Delta County Independent, Oct. 24, 2018

Page 1

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

SPOOKY FUN

Rocky Horror shadow cast kicks off Halloween activities, B1

SPORTS

A LITTLE HELP

SPRINTING TO THE END

Volunteers help senior citizens with yard, household tasks, C1

DELTA COUNTY

Cross-country runners set their sights on state competition, B5-8

OCTOBER 24, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 43

75¢

INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Soper’s residency raises questions BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

A recent news article has raised questions about Matt Soper’s residency, but the questions do not appear to affect his eligibility to run for state representative from District 54. Soper responded to those questions via a short email to the DCI: “Typical October surprise. The fact is I was born and raised in Delta, graduated from Delta High School, and live in Delta. They don’t talk about the issues, but I do.” The Daily Sentinel article also raises the specter of voter fraud, by pointing out that Soper’s ballot is mailed to his family home, but not his current place of residence, which is also in the City of Delta and well within the boundaries of District 54. Teri Stephenson, Delta County clerk and recorder, clarified the issue with the Colorado secretary of state on Monday morning, and confirmed Soper’s registration for 10 Hartig, his family home, is in compliance. She cited a state statute that outlines the rules to be used to determine the residence of a person intending to register or to vote in any precinct in this state: “The residence of a person is the principal or primary home or place of abode of a person. A principal or primary home or place of abode is that home or place in which a person’s habitation is fixed and to which that person, whenever absent, has the present intention of

Large quantity of meth located Just after midnight on Oct. 16, officers from the Delta Police Department arrested Nathaniel Michael Hammond, 24, of Montrose. He was jailed after officers found approximately 74.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine and items relating to the distribution of drugs in his possession. He is charged with alleged possession of controlled substance, a Class 4 drug felony, and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, a Class 2 drug felony. Hammond was also arrested on six warrants with a total of $19,750 in bonds. Officer Will Hammon and K9 Raico assisted with the arrest, providing specialized K9 drug detecHammond tion skills.

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Back Page ................... D6 Business .......................A12 Church ............................C6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ....................A10 School Zone ............... A6-7 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports ..........................B5-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4

returning after a departure or absence, regardless of the duration of the absence.” “When you register, there’s an intent clause, that if you intend on moving back or at some point making that your residence, you can do so,” Stephenson explained. On Monday, the 7th Judicial District Attorney’s Office confirmed receipt of a complaint alleging improper voter registration, and said it is under investigation. The complaint itself will not be released. According to the DA’s office, “An investigation regarding allegations of unlawful residency for voter registration are typically very involved and lengthy.” A second complaint challenges Soper’s eligibility for candidacy. That complaint, Stephenson said, was not filed in a timely manner. “The complaint would have needed to be filed within five days after ballot certification, and that was not done,” Stephenson said. She added, “What can SOPER TO A3

Runway project takes off

Photos submitted

Blake Field is swarming with construction vehicles, as reconstruction of the main runway takes place. Updates to the 30-year-old runway will include a new taxiway from the west end of the runway back to the main taxiway, as well as a new runway lighting system. Construction will close the main runway for approximately three months. In the meantime, Delta County Road & Bridge constructed a dirt crosswind runway that is open for use. Scott Woodrow of Armstrong Consultants and Cheryl Husmann of Smiling Aviation, the fixed base operator at Blake Field, provided these photos of United Construction crews at work on the project. The aerial shot illustrates partial removal of the pavement, as seen from the darker area. The new crosswind runway is pictured on the left side of the photo.

Planning commission restructuring, land use code update are in the works BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

County commissioners Doug Atchley, Don Suppes and Mark Roeber met with members of the Delta County Planning Commission Oct. 17 at the Maloney House in Hotchkiss in preparation for the land use code update and restructuring of the planning commission. County planning commission members are: from District 1, Angela Mackey, vice chair, Steve Schrock and Steve Shea; from District 2, Layne Brones, Tate Locke, Lucinda Stanley; from District 3, Tony Prendergast, Kim Shay, Bob Stechert, chair. In regard to the land use code update, Elyse Casselberry, county community and economic development director, reported that the two working groups formed after adoption of the Master Plan will be presenting their reports in the near future. The Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) working group has completed its meetings and its report is being compiled. The Oil and Gas Working Group will have its final formal meeting on Nov. 29. Both working groups will participate in a joint meeting with county commissioners and planning commission members soon, at which time the land use process will begin. Casselberry said the Master Plan and working group processes have provided tremendous GIS data. The county has not evaluated land use regulations since the 1970s.

The consultant RPI took the lead role in outreach and gathering data during the Master Plan process. Commissioner Atchley said the county is very confident in having the current county staff lead the land use planning process, although the consultant attorney will play a major role. Commissioner Suppes noted the commissioners and staff had an hour long conversation with the consultant attorney that morning and he has the needed base of knowledge and experience in drawing up land use regulations in counties similar to Delta County.

Tony Prendergast asked if the public will be involved in the process of drawing up the land use regulations. The commissioners and Casselberry said the public will be involved. The need for a water working group was discussed by all present, including the complexity of identifying how many sources and providers of water are currently part of Delta County’s efforts. Atchley said that was part of the discussion between the county and the consultant held that day. Suppes said it may come down to a regional map for water sources. Regarding restructuring

of the planning commission, area planning committees will no longer be part of the planning process. Instead, the planning commission will be restructured to include nine members and three associate members, beginning in January. Associate members will not vote except in the absence of a member. Bob Stechert, planning commission chairman, noted benefits of having associate members: there will always be a quorum present, and the associate members will provide better continuity for the planning commission. All three county commissioners agreed.

DMEA membership votes yes on Articles of Incorporation changes At a special meeting Oct. 16 and through mail-in ballots, the Delta-Montrose Electric Association membership voted 2,677-1,248 to approve amended and restated Articles of Incorporation, giving the co-op the authority to operate under Article 56 of the Colorado Cooperative Act. In doing so, Jasen Bronec, CEO, said the membership has positioned DMEA for its next 80 years and has helped ensure that the cooperative remain competitive, reliable, and costeffective. One of the most significant changes under Article 56 is that it allows DMEA to issue capital stock as a way to raise capital for important projects.

The value of water: A collaboration As we close out an extremely dry water year, water users in the Colorado River Basin grapple with how to react to looming shortages. Join Audubon Rockies, Black Canyon Audubon Society, Trout Unlimited, the Business for Water Stewardship, Mayfly Outdoors, and the Colorado River District for an evening of community, food and discussion about charting Colorado’s water future. The evening will include a conversation about water by a diverse panel of participants with backgrounds in wildlife biology, water management, law, policy and planning, and outdoor recreation with ample opportunity for questions and public engagement. Topics will cover drought impacts, risk reduction, and the economic and ecological benefits of healthy rivers. The discussion will take place Thursday, Oct. 25, from 5:45 to 8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 1391 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose.

“I’d like to personally thank the membership for the trust you have placed in DMEA’s board and staff. Our revised Articles of Incorporation will allow us to operate under more modern standards and give us flexibility when pursuing a variety of member-driven projects,” stated Bronec. Some of the key changes to the articles are related to DMEA’s wholesale power supplier, Tri-State. DMEA’s board and management have looked to address Tri-State’s increasing costs. One option that DMEA has been considering is buying out of its Tri-State contract. The yes vote on the Articles of Incorporation gives DMEA the financial flexibil-

ity to raise money by issuing capital stock, which could be used to fund the potential buyout. “We believe addressing our power supply costs is essential for long-term rate stabilization for our members. This was the primary driver behind our recommendation to amend and restate the Articles of Incorporation. We recognize that some of our members were not proponents of the initiative. Their ability to make their voice heard through this vote represents what I hold most dear about cooperatives. Our membership, has given us direction — it’s the best example of local control I can think of,” stated Bronec.

Voter center opens

On Monday, Oct. 22, a voter service and polling center opened in the Delta County Courthouse, where residents can vote in person, drop off a ballot and register to vote. The center will be open through Election Day. All voters who vote in person must provide identification. The courthouse, North Fork Annex and Cedaredge Library also have 24-hour drop boxes, for those who wish to avoid paying 71¢ in postage to return their ballots by mail. Voters can still get a mail ballot sent to them by registering or updating their address at www.GoVoteColorado.com or by texting “CO” to “28683” (2VOTE). Voters can also check the status of their ballot at the same site. Oct. 22 was also the first day that county clerks could begin counting ballots, although no results may be disclosed until after 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 6.


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