2011 04 21

the

Sopris Carbondale’s

weekly, non-profit newspaper

Sun

Volume 3, Number 10 | April 21, 2011

Roaring Fork senior Taylor Browning (center), took first place in the 100-meter dash at the Demon Invitational in Glenwood Springs on April 16. His time was 11.4 seconds.

He also won the 200-meter with a time of 22.14, just .43 seconds ahead of his twin brother, Zach Browning (not pictured), the second place finisher. Zach won the 400-meter dash with a time of 50.45. Photo by Jordan Hirro (jordon-hirro.zenfolio.com)

Valley Cruisers pull car show out of Carbondale

By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer

pleated upholstery.

Five years ago the club took its show to Main Street, which the town closed off so the vehicles could be displayed at right angles to the curb from Weant Boulevard to Third Street. For those years, spectators wandered up and down the middle of Main Street peeking under hoods, sticking their heads in windows, stepping back from cars to take pictures, reminiscing about Detroit’s glory years and telling disinterested girlfriends,“The GTO had a 389 … the Roadrunner was a 383 … the Dodge Hemi was a 426 … .”

Recorded rock ‘n’ roll and an Elvis impersonator rounded out the show’s ambience.

Last summer, some downtown business owners complained when the town closed the street for two consecutive Saturdays – one for the car show and the next weekend for the Rocky Mountain Omnium bicycle race.

In the fall, the town trustees appointed a special events committee to make a recommendation on how many times to close Main Street.The committee later recommended the town only close Main Street for the bicycle races (which could attract out-of-town racers and spectators, according to supporters) and the annual Light Up Carbondale holiday event in December.

Jackel, who serves on the special events committee, said the owner of the shopping center at Highway 133 and Main Street (where Sopris Liquor is located) also volunteered his parking lot for the show but the Valley Cruisers were not interested in that option either.

Although the car show will not be returning to Carbondale this summer, the Rocky Mountain Omnium will, according to Jackel.

The town trustees will discuss the bike race and other summer events (including First Friday) at their meeting on April 26.

he Valley Cruisers Car Club will not be lining Main Street with all manner of classic vehicles this June, after declining the town’s invitation to display their wheels along north and south Fourth Street instead.

“It’s unfortunate,” said Carbondale Recreation Director Jeff Jackel. “They (the Valley Cruisers) said Main Street was ideal for their members.”

Instead of downtown Carbondale, Seventh Street in Glenwood Springs will be the site of the club’s annual Roaring Fork Valley summer show, according to the club’s Website. A club spokesman was not available for comment at press time.

Since the late 1990s, Valley Cruiser members and other classic car collectors from

around the state brought their prides and joy to town. For the first seven or eight years, the club took over Sopris Park for a Saturday in early June, filling it with vintage Corvettes, refurbished or modified Model A’s and T’s, Detroit muscle cars like the GTO, classics like the 1954 Buick Skylark (whose wheel wells were painted to accent the body paint), various cars and trucks whose main claim to fame were they were manufactured from the 1920s to 1970s and still ran, a mint-condition 1950s Ford convertible (whose top could be retracted while the car rolled down the highway), recent-issue Shelby Cobras and “woody” station wagons (like the ones on Beach Boy album covers).

There was also an abundance of fins, whitewall tires, candy-apple red paint, chrome, grills that looked like the Cheshire cat in “Alice in Wonderland,” and rolled and

Island deal reconsidered

What’s a PIF?

Reservoirs no more

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Carbondale Commentary

ink outside the big box Once upon a time, a nice ranching family gifted their land to an educational institution.

Years later the school sold a portion of the land on the highway in order to buy a parcel across the river. More than one ambitious developer has seen the potential of this land to make a lot of money; all they have to do is get the approval of the town. And what kind of town wouldn’t want to invest in its local economy? Well, it’s Carbondale. As long as people have been coming here from faraway places with their new fangled ideas, Carbondale has shaken itself off like the old yellow dog that it always was. An old cow town with a few outspoken hippies, or whatever you call those folks who lived through the revolution of the ’60s and due to righteous conviction or excessive drug use (or both) never sold out.

So, here we are, however many years later, still arguing about bringing a big-box chain into the heart of our town, and whether it will bring in much needed business or simply kill what little local business there is. And now the mudslinging is getting pretty bad – like hire a few girls from Junction to wrestle in bikinis bad. The whole potential deal has been around for so long that it’s getting to where proposals for the Village at the Crystal River marketplace are like opinions and certain unmentionables; everybody has one.

Well, here’s mine, gleaned from many brainstorming sessions

By Jeannie Perry I’ve participated in with various locals in bars and coffee houses.

Instead of building an outdoor mall that looks like a façade you will see on the Vail/Beaver Creek historic tour in 50 years, I have a better plan for the old Pabst Ranch land. Let’s build a hotel and convention center to rival the Hotel Jerome and the Aspen Institute all rolled into one, only better because you won’t have to figure out how to shuffle people around in SUVs – a grand place, with room to accommodate weddings, bat mitzvahs, and T Ray Becker opening up for Willie Nelson. No Trump Dump, mind you, this will be a well-built,Western-themed oasis for everything from an evening with Madeleine Albright to an old-fashioned standing bar with PBR on tap and loaner spurs available at the door (like those quasi-fancy restaurants that offer a jacket if you forgot to wear one.) Imagine if Tom Robbins and Bill Fender got drunk together and planned their ideal home away from home: cowboy art on the walls, tennis courts, a health spa and, of course, an endless indoor/outdoor pool with a swim-up bar and a whole wall mural like the ones they used to have in Village Inns. (An entire wall-papered wall of aspen trees or moose standing in a meadow of tall grass.) Just think: We can transform Carbondale’s image like they transformed the Holiday Inn into the Inn at Aspen.

Pretty soon no one will even remember that we used to think wiggle beds were a pretty neat idea. Trust me, “If you build it, they will come.” – Shoeless Joe. Actually, they already come: for the cross-country skiing and the sheepdog trials, for Mountain Fair and the rodeo. They flock to Carbondale for the restaurants and the entertainment, for the fishing and kayaking and hiking and biking. But at the end of the day they stay in Glenwood or Redstone or Aspen.

And they could stay right here, at the Pabst Hotel and Convention Center. C’mon, you guys, think outside of the big box; if the cowboys and the hippies can get along for all these years, there’s no reason the haves and the have mores can’t come up with a plan that we all like.

Ps & Qs

From e Sopris Sun In the April 14 edition of The Sopris Sun, we printed a letter that contained an inaccurate and potentially damaging statement about Carbondale Town Trustee Frosty Merriott.The letter was titled“Ethics are for everyone.” In it, Juan Grobler asserted that Merriott has “acted illegally” while considering the proposed Village at Crystal River Planned Unit Development.

Although the developer has raised allegations that Merriott has engaged in ex parte contact concerning the project during appearances on a KDNK radio show, such contact does not violate the law. Instead, it might constitute a breach of due process, as town trustees are acting as quasi-judges during the Village at Crystal River land-use application review. Further, Merriott has not been accused of, much less convicted, of breaking any laws.

Letters

The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 400 words. Letters exceeding that length may be edited or returned for revisions. Include your name and residence (for publication) and a contact email and phone number. Submit letters via email to letters@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623.

Put students before administrators Editor’s Note: This letter was also addressed to the Re-1 School District Board of Education.

Dear Editor: While you face many tough decisions regarding the upcoming budget for the school district, I wonder how many parents understand that several of your administrative positions have been funded by grant money.

This is money that has now run out, for salaries that far exceed the pay of teaching staff. While debating how many educational programs and teachers to cut, I am concerned that you may choose to assimilate the bloated salaries of more administrators at the cost of the most important aspect: our students. The students need to be first in thoughts about class size, availability of programs and extracurricular activities, technology and quality teachers. How disturbing would it be if administrators were added to the budget, while teachers were cut? How disturbing would it be if administrators were added to the budget while programs, learning materials and innovation were pushed out? Your job is to align yourself, first and foremost, with the needs of the students – ALL the students – which means smaller classes and quality teachers in the classrooms. This budget does not allow the luxury of a more top-heavy administration.

Denise Moss Carbondale

3rd Street Center good for First Friday

The Sopris Sun shone on the White House earlier this month thanks to (left to right) Fiona Laird, Izzi Mata, Valerie Loertscher, Emily Mata, Beth Fawley, Tavia Teitler and Emily Bruell. The Carbondale Middle School students comprised a team that the Environmental Protection Agency honored during a recent ENERGY STAR awards banquet in Washington, D.C. The CMS students were recognized for their work in saving energy in Carbondale schools and their involvement in the EPA’s National Building contest. Courtesy photo 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 21, 2011

The letter also implies that Merriott is in some way responsible for recordings of 13 of 15 episodes of KDNK’s weekly Merle and Chameleon Show“mysteriously”going missing. As we noted last week, town staff were in fact able to review seven recordings of the show, not two as Grobler stated.

Town staff has stated that the remaining recordings were not available from KDNK. We apologize to Merriott for any damage the letter may have caused, and to our readers for the inaccuracies it contained. By printing letters to the editor, we strive to provide a forum for useful and accurate conversation about the issues.We apologize that we strayed from that mission, and will work to avoid similar lapses in the future.

Sincerely, Terray Sylvester and Lynn Burton, co-editors

Dear Editor: Two of the many things we love about Carbondale are that it’s small and flat. Accordingly, the distances between Main Street, the Third Street Center and S.A.W. are very few blocks, quickly and easily traveled by bike, or in just a very few more minutes afoot. Before the Third Street Center opened, it was difficult to appreciate CCAH’s First Friday offerings due to their tiny space, and the Clay Center was usually so crowded that I worried about breaking one of their fragile

artworks. Now we can truly have it all on First Fridays – plenty of room, more great venues to visit, more manageable crowds at each and a nice bike ride or stroll among those places. We always check out the Clay Center and Carbondale Beer Works, on each end of Main, and pass by every other Main Street business en route. If some Main Street businesses notice decreased traffic in their stores, perhaps they need to up their curb appeal. We’re all still there!

George Bohmfalk Carbondale

To inform, inspire and build community Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Co-editors: Lynn Burton and Terray Sylvester 510-3003 • news@soprissun.com Advertising: Dina Drinkhouse • 970-456-7261 dina@soprissun.com Photographer/Writer: Jane Bachrach Ad/Page Production: Terri Ritchie Paper Boy: Cameron Wiggin Webmaster: Will Grandbois Sopris Sun, LLC Managing Board of Directors: Peggy DeVilbiss • David Johnson Allyn Harvey • Colin Laird Laura McCormick • Trina Ortega Jean Perry • Elizabeth Phillips Frank Zlogar

Sopris Sun, LLC • P.O. Box 399 520 S. Third Street #35 Carbondale, CO 81623

970-510-3003 www.soprissun.com Visit us on facebook.com Send us your comments: feedback@soprissun.com The Sopris Sun is an LLC organized under the 501c3 non-profit structure of the Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation.

Trustees back away from island settlement

By Terray Sylvester Sopris Sun Staff Writer

The Carbondale Town Trustees on Tuesday night backed away from a settlement proposal for a lawsuit involving roughly 17 acres of town land in the Roaring Fork River.

The trustees decided to explore other options for a title dispute on the so-called Carbondale “island,” a swath of brushy terrain in a braided section of the river south of Highway 82 and Planted Earth. Two adjacent landholders, Thomas and Mary Beth Joiner and Michael Stahl, say portions of the town land overlap with their properties.

Under the settlement, the town would have parted with the land in exchange for $100,000 and several deed restrictions, including provisions to prevent the property from being developed, an easement to allow the town to develop municipal water wells on the property and an easement to preserve public floating rights through the

property, although the public would have been prohibited from setting foot on the riverbed or shoreline.

But in response to outcry from fishermen, open space advocates and other members of the public, the trustees decided to reconsider the settlement. Mayor Stacey Bernot said she wanted to be receptive to public opinion and did not want to see the settlement fail in a referendum, which could cost the town as much as $8,000 in organizational expenses.

“I’ve heard from the public that they don’t want to give away 17 acres, and that gives me pause,” Bernot said, describing the situation as a tough one, in which the town is bound to lose something, whether it ends up being money, land or both.

Bernot also suggested the town explore opportunities for legal assistance, an option that came to light on Tuesday night.

Trustee John Hoffmann made the motion to direct town staff to explore other solutions

to the title dispute. It passed on a 4-3 vote with trustees John Foulkrod, Elizabeth Murphy and Ed Cortez opposed.

The trustees considered two other motions as well, one for the town to defend its claim to the 17-acre parcel in its entirety, and one to approve the settlement. Both failed, with Bernot acting as a swing vote between what have become predictable factions on the town board: trustees Frosty Merriott, Pam Zentmyer and Hoffmann on one side, Foulkrod, Murphy and Cortez on the other.

The first motion came from Trustee John Hoffmann, who has been the trustees’ most outspoken critic of the settlement. Calling the agreement “short sighted,” he argued the parcel is best left in the public’s hands as a resource for the future when terrain for open space and recreation may be harder to come by.

The other motion of the night came from Foulkrod, who has described himself as the

“instigator” of the settlement. He argued the agreement would spare the town the costs of litigation, which could run higher than $50,000 according to an estimate from town staff. Foulkrod said that with the town strapped for cash during the recession, the revenue would be needed to develop the Gateway Park area downstream at the intersection of highways 133 and 82.

“We’re not giving away public lands, we’re trying to make public lands better,” he said.

This year the town has budgeted about $101,000 for a handful of one-time improvements intended to get the Gateway Park up and running by Memorial Day, said Public Works Director Larry Ballenger. Of that, $56,000 was drawn from reserve funds.

About 10 members of the public spoke in favor of defending the island parcel on Tuesday night, including Rick Neiley, a partner at Neiley and Alder Attorneys and a former ISLAND SETTLEMENT page 11

Two ompson Divide watersheds found to be healthy

By Terray Sylvester Sopris Sun Staff Writer The tests are done and the results are good: Two watersheds in the hills west of Carbondale are basically healthy.

The Thompson Divide Coalition has released findings from a yearlong water quality study conducted in the Thompson Creek and Muddy Creek watersheds west and south of town. The coalition hopes to use data from the studies as a reference point in the event that gas development comes to the area and the waters are degraded.

The research effort, which was con-

ducted by the Roaring Fork Conservancy, consisted of two studies: one to look for a variety of minerals, chemicals and other water quality indicators in surface and groundwater in the two watersheds, and another to gauge the health of the watersheds’ aquatic insect populations.

Tests were conducted at four surface water sites and four groundwater sites from September 2009 to August 2010.The results“indicate that the baseline waters are healthy, uncontaminated, and support significant populations of aquatic organisms,” wrote water quality consultant Robert Moran, of Michael-Moran

Associates, in a summary of his findings.

Chad Rudow, water quality coordinator for the conservancy, said he wasn’t surprised to hear the water is pure.

“To be honest, considering the locations where we were sampling, we had a pretty good idea that it would be fairly healthy water in our streams up there,” Rudow said.

“We pushed the sampling locations upstream enough to eliminate other potential sources of human impact.”

Aquatic insects are often used as an indicator of water quality. Because some bugs might live in a given stream or pond for as

long as two years, they offer a record of the history of a body of water.

The coalition is working to prevent gas drilling on about 220,000 acres stretching from Sunlight Mountain Resort and East Divide Creek in the north, through the Thompson Creek area to the Muddy Creek watershed near McClure Pass in the south.

Although little gas development has occurred in region so far, a handful of companies hold about 73 leases on roughly 110,000 acres of that terrain, according to the coalition. Generally, the gas resources in the are thought to THOMPSON DIVIDE page 11

PIF plays into VCR proposal Editor’s note: In the March 3 edition, The Sopris Sun printed a questionnaire asking readers to let us know which Village at Crystal River issues they’d like to read more about. Here is one issue – the proposed public improvement fee (PIF).

By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer

This red-winged blackbird surveyed the north pond at Delaney Nature Park (aka the Delaney dog park) earlier in the week. Other birds likely to be seen at the park at this time of the year include magpies, Mallard ducks and geese flying overhead.

Photo by Lynn Burton

Developers in Colorado are turning to a relatively new form of paying for parts of their projects, according to municipal finance directors around the state. The two most commonly used methods are public improvement fees (PIF) and tax increment financing (TIF).

Both function like sales taxes or are an actual sales tax, assessed to customers at businesses in shopping centers or commercial developments where they are in place.

In Carbondale, the developer of the proposed Village at Crystal River is proposing a PIF to pay for on-site infrastructure such as sidewalks, and off-site improvements to Highway 133 and Main Street brought on by the development’s impacts on those two roads, according to Carbondale Finance Director Nancy Barnett. The total PIF financing would be approximately $6 million, according to published reports.

The PIF is part of Rich Schierbrug’s commercial/residential development application for the 24-acre parcel at the west end of Main Street, which wraps around 7/Eleven

and stretches for about a half-mile north on the west side of Highway 133.

Barnett said the trustees haven’t addressed the PIF part of the application since last May but a figure of 1 to 1.25 percent on most sales and transactions at Village at Crystal River has been discussed. The total sales tax in Carbondale is currently 8.4 percent, Barnettt said, of which 3.5 percent is Carbondale’s sales tax (the rest is state, county and RFTA). The town charges a sales tax on groceries, but the state does not.

For 2011, the town expects to take in about $3.3 million in sales and uses taxes, which makes up about 60 percent of the town’s revenue for the general fund.

Barnett said the Village at Crystal River PIF can be created so it expires after the public improvement costs are paid.

A PIF was used to finance part of the Glenwood Meadows shopping center, said Glenwood Springs Finance Director Mike Harmon.

Next Steps:

The Carbondale Town Trustees will hold another public hearing on the Village at Crystal River Planned Unit Development during their meeting on April 26 at town hall, 511 Colorado Ave. For more information, call town hall: 963-2733.

THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 21, 2011 • 3

News Briefs

Cop Shop

The Weekly News Brief The Sopris Sun and the KDNK news departments team up to discuss recent news from the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. Catch the Brief on KDNK between 7:30 and 8 a.m. and between 5:30 and 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

Burns planned for Garfield, Eagle counties Federal fire officials with the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management team are planning two prescribed fires this spring in Eagle and Garfield counties to reduce fuel loads and improve wildlife habitat. A 3,000-acre prescribed fire is planned for federal land about 12 miles south of Silt. For more information about this burn, contact project lead Toni Toelle (970) 878-6011. Another burn, this one 580 acres in size, is planned for federal land in Eagle County 1.5 miles southeast of the town of Burns. For information about it, call project lead Ody Anderson (970) 876-9030. Firefighters expect ideal weather conditions for the burns to occur sometime between mid-April and mid-May.

Solar array installed at county arena A new 101-kilowatt solar array has been installed at the Garfield County Riding Arena in Rifle. As The Sopris Sun went to press on Wednesday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was planned for this morning,Thursday,April 21.

At 37 feet wide and 217 feet long, the new array consists of 440 solar panels, which will generate enough power to offset 57 percent of the arenas annual electricity demand, said a press release from Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER). To build the project Garfield County leveraged a $82,500 grant

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 21, 2011

from the non-profit organization Garfield Clean Energy. The grant was funded through energy impact funds from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs

Home Energy Makeover winners announced The Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) has announced the winners of its 2010 Home Energy Makeover Contest, which began in January 2010 and challenged over 25 households to compete for the greatest reductions in home electric, heating fuel, and water consumption over the course of a year.

The overall winner for greatest reduction in home energy use was Steve Vanderleest of Glenwood Springs, who reduced his electric and gas consumption by 35 percent between 2009 and 2010. He saved over $500 in energy costs and earned a $1,000 cash prize from CORE.Aspenite Bert Myrin was runner up. He saved almost $900 by reducing his energy consumption by 31 percent. He received a cash award of $500. Cheri Murray of Glenwood Springs won $250 by reducing her water consumption by 25 percent. Rob Gile of Aspen also won $250 for the greatest energy improvement per square foot.

Building on this year’s contest, CORE will launch Home Energy Makeover Contest, Version 2.0. For this year’s contest, small teams will create proposals for community-

based projects in building water and energy use, transportation, waste stream, composting, greenhouses, transportation, energy policy, and resource conservation for Spanish speakers. Through a competitive application process, teams from throughout the valley will be selected to participate in monthly workshops with local experts and receive funding assistance to complete their projects.

For more information or an application, contact Amelia Potvin at energy@aspencore.org, call (970) 544-9808, or visit aspencore.org.

New building code in New Castle The town of New Castle recently adopted new energy standards that will improve energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. The town adopted 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) energy standards. The IECC is a set of building codes created by the International Code Council, a U.S.-based nonprofit that is dedicated to building safety, fire prevention, and energy efficiency. New Castle town council members also added their own amendments to the codes, which will make buildings more efficient in terms of energy consumption and safety.

The new code adoption is part of an ongoing process of updating local building codes that CLEER has been orchestrating through Garfield Clean Energy over the past

The following events are drawn from incident reports of the Carbondale Police Department.

SATURDAY April 9 At 3:46 a.m. a man called from Garfield Avenue to report his mother missing. He told the police to check Mi Casita.

MONDAY April 11 At 8:36 p.m. officers responded to a family disturbance on Garfield Avenue. A man was upset over an incident that occurred in Eagle County involving his girlfriend and her father. His mother was worried he would hurt himself.

TUESDAY April 12 At 4:40 p.m. a woman reported her purse was stolen during an event at the Third Street Center.

WEDNESDAY April 13 At 4:58 p.m. a group of kids told a police officer their bikes had been stolen from an apartment building on Garfield Avenue. It turned out the bikes had been confiscated by a maintenance employee after the children rode them where they shouldn’t have. year. Other communities in the area that have also adopted the code include Aspen, Pitkin County, Eagle County, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, and Garfield County.

County comp plan amendment could ease conflicts over dump

By Terray Sylvester Sopris Sun Staff Writer Arguing that Garfield County zoning rules are at odds with reality, the town of Carbondale may ask the county to revise its 2030 Comprehensive Plan to better reflect the residential subdivisions that have cropped up near Catherine Store Road east of town.

“We’re talking about redefining the 2030 comprehensive plan to tighten up the industrial zoning in that area for what’s allowable,” said Carbondale Town Trustee John Hoffmann. “When the area got zoned industrial it was almost all ranching out there and there wasn’t the population base that there is now.”

The comprehensive plan is a non-binding set of guidelines. But by modifying it, Hoffmann hopes to alert the county commissioners that the character of the area is changing.

“So it’s on their radar,” he said. “Right now it isn’t. They see an industrial zone and … being a gas-patch county it probably doesn’t occur to them to limit some of the uses out there.”

Some residents of the Roaring Fork Preserve, Blue Creek Ranch and Mayfly Bend

Ranch east of town have joined a growing group of people raising their voices in response to a waste transfer facility and recycling center proposed at the former Mid-Continent Resources site on the south side of County Road 100.

The project started to make waves when the property owner, IRMW, LLC, asked the commissioners to reclassify such facilities as a “use by right” in the county’s two industrial zone districts, a move that would have truncated the public review process for the project.

The commissioners denied that request on April 18, unanimously deciding instead to redesignate recycling centers as a limited impact. Previously they were classified as a major impact. A waste-transfer facility will remain a limited impact.

Major impact reviews include at least two public hearings, one in front of the county commissioners and another with the county planning and zoning commission. Limited impact reviews include just one hearing before the county commissioners.

A major impact review would have also

required several additional studies addressing landscaping, water and soil issues, said county planner Glenn Hartmann.

As a use by right, the project would have been reviewed by the county planning department, with an option for a public hearing before the board of commissioners upon request from the public or another party.

The 95-acre industrial district is one of two such zone districts in the county. The other encompasses 45 acres near the Garfield County Airport south of Rifle.

It was standing room only at the meeting on April 18, where more than a dozen people spoke out against the zone text amendment.

Karen Olson, principal of Crystal River Elementary School, asked the commissioners to ensure the trash facilities are subject to the most extensive review process possible. She argued the truck traffic from the facilities would travel Snowmass Drive, which runs past the elementary school and Carbondale Middle School, potentially endangering students.

“When all these trucks used to roll around the valley [for coal mining], there

weren’t schools sitting where they are now,” she said, stating that she was also speaking for Rick Holt, principal of the middle school, and Judy Haptonstall, the school district superintendent.

The Carbondale Town Trustees had pushed for a more stringent review process as well. In a recent letter, they urged the county commissioners not to re-classify the trash facilities under the county’s zoning rules.

The town’s plans are still in the early stages. If the town does decide to advocate for the comp plan amendment, the town planning and zoning would probably take up the issue as part of the town’s own ongoing comprehensive plan revision.

The Mid-Continent load-out site operated from 1968 to 1991, according to Tim Thulson, an attorney representing IRMW. Thulson said he worked at the site in the mid-1980s, when trucks hauled about 1 million tons of coal to the facility each year, from there to be loaded onto trains.

As of April 18, the county had not received a formal application to build the recycling center and waste transfer project.

River District Board abandons West Divide water rights Sopris Sun Staff Report The Colorado River District Board of Directors voted on April 19 to abandon or reduce most of the conditional Crystal River water rights associated with the West Divide Project.

The West Divide Project was drawn up in the 1960s. It would have created two reservoirs in the Crystal River Valley while diverting water to the West Divide area near Silt for irrigation and oil shale development.

One of the proposed reservoirs would have flooded Redstone, while the other would have inundated the Placita area just below the turnoff from Highway 133 to Marble. A series of tunnels and canals would have carried water from the reservoirs to the West Divide area.

The limited rights that the Colorado River District seeks to retain will change the focus of the project from one that would have benefited the Colorado River Valley to one designed to preserve late season flows in the Crystal River drainage and to create the potential for hydropower development, according to a press release.

Although few people thought the dams would actually be built as planned and reservoirs would flood the Crystal River Valley, the

water rights associated with the West Divide Project have been a source of concern for many valley residents. Both the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Agency and the Crystal River Caucus had opposed the plans, warning that the dams could prevent the river from earning a federal Wild and Scenic River designation and potentially push back the boundaries of the Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal.

Under direction from the Colorado River District Board, water rights to Osgood Reservoir will be abandoned completely. The River District will seek to maintain conditional rights for a 4,000 acre-foot Placita Reservoir that could in the future help with in-basin, low-flow problems in the Crystal River in late summer. As it was originally proposed, the Placita Reservoir would have contained 58,000 acre feet of water. The proposed Osgood Reservoir near Redstone would have held 129,000 acre feet.

Many components of the project were located in the West Divide area. Those water rights will be maintained to benefit the original West Divide service area, but they will rely on in-basin water supplies instead.

In the Colorado water rights system, con-

ditional water rights act as priority placeholders for projects to be developed in the future. Conditional water rights holders must prove to the water court every six years that progress is being made to develop a project, a process known as diligence. The West Divide Project water rights face a diligence filing on May 31. The moves today were made in concurrence with the West Divide Board.

The original West Divide Project was approved by Congress in 1966 as part of the historic Colorado River Storage Project Act that led to the construction of the AnimasLaPlata Project and Ridgway Reservoir, among others. But the Bureau of Reclamation subsequently judged the West Divide project unfeasible on a cost-benefit basis, and it was never granted federal funds. Despite the promise of federal funding, the Colorado River District reconfigured the project and its water rights over the years in anticipation that one day it could be valuable to the Crystal, Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys.

The Colorado River District filed for the project’s original water rights in 1957. They date back to an era when one of the River District’s main roles was to file water rights that would later become reclamation projects.

Placita (shown here) is located on Highway 133, approximately 1.5 miles north of the Marble turnoff. The Colorado River District has abandoned most of its conditional water rights associated with the West Divide Project, but will seek to maintain conditional rights for a 4,000 acrefoot Placita reservoir fed by the Crystal River. Photo by Lynn Burton

Open daily from 6:30AM to 2:30 PM serving breakfast & lunch At the Crystal River Cafe’ we offer free high speed wireless internet, fresh fruit smoothies, energy smoothie, friendly staff, and fresh homemade dishes that taste great.

bon appetite Conference room available by appointment please contact:

1374 W. Main Street Carbondale

info@crystalrivercafe.com or call 970. 704. 2612 THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 21, 2011 • 5

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to Scuttlebutt@SoprisSun.com.

Morrison and McDuffey advance

Crystal River CafĂŠ opens The Crystal River CafĂŠ is now open and serving breakfast and lunch at 1374 W. Main Street. The hours are 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The friendly CRC staff serves fresh fruit smoothies and homemade dishes.

The cafĂŠ also offers high speed Internet service and a conference room is available.

For details, call 704-2612.

Ian Morrison and Brandon Luck McDuffey’s short ďŹ lm “New Broken Calculatorâ€? has advanced to the regional ďŹ nals of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Student Academy awards following its recent showing at Aspen Film’s Shortsfest. The ďŹ lm is a coming-of-age story about a boy who is forced to spend his hard-earned savings to buy a calculator he needs for math class. To view the ďŹ lm, go to vimeo.com/21531972.

Drop in and say “hi�

Pat Wanner recently opened Collage!

Creative Collections (your one-stop shop for locally produced handmade gifts) at 1154 Highway 133 (just south of Carbondale Car Care). For details, go to collagecc.com.

One, two, three A trio of Carbondale women ďŹ nished one, two, three in the recent Desert RATS trail running festival in Fruita. Ashley Arnold (associate editor of the Carbondale-based Trail Runner magazine) was ďŹ rst, followed

by Sari Anderson and Elinor Fish (founder of Run Wild Retreats). While we’re at it, Fish is signing up folks for her second annual Trail Running and Wellness Retreat for Women, slated for Aug. 18-21 at Vagabond Ranch near Granby. The retreat includes trail runs of three to 12 miles, gourmet meals, yoga classes and more. For details, go to runwildretreats.com.

Horse season begins The Strang Ranch on Missouri Heights kicks off its spring/summer season with a practice “mock showâ€? on April 23, followed by the season’s ďŹ rst Colorado West

Poop patrol This week’s mystery photo provides a warning to those who might wander into this part of town. If you know where this photo was taken, send your answer to news@soprissun.com. Photo by Trina Ortega hunter jumper show at 8 a.m. on May 1.

For details, call Bridget Strang at 963-2319.

Locals tabbed for 5 Point The fourth annual 5 Point Film Festival at the Carbondale Recreation Center is April 28-May 1 and local presenters include Aaron Garland, Jake Sakson, Peter McBride and Anson Fogel. For program details, go to 5pointďŹ lm.org.

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Gas prices even out For the past few weeks, as gasoline prices inched toward $4 a gallon, the stuff was about a dime less expensive (note the word “cheaper� is not used here) on the west side of Highway 133 than the east side. Well, as of Monday prices are the same all over town after 7/Eleven pegged its price for unleaded regular at $3.89 a gallon. The more expensive blend was selling for $4.01.

A clean-up day is scheduled for Delaney Nature Park (aka the Delaney dog park) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 30. Last year, some poop patrollers joked that the clean up could be turned into sort of an Easter egg hunt, although the Easter bunny reportedly has declined to get involved. For details, call 963-8025.

Need some kitchen stuff?

The Third Street Center is seeking takers (including the haul-it-off-for-free variety) for commercial kitchen equipment from the old Carbondale Elementary School. For details, call Mark Wolfe at 618-6939.

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Time toIt’sScrub Off Winter ’ Our Monthly Monthlyy Special p Lavender and Rosemary Salt Scrub, Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage, Private Natural Thermal Mineral Bath, and an all Day Pass to our Historic Vapor Caves “A Day at the Spa� $115

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For playground volunteer, helping others is a habit

By Trina Ortega Special to The Sopris Sun Ernesto Cuc will be taking three full days off work next week to volunteer as a job captain for the community playground project at Crystal River Elementary School. He plans to devote two weekend days to the project as well.

But helping the greater community is just an extension of the way he lives life every day in his close-knit little neighborhood along Glassier Drive in Carbondale, where residents lend each other a hand without thinking twice.As a framer and someone familiar with using tools, Cuc has been able to help neighbors â€œďŹ x things around the house,â€? he says. “Once we moved into this house we tried to help all of our neighbors. That’s the best part of our life – being able to help people.

Now we have the chance to support the community. I think it’s a big thing for me. I’ve still got work, it’s a little slow, but I especially took the week off so I can be there to help build the playground,� Cuc said.

He says his Christian upbringing and Guatemalan parents also instilled the importance of volunteerism and lending a hand to those in need. “My mom and my dad used to volunteer a lot in Guatemala. But our country is a little different: If you don’t work one day in order to help someone, it’s OK ‌ not like here where you really need stay on top of every-

thing at work and can’t miss a day.�

The job captain position is a big commitment, says volunteer coordinator Kira Kearsey. It requires that the person be there all day, every day. “Ernesto is one of our many dedicated volunteers who will be helping ensure that volunteers are safe, productive and have a good time. This job is more about how to manage people than it is about construction skills,� Kearsey said.

The playground is a student-designed project that will be built by volunteers from April 27 through May 1. The structure will incorporate Carbondale- and Coloradothemed features such as a mastodon (with a slide for its trunk), a dandelion ďŹ re pole, a balancing snowboard and mountain pass, tree house, climbing wall, Carbondale history and original art by local artists.

Kearsey estimates the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, which is leading the project, needs 500 volunteers throughout the ďŹ ve days. Volunteers can help with childcare, tools, food, volunteer check-in and more. Free food and childcare will be offered to all volunteers.

Cuc’s wife, Flora, said she will volunteer as well, although perhaps not as many hours as her husband. They expect their daughter, Sarah, 3, to attend Crystal River Elementary School so they feel it’s especially important to help with the project.

Next steps:

What: Community Playground Project When: April 27 — May 1 Where: Crystal River Elementary School, 160 Snowmass Drive

“I think that in the Latino community, you don’t see them volunteering very often. I think we should all come together and do this for our kids because they’re going to be the ones using this park. Anyone whose child will play here should come together and volunteer,� he said.“All you need is a good heart to go over there and start working.�

Why: Volunteers will help build a new playground with Carbondale-themed features Contact: Kira Kearsey at kirakearsey@q.com or 704-1745 (English); Betsy McMichael at 618-6785 (Spanish).

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CRES Principal Karen Olson said the playground is for the greater community, too, and will be open to the public during nonschool hours (after school, weekends, holidays, and seasonal breaks).

Cuc encouraged all members of the community to volunteer but made a special plea to the Latino community.

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Flora and Ernesto Cuc plan to volunteer to help build a new playground planned for the Crystal River Elementary School grounds. They expect their daughter, Sarah, will one day attend school there. Photo by Trina Ortega

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THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 21, 2011 • 7

Community Calendar THURS.-SAT. April 21-23 THEATRE • Colorado Mountain College presents five comedic acts from David Ives’ “All in the Timing”at the Spring Valley Campus between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, staff and faculty and can be reserved at 947-8177 or purchased at the door. The play continues at 7 p.m. April 28-30 and at 2 p.m. on May 1.

THURSDAY April 21 LIVE MUSIC • T Ray Becker (original Americana and acoustic slide guitar) plays at Carnahan’s every Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

Carnahan’s is located at Fourth and Main.

Info: 963-4498.

THURSDAY PARTY • The Roaring Fork Sierra Club hosts a TGITh party at Glenwood Brewing (402 7th St., Glenwood) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There’ll be a cash bar, food and stimulating conversation about public lands, the environment, politics, climate change and more. Bring your friends. Info: 947-9613.

LECTURE SERIES • The Frontier Historical Society and the Friends of the Glenwood Springs Library present “The History of Glenwood Springs in Photographs” at 7 p.m. at the Glenwood Springs Library (413 Ninth St.). It’s free and refreshments will be served.

Info: 945-4448.

FRIDAY April 22 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “Cedar Rapids” (R) at 8 p.m. April 22-28

To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted. For up-to-the-minute valley-wide event listings, check out the Community Calendar online at soprissun.com.

and “Paul” (R) at 5:45 p.m. April 22 and 24.

LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents Jarrod Dickenson and Megan Burtt at 8:30 p.m. Dickenson (blues/Americana/folk) just returned from a UK tour. Burtt was raised in Denver, graduated from the Berklee College of Music and in 2008 was a finalist in the Telluride bluegrass competition. Tickets are $10. Info: 963-3304.

FUNDRAISER • Mile Markers and Jes Grew headline the Ross Montessori School’s Bonedale Bash & Mask Fest starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Third Street Center. There’ll be a cash bar, appetizers, silent auction door prizes and more. Tickets are $40 in advance ($75 per couple) at the school or Dos Gringos, and $50 at the door. Info: 963-7199.

LIVE MUSIC • Carnahan’s, located in the Dinkel Building,presents Hood Ratz at 10 p.m.

CONSCIOUS MOVIE NIGHT • True Nature Healing Arts presents the 30-minute film “Clarity in Celebrating Forest Health” by Dr. Will Evans at the Third Street Center at 7 p.m. A potluck is offered at 6 p.m. The film is co-sponsored by Sustainable Settings.

HIKING • The Outdoor Baby Network hosts a hike up Thompson Creek. Meet at the City Market parking lot at 9 a.m. Info: outdoorbaby.net@gmail.com.

EARTH DAY • Aspen Valley Land Trust holds an opening reception for its Earth Day art show at 817 Grand Ave. in Glenwood Springs.The hours are 5:30 to 9 p.m. Featured artists include Majid Kahhak, Mary Noone, Amber Sparkles and Dan Sprick. The show

New Moms

continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 23 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 24.

SATURDAY April 23 EASTER EGG HUNT • The town of Carbondale throws an Easter egg hunt at Sopris Park starting at 10 a.m. Registration for the Easter basket raffle starts at 9 a.m.

LIVE MUSIC • Carbondale Beer Works presents Tjaar (rock, blues, jams). There’s no cover. CBW is located on Main Street, two blocks west of Carbondale proper.

LIVE MUSIC • Carnahan’s in the Dinkel Building presents Spore Favore at 10 p.m.

MASK WORKSHOP • CCAH holds a free puppet and mask-masking workshop for all ages from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Third Street Center on April 23 and May 1. Items created could prove to be useful in the “Procession of the Species” parade on Dandelion Day. Basic supplies will be provided but donations of fabric, feathers, beads, wire, poles and other creative additions are welcome. Info: Soozie at 309-1588.

ROCK BOTTOM RANCH • From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rock Bottom Ranch invites individuals and families to help plant and clean pastures.

The ranch will provide snacks but bring your own gloves. To RSVP, call 927-6760.

MONDAY April 25 JAM SESSION • Carbondale Beer Works hosts a jam session every other Monday at 7 p.m.

ZUMBA Zumba for Education holds a fundraiser for the Carbondale Community School from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted.

Info: 379-7246.

TUESDAY April 26 PAINTING CLASSES • Senior Matters and the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities have teamed up to offer acrylics painting classes to seniors at the Third Street Center every Tuesday through May 17. The fee is $25 and scholarships are available. Registration is required. Info: 963-1680.

WEDNESDAY April 27 LIVE MUSIC • White House pizza on Main Street presents Devon Alves (blues/Americana). Info: 704-9400.

PHOTOGRAPHER SPEAKS • Photographer Peter McBride will discuss his book “The Colorado River: Flowing Through Conflict” at Colorado Mountain College’s New Space Theatre at the Spring Valley campus at 7 p.m. Info: Ryan Muse at 947-8162.

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Ross M Montessori ontessori sori School Sch hool Annua Annual al Fund-Ra Fund-Raiser nd-Ra aiser guaranteed g uarant nt eed tto o be a ssmashing mas hing good g ood ttime! ime! e!

Bonedale Bash & Mask Fest!

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The Sopris Sun will carry on a Carbondale tradition with a special Mother’s Day edition featuring portraits of new moms and their infants

Mother’s Day Photos taken April 28 & 29 To schedule your photo shoot email news@soprissun.com

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 21, 2011

Third Street Center, Carbondale 2L Live i v e Bands Bands,, sshowcasing ho o w cas ing tthe he Milemarkers M ilemar k er s and Jes Jes Grew Gr ew Dancing D ancing ing . Complimentar Complimentaryy A Appetizers ppet iz err s L i v e and Silent Auction A uct ion . D ra wing . D oor P rizz es & mor e!

Live Drawing Door Prizes more!

T I C K E TS TS BEFORE B E F O RE T THE HE EV EVENT ENT - I Individuals ndi viduals - $40, Couples ples - $75 AT A TT THE HE DOOR DO O R - $50 per per person s on PURCHASE PUR C HA S E TICKETS T I C KET T S AT ROSS R O SS MONTESSORI M O NT E SS O RI SCHOOL, S C HO O L, DO DOS S GRINGOS G RIN G O S

tthis his e ve v e nt h a s b e e n ge g e n e r o u sl s l y sp s p o ns o r e d b y PLATINUM ANONYMOUS C A R R I C A R T E FA FA M I L Y GOLD

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Further Out April 30

by Majid Kahhak and music from Mile Markers. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 the day of the event. Info: 963-1890.

RIVER CLEANUP • The Roaring Fork Conservancy holds its annual Fryingpan River Cleanup starting at Lions Park in Basalt at 8:30 a.m. There’ll be prizes for Best of Trash, Most Toxic, Most Useful and Most Unusual Trash. Info: 927-1290.

May 8 MOTHER’S DAY MILE • Registration is now open for the Mother's Day Mile, scheduled for Glenwood Springs on May 8 at 1 p.m. Proceeds beneďŹ t the Advocate Safehouse project. Cost is $15 per person or $55 per family. Info: advocatesafehouse.org.

CITIZEN WORKSHOP • Mi Familia Vota offers a workshop on applying for citizenship at St. Stephen’s Church in Glenwood Springs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop is cosponsored by the Colorado Immigration Rights Coalition. Info: (303) 727-8035.

May 14 HISTORICAL SOCIETY FUNDRAISER • The Mt. Sopris Historical Society holds a fundraiser at the DeBeque house (now Trevor Cannon’s house at 235 S. 3rd St.) from noon to 5 p.m. The suggested donation is $10. There’ll be music, various adult beverages and more.

May 7 TASTE OF SPRING • The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce hosts is annual Taste of Spring at the Church at Carbondale’s Gathering Center from 6 to 10 p.m. There’ll be food, drink, a silent auction, live painting

Ongoing through April 29. The CCAH's R2 Gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Info: 963-1680.

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP • PathďŹ nders holds a cancer support group at the Third Street Center the fourth Tuesday of every month. Info: Elizabeth Miller at 925-7792.

GLENWOOD SHOW CONTINUES • The Glenwood Springs Art Guild continues its all-members exhibit at the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts (601 E. Sixth St.) through May 31. Info: 404-1208.

CLAY CENTER SHOW CONTINUES • Wind Walkers and the Carbondale Clay Center continue the show “Horsin’ Aroundâ€? at 135 Main St. Info: 963-2529.

S.A.W. SHOW CONTINUES • S.A.W. presents the work of K and Mark Cesark through May 11. S.A.W. is located at 978 Euclid Ave. The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

CCAH SHOW CONTINUES • The Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities presents the sculpture show “Feel Free to Touch (or Not)â€? at the Third Street Center

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Louie Girardot was one of the Uninhibited Swedes that Steve Skinner called together for KDNK’s 28th anniversary party at Roaring Fork Theatre last Friday night. Hillbilly Hell Cats closed out the night to an enthusiastic and dancing crowd. Photo by Lynn Burton

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THE SOPRIS SUN â&#x20AC;˘ APRIL 21, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ 9

Community health fairs an opportunity too good to miss Kudos to Valley View Hospital for organ- On a personal note I can’t emphasize enough izing the community health fairs for 2011. the importance of regular skin checks for anyEarly last Saturday morning the stream of cars one, but especially folks who live here at high rolling south on Highway 133 toward Roar- elevation and enjoy many hours of outdoor ing Fork High School was activities. I am currently recovan indication of the popuering from surgery for removal larity of the health fairs in of skin cancer and have another our community. It is a true to look forward to. It was good sign of spring! Folks are to see the big line-up outside the out early in the morning skin screening rooms – people tending to their health and showing up for early detection well-being. of skin problems.

The high school is a Besides getting screenings great venue for the event. for posture and flexibility caIt offers a multitude of pacity, body composition, body spaces to accommodate mass index, vision, heart health, the many varieties of oral and dental health, cardioscreenings and informavascular health, breast health tion booths. The map to and computer ergonomics the into the services offered for free health fair also offered a hearing in the building read like a screening. I participated in this

by Rita Marsh treasure hunt to wellness screening somewhat reluctantly RN, BSN checks. The hospital was at the urging of family members represented by many of its services and de- who have been telling me, “You don’t hear partments, including its cardiac rehab pro- what I say.” They were right. I have low and gram, its library, Health Quest, Threads of high tone deficits in one ear and high tone Love, the youth recovery center, the respira- deficits in the other. I will go for further evaltory therapy department, the cancer center uation and to learn how to remedy these isand the hospital foundation. sues. A big alert to the young and old who use What a great atmosphere the VVH staff head phones at high volume! Also be sure to members, high school students, Rotary and use earplugs at music events with high-volume Lions Club volunteers generated by filling the speakers and, of course, wear ear protectors spaces with laughter and cheer! when working with high-powered, noisy maThe most popular station was the blood chinery. But remember, awareness is one thing, draw (VVH staffed) followed by the blood but taking action is the best prevention. pressure screening and then the skin check.

There were many educational tables with

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10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • APRIL 21, 2011

friendly folk sharing information about the multitude of community services to prevent health problems and for intervention when they do crop up. The most popular table was that of Heeling Partners of the Roaring Fork Valley, where visitors were greeters by a Labrador or golden retriever sporting the signature neck scarf of the Delta Society registered pet partner. Heeling Partners provides teams of dogs for visitation at Valley View Hospital, Glenwood Springs Elementary School, Heritage Park Care Center and Ross Montessori School in Carbondale.

They are one of many organizations nationwide that are helping the Delta Society advance human health and well-being through positive interactions with animals. Many research studies have shown that people are healthier and happier when they incorporate therapy, service and companion animals into their lives. After speaking with the folks at

Heeling Partners I came away with an even greater appreciation for the dog and cat inhabitants at my house.

Of course, the biggest benefit of attending the health fair is seeing folks you haven’t seen in months or years. What a great place to sit down with a cup of orange juice or coffee, and a complimentary muffin and catch up on personal and family news. In this setting the talk tends to gravitate to health issues. I heard so many people express gratitude for the information and services provided at the health fair. Many were looking forward to receiving the results of their blood tests, and to giving them to their family doctors.

If you missed the health fair held on April 16 here in Carbondale, you’ll have another opportunity to attend one on Saturday, April 30, at Glenwood Medical Associates, 1830 Blake Ave, Glenwood Springs. It starts at 7 a.m.

Dandy Day volunteers sought

slow food and slow money movements, which promote local investment and food production for economic resiliency.The series starts at 5:30 p.m. on April 27 with a teleseminar featuring Woody Tasch, the founder of the Slow Money movement, and Brook LeVan, founder of Sustainable Settings south of Carbondale. A screening of the documentary, ‘The Economics of Happiness,” takes place May 12, followed by a panel discussion on May 26. For more information, call 963-9182, or visit highlifeunlimited.com.

Community Briefs

Volunteers are urgently needed to help out at the Dandelion Day – Arbor Day Fair in Sopris Park, on May 7. To volunteer or for more information call Sue at 618-1849 or email g.suzanne@rocketmail.com.

Slow Is the New Fast Slow Is the New Fast kicks off on April 27.

It’s a series of events intended to inform community members about options for economic development based on the principles of the

Unclassifieds

Island settlement continued î&#x2C6;&#x2021;om page 3

Submit Unclassifieds to unclassifieds@soprissun.com by 12 p.m. on Monday. $15 for up to 30 words, $20 for 31-50 words.

member of the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board.

He told the trustees a group of local open space advocates has been exploring options for defending the property, and pro bono legal assistance is available from Public Counsel of the Rockies, a public interest law ďŹ rm in Aspen.

Neiley described the title dispute as â&#x20AC;&#x153;eminently winnableâ&#x20AC;? for the town. He urged the trustees to ďŹ nd a way to settle it by parting with only the portions of the property that are in dispute, not the entire parcel.

Thomas Joiner and Michael Stahl said that by the most generous estimate of the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holdings, a total of three to six acres of public land overlaps with their parcels.

Joiner and Stahl said that in 2008 they suggested the town settle the title dispute by quitting its claim to the contested land. The town did not pursue that option and in 2009 they ďŹ led the lawsuit. They have been attempting to resolve the title dispute since it ďŹ rst came to light in 2003.

The land was donated to the town by Paul and Rachel

GIANT YARD SALE and Bake Sale Saturday, April 30, at The Orchard (formerly Church@Carbondale) on Snowmass Drive. All proceeds to beneďŹ t the Hentschelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Haitian adoptions. 7 to 11 a.m.

HELP WANTED. Marble Charter School in Marble, Colorado, seeks a 3rd-5th grade general classroom teacher with specialities in outdoor education, P.E. and/or music.

Salary commensurate with Gunnison Watershed School District. Please send resume, three letters of reference and a cover letter responding to: 1. Multi-age classroom experience; 2. Experiential and integrated curriculum; 3.

Place-based education and outdoor education. Position to begin on August 15, 2011, with some summer work in situ preferred. Send all information to: Debra Wiston, Director, Marble Charter School, 412 W. Main Street, Marble, CO 81623.

GET THE WORD OUT IN UNCLASSIFIEDS! Rates start at $15. Email unclassiďŹ eds@soprissun.com. *Credit card payment information should be emailed to unclassifieds@soprissun.com or call 948-6563. Checks may be dropped off at our office at the Third Street Center or mailed to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623.

Call 618-9112 for more info.

Legal Notices ORDINANCE NO. 6 Series 2011

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE, COLORADO ADOPTING A NEW SECTION TO TITLE 18 OF THE CARBONDALE MUNICIPAL CODE OVERLAY DISTRICTS CONCERNING THE TOWN'S ZONING REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CULTIVATION AND STORAGE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND MANUFACTURE OF INFUSED PRODUCTS BY PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS NOTICE: This Ordinance was introduced, read, and adopted at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Carbondale, Colorado, on April 12, 2011.

This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication of this notice. The full text of said Ordinance is available to the public at www.carbondale-

be of poor quality. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the unlikely event that we do have drilling up there weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a way to ask the gas companies to maintain a [level of water] quality that we know about,â&#x20AC;? said Jock Jacober, president of the coalition.

Rudow said gas drilling is the most signiďŹ cant threat to the water in the area, which sees little human activity aside from some livestock grazing. He explained that gas development might pollute the watersheds in a number of ways. Surface water could suffer from chemical spills, and by sediment from

THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE _________________________ By: s/s Stacey Bernot, Mayor

ATTEST: __________________________ s/s Cathy Derby, Town Clerk

Said Public Hearing will be held at the Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, 2011.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held before the Carbondale Board of Trustees for the purpose of considering the adoption of an ordinance which would amend Chapter 18 (Zoning

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Districts) of the Carbondale Municipal Code. The proposed ordinance would affect the location, zoning and establish conditions of operation of Commercial Medical Marijuana Facilities as defined in the Ordinance. Conditions to be considered will be allowed locations in zone districts and will specifically include restrictions and requirements for operation of such facilities.

The applicant is the Town of Carbondale.

Published April 21, 2011 in The Sopris Sun.

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Next Steps:

The Carbondale Trustees will consider the island parcel during their meeting on May 10 at Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Ave. The discussion will probably take place behind closed doors, but a public discussion will be held on May 17. For more information, call town hall: 963-2733.

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gov.org or at the office of the Town Clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado, during normal business hours.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Krausch for a tax write-off in 1981.

The trustees will discuss the island property again on May 10. Because it involves a real estate transaction and a lawsuit, the discussion will likely occur behind closed doors.

But Bernot said the trustees would discuss the island publicly the following week.

The town, Stahl and the Joiners are scheduled to appear in GarďŹ eld County District Court on May 25. If the parties havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t settled by then, the case will move back into active litigation, said Town Attorney Mark Hamilton.

Copies of the proposed application are on file in the Planning Department office, Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO and may be examined by interested persons during regular working hours, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

truck trafďŹ c and roads built to access drilling sites. Groundwater is vulnerable to contamination from hydraulic fracturing, a controversial technique in which chemicals, water and sand are injected underground to crack open gas-bearing geologic formations.

A handful of local organizations and individuals chipped in to pay for the study, which cost about $75,000. The town of Carbondale contributed $6,925 because several municipal wells near the Crystal River could be contaminated by pollution from gas development.

Published April 21, 2011 in The Sopris Sun.

MT. SOPRIS HISTORICAL SOCIETY P O BOX 2 CARBONDALE, CO 81623

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Information may be obtained from, and Petitions or Remonstrance's may be filed with the Town Clerk Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO 81623 Published April 21, 2011 in The Sopris Sun.

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