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DELTA COUNTY
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Hotchkiss grad named First Team All-American, B5 JUNE 26, 2019 VOL. 136, NO. 26
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INDEPENDENT
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DMEA board proposes 3.5-5% rate increase BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer
The Delta-Montrose Electric Association board of directors is considering an increase to its rates by between 3.5 and 5 percent. If approved, the rate hike could go into effect in September. The proposed increase would affect almost every rate class, from residential to industrial, as well as energy charges and access fees, said DMEA CEO Jasen Bronec in announcing the proposal June 20 at the annual DMEA membership meeting and board elections at Hotchkiss High School. The amount of increases will depend on the rate classification. DMEA will hold a rate
hearing and vote on the proposed increases at the regularly scheduled Aug. 27 board meeting. Bronec pointed to DMEA’s wholesale power provider, TriState Generation and Transmission Association, for necessitating proposed increases. Tri-State’s rates, which he called “the most substantial item of this power supply,” account for 64% of DMEA’s overall cost of doing business. Bronec said that over the past five years DMEA has experienced a 7% increase in energy costs from Tri-State. Since the last rate increase in 2017, wholesale costs rose 4%. DMEA “can no longer resist the pressures of increased costs from Tri-State, or the increases in costs of doing
business,” said Bronec. DMEA is in the process of negotiating an exit from its contract with Tri-State, which expires in 2040. That contract requires DMEA to purchase 95% of its power from TriState. The co-op currently generates the other 5% of its power locally. The buyout would allow DMEA to transition to a new partnership with Colorado wholesale provider Guzman Energy. DMEA believes a buyout would allow DMEA to purchase more power from local and renewable sources at a lower cost and help stabilize rates in the long run. “It is never an easy decision for DMEA to implement a rate increase, nor an easy adjustment for you to make,” RATE INCREASE TO A3
Judge denies CHC motion for temporary restraining order BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer
A temporary restraining order for Gunnison Energy to halt seismic activity in the North Fork Valley was denied in Delta District Court, but a complaint against the Delta County Board of County Commissioners is yet to be resolved. In the complaint filed June 12, Citizens for a Healthy Community alleges that the county failed to follow its on specific development regulations in entering into an agreement with Gunnison Energy (GE), and that the planning department deemed the application complete “despite the absence of information required by law.” Natasha Leger, interim executive director of Citi-
zens for a Healthy Community, commented, “While the judge did not grant a temporary restraining order, we are pleased that the judge reasoned that Delta County’s review process may have been deficient, and recommended expedited judicial review to address the urgency surrounding approval of a project, now allowed to move forward, if the county did not consider vital information required by its regulations. This is a victory for concerned citizens and community oversight of county decisions.” Chris Mocholsky, an attorney representing CHC, said that the suit is not intended to prevent GE from doing future projects in Delta County. Rather the complaint is about the approval process and lack
DPD expects lengthy investigation into shooting BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The Delta Police Department has launched what is expected to be a lengthy investigation into a shooting incident that occurred in North Delta on Saturday, June 15. At about 12:36 a.m., officers of the Delta Police Deprtment were dispatched to a trailer park in the 1500 block of H-25 Road on multiple calls of gunshots being heard. The DPD confirms that one person suffered a gunshot wound to his lower body during an exchange of gunfire between the occupant of a home and assailants who fled the scene in what was described as a dark colored truck or SUV. The vehicle was located by officers a short time later, parked with no one inside. It had been struck by bullets.
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Back Page ................... D6 Business ........................ A8 Church ............................C6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ..................... A6 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports ..........................B5-6 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4
The residence also sustained damage from several gunshots being fired at the structure. The DPD executed search warrants on the residence, two cars and several open areas. Evidence has been turned over to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for forensic and DNA testing. Officers are also reviewing footage from several surveillance cameras in the area, and are in the process of speaking to a number of witnesses. Delta Police Chief Luke Fedler reports that all three of the department’s detectives are working full-time on this case, which he described as “very confusing.” The DPD previously reported that the parties involved are possibly known to each other, and the public is not at risk of a random act of violence.
of information in the application required by the county’s MOTION DENIED TO A3
Summer blows in
Photo by Pat Sunderland
Gusty winds marked the first day of summer. Skyler Angelo and daughter Deliliah Muñoz decided the weather was perfect for flying a kite in Confluence Park.
Medical marijuana center gets go-ahead from city BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The Delta City Council unanimously granted a medical marijuana license to Green Meadows Health Products after a very quiet public hearing. Vocal opposition to marijuana establishments in the City of Delta has seemingly died away, as no one from the community attended the hearing prior to the council’s June 17 vote. Nor did neighboring business owners submit any comments, although the site was posted and a public notice was published in the DCI. The only negative comments came during a hearing before the Delta Planning Commission June 3. At that meeting, the owner of a neighboring business vowed to fight the medical marijuana establishment with every legal resource at his disposal. Despite his objections, planning commission found that the application from owner John Thomas met all the criteria established by the city, and commissioners forwarded the application to city council with a recommendation for approval. Staff agreed with that recommendation. During the public hearing, city clerk Jolene Nelson and public works/utilities director Betsy Suerth outlined the licensing and zoning requirements implemented by the city. The state also has a long list of requirements. According to local zoning restrictions, medical marijuana establishments can not
be located within 1,000 feet of a church, school, licensed day care center, park or law enforcement facility. At the time the application was submitted by Thomas, his proposed site at 25 Stafford Lane, #3, complied with that requirement. “Now it’s been brought to our attention that after the application was submitted, Grace Community Church is leasing a unit at 300 Stafford Lane with plans to hold services there temporarily,” Nelson told council. Worship services are being held in the retail space vacated by Aaron’s Rent-a-Center until completion of a new church building. “This location is 950 feet from the proposed [medical marijuana] center; however, after consulting with our attorney, staff believes church means a building,” Nelson continued. “Religious services may occasionally be held at a school or at Bill Heddles Recreation Center, but that doesn’t make them a church. Therefore, the location on Stafford Lane is not deemed a church.” Both Nelson and Suerth said Thomas has been very responsive to requests for clarification or additional information. “It’s been a great working relationship, and based on all the criteria in the municipal code, staff believes all criteria have been met,” Suerth said. Thomas, who previously owned a medical marijuana store in Delta, said he’s appreciative of the opportunity to return to the community.
Council member Kevin Carlson said it’s nice to have a local business owner who has an interest in the community “other than a dollar sign.” In response to a question from Carlson, Thomas said he will continue to operate his medical marijuana center on the north side of Montrose. He believes his current grow will provide sufficient product for both Delta and Montrose. If the business in Delta does well, he says he might file an application for a license to grow medical marijuana in the city, “but that’s way down the road.” The application for conditional use passed on a 3-0 vote. Christopher Ryan and Gerald Roberts were absent and just one citizen was in attendance, perhaps because the meeting was moved up to Monday due to the Colorado Municipal League conference which began June 18 in Breckenridge. In a follow-up phone call, Thomas said his application is pending with the state but he expects to be able to open the store in Delta the middle of July or the first of August. The front portion will feature hemp-derived CBD products and will be open to all. The back portion of the store can be accessed only with a medical marijuana card. Inventory there will consist of edibles, concentrates and cannabis flower, with some creams, salves and patches. The store will be open seven days a week.
DMEA election results
GMUG roads open
Land use forums
At the annual meeting of the Delta-Montrose Electric Association board of directors, DMEA members elected one new board member and re-elected a sitting board member. In District 3, which includes the North Fork, Fruitland Mesa and Crawford areas, incumbent Brad Harding ran unopposed and was re-elected. In District 4, incumbent Ken Watson defeated David White with 3,359, or 73.6% of the votes; in the South Region race, Jock Fleming defeated Kenneth Otto with 2,771 or 61.3% of votes. Fleming replaces outgoing member Tony Prendergast, who was term limited.
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests officially opened 90 Road (National Forest System Road #540) and Divide Road (NSFR #402). All major roads are open across the Uncompahgre Plateau to include 90 Road, Dave Wood, Divide, Transfer and 25 Mesa roads. The Iron Springs and Columbine campgrounds are also open. Please avoid travel on muddy roads.
After months of meetings and community education forums around land use planning the Land Use Regulations Update initiative is set to be presented to the community for input. Delta County hopes citizens will attend and see the full breadth of the proposed plan and engage in honest conversations with the Delta County commissioners and the Planning Commission, as feedback is crucial for the success of this process. Forums are scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27, at Needle Rock Brewing Company, and July 1 at Heritage Hall in Hotchkiss. Light refreshments will be served.