Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper
Carbondale’s weekly
community connector
Volume 12, Number 35 | October8 - October 15, 2020
SKYAKING
Ellie Simon of Boulder has spent enough time hanging out in her kayak on the roof of her van to have a term for it — skyaking. Photo by Sue Rollyson. For more fall color photos by Sue see page 15.
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GUEST
OPINION By Fred Malo
I was greatly distressed to hear Bloomington, Indiana, where I matriculated for four years in the 1960s and ‘70s at Indiana University, has become the latest battleground in what’s becoming a national race war. Black human rights activist Vauhxx Booker was walking with friends by the Lake Monroe Reservoir near Bloomington on the Fourth of July when he was attacked by a group of white men, pinned to a tree, and threatened with lynching. There’s no question the assault was racially motivated. The attackers shouted racial epithets, white lives matter, and called Booker’s white friends who pleaded with them to let him go n-lovers. Officers from the Department of Natural Resources were called, but no arrests were made for this obvious hate crime. On July 6, a Black Lives Matter protest at the Monroe County Courthouse was broken up, a la Charlottesville, by a counterprotester ramming his car into the crowd. Two people were hospitalized. There’s always been a certain redneck element in Bloomington.
LETTERS
Racism in my college town The college kids refer to the townies as cutters in reference to the limestone quarries in the area which employs many of Bloomington’s citizens (refer to the film Breaking Away). The cutters and the students really live in two different worlds, although there are occasional conflicts. While I was there, a young Black woman selling encyclopedias door to door was murdered in nearby Martinsville, the former headquarters of the state Ku Klux Klan. As the police reporter for the campus newspaper’s city desk, I covered that story and another less tragic, but just as racially charged. A Liberian exchange student was toting a huge carpet through a shopping center parking lot. The roll was 20 feet long and about two feet thick. It’d take two stout men, one at each end, to carry it, but this guy had apparently hoisted it up on his shoulder himself and was marching out with it. Two Bloomington cops approached the large, Black man and asked to see the receipt for the carpet. The Liberian student said he’d be happy to show them proof of purchase if they’d follow him back to his pickup truck and he had the opportunity to put the carpet down in the bed. He wasn’t interested in putting the carpet down, then having to pick it up again. The policemen insisted the Liberian produce the receipt immediately. Heated words were exchanged, and the cops tried to arrest him. They needed to call for backup. Looking back, the student was lucky to have survived. The Liberian was charged with
Homeless conversation Dear Editor: I want to thank Mr. Kirchenwitz for his response to my idea about how to home the homeless in our midst. I would like to hear your idea(s) Mr Kirchenwitz, tempered with thinking, about how to help and house the homeless among us. Stephanie Janiga Carbondale
Take a ‘brake’ Dear Editor: While most residents understand that the Eighth Street corridor study is only one part of addressing the broader concerns regarding traffic issues and our safety in Carbondale, the current living study on Eighth Street has brought more immediate safety concerns to mind: egregious speeding violations and oversized vehicles on our neighborhood streets. A quick internet search shows that the most effective way to calm traffic and increase safety is to design roads that make drivers more aware by making them feel uncomfortable. All the corridor study proposals definitely fit this criterion.
disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He called me at the Indiana Daily Student newsroom and told me the story. I contacted the arresting officers and heard their version, which didn’t vary much from the student’s. I’d been around the Bloomington Police Department’s breakroom enough to not be surprised by this incident. Racial slurs and threats against Black people fly around like wads of manure. I wrote a balanced piece. When it ran, there was outrage in the student body and the administration. The Dean of Students had a talk with the Police Chief. The charges were dropped. The Liberian was very appreciative of my efforts and we became friends. Being from an allwhite suburb, he was the first Black person I’d ever really known. It’s said Black people don’t come from a learning culture. That certainly wasn’t the case with this man. I’ve never known anyone who thirsted more for knowledge. I think the reason the Liberian wanted to be my friend was because I was a Journalism major and he wanted to learn everything he could about American newspapers. The student pumped me for information. After this experience, I made my bones with the civil rights movement by signing up with the Congress of Racial Equality to do voter registration work in the Deep South. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I guess I was making the move from not racist to antiracist. I just knew I wanted to be on the side of equality. It’s hard to believe with all the evidence to the contrary in the news
However, until we can agree on and implement any design goals, we are left with more immediate safety concerns in our everyday lives posed by dangerous drivers and oversized vehicles on our neighborhood streets. Could we be utilizing tools we already have in place to make drivers more aware and/or feel uncomfortable thereby slowing them down and making the community safer in the now? Can we try or have we tried any of the following? Community outreach programs and education regarding basic traffic laws and safety for vehicles, bikes and pedestrians? Assess existing traffic signage throughout town to ensure proper visibility and reflectivity at night? Utilize Town-owned barricades and construction signs as traffic calming tools on the most frequently sped on streets (Sopris, Second, Hendrick, Snowmass Drive and Eighth all come to mind)? Expansion of “bikers can use whole lane” rules to all town streets, if it has not already been done? Communicate proper truck route and speed limit information to major delivery companies and local companies in the Roaring Fork Valley?
these days, but I really believe racism is in decline. Remember, we’re in the age of the cell-phone video cameras. Cops can’t get away with the shit they used to. I recall a time when it wasn’t even reported when police killed a Black person. My grandfather was a terrible racist. He couldn’t refer to Black people without using the n-word and he definitely thought they were a lower form of humans. My father was more the separate-but-equal racist. He granted all mankind full humanity, but the colored ones should stay on their side of town. Don’t want none of that hue to rub off on my lily-white children. As stated above, I don’t believe the next generation — me — is racist, but I must admit as a young man if I saw a Black man with a beautiful white woman, the hair would stand up on the back of my neck. When I saw President elect Barack Obama walk out onto the stage at Grant Park in Chicago, a place I’m very familiar with, with his family after his 2008 election, I got choked up and spewed tears of joy. I couldn’t believe a nation with the shameful racial history of the United States had just chosen a Black president. Look at the racial mix at these Black Lives Matters rallies. Lotsa young, white faces even in places like Atlanta and Nashville. White cops, too. Remember Heather Heyer, the young southern white woman who stood up to the white supremacists in Charlottesville and paid for it with her life. After 400 years, have white Americans finally got it through their thick skulls that equality for some is equality for none?
Coordinate with Google Maps, Apple etc. to see if “biker/pedestrian friendly Town”, speed limit and truck route notices can appear on their sites? Quirky signage throughout town. “Slow down and see our town, speed up and see our jail”, “suicidal deer”? Community Speed Watch (communityspeedwatch.org) programs in conjunction with local police/sheriff departments? “Speed trap” areas in town with zero tolerance policies that move around randomly throughout the month? Stricter enforcement of local 20 mph speed limits? Can Carbondale impose higher fines for speeding in residential zones just as fines are increased for speeding in construction zones? Can we consider speeding in residential zones reckless and/or careless driving which carry higher fines and the potential for a court summons? Unfortunately, hitting some people in the wallet or with the threat of revoking their license is the most effective way to get their attention. We do a rather good job of mitigating drunk driving, why not apply this effort to other asinine driving behaviors? Continued on page 18
The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The community is invited to submit letters up to 500 words to news@soprissun.com. Longer columns are considered on a case-by-case basis. The deadline for submission is noon on Monday. 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 8 - October 15, 2020
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Donate by mail or online. P.O. Box 399 Carbondale, CO 81623 520 S. Third Street #32 970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Editor Will Grandbois • 970-510-0540 news@soprissun.com Advertising Todd Chamberlin • 970-510-0246 adsales@soprissun.com Graphic Designer: Ylice Golden Reporter: Roberta McGowan Delivery: Crystal Tapp Proofreader: Lee Beck Current Board Members Raleigh Burleigh, President Marilyn Murphy, Vice President Linda Criswell, Secretary Klaus Kocher, Treasurer Kay Clarke • Carol Craven • Lee Beck Megan Tackett • Gayle Wells Donna Dayton • Terri Ritchie The Sopris Sun Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on second Mondays at the Third Street Center. Contact board@soprissun.com to reach them. Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young Colin Laird • Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell
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FOOD TRUCK ROUNDUP As traditional restaurants have transitioned to more outdoor seating and to-go orders, another type of eatery was already offering just that experience. Food trucks have endured and even flourished during the pandemic. We’ve already featured Slow Groovin’s transition at the Red Rock Diner and Mi Lindo Nayarit acquitted itself well in our taco taste test. We tried to cover the grand opening of Bobby's Hotcakes & Sliders but it must have been rescheduled. Luckily, there’s plenty more to explore — here’s a sampling.
You can’t steal their spirit
Latin food on the go
By Olivia Emmer Sopris Sun Correspondent
By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff
D’Karni Express got off to a rough start. They had been in business for just one month when their food truck was stolen in the middle of the night. They never found the thief, but their insurance eventually came through and their truck was replaced. Three years later, they enjoy a brisk food to-go business parked under the shade of mature trees at Catherine Store. There’s a small shaded outdoor dining area, just steps from the neighboring polo field. Alejandra Corral owns the business, which she runs primarily with her daughter, Dina. The truck serves burritos, tacos, and similar fare. Their most popular breakfast item is the burrito ranchero and on the lunch menu, the steak burrito. They’ve been open summers for the last three years — 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and closed Sundays — but are looking at staying open through the winter on a trial basis.
Have a hankering for Mexican food but not enough time for a leisurely meal? Then consider a stop at the Spicy Paisa Food Truck, subtitled Mexico City Fast Food, on Highway 82 in the parking lot for Habitat for Humanity Restore Roaring Fork Valley and Ball Brewing. The Gallegos family of Glenwood Springs owns and operates that truck: Raul, Cande, their daughter Charlotte and the three other siblings when they’re available. A three sided tent offers ample seating, and plans are in the works to enclose it completely and add heaters for the winter. The menu includes tacos, burritos, sopas and tortillas plus special items — we recommend the chicken torta. Raul said he’s always wanted to start a small food site, so this was a great opportunity. It was the family’s first food venture, and Raul looks forward to opening a sit down restaurant someday in Glenwood. The food truck is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day but Tuesday.
Fiona Smollen's latest venture, a semi-permanent panini wagon is located in the parking lot off Colorado Ave between 3rd and 4th streets. They plan to be open well into the winter from 7 a.m to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Photo by Sue Rollyson
Rosalba and Amber Aliyah Hernandez certainly enjoyed their visit to Taqueria el Yaqui, loacted outside Thrifty Thrills in Glenwood Springs. Their food truck offers tacos and more from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day but Tuesday and catering. Photo by Paula Mayer
Comfort food Polish style By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent Take your taste buds for a cultural excursion from across the pond but conveniently offered locally everyday. Mama’s Pierogi food truck is open to satisfy your hunger with the Polish delicacy. Owners Agnieszka (Agnes) Jasielec and her husband Rafal Gdowski moved from Poland to Chicago 20 years ago and in 2019 came even further west to Glenwood Springs where they had often vacationed. Having grown up eating countless pierogies, they were shocked at the dearth of them locally and despite not having experience running a restaurant, decided to change that. Both have the travel bug and love to meet people in new places; so they opted for something they could tow to music festivals or other events. They made the purchase in March, just in time to have their plans to travel near and far stumped by COVID-19. That just meant more grub for Roaring Fork folks. The truck is a fixture at the Carbondale Farmers’ Market, and is parked daily at 714 Grand Ave. — under the bridge — in downtown Glenwood. While Jasielec serves traditional pierogies and Polish sausages the menu also offers variations such as added jalapeno or beef. According to Jasielec, the most traditional options on the menu are the Farmer’s Cheese and Mushroom Sauerkraut pierogies — sounds intriguing, tastes incredible and makes you feel right at home wherever you indulge. Jasielec plans to stay open through the winter and — alternatively to many restaurant owners — is confident their business will continue to flourish. Seeing as warm pierogies are a new level of comfort food for many locals and served hot in a matter of minutes it’s likely that her optimism is well calculated. “I want people to come and try and see for themselves how they like it,” Jasielec expressed.
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SCUTTLEBUTT Out of fashion After initially being postponed to November, the 12th Annual Green is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza has officially been cancelled. But take heart — Carbondale Arts has plenty of programming left for the fall, with new exhibitions opening with a 5:15 p.m. artist talk on Oct. 9 and Deck the Walls Holiday Market applications due by Oct. 12. Visit carbondalearts.com for more information.
Let Them Roar at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. Attendance will be limited to allow for social distancing. Attendees must provide your own seating and mask, and follow all library, local, and state COVID-19 protocols. For more information, call the library at 970963-2889.
outdoor facility that produces an authentic, naturally cultivated product using snowmelt water. It currently has a capacity of 3,600 plants and produces approximately 4,800 pounds annually. It has projected that it will be able to double its capacity by 2021.
An introduction
The White River National Forest is reminding visitors using the Basalt to Gypsum trail system east of Cottonwood Pass in Eagle County that the single-track trails will be closed to motorized use beginning Oct. 10 to improve non-motorized hunting opportunities. Green Gate, Milepost One, North Fork and Lone Pine will remain closed to vehicles until June 21. The Forest Service has recently seen an increase in seasonal closure violations in this area and say continued violations in this multi-use management area could result in the closure of these system trails.
Showcasing films from around the world, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival premieres online at 7 p.m. Oct 8. The 2020 lineup will inform and inspire attendees to take action, at just $12 for 12 films in an all-ages event. Proceeds from this event will benefit ACES' Tomorrow's Voices program, and the event takes place in memory of Willard Clapper. Visit wildandscenicfilmfestival.org for tickets and information.
The Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living has opened a “Welcome Center” for prospective residents at 265 Main St. The center allows members of the community to learn more about the retirement community, including its floor plans, the community layout, pricing, programs and services that will be offered to residents at 295 Rio Grande Ave. beginning in December. The Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on evenings and weekends by appointment. Visit wellage.com/ communities/carbondale for more information.
Pen is mightier
Sweeten the pot
Make a scene
Werner Neff will sign his new book, “Restore Our Democracy, The Case for Equality and Justice” from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Marcel Kahhak Fine Arts (411 Main St.). The event also offers music by Pat Fagan and refreshments.
Making music The Carbondale Branch Library will host a free outdoor concert with
SLANG Worldwide Inc. — a global producer of packaged cannabis consumer products — has entered into an agreement to acquire Carbondalebased cannabis cultivator Pleasant Valley Ranch, a key supplier of raw materials for SLANG-branded products in Colorado. Pleasant Valley has 1,600 square feet of greenhouse cultivation area, and a five-acre
Over hill, over trail
A familiar face Whole Foods in Willits has been playing it pretty safe through the pandemic, and it’s unusual to see anyone there violating Basalt’s mask ordinance. An exception to the rule might be Hollywood cowboy Kurt Russell, who apparently flashed one of our reporters his pretty mug. As starstruck as we are, we wish he’d followed his wife’s example (that was you, wasn’t it Goldie?) and masked up.
Leaf Recycling Event Saturday, October 10th through early November
Located at the 4th & Colorado lot NO PLASTIC BAGS NO GARBAGE Place only clean leaves in the designated dumpsters. Place only branches in the designated dumpsters. No comingling of materials.
Historical Society members packed uncooked potatoes Sustainable Settings into goodie bags for Potato Day (top). To maintain tradition a few were baked in the Community Oven (bottom). Photos by Will Grandbois
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Lani Kitching and Jody Ensign (Oct. 8); Melissa Nelson, Sarah Graf and Sarah Morehouse (Oct. 9); Charlotte Vanderhurst (Oct. 10); Jake Kinney (Oct. 11); Paul Luttrell, Stephanie Deaton, Linda Giesecke, Rick Borkovec (Oct. 12); Janice Forbes (Oct. 13) Carrie Close and Michael Carter (Oct. 14).
COVID-19 TESTING If you are experiencing ANY COVID-19-related symptoms: • Cough • Fever • Shortness of breath Call your primary care physician. Your physician will evaluate your symptoms and can give you a referral to be tested at AVH’s Respiratory Evaluation Center. If you do not have a primary care physician, call Aspen Valley Primary Care at 970.279.4111.
RESPIRATORY EVALUATION CENTER
HOURS OF OPERATION Reminder, a physician referral is required for testing.
EVALUATION OF MODERATE TO SEVERE SYMPTOMS Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 12 noon
LOCATION INFORMATION
The AVH Respiratory Evaluation Center is located just left of the AVH Main Entrance, through the double doors.
COMMUNITY TESTING Monday - Friday, 1 - 5 pm Saturday & Sunday, 12 noon – 2 pm
Non-contaminated leaves are recycled on local ranches. KEEP THEM CLEAN! 4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 8 - October 15, 2020
aspenhospital.org |
AspenValleyHospital
AZYEP celebrates 20 years By James Steindler Sopris Sun Correspondent Guess what, Carbondale family? Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program (AZYEP) turns 20 this year! While this in and of itself is reason to celebrate all year round, the anniversary will culminate in a broadcasted event on Oct. 11 brought to your eardrums live from KDNK. For those unfamiliar with AZYEP, it has been an important aspect of many young peoples’ lives and opened up doors for them to expand their creativity, occupational exploration and an increased sense of self confidence. Just as the ‘E’ stands for, this program empowers young people by elevating their voice through public broadcast. “Not only has this program helped me learn how to run a show, but it has also made me more open to other peoples’ opinions and unafraid to share my own,” said current participant Laura Carmona. Founder Annemarie Zanca started the program in honor of her little brother Andy Zanca, who died in 1998. Back in the late ‘80s and ‘90s, young Andy could be found in the KDNK studios
spinning records from the ripe age of nine years old. Knowing that being in the studio brought her brother immense joy and a sense of belonging, Annemarie set out to support other young people in the same fashion for generations to come. Seeing as it is the 20-year anniversary, AZYEP set a goal to fundraise $20,000 by the end of the live broadcast on Oct. 11. They’ve raised more than half of the funds already but there is still a ways to go before they hit their mark. People who would like, can contribute by going to azyep.org and clicking donate. “From 2 to 5 p.m. we will be highlighting voices from the past, present and future of the program,” explained Executive Director Beth Wysong. “From 5 to 7 p.m. the youth news team will present an interview with local band ‘Let them Roar’ who will play a live concert from the KDNK broadcasting center.” Tune in at 88.1 or via AZYEP’s facebook page for the live feed. The future? You may be wondering ... Well it means, “That we’ll hear from the kids involved in the program and what they hope for the future of youth radio,” Wysong clarified. An excellent example of how
AZYEP has helped shape a young person’s destiny is their very own News Team Coordinator Adele Craft who, “Began as a DJ when she was in the sixth grade, graduated through the program and now is an employee of AZYEP,” said Wysong. “Really we just want to meet kids where they are as far as their passion for radio and broadcasting goes,” she added. “And in my opinion what began as a radio program has turned into an empowerment program using radio as the medium to support kids.” “No matter how much participation the student puts in — whether it’s just for a couple music shows or stays with us for years — I see a benefit every time they come to the radio station,” said Wysong. “It’s an authentic place for kids to really learn,” Wysong continued, “Whether it’s music exploration, problem solving, critical thinking or just getting social and emotional support they’re learning with everything they do — that is the reason I’m so passionate about it.” Tune in every Monday at 4 p.m. to hear AZYEP’s public affairs show where young people report on a plethora of pertinent
Andy Zanca in his happy place at KDNK studios. Courtesy photo
AZYEP participants broadcast from KDNK. Courtesy photo topics. All scripts for radio shows are in English and Spanish and “We really value our DJs who can do a show bilingually,” said Wysong. “I think in high school, at least for me, I wanted to separate
myself from everybody and find something that was unique,” said Alumni Maija Petterson, “And I think the program really did that for me.” Here’s to another 20 years and beyond, AZYEP!
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!
` TEXTILE/FABRIC SERIES - ONLINE
Mondays, 6-8pm How Textiles are Made .................................. 10/12-26 Identification and Use of Fabrics ..................... 11/2-16 Overview of Colorado Fashion Industry ...... 11/2-12/7 Register for the “Textile/Fabric Series” to save money.
Outdoor Walk-up flu clinics:
` FILM STUDIES - ONLINE
Wednesdays, 6-8pm ....................................... 10/14-11/18
` MEMOIR WRITING WORKSHOP - ONLINE
Garfield County Public Health | **weather permitting**
Friday, October 16, 11 am – 2 pm
Rifle Branch Library | 207 East Ave. - East Street Parking Area
Fridays, 9:30am-12pm .....................................10/23-12/11
Saturday, October 17, 1 pm – 3 pm
Carbondale Branch Library | 320 Sopris Ave. – South Courtyard Area
Thursday, October 22, 12 pm - 3 pm
` PILATES MATWORK WITH ELLY - ONLINE
Monday/Wednesdays, 9:30-10:20am* ..........10/26-12/16 Try a recorded class for FREE to see if you like it.**
` ZEN BARRE WITH SANA - ONLINE
Tuesday/Thursdays, 12-12:20pm* ...................10/27-12/17 Try a recorded class for FREE to see if you like it.** * Classes are recorded so students can watch and workout when it works for them. ** Enter “FREE” in the keyword search.
Glenwood Springs Branch Library | 815 Cooper Ave. - Courtyard Area
Friday, October 23, 12 pm – 2 pm
Ritter Plaza, New Castle | across from the New Castle Branch Library
Accepting Medicaid, Medicare Part B, CHP+, RMHP, BCBS, and UHC Cost without insurance: $15 children | $25 adults | $60 high-dose vaccine (for those 65 and older • Please remember to wear your mask without Medicare Part B) • You will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to administration of your flu vaccine
Public Health: Rifle 970-625-5200 | Glenwood Springs 970-945-6614
SEARCH AND REGISTER...
coloradomtn.edu/community-education Carbondale Lappala Center • 690 Colorado Ave • 963-2172
www.garfield-county.com
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • October 8 - October 15, 2020 • 5
ArtWay plans progress
By Tom Mercer Sopris Sun Correspondent The Youth Art Park is the final park in the master plan for the Rio Grande Trail ArtWay that runs through Carbondale, and Amy Kimberly, the Executive Director of Carbondale Arts, is driving the creation of the park. Kimberly said, “We had committed to doing three parks, and in five years we’ve been able to create two wonderful parks, and this will be the last one. We worked with youths from the Carbondale Middle School, as well as representatives of two architectural firms: Andrea Korber of Land + Shelter, and Kurt Peterson from Forum Phi. Korber and Peterson both worked with the kids. Teams were formed, and each team
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created their vision for the Youth Art Park. The kids came up with lots of wonderful, creative ideas. They created models and we took their ideas out to the public. Then we received a $35,000 grant for the Youth Art Park from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), which is money that comes from the state lottery. We also received generous donations from the Addy Foundation and First Bank. We’re getting a good head-start.” A portion of the donated money was used to hire Nicholas DiFrank, a current Carbondale Arts Board Member who holds master’s degrees in both Landscape Architecture and Urban Design. Kimberly reports that DiFrank “has taken all of the ideas and created a real plan for the space, which is located right behind the Carbondale Recreation Center.” When asked to comment on the Youth
Art Park, DiFrank promised, “You won’t see a ‘Do Not Touch’ sign anywhere.” Among other design elements of the new park, Kimberly credits DiFrank for coming up with the idea of incorporating a “parkour-like feature” for older kids. DiFrank referred this correspondent to a Web page that defined parkour as “a movement-based activity that involves seeing one’s environment as an obstacle course, while imagining new ways to navigate it by running, jumping, climbing, swinging and tumbling around, through, over and under features.” However, instead of just calling it by that name, Kimberly said, “We are incorporating both park and play,” so that section of the park best tuned to the interests of the older kids will be called “p-ART-kour.” Other features within the park will include a
Bears are back! All garbage or refuse containers must be stored in a secured enclosed area or own a bear resistant container. (Except on collection day between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.) Up to $1,000 fine for violating trash/ bear ordinance!
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Courtesy graphic creative play area for the young children, and a multi-purpose amphitheater that can be used for everything from a performance area to an outdoor classroom. Kimberly noted that “We really designed it so that there will be something for a range of different ages: There will be an area that younger kids will like, and an area that we think older kids will enjoy especially with the ‘p-ART-kour’ obstacle course. We are going to work with CORE on creating a ‘Recharge Station,’ where you can recharge your devices with the use of a stationary bike.” Kimberly credits the kids in the seventh grade for coming up with that idea. The design also incorporates a couple of mural walls, and Kimberly also hopes it will be a space for each year’s senior class to leave Continued on page 7
WARNINGS WILL NOT BE ISSUED! Carbondale Police Department (970) 963-2662. Carbondale Town Ordinance: Sec. 7-3-60 (b) No person, including but not limited to an owner, occupant, lessee, person in possession or control, homeowners’ association officer, property manager or agent of a given premises, shall place any refuse or garbage container in any street, alley or other public place or upon any private property, whether or not owned by such person, within the Town, except in proper containers for collection, as provided in Section 7-3-50 above. No person shall place any such refuse or garbage container in any public street right-of-way for trash collection purposes by the Town or a private trash hauler, except for on the day collection occurs. For purposes of determining compliance with this requirement, refuse and garbage containers may be stored in a public street right-of-way only between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the day of collection. Placement of refuse or garbage containers outside of this time period shall result in the levying of fines, pursuant to Subsection (g) below. Except for between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the day of collection, and except in the instance that a refuse or garbage container is bear-resistant, as defined in Section 7-3-10 above, all refuse and garbage containers must be stored in secure enclosures when not out for collection.
Help keep the bears out of town and Carbondale safe.
6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 8 - October 15, 2020
“Ask a Lawyer”
Free Legal Aid Hotline Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.
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Plans
from page 6
their mark. The Youth Art Park plan calls for breaking ground in the Spring of 2021, though it may be completed in phases. “Each of these parks has been a huge project. We have been able to create these spaces much cheaper because they are stewarded by the community, and created by the community, and that will be true with the Youth Art Park too,” Kimberly commented. “The whole Rio Grande ArtWay is considered a creative place-making project. It really is about the community coming together to make it happen. Right now, we have the project on display … at CarbondaleArts.com.” The project design will also be prominently displayed in the Launchpad and the lobby at First Bank for the next three weeks. Kimberly welcomes suggestions from the community, and people can always get in touch with her at Carbondale Arts. Regarding future plans for the ArtWay, the final section, between Fourth Street and Snowmass Drive, will be dedicated to local history.
‘We are local and so is your food’
By Tom Mercer Sopris Sun Correspondent
Eber Silva, Nicolas Rojas, and Eduardo Meraz have known each other since they were kids. Eber Silva remembers Rojas (“Nico”) and Meraz (“Eddy”) from when he was 10 years old. All three grew up and attended school together in Carbondale. Now they have “teamed up” to develop and launch a new free app (short for application) for both iOS and Android operating systems that will allow Carbondale residents to easily place food orders with local participating restaurants, pay the bill, and arrange pickup or delivery of meals to their homes. The app will even tell you when a delivery order is on its way. Silva states that the app development team wants to “help struggling restaurants in our town, and to introduce the town of Carbondale to a new technology.” The application, which will soon be in the Beta testing stage, is called “LocalSpotsApp” and the developers hope to complete testing and make LocalSpotsApp available to hungry Carbondale residents within the next month or two. First, however, Silva says the app must be tested, and that volunteers are needed for the testing process. Silva, who studied Process Tech Engineering at Colorado Mountain College, credits his CMC instructors for sparking his interest in industrial automation and coding. He also credits the CoVenture business growth advisory team for their help in the development of the LocalSpotsApp business plan. Meraz studied computer science in school and developed computer programming skills. Rojas worked in marketing and focused on assisting businesses with their social media presence. Now they are an entrepreneurial team
The LocalSpotsApp development team. Courtesy photo that will make a difference in the way local restaurants conduct business. To date, El Pollo Rico, Mi Lindo Nayarit, The Landmark Café, Atina Bar and Grill and JC Breakfast and Lunch have signed up for LocalSpotsApp.com service. More restaurants are likely to follow. The next step in making the plan a reality involves recruiting about 50 of the aforementioned “app testers” within the next couple of weeks so the team can test the Beta version of their new app. This will require volunteer testers to place actual food orders via the app with participating restaurants here in Carbondale. The food will be ordered, paid for, and delivery arranged with the app, which conveniently resides
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on the phone in a user’s pocket. Note: Testers should only order meals that they actually want and are prepared to pay for. Also, not all Carbondale restaurants are participating yet, so selections may be limited during the testing phase. Silva encourages anyone who is interested in becoming a tester to visit LocalSpotsApp.com to contact the app development team. To put things in perspective, a recent study of world-wide food delivery services estimated the value of the food delivery market at 94 billion dollars, and growth projections run as high as 9 percent annually. So, as you can see, these are no “small potatoes.” Bon appétit!
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • October 8 - October 15, 2020 • 7 RECIPES AVAILABLE:
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The Baiardo family moved to Carbondale in July and began planning a way to continue a family tradition of using cooking to support their kids’ schools. Jonathan organized a dinner selling tickets to teachers and other parents through a silent auction at the annual Ladles of Love fundraising event. Liquor from Sopris Liquors, and food from Erin’s Acres, Sustainable Settings and the Nieslaniks were discounted or donated for the event.
Together Under One Sky.
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5pointfilm.org Josie Castaldo harvests tomatoes from a greenhouse at Erin’s Acres for the Crystal River fundraiser dinner.
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Erin Cuseo’s daughter Ayla takes care of the farm’s chickens during a harvest evening at the farm.
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8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 8 - October 15, 2020
Ayla reads in the greenhouse as Josie Castaldo prepares food for Jonathan Baiardo.
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Erin collects garlic for Baiardo’s meal as she checks to make sure she has harvested all of the items on his list.
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Friend Sean Nesbitt volunteered to help with the dinner and brought along his son Ephraim and Roaring Fork High School student Spencer Hazelton. Together they help plate a tomato salad.
The dinner hosted 16 people, raising approximately $1,300 for Crystal River Elementary School. THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • October 8 - October 15, 2020 • 9
California calls for help, and Carbondale Fire answers
By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff
So far in 2020, California has lost over four million acres to ravenous wildfires. According to NBC News, this “more than doubles the previous record.” The grim data so far shows 31 people, including a Texas firefighter, were killed and more than 8,687 structures were lost. But the Golden State has only so many firefighters and fire equipment, and for these fast growing infernos outside help was critical. NBC also reported that approximately 20,000 firefighters from across the nation and around the world have come to help — including the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District. Fire Chief Rob Goodwin explained, “The federal government has developed a consistent system to help fight large and numerous fires.” It works both ways, Goodwin pointed out. Over a thousand firefighters traveled from out-ofstate to help fight the Grizzly Creek Fire and a substantial number at the Pine Gulch Fire. Carbondale deployed three of
its firefighters to California in early September who stayed for nearly three weeks: Captain Dean Perkins plus firefighters Scott Evans and Mike Gandolfo. Goodwin said Perkins, a 14-year veteran firefighter, “Is amazing. He is passionate about fighting wildland fires, and he is one of our outstanding crew.” “We participate in this network because we want to help our neighbors,” Goodwin stated. When asked what he’d like to modify in the deployment system, Perkins responded, “We’d like to spend more time with the other firefighters and build strong relationships.” Evans noted that this was his first deployment to another community’s fire situation. Gandolfo has been with Carbondale since 2012, full time from 2015 and has been deployed before. He explained, “The way that Colorado transfers command to teams seems to be a bit more fluid here in Colorado. From what I have seen, Colorado fire departments are used to working with mutual aid agreements, so working with other resources seems more natural and communications, more universal.“
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Carbondale crew members travelled to the Mendocino and August Complex fires. Photo by Captain Dean Perkins Gandolfo also noted , “California has a state run fire department, Colorado has fire departments and fire protection districts and relies on volunteers to help fill the voids of paid firefighters in the rural areas. Topography is much different and the flora and fauna are different. The area we were in was rather rugged and steep. California has a far longer growing season, and the climate is much different, therefore the fuels that are available for fire growth and spread vary. Part of the preparedness plan is to identify the firefighters across the country and world who are certified wildland firefighters. According to the National Park Service, it relies on a federal Incident Qualification Card, commonly called a Red Card, to determine if a firefighter is certified
to handle job requirements when deployed to major wildfires. Perkins and the other firefighters were deployed to the Mendocino Fire, which morphed into the huge August Complex Fire in the Coast Range of Northern California. This area includes Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama, and Trinity counties. This complex fire started burning mid-August which began as 38 separate fires ignited by lightning strikes, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection recently reported the August Complex fire is 58 percent contained and the affected area includes California counties Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity,
Tehama, Glenn, Lake and Colusa. Chief Goodwin affirmed California covers all costs for essentials at the basecamp. Also, the Carbondale group drove one of the district’s fire trucks to the site. “We deploy firefighters from our district only if everything here is safe and under control,” Goodwin stressed. The Carbondale and Roaring Fork Valley communities, Perkins added, “Have been great. Support is astounding.” Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties have set up emergency notification systems. Residents need to sign up at the garco911. com, pitkincounty.com or eaglecounty.us depending on their home county.
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Pitkin groups fear quarry impacts on waterways By Heather Sackett Aspen Journalism Pitkin County groups are keeping a close eye on a local marble-mining company that violated the Clean Water Act, as the company prepares to submit a permit application. In March, the Army Corps of Engineers determined that Colorado Stone Quarries (CSQ) — the operator of the Pride of America Mine, above the town of Marble — violated the Clean Water Act when it relocated Yule Creek to make way for a mining road. CSQ is now retroactively applying for a permit from the Army Corps, which will require a 30-day public notice, public review and comments. The Crystal River Caucus sent a letter to Gunnison County and Pitkin County commissioners on July 17 urging them to get involved during this upcoming public process to ensure the protection of local waterways Yule Creek and the Crystal River. “Residents of the valley are concerned that future negligent or illegal actions taken by this company may put both Yule Creek and the Crystal River at additional risk,” the letter reads. “Even remedial actions, if not properly designed or carried out, could result in negative impacts downstream.” Caucus chair John Emerick said that his group is supportive of protecting the water quality of the Crystal River and that the board plans to submit comments to the Army Corps. “The place, to me, looks to be a mess, and they need to have a plan before they are allowed to operate,” Emerick said, referring to the state of the new channel.
The Crystal River runs parallel to County Road 3 as it flows past the town of Marble. The Pitkin County Healthy Rivers board has expressed interest in a water quality monitoring program to see if the diversion of Yule Creek, a tributary of the Crystal, is having downstream impacts. Photo by Heather Sackett
Creek diversion and diesel spill In the fall of 2018, CSQ diverted a 1,500-foot section of Yule Creek from its natural channel on the west side of Franklin Ridge, a rock outcropping, to the east side of the ridge so it could build an access road. Operators piled the streambed with fill material, including marble blocks. Although this move probably spared
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Yule Creek the impacts of a diesel spill last October, it was done without the proper permits or oversight, according to the Army Corps. CSQ was fined $18,600 by the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) for the 5,500-gallon diesel spill. Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, a project requires a permit from the Army Corps if it includes the discharge of
dredged or fill materials into waters such as rivers, streams or wetlands. CSQ did not initially obtain a permit because company officials believed the work was exempt, citing the temporary nature of the access road and creek diversion. Army Corp officials disagreed and determined the lack of a permit was a violation of the Clean Water Act. CSQ now plans to submit a permit application next week, according to company spokesperson Lisa Sigler. The application will include alternative alignments for Yule Creek, including leaving the creek in the new channel or rerouting it back to the natural channel. At the Army Corps’ request, the application will include a biological assessment, cultural-resource survey and aquatic-resource delineation, Sigler wrote in an email. The mine, known locally as the Yule Quarry, is owned by Italian company Red Graniti and employs 30 to 40 people. CSQ says there are enough marble reserves contained in its six galleries to continue mining at the current rate for more than 100 years. The quarry has supplied the pure white marble for renowned monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Colorado Capitol building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The creek diversion and access-road construction came after the quarry was granted a permit by DRMS in 2016 for a 114-acre expansion for a total of 124 permitted acres in the Yule Creek drainage. Continued on page 12
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • October 8 - October 15, 2020 • 11
Quarry
OBITUARY
Robert (Bob) Raymond Nieslanik
from page 11
Healthy Rivers concerns Although the quarry sits in Gunnison County, about three miles up County Road 3 from the town of Marble, the relocation of the stream could have downstream impacts in Pitkin County. Yule Creek flows into the Crystal River, which flows through Pitkin County before it joins the Roaring Fork River in Carbondale. Members of the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers board have said they support water-quality monitoring, especially regarding turbidity, or water clarity. “We are concerned about sedimentation and water-quality impacts on the Crystal down in Pitkin County,” said Andre Wille, chair of the Healthy Rivers board. “We try to think on a watershed basis, so we don’t just focus on county lines.” Heavy equipment in the streambed could kick up sediment, which is then suspended in the stream’s flow, Wille said. “More concerning is probably the way those sediments then settle down and fill in the spaces in the gravel and in the rocks and smother insects,” he said. “If they are spawning, it smothers eggs of
Dec. 10, 1936 – Sept. 26, 2020
Portals to the marble galleries of the Pride of America Mine can be seen in this still photo from drone footage. Quarry operator Colorado Stone Quarries relocated Yule Creek in 2018 to build an access road. Photo by Maciej Mrotek trout and fish, so it really kind of wrecks the habitat.” CSQ general manager Daniele Treves said in a prepared statement that the quarry already has a water monitoring program at three locations on Yule Creek and has installed groundwater monitoring wells related to the diesel spill. The marble blocks placed in the new stream channel are intended to create step pools that encourage fine sediment to settle, he said. “CSQ’s diversion of the Yule Creek simply redirected a portion of the creek from its then-present western channel to a historical channel approximately 200 feet to the east,” Treves said. A video by Redstone resident and longtime local Maciej Mrotek shows how the area looked in May 2018, before the diversion, when Yule Creek
was on the west side of Franklin Ridge. Drone footage from this past May shows the creek now running on the east side of the ridge in a channel filled with cut marble chunks and a road on the west side of the ridge where the creek used to be. Mrotek, who said he has fond memories of playing in the area as a child, said the change was devastating. “I took it very personally when I saw that, because I think it could have been handled in a much better way,” he said. “My goal is not to stop the mining. My goal is simply to channel the future activity of this mine in a positive fashion with a lot more oversight and respect.”
The Roaring Fork Valley has lost a good one. Lifetime resident, Bob Nieslanik, passed away on Sept. 26, 2020 surrounded by family and friends. Bob was born the ninth child of 12 on Dec. 10, 1936 to John Frank Nieslanik Sr. and Mary Katherine Nieslanik. He was raised in Spring Valley on the family farm and developed a passion for hunting and the outdoors. He served in the Army Reserves and eventually ranched, farmed, and operated a dairy for many years with two of his brothers, Paul and John. He also contributed
to Carbondale’s history of raising potatoes. On Nov. 15, 1969 Bob married Wanda Mary Daugherty and raised four children, Terrie, Scott, Ellie, and Carrie. When time allowed he enjoyed hunting elk and deer at his cherished mountain cabin, fishing, watching the Yankees and Broncos, and the annual family tradition of making polish sausage (kielbasa). He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Bernard; sisters Betty, Bernice, Adeline, Dorothy, and Katie; wife, Wanda, daughter, Terrie Lynn Short, and son Randy — as well as his favorite horse, Bomber. He is survived by four brothers John (Theresa), Paul (Celia), Jim (Sharon), Ray (Elaine); sister Francis Mattivi; son Scott (Diane), daughters Ellie (Roger) Fazzi, and Carrie (Steve) Tenold; son-in-law John Short; grandkids Krystal, Sara (Jake), Brandi, Maegan, Jessica (Devery), Luke (Siera), Hannah, Shane (Marielle), Tori (Matt), Oak, and Bella; great-grandchildren Isabella, Asher, Arlie, Emma, Zyler, Zemarie, Payton and Brycen and numerous extended family. Bob’s kind heart and big smile will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Another cowboy is coming home. A celebration of life and private family mass was held on Oct. 3.
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12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 8 - October 15, 2020
BRANCHING OUT
By Geneviéve Joëlle Villamizar I see an orange flash amid the mowed green clover and brome, roadside. Fox. Dead. Fur, still like down fluff. Its form is lithe, not yet bloated. Heading to a favorite fishing hole late in the day, I can’t stop. Can’t do both. I’ll come back tomorrow. Early morning, now. I check my mirrors — clear — and brake sharply. In the coolness of the morning, her decomposition and musk are pungent. Dead as she is, rushed as I am, I am still overcome. She is breathtaking. I place her on the roof of my car, arranging the final rictus of her face tenderly upon the alloy pillow of my roof rack. I’m planting garlic with volunteers now, pitching in for a farmer who works her ass off to grow crazy healthy food for locals.
Dear mountains… Hands in the soil; mind on the fox. On cars. Forests. People. On animals. The wild ones, of a world so different from ours. A world of listening, a daily rhythm centered on food. Family. Health. Life. What else would they possibly want? 280 more characters of Twitter? Molecules of her decay float to me, over downy tips of thistle. They rustle through dry, feral oats, the pearlescent husks of spent milkweed. The scent of her fumes scrape and fight their way through sun-baked kochia and tumbleweeds. Weeds to us. Protein and carbohydrates to voles, grasshoppers, ants. Food to the migration of fallen birds strewn across the map of September’s cold snap. This fox is food now, too. Indian summer and rising heat. I feel it in the rivulets sliding down the ravine of my spine; I “see” with my nostrils: the black tissue of her groin, writhing in a multitude of maggots. I’ll have to act fast. Pack, collect my daughter with friends, and get to the forest clearing, where we’ll camp for the night. Cliches and catch phrases have become meaningless to us: we love you to death and keep coming, anyway. My domestic mountain bike comes before mountains. Before wildness, before creatures, before declining water levels and rising stream temperatures.
And now we have eBikes. We can go everywhere: declining herd numbers? “They don't make any noise.” I’ve seen a fox in the mountains twice in my life. A badger once. Recreation fragmentation: “But I love my dog.” “Mine doesn’t chase animals.” “I don’t like leashes.” “It’s just poop; it’ll compost.” I question everything I do now: Why is my camping trip more important than keeping carbon out of the air? What do I say to myself to justify filling my tank and burning it all the way up McClure? What of the trail shoes I pack? Or the three different puffy coats — second hand, to be sure; but really — three? “I don’t want to be cold. But I don’t want to be sweaty, either…” We pick my daughter up from school in my friend’s king-cab, extended-bed, lifted diesel truck and new, walk-in camper. It’s quite a sight, but I don’t want to embarrass her, the weird mom with the stinky dead fox on her roof. Our pollution and impact must be worth it, I tell myself, because she’ll sleep under the stars. See the amber aspens, collect leaves from green to blush to gold. Arrival. I unwrap this fox’s body and her stench hits me, even through my respirator mask — all the more reason to honor
Remains of a fox. Courtesy photo her. Allow her dignity. Make her life meaningful in death. Prove to myself that the wild things aren't simply disappearing by sharing these moments with her. I lay her upon the richly-hued confetti of the forest floor. Urine, musk and rot curls in my nose; brings life to her velvety black ears. I note for the first time ever, how orange flows along her back and limbs, the hints of espresso and gold dusting her flanks. Ebony foot pads, so tiny, soft, unmarred by seasons of scampering. The stereotype of “fox,” the idea, the “thought” of fox, is not present. Taking in the gray of her ankles, her bushy tail, weightless upon my fingertips, I feel her. Slicing her open, seeing
what she’s made of, I know her intimately, more than I’ve ever known “fox.” And in her stillness, in her parts, she is ineffably alive and real to me. I cannot un-know this moment. I drive slower near dusk, and through the night, by lifelong habit, scanning the roadsides for Life. Rural dwellers know this. Or those that have plowed an animal. No hurry of mine will steal life. I like biking more, anyway. A decade old, my bike looks like hell. No worries about theft. I can fix anything on it. You can't pay me to buy a newer one, a nicer one, a smoother one, because now ? The fox comes first. I— we — can no longer do both.
THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • October 8 - October 15, 2020 • 13
LETTERS
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All of the above are tools readily available, with minimal study and funds involved, for us to use in an effort to curb the more blatant violations affecting our Safety by some of our neighbors and visitors while we patiently study viable, more permanent, long term solutions. In the meantime, can everyone slow down and “cool your engines in Carbondale” or “take a ‘brake’ in Bonedale” — please? Michael Henry Carbondale
Vote for Gallagher repeal Dear Editor: Amendment B was referred to the ballot by the Colorado legislature with strong bipartisan support. It would repeal the Gallagher Amendment (which was added to the Colorado Constitution in 1982). Gallager penalizes rural schools, hospitals and fire departments and forces our local small businesses to shoulder an increasing share of property taxes. Colorado currently has one of the lowest residential property tax rates in the country and passing Amendment B freezes the residential property tax rates at their current levels. This means that the current residential property tax rate will remain in place for homeowners and the only way the rate can increase is by a vote of the people. I strongly encourage you to vote yes on Amendment B. Jon Warnick Carbondale
Simpson for Board of Education
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Pre-order at ting.com/roaringfork 14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • soprissun.com • October 8 - October 15, 2020
Dear Editor: Mayling Simpson is running for the Colorado Board of Education as the CD3 Representative. Following are just a couple of the important differences between her and
Continued from page 2 her opponent Joyce Rankin. Rankin supports giving education tax money, or public funds, away to parents (called per pupil funding) to spend according to “parent choice.” Simpson opposes this. Simpson states that taxpayers have made a contract with society to provide free public education to all children. The original concept was to support our democracy and fight poverty by providing a high quality free public education to all children regardless of their family, ethnic or racial circumstances. Our Colorado public schools are already underfunded. If we give away tax money to parents to spend as they please on the educational option of their choice, such as a private school, online schooling tuition, a private tutor or home schooling, it would drain our public schools of much needed funds. Rankin also supports use of private education companies to take over and manage school districts that appear to be failing. She has voted to allow charter schools that school districts have rejected. Simpson believes that both of these actions do not respect the Colorado rule of local control of school districts. Having school districts managed by outside private firms should be a last resort. Simpson advocates listening to local voices and working with school districts to find solutions to education problems. I'm voting for Simpson — she makes sense. James Gilliam Carbondale
The adult in the room Dear Editor: If you aren’t familiar with our candidates for Congressional Representative, here’s a quick compare and contrast. Diane Mitsch Bush is the adult in the room. She’s a dedicated, whip-smart and Continued on page 15
LETTERS
PARTING SHOTS
Continued from page 14
has tons of experience as a county commissioner, state representative and state senator. She works across the aisle to get legislation done. She works for the people she represents. She’s a dedicated public servant – exactly the kind of person you’d want representing you in D.C. Lauren Boebert is a joke. She has zero experience, knows nothing about how government works, has no platform or plan other than guns and “freedom.” She’s refused to participate in candidate debates unless she’s given the questions in advance. She’s on the record as saying that she’s “tired of compromise.” Despite running as a lawand-order candidate, she’s had numerous run-ins with the law, failed to appear on two separate summonses, and failed to obtain a food service license at the 2017 Garfield County Rodeo where her pork sliders allegedly sickened 80 people, etc. The choice really is that stark. Please let’s elect an experienced professional who would represent western Colorado with intelligence and fairness: Diane Mitsch Bush. Dave Reed Carbondale
Mitsch Bush over Boebert Dear Editor: Lauren Boebert is a fraud. She makes up a good story, but look into her history. Coming up with a catchy idea for a western-themed restaurant does not equate to the ability or experience needed to be an effective legislator. Consider your vote carefully. Will a highschool drop-out with no legislative experience, a record of multiple arrests, and an inability to obey America’s laws represent you, your concerns and your values? Diane Mitsch Bush has a proven record of effectiveness in the Colorado legislature. Among her accomplishments was her sponsorship of the bipartisan Debt-free Schools Act to increase public school funding, passed and signed by Colorado’s governor. She served as a member of the House Committee for Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources, serving as Vice Chair in 2017. Even if you have always voted the Republican ticket, this choice should be crystal clear. Vote for experience and effectiveness. Vote for Diane Mitsch Bush. Annette Roberts-Gray Carbondale
The colors in the lower Crystal River Valley changed early this year. The aspens, cottonwoods and oak all turning at once for a spectacular display for Bo Persiko, and his pup Maizie, as well the rest of us to enjoy. Photos by Sue Rollyson
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • October 8 - October 15, 2020 • 15
Vote For
Vota Por
Beatriz Soto Democrat for Garfield County Commissioner Demócrata Para Garfield el Comisionado de Condado On Tuesday November 3rd Martes 3 de Noviembre
As County Commissioner Beatriz will: • Expand our senior and child welfare programs • Create accessible medical and mental health costs in our county • Incentivize sustainable and regenerative practices for farmers and ranchers • Establish a 100% clean energy goal for Garfield County • Invest in new economic activity apart from the oil and gas industry • Establish a Climate Action Plan that puts working families first
Meet Beatriz Beatriz is a proud, longtime resident of Garfield County. She established her roots here 22 years ago, so she and her family could thrive alongside this community. As an architect, community organizer, mother, and loyal conservationist, Beatriz is a sought-after activist in Colorado. She is currently the Director of Defiende Nuestra Tierra for Wilderness Workshop whose mission is to protect and conserve the wilderness and natural landscapes of the Roaring Fork Watershed, the White River National Forest, and adjacent public lands. Beatriz believes that it is the obligation of the people in power to recognize and listen to the needs and concerns of all people in our community, not just a select few. Which
is why she works shoulder to shoulder with each and every resident in her efforts to build a more connected, organized and inclusive Garfield County. Beatriz is committed to serving working-class people over corporate interests and advocating for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. She is a Democrat with a vision for the future who is ready to help bring sustainable economic growth, stable and good jobs, and equitable representation to all communities in Garfield County. “My vision for the future is based on the world my son will inherit. I want him to have every opportunity to grow up in a livable climate, in a strong community where everyone is valued and has a voice in the decisions that impact our lives”
DONATE. VOLUNTEER. PLEDGE TO VOTE. Facebook @BeatrizforGarfield Instagram @BeatrizforGarfield Twitter @Beatriz4GarCo Paid for the Committee to elect Beatriz Soto Norman Kirk, Treasurer
WWW.BEATRIZFORGARFIELD.COM 970.309.9955 | info@beatrizforgarfield.com