Rangely

Election investigation closed

RANGELY I After an investigation by the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, a judge has ordered the Town of Rangely to conform its election process and procedures in future elections to comply with all constraints and requirements of the Colorado Municipal Election Code for the next eight years.
Following the Rangely municipal election held last April, which featured a ballot with two candidates for mayor and seven candidates for three trustee seats, a complaint was filed by one of the trustee candidates.
Former trustee Frank Huitt was elected mayor with 429 votes and incumbent Paula Davis received 225 of the 661 votes cast. Incumbent trustee Brad Casto was elected with 477 votes, Dan Eddy received 363 and after a recount, Joseph Nielsen had four more votes than David Way’s 284, to win the third seat. Darlene Feller received 134 votes, John Perry 129 and Rene’ Diane Harden had 95. Former town clerk Christine Brasfield, who did not return phone calls for this article, and appointed election judges John and Teresa Simms, counted the ballots.
According to an affidavit filed by the district attorney’s chief investigator Anthony Mazzola, Feller sent a letter, dated June 28, 2012, to the Secretary of State’s office alleging that Rangely Town Manager Peter Brixius’ wife Colleen had either tampered with or destroyed ballots during the municipal elections.
In July, the Secretary of State’s office directed the complainant to contact the district attorney’s office, which led to an investigation. Investigators Mazzola and Ed Piccolo interviewed Feller, Davis, Peter and Colleen Brixius, along with former town clerk Christine Brasfield, town treasurer and current town clerk Lisa Piering, Brenda Ahrens, Marybel Cox, Vicky Pfenning and Susan Turgeon, all town employees. According to the affidavit, everyone cooperated with the investigation.
“So many things go on there (town hall) that are not copacetic,” Feller said. “I’m tired of having people ask what we can do, when what we can do is stand up for our rights.”
According to Mazzola’s affidavit, Brasfield’s son was sick with cancer and she took several days off during the election to help with her son’s care.
In a phone conversation with Paula Davis, who works in the Town Hall building for RBC Social Services, Davis said Brasfield told her she (Brasfield) had asked Piering and Ahrens to gather and secure ballots in her absence, which is why Davis was concerned when she witnessed Colleen Brixius handling the ballots at Brasfield’s desk.
According to the affidavit, Colleen Brixius was “open and candid” about what she did with the ballots, saying she alphabetized them and checked names to make sure they were registered voters. Brixius said she only handled them one day but no one could say what day or who gave her the key to access the drawer the ballots were kept in.
While the investigation concluded the outcome of the election was not affected by the procedural deficiencies, several inconsistencies were brought to the attention of municipal officials, including only having two appointed election judges, a failure to appoint deputies for election duties, a failure to secure voted ballots, a failure to keep unauthorized citizens from having access to voted ballots and a failure to keep required election material for six months.
According to Peter Brixius, the Rangely Town Council “unanimously voted” in a public meeting Dec. 11, 2012, to approve a resolution authorizing town attorney Sherman Romney to resolve the civil action by complying with all statutory election procedures and requirements in the future and authorized Sherman to sign a stipulation and confession of judgement, so the court could enter the order.
Feller said she wants to start a watchdog committee to “make sure the town does things correctly” and Davis said, “I hope they do better in the future by learning from the experience.”

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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
1 day ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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4 days ago
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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