Delta County Independent, Issue 49, Dec. 7, 2011

Page 1

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

SUGAR ‘N SPICE

SPREADING CHEER

WINTER ROUNDUP

Surface Creek food bank prepares to distribute 275 holiday boxes, 3B

A look at the swim, basketball, wrestling seasons, C1-6

Gingerbread Festival highlights a fun-filled day in Paonia, B1

SPORTS

DELTA COUNTY

DECEMBER 7, 2011 VOL. 128, NO. 49

75¢

INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Customers criticize DMEA’s rate proposal BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer

A proposed new electricity rate structure that will result in higher costs for DMEA’s residential users came in for criticism at the utility’s rate hearing in Montrose on Nov. 29. In addition, critics of the plan to raise monthly base charges by 60 percent said it is “regressive” and penalizes those who have worked and invested to build energy use efficiencies into their lifestyles. Responding to those criticisms, DMEA officials and a Kentucky-based rate consultant said the new rate structure is more fair. Also, a 4.8 percent increase in wholesale power rates from Tri-State will put the local electric coop in a financial hole next year unless increased revenues are found, they said. The nine-member DMEA board of directors has set Dec. 13 for their decision on 2012 electric rates. By raising its monthly base charge, DMEA negates savings in energy use, members testified at the Montrose hearing. Chuck Vanderwist of Montrose told the DMEA board that he is being penalized by the monthly increases for investments he has made in energy use efficiency. The board should instead pass the Tri-State increase

through in its customer use rates, he said. And, DMEA should have raised its base rate before encouraging people to invest money in saving energy, he added. Kevin Williams said that his family’s 1,700-square-foot home uses only 200 kilowatthours of electricity monthly. The proposed rate increase is unfair, he explained, because it falls most heavily on residential customers who make up 89 percent of DMEA’s installed meters, and who individually use the least amount of electricity. Williams said his electric cost would rise 27 percent under DMEA’s plan; someone using 3,100 kWh will see a much smaller 0.8 percent increase. “Those who use less should pay less,” he said. “Your base charge is regressive” and shifts revenue from large users to small users, he explained, adding that a base charge of $8 to $15 is the right amount. Marv Ballentine, also of Montrose, disagreed with DMEA’s proposed new structure; but, he agreed with Williams that the utility should reward people who use less electricity. DMEA general manager Dan McClendon acknowledged that the board may craft a different rate scheme than the one being proposed. But, he explained, holding off rate increases for the last

three years has cost the utility an estimated $5.4 million in lost revenue. “DMEA needs $3 million to keep our bankers happy,” he said. Rate consultant John Wolfram with The Prime Group LLC of Crestwood Kent, labored to rationalize DMEA’s proposed new rate structure to a skeptical audience. The intent, he said, is to spread the costs of plant, equipment, and employees among customers in proportion to their use of them. So, the largest class of DMEA’s users (residential) should pay the largest share of DMEA’s fixed costs, he argued. Former DMEA board member Mark Eckhart of Cedaredge said those fixed costs are also unfair to DMEA members. He pointed to a $320,000 contribution DMEA made to employee pension costs in 2009, and to rapidly increasing employee medical insurance premiums that DMEA members pay for. “DMEA employees don’t have to contribute anything to their own pension program,” Eckhart said. “The question is, ‘Is DMEA members’ money being spent wisely?’” The problem of DMEA’s “unsustainable pension and medical costs” is being worked on, McClendon said. Also, “I need to be able to keep good, trained, hardworking people,” he said.

Photo by Randy Sunderland

A timely visit Three-year-old Brylee Westwood looks a little uncertain about her visit with Santa Claus, but the jolly old elf was quick to assure her good things await little girls who are on their best behavior. Santa was in the lobby of Wells Fargo Bank following Delta’s annual Parade of Lights. He was also spotted at the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce office Saturday morning, keeping kids entertained while their parents participated in a “Shop Local” campaign.

Drug task force arrests 4 adults

Photo by Jay Alsdorf

Work in progress A project to replace the roller dam in the Gunnison River is under way near the Hartland Dam. In the photo above submitted to the DCI last week, workers pour the concrete footing that will provide proper water flow for fish passage. In addition to reconnecting river habitats and fish populations above and below the dam, the project will improve boater safety while ensuring Hartland Irrigation Company’s access to their senior water rights. Painted Sky Resource, Conservation and Development, driven by their mission of promoting and balancing natural resources and economic development, has been instrumental in bringing stakeholders together and getting the project moving toward completion.

Four Delta residents were arrested Friday, Dec. 4, after the 7th Judicial District Drug Task Force executed three search warrants and seized quantities of methamphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana. The task force searched two homes in the City of Delta and one residence in the Peach Valley area of Delta County. Task force members were assisted by the Delta County Sheriff ’s Office, Delta Police Department, Cedaredge Police Department, ATF and the Montrose County Sheriff ’s Office. The arrest and search warrants were the conclusion of an investigation over several months of distribution of methamphetamines and purchasing of weapons. Paul Wright Sr., 57, of 5360 Sunridge Drive, was arrested on two counts of distribution of a controlled substance (methamphetamines), a Class 3 felony, one count of posses-

sion with intent to distribute (methamphetamine), a Class 3 felony, and one count of possession of cocaine, a Class 4 felony. He is being held on a $200,000 bond. Paul Wright Jr., 30, of 256 Park Street was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamines), a Class 6 felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 petty offense. He is considered a fugitive of justice on a federal warrant and is being held without bond. Craig Hicks, 55, of 5360 Sunridge Drive was arrested for a contempt of court violation and is being held on a $3,000 bond. Lyndi Carr, 33, of 540 Howard Street was arrested for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia and special offender in possession of a firearm. She is being held on a $150,000 bond.

INDEX

Public Forum

Holiday Decorating Contest

Breakfast with Santa

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Back Page ................. D10 Church ........................... D3 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D4-6 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ..................... A8 School Zone ............... A6-7 Service Directory ........ D9 Sports ..........................C1-6 Surface Creek News ...B5-8 TV Listings ................. D7-8

The Delta County Commissioners have scheduled a constituent forum Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. The public is invited to discuss issues of concern at the constituent forum, which will be held at the Maloney House on the Delta County Fairgrounds in Hotchkiss. The house is located at 575 S. River Lane. There was no formal agenda at press time.

The Delta Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the winner of the business holiday decorating contest as the All Glass Station, owned by Marce and Noelle Montano. Their business is located at 717 Highway 50 in North Delta. Honorable mention goes to: Tara’s, Nu-U Vitamins, 2nd Edition, Edward Jones - Renee Coffman, Consolidated Finance, Fat Cat Pottery, Rocky Mountain Hair Designs and The Sunflower Room. “Many thanks to all the businesses who participated — this was great for community spirit,” said Linda Sanchez, executive director of the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce. “We hope everyone had as much fun decorating as we did judging.”

Kids, come on down to Bill Heddles Recreation Center in Delta for Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a pancake breakfast provided by the Delta Kiwanis. The kids can also make crafts and jump in the inflatable bump house. The event is free for kids under the age of 12 and $3 for ages 13 and up. Remember to bring your cameras if you would like to have your picture taken with Santa. Also scheduled at the rec center Saturday is a kids’ garage sale from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.


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