NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
SPRING FLOODING
SPORTS
REPLACEMENTS PLANTED
Fast-moving rivers and streams should be treated with respect, B1
BACK ON TRACK
Cedaredge recognized as Tree City USA for 25th consecutive year, C1
DELTA COUNTY
Panthers come from behind to post 4-3 soccer win, B7 MAY 1, 2019 VOL. 136, NO. 18
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
DCI’s 137-year tradition continues under new owner
Photo by Pat Sunderland
A tour of the Sidewinder
In conjunction with the inaugural Smith Mountain Rally on Saturday, mountain bikers had an opportunity to try out the Sidewinder Trail located in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. Those activities, along with a short track race in Confluence Park on Friday night, were intended to showcase the many activities the Delta area has to offer. The rally was a joint effort of the City of Delta and Delta Area Mountain Bikers. Mountain bikers did a five-mile segment of the Sidewinder Trail, which runs 22 miles in length. “The rally was a great success,” said Darin Hamm, marketing coordinator for the City of Delta. “We have so many great people working with the city that came together to pull this off. I look forward to next year’s event and all of the events that are coming to Delta. This is a very special place.”
The Sunderland family announces the sale of the Delta County Independent to Wick Communications, a family-owned community media company with newspapers, websites, magazines and specialty publications in 11 states. The sale, which was finalized April 30, includes the building at 401 Meeker Street in Delta. The newspaper broker firm of Dirks, Van Essen, Murray & April facilitated the transaction. The DCI is owned by Leader Publishing Company, which was established by Norman and Gladys Sunderland when they purchased The Limon Leader in 1972. Their three children, Randy, Roxanne and Ron were all involved in the operation of the newspaper as they were growing up. Randy and his wife Pat, who met at Limon High School, left the small eastern plains community to attend college. In 1980 they returned to Limon to join the family firm. As they gained experience in the operation, Norman and Gladys began looking for opportunities elsewhere. They found what they wanted in 1984 in Paonia — a community newspaper surrounded by the mountains. Ron made the move to Paonia with his parents, and Roxanne joined the staff in 1985. Despite a period of declining sales in Delta County, The
Multiple taxing questions look to be headed to the November ballot BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer
Representatives of area organizations gathered at Bill Heddles Recreation Center in Delta for the spring municipal quarterly meeting on April 25. Delta Police Chief Luke Fedler and Delta County Sheriff Mark Taylor discussed the increase in illegal activity which has greatly increased law enforcement response during 2017, 2018, and continuing in 2019. The cases that make their way to the district attorney’s office have increased 50 percent during this time. Delta County and several municipalities — Delta, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss and Paonia — are joining together to request a countywide sales tax increase. The revenue from the sales tax increase would be distributed as follows: Delta County Sheriff ’s Office, 48 percent; Delta Police Department, 31 percent; Cedaredge Police Department, Hotchkiss Police Department and Paonia Police Department, 7 percent each. School superintendent Caryn Gibson and assistant superintendent Kurt Clay dis-
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Back Page ................... D6 Business ........................ A8 Church ........................... D4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D2-3 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ......................C6 School .......................... A6 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports ..........................B5-7 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4
cussed physical safety needs for the schools, school busses, and the need for counselors. School safety is the district’s primary consideration as the district considers a ballot question requesting a mill levy override. It will cost $150,000 per school for the physical security needs of changing out locks on the interior and exterior of the school buildings. Safety entrances and safety windows are needed, as are cameras and monitors. Fencing is needed to secure all school campuses. Gibson said the school district is very much behind the law enforcement sales tax. “We have a good relationship with law enforcement. They are present in our schools and in our other activities.” Director Lea Hart gave a presentation about the library district, which recently completed a survey revealing that the library is widely used. The library district is also considering a tax question (see separate press release). Highlights from other agencies included: • Delta County Commissioner Don Suppes said everyone is coordinating their flood
concerns with each other and will get together the third week in May to consider plans. There will be a free landfill day on May 11. • Mayor Ken Volgamore said Orchard City is repairing a few roads and aging water lines. • Delta Mayor Ron Austin and city manager David Torgler spoke of CDOT’s spring project on Hwy. 50 and Hwy 92 in Delta; ENGAGE establishing a downtown campus in the old Chaco building; and revitalizing downtown with a new pocket park. • Hotchkiss Mayor Larry Wilkening noted a 100 percent grant for Bridge Street, sheep dog trials on Mother’s Day, Rural Philanthropy Days and Ride the Rockies. • Cedaredge town administrator Greg Brinck spoke of redoing the golf course, closing the back nine holes to redo the front nine, then redoing the back nine. Sales tax is up 15 percent year-to-date. Building permits are coming in, but there are not enough contractors and labor to keep up. Cedaredge received a GOCO grant for a 1.6 mile trail on MUN. QUARTERLY TO A3
Crash to be staged On May 2-3 Delta County Memorial Hospital is hosting its 11th annual Trauma Conference in partnership with St. Mary’s Hospital, Community Hospital, Montrose Memorial Hospital, WRETAC and Care Flight. The first day of the conference (Thursday) will conclude with a mock helicopter crash from 1:15 to 3:30 p.m. Smoke machines will be going off and actors will be lying on the ground with simulated injuries. Do not be alarmed by the commotion, and do not call 9-1-1-; this is only a training exercise for emergency responders from across the region.
North Fork Times grew in circulation and in advertising sales. The Sunderlands’ strong commitment to the community caught the attention of Delta business owners who wished the Delta County Independent would reflect a more positive image of the community. At that time, the DCI was owned by Cox Enterprises, the only weekly newspaper in the huge communications empire. With support from the business community, negotiations for the purchase of the DCI were completed on Oct. 31, 1987, and for a short time, the Sunderlands were the owners of three newspapers. Eventually, the decision was made to consolidate production of the Delta County Independent and the North Fork Times, and the commercial office supply store in Paonia was closed. A new owner was found for The Limon Leader, although the process was delayed by the June 1990 tornado that devastated much of downtown Limon, including the newspaper building. The six members of the Sunderland family maintained active roles in the publication of the newspaper until 1998, when Norman and Gladys retired. With the sale of the DCI, Pat and Randy will retire after a short transition period. They will remain in Delta, but will have more freedom to travel and spend time with their two sons and their families. Ron and Roxanne will remain with the newspaper. All current DCI employees
have been offered jobs. Wick Communication publishes newspapers in Arizona, Alaska, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington. It also owns the Montrose Press. Francis Wick, president, CEO and a third generation Wick family member, said, “We’re honored to have been chosen by the entire Sunderland family to continue this great tradition of journalistic service to the community. “The Delta County Independent and surrounding communities served have a strong independent spirit and voice which the newspaper will continue to support and foster. Ultimately, a newspaper is only as strong as the community fabric and desire to grow together rather than apart. “Wick is very fortunate to have an accomplished leader in Dennis Anderson, whose ties to the community allows him to immediately engage with neighbors and businesses alike. We look forward to reader engagement, input and support along the way.” Anderson is a Delta High School graduate who has been with Wick Communications for 15 years. He will serve as a group publisher for several newspapers, including the Delta County Independent and the Montrose Press. “To have the opportunity to be the publisher of my hometown community newspaper is an incredible honor,” said Anderson. “My ties to the community run deep. The DCI has always been a part DCI TO A3
City looks at options for building inspections BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Recent changes to the City of Delta’s planning department won’t be the last. The city has ben notified that SAFEbuilt, which had taken over some of the duties previously handled by city employees, is withdrawing from the Western Slope. The city restructured the community development department in a desire to create a more “builder friendly community.” These changes involved relocating some services to other city departments and contracting with SAFEbuilt for some services. SAFEbuilt has provided plan reviews and building inspections since March 2018. Those services will end July 2. City manager David Torgler explains that SAFEbuilt has lost inspectors to Colorado communities offering higher pay and less travel, and the firm’s efforts to recruit new inspectors to serve this region have been unsuccessful. At a recent council work
session, Torgler said city staff has begun looking at options. Among those options are contracting with other municipalities, determining if other contractor services are available, or hiring staff. Torgler said although interest in local development has picked up quite a lot in Delta, the demand for inspection work is not full-time. The planning process currently begins with Betsy Suerth, the city’s public works and utilities director. City staff and engineers review land use development proposals as needed. The third piece of the puzzle was provided by SAFEbuilt, which has been paid 90 percent of inspection and plan review fees. “The July 2 departure of SAFEbuilt is our deadline to have qualified inspection services available,” Torgler advised city council. The city is also looking at updating building codes and has been meeting with local contractors to determine the best approach.
Delta Museum begins summer hours Starting Friday, May 3, the Delta County Museum will be open with summer hours to include Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum will be staffed by volunteers: Tuesday with retired curator Jim Wetzel, local historian and author who specializes in area lore; Wednesday with William Thomas who is cataloging historic photographs; Thursday with Brad Corelli who researches museum files and obituaries for those interested in tracing their families and homes; and Friday with Jo-an Barnett who is organizing the museum library of historic and donated books which may be checked out by members. Rare books are available to be read at the museum. Saturday opening is being considered at a later date. Summer hours are in effect through October. A small admission charge is required. Children and members are admitted free. There is a nominal charge for copies, research and photocopies to non-members. Tours are available by appointment as are special openings by calling the museum at 874-8721 to make arrangements. Volunteers are encouraged; to obtain an application stop by the museum at 3rd and Meeker or call 874-8721.