NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
UNDER CONSTRUCTION Paonia shifts to contract building services, B1
SPORTS
COMPLAINTS INCREASE Orchard City’s “Live and let live,” approach debated, C1
DELTA COUNTY
RAISING THE STAKES
High school soccer, volleyball, football teams enter playoffs, B6-8 OCTOBER 31, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 44
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INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
County supports seismic operations BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer
On Tuesday, Oct. 23, Delta County Commissioners Doug Atchley, Don Suppes and Mark Roeber met in work session with representatives from Gunnison Energy in regard to Gunnison Energy’s proposed Iron Point Seismic Project. Gunnison Energy has proposed conducting a 3-D seismic operation on approximately 28,000 acres of public lands north of Paonia to determine if there is oil and gas potential, determine the best locations for exploratory drilling, and to identify subsurface features that could impede development of existing oil and gas leases. Several constituents attended the work session. Since it was a work session, constituent comments were not taken, but conservation groups in the North Fork allege survey crews have already begun exploration. In a press release issued earlier this month, Andrew Forks-Gudmundson with Citizens for a Healthy Community commented, “That the operator is trying to sneak this by the public without even informing the counties is a big problem. It sets a dangerous precedent if they’re allowed to disregard regulations and ask for permission later.” The commissioners and county staff did not comment on those allegations, focusing
on the required specific development application. Gunnison Energy has been asked to address access by Delta County’s local government designee; emergency response requirements; fire protection; flood plain; federal, state and local regulations; impact on agriculture; insurance; offsite staging areas; roads and access (applicable to roads within Delta County’s jurisdiction); exchange of information; and trash and waste removal. The commissioners held a special meeting on Oct. 25 to finalize a comment letter to District Ranger Levi Broyles, noting their understanding that the project is on a combination of private and federal land. On the private land located Photo by Pat Sunderland in Delta County, the county is requiring Gunnison Energy to submit a specific developJonni Kendrick, co-owner of Delta Ace Hardware, makes sure kids have enough nuts, ment application to include a bolts, screws, chenille sticks and other items to adorn their pumpkins at the free kids’ detailed plan for fuel storage decorating event hosted annually by the store. Kids went through over 200 pumpkins and containment. grown locally by Bill and Kathy English. In regard to federal land included in the project, the commissioners acknowledged their lack of regulatory authority for that portion of the project; however, they requested that information gained from this project be shared with the county. The commissioners stated in their comment letter, The Grand Mesa, forest supervisor Scott Armen- of the Western Slope and I “Delta County believes that Uncompahgre and Gunnison trout. He departs the GMUG know the spirit of working seismic operations are a (GMUG) National Forests having accepted a position for together will help to solve any IRON POINT TO A3 announces the departure of the Department of Energy in future challenges.” Portland, Ore. His last day of Deputy forest supervisor work was Oct. 22. Chad Stewart will be the actArmentrout assumed ing forest supervisor for the duties as the GMUG forest GMUG. He joined the GMUG supervisor in the fall of 2012 in June and is thoroughly and has been with the Forest familiar with the issues and Service for 31 years. He spent management of the forest. His extensive time in leadership knowledge and experience will that very clear,” he said, “but finance the nonprofit. Council member Gerald positions including time as a provide the forest, its partners at some point we won’t be getRoberts commented on salary district ranger for the Medi- and surrounding communities ting by any longer.” Betsy Suerth, public works/ increases across all depart- cine Bow-Routt National with continuity of manageutilities director, said every ments. Most employees will Forest and Thunder Basin ment, providing for a smooth employee in her department receive a 3.5 percent cost of National Grassland, the assis- transition. Prior to the GMUG, Stewis involved in operations; living raise, but part-time tant national wildlife program an administrative assistant employees will see a much manager for the U.S. Forest art worked on the Medicine could help track data, answer larger increase when mini- Service in Washington, D.C., Bow-Routt National Forest phones and take care of “basic mum wage jumps to $11.20 and the forest supervisor for and Thunder Basin National Grassland where he served as office stuff.” She said even in 2019. The minimum wage the Sierra National Forest. “I will really miss work- the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears part-time help would be ben- mandate hits parks and receficial. reation the hardest. The pool ing here and am grateful to District Ranger in Steamboat City council believes mar- alone requires 18,367 man- all of communities for work- Springs since 2013. He has keting is key to increasing hours per year, which equates ing together to solve some over 20 years of experience in sales tax revenues for the city, to an additional expense of significant challenges,” said public land management. He so is considering either hir- $16,530, noted Wilma Erven, Armentrout. “People here holds a B.S. in biology from ing someone dedicated to that director of parks, recreation work together to find mutu- the University of Oregon, an ally agreeable solutions and M.S. in forest ecology from effort, or contracting with a and golf. Roberts also commented that’s what made my work the University of Minnesota, firm that would provide that service. The City of Fruita on the transfers to the golf gratifying. I feel privileged to and an MBA from Touro Unirecently engaged a market- course, which total $495,000 have worked for the residents versity. ing consultant and council for 2019. Those could be elimimembers expressed interest nated with approval of the in hearing more about the ser- half-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot. That vices provided by that firm. “The bottom line is, we’re sales tax increase would help not keeping up with increas- cover operations and maining expenses,” said Mayor Ron tenance, but the city would Austin. “That makes the mar- still have to come up with keting position really, really $145,000 for debt service of important.” Devil’s Thumb. To cover that expense, Council agreed to continue council is debating a reduc- the budget discussion after tion in the $50,000 allocated the Nov. 6 election, when to Delta County Economic they’ll know whether they can Development in 2018. Council expect an additional $900,000 members agree the city should to $1 million in revenue for Scott Armentrout Chad Stewart support DCED, but shouldn’t parks, golf and recreation.
No sharp instruments required
Forest supervisor leaves GMUG for Oregon position
City budget discussion focuses on marketing, law enforcement, DCED BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The Delta City Council has held a series of work sessions to discuss the city’s budget for 2019. Council members have heard presentations from all department heads and city manager David Torgler as they tweak expenditures for the coming year. During the most recent work session, they addressed the addition of personnel, including police officers, a public works administrative assistant and a marketing position. Police chief Luke Fedler has requested three additional officers, which would add $231,141 to his department’s budget. A pledge of $50,000 from Delta County Joint School District would help offset the annual salary of a school resource officer. The chief would also like an additional patrol officer and an investigator who would target illegal drugs. “It’s a huge ask,” he said, while citing the increased calls for service and FBI statistics that recommend 24 to 31 officers for a city of Delta’s size. The department currently has 17 officers. “We’re managing, I’ll make
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Back Page ................... D6 Bruin Tracks ............. C3-6 Business .......................A12 Church ............................C8 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ................. A2, A10 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-3 Obituaries .................. A6-7 School Zone .................. A8 Sports ..........................B6-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-7 TV Listings ..................B4-5
Shelter opens Nov. 1
Voter turnout is strong
Abraham Connection Homeless Shelter opens for its 11th season Thursday, Nov. 1. Last winter, the shelter provided 1,940 bed nights to 120 different individuals with the help of 300-plus volunteers. The homeless shelter also provides case management services. “Our goal is to help individuals get back on their feet — in whatever way that looks like for them,” said board president Cheryl Oeltjenbruns. To volunteer in any capacity, call 970-773-8290.
The Delta County clerk and recorder’s office reports strong voter turnout for the Nov. 6 election. As of Tuesday morning, over 6,000 ballots had been cast, including 3,092 by Republicans, 1,688 unaffiliated and 1,278 by Democrats. A reminder: 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, so it’s advisable to use a 24-hour drop-off box in Cedaredge, Hotchkiss or Delta, or vote at the polling center in the county courthouse. To check your mail ballot status, or find an in-person voting location or ballot drop-off location, visit www.govotecolorado.com.
Bands compete
The marching bands from Delta and Cedaredge high schools traveled to Pueblo Monday, Oct. 29, to compete in the state championships sponsored by the Colorado Bandmasters Association. All bands compete in the semifinals, with the top marching units moving on to the finals later in the day. In Class 1A, Cedaredge was one of five bands qualifying for the final round of competition. The band placed fifth, with Estes Park garnering the most points for first. Competing in Class 2A, Delta failed to make the cut. Classical Academy was named state champion.