 30-18 1A WSL victory

in Parachute over Grand Valley’s Cardinals. Both teams contributed points through the air and on the ground with the Bruins winning the total yardage battle by a mere three yards, 359-356. Senior Jared Reynolds

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threw the ball nine times and completed two passes for 56 yards. Reynolds also carried the ball 18 times for 100 yards on the ground with two touchdowns to lead the Bruins to the win. Junior Dusty Emig also scored a rushing touchdown with Austin Crawford scooping up a fumble and rambling 35 yards for another Cedaredge touchdown. Emig finished the game with 75 yards on 10 carries. Wade Barnard finished with 62 yards and Joshua Jenkins collected 66 yards on six carries. Sophomore Brody Wagner kicked the extra

points after each of Cedaredge’s four touchdowns and Reynolds was also responsible for a safety in the game to account for the Bruins’ 30 points in the game. Defensively, Reynolds played well with 10 tackles with teammates Crawford and Jenkins credited with nine and eight tackles respectively. Meeker is in control of the 1A WSL with its 3-0 and 4-2 record followed by Paonia, 2-1 and 4-3 and Olathe 2-1 and 4-3. The Bruins sit in fourth place at time with records of 1-2 and 2-5 with Grand Valley (1-2 and 2-5) and

Paonia runners eye regional titles this week The Paonia girls cross country team is favored to win the 2A Region 4 title this Friday at Confluence Park in Delta; the boys team is in a close race with Ouray for the regional title. “For the girls to win it, it’s going to come down to the third runner,” said head coach Brandy Sparks. Junior Katya Schwieterman is ranked second in the region with a time of 20 minutes, 8.95 seconds, and Tawny Roberts has the third best time of 20:19.74 after slashing about 40 seconds off her previous best time at the Oct. 5 Pantherfest. Senior Alexandra Eaton is ranked 12th with a time of 22:11.47, and Sofia Gonzales is ranked 14th after improving her time to 22:34.40 at the Pantherfest. With five top-30 runners and No. 1 ranked Chloe Veilleux, Paonia will be competing with

Soroco for the title. In the event of a tie, the fourthplace runner’s score will determine the regional winner. On the boys side, Paonia has five runners ranked in the top 20 in the region. Ethan Bartlett’s season best time of 16:27.84 is the second-fastest in the region, and Harley Ewert is in the top 10 with a time of 18:10.33. The team win could be determined by either freshman Alyster Birk (18:32.11), senior Logan Green (18:35.48), or freshman Alejandro Garcia (18:57.06). With five runners ranked in the top 20, Ouray also has a shot at the regional title. The girls’ race begins at noon, followed by the boys race at approximately 12:30 p.m. The top five teams and top 15 placers in each of the four regions earn a trip to the Class 2A State Championship meet on Oct. 27.

is at Hotchkiss (0-3 and 2-5) Cedaredge occupying the bottom two Hotchkiss this week for a 7 p.m. league matchup. spots.

Bruins softball season ends BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Terry Montoya and his Cedaredge Bruins lost their bid to advance to this year’s Class 3A state softball tournament with an 8-0 loss to No. 12 Fort Lupton (14-8) in last weekend’s Region 5 qualifying tournament in Arvada. Faith Christian came into last week’s regional play with an 18-5 record as the number five seed. The Bruins (9-13) were seeded 21st. Cedaredge and Fort Lupton played in the first round of Region 5 play to see who would face Faith Christian. The Bluedevils scored two runs in the

first inning and added single runs in the second and fourth frames to take a 4-0 lead heading to the fifth. Two runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings boosted Fort Lupton’s lead to 8-0. Cedaredge failed to score in the top of the seventh to end the game. The Bruins had three hits in the game, all singles, off the bats of sophomore Ivy Kirk, junior Kaitlyn Toothaker and senior Hannah Gardner. Junior Summer Young started in the circle for Cedaredge and worked five innings before giving way to Elle Lewis. Cedaredge ended the season at 9-14.

Keller, Egging positioned for state XC berths for Hotchkiss With the top 15 finishers at this Friday’s 2A Region 4 cross country meet advancing to the state championship meet on Oct. 27, Karlie Egging and Tevin Keller each have a strong chance of making the cut. One of two Hotchkiss runners from Cedaredge, Keller has consistently improved on his times throughout the season. His personal-best time of 18 minutes, 33.97 seconds, run Oct. 5 at the Pantherfest meet at Confluence Park in Delta, is

the 13th-fastest time in the region. A mere eight seconds separates Keller’s time from the No. 10 runner in the region. Egging has had a successful freshman year and is ranked fourth in the region after running a personal-best time of 21:10.79 at Pantherfest. Hotchkiss was scheduled to compete at the Rifle invitational meet on Oct. 11. The race was canceled due to the amount of water on the course resulting in unsafe conditions.

Delta, Olathe XC runners to be challenged Delta and Olathe will compete Friday at the 3A Region 1 cross country meet in Aspen. The course is located at an elevation of 7,901 feet. The top four teams in each of the five regions and the top 15 individual placers in each region advance to the 3A state championship meet on Oct. 27 at Colorado Springs. Delta senior John Ames has the fastest overall individual time of 16:10.13, and junior Shad Lewis is ranked seventh with a time of 17:29.69. Both Olathe teams have top-10 runners and four runners ranked in

the top 30 in 3A Region 1 rankings. On the boys team, junior Layton McLaughlin is ranked eighth in the region with a time of 17:28.04, and senior Alecxis Hernandez is ranked 15th. Angel Sanchez and Miguel Almanza Silva are ranked 23rd and 30th, respectively. On the girls team, senior Lupita Garcia is ranked eighth in the region with a time of 20:39.03, and senior Angela Alcaraz is ranked 15th with a time of 21:09.73. Cheyanne German and Jaden Valdez are ranked 28th and 29th, respectively.

Bruins’ vb CONTINUED FROM B7 Saturday’s match against Coal Ridge featured three close sets being played with the Titans earning wins with scores of 25-20, 25-20 and 25-18. Statistics for this

match were not available. Cedaredge is the highest ranked 3A WSL team in RPI standings with a number six ranking. Coal Ridge is 15th and Delta is 19th.

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Delta County Independent

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Eagles focus on final net tilts before districts BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

With district tournaments less than two weeks away, the Eagles volleyball team is now 6-4 following last week’s losses to the top two teams in the 2A/1A Western Slope League. With two games remaining, Paonia is now focusing on holding on to its No. 3 spot in league standings. On Friday the Eagles lost, 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 2517) at Meeker, and on Saturday, they took 11-1 Vail Mountain to five sets for a 3-2 loss. Against two of the strongest teams in the league and the state, head coach Ce’rra Carsten said she wasn’t disappointed in the team’s performance. If anything, she was surprised at how well the defense played. “They were so scrappy,” said Carsten. “I don’t see that all the time, so it was nice to see that they can play like that against a tough team.” At 17-0, the Cowboys lead the 2A WSL and are currently second in Class 2 RPI rankings. “We just let them make too many runs. It wasn’t those long stretches, just those short little three- and fourpoint runs,” said Carsten. “They sided out well in the good times,” but the Cowboys, who scored 42 kills for the match, kept coming back. Senior middle hitter Poppy Lightfoot said the team played well. The loss wasn’t so much a big loss, as it was a game where both teams were having fun, she added. “I personally really enjoy playing Meeker. They’re a really great team and they always push us. We always play really well against them.” In the 26-24, 21-25, 25-22, 19-25, 3-15 loss to Vail Mountain Saturday, Lightfoot had 16 kills in 47 attacks, 21 digs and 18 serve receives; Sadie Miller had 11 digs and 11 kills in 38 attacks, and Jessica Deaton had 32 serve receives, eight kills,

16 digs and one block. Vail Mountain has one of the best offenses in the state. Senior Sarah Evans is ranked seventh in state in hitting and fourth in kills. Paonia’s opening win stunned the Rangers with their first conference game loss since week three in their 3-1 loss to Meeker. The Rangers managed a come-back late in the game and tied the score at 23-all and 24-a1l, with the game ending on a Vail error. In game two the Eagles overcame an early sixpoint deficit, getting to within two points of Vail before falling in a 25-21 loss. Paonia took an early lead in game three and never relinquished it. Deaton placed a kill shot in the back corner for a 24-18 lead. A rally brought the Rangers to within two points, with Deaton sending another kill shot to the back corner for the win. Vail led throughout game four, and in game five, fed the ball to Evans, who had five kills in the 15-3 win. Libero Jaqueline Mora had 20 serve receives and three assists in the match. Junior Carly Horn had 19 assists and sophomore setter Ceylon Carter had 15 assists. For Lightfoot, Mora and Taralee Mautz, sidelined with an injury the second half of the season, it was also their final home volleyball game. While it was a sad loss, “I appreciate teams that push us hard. It’ll only help us and each other to be successful,” said Lightfoot. “It was a tough loss, but it was also about having fun playing the game. That’s just my goal this season, to have fun with my teammates.” Lightfoot started playing competitive volleyball in seventh grade. She attended all the summer team camps and went to other camps including the School of Mines summer camp. With two games remaining, her 171 kills

Montessori Run set for Nov. 3 North Fork Montessori at Crawford is sponsoring a family-friendly Color Run 2k/5k run-walk on Saturday, Nov. 3. More than 6 million people in over 35 countries have experienced a Color Run. Each event is less about running a 10-minute mile and more about having the time of your life. The goal is to wear white at the starting line. “Color Runners” are doused from head to toe in different colors throughout the race, with a goal of finishing plastered in color. The fun continues after the race with a Finish Festival and lots of colorful photo opportunities. The event will be held at the school, 51 Fir Street. Start time is 10 a.m. Participants should wear clothing suitable for rain or shine and that

can be colored with foodgrade pigment mixed with corn starch. Colors can be shown off at the end of the race; bring a towel to protect your car interior for the drive home. Swim goggles and mask for the celebration photo are optional. Registration is $25 adults, $15 for ages 1318, and free for students 12 and under. Proceeds benefit the school and will go toward end-of-year field trips and professional development for staff. T-shirts are not included in the registration and are available for $15/$10. To register online, visit active.com and search “Color Run-Crawford.” Email Heidi_ nikole@yahoo.com for more information. A Color Run FAQ is also available at https:// thecolorrun.com/faq/

in 600 attacks this season is the fourth-highest in the conference. She’s also made more than 200 digs, and missed only seven out of 192 serves. Carsten calls Lightfoot a “rock star... She shows up to the game every single time. I never have to worry about Poppy.” But she’s not one to pay attention to RPI rankings and other statistics. Instead, Lightfoot focuses on enjoying her time on the court. “I just look forward to the next game and just seeing what we can do from there,” she said. After failing to make the state playoffs last year and losing four seniors, the team wasn’t expected to make a big impact in the conference. After losing Mautz they had to make some big adjustments, including moving Deaton from outside to middle hitter. They also had a new coach, said Lightfoot. “We didn’t want this to be a rebuild season. We wanted to show people that we can do this, that we can go out and play together. I think that we all had that kind of similar mindset, and that’s what’s been driving us.” If Paonia can pick up wins in the final two games, assuming that Vail Mountain and Meeker both win their final games, it will be a solid third in the standings heading into the district tournament when pool play opens on Oct. 26. Paonia travels Friday to Hayden (7-9, 3-7) and on Saturday plays West Grand (5-11, 3-5) at Kremmling. The Eagles aren’t going to overlook either team at this point, said Lightfoot. “Personally, I think that we’ll do well. I think that we buckle down when we really need to.”

Photo by Tamie Meck

With Jessica Deaton, libero Jacqueline Mora and Ceylon Carter anticipating a block, Poppy Lightfoot winds up for one of her 16 kills for the match against Vail Mountain Saturday.

Delta edged, 13-0, in football by Basalt BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Delta’s Panthers redeemed themselves, to a large degree, in last week’s football game in Basalt. The ugliness of a torrential rain a week ago against Rifle was absent last Friday in Basalt. The Longhorn field was not perfect by any means but certainly less treacherous than the grass at Panthers Stadium. All the scoring took place in the first half of play, and, unfortunately for Delta football fans, the 13 points scored were by host Basalt. The Longhorns scored their first touchdown in the first quarter and led 6-0 after failing to score the extra point. A touchdown, and an extra point in the second quarter, gave Basalt a 130 lead at halftime. Delta seemed to be able to move the ball easily at times but could not find the right combinations to access the Long-

DCI Sports Writer

Delta High School soccer traveled to Vail Mountain on Oct. 9 to face the Gore Rangers. Luck wasn’t with the Panthers this time, however, as they fell in defeat to Vail 1-0. The unusually high scoring Panthers were frustrated by the Gore Rangers and couldn’t manage to ﬁnd the back of the net on this occasion. The weather in Vail no doubt played some role in freezing out the Panthers attack. With rain and temperatures hovering around 40 degrees, the players from Vail Mountain were

les followed by Workman and Caleb Miramontes with 12 stops each and another 10 tackles from Brandon Butler. Delta finds itself in fourth place in the tough 2A WSL. Basalt earned sole possession of first place with the win and takes a 7-0 overall record into this week’s action with a 3-0 league mark. Aspen, a 20-19 winner over Rifle, sits in second place with the Bears third. Both teams have 21 league marks with Rifle having an overall edge with a 6-1 slate and the Skiers sitting at 5-2. Delta is 2-2 in league play with four wins and three losses overall for the 2018 season. The Panthers will travel to Craig this Friday where they will try to stay within striking distance of the leaders with a 7 p.m. gridiron battle with Moffat County. The Bulldogs are fifth in the WSL with a 1-2 record and 3-4 overall.

Dogs and Pirates in soggy game BY NATHAN CLAY DCI Sports Writer

Friday night Oct. 12 at Olathe High School was the soggy scene for varsity football. The Pirates contest against the Hotchkiss Bulldogs was highlighted by an extremely saturated field. Like many other parts of western Colorado, Olathe had seen many days of rain in a row, which reduced the playing surface to a mire. However, the mud and slick grass did not prevent Olathe from really taking charge of the game, which it won 42-0. Hotchkiss never quite got up to speed during the game. The Bulldogs had a hard time focusing on the task at hand, going the entire game without really looking like a threat. The Bulldogs appearance seemed to belie their approach to the game. Hotchkiss looked much the worse for wear in its white and red uniforms, covered nearly head to toe in dark earth. Olathe played well and

were no doubt encouraged heartily by the large number of home supporters that braved the brisk weather. It was also senior appreciation night in Olathe. Where the students who were in their final year of schooling were honored. The morale boost provided by the atmosphere in the stadium was evident as the Pirates cruised to a comfortable victory. The Pirates now hold a record of 4-3 and will prepare for their next game against Meeker. The Cowboys will prove a tough opponent for Olathe. In Meeker’s last game it beat Hotchkiss’ North Fork rival Paonia High School 32-0. Next up for the Bulldogs is a different county rivalry. Hotchkiss will play at home against Cedaredge on Oct. 19. Both the Bruins and the Bulldogs currently sport a record of 2-5, and there is no doubt the competition will be a fierce confrontation.

Delta loses 1-0 BY NATHAN CLAY

horn’s end zone for four quarters of action. Delta quarterback was 6 of 23 in the passing department accounting for 71 yards of offense. Nate Workman caught three of Bynum’s aerials for 37 yards while Gauge Lockhart had 12 yards with two receptions. The Panthers had 117 yards of rushing offense with Cody Suave getting the bulk of work with 86 yards on 15 carries. Ku La Moo picked up 31 yards in five rushes. Basalt’s Jake Reardon highlighted the Longhorns ground game with 193 yards on 30 carries. The scoring was accomplished on nine carries and 28 yards from Longhorn quarterback Trevor Reuss. Kicker Chace Maytham was good on one of two PAT kicks making the final score 13-0. Defensively, the Panthers had four players in double figures in tackles. Senior Aiden Barrios led the way with 14 tack-

in their element. Junior ‘keeper Felipe Bedoy was very active in goal. His performance was crucial in keeping the score down. Bedoy came up with eight saves in the match. Vail managed to slip a single goal in however. The second half strike from the Gore Rangers would start and ﬁnish the scoring in the game. The Panthers own an impressive record of 83, going into their next match at home against the Coal Ridge Titans Photo by Nathan Clay from New Castle. The Ti- Hotchkiss juniors Hunter Bryant (7) and Will Scartans are going to be stiff lett (22) splash to make a play against Olathe senior competition and will come running back Cesar Suarez. into the game at 4-1.

Want to advertise in the DCI? Contact one of our ad reps at 874-4421.

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B10 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

MARCHING BAND

Delta County Independent

Good Luck to our area High School Marching Bands at the

Western Regional Marching Band Qualiﬁer Thursday, October 18 Stocker Stadium • Grand Junction CLASS

BODY WARMUP TIME/AREA

MUSIC WARMUP TIME/AREA

ON DECK

PERFORMANCE

Grand Valley

10:45 a.m./A

11:15 a.m./A

11:45 p.m.

12:00 Noon

OLATHE

11:00 a.m./B

11:30 a.m./B

12:00 Noon

12:15 p.m.

Gunnison

11:15 a.m./A

11:45 a.m./A

12:15 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

CEDAREDGE

11:30 a.m./B

12:00 Noon/B

12:30 p.m.

12:45 p.m.

SCHOOL

Bayﬁeld

11:45 a.m./A

12:15 p.m./A

12:45 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

DELTA

12:00 Noon/B

12:30 p.m./B

1:00 p.m.

1:15 p.m.

12:45 p.m./A

1:15 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

Montezuma/ 2A 12:15 p.m./A Cortez ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BREAK

1:45 – 2:00 p.m. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Durango

12:45 p.m./B

1:15 p.m./B

1:45 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

Palisade

1:00 p.m./A

1:30 p.m./A

2:00 p.m.

2:15 p.m.

Central

1:15 p.m./B

1:45 p.m./B

2:15 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

Montrose

1:30 p.m./A

2:00 p.m./A

2:30 p.m.

2:45 p.m.

Grand Junction 4A

1:45 p.m./B

2:15 p.m./B

2:45 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

Fruita Monument

2:00 p.m./A

2:30 p.m./A

3:00 p.m.

3:15 p.m.

2:45 p.m./B

3:15 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

CMU Maverick Exhibition 2:15 p.m./B Stampede ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AWARDS

ACCURATE TAX

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& ACCOUNTING SERVICE ��

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3:45 – 4:15pm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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GOOD LUCK TO �� ALL THE BANDS!

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SURFACE CREEK October 17, 2018

NEWS

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Art exhibit features a Son of the West BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

The western and wildlife art of Rudl Mergelman is on display this month at the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center (GMAEC). Mergelman is a Colorado native and descendent of pioneer families who homesteaded in Iola Basin. It was cattle country, a place now submerged beneath Blue Mesa Reservoir. He grew up in Gunnison and graduated from Western State College (now WCU) with a degree in art and industrial art. He taught for a time at Eagle Valley High School and in Gunnison, but eventually he returned to painting and sculpting focusing on western scenes and wildlife. He’s always gravitated toward art and his interest was stimulated early by two significant childhood events. He was just a youngster when his mother bought him a paintby-numbers kit. After trying it out, he was bored to tears so he found a blank bit of wood and started painting on his own. “It was a mountain scene,” he recalls, “She may have kept it around somewhere.” Meanwhile the nearby college was a summer magnet, drawing teachers for two-week recertification classes. And those teachers often taught practice programs at the local elementary school, including a variety of art classes. Since the school was across the street, Mergelman took advantage of the hands-on sessions and his skill and interest grew. In his artist biography, Mergelman reflects on his subject matter: “My love of art always centered around my equal love for the American cowboy and regional wildlife. I am fortunate to have always been around good cowboys, good horses and good outfits. This has been the subject of most of my work and I have been a student of the western lifestyle since childhood. I have always based my work on authenticity, true life situa-

tions and using the light of the Colorado landscape.” His work has appeared in galleries in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. The family eventually settled in Florence where Mergelman continued to create. Eventually he won multiple awards and was active in the Florence arts community. And it was his work with fellow artists that led to an unexpected opportunity. “The Florence Arts Council had been holding art shows once a month or so,” he recalls, “Then the First Baptist Church, which was struggling to remain open, contacted us and — well — they gave us their building.” The result was the Bell Tower Cultural Center, an impressive facility which is entering its fifth year of operation. Based on his experience with a successful arts center, it was only natural that Mergelman opened his art exhibit earlier this month with encouraging words for Cedaredge’s new facility. “I’ve had shows all over,” he said, “And I’ve never had one in a room as nice as this. This Arts Center is a treasure that will give back to the community.” In a later interview he stressed that the success of an arts center relies on its volunteers. “Performers and artists come and go,” he said, “If not for volunteers, an arts center doesn’t work. Volunteers are the heart of the center and they are the face of the center. And the more active a center is, the easier it is to recruit dedicated volunteers.” Mergelman was correct about the importance of volunteers because he himself was recruited to display his work by a GMAEC volunteer and longtime friend. Cedaredge resident, Judy Fairchild, has been active in the Cedaredge center from its inception. She serves on the GMAEC board of directors and, when the group was considering artists for the newly opened Starr Family Gallery, she naturally thought of Mergelman — her

former schoolmate. She and Mergelman attended Gunnison schools together from kindergarten on and so it took little persuading to draft the western artist for a local show. And also it didn’t hurt that his older brother, Les, lives in Cedaredge and is active in the community. So, the younger Mergelman came to Cedaredge. And when he arrived a few days ago to set up his show, he was in for a surprise. He expected to see Judy. He expected to see Les and his sister-in-law, Dorothy. What he didn’t expect was that he would discover yet another Cedaredge connection — with an old college

Photo by Don Benjamin

Cedaredge trustees review latest draft of 2019 budget Golf course will require contributions from other funds Staff Writer

The 2019 budget is continuing to take shape. The current draft budget is balanced and all funds are projected to carry a cash balance forward on Dec. 31, 2019. The proposed budget will use some reserves, primarily to address capital projects, but the town is projected to carry adequate reserves forward to the end of the new budget year. Town administrator Greg Brinck reported that a major challenge in balancing the 2019 budget was finding funds to support the golf course. This year’s drought decreased golf revenue and also stressed the golf grounds. The 2019 budget

OC discusses interest earnings, removes trustee from DCED board BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Contributing Writer

The Orchard City board of trustees held a regular meeting Oct. 10. While approving the September minutes, disbursements and financial statement, trustee Mel Cook asked if the town had invested yet in COLOTRUST. This would be evident on this month’s statements. Trustee Doug Keller then challenged the town’s use of funds. Three accounts are being kept open with $1,000. The checking account has $200,000. The rest is invested with COLOTRUST. Essentially, Keller wants less money to be held in the checking account to benefit from the interest from COLOTRUST. After a heated discussion, trustee Jan Gage suggested Keller write up an explanation of what he wants done to better help the board understand. Julie Jackson was awarded Student of the Month. She is a senior at Cedaredge High School with a 4.19 GPA who lettered in varsity tennis and academics. She plans to attend Colorado School of Mines to obtain an engineering degree. “Thank you for being a good student,” said Mayor Ken Vol-

gamore. Jan Speas from Juvenile Diversion and Stacey Voigt with DCED presented next. Speas began by giving background, such as how they have five part-time employees who focus on diverting juveniles away from the justice system. “We’re trying to get these youth back on track,” she said. Last fiscal year, 58 juveniles were referred to the program. Seven of these came from Orchard City. Speas explained that services for each juvenile take approximately $1,100. Delta County pays for 60 percent of the program’s budget. The other 40 percent comes from the municipalities, with Orchard City paying 18 percent of the 40 percent based on population. “We have a very good success rate,” said Speas. More information on how Juvenile Diversion works can be found at www.deltacounty.com/147/ Juvenile-Diversion. Voigt returned to the board to give updates on DCED and answer questions. She is currently working with several “exciting” businesses that will create new jobs in the county. Additionally, Voigt wants to do a housing assessment on

The Rudl Mergelman exhibit will be open for viewing until Nov. 29 when the artist will return and host an afternoon forum to discuss his work. The GMAEC’s Starr Family Gallery is open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center is located at the intersection of West Main Street and SW 2nd Street in downtown Cedaredge. Those interested in supporting the center through donations or by volunteering can visit during open hours or sign up online at the GMAEC website: https://www.grand mesaartscenter.com/

Rudl Mergelman (left) is a talented western artist who believes that community arts centers don’t work unless they are supported by dedicated volunteers. Posing with one of his wildlife paintings now on display at the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center, Mergelman was joined by center volunteers (left to right) Karen Locke, Dale Russell Smith, and Sue Beachman. Mergelman was unrestrained in his praise of volunteers calling them “the heart and face” of an active arts center.

BY DON BENJAMIN

Rudl Mergelman titled this painting “Rubbing Buddies.” “I am fortunate to have always been around good cowboys, good horses and good outﬁts.”

chum. That long-lost friend, Dale Russell Smith is also a GMAEC volunteer who serves on the center’s advisory council. “It was a surprise to see Dale. We were in a lot of art classes together back then,” said Mergelman, “But I hadn’t seen him since college.” Mergelman and his wife Deborah still live in Florence. They have a blended family of two sons and a daughter. Daughter Audrie is an accomplished painter who teaches elementary art in Loveland. Son August is a talented writer and teacher with published plays to his credit. Todd raises the Mergelman grandchildren in Florence.

the community and is trying to improve the county’s workforce development. She said DCED is working on transparency, which was previously voiced as a concern from Orchard City. For example, a monthly newsletter is now being sent out to investors and those who signup via its website at deltacountyed. org. Meeting structure has also changed, with quarterly meetings open to the public. Executive committee can no longer make decisions. Instead, decisions go to regular business meetings and involve the entire the board of directors. Investors get monthly minutes. “But not the public?” asked Trustee Cook. “Well, we’re a private organization,” Voigt replied. She emphasized DCED needs to be a confidant for businesses and that means some things cannot be made available to the public right away. Additionally, investors are encouraged to not share/ reproduce these minutes with others even if a municipality like Orchard City sits on the board. Trustee Cook voiced ORCHARD CITY TO C2

addresses the need for expenditures to refurbish the course and also lowers golf course revenue for next year. It is anticipated that revenues will be down because the course may have to be closed for as long as 90 days at the beginning of the season to re-grow turf. In order to keep the golf course operating, needed expenditures will be spread across other funds. Notably, $15,000 will be transferred from the sewer fund and $5,000 from the parks and recreation fund will be applied to the golf course superintendent’s salary in recognition of the work that position also performs for town parks. And the conservation trust fund will be tapped for $10,000 to pay for golf course chemicals. The expenses of adding a bottle filling station and making restaurant repairs have been moved to the capital improvement fund. And $11,000 in other repair and maintenance expenses will move to the general fund. The golf course will also institute economic measures. There will be a $9,600 decrease in seasonal labor and a reduction of $2,000 in the golf course advertising budget. Although the golf course budget has been balanced for 2019 without significantly impacting other funds, Brinck assured the trustees that town staff continues to search for grants and low interest loans to help keep the operation going. Other budget adjustments,

which are unrelated to the golf course, include a decision not to purchase a new snowplow truck, which reduces public works expenditures by $62,500 and also requires the elimination of anticipated revenue of $5,000 for selling the old truck. Work will continue on the town budget leading up to final adoption. The public is encouraged to attend town meetings and budget sessions. Those wishing to learn more about the town’s preliminary budget can view the document on the town website: cedaredge colorado.com (type ‘document center’ in the search box, select finance, then budget.) Paper copies are also available for review at town hall and citizens can call or email town staff with questions at 970-856-3123 or manager@ced aredgecolorado.com Future budget planning sessions and other town meetings will be held as follows: • Oct. 18 — 5 p.m. regular trustee meeting featuring action regarding resolutions, ordinances, and items effecting the 2019 budget. • Nov. 1 — the final 2019 draft budget will be submitted to the trustees and will be available to the public. • Nov. 8 — 5 p.m. trustee work session. • Nov. 15 — 5 p.m. regular trustee meeting. • Nov. 29 — 5 p.m. public hearing on the 2019 budget. • December (date to be announced) trustee action on the 2019 budget.

Trustees meet in regular session Oct. 18 BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

The Town of Cedaredge Board of Trustees will meet for a regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18. The agenda will be a full one and the public is encouraged to attend. Town meetings take place in the Cedaredge Civic Center, Grand Mesa Room, 140 NW 2nd Street. Included on Thursday’s agenda are the following: • A public hearing on the Surface Creek Animal Shelter’s request for a liquor permit for a Nov. 9 fundraiser concert. • Appointment of Mitch-

ell Gronenthal to the town’s planning and zoning commission. • An ordinance regarding the Elevate Fiber television franchise agreement. • A resolution setting fees for sex offender registration. • A resolution opposing Colorado State Amendment 74. • A resolution setting new rates for employee health insurance. • A resolution establishing a community garden water tap. • Action on the Surface Creek Animal Shelter’s request for a liquor permit.

C2 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Orchard City FROM PAGE C1 concern over having an OC trustee sit on the board or in business meetings if he is unable to report to his constituents. He made a motion to continue investing with DCED but to remove his position from the DCED board. “The problem I’m having is honesty,” he said. He explained sitting in on the meetings would be conflicting because there would be some private items. As a government official he desires to be completely open.

The board approved this motion, with one nay and one abstention. During constituent time a citizen voiced concern about a pothole on his road. Additionally, the board was made aware that speeding seems to be an issue on Iris Road. Mayor Volgamore said he would see about requesting a sheriff there at certain times of the day. Next, the board held the first reading of Ordinance 2018-04. This ordinance limits the number of marijuana plants to 12

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per residence. Trustee Gage wanted to point out this ordinance comes as a result from a discussion with the sheriff ’s office. This ordinance will help reduce confusion if people change towns. The board then accepted the terms for the Steve Kehmeier water tap relocation. They also accepted the preliminary review of the Arrowhead Subdivision replat discussed by planning commision a few weeks ago. After the water committee’s report, Trustee Gage reported the housing committee met and is looking at ways to get the word out about where citizens can go to apply for help with housing needs. The drought task force is in the final stages of policy preparation. They are making final corrections to present to the board. It next meeting will be Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.

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Julie Jackson Orchard City Student of the Month

Seniors at The Po r o f n dy m DJs Skip & Patty Pro

playing tunes from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s 21+ You don’t have to be a senior to attend

Saturday, October 20 � 7-10 p.m. ��

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Photo by Don Benjamin

Adults and children gathered last Thursday for a ribbon cutting ceremony to christen the newly redesigned Little Sprouts Community Preschool playground.

Little Sprouts playground gets a major makeover BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Rain or shine, kids and adults agree it’s a great overhaul. It was a bright autumn day earlier this month, when a crowd of adults and children gathered for a ceremony to officially open the newly designed playground for Cedaredge’s Little Sprouts Community Preschool. The nonprofit preschool is a member of the Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce and chamber president, Mitchell Gronenthal; executive director, Alisha Komives; and other chamber members were on hand to witness the official ribbon cutting. Also present were volunteers who serve on the preschool’s board of directors and Pastor Joe Agne representing the Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church. The church has been a generous neighbor to the preschool, allowing Little Sprouts to lease land at a favorable rate and occasionally open-

ing the church basement and sanctuary for school events. Lora Ely, preschool director, and members of her staff were also present along with 15 smiling preschoolers who were anxious to try out the new facility. To remodel the playground, Ely obtained a $72,600 grant from the Buell Foundation. The Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation is a Coloradobased philanthropic organization established in 1962. Buell concentrates its grants on in-state programs that benefit children. The revised playground includes a larger canopy providing more protection from the sun and rain. There are new slides, an oval track for tricycle races, and a stationary jeep with real rubber tires for pretend four-wheeling. More equipment will be added soon including a climbing log and a sandbox. About the only things remaining from the pre-

vious playground are a small playhouse and a couple of sturdy plastic dinosaurs. All in all there are plenty of new attractions to exercise young bodies and stimulate youthful imaginations and the entire playground is much safer. Gone is the old asphalt with its hard surface and uneven levels. In its place the entire area is covered with softer, impact-resistance surfacing that is slightly spongy to the step. How do the 46 students who are currently enrolled at the preschool feel about the new playground? According to Trey Gronenthal, a member of the preschool board, “They are thoroughly enjoying the new digs.” Community businesses or individuals wishing to donate time or funds to the school and parents wishing to enroll their children should contact Little Sprouts at 970856-4648 or visit its website: https://littlesprouts co.weebly.com/

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Students of the Month

Photo submitted

The Cedaredge Middle School has announced the Students of the Month for September. From the left, front row — Reece Phillips, Dakota Hill-Gadd, Landon Martin and Sophia Williams; back — Olivia Madden, Shaelyn Hunsberger, Ezra Howbaker, Chantale Ogier, Jackson Brown and Mariah Vandergrift. Not pictured are Leif Coleman and Sarah Green.

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Delta County Independent

BALLOT ISSUES

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Delta County Independent

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Delta County Independent

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BALLOT ISSUES

Delta County Independent

BALLOT ISSUES

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

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Blessing of animals includes trip to Cedaredge horse farm Cedaredge United Methodist Church invites children and their families and friends to listen to what the animals can teach us and to join in a service of blessing of the animals Saturday, Oct. 20. Those attending the church’s third Just Kids/Just Kids Plus event will visit Vicki Mangano’s horse farm in Cedaredge where they will meet three local horses — Bliss, Lady Bug and Patti — and their family, Mara Erwin and Richard Udale.

Transportation to and from the stable will be provided from the church, which is at 210 NW 3rd Street in Cedaredge at the intersection of NW 3rd Street and NW Aspen Avenue. Children ages kindergarten through fifth grade may attend alone or with family and friends. Younger children are welcome if accompanied by adults and all youth and adults are welcome. The morning will begin with registration

Festival worship includes potluck, special music The third Sunday in October — Oct. 21 — brings the monthly festival worship to Cedaredge United Methodist Church. The service begins at 10 a.m.

Hours of food bank extended Surface Creek Community Services announces the addition of familyfriendly hours for the food pantry. To accommodate working families, the food pantry will be open Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Surface Creek Community Services food bank is located at 245 W. Main, Cedarege. Distribution days are Thursday 1 to 3 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m. to noon.

According to Pastor Joe Agne, “We try to be a church with open hearts, open minds and open doors. We invite all, especially people looking for an open church.” Bring a food offering for the Cedaredge Food Bank and quarters (or more) for the church’s Heifer Tower offering. Following worship everyone is invited to a Loaves and Fishes potluck. It gets its name from the fact there is always enough food for everyone, and some left over. Guests do not need to bring anything to the potluck, just themselves. Dr. Mary and her family will provide special music, along with the church’s choir. Pastor Joe’s message asks, “In what ways are opioids and marijuana helpful in dealing with chronic pain?” It is based on the story of the widow and judge in Luke 18:1-8.

from 8:45 to 9 a.m. followed by drama, singing and Bible study. The day will focus the Scripture passage from Job 12:7-8, which says: “Ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ... and the fish of the sea will declare to you.” After the stable visit, there will be games and crafts, and a free home-cooked lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. followed by the blessing of the animals at 12:15 p.m. Adults with or without children are encouraged to bring their

pets for the service. Just Kids/Just Kids Plus is the church’s outreach program for children, their families and others in the community to get to know each as they learn how God calls them to make a difference in the world by caring for others and for our planet. Monthly events, each based around a biblical passage, include fun activities, a project that serves others, and when possible, a trip into the community. While pre-registration is appreciated, it is not

Photo by Dea Jacobson

That cowboy spirit

Gordy Pratt and Dalyce Sellers drew a crowd to the Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center last Friday with their Spirit of the American Cowboy Show. A little campﬁre humor was sprinkled throughout but it was the virtuosic singing of Dalyce, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, along with Gordy’s guitar playing, that turned the audience into instant fans. Gordy dedicated the show to his great uncle, Orville Williams, on whose orchard he spent many summers as a youngster in Cedaredge. Next up at the Arts Center is the Texas Swing band Real Deal, this Friday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. Tickets at the door. For info contact Starr’s Guitars at 856-2331.

required. Participating is as simple as showing up at the church by 9 a.m. To register, conPamela Grubtact kin at the church at pgrubkin@cedaredge

cumc.com or 970-8563696, or stop by the United Methodist Thrift Store on Main Street. For information, contact Pastor Joe Agne, revagne@gmail. com or 720-891-5233.

Old Slaughterhouse lists Applefest winners BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Matt Sheader from Cedaredge’s Old Slaughterhouse music and entertainment venue has announced the winners of this year’s Applefest competitions. The venue sponsored a “Coolest Ride” contest and a “PinUp Girl” competition. Photographs of winning pin-up girls will appear in the venue’s 2019 calendar. Individual winners will account for 11 months with the 12th calendar spot reserved for a group photo of all contestants. Kamie Newman hosted the pin-up contest which was sponsored by Big John’s Lumber/Ace Hardware, Cedaredge Tire & Auto, Short Branch Liquors, Millennium Wellness, Lost Mesa Grill, Green Door Massage Therapy, Altitude Sickness, Kate Anderson and A Project Resource. Tyla Wallace was the overall winner and Miss Applefest. The 10 others, in no particular order, are Alison West, Porsche Triantos, Brandy Eirwin, Amanda Meredith (aka Miss Marie Sunshine), Sistine Thatcher (aka

Sissy Boo), Carri Carles (aka Vida Rose), Candice Carles (aka Cupcake Candy), Sarah Triantos, Kami Collins and Alisha Love. Coolest ride winners are: Chris Tiffany for a 1951 GMC cab-over truck, first place; Kevin Tearney for a 1969 Chevy Nova SS, second place; Ed McCullough’s 1968 Morris Minor panel van and Ishmael Angulo’s customized oldies bicycle, tie for third.

Senior prom scheduled The second annual “Prom for Seniors” will take place Saturday, Oct. 20. The dance for folks aged 21 and older will take place from 7-10 p.m. at The Pondy concert hall in the 200 block of West Main Street. DJs Patty and Skip will spin danceable tunes from the 1950s through the 1980s and donations at the door will go to support the Surface Creek Animal Shelter.

C12 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Esther Barrett

Longtime Cedaredge resident Esther Barrett died Oct. 14, 2018, at her home. She was 95. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta. Interment will follow in Cedaredge Cemetery. Esther Marie Hawkins was born Feb. 24, 1923, to John and Cora (Adams) Hawkins on the family place on Happy Hollow in Eckert. She attended Tongue Creek School, Eckert School and graduated from Cedaredge High School in 1942. On Aug. 2, 1942, she married Vernon Vanderbilt. He preceded her in death on May 22, 1970. On Nov. 14, 1973, she married Leon Barrett. He preceded her in death in March 1993. She later met Willard “Bo” Losh, her companion until his death in 2005. In her younger years, Mrs. Barrett packed apples during fall har-

OBITUARIES

vest and worked at Shep’s Bakery. After leaving the bakery, she was one of the first cooks at the new Horizons Care Center. She was employed at Russell Stover for 20 years. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, crocheting, embroidery, and playing dominoes, cards and the slot machines in Las Vegas, especially the Dolly Parton machines. She is survived by two daughters, Carol Kinderknecht and Verna Wilkerson (Doug Chapman); a stepson, Ed (Kay) Barrett; grandchildren, Loren (Beckie) Kinderknecht, Tracy (Mike) Ott, Robert Wilkerson and Wendi (Robert) Moore; seven greatgrandchildren; two greatgreat-grandchildren; and a special former son-inlaw, Robert Wilkerson. She was preceded in death by her husband and the father of her children, Vernon Vanderbilt; second husband, Leon Barrett; companion, Bo Losh; 12 siblings; and a great-grandson, Paul Kinderknecht. Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest, PO Box 24, Delta, CO 81416. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Arnold Lloyd Michaud

Orville Williams

Cedaredge resident Orville Elias Williams died Oct. 8, 2018, in Grand Junction. He was 96. He was a fruit grower. No services are planned at this time. He is survived by his children, Dan Williams of Cedaredge, Steven Williams of San Francisco, Calif., and JoAnne O’Fallon of Grand Junction; one grandchild; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest Hospice at www.hopewestco.org/ memorial-gifts. Martin Mortuary of Grand Junction handled the arrangements.

Helen Barton

Helen Barton of Cedaredge died Oct. 14, 2018, at HopeWest Care Center in Grand Junction. She was 86. A celebration of life service will be held in summer 2019. She is survived by her children, Tom (Tess) Barton, Robert (Robin) Barton, Russ (Ahn) Barton, Kathy (Bob) MarroccoSmith, Karen (Robert) McCune and Cindy Barton; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Oct. 10, 1951 ~ Oct. 11, 2018 Arnold L. Michaud, 67, passed away in his home on Oct. 11, 2018. He was born Oct. 10, 1951, to Arthur and Joan Michaud of Caribou, Maine. Oldest of six siblings, Laura Bell (deceased), Gary Michaud, Presque Isle, Maine, Tracy Powers, Caribou, Maine, Trudy Wilcox, Woodland, Maine, and Kevin Michaud, Hebron, Maine. Married to Gayla J. (Arndt) Michaud, Delta Colo., for 42 years. He was a father to three daughters, Angela L. Pouliot of East Lebanon, Maine (mother, Debra Anderson), Andrea L. Michaud, Delta, Colo., Amanda L. Michaud-Griffith, Delta, Colo. He was “Grandpa” to six wonderful young people: Derek, Kailey and Savana Pouliot of East Lebanon, Maine, Glen and Brytni Sheets of Delta, Colo., and Zach Stivers of Delta/Eckert, Colo. He was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Aloria Lynae Sheets. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, X-ray technician (DCMH for 33 1/2 years). He loved

Charlotte Kier

hunting, fishing, rockhounding, gold prospecting and EATING. In recent years he was afflicted with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and became a familiar face walking up and down Main Street. His wife wishes to remind you to live each day as though it is your last and to love as though there is no tomorrow. The family will have a public viewing on Sunday, Oct. 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Legacy Funeral Home, 762 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506, and the Graveside Service on Monday, Oct. 22, at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction. Paid obituary

Want to advertise in the DCI? Contact one of our ad reps at 874-4421.

Delta resident Charlotte A. Kier died Oct. 12, 2018, at Colorow Care Center in Olathe. She was 76. A funeral service will be held Friday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1250 Pioneer Road. Internment will follow at the Delta City Cemetery. Charlotte Ann Pauls was born July 15, 1942, to Charles and Phyllis (Cannon) Pauls in El Paso, Texas. She spent her childhood and attended school in Cañon City, graduating from Cañon City High School in 1960. On June 12, 1961, she married Larry Kier in Steamboat Springs. Mrs. Kier was a member of the Cowboy at the Cross Church. In addition to helping on the family ranch, she worked as a dental assistant and as a phlebotomist at Routt Memorial Hospital in Steamboat Springs and Delta County Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, cooking and spending time with

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Delta County Independent

family. Mrs. Kier is survived by her husband of 57 years, Larry Kier; sons, Sheldon (Hazel) Kier, Steve (Tanya) Kier, Shane (Amanda) Kier and Seth (Meghan) Kier; daughter, Staci (Alarik)

Myrin; brother, Wesley (Mindy) Pauls; three sisters, Barbara (Bob) Van Dyke, Lyn Childress and Beverly Tharan; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant son,

Shannon; and infant daughter, Shelby. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Kenneth L. “Buck” Donathan March 9, 1935 ~ Oct. 12, 2018 Kenneth Lee Donathan, known as “Buck,” passed away on Oct. 12, 2018, at the age of 83. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Delta Christian Church, with Pastor James Jesser officiating. Interment will follow at Mesa View Cemetery in Delta. Buck was born on March 9, 1935, to Lee and Vesta (Doyle) Chambers. He spent his entire life in the Delta area. On Nov. 14, 1959, he married Dorothy Vaughn. Buck was a truck and route driver, and also owned food distribution and tool sharpening businesses. He attended Delta Christian Church and Mountain View

Bible Church in Lazear, and was a member of the Delta Lions Club. He is survived by his wife Dorothy; his children Dean (Deborah) Donathan, Vicki (John) Espinoza, Larry (Kristie) Donathan; seven grandchildren; and 10 greatgrandchildren. He will

be lovingly remembered by his siblings Joe Donathan and Carol Haase, his brothers and sistersin-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Shirley Hendricks and Barbara Thomas. Memorial donations may be made to the Delta Lions Club at PO Box 141, Delta, CO 81416, or to a charity of one’s choice. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylorfuneral service.com. Paid obituary

Roxie Dee Fillipi Jan. 7, 1936 ~ Oct. 8, 2018 Roxie Dee Fillipi was born on Jan. 7, 1936, to Archie Lee and Dorothy Elizabeth McGuire Lind in Seattle, Wash., and passed from this life peacefully on Oct. 8, 2018, at her home in Austin. On Dec. 26, 1956, Roxie was married to Carroll D. Fillipi at Columbus, Neb. To their marriage were born four children: Michelle Isom Dean (Jeffrey) of Austin, Colo.; Danielle Schiemer of Salina, Kan.; Jamie Thomas (Jim) of Whitewater, Colo.; and Dr. Jon Fillipi (Debbie) of Salina, Kan. Roxie was a graduate of the St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa and dedicated her life to serving as a Registered Nurse for more than 45 years. She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Columbus, Neb., at St. Anthony Hospital and for Kaiser Permanente in Denver, Colo. The majority of her career was spent in Nursing Management. Roxie was like her

Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ ... selfless, generous, patient, loving, gracious and giving beyond all else. Roxie taught her children and grandchildren a Bible School song, “This little light of mine.” For each one who knew her, she was a special light that brought joy, life and love to living. Roxie was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Carroll; her parents; her sons-inlaw Rick Isom and Carl Schiemer; granddaughter Michelle Little; and one great-great-grandson, Cole Lahoe. She is survived by her children and their

spouses; two brothers, Archie Lind (Rosemary), and John Lind (Kathy); grandchildren Kaitlin Fillipi, Andrew Fillipi (Shelby), Lisa Curtis, Michael Isom (Kim); great-grandchildren Landon Gray, Miles and Lola Weidner, Ira Fillipi, Anthony Thomas (Chelsea), Melissa Bachert (Daniel), Alicia Little, Kayden Isom (Haley), Kristi Lahoe (Michael), Jamie Thomas (Fred); great-greatgrandchildren Jamison Isom, Luna Little Keel, Ashley and Brett Lahoe, Brixon and Kimbree Thomas; and a special “sister” LaDonna Witschi; as well as a host of other nieces, nephews and special friends. Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 at the Mountain View Bible Church in Lazear, Colo. Memorials may be sent to the Mountain View Bible Church Women’s Ministries in Roxie’s name, PO Box 74, Lazear, CO 81420. Paid obituary

Larry Barksdale 1937 ~ 2018 Larry Barksdale, 81, loving husband and dad, grandpa, uncle and dear friend to many in the Cedaredge area recently lost his two-year battle with Mesothelioma. He passed away on Sept. 26th with Becky, his wife of 61 years, at his side. Larry and Becky’s children were all able to spend several quiet days together with Becky after his passing to share their memories. Larry was born in 1937 in southeast Missouri. His family moved to La Junta, Colo., when he was a young boy, then soon moved to Rocky Ford, where he graduated from high school in 1955. In 1957 he married his longtime sweetheart Becky Johannes and they moved to Golden where he attended the Colorado School of Mines, graduating in 1963 with an Engineer of Mines degree. He mined at Climax and Gilman as they started their family but soon decided to move to southern California where he worked in fire retardant drywall manufacturing. After moving to central California, Larry was hired by the Hexcel Corporation, moving his family to

Arizona, Texas, Nevada and eventually back to California. He retired from Hexcel after 28 years. He and Becky then decided to return to Colorado, this time on the Western Slope, in Cedaredge. Here they spent 24 years, acquiring numerous friends that they considered their “Colorado Family.” Larry enjoyed spending time with his family most of all, at home and on numerous family road and camping trips as his children were growing up. After retiring, he and Becky were able to make several trips visiting their favorite spots such as Yellowstone, family reunions in Missouri, and numerous other trips to see the beauty of the United States, that he loved so much. His other interests included studying the Bible, gardening and reading. Larry and Becky attended Thunder Mountain Church of Christ in Delta, and he leaves behind many friends acquired there over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Eva of Rocky Ford and his sister Peggy Sutton of Cedaredge. He is survived by his wife Becky,

and his three children, Lisa (David) Maestas of Arizona, Lori Barksdale of Cedaredge and Bill (Karen) Barksdale of California. He is dearly loved by his grandchildren Megan, Wyatt and Chloe of California and Jake, USMC, Washington DC. He is also survived by his brother Hugh Don (Marilyn) Barksdale of Kentucky, as well as nieces and nephews, and his many dear friends locally and across the country. Thank you to everyone who sent beautiful cards and words of encouragement, love and sympathy to our family. Remembrance Services for Larry will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 11 a.m. with a reception following. The service will be held at Thunder Mountain Church of Christ at 800 Palmer Street in Delta. The family also wishes to thank Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory for their care and attention during this time. In lieu of flowers or meals, the family is requesting that donations be made in Larry’s name to HopeWest, PO Box 24, Delta, CO 81416. Paid obituary

Classifieds

October 17, 2018

Real Estate

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Delta County Independent

BUY • SELL • TRADE

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�� Wanted PERMISSION TO HUNT or farm crop damage tag deer but prefer elk. Kevin Bradshaw. 765-5880. (4x39)

Autos 2017 TOYOTA HIGHlander-$31,000. Towing package, 3rd row seating, custom floor and trunk mats, trunk shelf, lane departure sensors, GPS, Sirius, only 11,200 miles! 970-714-0906. (4x39)

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HELP WANTED: THE City of Delta is now accept- �� ing applications for a �� Municipal Service Worker �� I in the Public Works �� Department. Position is full- �� time with benefits, starting �� salary is $17.24/hr. Under �� direct supervision performs �� a variety of unskilled and �� semi-skilled manual labor �� in the construction and �� maintenance of roadways, �� water and sewer systems, drainage facilities, build- �� ings, other public facilities, �� and in refuse collection; �� drives truck and operates �� light equipment incidental �� to the work; will provide �� proper security of offend- �� ers while supervising and �� instructing offender labor �� performing community ser- �� vice tasks; Must possess or �� be able to acquire a Class B �� commercial driver license �� within first six months of employment; possess both �� valid Colorado Class 1 �� Collection and Distribution �� Certifications or able �� to obtain within first 24 �� months of employment; �� any combination of training �� and experience equivalent �� to graduation of high school �� with some experience as �� a laborer. Will be required �� to successfully pass a pre- �� employment drug screen �� and background check. �� Submit completed City of �� Delta employment applica�� tion to the City of Delta, �� Attn: Human Resources, 360 Main Street, Delta, CO 81416 �� by deadline date of October �� 19, 2018 by 4:30 p.m. Full job description and applications available at the above ADVERTISE! 874-4421 address or online at www. cityofdelta.net. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. EOE (2x41) SIGN UP TODAY FOR a subscription to the DCI!

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�� NOW HIRING EXPERIenced coal miners!!!! Hiring coal miners in Carbon County, Price Utah area. Offering competitive wages, benefits and per diem for the probationary period of 30-90 days. Please email current resume to cbueno@zookssolutions. com or call 1-505-330-6038. (4x41) MAIN STREET PRINTING Wanted: Prepress / Graphic Designer. Main responsibility is to prepare and format artwork submitted by the client or designed internally for printing on various media. Other job functions may include: basic typesetting, copying documents, graphic design, customer service and job estimating and invoicing. Portfolio is recommended but not required. Please send applications and resumes via email to: contact@mainstprinting. com, Attn: Hiring Manager - or feel free to drop by in-person at: 220 N. Palmer Street, Suite E in Delta, Colorado. (1x42)

WANTED OFFICE ADMINistrator - Requires some AR QuickBooks knowledge, great people skills, answering phone, route work orders, ordering of materials, drug testing pre-requisite required. Apply in person at Doughty Steel, 685 Hwy. 92, Delta, CO 81416 or mail application to PO Box 690, Delta, CO 81416. (2x42) THE GALLEGOS CORPoration seeks experienced Tile Setters to work with us in the Roaring Fork Valley/ Aspen Area. 3-5 years experience. $25-30/Hr BOE. Full Benefits, Housing Stipend and/or Per Diem. Please visit careers.gallegoscorp. com or call Paula at (970)471-2168. (4x41)

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D2 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 Help Wanted HELP WANTED: THE City of Delta is now accepting applications for a Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer. Position is full-time with an excellent benefit package, starting salary is $19.45/hr DOE. Under direct supervision of the Community Development Director, patrols City streets and performs work in the enforcement of ordinances relating to animal control, public nuisances, property maintenance, signs and parking; makes site inspections; issues violations, warnings or summons notices; maintains records including computerized files on the status of complaints and violations; collects fees and arranges for the release of animals; prepares evidence and provides testimony for violations in municipal court; testifies in court and conducts follow-up inspections for compliance. Job requirements include any combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation of high school with some experience in public speaking and experience handling animals. Must possess a valid Colorado driver’s license. Will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. Submit completed City of Delta employment application to the City of Delta, Attn: Human Resources, 360 Main Street, Delta, CO 81416 by deadline date of October 19, 2018 by 4:30PM. Full job description and applications available at the above address or online at www. cityofdelta.net. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. EOE (3x40) WANT TO MAKE A QUICK sale, advertise in the Delta County Independent's Classifieds. Call 874-4421 SUBSCRIBE!

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Public Service HOW DO I SELL MY Cottage Food products? You may sell your products directly to the consumer from your residence, roadside stand, Farmers’ market, community supported agricultural organizations, or other similar venue. If you have any questions, please call: 874-2165. Delta County Health Department. (4X39)

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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

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.

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.

CARING FOR CAREgivers, C4C - supporting hearts that care. Open THE DELTA COUNTY to ANY caregiver. Meets SUPPORT THE DELTA Independent runs these monthly in Delta, 2nd Library. Give a gently used items as a public service Tuesday at 11 a.m. - 511 E. book in the Downstairs free of charge for non-profit 10th St, Delta. Book Store. organizations, if no fees are charged. However, each THE ABRAHAM CONNECgroup is asked to please tion homeless shelter, keep them current by call- located at 480 Silver St., Delta, offers emergency ing 874-4421. overnight shelter and food THE KINGS TABLE SOUP to men, women and famiKitchen needs egg cartons. lies in the Delta area midIf you have any to give October- April. Call us at please call 250-6637 and we 970-773-8290 to make a will pick up. referral, or for information on how to volunteer DOMESTIC VIOLENCE or donate. www.Delta Support Group for Adults A b r a h a m C o n n e c t i o n . and Children: Every org. Wednesday in Delta from 5-7 p.m. there will be a free FREE DIAPERS FOR UP support group for adults to one year! Pregnant whose lives have been women in Delta County can impacted by domestic vio- now get help to quit smoklence and a separate group ing and get something they for children at the same can really use after their time. Please call 970-874- baby arrives — free diapers. 4941 to sign up. Healthy moms have healthy babies. Enroll in the Baby & WANNA PLAY A ROUND? Me Tobacco Free program Golf with a fun group of today. Contact the Delta ladies. Two membership County Health Department options available. Sign up at 874-2165 or your local at www.cedaredgeladies physician. golf.com. Get to know us on Facebook at “cedar WELCOME RETURNING Veterans, Post 9221 VFW edgeladiesgolfclub” meets at 5:00 p.m. on the ALCOHOLICS ANONY- 4th Thursday of each month mous meets Thursdays at 7 in Cedaredge. To find out p.m. Friends of Bill W. Club. how to participate in pro897 Palmer Street, Delta. moting patriotism and CO FATHER’S NETWORK- assisting veterans, contact dedicated to providing Wayne Hamrick, (970) 250community and education 1180. to fathers of special needs AARP DRIVER SAFETY kids. Meets twice monthly Course. Save on insurance, on the 1st Saturday at 11 keep up on newer traffic a.m. and the 3rd Monday laws, learn defensive drivat 6:30 p.m. - 511 E. 10th St, ing techniques. For details Delta. See our website for and schedule contact John more details: www.codads. Loring (970) 856-6924 or org (970) 424-1778.

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.

INDEPENDENT

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Delta County Independent

CHECK OUT THE BOOK store at the Delta Library. You'll find a great selection of paperbacks at reasonable prices. IF YOU LOVE BOOKS, you will love the Downstairs Bookstore in the basement of the Delta Library. DELTA FOOD PANTRY needs meals for Delta families who are temporarily in need. Donations of nonperishable food may be brought to 628 Meeker. 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. 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. 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 1-844-990-5500.

401 Meeker St. • Delta 970-874-4421 www.deltacountyindependent.com

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

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D4 Wednesday, October 17, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

What’s happening at your library? 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. Discover Health Scavenger Hunt. Kids are invited to embark on a scavenger hunt and learn some fun health facts along the way! During the month of October during library hours. Preserve America. Patrons are invited to Cedaredge Library for a presentation of “Preserve America” with guest speaker Hunter Voss. Hunter Voss is a seventh grade student at the Cedaredge Middle School who is also a Next Generation Steward through Preserve America. Light refreshments will be provided. Friday, Oct. 19,

at 4 p.m. at Cedaredge Library. Just a Spoonful of Sugar. Bring the entire family to Cedaredge Library for a discussion and demonstration about sugar in our food and drinks. Participants will make a healthy snack to take home. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 5:30 p.m. 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. Digging Your Roots Genealogy Group. If you have a nagging curiosity about your family’s beginning or a family legend you have always wanted to prove, then join the “Digging Your Roots” genealogy group at Cedaredge Library. The group meets the first

Friday of every month through June from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Crawford Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and 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. Wellness Screening. Adults are invited to Delta Library for a free health screening. Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 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. Thursday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. Build a Skeleton Scavenger Hunt. Kids are invited to Delta Library to search for hidden bones in the children’s area and build a moving skeleton. Create a Hand Maker Space. Kids are invited to Delta Library to create a movable hand using straws and colored string. Participants will see how tendons and ligaments work. All supplies provided. In the children’s area during library hours. Council of Teens. Calling all teens! Do you want to have a say in what goes on in the library? Do you want to help choose the books we purchase? Join the Delta Library 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 Monday at 4 p.m. 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. Eating Healthy Mediterranean Style. Adults are invited to Hotchkiss Library for a healthy cooking class! Chef Anthony Reichenbach will be presenting a culinary class encompassing light, healthy cooking, with a focus on traditional Italian food. Thursday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. Hotchkiss Book Club. This month, the

Hotchkiss Book Club will be discussing “The Little Paris Bookshop” by Nina George. Thursday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. Discover Health Scavenger Hunt. Kids are invited to Hotchkiss Library for a healththemed scavenger hunt. During library hours in October. Paonia Storytimes. Baby, tot and preschooler storytimes are Tuesdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact library at 399-7881 for details. Halloween BOOmark Maker Space. Teens are invited to Paonia Library Oct. 2331 during library hours to make a Halloweenthemed bookmark. Halloween Scavenger Hunt. Kids are invited to Paonia Library for a Halloween themed scavenger hunt. In October during library hours. 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.

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Delta County Independent

B A C K P A G E

Visiting with June

BY ANNETTE BRAND

Photos submitted

Family and friends, from the left: June’s late son Scott Mills and his wife Faye; Roy and Lynn Cranor of Steamboat Springs; Joanna and Harley Cranor; and June in front center. Joanna and Harley visit June regularly on Saturday or Sunday.

Staff Writer

une Mills has been a familiar face and presence in Delta County for a long time. People who come to visit other residents at Crossroads Assisted Living often greet June in the hallway, or knock on her door and stop to visit for a few minutes. And of course people come to Crossroads specifically to visit with June. June was born north of Austin to Boyd and Lucille Fergus in 1926. “I liked to play with the boys more than with the girls when I was a child because the boys climbed trees and did other things that were fun,” June said. “And I liked to sleep on the hay stack at night and listen to the cattle lowing.” June said her life as a young person centered around the church. She has cherished memories of Baptist Camp on Grand Mesa and her school teacher, Mary Ann Kasting, who also taught the young people at camp. They played games called Flying Dutchman, Two Deep, and Prince of Paris Lost His Hat. “We really enjoyed the vesper services by the lake with the campfires going.

“I had a wonderful childhood,” June said. June recalled the Austin flood, when Fruit Growers reservoir flooded and boulders were being undermined and tumbling all over the area. “A lot of the houses were flooded away and the Baptist Church had water in the basement. “We were up on the hill and escaped the flood,” June recalled. June graduated from Delta High School, as had her mother Lucille, and later her son Scott. As many people in Delta County will remember, June was a hairdresser. For 68 years, including the time she spent in beauty school in Grand Junction, she said. The beauty school was up above the J.C. Penney store and June lived with a family in Grand Junction. She rode her bike a lot while she was there. “One day I biked back to the house and went to my room. Then it hit me — I left that lady under the dryer! I hopped on my bicycle, went back to the beauty school, and took her out from under the dryer. She didn’t realize she had been under the dryer longer than usual.” After June was back in Delta and had her own beauty

June Fergus and Pete Mills on their wedding day, Feb. 23, 1945.

A State Patrol ofﬁcer followed June Mills for several miles one day, then stopped her to tell her he was giving her a Safety Driver’s Award. He later presented the certiﬁcate to June at her Orchid Room beauty shop.

shop, one of her clients was Helen Mills. While June was fixing Helen’s hair one day, she said, “I want you for my daughter-inlaw. I have a son in Alaska who is just right for you.” Helen’s son was Pete Mills, who was discharged from the military a short time after that. For their first date, June and Pete, and four other couples, went to see a movie at the Egyptian Theatre. Asked if she liked Pete on their first date, June said, “Yes, I did. He was quiet, and yes I did.” June and Pete were married Feb. 23, 1945, in the Baptist Church in Austin, the first couple to be married in the new church. June recalled teaching a class of fourth graders in Sunday School at the Baptist Church in Austin. “I really did love them,” she said. June and Pete built their home on a parcel of land north of Austin owned by her parents and where her parents’ had built their home. June had no brothers or sisters. Pete came from a family with 10 children. June wanted one child. Pete and June had that one child, Scott, born April 25, 1951. When Scott was a student at Mesa College, he would come home on weekends, and other students would be home from their colleges for the weekend. Youth from both the Baptist and Methodist churches would gather with their friends from college at Pete and June’s house. June’s mother was a good cook. The youth would eat good food, play games and party on Scott’s lawn. Tears running down her cheeks, June said Scott had died at age 57 of a malignant brain tumor. June is a definite brunette. In her shop one day she watched the process as another hair dresser bleached her client’s hair to striking blonde. June liked what she saw. She asked the hairdresser to change her hair to blonde. After it was accomplished, she telephoned Pete, asking, “What if I come home as a blonde?” Pete: “You’d better not come home as a blonde.” June: “Then where shall I go? I’m already a blonde.” Pete: “Well, come on home then.” June was a blonde for about four years and it was Pete who did the process rather than June having it done in the beauty shop. June’s first beauty shop in Delta was behind Crown Drug Store and called Crown Beauty Shop. Later she named her shop the Orchid Room. Its last location was 463 Main Street. She decorated the Orchid Room in purple and white and bought uniforms for the hairdressers in three different styles, but all in purple and white. Deava, a hairdresser who

June Mills, right, and Marcie Melvin, Activities Director at Crossroads, in front of June’s room as June leaves for lunch. worked with June for a long Bingo, Gotcha Ya, card games. time, also did the window dis- Singers, musicians and other plays at the Orchid Room. To entertainers perform in our June’s delight, Deava is now dining room for our enjoythe hairdresser at the salon at ment. We have worship services here on Sundays,” June Crossroads. People passing by would tap said. Pastor James Conley of on the window at the Orchid Room, or stick their heads in First Baptist in Delta comes to visit June. the door to say hello. Her daughter-in-law Faye June’s uncle said to her, “I don’t see how you get any- Mills visits often, a favorite thing done, one hand waving guest, and helps June with at people on the street and bookwork. Friends and family take one hand doing hair.” In 1995 Delta’s mayor June out to restaurants in proclaimed Sept. 9, 1995, Delta, Olathe and Montrose. June Mills Day. In the proc- She said she goes out, not lamation there were three expecting to see anyone she WHEREAS clauses giving the knows, but always someone 50-year history of the loca- comes up to their table and tion of June’s beauty shop, says, “Hi, June.” then, “NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert W. Jay, Mayor of the City of Delta, Colorado, hereby proclaim Sept. 9, 1995 as June Mills Day in the City of Delta and encourage all our citizens to participate in the June Mills Day and congratulate June Mills on 50 years of service to her clients.” “I have been at Crossroads about four years,” June said. “I love it here. I push a button and some pleasant staff member knocks, then opens the door and asks, “How can we help you, Miss June?” She finds the food to be very good. “Irma Brisco plays dominos with me every night. We June as a blonde. have all kinds of activities —

Hairdressers from the Orchid Room on Main Street, Delta, from the left, Linda Nelson, June Mills and Viola Antal.