NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
A BRIGHT FUTURE
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A WAY WITH WORDS
Ambulance, rec district are upbeat about election results, B1
A LOOK BACK
Phil Ellsworth proclaimed poet laureate in Cedaredge, 3B
DELTA COUNTY
DHS soccer team creates the expectation of success, B6 NOVEMBER 14, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 46
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Medical marijuana gets a thumb’s up in Delta BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Two of the four marijuana questions on the Novem-
ber ballot were narrowly approved by voters in the City of Delta. Measure 2F allows the establishment of medical
marijuana centers. Measure 2H permits the establishment of medical marijuana cultivation, testing, research and
manufacturing facilities. The two other questions dealing with recreational marijuana failed, also by narrow margins. But don’t look for medical marijuana to be available in Delta any time soon. As the local licensing authority, the Delta City Council will first consider regulations, zoning and possibly a limit on the number of operations to be permitted. While a previous council did some groundwork on the subject, the two newest council members will have an opportunity to add their input.
City council weighs three-month moratorium
Photo by Don Benjamin
Spectacular sunset
According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife Delta’s Confluence Lake was recently stocked with catchable 10-inch trout. But apparently the fish didn’t get the memo because angling has been spotty on the 60-acre lake. Nevertheless, the surrounding urban park with its wide trails and spectacular sunsets remains a popular destination.
With approval of land swap, DURA considers next steps BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer
On Nov. 8, the Delta Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) met for the first time since September to talk about several potential development projects in the City of Delta. City manager David Torgler said that voter approval of the sale or exchange of the Riverbend and Cottonwood parks provides the city more opportunities to create projects to benefit the community. Torgler noted there are two federally designated Opportunity Zones in Delta for which funding is available for development of property. Several ideas were discussed in a general manner regarding developments: a start-up business incubator on Main Street and a health care facility, as well as concentrating on a hotel. It was suggested a local hotel could
be approached about upgrading to create the kind of hotel the board looked at before, or building a hotel on a six-acre city-owned property between the river and the rec center. Nathan Clay said the board needs to look at development long term, in a multi-faceted approach over several years, and to start with a piece of the greater plan. The non-city members agreed that the City of Delta needs to have the Riverbend and Cottonwood land appraised to know their value. After the value of the land is determined, the city should decide what it wants to do with the property. Then the DURA board can meet again to pick up the discussion and move forward. Members of DURA are, representing the city, Mayor Ron Austin and councilmembers Kevin Carlson, Chris Ryan, Nathan Clay and Gerald
Delta man charged with voter interference A warrant is being sought for the arrest of Christopher Scott Taylor, 34, of Delta for allegations related to mail ballots and intimidation. The two offenses are misdemeanors. The Delta Police Department requested a warrant for these charges through the DA’s office after viewing video surveillance that
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shows Taylor deliberately prohibiting individuals from dropping their mail ballots into the voter drop box in front of the Delta County Courthouse at 501 Palmer Street. Thomas allegedly draped himself over the drop box, and also verbally attacked at least two voters trying to use the drop box on Oct. 31.
Roberts; Delta County Commissioner Don Suppes; Bill Crank, representing special districts; Jill Jurca, representing the school district; and Tom Huerkamp, a mayoral appointee.
In the meantime, city attorney David McConaughy is recommending a moratorium on the acceptance and processing of applications for medical marijuana establishment licenses. Adoption of an emergency ordinance was on the agenda for a special meeting Tuesday, Nov. 13. To give the city time to develop and enact the necessary licensing and zoning provisions, the ordinance proposes a three-month moratorium. Assuming the ordinance is approved, the moratorium goes into effect immediately. Businesses that are eventually licensed by the city and by the state can sell only to registered patients or primary caregivers. According to the Colorado Retail Marijuana Code, a product infused with medical marijuana is intend-
ed for use or consumption other than by smoking, and can include edible products, ointments and tinctures. Voters previously approved a 5 percent excise tax on unprocessed marijuana and a 2 percent special sales tax on retail sales, on top of the city’s 3 percent sales tax. The city already has at least one interested applicant, John Thomas, who attended the Oct. 16 meeting of the Delta City Council. Thomas previously owned a medical marijuana dispensary in the City of Delta, which was closed by a vote of the citizens. He now operates a dispensary in Montrose County called the Green Meadows. He said if the marijuana ballot issue passed, he would like the honor of doing business in the City of Delta again. In addition to the four marijuana questions, voters approved the sale or swap of city-owned properties including the ML&P plant, Riverbend Park and Cottonwood Park. A professional appraisal is being conducted on Riverbend and Cottonwood, as well as the St. James properties that are being considered for the land swap. A half-cent sales tax increase for parks, recreation and golf was defeated 70 percent to 30 percent. That measure would have generated $900,000-plus for that fund. After adjourning Tuesday night’s special meeting, council members moved into a work session to continue discussion of the 2019 budget, a discussion that had been delayed until after the election.
Republicans maintain hold on county offices BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The election results are in, and as expected, Democrats did well in state and national races. Jared Polis, Colorado’s new governor, led a slate of Democratic candidates to victory, including Jene Griswold, secretary of state; Dave Young, state treasurer; and Phil Weiser, attorney general. With a ballot full of local and state measures, voter turnout in Delta County topped 71 percent, with 15,889 ballots cast. Statewide, voter turnout was just over 52 percent. Results will not be official until the canvass later this month, but with just over 100 votes outstanding countywide, it’s unlikely the results will change. The deadline is Nov. 14 for voters to “cure” their ballots by clearing up any signature or identification discrepancies that might have cropped up. Republicans maintained their hold on county offices, with the election of five incumbents, a new sheriff and a new
Help stock the shelves In recognition of National Hungry and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 12-16, Abraham Connection is holding a “stock the shelves” event to collect much-needed supplies for the homeless shelter’s 11th season. Volunteers will be collecting donations of pantry staples, cleaning supplies, paper products and miscellaneous items Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Walmart, City Market and Dollar Tree in Delta; at FoodTown and Dollar General in Cedaredge; at City Market in Hotchkiss; and at Don’s Market in Paonia. A specific list of needed items will be available at each store.
county commissioner. Mark Taylor, who was unopposed in his bid for Delta County sheriff, will replace Fred McKee in January. Mike Lane held off challenger Dick Gilmore for Delta County commissioner District 1, and Teri Stephenson defeated Stacy Lowe, a Democrat, for county clerk and recorder. Results of the local races can be found on page A5. Of the three Delta County residents seeking state offices, Matt Soper won over Thea Chase in State Representative District 54; Mike Mason lost to Julie McCluskie in State Representative District 61; and Olen Lund lost to Kerry Donovan in State Senate District 5. Soper is the first Delta resident elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 54 years. He defeated Thea Chase of Palisade by a margin of 66 to 34 percent. “Thank you to the people of House District 54 for your overwhelming support,” said Soper. “I’m very grateful for
the many supporters, volunteers, friends, and family in Delta who volunteered, prayed for me, and helped make our campaign successful.” Soper will be sworn into office on Jan. 4. He will replace outgoing State Representative Yeulin Willet (R-Grand Junction), who grew up in Delta. Willet’s father, Charlie Willet, was a law partner of Charles Conklin, the last Delta resident elected to the legislature 54 years ago. Soper said he plans on introducing legislation to maintain water infrastructure and to help schools bring back programs like shop and home economics. With the exception of Amendment W, Delta County votes reflected those of the state. The majority of Colorado voters favored a constitutional amendment to change the format of the election ballot for judicial retention elections. In Delta County, 57 percent opposed that amendment.
Delta’s ‘Kickoff to Christmas’ is Nov. 24 Delta’s annual “Kickoff to Christmas” takes place Saturday, Nov. 24. This event is sponsored by the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce. During the day, community members are encouraged to shop local for Small Business Saturday. At 3:30 p.m., Main Street will be closed to allow food vendors and musicians to set up. Music will be provided by the Delta High School Show Choir, DHS Jazz Band and a barbershop quartet. A tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m., and the Parade of Lights
starts at 6 p.m. All parade entries are free thanks to the sponsorship of Volunteers of America. For parade entry forms, contact the chamber at 874-8616. After the parade, head to Fort Uncompahgre for “Christmas at the Fort.” This event runs from 7 to 9 p.m., and will include historical interpreters, traditional music, lighting of the Christmas tree and traditional Christmas stories. There will be a living nativity scene and live demonstrations. Admission of $2 will be waived with the donation of canned goods for the Delta Food Pantry.