County, Letters To The Editor, Meeker, Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Last chance to save old school

Dear Editor:
The citizens of Meeker and Rio Blanco County have been informed by the county commissioners that there will be “public hearings” about the proposed design of the “justice center,” which they propose to locate where the historic Meeker Elementary School now stands.
The county has recently posted a description of the design proposals on their website, which, of course, is couched in glowing terms of how such a structure will “benefit” the downtown area and the county. See www.co.rio-blanco.co.us/information/justicecenter.html
Sadly, this project will, in fact, forever destroy any semblance of the historic old school other than the stone facade on the south side of the school. This is their interpretation of “repurposing and preserving” the structure.
Despite the efforts and expressed wishes of more than 400 Rio Blanco County residents who signed a petition opposing this destruction, the project is moving forward as planned.
The county has a viable alternative by building north of the courthouse, as originally planned and at less cost since no abatement of asbestos is required before demolition can even occur.
Remember that once the school is gone, it cannot be replaced. A jail in the heart of the downtown historic district is not “compatible” with efforts to designate the downtown area as a national historic district to promote tourism.
If you are opposed to this imminent tragic loss of an historic part of Meeker’s history, which could easily be preserved and repurposed for a community center as it now stands, and funded by grants and self-sustaining business incubators, conference and performing arts center, and much more to foster economic development through heritage and agri-tourism, you are urged to attend the hearings in Meeker this next Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Fairfield Center and on Tuesday in Rangely at 6 p.m. at the Weiss Center on the Colorado Northwestern Community College campus.
Please participate, speak out and express your opposition to this unnecessary and inappropriate demolition of a landmark historic structure. There are much better options for a win-win solution.
Bob Amick
Meeker

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
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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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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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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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