SURFACE CREEK NEWS DESTINATION GLOBALS Community lends support to CES Destination Imagination team, C1
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT ����������
GRADUATION 2019
���
�������
����
�������� ������������ ������������ ���������� ����������� ����������� ������������ �������� ����������� ������������� ������������� ����������� �������������������� ����� ��������� ������������ ������ �����
Area graduates celebrate the next chapter in their lives, Inside �
����� �����������
�������������
�����������
������������
DELTA COUNTY
SPORTS BOUND FOR STATE
Track and field athletes pick up the pace for state this weekend, B6-8 MAY 15, 2019 VOL. 136, NO. 20
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
TABOR refund could fund a community asset BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The City of Delta is weighing how a TABOR refund of $36,315 should be returned to citizens before the end of the year. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights, or TABOR, limits the amount of revenue governmental authorities can retain and spend. While sales tax has been de-Bruced, several other funds have not. When the city has ended the year with excess revenue in the past, it’s been divided among utility customers by crediting each customer’s bill. That would amount to just over $8 per customer. While staff and council members recognize that’s a meaningful sum for many low-income residents, city attorney David McConaughy explained it’s also possible to use the refund for a community asset the citizens would enjoy. Playground improvements, restroom upgrades and art projects were some examples provided during a council work session on May 7. The funds could also be used in West Legacy Park, the pocket park that will be developed after the demolition of West Appliance
Center. TABOR caps revenue from city franchise taxes, occupation taxes, licenses and permits, court fines and forfeitures, interest revenue and other miscellaneous revenues. The city has tried to de-Bruce those funds three times with no success. Council members are debating whether to try again in the November election, when the city could piggyback on a question about renewing a franchise agreement with Black Hills Energy. Renewal requires voter approval, city manager David Torgler said, so the city is already looking at paying its share of a coordinated ballot. With building development picking up, and interest rates increasing, it’s possible the city will be looking at another refund in 2019 if no action is taken. “If you want to take it to the voters, we need to start the education as soon as possible,” Torgler cautioned council members. A council decision is not needed until late September. In the meantime, staff will prepare a list of options for community assets that could be funded with the 2018 TABOR refund.
Record crowds
Handler Paul Bingham and 8-year-old border collie Alex compete in the second-run open Sunday at the Hotchkiss Sheep Camp Stock Dog Trials. Saturday’s trial events attracted a record crowd, according to organizer Cheryl Hebenstreit. See complete coverage on page B1.
Crawford Area Indivisibles urge climate change action BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer
Eight members of the climate action committee of the Crawford Area Indivisibles
School survey: Now is not a good time to ask for tax increase BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
A survey conducted on behalf of Delta County Joint School District #50 indicates now is not the best time to ask voters for a mill levy increase. The survey was conducted by EIS Solutions in late April, and consisted of telephone calls, texts and emails. EIS’ Seth Cahalan and Brad McCloud presented survey findings at the school board’s May 13 work session. While data indicates public support does not reach the “critical mass” needed to assure a successful outcome in the November election, it does indicate a clear path for the school district to follow moving forward. Most importantly, they said, the community must be better educated on the benefits and challenges of the transportation of students, the need for capital security projects and the benefit of school counselors. During the survey, respondents were educated about the aging bus fleet, the number of route miles covered each day, the role of school counselors and the fact that per-pupil funding for Delta County falls short of the average. While these “messages” were somewhat effective, they did not change respondents’ opinions significantly. Just 48 percent said they would support a tax increase of 4 mills to fund transportation, school security and school counselors. Survey results were bro-
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A8 Back Page ................... D8 Bruin Tracks ............. C3-6 Business ........................ A8 Church ............................C7 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D2-4 North Fork Times ........B1-3 Obituaries ......................C8 School .......................B9-10 Sports ..........................B4-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-2 TV Listings ................. D5-6
ken down by respondents’ age bracket, political affiliation, whether they had children in school or not, and area of the county in which they lived — Delta/Cedaredge or Hotchkiss/Paonia/Crawford. For a campaign to succeed, McCloud said the school district needs to be sure its teachers, support staff and parents are energized and passionate about the effort, because they’ll be the ones knocking on doors and educating voters who have no connection to schools, those who are older or perhaps recent transplants. The “political climate” will also figure into the school board’s decision on whether to move forward or not. School board member Jill Jurca commented on a striking increase in property tax valuations, which have angered many taxpayers. It was also noted that the county will be asking for a 1 percent sales tax increase to fund public safety, and the library district is also contemplating a tax question. When faced with multiple tax questions, McCloud said voters often wind up choosing one or the other, but not all. He also commented on the median income of Delta County residents, which continues to lag neighboring counties. While disappointed in the results, because she recognizes the need for additional funding, superintendent Caryn Gibson said the survey does provide valuable information. “The poll shows we’ve
Photo by Tamie Meck
done our homework and we’re listening to our taxpayers,” she said. Of the three areas targeted in the survey transportation received the most support and that could be an area of focus for a future ballot question. As for school security, most respondents voiced a preference for school resource officers which could be funded — at least partially — through the county’s public safety tax, if it’s approved by voters.
(CAI) participated in a work session with Delta County Commissioners Don Suppes, Mark Roeber and Mike Lane on May 7. Ellie Goldstein, co-leader of CAI, explained that they are a group of 70-plus individuals from the Crawford, Hotchkiss and Paonia areas who meet twice a month and are a nonpartisan grassroots organization. They support members in strengthening community, ensuring accurate representation in our democracy, and upholding our Constitution. For the past several months CIA has made climate change action and education its top priority. Members attending were Goldstein, Rita Clagett, Bill Wellman, Jerry Berg, Mary Smith, Laurie Priddy, Libby Schovajsas and Marjorie True.
They shared with the commissioners evidence of climate change from NASA, stating, “NASA’s role is to make detailed climate data available to the global community, including the public, policy- and decision-makers and scientific and planning agencies.” CIA brought displays and shared with the commissioners a carbon graph, climate graph, and a list of causes of climate change. CIA held a climate rally earlier this year and Rita Clagett condensed the high points to a 10-minute video, which she shared with the commissioners. During the rally attendees were invited to share their thoughts on postcards to the commissioners, some of which were read aloud to the CLIMATE CHANGE TO A3
City of Delta weighs regulations to preserve dark night skies BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Is light pollution a concern in Delta? It’s an issue raised by Jeanne Dewsnup, owner of the Tru Vu Drive In. Before her death in April, she shared concerns about light pollution from neighboring businesses and Highway 92 traffic. “Just like at indoor theatres, light can be distracting and disrupting,” she told council members earlier this spring. The issue was raised again at a city council work session on May 7. City manager David Torgler said many communities are taking steps to preserve the night sky by adopting building regulations that require downward facing fixtures or limit the light that can spill onto a neighbor’s
property. Council members had mixed feelings about whether this issue should be a priority or not. Dewsnup’s major concern was the headlights from passing cars on Highway 92, and there’s nothing the city can do to mitigate that problem. While light pollution is not a huge concern at present, council member Kevin Carlson said that could change if development picks up along the highway corridor. “We need to be more forward looking,” he said. “We need to be proactive rather than reactive.” Any new regulations would address only new development, not existing lighting, although the city has embarked on a multi-year project to change out existing
streetlights. Installing downward facing LED streetlights will pay for itself in energy savings, Torgler pointed out. Mayor Ron Austin was glad to hear that project is underway. “It would be hypocritical for us to adopt regulations if we’re non-compliant,” he said. Council member Gerald Roberts commented on a streetlight a block away that lights up his house at night. “I hope that’s one of the streetlights that’s changed out soon,” he said. Torgler provided council members with a packet of information about outdoor lighting regulations in neighboring communities. “The codes adopted by municipalities in Colorado and available DARK SKIES TO A3
DMEA contest draws 5 candidates
Vietnam vets, tell your story
Five candidates are looking to fill the three seats on DMEA’s board of directors that are up for election this year. In District 3, incumbent Brad Harding is unopposed. In District 4, David White is challenging incumbent Ken Watson. South Region candidates are Jock Fleming and Ken Otto. Two candidate forums are planned — Monday, May 20, at the DMEA Montrose Office, 11925 6300 Road, Montrose, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, May 21, at Blue Sage Center for the Arts, 228 Grand Avenue in Paonia, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The candidate forums will be hosted by the League of Women Voters and will give DMEA members time to ask questions, learn about each candidate, and weigh options before voting. Mail-in ballots will be sent to DMEA members in late May. The annual meeting is Thursday, June 20, 5 to 9 p.m. at Hotchkiss High School.
From June 6-9, Delta is hosting the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. This 80 percent replica of the Vietnam Wall is 360 feet long and includes every name found on the permanent wall in Washington, D.C. It will be displayed in Confluence Park and will be open free to the public 24 hours a day through Sunday, June 9. A complete schedule of events can be found on facebook.com/ SaluteArmed Forces. In conjunction with this event, the DCI is seeking submissions from Vietnam veterans or their families who would like to share their experience and/or photos. Submissions of 150-200 words can be emailed, along with photos, to editor@deltacountyindependent. com. Photos should be attached to the email as jpgs. The stories and photos will be featured in the June 5 edition of the Delta County Independent. For more information, call the DCI at 874-4421.