Letters To The Editor, Meeker, Opinion

Letter: Building problems are being addressed

By now, you have likely heard about several issues at the school that have come up recently. I am writing to clarify what these issues are and let you know about the efforts to fix the problems. Hopefully this information will help keep the lines of communication open so the community can understand what is happening.
I will first address the issue in the gymnasium. We discovered that there has been some movement in the east wall of the gym. We were made aware of this issue on Oct. 5 and we closed the gym on Oct. 6 as a safety precaution. Although no students were ever in any immediate danger at the school, we felt that it was prudent to close the gym in light of the worst case scenario. In addition, closing the gym gives the workers an environment in which they will not have to account for students in the area. All activities that were to take place in the gymnasium over the next couple of weeks have been rescheduled for a different location.
The obvious question is what happened to the wall? The earth on the outside of the wall was putting more pressure than anticipated against the wall and it was causing the wall to lean in. This pressure has damaged some of the connection points between the wall and the roof. A temporary fix has been put into place to secure the roof to the wall. Work began this past weekend on the permanent solution. The soil on the outside of the wall has been excavated and the wall will be reset to its correct position. The connection points will be replaced or fixed as is necessary. We will open the gym again once the work is completed to the point that we can assure everyone’s safety. Unfortunately, I do not have a date of when we will be able to have students return to the gym.
A second issue that you likely have noticed is some work going on out in the parking lot and drive lane just across the bridge from Ute Road. This is in response to finding wet spots in the parking lot after periods of heavy rain or watering. The Neenan Company believes that this is due to water being retained in the landscaped islands in the parking lot. This water is leaking out underground and travels downhill. When it finds a spot where it can surface again, it is coming back up through the asphalt. Neenan is installing drains in these islands that will connect with the main drain to move this water to the retention pond. Our understanding is that this should alleviate the water issues in the parking lot. This is the reason for the cut that was made in the asphalt last week.
All of the work that is being done at the school is covered by the warranty that is guaranteed under our contract with The Neenan Company. This means that the school district, and therefore you the taxpayer, is not paying for the work to correct these situations.
The students are always our first concern at Meeker Elementary and I can assure you that they are completely safe at school. There have been many different rumors going around the community about the reasons for the problems, the extent of the issues and what the solutions are going to be. If you have any questions at all about what is happening or would like to verify something that you have heard, please come by the school, call or e-mail me with your concern. Thank you for your confidence in all of us here at Meeker Elementary. It is an honor to serve the children of this community.
Jason Hightower, principal
Meeker Elementary School

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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
4 days ago
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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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