Opinion

From My Window… Variety of meetings provides useful information, ideas

Sean McMahon, Editor
Sean McMahon, Editor
Looking out the rear window this week, it has been a busy time all around.
First was the Jan. 23 public meeting between the Meeker School District and district parents and concerned citizens on how to deal with a $1 million-plus budget shortfall.
About 80 people showed up to hear from Superintendent Mark Meyer how the shortfall came about and then a plea from Meyer and the board that members of the community give feedback to the board on how they might deal with the shortfall.
Many great suggestions were brought forth and everyone’s deep concern was obvious. It seems that each person who spoke had another unique way to deal with the shortfall in at least a small way; others in a more broad manner.
Some of the ideas included cutting extra-curricular activities, and that was followed up by pleas from parents not to cut those activities.
One person brought up revisiting the mill levy election that failed in November, but that can’t be done for two years.
One person suggested not purchasing computers for a while, stressing that having live teachers in the classroom is more important than the many computers the schools use. That brought arguments that the students need to keep up on computer technology and that computers can’t be eliminated.
Another suggestion was that smaller buses be used when possible and that those who go to away games or other competitions pay a portion of the cost — while having parent volunteers drive the buses and save the cost of drivers.
Returning to a four-day school week was suggested, but Meyer pointed out that the schools are being used by many factions in the community on Fridays and Saturdays, and there are athletic games on those days as well.
Charging more for community use of the facilities was a suggestion, and so was cutting extra-curricular activities by the same person who didn’t want to see art or music cut just because they don’t have the largest enrollments.
Another suggestion was to cut the tax levies of other special districts in the county or to have them “contribute” voluntarily to school district coffers.
Meyer said the county can’t just cut the funds going to other districts and have them redistributed, and he pointed out that if they would volunteer funds it would be great and most welcome but that realigning the levies would probably take action by the Colorado State Legislature with major involvement of the Rio Blanco County commissioners.
There were some viable suggestions presented, and there were some somewhat wacky ideas, but MSD Board President Bill deVergie, Meyer and the district board members vowed to look at each and every one and to give all ideas some consideration.
The two things everyone agreed on were that a long-term solution needs to be found and that, hopefully, the Legislature will lead the way with new formulas; and secondly, that no one wanted to see a reduction in the teaching staffs because, as several people said, “we have a great group of teachers now, and there aren’t many districts in which teachers dig so deep into their own pockets because they care so much for their students.
Something will need to be done, and it would great if the Legislature would do what it should. But to the district board members and administrators, I would say good luck; you have some tough decisions ahead of you.

The next public forum was the Jan. 25 economic development forum held at the Meeker Hotel and hosted by the new group, the Rio Blanco Citizens for Economic Development. Approximately 40 persons showed up to hear ideas and offer ideas regarding bringing more tourism or development dollars to the Meeker area.
The special guest at the meeting was Kelli Hepler, the agri-tourism director for Delta County, who pointed out the successes that area has had with increasing the number of filled beds in Delta, making that county “a place where people want to stop.”
Heplerf said Delta suffers because it has Aspen on one side and Telluride on the other and that most people just motor on through between the two destinations.
“We took stock of what we had to offer and we discovered we had vineyards, mines, ranches/farms, wildlife and historic properties to promote, and we have done a pretty good job at slowing people down and having them stop for a day or two,” she said. “They check out mainly our vineyards but also to visit the mines and ranches and farms because these are activities that many people on the Front Range have never seen.”
She said that with $6,000 from the county and some state funding, all the groups got together and everyone found and offered cooperation at every turn.
The vineyards offered tours and tastings, the mines started giving tours, the ranches and farms invited folks out for a day or two to see what goes on. Groups decided to promote the presence of the wildlife and there were many historical buildings in the area, so there were lots of activities that could captivate visitors for a day or two and the hotels saw an increase in bed occupancies.
“One of the most enjoyable activities was sending folks from the Front Range or other big cities out to the farm and ranches,” Hepler said. “You’d be surprised at how many people don’t know where a ribeye steak really comes from or where the lettuce or tomatoes or other crops originate. Some people just thought they showed up at the grocery stores by magic. It has been fun to educate those folks and show them all that is involved.”
Hepler said Meeker needs to sit down with all its factions and do an inventory of area offerings and set about promoting those things for people passing through and get the word out across the state what is available in the area.
“You have some gorgeous mountains where people would love to camp and go hiking; you have some of the best fishing in the state and probably the best all-around hunting,” she said. “You have some fabulous historic buildings that state history fans would love to see and visit and you have many farms and ranches that could be pulled into the discussion”
Hepler and Gary Zellers, president of and speaking on behalf of the Meeker Arts and Cultural Committee (MACC), pointed out that what is needed most is some individual or some group to jump up and take over the mission.
Several times it was mentioned that Katelin Cook, the former executive director of the Meeker Chamber of Commerce who was recently hired as Rio Blanco County economic development director, might play a major role in uniting all groups in the county interested in economic development and pull them under one umbrella so as not to duplicate efforts.
“You have so very much to offer to the daily or short-term and even long-term visitors to the area that it is a shame it isn’t organized now,” Hepler said. “You have a wonderful museum, many historic buildings, quite a bit of Colorado history is tied to this area of the state and you have the potential for several activities and outdoor and off-road adventures.
“Rio Blanco County would be a natural for promotion on the Front Range as a terrific place to get away to, a place that offers great outdoor activities and a great place to relax and take things a little bit slower for a couple of days.”

And last of the public meetings was Saturday’s Rio Blanco Stockgrowers’ annual meeting, dinner and dance.
Oftentimes, where there is something like this going on — a meeting of a group with a single interest like ranching, I will run in, get a photograph and be on my way to the next assignment.
On Saturday, I arrived at the beginning of the public portion of the membership meeting about 1:30 p.m. and I left at 4:15 p.m. after a throughly interesting and enthralling meeting.
All the major players were present.
Bill Ekstrom, the county’s CSU Extension Service Agent, offered an oversight of the issues relevant to the area and gave an interesting update on what the service does, can do and would like to do.
He was followed by representatives of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and each addressed pertinent issues facing ranchers and farmers and pretty much all of agriculture in Northwest Colorado.
Last week’s visit by Interior Secretary Jewell to Craig was termed a success as she was given first-hand experience seeing what is being done locally to keep the sage grouse or greater sage grouse species from being listed as an endangered species.
It was explained to her, it seems, the importance to the farmers and ranchers to continue to grow or graze in this part of the state. It was explained to her the intertwined web between agriculture, hunting, water rights, grazing, etc., and that if any one of those entities is hurt, then all are hurt, and there may still be no advancement for the sage grouse or greater sage grouse because cutting back on public use won’t eliminate or decrease the numbers of predators in the area, where predation is probably the No. 1 cause of problems for the sage grouse.
It was also explained that grazing leases are sometimes threatened, that water rights are under attack from several directions and that the increased regulations brought on by the state and the feds are all adding up to make it tougher on smaller operations, like most in Rio Blanco County, to stay in businesses.
Yet, the stockgrowers seem ready to trod on and do what they have to do to stay in business. Certainly there is concern and frustration, but it is up to all factions of agriculture like the stock growers to educate our state and our nation’s lawmakers to the reality of farming and ranching.
When more people understand where their food comes from, the regulations these folks in agriculture must deal with and how ridiculous some of those regulations are.
When more people know what goes into getting a great ribeye steak from the ranch to the table and how many people in between are involved in raising the price of that steak up to what it is at the grocery store…
When more people understand the labor, the costs and the methods of getting lettuce, carrots, beans, etc., from the ground to the table, the more appreciation there will be for the tough work of the ranchers and farmers and then, perhaps, by removing so many levels of the the middle man, the fun and highly lucrative days of farming and ranching will return without forcing outrageously high costs onto the consumer.

Comments are closed.

Come say hi!

@ht.1885
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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
View on Instagram |
1/9
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
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
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 |
6/9
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.
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.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
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.
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 |
8/9
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.
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.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

Thank you, advertisers!