Delta County Independent July 31, 2019 by Delta County Independent

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

SURVIVING WNV

FAIR WEEK

North Fork resident shares his story, A8

TIme to ‘stirrup some fun’ in Delta County, B4-B8

DELTA COUNTY

SPORTS CHATTING WITH CJ Cedaredge Bruins have new activities director, C6

JULY 31, 2019 VOL. 136, NO. 31

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INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Storm wallops Delta, floods drainage BY TAMIE MECK Managing Editor

A series of brief but heavy cloud bursts last Friday dropped enough rain over the Delta and Surface Creek areas to wash rocks and debris across area roads and highways, inundate Delta’s drainage system and delay the start of the Deltarado Days Round Up Rodeo. “A good looking storm,” said meteorologist Megan Stackhouse with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Grand Junction. Stackhouse said the Delta area citizen weather observer recorded 1.25 inches of precipitation beginning at about 6:30 p.m. “Those precipitation levels are not very common,” she said. While rains continued into the night, most of the

precipitation fell within the span of less than an hour. The Cedaredge area also saw heavy rainfall during the same time period, measuring between about one-quarter to four-tenths of an inch, said Stackhouse. The Delta Police Department received no reports of injuries or property damage, said commander Jesse Cox. “Basically we directed traffic,” said Cox. “It wasn’t a huge impact on the department.” Bill Chick with the City of Delta Public Works Department said the rain created “one hell of a mess” in downtown Delta. “There was just so much water that the 30-inch storm drains couldn’t handle it.” The drains didn’t clog with debris, he said. “They just couldn’t handle it, and they’re big drains.”

Surface drainage also caused ground-level and basement flooding, said Chick. Delta County Emergency Management shared National Weather Service flood advisories and other information on social media throughout the evening and individuals posted photos of the storms and flooding. County emergency coordinator Kris Stewart said no injuries or property damage were reported as a result of the storms. In his 44 years with the department, Chick said he has never seen anything quite like it, although he recalled one storm sometime in the late 1990s that came close. “Not that quick. Not that fast,” he said. “It’s something that doesn’t happen very often and I hope it doesn’t happen again.”

Photos courtesy Michelle Trujillo

Downtown Delta’s Main Street experienced ﬂooding Friday night after a cloudburst dumped 1.25 inches of precipitation over the area during the 84th annual Deltarado Days celebration. The deluge overwhelmed the city’s drainage system and delayed the start of the Deltarado Days Round Up Rodeo.

Paonia administrator threatens lawsuit BY TAMIE MECK Managing Editor

The Paonia board trustees held a special meeting July 30 to discuss the recent harassment complaint filed against town administrator Ken Knight, and public comments made by Knight and others at the July 23 board meeting. The meeting agenda lists two executive session items: the first to receive legal advice specific to a possible investigation of the town administrator and on his employment contract, and the second to discuss a

Kenneth Knight personnel matter involving the citizen complaint lodged against him. Executive sessions are not open to the public. Under state open meetings law, also known as “Colorado Sunshine Law,” local public bodies can receive legal advice on specific legal questions and discuss personnel matters of town employees in executive session. As reported on July 24 by the DCI, on the evening of July 19, Knight confronted Christina Patterson on Clock Road just west of Paonia over a letter she and 15 other neighbors presented to Delta County Commissioner Mark Roeber at a July 2 commissioners meeting.

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Back Page ................... D8 Business ........................ A8 Church ........................... D6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Delta County Fair ........B4-8 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D2-3 North Fork Times ........B1-3 Obituaries ..................... A6 Service Directory .......... D7 Sports ..........................C6-7 Surface Creek News ...C1-3 TV Listings ................. D4-5

The signers expressed opposition to efforts by the town to annex Price and Clock roads where they live and concern that Knight, who led discussions on the annexation, did not disclose that he owns a home at the intersection of Price and Clock roads “until prompted by a citizen.” “We are concerned about Mr. Knight’s working relationship with the developer of the [proposed] Riverbank Subdivision, which would use Price Road as its main access road. We feel that in both of these cases, he has a conflict of interest that should be investigated.” In a prepared statement, Patterson told the board on July 23 that she encountered Knight outside her home. “I said hello, and he immediately began addressing me in a loud, angry, aggressive and menacing manner,” said Patterson. A rare encounter, Patterson said she “was taken aback by this response, to put it mildly. “As the minutes passed his voice transformed from yelling into screaming,” she said. “He screamed that I had ruined his reputation, that I was a liar, and that I do not understand how city government works. This went on for a few good minutes. All the while he was aggressively pointing his finger at me and entering very close into my personal space.” Patterson said she was alone, and husband Barry Smith was out of town. “I was hoping someone would be outside in their door to hear his screaming, and that if I had to scream for assistance I would be heard,” she said. Patterson said she “felt extremely uncomfortable and threatened.” She said she told him, “Good night, Ken,” turned and walked toward

her truck when Knight “screamed at me, ‘I hope you get in an accident and f---ing die.” After reporting the incident Patterson said she stayed with neighbors because she “felt unsafe.” She called Knight’s conduct “utterly unacceptable,” and a “liability to both the trustees and the town of Paonia.” Smith said the Clock Road incident “was not a neighborhood squabble over barking dogs or bright lights or partying. This was specifically in retribution for our partici-

pation in local government.” He reminded the board of “the words he screamed at my wife as she was trying to remove herself from the situation... I can’t imagine any situation or encounter where this is an appropriate thing for our town administrator, or anyone, to scream at anybody, let alone my five-footfour wife, who was standing in the street alone in front of her own property.” Smith said he and Patterson have attended numerous meetings in recent months to gain a better understanding

of what was happening in and around their neighborhood. One concern, he said, is the proposed Riverbank Subdivision,” which could include close to 60 homes. It was at a meeting, he said, that the neighborhood learned their roads were slated for annexation. Smith said that in “thinlyveiled” comments, Knight has suggested they are liars and are libelous “while standing at this podium. In both cases, all we did was ask questions about development. Isn’t

ADMINISTRATOR TO A3

VSV case confirmed in Delta County; Fair animals will be inspected STAFF REPORT

Delta County is among the 11 Colorado counties that have confirmed cases of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA). As a result, throughout the Delta County Fair, which runs through Saturday, Aug. 10, a veterinarian will be on site to inspect all livestock animals prior to unloading, said Delta County Fair Board president Ryan. An outbreak of VSV in Colorado last occurred in 2004, according to the CDA. A single case of the virus had been confirmed in Delta County as of July 29, but the fair board is taking all precautions to prevent its spread, said Bates. “We’re keeping the animals’ welfare in mind.” “We understand that the VSV outbreak and quarantines are impacting the ability for people to bring their horses and livestock to fairs and shows,” said Dr. Keith

Roehr, Colorado State Veterinarian. “The quarantines and hold orders must be followed, however, for the health and protection of all equine and livestock in Colorado.” The Colorado Department of Agriculture has confirmed at least 171 VSV cases Colorado since July 3, including in Adams, Archuleta, Boulder, Broomfield, Delta, La Plata, Larimer, Mesa, Montezuma, Morgan and Weld counties. All confirmed cases have been in horses, with the exception of one bovine case in Boulder County. There are no USDA approved vaccines for VSV. Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease which primarily affects horses and cattle, and occasionally swine, sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas. The transmission process of VSV is not completely understood, but includes insect vectors such as black flies, sand flies, and biting midges. The incubation period ranges

from 2-8 days. In affected livestock, VSV causes blister-like lesions to form in the mouth and on the dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, hooves, and teats. These blisters swell and break, leaving raw tissue that is so painful that infected animals generally refuse to eat and drink and show signs of lameness. Severe weight loss usually follows, and in dairy cows a severe drop in milk production commonly occurs. Affected dairy cattle can appear to be normal and will continue to eat about half of their feed intake. Clinical signs include vesicles, erosions, and sloughing of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, ears, teats, and coronary bands. Often excessive salivation is the first sign of disease, along with a reluctance to eat or drink. Lameness and weight loss may follow. Humans may become CASE CONFIRMED TO A3

Traffic alert

Fatal crash

Swim beach remains closed

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the City of Delta public works department will begin prep work for resurfacing along the entire stretch of Stafford Road between Highway 92 and East 3rd Street. While the street won’t be closed, travelers can expect lane closures, possible brief delays, and detours. The project is expected to take two weeks.

On the evening of July 25, a 57year-old Montrose male, Charles Burnen Cantrell, died in a motorcycle accident. The incident occurred on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management north of Montrose on Elephant Skin Trail. The case is under investigation by the Montrose County Coroner’s Office of Medical Investigation and the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the extent of injuries and the manner of death is accidental.

The swim beach at Sweitzer Lake State Park remains closed due to unsafe evels of E. coli bacteria. The beach was closed July 18 and park staff is testing the water daily. The beach will open when the bacteria drops to a safe level. The level will drop naturally; there is nothing that can be done to influence a decline. The lake remains open to other water activities such as boating, water skiing, paddleboarding and fishing. Only the area at the swim beach is closed. Located just south of Delta, Sweitzer is filled with agricultural irrigation run-off water. An increase in E. coli levels can result from urban and agricultural run-off, and from concentrations of wildlife – primarily waterfowl.

A2 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

OPINION

LETTERS

Open letter to Senator Ray Scott

No need for rubber boots Dear Editor: I would like to make one more attempt to put the climate change groups and their fear tactics in proper perspective. As recently stated, we are guaranteed the inundation of coastal low-lying areas, like Miami, Fla., if we fail to act in the immediate future. Let’s take a closer look at this claim. According to the National Ocean Service the ocean has risen an average of 0.125 inches/ year from 1993-2014. According to NOOA climate.gov the sea level has risen 0.125 inches/year from 1993-2017. According to NASA data the rate of increase has risen

to 0.13 inches per year over the past 30 years. Finally, according to the EPA the average rate of sea rise is 0.14 inches a year, and of course 100 years of history put the rate of rise at 0.10 inches per year. A lot of numbers, so when does Miami become inundated? At an elevation above sea level of seven feet and a sea level rise of 0.125 inches per year in only 673 years Miami will have oneeighth of an inch of water in their streets. Lucky for us, New York City is in a better situation and will be able to televise ball dropping on New Year’s for the next 3,169 years

before we will need rubber shoes to watch the event. Even increasing the rate of sea level rise by 500% it will take Miami 134 years and New York 634 years to require rubber boots. Some may tell you that sea levels might rise much faster. Flooding of Miami by 2100 will require the ocean to rise at a rate 840% faster than current and historic rates. Don’t let self-seeking groups scare you into bad decisions in an effort to give you that warm and fuzzy feeling you are saving this doomed planet. We do have time. Randy Litwiller Crawford

Opinion: Paonia town administrator should resign By Dennis Anderson A basic right for any citizen in our country is free speech. At the hyperlocal level, we have the three minutes each citizen is afforded at governmental meetings. We have the opportunity to voice our concerns or praises and have them placed on public record. It takes a certain amount of courage to do that. At the July 16 Delta County Commissioners meeting, the commissioners were presented with a letter signed by several residents of Price Road just outside of Paonia. Paonia Town Administrator Ken Knight, who lives on Price Road, had previously presented to Paonia Town trustees a proposal to annex the road. Some of those who signed the letter also spoke at the commissioners meeting. Apparently, Knight didn’t appreciate some of their words. On Friday, July 19, Christina Patterson, one the letter-signers and speakers at the commissioners meeting, was standing in front of her home when Knight passed. Patterson said hello. Knight, according to Patterson, became verbally aggressive and intimidating. In the exchange, Knight allegedly expressed with an obscenity his desire for Patterson to get into an accident and die. Patterson was encouraged by friends to call the Delta County Sheriff ’s Office to at least put the incident on record. The Delta County Independent and Montrose Daily Press obtained videos captured with a DCSO deputy’s body cam. In one of the videos, Patterson explained to the deputy the background of the proposed annexation. She explained she regularly attends Paonia board of trustees meetings and asks questions. “So I think he’s upset that there are things going on that I’m questioning,” Patterson said in the video. She went on to say that, in his alleged tirade, he expressed he felt she was damaging his reputation as a public figure. “He was in my face with his finger in a bizarrely aggressive manner. He was yelling.

I was thinking ‘please someone come out and see this,’” Patterson said. Then the deputy visited Knight, who was at a local brew pub. The deputy asked Knight, on the second video, to tell his side of the story. Knight told the deputy in the video, “I told her she was a liar, which she is. I then told her ‘I hope you rollover your truck and die.’” He admitted to pointing at her but said there was no physical contact. The deputy asked if the incident stemmed from the submitted letter. Knight responded, “Yeah, she accused me of self-dealing.” “Self-dealing is, there is a subdivision going in, and she accused me of being in a relationship with the subdivision developer, which means I’ve accepted bribes to do my job and that’s an absolute lie,” Knight went on to explain. The Delta County Independent obtained a copy of the letter the Price Road neighbors submitted to the county commissioners. Their main concern with being annexed into the town of Paonia is the town’s perceived inability to maintain roads. Sixteen people put their name on the letter, which went on to explain that Knight introduced the annexation at a May town board meeting when it was not on the agenda. The only point in the letter that might remotely be seen as questioning his character concerns Knight’s working relationship with the subdivision developer and a belief of a conflict of interest. The letter-writers believe it should be investigated but didn’t seemingly accuse him of accepting bribes. When reading the minutes from the commissioners meeting, three residents of Price Road were documented as merely asking that the road not be ceded by the county and that, because Knight lived on Price Road, it was a conflict of interest. It’s difficult to fathom why Knight became so upset with Patterson, other than there is a pattern of such behavior in Knight’s past so much so that when the

DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT (USPS 152700) is published weekly on Wednesdays at 401 Meeker St., Delta, CO 81416. Periodicals postage paid at DELTA, CO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT, PO BOX 809, DELTA, CO 81416. All editorial and advertising contents are ©2019 by Delta County Independent. Reproduction or use in any form of editorial, news, photo or advertising content without permission is prohibited.

Delta County Independent

town trustees extended his contract, he was given four general goals he must achieve. One of those goals listed was to work on his communication skills with an emphasis on collaborative public relations, conflict resolution and reducing reactivity. The communication goals are seemingly a result of complaints about Knight’s inability to maintain his composure. At the time of the contract renewal, Knight expressed no issues with the goals. Knight told the deputy that night — and the DCI the next day — that the altercation was a neighborly spat that took place in off-hours and that it had nothing to do with his job as town administrator. But there aren’t offhours for public officials. You are what you are 24/7, and you should conduct yourself appropriately. This isn’t a simple spat between neighbors; it was a spat that resulted from the town administrator’s dealings as town administrator. It had everything to do with his job. Knight’s actions were an attempt to intimidate Patterson against speaking about him and an attempt to make her feel uncomfortable about speaking freely at Paonia board meetings. And those are actions the community shouldn’t tolerate from its public officials. At this point, the honorable thing for Knight to do is resign. If he doesn’t, the town trustees should have the courage and willingness to remove him from his position. The only thing I’ll predict at this point is there will be lawyers. Dennis Anderson is group publisher for Wick Communications Alaska and Coloradoand can be reached at dennisa@montrosepress.

Dear Editor: It greatly saddens me to see a homeless person. I stopped at Burger King in Orchard Mesa and drove through the parking lot at City Market. A woman about 70 years old was sitting on the curb. I stopped. I put on my flashers and got out to talk to her. I asked

if she has had anything to eat and she said no. I gave her $25 and two pillows. I looked into her eyes and saw desperation, sadness, and no hope for the future. I am going to change things for the homeless either by myself or with some help. I am proposing this to the State Leg-

islature. I know how to save one third of the budget for the court system in Colorado and I would ask that this savings be put towards the homeless. I know exactly what to do with the court system and the homeless. Alan Story Delta

Law enforcement blotter From the Delta Police jailed for violation of a pro- and jailed on a bond of $1,200. Department (edited for tection order. Christina Woolery, of Paul Brydon Haining, 42, length: of Naturita was arrested and Grand Junction, was jailed jailed on a warrant with a on a bond of $2,500 after July 21: being transported from Mesa Code enforcement picked $3,000 bond. County on a warrant for failup an intact female adult dog July 21: An officer took a report of ure to appear. in the 700 block of 1400 Lane A deputy was requested after it was running loose and possible child abuse/neglect. Kyler Samuel Lee Mason, for agency assist with the attacking other dogs in the neighborhood. Jennifer Lee 21, of Delta was arrested and Delta Police Department on a Davis, 38, of Delta was issued jailed on three warrants with call regarding a possible kidnapping. The deputy checked a ticket for rabies vaccina- a total of $3,500 in bonds. Officers responded to a multiple locations with no tion required, animal license required, running at large residence at Alta Vista de-la- sign of the vehicle reported or prohibited, female animals in Montana Housing Complex anyone associated who made on a report of a disturbance. the call. The matter remains heat and vicious animals. Justin Ray Ritter, 29, of Delta under investigation by the July 22 An officer responded to was arrested and jailed for Delta Police Department. Delta County Memorial Hos- third degree assault as an July 25: Sheila Sanders, of Delta, pital on a report of illegal act of domestic violence, viopossession of a controlled lation of a protection order, was arrested for trespassing tampering with a motor and harassment. substance (illicit drugs). Stephanie Roseler, of Officers responded to a vehicle, child abuse, resistresidence in the 600 block of ing arrest and obstruction of Grand Junction, was arrested for several outstanding warSilver Street on a report of a government operations. rants. dog bite. Sylvia Marie Fan- July 27: Deputies received a call Officers responded to Four tin, 32, of Delta was issued a Season River Inn on a report of an assault in the 100 ticket for vicious animal. of an adult male in active Block of South 7th Street in July 23: An officer responded to heroin overdose. Medical Hotchkiss. During a traffic stop, a Tractor Supply Company on treatment was administered and the male was transport- deputy yielded a drug vioa report of theft. Officers responded to the ed to Delta County Memo- lation for Clinton Floyd of intersection of East 3rd Street rial Hospital by Delta County Hotchkiss who was issued a at Riley Lane on a report of a Ambulance for additional summons for his charges. July 26: two vehicle crash. No injuries treatment. A deputy provided an Officers responded to the were reported or observed. Mark Edward Stoddard, 59, area of East 4th Street and agency assist in regards to a of Delta was issued a ticket Meeker Street on a report of wanted person, who was not for failing to yield right of a disturbance. Shawn William located. Deputies were first on way to oncoming traffic. Both Wilks, 32, of Delta was issued vehicles were driven from the a ticket for third degree scene for a trailer fire on assault, resisting arrest and Highway 50 at mile markscene. er 52. Delta Volunteer Fire An officer took a report disorderly conduct. Officers responded to a Department and the Colorado of fraud. Wendell Christopher Har- residence in the 1200 block of State Patrol assumed primary mon, 43, of Delta was arrest- Grand Avenue on a report of investigation of the incident. Edward King was issued a ed and jailed on a warrant a disturbance and theft. John Douglas Carr, 45, of Delta was citation for driving without a with a $400 bond. Officers responded to a arrested and jailed for viola- valid driver’s license. July 27: residence in the 300 block of tion of a protection order. The Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit Howard Street on a report of Please note: All charges conducted a public relations harassment. Philip Zakery Hoffman, 29, of Delta was are merely an accusation and event at Confluence Park durarrested and jailed for harass- the defendant is presumed ing Deltarado Days. A meet ment as an act of domestic innocent until or unless prov- and greet was held, photos en guilty. autographed, and a K9 demviolence. onstration was performed. July 24: The Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit From the Delta County Taylor Marie Csere, 30, of performed an illegal narcotic/ Delta was issued a ticket for Sheriff’s Office (partial list): controlled substance sniff in rabies vaccination required, July 23: Deputies received a report the A Pod area of the Delta city animal license required County Jail. K9 Oxx indicated and running at large prohib- of a harassment in Paonia. A deputy provided agency on a couple of areas. ited. Nicholas Andress, of Jake Kramer Davis, 31, of assist for a hit and run acciPaonia, was apprehended Delta was arrested and jailed dent. Deputies received a report as a wanted male subject in on a warrant with a $300 of an assault on Fruitgrowers Hotchkiss. Upon apprehenbond. An officer took a report Road in Orchard City. The sion, he was placed into cusof an alleged “porch pirate” reporting party advised he tody and transported to the theft in the 700 block of Meek- was struck to the ground and Delta County Jail on a Delta his phone was taken away County Sheriff’s Office warer Street. Officers responded to the from him before the suspect rant. July 28: top of 3rd Street Hill on a fled the scene. A theft was reported in Teresa Stave was arrested report of a fight in progress. Later, Raeona Elizabeth Per- the 3000 block of 1600 Road and booked for violating a protection order. aza, 35, of Delta was arrested in Delta. The Delta Sheriff’s Office and jailed for contributing to July 24: Kimbralea Freeman, of took a theft report that the delinquency of a minor, harboring a minor, child Hotchkiss, was arrested and occurred near a lake on Grand Mesa. A .45 caliber handgun abuse, violation of a protec- jailed on a bond of $300. Deputies received a call of was reported stolen from a tion order and obstructing a a burglary in the 18000 Block vehicle while its owner was peace officer. fishing. Adam Walter Chriesten- of B Road in Delta. Duayne Yates of Fruita son, 41, of Delta was arrested Please note: All charges and jailed on a warrant with a was arrested and jailed on a bond of $1,000. are merely an accusation and $3,000 bond. Daniel Joseph Winter of the defendant is presumed Raeona Elizabeth Peraza, 35, of Delta was arrested Delta was arrested on a Colo- innocent until or unless provand jailed for driving while rado State Patrol - Montrose en guilty. license revoked - refusal and warrant for failure to appear failed to present evidence of insurance. July 25: Officers responded to Delta Ace Hardware on a report of a shoplifter leaving the store. The vehicle was stopped on Crawford Avenue. Stephanie Lynn Hall, 36, of Olathe was issued a ticket for shoplifting. Stephanie Jo Howell, 39, of Bakersfield, Calif. was issued Dear Editor: a ticket for owner operated Paonia United Methodist Church was having uninsured motor vehicle and a problem with a wireless hand held microphone. expired license plates. An officer responded to After pricing out a replacement online, and while the 1400 block of Highway available, they were quite expensive. Knowing 50 on a report of a two vehi- David was very experienced with audio systems, I cle crash. No injuries were reported or observed. Nica- called him to see if our unit was repairable. David nore Emilo Trujillo, 84, of spent several minutes on the phone with me with Delta was issued a ticket for possible problem areas I could check out before careless driving. Both vehi- taking the system all apart. Trying all his sugcles were driven from the gested checks with no positive results, I packaged scene. Frank Salazar, 50, of Delta up the unit and went to David’s store in Cedaredge. was arrested and jailed on a David connected all the parts and pieces I brought warrant with a $400 bond. up, and within a few minutes he had found and A warrant was issued for corrected our problem. David would not let me pay Adam Walter Chriestenson, 41, of Delta for alleged harass- him, or even buy his lunch. PUMC is a small conment as an act of domestic gregation and David’s help is very much appreciviolence, violation of a pro- ated. The world needs more folks like David Starr. tection order and violation of Thank you my friend. bail bond conditions. Tom Henshall and Eric Adam Malinowski, Paonia United Methodist Church 35, of Delta was arrested and

KUDOS

KUDOS to David Starr

Publisher Dennis Anderson dennis.anderson@frontiersman.com

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LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Administrator

Case confirmed FROM PAGE A1 infected when handling affected animals, but this is a rare event. To avoid human exposure, individuals should use personal protective measures when handling affected animals. Any vesicular disease of livestock is reportable to the State Veterinarian’s Office in Colorado — to report call 303-8699130. For more on taking animals to the fair, see the Vesicular Stomatitis Guidelines for Shows and Fairs.

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Knight during meetings. When trustees attempt to call attention to the behavior, “They’re quickly shut down by the mayor.” Smith said Knight has made it “very clear about his feelings about my wife because of her participation. Mr. Mayor, should you and the trustees continue to turn a blind eye to Mr. Knight’s harassment and intimidation of citizens, both in and outside of public meetings, I have to assume that you are in agreement with Mr. Knight’s sentiments.”

Despite an urging by Mayor Charles Stewart that he not speak, Knight approached the podium. “I am a member of the public, sir,” said Knight. “You are an employee of this town,” said Stewart. “And as such, sir,” said Knight, “this was not an item that happened inside the town limits, nor did it happen during normal business hours.” Knight said the letter implies he had been “self-dealing with the developer in this town...

Delta County child welfare costs decrease BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

At the July 16 Board of County Commissioners meeting, commissioners signed a contract with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for an $11,000 grant to aid increasing awareness of the issue of exposure of children to lead. Last year $12,891 was contributed to the cause. Funds go toward promotion and education, but not for testing. Chuck Lemoine from Human Services reported to the commission that Child Welfare 80/20 costs are going down and have decreased from $114,350 to $96,781 between January and May. Last year Child Welfare 80/20 averaged $160,113. The Colorado Division of Child Welfare oversees child welfare practices, provides policy direction, and provides 80 percent of the funding for services. Delta County is one of Colorado’s 64 counties that contributes approximately 20 percent of the funding through local revenues. Delta County Human Services reported that as of last month the county is temporarily exempt from the Employment First. The state program promotes self-sufficiency and independence by preparing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients for employment through job seeking skills training, work experience and

monthly job search support activities. Unless exempt from participation, food stamp recipients are required to participate with the Employment First program and its employment services in exchange for food assistance. The past several months the program has been run by the state and mandatory participants were referred to the state to be assigned a work component. “Apparently, this arrangement did not work as smoothly as hoped and clients were losing their food benefits for non-participation,” according to the report. It was believed that the state may hire a contractor to run the program for counties that elect to not run their own program. Commissioners also: • awarded a bid of $66,056 for a 259D Skid Steer for Road and Bridge District 2. The bid award for Skid Steer Road and Bridge District 4 was postponed. • approved a contract between the Delta County Department of Human Services and Erik S. Cooper, LMFT, a contractor for job skills/life skills counseling with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program. Cooper’s services include life and job coaching and helping clients with employment readiness and personal development tools. He will be reimbursed at $65 per hour for services not covered by Medicaid.

that I am receiving benefits from somebody that I am talking to as a developer.” He called it “an insult and a direct attack” on his reputation. Addressing Stewart, Knight insisted the incident had “nothing to do with my employment with this town, and if you attempt to make it that is has something to do with my employment with this town, we will be talking lawyer to lawyer. This is not an action that I took as a public, as your public employee; this is an action that I took as a neighbor.” “Those people who signed that letter are liars,” said Knight. “I have never benefited from talking to a developer... If you try to make it town business then we’re going to have an issue.” Stewart said that Tuesday night’s meeting was not the time to debate the issue. “Obviously we’re not going to make a determination of facts,” said Stewart, a practicing attorney. “Obviously there may very well be another side to this story.” Any action the board takes would be taken “based upon all the facts and after due deliberation.”

BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

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services. That bid came in at $100 more per trip than the current contractor. For between 12-15 trips a month at a cost of $250 each round trip for each roll-off receptacle of trash, the Board of County Commissioners was a bit startled by the increased bid. The previous company didn’t submit a bid. At the July 16 meeting, commissioners approved a contract with Montrose-based Better Off/Roll Off. Commissioner Don Suppes suggested a future work session to analyze affordability of the service.

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Crime Stoppers seeks tips Montrose Regional Crime Stoppers, Inc. and the Montrose Police Department are seeking the help of citizens to identify and locate the suspect who has committed multiple ATM fraud crimes in the Montrose area. Theft totals have reached approximately $14,000. For additional information, and to see images of the alleged thief, please view the Facebook page, www.face book.com/montrosere gionalcrimestoppers. Call 970-249-8500 or use free mobile app P3Tips to provide information.

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Staff Writer

Delta County assessor Debbie Griffith reported good news regarding tax assessment protests and current values to the Board of County Commissioners. According to Colorado state statute, the assessor is required to present the commissioners a list of property owners who appealed their tax assessment for 2019, and of those who did not file a declaration and value of taxable property for 2019. The assessor’s office received 363 protests. That’s the lowest in 30 years, said Griffith. “I think it’s because we have so much information available on what’s actually selling.” Of those appeals, 253 were approved for an adjustment. Most were adjusted downward. After visiting with the office, 27 appealers decided their evaluation was satisfactory. The remaining 83 appeals were denied. Of the 780 actu-

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al personal property accounts, five accounts failed to file declarations and valuable value of taxable property, said Griffith. She speculates that four of those didn’t have enough value — the threshold for tax years 2019 and 2020 is $7,700 or less — to file, and more will be known once those reviews are completed. Total property value for the county came in at $2,935,737,606; in 2018 that value was $2,497,382,241. Current taxable assessed value rose $37 million from last year to $330,075,372. Griffith said this could result in a $661,257 revenue increase with no changes from now till the end of the year. Much of this increase in total property values is due to new construction, said Griffith. The county has seen growth in value of 2% to 3% per month on average. “What’s amazing to me is that the growth we’re seeing is not depending on the mining industry,” she said.

BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS

Trash transport costs startle commissioners Delta County received one lone bid from North Fork Trash Transfer Station trash transport

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County growth to boost property tax revenues

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A4 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

ACCENT

Delta County Independent

Delta quilter enters international quilt show in Kentucky American Quilter’s Society, the largest quilting membership organization in the world, announces that Deborah Vollbracht, of Delta, has been accepted as a contestant with her quilt, Hurricane & the Calm, at the AQS QuiltWeek - Fall Paducah show in Kentucky this September.

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AQS QuiltWeek - Fall est quilting membership the leading voice in Paducah features close to organization in the world. quilting inspiration and 700 quilts from around For 35 years, it has been advice. the world. The high point of the show recognizes the artistry of today’s quiltmakers as hundreds of quilters in the AQS contest compete for $121,250 in cash awards. Quilts in this international contest and exhibition come from around the world, with entries from 38 states and 16 countries. The American Quilter’s Society is the larg-

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Photo by Susan Hornyak

Eugenia Bone speaks

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BIRTHS

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Levi and Ashley Shepard of Crawford are the parents of a son, Titus Radley Shepard, born July 19, 2019, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. He was 18.5 inches in length and weighed 4 pounds, 13.8 ounces.

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Sponsored by:

Deborah Vollbracht

Alix and Darcey Palm of Cedaredge are the parents of a daughter, Kyree Jo Palm, born June 26, 2019, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. She was 19.25 inches in length and weighed 7 pounds, 3.4 ounces.

Nationally-known nature and food writer and author Eugenia Bone will give talks at the Paonia Library on Aug. 6 and on Aug. 27. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, Bone will present “Insights Into the Unseen World,” an illustrated talk that examines how the rules of ecology seen on earth also apply to the unseen world of microbes. When ecological principals are applied to microbial life, we can “see” how they live, whether it is in soil or in our guts, and anticipate how they will behave under different circumstances — for example, when a person eats a raw carrot verses a Big Mac. Seating is limited on a ﬁrst-come, ﬁrst-served basis. For more information, call the Paonia Library at 399-7881.

Joshua and Maria Kraus of Delta are the parents of a daughter, �� Amelia Joslinn Kraus, �� born July 23, 2019, at �� Delta County Memo�� rial Hospital. She was �� 19 inches in length and �� weighed 7 pounds, 12 �� ounces. ��

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PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Hannah Branson of Delta, Jacob Lewis of Cedaredge and Jesse Gillenwater of Paonia were recently named to the University of Wyoming 2019 spring semester academic Dean’s and Dean’s Freshman Honor Rolls. The honor rolls consist of regularly enrolled undergraduates above freshman standing who earned a 3.4 or better grade-point average, and freshmen who have earned a 3.25 or better grade-point average.

Photo submitted

Altrusa International of Delta recently installed its new leadership team for the 2019-20 Altrusa year. From left, past president and “Rusty Gavels” chair Daphne Harding; communications chair Sunny Howland; secretary Diann Sales; president Kami Collins; ﬁnance chair Cindy Lonis; treasurer Vicki Ripp; and membership chair Jackie Schoonover; front row: service chair Karen Basher and second vice president Jennifer Thomas. Not pictured: vice president Barbara Wolfe. Altrusa International of Delta is dedicated to improving quality of life in Delta and surrounding area through the gift of service projects and funds to assist local organizations. For more information, call Kami at 970-361-8905.

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Delta Conservation District ��

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Check out the DCI print shop for fast, reliable service. Call Randy Crespin for a quote

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at 874-4421or stop in at 401 Meeker Street, Delta. DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

New funds much needed for Library District BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

The Delta County Public Library District board will ask Delta County voters to support a mill levy increase in the Nov. 5 general election. Ballot language asks voters to approve 2.75 mills, which would raise $843,972 in new operating revenue in 2020. Funds will be used to restore stability and ensure future success of the county’s five libraries. Delta County Libraries Director Lea Hart said this decision was not made lightly. Without the additional revenue to cover increasing expenses, the Library District will have to further reduce service hours and days, and consider significant cuts to library services and programming. Since 2011, funding for Delta County Libraries from both public and private sources has declined budgeted revenue by $667,000, from $1,947,567 in 2011 to $1,280,713 in 2019. According to its FAQ on www.supportdeltacounty libraries.com, “Property tax revenue funds approximately 70 percent of the Library District’s revenue stream. Being a special district, the property tax levy income it receives is used only for the Delta County Libraries.” A significant portion of this decrease is the result of the 1980s “Gallagher Amendment” to the state constitution, which automatically lowers the amount of residential property taxes that special districts like Delta County Libraries can collect from residential property owners. This leaves the district struggling to reduce costs on a yearly basis while also maintaining a required reserve balance of six-months operating revenue in case of emergencies such as frozen water pipes or an elevator breakdown. “We want to provide the best library to the communities we can and support the people in them,” said Hart. “We need to know we have enough money to move forward to bring the best services we can to Delta County.” A large portion of the estimated funds generated by a mill levy increase, $487,000, would go toward restoring operating hours and support the staffing necessary to provide increased programming. Hart said the district intends to augment with grant funding. However, grants are rarely given for operating expenses and tend to require a match, which includes costs fulfilled by staff time. “In recent years, we’ve lost opportunities to acquire grant monies because we don’t have enough staff to meet

the requirements of the grant,” said Hart. Statewide, funds are available for programs like early literacy, which is one passion of the Library District and an area of programming they hope to increase. “I work with a lot of organizations, and when I first met [Hart], it was clear that she’s passionate and has a vision of what the library can be — not just in terms of staffing and hours but what can be offered through programming,” said Jeff Moffett, Ph.D. with Triple Point Strategic Consulting who was hired to help with financial planning and market research for the Library District and is now helping as a strategist for the campaign committee in support of the ballot initiative called “Passionate About Libraries.” Hart says additional needs for the Library District include: • $76,000 to increase and improve youth activities and services for preschool and school-aged children and teens. These activities prepare children for reading, develop science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, and help them succeed in school. These funds would also be used to enhance senior services and expand outreach to seniors. • $85,000 to broaden collections of books, eBooks, eAudiobooks, DVDs and magazines, increase patron access to materials and expand the online library. • $40,972 to improve adult education, including High School Equivalency Testing and college exam proctoring. Delta County Libraries would also use this funding to offer classes teaching work-ready skills such as computers, math and writing, and English as a second language for adults. • $155,000 for necessary computer upgrades and building maintenance. To put into perspective how much a mill levy increase would raise taxes, an owner of a $100,000 residence would pay an estimated $19.52 per year. An owner of a $100,000 commercial property would pay an estimated $79.75 per year. In 2013 voters rejected a mill levy increase. This time the district conducted a pre-investigation — through a phone call survey done in March — and underwent more planning. A group of Delta County community members recently formed “Passionate About Libraries” to campaign in support of the initiative. “We’re trying to let people know what the situation is and answer questions,” said Hart. This group has created a new website so voters can review ballot question

Commissioners hear real estate overview BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

Nick Streza of Deer Creek Village Realty came before Delta County commissioners at the July 2 meeting. Speaking on behalf of the Delta County Board of Realtors, he provided a market overview and update on real estate in the area. Statewide it appears inventory has increased alongside median sale price. However, noted Streza, Delta County tends to run behind the trend statewide so our inventory is actually on the decline. Regarding the increase in median sale price, some of that is actually due to loss of more affordable housing. In the county, year-to-date, the median home sale price rose 22.4% — from $205,000 to $251,000. As of July 1 the average listing price of the 234 listings in Delta County is $442,000. “A lot of this is driven

by the fact that we don’t have $150,000 homes like we did a couple years ago,” said Streza. While new creative financing options for first-time home buyers are available, there are still few homes on the market they can afford. As a result, the average time between listing and closing has increased from 124 to 130 days since more expensive listings tend to take longer to sell. Over the next 18 months the county could see an influx of sales due to potential buyers avoiding the “expensive to bizarre” prices on the Front Range, said Streza. The Denver area does seem to be balancing out from its “unhealthy growth,” he added. Streza predicts a strong real estate market in 2020, but he said he’s not sure how trades might affect the county. The Board of Realtors is also seeing a healthy growth in its members, currently at 118.

language, FAQs, news and other information about the election question. To visit the website, go to www.supportdeltacounty

libraries.com. The committee also created a Facebook page titled, “Passionate About Libraries-Delta County.”

OlatheSweetCornFest.com

“More than anything I want to create stability for our Library District because losing money every year isn’t sustain-

able,” said Hart. “I have to at least bring the information to the voters of Delta County and ask them what they want to do.”

MONTROSE COUNTY EVENTS CENTER

�� Thank you Delta County for changing lives through your generosity.

Thoughtful Tributes in Sympathy Memorial Donations

Mary Lou Huerkamp

Leonard Stroud

Jeannie Applequist-Bascom

Kate Avery Sunny Howland Tom Huerkamp

Esther Barrett

Wanda Johnson

Mike Thomas

given May 1 – 31

Ted and Vanessa Hoff Verna Wilkerson

William Bergamo

Charlee Boger Matt and Brandee Barker

Betty Jo and John Gillum Bob Johnson Herb Spencer

Carlos Kincaid

Clair Chermak

Carolyn Kincaid

Dorman Frost

Peggy Baxter

Brandon Gomez

John Loring

Rodney Hall

Judy Kalk

Carolyn Hall

Reiko Meagher

Howard and Mitzi Hanson

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Anderson

Jacqueline Porter

Marion Lansman

Janie Chermak

Rose Loring

Kimberly Frost

Grant Madden

Colleen Zweigle

Charles Holland

ACG Materials Ann and Les Renfrow

David Hooker

Bryan and Diane Kissner

Thomas and Nina Sisk Matt and Brandee Barker

Joyce Reed

Michael and Amanda Twamley Victoria Miller Mitch Thomas

Wyatt E. Tietz

Nancy and Bruce Hovde

Mary Sue Tittes Jerry Hillman

Donald Weiszbrod

Dan and Doris Cholas Jeff Dean and Michelle Isom Dean Jim and Judy Briscoe John Taylor and Elizabeth Thompson Kirk Briscoe Lee and Shirley Davis Les and Ann Renfrow

Robert and Vesta Woods Shannon Markley

Verna Wilkerson

As a nonprofit, HopeWest relies on the generosity of our community. HopeWest Kids | Living with Cancer | Transitions Hospice Care in homes, nursing homes and assisted living residences CIRCLE OF HOPE The Circle of Hope is our monthly giving program. Visit HopeWestCO.org to join more than 180 others who impact the lives of friends and neighbors.

HopeWestCO.org | (970) 874-6823 195 Stafford Lane, Delta, CO 81416

A6 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

OBITUARIES Stephanie Miller

Vera Burkes

Vera Mae Finch Burkes died July 19, 2019, in Monument. She was 96. She was born Jan. 21, 1923, to Robert Finch and Fannie Brown in Esbon, Kan. When she was 3, her family moved to Simla. After graduating from Lewis Consolidated High School in Monument, she won a scholarship to the University of Colorado in Boulder. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in accounting in 1945. She married Ovid Burkes Feb. 19, 1946, in Houston, Texas. After the Burkes retired, they moved to Austin. She worked as an accountant and teacher. She enjoyed her professional life, reading, entertaining and spending time with family. She is survived by her children, Robert (Son Nguyen) Burkes, Peggy (George) Schreyer, Kathy (Larry) Pope, and Richard Burkes; grandchildren, George Schreyer, Samuel Schreyer, Benjamin Pope, Peter Pope, Betsy Pope; and great-grandson, David Schreyer. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Ovid Burkes. The funeral service will be held Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. at Monument Community Presbyterian Church in Monument. Graveside services will be in the veterans’ section of the Grand Junction City Cemetery on Aug. 12 at 3 p.m.

Stephanie Dee Miller of Austin, Texas, died June 2, 2019. She was 54. She is survived by her son, Luke Marcano; mother, Joyce Miller; grandmother, Edna Ives of Colorado; sisters, Tracy (Chuck) Lemmond, and Paige (Scott) Green; brother, Derek (Jessica) Miller; and extended family. She was preceded in death by her father, Del Miller; and grand-parents, Weldon and Opal Conner of Eckert. A private service will be held Aug. 5 at 9 a.m. at the Cedaredge Cemetery. Pastor John Copper will officiate.

Marolyn Hausner

Marolyn Hausner died July 24, 2019, in Grand Junction. She was 80. A service will be held July 31 at 10 a.m. at Brown’s Cremation and Funeral service chapel. She enjoyed her home and family. She is survived by sons, Bruce Hausner of Ore., and Miles Hausner of Wyo.; daughter, Yvonne Quinton of Colorado; sister, Maria Boller of Colorado; eight grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. Brown’s Cremation Service is handling the arrangements.

Edwin Horn

vices held. He was born June 20, 1924, to Josephine (Allen) and Fred Horn in Denver. He graduated from North High School in 1942. He attended the Colorado School of Mines at Golden for several years. Mr. Horn made splitbamboo fishing rods and other fishing gear and was a proprietor of a fishing shop in north Denver. In 1954 Mr. Horn returned to study at Western State College in Gunnison. He graduated in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Mr. Horn taught mathematics in Reliance, Wyo. There he met Evelyn Delgado and they married in June, 1957. They stayed in Reliance until the mines closed, at which time he attended the University of California at San Diego, receiving a degree in mathematicseducation. He returned to teaching in Newcastle, Wyo. He later accepted a teaching position at Las Vegas High School in Nevada. During a leave of absence he earned a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and moved to a teaching position at the Clark County Community College. He was designated as professor emeritus by the college at his retirement in 1989. At his retirement the Horns moved to the Delta area. He enjoyed travel, fly fishing, birding and spending time outdoors. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Delta County Independent

ics that covered more than 2,500 square feet on the high school campus. He also taught ceramics at San Juan Community College for several years. Mr. Casselberry also coached cross country, track and field, and assisted with wrestling at Farmington High School. Mr. Casselberry spent much of his life creating art. He donated hundreds of paintings to the children’s hospice art center. He enjoyed ceramics, painting, sculpting, travel, running, attending wrestling competitions and spending time with his family. He is survived by his children, Jon, Jeremiah, and Jessica; and grandchildren, Murdock, Cyan, Rush, Zurich, Layne and Dov. The family requests that his friends plant flowers in their yards in his memory.

Helen Barton

Cedaredge resident, Helen L. Barton died Oct. 14, 2018, at HopeWest in Grand Junction. She was 86. A celebration of life and a potluck gathering will be held at noon, Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Field of Dreams in Austin. She is survived by her children, Tom (Tess) Barton, Robert (Robin) Barton, Russ (Ahn) Barton, Kathy (Bob) MarroccoSmith, Karen (Robert) McCune, and Cindy Barton; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Gary Hockaday

Gary Fred Hockaday Edwin Allen Horn of of Longmont died July Eckert died July 25, 2019 18, 2019, at his home. He was 80. at home. He was 95. He was born Nov. 13, There will be no ser1938, in Alamosa to Wilhamein (Armstrong) and Fred Hockaday. Following his high school graduation he served in the amphibious division of the United States Army. On June 22, 1958, he married Arlys Welburn in Longmont. Mr. Hockaday worked �� as a carpenter in the con�� struction field. He was �� a ColoRODans founding father and a member of �� the Breakfast Club. He �� enjoyed hunting, fishing, �� cars, ATVs, reading and �� woodworking. �� He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Arlys �� Hockaday; son, Kelly (Brenda) Hockaday of Mead; daughter, Cheryl Baird of Fruita; grand�� children, Austin (Cait�� lin) Branden, Cameron, �� Catie, Coleson, and Cash; great-grandson, Mack; brothers, Dean (Donnet�� ta) Hockaday of Oilton, �� Okla., Vaughn Hockaday �� of Delta; and sister, Janet (Ken) Wilson of Olathe. �� Services were held �� July 29 at LifeBridge �� Christian Church in �� Longmont. ��

Terry Morgan Feb. 14, 1956-May 13, 2019

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Michael Casselberry

Michael D Casselberry died July 15, 2019, at home. He was 73. He grew up in Delta County graduating from Cedaredge High School in 1964. Following high school he served four years in the military police stationed in California. He then attended Fort Lewis College, graduating in 1972. He went on to complete a certification program at Northern Arizona University in the summers of 1976-1978 to teach arts and crafts. He taught classes focusing on the mediums of stone, metal, wood and clay. Following college at Fort Lewis, Mr. Casselberry began a 22 year career as a high school teacher at Farmington High School. He taught English, ceramics and art. He and his students created over 30 tile mosa-

degree in Kansas. Mr. McFarlane worked at US Steel in Somerset. He went to diesel mechnic school at Delta VoTech. He later received a degree in aviation school in Everett, Wash. Following his schooling, he worked for GE as a jet engine mechanic for 17 years. Mr. McFarlane and his daughter, Ruthanna, have lived in Cedaredge for the past six years after moving from Kansas. He was a member of the Assembly of God faith. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, repairing cars, building guns and reloading shells. Mr. McFarlane is survived by his daughter, Ruthanna McFarlane of Cedaredge; brother, Bernie (Brenda) McFarlane of Paonia; sisters, Kathleen Rodstrom of Cedaredge, and Evelyn (Roger) Randunz of Minnesota; and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Dorothy McFarlane; and his brother-inlaw, Don Rodstrom. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online Melvin McFarlane guest registry at www. Cedaredge resident taylorfuneralservice.com. Melvin L. McFarlane died after a lengthy batDaniel Kascak tle with cancer July 28, Hotchkiss resident 2019, at the Delta County Memorial Hospital. He Daniel G. Kascak Jr. died July 22, 2019. He was was 67. A graveside service 60. No services will be will be held at 10 a.m., Thurday, Aug. 1, at Cedar held at this time. He is survived by his Hill Cemetery in Paonia. He was born Dec. 23, mother, Shirley Kascak; 1951, to Gordon and Dor- and extended family. Taylor Funeral Service othy (Kraklau) McFarlane in Brainerd, Minn. and Crematory is hanHe spent his childhood in dling the arrangements. Visit the internet obitBrainerd then the family moved to Chandler, uary and sign the online Ariz. where he graduated guest registry at www. from high school. He later taylorfuneralservice.com. received his associate’s

(Linda) Reiner of Yucca, Ariz, John Reiner of Fruita, and Rock (Laura) Reiner of Clifton; sisters, Sherry (Hans) Bochmann of Fruita, Eva (Don) Gowin of Napa, Idaho, Tresa Sasser of Jacksonville, Fla., Garnet (Phil) Miller of Grand Junction, Paula (Dennis) Woodland of Delta; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Ida Reiner; sister, Hope Higgs; and brothers, Nick Reiner, Victor Reiner and Frank Reiner. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Chester Reiner

Delta resident Chester “Chet” Carl Reiner died July 23, 2019, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. He had just turned 69. A celebration of life and potluck dinner will be held from 5-9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, at the Duck Pond Park in Grand Junction. Everyone is encouraged to bring a favorite dish. Mr. Reiner was born July 20, 1950, to Nicholas and Ida (Rock) Reiner in Shelby, Ohio. He attended school in Fruita. He enjoyed his Harleys, leatherwork, his dogs and spending time with friends and family. Mr. Reiner is survived by his son, Chad (Tiffany) Reiner of Grand Junction; daughters, Carissa (Sarge Morin) Reiner of Norwood, Crystal Reiner of Delta; brothers, Byron

Terry Morgan, 63, of Page, Ariz., passed away May 13, 2019. She was born to the late Dave and Virginia Sell on Feb. 14, 1956, in Denver, Colo. Terry graduated from Hotchkiss High School and went on to college at Mesa State. She married the love of her life, Thomas Morgan Aug. 16, 1975. They lived for several years in Colorado before relocating to Arizona. Terry is survived by her loving husband; her children, Jamie (her husband Mark), and Sean; her grandchildren, Cienna and Ethan; and her brothers, David and Gary. Terry was immensely proud of her family. She always did everything she could to support and show unconditional love to all. She always knew exactly what to do to hold her family together.

She dedicated her life to her family. Terry truly showed her family how to love each other daily with every thought and intention. She was an exceptional wife, mother, and nana, who is deeply loved. She left this Earth too early; however, she leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories and a strong bond between family and friends. “Every day is a gift and not a given.” Paid obituary

Kenneth Lindley Dec. 22, 1940-July 28, 2019 Longtime Eckert resident Kenneth Lindley passed away surrounded by his family at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction on July 28, 2019. A graveside service will be held for Kenneth on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, at the Cedaredge Cemetery followed by a memorial service at the New Hope Church in Cedaredge. Kenneth Wayne Lindley was born December 22, 1940, to Vera Ola (Tolliver) and Emery Odel Lindley in Macon, Mo. They moved to Monte Vista, Colo. six months later. The family settled in Manitou Springs, Colo. in 1948. Kenneth graduated from Manitou High School in 1959. He served in the Marine

Corp from 1961 until 1966, reaching the rank of sergeant. He moved to Eckert in 1973 and became a real estate agent and ultimately owned his own business in Eckert as a real estate appraiser.

He married Carol Annetta Thompson in Eckert on August 12, 1977. Together they

raised three children, Annette, Mark and Kathy. Kenneth’s hobbies included spending time with his loving family, hunting, fishing, antique cars, and traveling. His outdoor Christmas display was enjoyed by hundreds for 38 years. Kenneth is survived by his wife; three children; and five grandchildren, Katie, Kyle, Chris, Travis and Josh; as well as his beloved Newfie Bear. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www.taylorfuneralser vice.com. Paid obituary

Delta County Independent

ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

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The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests will be hosting its 4th annual public field trip for the Spruce Beetle Epidemic and Aspen Decline Management Response (SBEADMR) project on Thursday, August 8. This year’s trips will focus on the Big Park Timber Sale, southeast of Montrose. All interested individuals are invited to attend the field trip and interact with GMUG’s staff. Transportation to and from the project site will be provided by passenger vans and will depart the Montrose Public Lands

Center, 2250 South Townsend, Montrose, at 7:30 a.m. and return at 4:30 p.m., approximately. Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, a long sleeve shirt and rain gear. Light snacks and bottled water will be provided. An information packet will be distributed to individuals who RSVP for the field trips. Please RSVP to Leigh Robertson at: info@westerncolc.org. This will be an allday event and will entail stops that display project goals, SBEADMR science team input and other resource objec-

tives. SBEADMR is a forest-wide project which allows commercial and non-commercial vegetation treatments in response to the spruce beetle and sudden

Hubwheelers to dance on Saturday night at Heddles The Delta Hubwheel- p.m. Saturday night, Aug. ers Square Dance Club 3, in the air-conditioned will host a dance from 7-9 aerobics room of the Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 531 N. Palmer Street, in Delta. The dance will be directed by Naaman Moorehouse, our club caller. Admission is $6 per dancer. Dances are

New singing VFW hosts group pancake looking for breakfast members The Post 9221 VFW The Arts Coalition of Delta County (AC/DC) is forming a new singing group. Called the “Delta County 12 Disciples, the vocal and instrumental group similar to a “praise band” will feature up to 12 selected vocalists and four alternates. They will perform around Delta County. Once the AC/DC’s new auditorium is built they will be one of the groups that will give pre-concert performances. They are looking for members with a good voice, who preferably can read music and have experience in singing groups. They also seek musicians with keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, violin, drum experience. Tryouts will be held the first week in August, with time and location to be announced. Call 970-640-6520 for more information.

ACT holding auditions for ‘The Tin Woman’ ACT Theater Group is holding auditions for the second show of its premiere season, “The Tin Woman” by playwright Sean Grennan. The play is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2728 and Aug. 4-5, at the Delta Arts Auditorium This is the first time the play will be performed in Colorado, and will be directed by Jason Atchley. The cast consists of five females and two males. A casting call for tryouts will be held starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Delta Middle School Band room. For more information, call 640-6520.

Spuds and suds St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church will hold a fundraiser potato bar with chili, pie and ice cream, coffee, lemonade, tea and craft beer from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at 4 B’s on Main Street in Cedaredge.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Delta County Fair 2018-2019 royalty (from left), junior princess Roan Spencer, princess Electra Lovato, and queen Kenda Faulkner with 2019-2020 queen candidate Sierra Nelson, princess candidate Ella Jensen and junior princess candidate Taneal Braslin Sunday during the royalty contest and judging at Memorial Hall in Hotchkiss. The fair royalty program provides an opportunity for young women to be spokespersons for the Delta County Fair and Rodeo, the sport of rodeo, the western way of life, and the community of Delta County. Coronation will take place Friday, Aug. 9 during the Flower Motor Company Rodeo, saddle shoot-out ﬁnals. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Delta County Fairgrounds in Hotchkiss.

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“Mainstream” with “plus” tips. Non-dancers welcome to come and watch at no charge, meet our dancers, and get on a list for our next classes. If coming from out of town, call to verify dance dates, details and directions call Paul Ash, 970-773-4495.

International Serenity Run fundraiser pancake breakfast will be held from 7-10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Stolte Shed in Cedaredge. This all-youcan-eat breakfast includes “made from scratch” buttermilk pancake breakfast served with sliced ham and scrambled eggs. You will not leave hungry. We guarantee it. Cost is $7 for adults, $3 for ages 6-12.

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aspen decline epidemics. For information on SBEADMR and its ongoing treatment processes please visit: http://www. fs.usda.gov/goto/SBEAD MR

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A8 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

BUSINESS

Delta County Independent

West Nile survivor traveled long road to recovery BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Two trips to the Delta County Medical Center emergency room, a vaguely remembered stay in the hospital and nearly six years of incremental recovery — that sums up the logistics of Kevin Parks’ bout with West Nile Virus (WNV). And it’s not quite over yet. Parks, remembers most of his journey, but his wife Jackie fills in the gaps. He thinks he recalls the moment he was bitten by the mosquito that carried the problematic virus. It was August 2006 and he was floating on the Gunnison River fishing for trout in a hot spot. He had applied insect repellent earlier in the day but didn’t reapply the protection after rowing and sweating in the summer heat. He’s almost certain that’s when he was bitten. Almost. “It could just as eas-

ily have been in my own backyard.” Whenever and however it happened, the symptoms were painfully apparent. Jackie recalls that her husband had a high temperature and was vomiting uncontrollably which left him weak and severely dehydrated. Then there was the rash. “It covered his entire torso,” she recalls. The all-encompassing rash and severe flulike symptoms convinced Jackie that Kevin had WNV and on the couple’s first emergency room visit she insisted on a spinal tap to confirm the diagnosis. The procedure was performed but in those days the results could not be analyzed locally and the sample was sent to Salt Lake City. But before the results were returned, Parks was back in the emergency room again. A phone call to Salt Lake confirmed WNV and he was hospitalized. He doesn’t

Photo by Don Benjamin

Kevin Parks of Paonia is nearly back to full-functioning after contracting West Nile Virus in 2006. He urges others to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

remember much about his time in the hospital but Jackie reports that he was delirious and hallucinating for nearly a week. Eventually Parks was able to return home and start his long road to recovery which began in 2006, extended to 2012, and in some respects continues to the present. The virus affects a person’s neurological and brain functions so there were mobility and communication issues to overcome. Among other things the disease impacts mental acuity and Parks, a second-generation Delta and Paonia State Farm Insurance agent, had to rely on Jackie and his office team of Barbara Maddox and Karen Martin for assistance. “There were times,” he recalled, “when I was only able to work for very limited hours.” When dealing with clients, he had to have an associate sit in with him. “Sometimes I just couldn’t come up with the words I needed,” he said. Despite the challenges, Parks is aware that he is a fortunate survivor. Since 2006 when he contracted the virus the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recorded 53 WNV deaths in Colorado. Last year one of the Colorado victims was journalist Ed Marston of Paonia. The Parks live west of Paonia on the homestead acreage that his ancestors settled in 1899. He was born and raised in Delta, left the area for a time, and returned in 1984 with Jackie, whom he met at Copper Mountain. The couple and their son and daughter lived in Paonia until 1996 when they moved to the homestead property. During his recovery Kevin and Jackie were active in efforts to mitigate the risks posed by mosquitoes. In 2005, a year before he contracted

WNV, Kevin had already partnered with the North Fork Mosquito Abatement District on an experimental mosquito abatement project. Later he served on the district’s board. Then in 2010, as Kevin’s health improved, the Parks worked with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and several other agencies to rehabilitate portions of their sprawling property. The result was a 42-acre wetland conservation easement

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Photo by Emy Lynn Roque Cisneros

Mural returned to original after almost three years BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

One of Delta’s most popular murals, a colorful rendering of fruit labels completed by Connie Williams in 1988, and the wall that is its canvas, is being returned to its original beauty. Located on 4th and Main in Delta since 1909 and in the Davis family

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ings and evenings when mosquitoes are most active. He urges others to pay attention to the warnings about WNV and take necessary precautions. As for mitigating mosquito breeding sites on one’s property, he recommends draining any standing water. “Draining water not only reduces the nuisance of mosquitoes,” he said, “It may take out that oneof-a-hundred that’s going to bite you.”

Lane Sanders of Delta mixes paint during restoration work July 18 on the mural on 4th Street by Davis Clothing Company in Delta. The building was heavily damaged on Thanksgiving Day 2016 when a car crashed into the building, which destroyed a portion of the mural.

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which not only restored wildlife habitat but also eliminated stagnant ponds thereby greatly diminishing the mosquito population. The habitat restoration project was the subject of a DCI article published on June 7, 2017 and in a 2010 Back Page article. These days Kevin is more cautious about his outdoor activities. He wears long sleeves and long pants and repellent, especially in the morn-

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since 1912, Davis Clothing Company is the oldest continuously-operating business on Delta’s Main Street, according to the Delta County Museum. It is also one of the oldest Stetson hat accounts in continuous operation west of the Rockies. On Thanksgiving Day of 2016, the northwestern corner of the Davis Clothing building was seriously damaged in a car accident. The accident also wiped out a portion of the mural — one of many mural panels replicating historical fruit company labels from throughout Delta County painted on the north wall of the halfblock-long building. Wilma Erven, director of parks, recreation and golf for the City of Delta,

said the city wanted to repair the mural immediately but finding funds was a challenge. After analysis, funding for the project was approved in the 2019 city budget. In total the project will cost around $1,400. Early this year the search for a muralist began. Once a qualified artist was identified, the city still had to wait for the weather to warm. Lane Sanders, Delta resident, started repainting the mural July 12. Sanders is a 2015 graduate and is the artist behind the Delta Panther mural in the high school gymnasium. On July 18, Sanders said he hoped to complete the project that week. “I saw this as a good, fun project,” said Sanders.

Delta County Colorado

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NORTH FORK July 31, 2019

TIMES

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Charges pending against man sending lewd emails BY TAMIE MECK Managing Editor

The Paonia Police Department is asking that anyone who receives an email from William Charles Traphagen, address unknown, contact them as soon as possible. At 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, the Paradise Theatre in Paonia began receiving profanity-filled emails from the address charlie@xfac.com, with the “From” and “Reply to” name of “Jesus F---ing Christ.” Addressing the manager by her first name and using numerous swear words and insults, Traphagen ended the message: “COWARD. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU - WORTHY OF DEATH.” Four

William Charles Traphagen

subsequent email messages were sent to the theatre email address. Mayor Charles Stewart said the Town of Paonia and at least two female town officials also received similar emails from Traphagen, which he referred to as “borderline threatening.” Traphagen was contacted by the police department and told not to have further contact with the parties. Between 6:15-8 a.m. Wednesday, Traphagen sent four more emails to the theatre. At 2:30 p.m. he showed up at the theatre, where he was told to leave and allegedly harassed volunteers. An article published in the Dec. 27, 2016 Yuma, Ariz., Sun newspaper said Traphagen, at the time 38, allegedly threatened a Yuma city council member and was expected to enter a plea in Yuma Municipal Court. A web search revealed no other information about Traphagen. Police chief Neil Ferguson declined to further comment on the case due to an active investigation, but did say that charges against Traphagen are pending. He urges anyone who has similar experiences with Traphagen to contact the police department at 5274822.

Changes in effect for North Fork Ambulance Association members STAFF REPORT

Former North Fork Ambulance Association members will be receiving a card in the mail in the coming weeks explaining how the two entities, North Fork EMS and the North Fork Ambulance Auxiliary, will work together for the people of the North Fork Valley. Ambulance service has transferred to the newly formed North Fork EMS, while the old North Fork Ambulance Association moves forward with a new name, and a new mission. The card will also notify North Fork Ambulance members that due to insurance regulations, their membership has ended as of June 30. Prorated refunds are being offered on any membership paid between July 1, 2018

and June 30, 2019. Members can request a refund check or may donate their refund to North Fork Ambulance Auxiliary. In lieu of membership, a new financial aid program by the auxiliary will help seniors, uninsured and under-insured residents of the North Fork valley defray costs of North Fork EMS ambulance transport should it be necessary. The North Fork Ambulance Auxiliary’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the North Fork Valley by supporting emergency medical services along with the health and safety needs of our communities. North Fork EMS will continue to bring the best emergency medical care possible to the valley’s residents and visitors.

Photo by Tamie Meck

A group of girls pauses at the Paonia teen center Saturday. Thanks to funds from Delta County’s Conservation Trust Fund lottery fund, the teen center could have a new roof in the near future.

Delta commissioner offers Conservation Trust funds for new teen center roof BY TAMIE MECK Managing Editor

After years of dealing with water leaks, the Ellen Hansen (Smith) Center, also known as the Paonia Teen Center, could soon have a new roof. Delta County Commissioner Mark Roeber, who represents District 3 and the North Fork Valley, has pledged $20,000 from his district’s share of the Conservation Trust Fund toward replacement of the damaged and leaking roof. Conservation Trust Funds are lottery funds given to local governments on a per capita basis and are reserved for public recreation projects. “The total cost estimate is in the neighborhood of $50,000. With the year round use of that facility, I felt it was a good use of the funds,” said Roeber in an email to the Delta County Citizens Report. The money will go toward matching funds for a grant application, and a request for proposals for the new roof was issued by the town in early July. Paonia resident Danita Green said her mom, Ellen Smith, would be happy about the news. Ellen Smith was among a group of teachers who 30 years ago made the dream of

a teen center a reality. Smith, who died in 2012, spent her childhood in Bowie before moving to Grand Junction. For many years Smith’s dad operated the Buddy Park amusement park on North Avenue in Grand Junction, said Green. He eventually sold it when he went to work at what is now Colorado Mesa University. But he never lost his passion for providing opportunities for kids. Smith earned a master’s degree in special education from Western and Mesa colleges. She later returned to the North Fork Valley and taught school in Paonia for 30 years. “She wanted to build a teen center,” said Green. In 1986, five area teens were killed in a car accident near Redstone. After that, said Green, the effort “really kicked into gear.” A group of school teachers worked with the town and the Delta County School District to place a section of the old Paonia Elementary School at Town Park. The structure was part of an old army barracks, said Green. It was just a shell, but it was “pretty solid.” A group of women volunteers from across the state — electricians, plumbers, carpenters and others, stepped in

to complete the building. “And in probably two weeks it went from a shell to what it is now,” said Green. Smith was involved in the teen center for more than 30 years, and eventually took over operations. After her death the building was named after her. “She made it a hub of the community,” said Green. An excellent cook, she worked hard to equip the kitchen on a tight budget, scouring garage sales and buying $25 stoves or whatever she could find, said Green. “But the roof was the one thing that was never right,” said Green “It leaked from the get-go.” Green’s dad Harold “was up there I don’t know how many times.” She remembers going to the teen center one rainy night and seeing buckets everywhere and her mom stretched out on the floor mopping up water. Over the years organization like the Red Feather Bowmen and Ute Trails Car clubs that use the building put work and money into it. According to Youth Center board president Bob Bushta, the windows were replaced with RFB grant money. Ron Sims donated labor, and the teen center board donated NEW ROOF TO B3

Pickin’ in the Park opens Thursday

Photo submitted

Honey Don’t, featuring the music duo of Bill Powers and Shelly Gray, returns to Paonia Town Park this Thursday for the ﬁrst Pickin’ in the Park concert series.

BY TAMIE MECK Managing Editor

Pickin’ Productions’ 12th annual Pickin’ in the Park free summer music series opens Thursday at Paonia Town Park. Music begins at 6 p.m. sharp with “Six @ 6,” featuring six songs by the North Fork duo Hard Pressed. The multi-instrumental, multitalented husband-and-wife duo of Cory Obert and Andrea Lecos merged in the Colorado mountains to create a blend of old-time string band and Americana-folkgrass. Both original and traditional, their music delivers rich, heartfelt vocals that pull the listener into their music.

Following Hard Pressed, another local favorite returns to the Howard Berkman Memorial Stage. Honey Don’t is the musical union of Bill Powers and Shelley Gray, the duo also well known in the North Fork area as one-half of Paonia’s old-time bluegrass band, Sweet Sunny South. The group performed together at local and regional venues from the late 1990s to 2010, recording five albums along the way, including a live album, and playing many a Pickin’ in the Park concert. “It’s kind of the biggest party around,” said Powers. About five years ago Powers and Gray moved with their two boys to Bend, Ore. Folks

from Portland and Eugene, Ore., head to Bend if they want sunshine, and there’s hardly a week something isn’t happening, said Powers. Between skiing at Mt. Bachelor and the area’s music scene, “Our schedule is about as full as we can handle.” We’ve been wanting to come back to Paonia for some time, he said. While everything they need in Bend has come to them, “Colorado doesn’t come to us.” They still manage a few visits, but for the duo, “This is a major homecoming for us,” said Powers. They plan a little on-stage Sweet Sunny South surprise with Obert and Lecos and Rob Miller, all of whom have made music together for years. Miller, along with a group of friends, is the founder of Pickin’ Productions. It’s not a reunion of the whole Sweet Sunny South group, at least not this time around, said Powers. “We had a lot of fun creating and writing and playing music and having a good time, and we hope to do it again.” Headliner act I Draw Slow takes the stage at 7 p.m. A group Powers said he discovered years ago as a volunteer DJ for KVNF public radio, siblings Dave Holden on guitar and Louise Holden on vocals has been writing and performing together for more than 20 years. In 2008 they were joined by violinist Adrian Hart, clawhammer banjo player Colin Derham, and double bassist Konrad

Liddy to form I Draw Slow. Since then they’ve played across Europe and at numerous American festivals including Wintergrass in Bellevue, Wash., RockyGrass in Lyons, and the Edmonton Folk Folk Music Festival in Canada. Miller and Pickin’ Productions have brought quality music to Paonia since 2000. Over the years they’ve added the Ridgway Concert Series, launched the Mountain Air Music Series in Ouray in 2012, and in 2017 established the Free Summer Concert Series in Moab, Utah in conjunction with the Moab Folk Festival. Pickin’ now offers concert series at Delicious Orchards in Paonia and the Mad Dog

Cafe in Crawford. Last year they began a summer series at the Tabor Opera House in Leadville and started booking bands year round at the Pubic House in Crested Butte. Held four Thursdays in August, Pickin’ in the Park now offers four free summer concerts at the Howard Berkman Memorial Stage in Paonia Town Park. Pickin’ Productions goal is to feature some of the very best national (and sometimes international) acts, both established and up and coming, along with strong regional and national openers. Each of this year’s concerts opens with “Six @ 6,” six songs by a local performer. The Aug. PICKIN’ TO B3

Photo submitted

Hard Pressed, the North Fork duo of Cory Obert and Andrea Lecos, open the 12th annual Pickin’ in the Park free summer concert series at Paonia Town Park this Thursday, Aug. 1.

B2 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Sweet corn put Olathe on the map, but seeds of economic revival didn’t take BY NANCY LOFHOLM

Special to the Colorado Sun

When giant, two-story machines called mule jacks lumbered into the corn fields around Olathe this week, it signaled that highly anticipated Western Slope sweet corn

was about to hit grocery stores and grills — for the 33rd year running. But change is afoot beyond the million-plus ears of tender, high-sugar corn that will be picked, packed and shipped around the country before

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the season ends in midSeptember. It is rippling through the seemingly endless rows of stalks and down the sunbaked streets of the pint-sized farming town that has become synonymous with the famous corn. And change is rumbling into the wider world of sweet corn production. Corn fans can consider these transformations as they bite into juicy, firstof-the-season ears: “Corn King” David Galinat, the corn geneticist who made Olathe sweet corn possible back in the early 1980s by developing corn strains with higher-than-normal sugar content, now lives in retirement in Eckert. He is focused on bird watching rather than on the mutations of ancient genes of a plant with the Latin name, Zea Mays. Galinat, 70, grew up immersed in corn research because his father was a world authority on historical corn. The late Dr. Walton C. Galinat was also a corn trickster who developed a variety of corn that grew to 2-feet long and a square cob that wouldn’t roll around on a plate. His son carried on by developing corn so sweet and tender it could be eaten straight from the cob. But, after a life centered on corn, David Galinat said he rarely eats it. His preferred vegetable is green beans. Mesa Maize, the company that Galinat developed on the outskirts of Olathe in 1978 to produce and sell his sweet corn seed, is now owned by a seed conglomerate based in France. Galinat

sold his company in 2010 to Harris Moran, one of the world’s largest seed companies. Harris Moran then became part of HM Clause, another of the world’s titans of global seed production. For local growers, that has meant seed costs have tripled. The big building now bearing the name HM Clause is still in their backyard. But they say it is tougher to discuss corn seed with a local representative. The Olathe Sweet Corn Festival, which brought corn eating and shucking contests to Olathe for 27 years and once merited a Rand McNally listing as one of the top food events in the country, this summer is moving 11 miles down the highway to Montrose. The 28th festival, run by volunteers guided by the Montrose Community Foundation, will be held Aug. 3 inside the Montrose County Events Center. The new location will allow venuewide alcohol consumption and more shade for corn fans while they get their all-you-can-eat fix of roasted and buttered ears. But this change of location has left many Olathe residents grumbling and many rumors whirling about possible mismanagement of corn festival proceeds when the event was under town control. Sweet corn put the town of Olathe on the national map. But that culinary cachet hasn’t translated to much in the way of economic development. Corn lovers occasionally wander around the ragged block that makes

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up the core of downtown in the “Hub of the Uncompahgre Valley.” They will find the B&C White Kitchen, the Jug liquor store, the Sudsy Pup dog grooming shop and Olathe True Value Hardware. They will also find five Latino-owned businesses that advertise services to send money home to Mexico. Many of the agricultural workers who have come to Olathe over the decades to harvest sweet corn and other crops have settled down in Olathe. The population of 1,800 is now 58 percent Latino. Spanish is heard as often as English on the streets. This change is not universally popular in this conservative, Trump-voting area. The demand for Olathe’s famous sweet corn is falling nationally. The “buy local” movement has cut into the demand for Olathe sweet corn. The corn is still shipped out to 30 states — from Anchorage to Roanoke. But, this year, acreage is being cut back as more consumers want to eat sweet corn grown close to home. Kroger and Walmart still buy more than 90 percent of the corn grown around Olathe, but both have cut back on their orders this year. Last year, some growers had to leave corn on the stalks because supply outstripped demand. There is pressure nationally to toughen up sweet corn. Some growers are switching to varieties that can be harvested mechanically, and that means the kernels must have tough enough skins to withstand machine picking. Two major Olathe sweet corn producers are beginning to experiment with mechanically harvested varieties. But John Harold, the farmer who started all this back in 1987, when sugar beets and barley were tanking and farmers needed a lifeline, is continuing to hand harvest the tender varieties he trademarked as “Olathe Sweet” sweet corn. Harold will be 79 next month. His daily uniform, made famous on grocery store posters, is still a button-down shirt under overalls — even when he is meeting governors and senators. He still zips around cornfields in a muddy pickup truck overseeing all aspects of the corn harvest, nowadays with the help of his son, David Harold. On the hunt for new sources of sweet, sweet corn seed From the modest Tuxedo Corn Company office in downtown Olathe, he does business on an old-

Clarification

fashioned cordless phone he keeps tucked in the breast pocket of his overalls. He has a Rolodex at the ready on his desk. Harold still sits under a large and elaborate wooden clock carved with “1st Annual Corn Festival.” Its hands stopped — he doesn’t know many years ago — at 10:29. This year Harold and his growers expect to harvest nearly 28 million ears of sweet corn, down from about 33 million last year. Corn farmers faced challenges even before the harvest began. The cool and wet spring delayed the corn crop by two weeks. On the surface, that could simply mean that corn lovers get two more weeks at the other end to enjoy Olathe Sweet sweet corn. But Harold said it doesn’t work that way. The market for corn peaks with the outdoor grilling season and starts to taper when schools are back in session. That means there will be a wealth of sweet corn this year after the demand has fallen. The impact of that is yet to be seen. While the harvest is underway, Harold will be jetting off to Florida, Idaho and Wisconsin — but not on vacation. He is looking at the future, which for a sweet-corn farmer like him, means having a ready supply of the seed that will produce the tender varieties consumers have come to expect. He said he can no longer count on conglomerate seed sellers to continue with tender varieties when mechanized harvesting is viewed as the future of sweet corn. Harold is not willing to make that change, so he is trying out the best corn he can find in other states to see if it will work around Olathe. He is also growing about a dozen varieties in test plots. “They claim there is no monopoly on the seed, but they are full of crap,” Harold said in his typical mince-no-opinions way. Corn growers have also been struggling once again to get enough workers, a process that has become more difficult and more expensive. The federal government has mandated that workers who come in on agricultural visas known as H2As, must be paid $13.13 an hour this year. On top of that, the growers who hire them must pay for their transportation from their homes in Mexico and for their housing. Harold said he spends about $45,000 in housing and transportation costs and $200 for each of his 145 workers in visa fees. This year he is housing his workers in a former juvenile detention center in Montrose. Over the years, Harold has tried hiring locals. That hasn’t gone well. The shortest time one of them lasted in the field doing the grueling work was 15 minutes. Most were gone within a week. One obese worker who couldn’t fit between the CORN FESTIVAL TO B3

The July 24 story on page B1, “Town administrator reported for alleged harassment,” states that Mayor Charles Stewart did not respond to calls from the DCI requesting comment. Stewart said that he did not receive messages left by the DCI, as his office was undergoing a change in its business phone system to voice, or “VoIP” service. In the process the messages were lost. Stewart, who is always quick to return calls from the The Neighbors HelpDCI, said he would have returned calls immedi- ing Neighbors – North ately if he had heard the Fork Ambulance Auxiliary is asking for help messages. in creating a new book. They are seeking stories, photographs, documents and anything related to North Fork Ambulance The caption for the service since it was July 24 BMW Motor- formed in 1969. Deadcycle Club of Colora- line to submit informado BMW Rally photo tion is Oct. 1. Contact should have said that Jill at network@northfor the first Rally at Paonia kambulance.com or 970Town Park was held in 783-1335 for more infor1989. The DCI regrets mation. the error.

NFAA to publish book

Correction

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

RAM clinic in Paonia open to all Aug. 3-4 BY TAMIE MECK Managing Editor

A Remote Area Medical Clinic (RAM) will be held in Paonia this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3 and 4. RAM clinics provide free, quality healthcare services to the under-served and uninsured. Participants are not required to provide proof of insurance or financial information. Services are provided by volunteer professionals.

Appointments are not accepted. Participants are asked to park at Paonia Junior-Senior High School, 846 Grand Avenue. Beginning at midnight Saturday, Aug. 3 throughout the twoday clinic, volunteers will assign numbers at the parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis. Starting at about 6 a.m., patients will be shuttled to the Energy Tech campus and will be

admitted based on their number. All patients will go through triage, including blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar screenings, prior to seeing a doctor. Services include dental exams, X-rays, extractions, fillings and cleanings; pelvic exams and pap smears for women; eye exams and prescription glasses (prescriptions that can’t be filled will be mailed

of negative about it.” Galinat’s seed is still used by Tuxedo Corn. And it is still possible to buy Galinat’s seed on Olathe’s Main Street. Behind the rusted and faded sign of Olathe True Value Hardware, in a 111-year-old building with sloping floors and an antique charm, there is a decades-old plastic bin filled with pink-tinted corn seed. It’s a variety Galinat called “Merlin.” Gardeners can buy it by the pound.

office, the woman mostly responsible for that sits behind a desk brightened with fresh flowers. When she isn’t doing finances, Lynette Rowland is the director of Make Olathe Better — MOB. She is working on ways to do just what the name says with the help of a $1.5 million Colorado Trust grant. Besides the coworking project, she is also developing an interpretation and translation service, and organizing a harvest festival to be held

The place with the sweet corn may be mythic in the memories of some sweet corn aficionados. But the town is not thriving. Mary’s shop on Main Street has party dresses in the window and a sign for notary services, but it was padlocked on a recent morning. A “Closed for Good” notice dangles from the door of Sheila’s Emporium. The curtains were drawn in what used to be a Mexican restaurant. Primitos Bakery, which has been doing business in Olathe for 16 years, is one of the busiest places with customers coming in for empanadas, donas and chivas. “Business is pretty good. This is a good place to live and do business,” said Valeria Rentera, one of the owners. One storefront is vacant but has been spiffed up. A sign identifies it as the planned “Olathe Connection” — a coworking space. Across the street in a financial planning

Aug. 17 in downtown. She recognizes that some townspeople blame John Harold for tipping the racial scales in Olathe and changing the town in ways some don’t like. But she recognizes that many of Olathe’s woes have little to do with corn. “Corn put our town on the map,” Rowland said. “But corn didn’t help our town all that much.” She can tick off factors that did affect Olathe: It suffered in the 1970s and early ‘80s when U.S. 50 was routed around the town. Travelers now whiz by, and Olathe was left with a lot of boarded-up structures. Sales taxes dropped so more streets and sidewalks and parks started to show wear and tear. Around the same time, the irrigation canals that had cut through Olathe were covered. Homeowners who had been using ditchwater to keep their lawns and flowers alive suddenly had to pay for city water. The lawns were

and delicious dinners. The KVNF beer and wine garden will provide local and regional craft beer, a variety of West Elk wines, and local hard ciders fresh from Deli-

cious Orchards. Concert-goers are asked to leave glass containers at home and keep dogs on a leash. No smoking of any kind is allowed during concerts.

Corn festival FROM PAGE B2 has tried hiring locals. That hasn’t gone well. The shortest time one of them lasted in the field doing the grueling work was 15 minutes. Most were gone within a week. One obese worker who couldn’t fit between the arms on the harvesting machine threatened to sue Tuxedo Corn for discrimination. Nine out of 10 of the sweet corn workers are now from Mexico. David Harold pointed out that some of the Mexican workers have been returning to the corn harvest for 25 years. Brent Hines, who has been growing corn for Tuxedo since that first year, when the total harvest was about 62,000 ears, said despite all these pressures he is not tempted to switch crops. Hines, a fourth-generation Olathe-area farmer, grows about 300 acres of sweet corn that come with bragging rights. “Hopefully the sweet corn thing will last a few more years,” he said. “I definitely think it is the best corn there is.” While most Olathe sweet corn growers hang on to their famous crop, and maybe augment with hemp, there are portents in other areas. The last of the large Front Range sweet corn growers, Sakata Farms near Brighton, last year fell to pressures in that agricultural segment. Sakata called it quits when the farm was choked by urban growth and rocked by labor shortages. Even though he is not in the corn business anymore, Galinat said he is not happy about the changes he sees in the sweet corn industry. He said the corn seed conglomerates are looking more to uniformity and to mechanical picking than to quality now – what he calls “an industrial view of sweet corn.” He said the conglomerates are “killing” the varieties of seed he developed and that became famous as Olathe Sweet. The company no longer produces a variety named “Jackie” after Galinat’s wife. “They don’t particularly care if it tastes good or not,” he said. “I am kind

Pickin’ FROM PAGE B1 8 featured performance is the Bluegrass Offenders. On Aug. 15, Zeb Etter takes the stage, and on Aug. 21, Luke Powers. Pickin’ concerts offer more than music. The North Fork Valley Creative Coalition creates a space for kids to be creative. They offer face painting, hula hoops, costumes and lots of surprises. The creative space is located adjacent to the playground — a distance from the music that isn’t too loud, but that is close enough that the parents can still be near their kids and enjoy the show. Concerts are great for family picnics, or for enjoying local flavors from one of several area vendors. This year the options include fresh flavors from Blessed, and barbecue-esque goodness served up by The Living Farm. There’s Tim the Pie Guy, and Surfin’ Salmon, offering terrific tacos. Remedy Cafe offers fresh-pressed juice

at no cost); and high school sports physicals. There will be a food pantry at the high school. The Delta County Health Services department will provide information on public health services in the county. No immunizations will be given at the clinic, said Emmons, “But we hope to provide them next year.” This will be the first RAM clinic in Colo-

rado, said Emmons, a 1, and load them back former Paonia resident up when the clinic closnow living in Knoxville, es on Sunday, Aug 4. Tenn. Last year she vol- “It’s heavy stuff,” said unteered at 16 clinics, Emmons. “Trucks are including one in Haz- stacked, packed and ard, Ky. Like Paonia, racked to the gills.” Other areas include she said, it’s a coal mining town with an econ- set-up and take-down, omy hit hard by mine directing of traffic, sellclosures. Since closures ing T-shirts, providing began in the North Fork general information and area she has wanted to other tasks. “Teardown bring a clinic here. “I is really crucial,” said could see a need.” Emmons. The clinic is not govSpanish and Ameriernment funded, said can Sign Language interEmmons. “The only preters are also needed. cost is time, because Those wanting to volunyou have to sit and wait teer or provide servicyour turn.” Volunteers es can call Emmons at left to die and weeds took are needed to unload 865-456-0127. For more over. The town began to equipment from 27-foot information, visit www. look dusty, rundown and semis on Thursday, Aug. ramusa.org. uninviting. Renters also began to outnumber homeowners. Many of the new renters �� were Mexicans who came �� to work the corn. Their family members began to �� open small businesses. Their children boosted �� the school population. “This town would have �� been dead, I guarantee �� you, without sweet corn,” �� Harold said emphati- �� cally. �� On a recent day, the �� bell on the door at Tuxedo �� jangles as workers come to collect their paychecks. �� Harold teases them with �� the nicknames he has �� picked for each one. They �� leave with big smiles. Outside Harold’s offic- �� es, there is little sign �� that this is a town made �� famous by sweet corn. To �� confirm that this is corn �� country, it is necessary to drive a ways into the �� countryside, where there �� are acres of bright green �� corn stalks spearing a blue, blue sky. Those �� fields herald the start �� of another Olathe sweet �� corn season — just as they have for 33 years. �� But with differences. “The world has �� changed,” Harold said. �� “We haven’t changed.” ��

B4 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

DELTA COUNTY FAIR

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Delta County Independent

Esplins will lead the parade

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�� Laurie and Bob Esplin are pictured with nine of their surviving 10 children.

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�� LIVESTOCK AUCTION EVERY THURSDAY 10:00 a.m.� ��

SPECIAL HORSE SALES 1ST SATURDAY EVERY OTHER MONTH

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Longtime Delta residents Bob and Laurie Esplin have the rare honor of being named grand marshals of the Delta County Fair parade. The couple was also named grand marshals of the Deltarado Days parade. Recognition follows the recent sale of their longstanding business, the Delta Elevator, after “a wonderfully blessed run of 46 years. “Our customers have been like family to us and I appreciate you all,” Bob wrote in announcing the sale of the business to David and Michelle Livingston. “I look forward to spending more time with Laurie, my children and ever-expanding number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.” Bob and Laurie are the parents of 12 children, 10 of whom are still living. To date, they have 39 grandchildren and 38

great-grandchildren. They were married in 1960 in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, and first lived in Provo, Utah, while Bob was in college. He earned a major in animal sciences and double minors in chemistry and zoology from Brigham Young University. A job with Morton Salt Company brought the Esplins to Grand Junction. After three years there, Bob went into business for himself. He later purchased the Mesa Flour Mill, formerly Mesa Feed, in Grand Junction. He recalls he and a partner were poised to open a new feed mill when the business burned to the ground on April 9, 1974. Fortunately, the business was fully insured. “I sold my ashes there and bought the elevators in Delta and Montrose,” he recalls.

Several years later he sold the Montrose elevators to focus on performance horse and show livestock feed at the Delta location. The elevator caters to small customers, offering feeds without medications or steroids, as well as a market for locally grown oats, wheat, barley and non-GMO corn. After helping her husband through college, Laurie was a stayat-home mom for many years. Although she devoted many hours to her children’s activities, she found time to sell Avon and attend the beauty school at DeltaMontrose Technical College and took accounting classes. She opened her own hair, nail and tanning salon in her home, and did bookkeeping for the Delta Elevator. Both Bob and Laurie are very active in The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints. Bob served as bishop, stake president and stake patriarch, and is a counselor in the Sunday school presidency. Laurie has served in the primary, young women’s and Sunday school organizations. She loves music. A talented vocalist, she sings at funerals and at church. They’ve had their share of trials, including the 1974 fire. With the community’s help, he was able to re-open the elevator in about a month. The community was also a great blessing to the family when the Esplins’ son died in a tragic accident in 1986. “When our son was killed, people were so good to love us and take care of us,” Bob said. More pleasant memories include closing the elevator on Saturday morning and walking up to Main Street to watch the Deltarado Days parade with employees and family members. The most memorable parade was in 2010, when Bob and Laurie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an award-winning entry in the Deltarado Days parade. “Ten of our children were there for that parade, so it was really a special time.” The Esplin family is sure to be well-represented again this year, joining the community in honoring Bob and Laurie for their dedication to their family, their commitment to local agriculture, and their service to the community.

Cowboy poet returns to Delta County Fair to perform The Delta County Fair Board announces the return of Floyd Beard, an award winning and widely known Cowboy Poet and Hotchkiss native. Beard will perform with renowned cowboy poet Nyle Henderson. Beard is an awardwinning poet and has been writing and rhyming for more than 30 years. He is the 2016 and 2017 International Music Association’s Male Poet of the Year. He will perform during Community

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Night, a new event Beard is a 1973 graduate of Hotchkiss High School and earned a degree in production agriculture at Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction. In 1975 he transferred to Colorado State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in vocational agricultural education, and later a master’s degree in agriculture. Beard and parents Fred and Grace Beard lived on Hanson Mesa near Hotchkiss for many years. He returned to Delta County after college and was involved in agriculture in the HotchkissCrawford area for several years. He then worked for Delta County schools as a teacher and administrator before becoming superintendent of schools

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in Springfield, Colo. Beard now lives “twelve cattle guards from the pavement” near Kim, Colo., where he and wife Valerie, run Corriente cattle with their daughter and son-in-law. A good day involves getting up before the sun “pinking up the east,”riding, work-

ing cattle, and settling down on the porch to watch the sunset. Most of his original poetry is written about his observations while working on the ranch. For more information go to: www.floydbeardcow boy.com or email him at febeard@yahoo.com.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Fair dog obedience Floyd Beard

A Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the dog breeds one might see in the 4-H dog obedience show. The event begins at 2 p.m. at the Delta County Fairgrounds park.

DELTA COUNTY FAIR

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

‘Stirrup some fun’ at the Delta County Fair BY TAMIE MECK Managing Editor

This Saturday, eight full days of fun begins at the Delta County Fairgrounds, site of the 114th Delta County Fair. So much fun, in fact, that this year’s theme is “Let’s ‘stirrup’ some fun!” The fair actually opened Saturday, July 27 with the 4-H shooting sports held at the Delta County 4-H Range in Eckert. On Sunday, July 28, the fair and rodeo queen contest was held. Through speech, fashion, riding and other tests, contestants must demonstrate an ability to represent Delta County throughout the coming year as they travel to fairs, rodeos and other events across Colorado. They worked hard just to get to the contest, and are now ready to stirrup some fun. In the speech portion of the contest, queen contestant Sierra Nelson said stirrin’ up some fun means helping others at the fair to show off their projects. She plans to “put a foot in the stirrup and stirrup some fun as a queen contestant.” Junior princess contestant Ella Jensen said she first attended the fair in 2005 when she was 11 days old. Stirrin’ up some fun means recalling memories of the fair, and “stirring up community fun during the fair.” Taneal Braslin, who is running this year for fair princess, describes stirrin’ up some fun with her new filly, Cinnamon. Delta County Fair Board president Rayn Bates estimates that between 600-700 kids ages 8-18 will be stirrin’ up some fun at the fair. Between 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA), he hesitates to guess how many events kids participate and compete in. “I’d be wrong,” he said. “But there’s a lot.” For the kids, who also work hard throughout the year, “It’s a good community service and it’s good for the kids.” Not only that, it creates so many opportunities for scholarships and education. Just ask Bates. He grew up in Cedaredge and participated in 4-H and FFA programs. After high school he attended Oklahoma State Univer-

sity and graduated from the Agricultural Leadership program. The programs provide so many opportunities for participants — from the contacts they make to scholarships and college opportunities, he said. “It’s just crazy what it can do for you.” Bates estimates the Delta County Fair is one of the largest in Western Colorado for a community of this size. About 400 kids participate in livestock. The event, which closes out the 4-H and FFA part of the fair, opens at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Events Center. Kids have put in a lot of time and energy into getting to the sale. “It’s kind of what this whole thing is about,” said Bates, who calls it “The Big shindig. It’s a pretty good community event.” Putting on the fair is a year-round endeavor. From opening ticket sales to final day’s Junior Livestock Sale, every aspect of the fair requires planning and coordination. The fair board itself has 18 members, each in charge of at least one area. Most of the members have also been through FFA or 4-H. It all begins September with the election of new members. The first tall order of business is obtaining sponsors. Each year the Delta County community and businesses commit tens of thousands of dollars in sponsorships. Then they go to the sale and purchase animals. “For the community to raise that kind of money and then come to the sale and buy,” said Bates. “That’s a grateful community.” The official fair book calls the sale “a cumulation of months of hard work for exhibitors who have spent countless hours feeding, grooming, exercising and working with their livestock projects to get them ready.” The purchase of animals in turn supports the future of 4-H and FFA, whose members use proceeds from market sales to purchase and raise next year’s animals. Now that the fair has begun — it officially kicked off last Saturday morning with the shooting sports contests at the Delta County 4-H Range

Photo by Tamie Meck

Rabbits are among the many 4-H project animals that will be shown throughout the Delta County Fair. The 4-H/FFA and open rabbit show judging opens at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the small animal barn.

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in Eckert — “It’s organized chaos,” he said. There are a few new things said Bates. In the main arena, in addition to bull riding, bronc riding, the team roping saddle shootout finals, and the coronation of the 20192020 Delta County Fair royalty and drill team performance, The One Arm Bandit & Company will put on a crowd-pleasing show during the Aug. 9 Flower Motor Company Rodeo. John Payne, aka the One-Armed Bandit, is a 15-time Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association specialty act of the year is a real crowd pleaser. Also new, Delta County Federal Credit Union will present a community night. “It’s a way to give the public something to do at the fair that’s free,” said Bates. It includes face painting, mutton bustin’, a Kids Zone, watermelon eating contest, water games, a pinup girl contest, live music and cowboy poetry by Floyd Beard, a Hotchkiss native and 2016-17 International Music Association Male Poet of the Year. It takes a lot of volunteers to run the fair. School sports teams help direct traffic, take tickets, and supervise exhibits. Other volunteers also work with local organizations and area chambers of commerce. And of course the fair board is an

all-volunteer group that is always looking for new board members and volunteers, said Bates. It is a lot of work putting on the fair, but the rewards are great, he said. “Serving on the board is my way of giving back to a program that gave me so much.”

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DELTA COUNTY FAIR

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Delta County Independent

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Fair Royalty

Photo by Tamie Meck

From left, Delta County Fair and Rodeo royalty contestants Ella Jensen (queen), Sierra Nelson (junior princess) and Taneal Braslin (princess) pose following the fashion show part of the competition. Fair royalty coronation will take place during the Flower Motor Company Rodeo and JC Propane Team Roping Saddle Shoot-out ﬁnals at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9.

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Photo by Tamie Meck

Some of the ﬁnest herbs and other gifts from the ground will be on exhibit at Heritage Hall. Exhibits open at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3.

The Pantry Store is a staple of Delta County Fair BY ROBBIE WINNE Staff Writer

The jewel-colored peaches resting in their own sweet juices, the vivid red of canned beets, amber honeys and baked goods made in the shapes of animals — these are but a tasty sampling of the visual delights that make their way to the Delta County Fair “Pantry Store” competition. The sheer profusion of possible entries is mindboggling. Fair Pantry Store superintendent Janice Cooper notes that canning and baking are but two categories of the overall competition. Dried foods, jams

and jellies, quick breads, yeasted breads, candies, cheeses, homemade wines and beers also feature in the historical fair attraction. Cooper says one category, titled “fun with food,” encourages an “out-of-the-box” way of looking at the foods we eat. This category features the most unique entries, for example, a small stuffed toy rabbit in a canning jar, labeled “canned rabbit.” Cooper lauded her judges, Deb Turner and Kathy Hetzel and their attention to each and every entry, providing thoughtful comments about their respective

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strengths and weaknesses. Each returned entry receives the judges’ personal responses. The judges award three prizes — judges’ choice, adult division, judges’ choice, junior division, and the Mayme “Louise” Ruble memorial ribbon, sponsored by Altrusa. The memorial ribbon is in memory of Cooper’s mother. Cooper urges contestants to bring their offerings to Heritage Hall at the Delta County Fairgrounds between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. The Fair Book is an indespensible reference tool for any interested competitors, as it details the rules of engagement. The Pantry Store section can be found on pages 95-100. Cooper said she would love to see more entries, particularly from junior competitors. She reminds entrants to pay special attention to presentation, as the judges pay close attention to the visual appeal of the offerings. Judging will take place at approximately 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7.

DELTA COUNTY FAIR

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Learning life lessons a part of raising 4-H animals BY TAMIE MECK Managing Editor

Like hundreds of kids in Delta County, 4-H members Lauryn and Autumn Kiefer are up at dawn doing chores. Seven days a week they tend to the chickens, pigs, cows and goats they raise on their family farm on Rogers Mesa. It’s two weeks before the 114th annual Delta County Fair. Autumn is weighing her fair Boere goat, Finnick, one of her three goats. First, Lauryn leads her Yorkshire show pig Frankie to the scale. After weighing him, she records his weight: 265 pounds. Frankie must weigh between 230-300 pounds for the fair, says Lauryn. If farm animals like him come in so much as an ounce over or under weight, “We can’t sell them, but we can show them.” And since pigs can gain two or more pounds a day, it’ll be close with Frankie. If she isn’t able to put him in the sale, he’ll be food for the family, she says matter-offactly. Autumns’ goat Finnick weighs 55.2 pounds — just shy of the 60pound limit. But goats don’t gain weight nearly as fast as pigs, she says. And this breed isn’t a meat goat, so he’ll be around a while. The Kiefers are among an estimated 600 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) kids in Delta County who will participate in this year’s fair, according to fair board president Ryan Bates. For many, but not all, agriculture is a family tradition. Dad Kevin graduated from high school back when it had an FFA chapter. (Hotchkiss, Cedaredge and Delta have active FFA chapters.) Mom Becky grew up

in Kansas. Need we say more? Lower elementary lead teacher at North Fork Montessori School at Crawford, in June she was among 400 educators nationwide selected to attend the annual National Agriculture in the Classroom conference at Little Rock, Ark. She and fellow teacher and mentor Cami Bair are working to bring agriculture-based curriculum into the pre-K-6 school. The conference, she said, brought her into the world of 21st-century agriculture, where scientists, farmers and others are seeking ways to feed the world’s growing population. The family all works on the farm. But it’s work they all seem to enjoy. They point to a new arena neighbors built down the way, and discuss what area farmers are doing this summer. This is ag country, and for many kids, chores are a part of everyday life. A junior at Paonia High School, Lauryn has been in 4-H for nine years and done some livestock judging. She’s won several ribbons and raised a reserve champion and two grand champions. “There was Midnight, Oreo, Captain Hobo, Bermuda, Brutus, Toad...” This year’s pig is Frankie, a pink Yorkshire breed from Crane Show Pigs. His companion (pigs don’t like to be alone) is Johnny, a black Berkshire from Zimmerman Pork Farm in Hotchkiss. He is not for show. “People think they’re just pigs and wallow in the mud,” she says as Johnny rolls over on his back and she rubs his big belly. “But they’re so much more than that. They really have a personality.” While summer chores aren‘t bad, “Winter is

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Photo by Tamie Meck

Back to School Now’s the Time to Call for Physicals and Immunizations

Sisters Autumn Kiefer, left, and Lauren Kiefer prepare to weight Autumn’s 4-H Boere show goat, Finnick, while Talya nibbles at Autumn’s hair and Luna hides in the corner. The Kiefers are among some 600 Delta County 4-H and Future Farmers of for the new school year! America members who will participate in the 114th annual Delta County Fair, which runs through Aug. �� 11 at the Delta County Fairgrounds in Hotchkiss. not any fun.” But doing of the sale to go to City �� chores seven days a week Market and buy Jello �� isn’t the hardest part of and pudding and cookies �� being in 4-H. The hard- and other tasty treats for est part, says Lauryn, a their last meal. �� “After the sale there three-sport athlete and �� honors student at Paonia are a lot of tears,” says �� High School, is juggling Becky. “Every kid is cryacademics, sports and ing.” But there’s a lesson �� animals. They also have there, she adds. While �� to fill out log books and most kids think their �� “It’s all time manage- food comes from a store, ment,” she says. “I love it “The kids know what though. I wouldn’t trade goes into raising animals Advertising with DCI can work for you. THINK ABOUT IT. from start to finish.” it for anything.” It’s also hard to sell the animals in the market livestock sale, considered the finale of the fair. “Every year we cry,” she says. But it‘s part of raising 4-H animals and it does get easier. It is also tradition on the morning

Photo by Tamie Meck

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Barrel racing is one of the events that will be held at the Delta County Fair Junior Rodeo. Events also include pole bending, a goat tail untie, break-away and calf roping, team roping, a ﬂag race, goat tying, calf riding, calf touching, and of course, mutton bustin. The Junior Rodeo begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3.

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The biggest event of the 2019 Delta County Fair is the Demolition Derby. The action starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Drivers are 18 and older and cars, modified to specifications, are generally older models from the 1970s — the Ford LTDs and Crown Victorias, Chevy Impalas, Cadillacs and other models with heavy-duty, solid-steel frames. Who will have the best car this year to make it to the finals and outlast all other cars? Arrive early, as stadium seats fill fast. No need to wait in line, as tickets are available at deltacountyfair.com.

Rodeo action

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Demolition derby returns

Photo by Tamie Meck

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B8 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

DELTA COUNTY FAIR

Delta County Independent

Welcome to the 114th Annual

Delta County Fair “Let’s ‘Stirrup’ Some Fun” August 3-11 Hotchkiss, CO

 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS  SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 9 a.m. Heritage Hall Exhibits Judging & Interviews 9 a.m. Premier Exhibitor Interviews 3 p.m. Fashion Revue – Heritage Hall 5 p.m. Junior Rodeo with PeeWee Division - Main Arena SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 8 a.m. 4-H/FFA Horse Show Written Test - Event Center 9 a.m. 4-H/FFA English and Western Horse Events - Event Center 9 a.m. Dutch Oven Cooking Contest Midway MONDAY, AUGUST 5 9 a.m. 4-H/FFA Ranch Horse Events Events Center 7 p.m. JC Propane Team Roping Saddle Shoot-Out Qualifying Runs Main Arena (Free Event) TUESDAY, AUGUST 6 7-10 a.m. Swine Unload & Weigh-In 8 a.m. Heritage Hall Open for Open Class Entries 10-Noon Beef Unload & Weigh-In 11 a.m. Food Vendors Open 1 p.m. Rabbit Show - 4-H/FFA & Open 1-3 p.m. Sheep & Goat Unload & Weigh-In 2 p.m. Dog Obedience Show 3 p.m. Open/4-H Poultry Show 4 p.m. Dairy Goats Stalled in Barn 4 p.m. Alpaca Show 6-11 p.m. Beer Garden Open 7 p.m. Entries Close at Heritage Hall 7 p.m. FREE Community Night presented by Delta County Federal Credit Union, Antique Tractor Pull, Mutton Bustin’ 10 p.m. Dairy Goat Milk Out WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7 6-9 a.m. 4-H Exchange Fundraiser Breakfast - Livestock Ofﬁce 8 a.m. Exhibitor Meeting and Group Photo All Open Class Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers & Baked Goods in Place - Heritage Hall 9 a.m. Judging of Heritage Hall Open Class Exhibits 10 a.m. Goat Show - 4-H/FFA and Open Events Center 11 a.m. Food Vendors Open 7 p.m. Swine Showmanship - 4-H/FFA followed by Breeding & Open Swine Show - Events Center 7 p.m. Exhibits Close Heritage Hall

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8 6-9 a.m. 4-H Exchange Fundraiser Breakfast Livestock Ofﬁce 8 a.m. Market Swine Show - 4-H/FFA Events Center 9 a.m. Exhibits Open Heritage Hall 11 a.m. Food Vendors Open 2 p.m. Sheep Show - 4-H/FFA & Open Events Center 6-11 p.m. Beer Garden Open 6:30 p.m. Agricultural Mechanics Judging 7 p.m. JC Propane Mountain States Ranch Rodeo - Main Arena 7 p.m. Exhibits Close Heritage Hall FRIDAY, AUGUST 9 6-9 a.m. 4-H Exchange Fundraiser Breakfast - Livestock Ofﬁce 9 a.m. Heritage Hall Open 9 a.m. Dairy Show - Events Center 10 a.m. Beef Show - 4-H/FFA, Breeding and Open 11 a.m. Food Vendors Open 3 p.m. Pee Wee Showmanship Bucket Calves, Bottle Lambs, Goat Kids, Pigs - Events Center 4 p.m. Round Robin Showmanship Contest & Premier Exhibitor Awards Events Center 6-11 p.m. Beer Garden Open 7 p.m. Flower Motor Company Rodeo - JC Propane Team Roping Saddle Shoot Out Finals & 2019 Fair Royalty Coronation - Main Arena 7 p.m. Heritage Hall Closes SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 9 a.m. Exhibits Open - Heritage Hall 10 a.m. Annual Fair Parade Downtown Hotchkiss 11 a.m. Food Vendors Open 11:30 a.m. Delta County Livestock Association Bar-B-Que Fairgrounds Park 1:30 p.m. Fair Special Awards Events Center 2:00 p.m. Junior Market Livestock Sale Events Center 6-11 p.m. Beer Garden Open 7 p.m. Demolition Derby presented by Your Local Ford Stores 7 p.m. Exhibits Close Heritage Hall SUNDAY, AUGUST 11 7 a.m. FFA Pancake Breakfast in front of Grandstands 8-Noon Premium money paid & exhibits released. MUST BE PICKED UP BY NOON 8:30 a.m. Cowboy at the Cross Church in the Park

SURFACE CREEK July 31, 2019

NEWS

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Vandalism, theft occur at Fruitgrowers Reservoir BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Earlier this month, unknown thieves removed a pedestrian gate and chopped up a post at the improved North Road parking area adjacent to Fruitgrowers Reservoir. The reservoir, which is located in the Surface Creek Valley just east of Eckert, is a popular destination for birdwatchers and hikers. The reservoir and surrounding land, including the parking area, are managed by the

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. A reclamation spokesperson confirmed that the agency is aware of the damage and indicated that repairs will be made. According to a reclamation public affairs representative, vandalism on Bureau of Reclamation property is a federal offense and subject to fines ranging from $200 to $500, with the potential mandate of a court appearance. Anyone who witnessed the vandalism or has more information is asked to contact local law enforcement.

Photo by Don Benjamin

A pedestrian gate and post located at the parking area adjacent to Fruitgrowers Reservoir near Eckert was vandalized sometime in June. Because the area is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the act is considered a federal offense.

Cancer Warriors plan August fundraisers BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Photo submitted

Fresh Baked opens

The Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of Cheryl Hartter’s new business, Fresh Baked by Granma Cheryl, 510 Northwest Third St. on July 23, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Cheryl specializes in quality ingredients and offers gluten-free desserts.

As part of its summer of fundraisers, The Pondy’s Cancer Warriors’ Walk will be held between 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. The walk begins at Cedaredge Town Park where there will also be food, drawings, and a silent auction. Individuals or groups can pledge money per-mile or give a flat donation to walk. Pledge forms are available at The Pondy Tavern in downtown Cedaredge and at the park on Saturday. On Aug. 17 the Warriors will sponsor a Day on the Mesa, an all-day ATV gymkhana on Grand Mesa. Information will be avail-

able Saturday at the park or at the tavern. The warriors are a group of dedicated volunteers led by Pondy owners D.J. and Barb Hladik. Every year volunteers stage a series of events designed to raise money for individuals in need. In June The Pondy hosted an all-you-can-eat Mexican dinner which raised $2,000. This year, six-year-old Silas Sanchez and 12year-old Carlos Madleno are the beneficiaries. Contributions will go toward helping the patients and their families with medical treatments and related expenses. Last year, generous

community donations of $15,000 went to support six-year-old Quinten Christian and his family in their battle with the young boy’s cancer. Barb Hladik said Quinten has responded well to treatments which are being funded in part by last year’s contributions. As with years past, the Hladiks are counting on a core group of good people to help them make this year a success, but more volunteers are always needed. Those interested in helping with events or by contributing funds can call The Pondy at 970-8563464 or stop by at 220 West Main St., between 11 a.m-2 p.m. daily.

There are numerous beneﬁt and service programs available in Western Colorado.

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C2 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Bruin musicians seek music booster increase BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Rob Wolcott and his high school students are on a mission. Their goal is to raise funds to support band and choir activities at Cedaredge Middle School and Cedaredge High School. Over the summer, Wolcott, who serves as director of bands and choirs, and his talented students are contacting Surface Creek businesses and community members in an effort to increase music booster sponsorships. Funds donated by sponsors will support music programs at the middle and high schools and help young musicians continue to improve

and display their talents locally and statewide. Last school year was a stellar one for Cedaredge youth. In fall 2018, the CHS Marching Bruins won first place at the Colorado West marching band festival. The high school marching band also placed third in a regional contest which qualified them for state competition where they eventually placed fifth overall. The CHS choir performed at the 2019 “Music in the Parks” festival in Denver and received an ‘excellent’ rating and a fourth place trophy in the statewide competition. At the middle school level the CMS intermediate band earned an ‘excellent’ rat-

ing at the spring Colorado West music festival. Sponsorship levels to support all music programs range from $75$500. All sponsors are listed in concert programs. Depending on the level of support, a sponsor can also have its logo displayed on band T-shirts, banners at concerts and home sporting events, and on the band trailer. Those donating at the highest level will also receive reserved seating at all home concerts and performances. Anyone interested in becoming a Cedaredge music booster sponsor is encouraged to contact Rob Wolcott at robert. wolcott@deltaschools. com or 303-356-5479.

Rotary installation

Photo by Don Benjamin

David A. Wood, governor of Rotary District 5470, recently installed new ofﬁcers and members of Rotary Club. From left: Governor Wood, Cedaredge secretary/treasurer Linda Lichtendahl, new members David DeVinny and Heather Blanks, and Phyllis Hoffman, incoming club president. Not pictured are Gloria Good, who will be honored later this month as Rotarian of the Year, and Don Ranta who will serve as president-elect. In addition to providing scholarships for local high school students and hosting several community events, the local Rotary Club is part of Rotary International’s global campaign to eradicate polio. The club, which always welcomes new members, meets at noon on Tuesdays at Creekside Café.

Correction

The article “Temporary homes needed for kittens,” published on page C1 of the July 10 Delta County Independent incorrectly stated that Jacki Dapkus is a member of the Friends of Cedaredge Animal Control board. The shelter is now called the Surface Creek Animal Shelter and Dapkus is the volunteer secretary of its all-volunteer board. The DCI regrets Photo by Aza Hoffbauer the error.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Positioned on the ﬁring line, Grace Hall (center) and sister Brianna (second from right) draw their bows and take aim at mid-range targets. The archery competition was part of the 4-H Shooting Sports Contest held Saturday at the 4-H Range in Eckert.

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SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

What’s bugging you? Local gardening questions and answers BY JIM LESER Cedaredge Tree Board

By now you should have your garden maintenance under control. Weeding is done and any early plantings hopefully are established enough to make it through the heat of the summer. So let’s look ahead to fall, a good time to plant trees. Trees shade and cool our house and yards, bring birds in close by, and mark the changing seasons. I don’t know about you but I loved to climb trees as a child, or until I became afraid of heights. There are different categories of trees for different purposes, with some being found in more than one category. There are the stately shade trees, flowering trees, fruiting or nut bearing trees, trees whose leaves turn color in the fall, and of course, the evergreen trees that can be single specimens providing yearlong screening from neighbors or other distractions. But today I am going to briefly cover what I think are some of the best shade trees for our area. First, when considering where to plant, make sure your planting site selection does not encroach on your neighbor’s space, interfere with overhead wires, shade gardens that need open sunlight, crowd your house or crowd other trees. And make sure it does not

interfere with underground pipes, utilities or even walkways. Of course these “don’ts” require you to know the mature height and width of your selected trees. So what are some of my favorite trees? The maples are great and can provide good fall color. The Pacific or Norwegian Sunset maples (35 high and 25’ wide at maturity) and the Norway maple (45’H x 40’W) are trees that do well here and don’t appear to have a problem with our alkaline soils and subsequent chlorotic leaves. The sensation boxelder (50’H x 40’W) is another maple that does well here. I recommend against planting Silver maples. Oaks are under-planted in the Surface Creek valley. I would include the Bur oak (50’H x 40’W), the white Oak (50’H x 35’W) and the English Oak (40’H x 40’W). Good fall color is

Paciﬁc Sunset Maple

one of their attributes. Now I know I’ll get raised eyebrows when I recommend a few elm trees. But unlike our ubiquitous Siberian elms which produce jillions of seed with the resulting nuisance weed seedlings and elm seed bugs, my selections have none of those undesirable characteristics. My choices include the Frontier elm (40’H x 35’W), Chinese elm (Lacebark) (50’H x 45’W), and the American elm (70’H x 45W). Their leaves have mostly yellow fall color. Other trees I recommend include the Kentucky coffeetree (45’H x 35’W), Littleleaf and American lindens (60’H x 35’W), Shademaster (50’H x 45W) and Skyline (50’H x 25’W) thornless honeylocust trees. These are all great trees with mainly yellow fall color. The honeylocust trees provide filtered shade and are also podless. Trees I do not recommend planting include most cottonwood natives and cultivars because of their susceptibility to wind damage; Russian olives, which are classified as noxious weeds in Colorado; and globe willows, because of their constant shedding of branches (called “self-pruning”) and susceptibility to wind and early snowstorm damage. These willow trees are also host to many pests and diseases. I’ve already mentioned the Siberian elm. Don’t let any of those pioneering seedlings get a toehold and become a large landscape pest.

I’ve got to mention the ash trees because they used to be great trees to plant and included the green and autumn purple ashes. But the spread of the devastating emerald ash borer means that this pest will eventually infest our area. This pest is already on Colorado’s Front Range in Boulder

County, and every last unprotected ash tree will be killed by these pests. While a single yearly insecticide treatment will protect an ash tree, I certainly would not plant any more than one or two of these trees and only if I am willing to treat for this pest every year, forever. So that’s my list. It is

certainly not all inclusive so don’t be offended if I didn’t mention your favorite tree. Jim Leser retired to Cedaredge after a career with Texas A&M University Extension in entomology. He is a member of the Cedaredge Tree Board and a Colorado Master Gardener.

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Cedaredge Dental Clinic re-opens

The Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the re-opening of Cedaredge Dental Clinic, 130 S. Grand Mesa Drive, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 18. Dr. Laurie Stein has a completely remodeled location providing all dental services.

Food pantry accepting food surplus ��

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The Surface Creek Community Services food pantry in Cedaredge is accepting all generous surpluses from local vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and farm chicken eggs. The food pantry is located at 245 W. Main Street. For more information, call 970-856-1125

Subscribe Call 874-4421.

Concerts • Concert hiatus this month

Gallery • Karen Brueggemann — Multi-media “My Career as an Artist” A 55-year retrospective July 12-Sept 5 • 1st Saturday Soiree — “High” Tea with a Twist - Conversation, Libations & Treats, Surprise Guest, Saturday, August 3, 2-4 p.m.

Classes & Presentations • Barb Churchley — Painting in the Impressionist Style - Pastels, Oils & Acrylics. En Plein Aire & Classroom, August 2, 3 & 4 • Karen Brueggemann — Fluid Acrylic Painting, Tree Ring Acrylic Pour, August 7, 12:30-3:30 p.m. • Soda Straw Blowing Technique — August 21, 12:30-3:30 p.m., limited to 10 students • “Lunar Landing Sites, Past and Future” — Commemorating 50 years since moon landing, Dr. Brian Day, NASA SSERVI. Moon rock on display, Saturday, August 24 – 6:30-8 p.m.

Movement Classes • Qi-Gong with Wayne McKinzie, Mondays, 11 a.m.-Noon • Dance Fit with Linda Dysart, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9-10 a.m. • Iyengar Yoga with Julie Locke, CYT, Wednesdays, 9-10:15 a.m., Fridays starting August 23, 9-10:15 a.m. • Nia Dance with Lorna Beard, Nia Blue-Belt Teacher, Saturdays Aug. 10, 17 & 24, 9-10 a.m. ��

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YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR

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T H U R S D AY

6 - 8 P. M .

�� Please RSVP by August 5th CEDAREDGE 945 S. Grand Mesa Drive, 970.856.8600

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Need not be a Bank of Colorado customer to participate.

MEMBER FDIC

C4 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

What’s happening at your library? The Delta County Libraries offer many educational and entertaining activities and events for you and your family to enjoy. If you want to know what else your library is offering, please contact the library or visit the Delta County Libraries website at www.delta libraries.org. Seeking Submissions for Harvest of Voices. Call for submissions! Seeking original writing for presentation at Harvest of Voices, the kickoff event of Mountain Harvest Festival. All electronic submissions must reach the Blue Sage Center for the Arts website by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31. If chosen, the writer of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry must be available to read his own winning submission before a live audience on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7

p.m. within a six-minute time limit. This event will take place at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia and will also be live-streamed to the Paradise Theatre. More information available on the Blue Sage website (bluesage.org). Sponsored by the Literary Committee, a joint effort of the Blue Sage, Delta County Libraries, and the Paradise Theatre. Cedaredge Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and preschoolers are Thursdays starting at 10:30 a.m. The Nature Connection: Biking Bonanza. Cedaredge Library is teaming up with The Nature Connection (TNC) again this summer season to bring exciting outdoor programs to youth in our community! Youth ages 6 to 14 are invited to reg-

ister for “Biking Bonanza,” for a day of summer cycling fun on Saturday, Aug. 10! Participants will meet at Cedaredge Library at 9 a.m. and take a bus to TNC’s headquarters in Hotchkiss. The program will first cover basic bike maintenance skills taught by TNC’s staff and summer bike tech. Participants will return to Cedaredge Library at 2 p.m. Following the lesson, participants will be given the chance to experience the feeling of freedom and empowerment that comes with riding a bike. From the pump track to the mountain bike trail there is something for every age and skill level. Participants must wear helmets and are encouraged to bring their own. Extra helmets will be available the day of the program for anyone who does not bring their

own. Please wear suitable, outdoor clothing and comfortable shoes (no sandals) and be sure to bring your own lunch, a water bottle, and sun protection. Space is limited. Register in-person at Cedaredge Library by August 3. This program is for ages 6 to 14. There is a $10 registration fee to cover transportation and equipment costs. Surface Creek Trail StoryWalk®. The AugustSeptember StoryWalk® book on the Surface Creek Trail is “Surface Creek Imagination Trail” written by the Cedaredge Plant and Dig Garden Club. Let your imagination soar on the Surface Creek Trail in August! Find out how the story goes on the Surface Creek Trail! Then, visit the Cedaredge Library for an activity related to the story. Contact Cedaredge Library at 970-399-7674

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for more information. This StoryWalk® book is dedicated to the memory of Ralph Lyle Ray (19302019), a third generation farmer in Montrose County. Nature Weaving Maker Space. Kids are invited to Cedaredge Library to pick up a nature weaving take-home craft. Take your craft kit to the Surface Creek Trail StoryWalk® or another outdoor location. Use the provided supplies to create a small loom for weaving beautiful nature art with items like leaves and flowers. All month long in August during library hours. Crafts Group. Crafters meet every Tuesday at 10 a.m. to share ideas and show & tell. Tech Café. Bring your devices! Bring your questions! Staff at Cedaredge Library will help you clear up your confusion with technology. From smartphones and laptops to tablets and computers, our resident techies will do their best to get you going! The second and fourth Fridays of every month from 2 to 4 p.m. Crawford Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and preschoolers are Thursdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact the library at 3997783 for details. Crawford State Park StoryWalk®. The August StoryWalk® book on the trail at Crawford State Park is “The Berenstain Bears: Gone Fishin’” by Mike Berenstain. Find out how the story goes on the trail at Crawford State Park. Then, visit Crawford Library for an activity or book related to the story. Contact Crawford Library at 970-399-7783 for more information. Tech Café. Bring your devices! Bring your questions! Board trustee, Jess Deegan, will help you clear up your confusion with technology. From smartphones and laptops to tablets and computers, our resident techies will do their best to get you going! The first four Wednesdays of every month from 4 to 5 p.m. Trustee Talk Time Do you like your library? Do you have suggestions for improvement? Talk to Jess Deegan, the Crawford representative to the Delta County Libraries Board of Trustees. Deegan is available on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at Crawford Library from 4 to 5:30 p.m. If this time does not work for you, contact Deegan at jdeegan@deltalibraries.org or 970-510-0724. Delta Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and preschoolers are Wednesdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact the library at 8749630 for details. Delta Friends Meeting. Friends of the Delta Library meet Tuesday, August 13 at 3 p.m. at Delta Library. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Sweitzer Lake StoryWalk®. The August story at Sweitzer Lake State Park is “America the Beautiful” written by Katharine Lee Bates and illustrated by Chris Gall. Find out how the story goes on the Sweitzer Lake trail in August. Then, stop by the library for an activity related to the story. Contact Delta Library at 970-874-9630 for more information. Marshmallow Shooters Maker Space. Back by popular demand! Kids are invited to Delta Library to get creative making a marshmallow shooter using paper towel rolls and balloons. All supplies provided. All month in August during library hours. Crayon Collection Scavenger Hunt. Kids are invited to Delta Library to search for and color with 24 crayons. All month in August during library hours. Back to School Book Sale. The Friends of the Delta Library offer great deals on books during their Back to School Book

Sale in August and September. In the bookstore at Delta Library during library hours. Tech Café. Bring your devices! Bring your questions! All ages and skill levels are welcome to seek assistance in clearing up confusion with technology. From smartphones and laptops to tablets and computers, our resident techies will do their best to get you going! Delta Library offers tech assistance in the conference room the first Thursday of the month from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the third Thursday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon. Council of Teens. Calling all teens! Do you want to have a say in what goes on in the library? Do you want to help choose the books we purchase? Join the Delta Library Council of Teens! The Council of Teens will help plan programs and activities as well as come up with books to add to the teen collection. Meets every Monday at 4 p.m. Talk & Tangle Yarn. Are you interested in knitting or crocheting? Then this group is for you! Whether you have beginner, intermediate or advanced skills, you can join these weekly meetings to visit, share ideas and patterns, and have some fun! Anyone is welcome to join. Every Monday at 4 p.m. Call the Delta Library at 874-9630 for more information on this group. Hotchkiss Storytimes. Baby, tot and preschooler storytimes are Wednesdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact the library at 399-7781 for details. Hotchkiss School Supply Drive. The Hotchkiss Library will be collecting donated school supplies for students at Hotchkiss Public Schools all month in August. Donations can be dropped off at the library during library hours. Quilt Display. Stop by Hotchkiss Library and see the new quilt display with rotating quilts provided by S & B Quilters. Tech Café. Hotchkiss Library offers an open Tech Cafe for all ages and skill levels to seek tech assistance with computers, tablets and phones. The first and third Mondays every month from 3 to 4 p.m. Knitting Group. Do you knit or crochet? Join us for ideas, help, and good company the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 10:30 a.m. Contact Hotchkiss Library for more information at 3997781. Paonia Storytimes. Baby, tot and preschooler storytimes are Tuesdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact library at 399-7881 for details. Insights into the Unseen World. Join us at Paonia Library for a presentation by Eugenia Bone, nature and food journalist, author and speaker. Insights Into the Unseen World is an illustrated talk that examines how the rules of ecology that we see on earth apply to the unseen world of microbes as well. When we apply ecological principals to microbial life, we can “see” how they live, whether it is in soil or in our guts, and anticipate how they will behave under different circumstances, for example, when you eat a raw carrot verses a Big Mac. Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. Tuesday, August 6 at 6 p.m. at Paonia Library. Contact the library for more information at 399-7881. Camping Scavenger Hunt. Kids are invited to Paonia Library to search for camping-related items in the children’s area. All month in August during library hours. Tech Café. Paonia Library offers an open Tech Cafe in the Community Room for all ages and skill levels to seek tech assistance with computers, tablets and phones. Every Thursday in August from 2-3 p.m.

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

SPORTS July 31, 2019

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Cornerstone Home Lending comes back to win women’s title BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Cornerstone Home Lending was this year’s top team with titles in both the Women’s Slow Pitch league and tournament. On July 18, play in the 2019 Women’s Slow Pitch tournament produced the top three teams in contention for a tournament title; Cornerstone Home Lending, H & R Block and Overholt Sheds. Number one Cornerstone Home Lending cruised through first and second round play with a 14-4 win over number four Overholt Sheds and number two H & R Block, 19-9, respectively.

H & R Block began its hunt for the title with a 12-6 decision over number three My Place before falling to Cornerstone, 19-9 in the semifinals. Overholt eliminated My Place, 9-6, in losers’ bracket quarterfinal action and was set to face H & R for the right to play in the finals against Cornerstone July 25. The July 25 contest between H & R Block and Overholt Shed was close with H & R controlling the game in the late innings for a 15-11 win. In the title game, H & R had momentum in its corner and owned a 5-3 lead in the fourth inning. Cornerstone rallied to tie

the score at 5-all in the fifth. The game was tied at 6-6 going to the bottom of the seventh with Cornerstone coming to bat. A deep fly ball to left center field by Chelsea St. Peter moved a runner to third base with Charity Lockhart coming to the plate. After waiting for a full count, Lockhart delivered a single to score the run from third and make Cornerstone the 2019 Women’s Slow Pitch tournament champions. Following a short break, this year’s Bill Heddles Recreation Center Fall League will begin play in the month of August.

Photo by Wayne Crick

With an undefeated tournament record, Cornerstone Home Lending won the 2019 Women’s Slow Pitch title. Pictured, in front, is Allie Guthrie. Front row, left to right, Norma Wilbur, Danielle Barnard, Angie Jackson, April Easter, Charity Lockhart, Saydee Culver, Chelsea St. Peter, Sarah Parker and Jessica Gibson.

Balls Deep, Crazy B’s play two for the title BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

This year’s Bill Heddles Recreation Center Men’s Slow Pitch softball tournament took a pair of games to determine the 2019 titlest. Balls Deep, the number four seed in league play, waltzed through three days of action before losing the first game in championship play July 25. Balls Deep upset league champion Crazy B’s the first day of tour-

nament action and went on to roll, undefeated, into the finals where a 21-9 loss in game one forced a title-deciding game two July 25. Balls Deep scored a 20-14 win to capture the title. In last week’s play, July 18, Balls Deep played an early winner’s bracket game and defeated number three Big B’s to reach the finals. Crazy B’s road to the finals included losers’ bracket wins over number six Delta Metals, number

two Mountain Men and Big B’s. Crazy B’s accumulated 14 runs on 16 hits to take a 14-8 lead after three innings of play. Crazy B’s aggressive play continued through the remainder of the game and eventually led to a 21-9 win forcing game two. Balls Deep regrouped in the deciding game to surge to a 7-0 lead early in the game and went on to outplay Crazy B’s for a game-winning 20-14 score and claim the title.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Balls Deep’s Nate Wiggins reaches back to make the tag on an unidentiﬁed Crazy B’s runner during game one of the Men’s Slow Pitch championship game on July 27. Crazy B’s won the game, 21-9, forcing a deciding game two, which was won by Balls Deep, 20-14.

Monday night league play heads to finals

17 in favor of Homeez. Monday night’s losers’ bracket semifinal Games played in both matchup pitted number the Recreational and two Tim’s Custom CounCompetitive Coed leagues tertops and number three had final tuneups for Mobile Homeez against this week’s championship each other. The wingames. ner of this contest was Of the six games played Calhoun’s opponent for in Recreational Coed action the Recreational League there were three winner’s tournament title. bracket and three losers’ Three games were bracket battles waged. played in Monday night’s Early games played Competitive league on were in the winner’s July 22. Number two bracket where league Hometown Electric champion Calhoun Outfitplayed the early game ters battled a determined against number three fourth seed, T.S.C. WarBerries and Cherries riors’ team, down to the with Hometown winning final inning before claimin a squeaker, 6-5. ing 19-18 decision. The win Two games were advanced Calhoun’s to the played at 7:30 p.m., one semifinal round in winin the semifinals of the winner’s bracket between number three Delta Family Fun Park and number one Cornerstone Home Lending, and the second game in the quarterfinals of the losers’ bracket, Hometown and number four Bad News Beers. Cornerstone and Delta Family Fun Park played evenly in the early going before Cornerstone prevailed with a strong hitting performance down the stretch to pull away with a 21-10 victory. Bad News Beers had too much of everything in its game against Hometown and pulled off a 12-7 upset to make the losers’ bracket semifinals against Delta Family Fun Park. The winner of this contest met Cornerstone for the Competitive League tournament title. Photo by Wayne Crick Results of that game will Delta Family Fun Park’s Luke Schmalz made a jug- appear in next week’s edigling stop of a hard hit ball and was able to throw tion of the Delta County Independent. out the runner from his knees.

BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

ner’s bracket play where second-seeded Tim’s Custom Countertops joined the top team after defeating number three Mobile Homeez, 7-6. Calhoun’s held the upper hand for most of the semifinal contest against Tim’s Custom Countertops and eventually earned a final’s berth by a 19-14 verdict. After falling into the losers’ bracket, Mobile Homeez won an 8-4 decision over Bad News Bears for one losers’ bracket quarterfinal berth. T.S.C., by virtue of its 13-9 win over Brew-ins, joined the Homeez for another exciting one-run contest which ended 18-

Photo by Wayne Crick

With one loss in tournament play, Balls Deep rebounded in championship game two to defeat Crazy B’s, 20-14. In no order, Rosilio Garcia, Jordan Maughn, Emmanual Barba, Jonathan Gonzalez, Kris Nieto, JT Hotchkiss, Taylor Katzer, Anders Schoppe, Raymond Calhoun, Blaine Escher, Ty Coats and Nate Wiggins. Balls Deep is sponsored by Fire Mountain Properties.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Ray Calhoun, of Calhoun Outﬁtters, steps off the bag at second to make a throw for a double play against T.S.C. Warriors July 22. T.S.C. took the league champions to the limit before bowing 19-18 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

C6 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Mother Nature slows down Pigskin Classic BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

The annual Panther Pigskin Classic golf tournament was held on Saturday, July 27, at Devil’s Thumb Golf Club. With the day beginning with plenty of sunshine and gentle breezes, a total of 20 teams began play at 9 a.m. Near midday Mother Nature intervened to suspend play for approximately 40 minutes while the second fierce storm in two days pounded Delta’s community with torrential rain, wind and lightning. Tournament players used the brief stoppage in play to grab lunch, provided by Needle Rock Brewing Co. Most of the tournament’s teams, and players, resumed play following lunch with a light rain accompanying them

for a brief time. There was abundant sunshine as players completed play by mid-afternoon. The winning foursome consisting of Derek Carlson, Jerrett Bond, Cody Carlson and Sweed Carlson mastered their 18 holes on Devil’s Thumb beautiful course with a total of 57 strokes. Saturday’s secondplace team was close behind with a 59. The runners-up included Don Miller, Andy England, Daniel Renfrow and Scott Lewis. This year’s third-place team won a three-waytie with the best scorecard determining its 60 strokes to be just a bit better. The third-place team consisted of Ryan Whittington, Landon Bradbury, Casey Coulter and Creed James. Battling for third were Dave

Hunt, Ryan White, Shanon Secrest and Trisha Whittington and Chad Mitchell, Art Craven, Tommy Breeden and Bill Porter. Tournament organizer, and head Delta High School football coach, Ben Johnson rewarded two former Delta football players, who have played in the Pigskin Classic for several years, a special award. Johnson found the jersey’s worn by Kory Mills and Josh Reeder and presented them with those jerseys. A raffle sponsored by Cedaredge Foodtown’s Blake Bynum, offered participating golfers in the tournament chances to win an autographed Phillip Lindsay Denver Broncos football helmet. The winning ticket was purchased by Marcos Meza.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Assistant coach Ryan Whittington, left, and Delta High School head football coach Ben Johnson, right, presented the 2019 Panther Pigskin Classic winners with footballs. From the left, Derek Carlson, Jerrett Bond, Cody Carlson and Swede blitzed the 20-team ﬁeld with their 57 to win the 18-hole event at Devil’s Thumb Golf Course.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Last Saturday’s (July 27) third place winners in the Panthers Pigskin Classic included, from left, Ryan Whittington, Landon Bradbury and Creed James. Casey Coulter, the fourth member of the team, was unavailable for the photo. Delta High School head football coach Ben Johnson, right, presented the Photo by Wayne Crick awards Flanked by assistant coach Ryan Whittington and head coach Ben Johnson, the second-place team, minus Andy England, celebrate their ﬁnish after posting a scorecard showing 59 strokes in tournament play.

Cedaredge trio wins medals in Rocky Mountain State Games BY KIRBY HENDERSON DCI Sports Writer

On Saturday, July 20, a couple of Cedaredge student-athletes competed in the Rocky Mountain State Games in Colorado Springs. The State Games have been held for several decades and features many opportunities for folks of all ages to participate in sporting events. It can be compared to a smaller version of the Olympic Games with competitors being awarded gold, silver, and bronze

medals. High Cedaredge School’s Blake Tullis, Mykel Ross, and longtime coach, John Kuemmerlin made the trip to take part in the track and field competition. According to Kuemmerlin, they had a great time and brought back some hardware. In the 15-16 year-old division, Tullis was a three-event gold medal recipient after winning the shot put, discus and javelin. Ross earned a pair of medals, a silver in the discus and a bronze

in the javelin. Not to be outdone, Kuemmerlin earned gold medals in the shot and discus to go with a silver in the javelin in the 40-49 year-old division. Tullis and Ross enjoyed the javelin, especially since the javelin isn’t an event in the regular season of high school track and field. As medal winners, the three have qualified for the State Games of America to be held in Lynchburg, Virginia, July 31August 4.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Qualifying for national track and ﬁeld competition in Lynchburg, Virginia, July 31-Aug. 4, from left Cedaredge High School’s Blake Tullis, Mykel Ross and John Kuemmerlin competed in Colorado Springs on July 20 at the Rocky Mountain State Games to earn their qualiﬁcations.

Getting to know CJ Cannell BY KIRBY HENDERSON DCI Sports Writer

Cedaredge High School is pleased to have Mr. CJ Cannell as the new Assistant Principal and Activities Director (AD). When I asked him to take part in this interview, Mr. Cannell expressed to me his desire to continue to build on the excellence that has already been established at CHS. In order for folks to get to know him better, he was generous enough to share his background, goals, and much more. Take us through your background: I grew up in Paonia, Colorado and graduated from Paonia High School in 2007. I was a three-sport athlete. I played college baseball at Mesa State College and then Colorado State University after that. I have eight years of teaching Math/STEM at CHS along with experience being a head baseball coach, and an assistant football and middle school basketball coach. I got my masters in ELPS through UNC at Greeley. What led you to decide

to pursue the AD position? Who inspired you?: My wife and I are rooted in Cedaredge. It’s where we met, where we want to raise our kids. The town and the people especially make it such a special place. I had gotten my masters in my third year of teaching after being told I would make a good administrator. When former AD, Brandon Milholland, decided to leave and the position opened up, it just felt like the right time to try and advance my career. As far as being inspired, my Grandpa Bruce Cannell was an administrator for years in the Olathe and Nucla areas, and my dad was a classroom teacher for 15 years, as well. What are your thoughts about the value of athletics and activities and their effect on students? The value of the athletic/ activity experience is second to none. There are so many lessons and situations that can be taught and enjoyed through this setting that are difficult to recreate inside

a traditional classroom. have a variety of options I think that our coach- with a variety of outstanding staff at Cedaredge ing coaches, so a student does a phenomenal job at has multiple options even using these activities to in a small-school setting build relationships with like ours. our students and then What exactly does your through those relationships, they are able to influence their lives in a positive manner. As far as the effect on students, it’s simple: kids who are actively engaged in something outside of the classroom are more engaged and perform better inside the classPhoto submitted room. The CJ and Emily Cannell with children great thing Bruce and Juliette will have a more about our prominent presence with Cannell’s new activities Activities Director title at Cedaredge is that we High School.

new job entail? I am the Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Cedaredge High School. So that involves teacher evaluations, student discipline, coordinating and implementing curriculum changes, etc. As the Activities Director, it involves scheduling all events and travel, evaluation of programs and coaches, etc. Do you have any goals that you would like to accomplish in your first year as AD at CHS? I have two big goals that I would like to accomplish in my first year as the AD. 1. I want to support our coaches and activity leaders as much as I can. I want to get to know them, what their program does well, where I can help them, etc. And then the second is to learn as much as I can. Is there anything you would ask parents/ guardians and athletes to do to prepare for the upcoming sports/activities season? I think that 2019-2020 presents some very exciting opportunities for our activity pro-

grams. For athletes, the biggest thing I would tell them is to commit. Commit to their activity and completely dedicate themselves to the activities they are in. To the parents, stay involved and come support your student as they compete throughout the year. And to both parties, enjoy every moment of it because it’s such a short time period and it has something to offer everyone. What can we look forward to from Cedaredge High School athletics and activities this upcoming school year? I think that there is something for every program to achieve this year. We have some programs that are looking to improve upon tremendous accomplishments from last year. We have some programs that are hungry for redemption from last season. Overall, I think people should be looking forward to seeing the Bruins compete, day in and day out, working towards competing at their best at the right times in their season.

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Barracudas end regular year BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Delta’s Barracuda swim team has been busy making waves in three meets in recent weeks. On July 20 the Barracudas hosted the Last Chance Meet at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. Prior to that the 8 and under WSL Championships and the CO WSL

Championships were held at El Pomar Natatorium on July 12 through July 14. Barracudas’ representative Courtney Hellman was pleased with the team’s recent success. “We had a great meet (Last Chance).” Grady Hellman was the 10 and under high point winner at the West-

ern Slope League Championships last weekend. The Barracudas were eighth at that meet, noted Hellman. Delta is taking 27 swimmers to the seasonal state meet, which is being held in Ouray the first weekend in August. Grady and Charlie Hellman, as well as Walden Lagille-Hoppe

Photo by Kaylee Dunham

It was a close race for swimmers Roxie Uhrig, Gunnison (bottom), and Grady Hellman, Delta. Reaching for the wall, Uhrig won ﬁrst place in the 50-yard breaststroke with a time of 44.33 seconds as Hellman came in second with a time of 44.34 seconds.

have made 2019 JO Long Course State cuts and will be swimming this coming weekend at CMU, which is a big accomplishment noted Hellman. “The time qualifications for this meet are based on yearround times. Our team is a seasonal team so the time qualifications are significantly faster than seasonal state times,” noted Hellman. Grady Hellman qualified in six events for 1112 year olds; 400-yard freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 intermediate, and 100 butterfly. Charlie Hellman qualified for the 10 and under 100 breaststroke and Lagille-Hoppe qualified for the 10 and under 50 fly and 50 and 100 backstroke. 8 and Under Due to the large number of swimmers in many events, only the top 10 places will be mentioned with places and times. Charlie Hellman was Delta’s lone top-10 placer in the 100-freestyle race with his 1:26.20 and third

place. Haddie Hellman was sixth in 25 backstroke (28.16) and Sloan Queen finished eighth (29.20). Nathaniel Quammen finished third in 25 backstroke (23.99); Sloan Queen finished 10th in the 50 freestyle (1:03.58); Charlie Hellman was fourth in 50 freestyle (40.70), Quammen sixth (45.39), Langille-Hoppe eighth (46.74); and Charlie Hellman fifth 100 intermediate (1:44.38), and Quammen seventh (1:53.15). CO WSL CHAMPIONSHIPS Competition in the CO WSL Championships included swimmers from more than 10 teams with an excess of 20 or more places given in some events. Barracuda swimmers with top-10 finishes will be included in this summary. Doyle Young placed fifth in boys 15 and over 400-meter intermediate competition with a time of 6:50.31. Delta’s Grady Hell-

man won the 10 and under 400 freestyle in 5:43.32; Zeke Waxler was 10th in 13-14 100 breaststroke (1:49.53); Grady Hellman was first in 200 intermediate (3:06.20); Lella Young was fifth in girls 200 backstroke (3:22.35); Delta’s boys 10 and under 200-freestyle relay was second (2:50.85, Grady Hellman, Quammen, Charlie Hellman and Lagille-Hoppe); girls 12 and under 200freestyle relay was seventh (2:50.29), Young, Joella Payne, Gwyneth Hasto and Peyton Huntley); Hasto was eighth in girls 10 and under 100 freestyle (1:39.03); Grady Hellman first in 100 freestyle (1:13.84), Lagille-Hoppe 10th (1:29.97); Grady Hellman first 100 backstroke (1:29.26), Lagille-Hoppe third (1:36.74), Charlie Hellman sixth (1:45.46); Young seventh in 100 backstroke (1:32.69); Huntley seventh in 50 butterfly (1:08.95); Grady Hellman first 50 butterfly (39.38).

Photo by Wayne Crick

A special award for having played in several Pigskin Classic golf tournaments went to former Delta standouts Kory Mills and Josh Reeder. The awards were the jerseys both players wore while playing for the Panthers. Flanking the two athletes are, left, Ryan Whittington (assistant coach) and head coach Ben Johnson on the right.

Photo by Wayne Crick

And the lucky winner of the Phillip Lindsay Denver Broncos football helmet was Marcos Meza. Meza is ﬂanked by Blake Bynym, left, Cedaredge Foodtown manager and donator of the helmet, and Delta High School’s head football coach Ben Johnson on the right.

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C8 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

DELTARADO DAYS

Delta County Independent

84th Annual

D e l t a r a d o Days

An old-time covered wagon intersects with a modern-day Wells Fargo wagon on Delta’s Main Street during the Deltarado Days parade.

ASTRA members Zola Cordell, Rebecca Simler, Autumn Cordell, Olivia Lindsay and Kaitlyn Brandson, hand out lemonade and iced tea.

The JROTC march in step in presenting the colors for the Deltarado Days parade.

Deltarado Days king Blake Naranjo and queen Jasper Arias Hernandez ride in style in the Deltarado Days parade.

Photos by DCI staff - - - - Contest Winners - - Parade Judges’ Choice San Juan Sparkles and Spurs Shriners Club Delta County Historical Society Delta County Libraries Delta High School Band U.S. Forest Service

It isn’t a parade without a clown.

Cornhole 1st - John Garcia and Nathan Rundle

Delta Street Rodders and Ute Trails car clubs and their classic cars are a mainstay of the Deltarado Days parade.

Sarah Chavez serves popcorn at the Movie in the Park at Conﬂuence Park Arbor.

2nd - Pete Garcia and Joe Quinn 3rd - Kevin Carlson and KC Carlson Horseshoes 1st - Joshua Mora and Ray Mora 2nd - Lino Ortiz Sr. and Lino Ortiz Jr.

The Delta County Historical Society connects with folks along the parade route.

More than an inch of rain fell ahead of the Deltarado Days Roundup Rodeo. After the rain stopped, the rodeo went on as planned.

Jennifer Suchon and daughter Lanie, 4, pass throught a color station manned by Dallas Vincent during the Pediatric Associates Color Run Saturday at Conﬂuence Park.

Classifieds

July 31, 2019

Real Estate

D SECTION

Delta County Independent

BUY • SELL • TRADE

Real Estate

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OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY August 3, 2019 * 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. �

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today in the DCI! Call 874-4421

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Need printing done? Call Randy Crespin at 874-4421.

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Lease COMMERCIAL BUILDings for lease. Various sizes. 16367 S. Townsend, Montrose (off Hwy. 550 across from South City Market) Contact: 970-2751854 or 970-641-1729. (5x27)

Yard Sales ST. MICHAEL CHURCH annual yard sale. Three days! Thursday & Friday, August 1 and 2 , 9:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 3, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 628 Meeker St., Delta. (2x30)

Help Wanted EXECUTIVE PERSONAL drivers needed. The executive driver provides vehicle transportation, to and from designated destination, for C-Level executives. Must demonstrate safe driving skills at all times in compliance with state driving laws and have and maintain a clean driving record. Contact Tonycole036@gmail.com. (3x31)

Help Wanted

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Help Wanted EXPERIENCED FLOOD Irrigator Needed Delta Colorado Ranch. Full time. Housing available. Good salary and benefits. Call, email or text Dick Miller 303809-6234 dmiller@mikaag. com. (4x31) ADVERTISE!

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MOVING? CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS? Please give the Delta County Independent 10 days notice — PO Box 809, Delta CO 81416 970-874-4421

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EXPERIENCED ROOFERS, window & siding installers. Year-round work in Delta & Montrose Counties. Must have transportation. Call 970-874-3665. (5x27)

Help Wanted

to the DCI. Call 874-4421

for the rates in your area.

DELTA COUNTY LIBRARies—Paonia. Library Assistant. DCL has a full-time position opening at the Paonia Library for a library assistant with an emphasis in adult programming. Applications and complete job descriptions are available at www.deltalibraries. org. (3x30)

DELTA COUNTY LIbraries—Cedaredge Library Assistant. DCL has a fulltime position opening at the Cedaredge Library for a library assistant with an emphasis in youth programming. Applications and complete job descriptions are available at www. deltalibraries.org. (3x31)

YOUR LISTING HERE! call now... 874-4421

PEOPLE LOOK FOR JOBS in the classifieds. 874-4421

D2 Wednesday, July 31, 2019 Help Wanted THE CITY OF DELTA POLice Department is now accepting applications for a Police Officer. Under direction of the sergeant or assigned supervisor, patrols an assigned area in the enforcement of law and order and prevention of crime; takes intensive field and basic training in the early period of employment. Necessary special requirements are: High School Graduate; possess a valid Colorado driver’s license; State certified or certifiable in Law Enforcement through the Colorado Peace Officers Standards Training (P.O.S.T); must be 21 years of age or more at time of hire; will be required to pass a detailed background and criminal record check, a psychological exam, physical agility, written test, pre-employment drug test and a pre-employment fit for duty exam. The starting salary is $25.20 per hour as well as substantial contributions to Medical, Dental, Vision insurance for the employee and family, 10 paid holidays and 152 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual per year, Employee Assistance Program, Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) of Colorado pension plan, generous contributions to a 401A retirement plan, Long Term Disability and 100% City paid Life Insurance. The City of Delta has an exceptional recreation center and the position includes membership to the recreation center and access to the top rated Devil’s Thumb Golf Course. Please submit application and the supplemental application to: City of Delta, Attn: Human Resources, 360 Main Street, Delta, CO 81416. Deadline for applications is by Friday at 12:00 noon, August 16, 2019. Applications, supplemental applications and a complete job description are available at address listed above, or at www.cityofdelta. net. Applications received after the deadline, or incomplete will not be accepted. EOE (1x31)

Seeking Employees? Advertise in the Delta County Independent

CLASSIFIEDS

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BOLINGER AND QUEEN is accepting applications for a full-time bookkeeper in Hotchkiss. Must have experience with all aspects of bookkeeping including payroll, receivables, payables and general ledger. Experience with point of sale and accounting software outside of QuickBooks would be preferable. Competitive salary, vacation and benefits package available with off-season flexible hours. Please submit application and resume to 32874 J Road, Hotchkiss, CO 81419. Applications may be obtained at www. bolingerandqueen.com or the above address. 8723371. (3x29)

ADVERTISE 874-4421

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Public Service HOW DO I SELL MY Cottage Food products? You may sell your products directly to the consumer from your residence, roadside stand, Farmers’ market, community supported agricultural organizations, or other similar venue. If you have any questions, please call: 874-2165. Delta County Health Department. (4X28) THE DELTA COUNTY Independent runs these items as a public service free of charge for non-profit organizations, if no fees are charged. However, each group is asked to please keep them current by calling 874-4421.

THE DELTA FOOD Pantry announces extended evening hours. Every 4th Tuesday of each month, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Alley door behind St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 6th & FURNITURE INSTALLER/ NEW ADDRESS? PLEASE Meeker. Bring proof of Delta Warehouse Position - Delta notify the Delta County area residency. Regular based company looking for Independent 10 days prior daytime hours are still M-F the right person to join our to moving. PO Box 809, 10:30-11:30 a.m. install team. Duties include Delta, CO 81416 or 970-874receiving, warehousing, 4421. WANTED: OVERABUNDloading and unloading furance farm eggs for the niture, driving for furniture LOOKING FOR QUALITY Surface Creek Community transport, furniture instal- employees? Advertise here Services food pantry in lation, modification, and in the DCI Classifieds. Cedarege. 856-1125. repair of furniture. This full time permanent position is a highly visible customer service position, good grooming and appropriate apparel Miscellaneous Miscellaneous required. Pay negotiable based upon experience. Clean driving record, and pre-employment drug test Colorado Statewide �� mandatory. Ability to safeNetwork ly lift up to 100 lbs. Send To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado resume and references newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or to:sunny@prospace.biz. call Colorado Press Association Network at 720-274-7174. (2x30) �� ROGERS MESA FRUIT Packing Co. is now taking applications for seasonal packers and sorters for the 2019 packing season. Come in to fill out an application M-F 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 9981 3100 Road, Hotchkiss, CO 81419. We are located on the corner of Hwy 92 & 3100 Rd. (10x22) NEW ADDRESS? PLEASE notify the Delta County Independent at least 10 days prior to moving to ensure no interpuption of delivery. PO Box 809, Delta, CO 81416 or 970-874-4421.

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D6 Wednesday, July 31, 2019

CHURCH

Delta County Independent

Reclamation seeks public input to reduce salinity and improve water quality on the Gould Canal The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public input to reduce salinity and improve water quality along the Gould Canal in Delta and Montrose counties. Naturally-occurring salts in the sediment along the canal are picked up by the water and transported into the Colorado River system. The resulting reduction in water quality creates a negative economic impact to downstream infrastructure and crops. Reclamation proposes a salinity control project to improve 12.4 miles of Fruitland Irrigation Company’s open, unlined

Gould Canal in Delta and Montrose counties. Proposed improvements include converting parts of the canal to pipeline and lining other sections. Those improvements will reduce seepage along the canal, enhance water supply and improve water quality by preventing approximately 5,697 tons of salt per year from entering the Colorado River. “Reducing salt along the Gould Canal will help improve the water quality, crop production and wildlife habitat in the Colorado River Basin,” said Ed Warner,

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area manager for Recla- interested may submit or to: Ed Warner, Area Gunnison Ave., Suite mation’s Western Colo- comments by email to Manager, Bureau of 221, Grand Junction, rado Area Office. “We lmcwhirter@usbr.gov Reclamation, 445 West CO 81501. look forward to receiving input from the public and our partners about this salinity project and how we can improve the Colorado River Basin water system.” The draft Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment are available online at www.usbr. gov/uc/envdocs/index. html or a copy can be requested by contacting Reclamation. Reclamation will consider all comments received by Wednesday, August 21, 2019. Those

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BACK PAGE

Delta County Independent

B A C K P A G E

On a global mission Photo submitted

Students from Nigeria’s World Bible School program stand to take a picture with their friend and mentor Ron Pottberg. Ron was in Nigeria early in May to ensure work is getting done and the nonproﬁt’s funds are being properly used.

BY KAYLEE DUNHAM Staff Writer

Growing up in Olathe, Ron Pottberg never dreamed he’d leave. But for the past 33 years he has been a teacher for the international World Bible School traveling the globe, meeting ambassadors, dignitaries and community leaders. “This ministry has made it possible for me to be in over 50 countries around the world,” said Pottberg. Pottberg began his work with WBS in 1985. In 1986 he and wife Susan packed up their three children and 10 suitcases and moved to Africa to begin a long and rewarding career. “We lived in South Africa during the years of change,” he said. During that time apartheid was ending and the country‘s first black president was elected. The Group Areas Act enacted under the apartheid government was dropped weeks before they arrived. “Once it dropped you could not be on the streets after dark without a passport,” he said. “You had to have that document with you at all times and if you were caught without it you would be arrested.” They remained in South Africa until 1994 when Nelson

Mandela was released from prison, to work with WBS. “We were basically just solo as apprenticed missionaries in the field. That was our first touch of doing missions work.” WBS, explained Pottberg, is a Bible correspondence ministry offered in 46 languages. In the English language alone they teach about one million students per year. It was founded in 1971 in Nigeria and spread to Ghana and across Africa, then to Asia. Today, WBS is truly a global organization. With the possible exception of Antarctica, “We literally have students in every country in the world,” he said. Pottberg learned about WBS through its publication, “Action.” When he was young, he would read Action during Sunday Sermon. “I can remember seeing Action way back in the 1970s, way back when it first started. I knew about it but I never really knew what it was about or ever dreamed that I would be working with them for 30-plus years.” Today, Pottberg still has a heart for the people of South Africa, and of the world. He has worked with WBS in 50 countries. Pottberg believes WBS is

Photo submitted

Ron Pottberg with the Lagos, Nigeria, World Bible School team. Each of these individuals are leaders in the churches in Lagos. important for its ability to word of God is really all about. continues giving, as he tells the board of directors when provide a basic understand- It’s an overview.” Between ministering and they meet in Austin, Texas, “I ing of the Bible. “We are not trying to convert,” he said. the many friends he’s made, don’t do this for us, meaning “We are not trying to convince. Pottberg continues to travel corporate; I do this for the We are just giving people the to Africa. He prefers to travel people I get to go over there opportunity to see what the during dry season to avoid and work with, because they driving on wet, slick, unpaved are now my closest friends. roads. I keep doing what I do for After returning to the U.S. the sake of their outreach in 1994, Pottberg would travel and ministry in these foreign to Africa up to five months a lands. We don’t want to ever year. Now in his 60s, he trav- hinder that from continuing els about three months per on.” year to 16 countries including His greatest honor was Ghana, the Philippines, Nige- being named “A Son Of Afriria, Malawi, Zambia, Zimba- ca” by the Nigerian people. bwe, Liberia, Sierra Leone “They dressed me in their and Gambia. He travels to key traditional robes; they gave countries where the greatest me the traditional hat. To be number of WBS students live, accepted as one of them is ensuring that everything is in a unique situation. They are place and to deliver lessons to saying you have learned our culture, you’ve been able to correspondents in the U.S. He also ensures work is accept our culture, we want being accomplished and that you to be part of us.” Over the years he has seen the nonprofit’s funds are properly spent. “It is all donated a shift in people’s priorities money but we want to be a based on the country in which good steward of that money they live. “The one thing that and make sure that it is really stands out is how much influence the USA and Western doing something,” he said. When asked why, after 30 society has on the rest of the years, he still travels and puts world,” he said. “In some counhis own money toward WBS, tries, people are still living in he said he’s looked at many mud huts with grass roofs, ministries. Few of them, he yet have an iPhone.” When Photo submitted said, are as proactive or are he and Susan first moved to Children in Yendi, Ghana, register for classes at schools where World Bible School is taught. getting better results than Africa, running water was a Ron Pottberg and other leaders, Kent Chambers, Rob Kranz and Michael Everist, gathered WBS. “It does exactly what it new concept. Today, he says, to help enroll the students in 2013. says it is going to do and as a “Everyone has a cell phone.” result we see a lot of churches He also notices that people being built and a lot of people are becoming less receptive to becoming Christians.” WBS, which ultimately helps In the past 5-10 years, them to better themselves Pottberg said he noticed some- with their sister ministries. thing interesting. WBS has Pottberg said that as long seen an increase of Muslims as he sees results, he’ll contaking courses. “They want tinue doing his job. “There to know what this Christi- are so many opportunities anity thing is all about. We in the world to help people, also have Buddhist, Hindus, but do your homework, make people from all different reli- sure that where you’re putgious backgrounds doing the- ting your time, your money, ses studies basically out of an your energy, is actually going to impact people’s lives.” interest.” To those who desire to take WBS goes beyond helping people with their spiri- action, rather than donate tual lives. It also helps sup- money to a cause he suggests port several sister ministries taking a mission trip, preferthroughout the world that ably away from tourist destican provide advanced studies. nations, and seeing firsthand Students can even earn a doc- how people live. toral degree. WBS also works “This ministry has made with sister ministries to get it possible for me to be in students jobs in oil drilling, over 50 countries around the feeding programs and educa- world,” he said. Without WBS, tion, and connects them with “None of this would have ever other ministries. Each coun- happened if I had just stayed Photo submitted try is unique in the programs here. Part of it is just being able to expand yourself and Ron Pottberg with World Bible School students at the November 2018 graduation cer- it offers, he said. Another reason Pottberg putting yourself out there.” emony in Kono, Sierra Leone.