Letters To The Editor, Meeker, Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Opposed to county use of old school

Dear Editor:
Destruction of the old elementary school for a jail? An article in the Rio Blanco Herald Times [April 25 edition] indicated that the Board of County Commissioners and the Meeker Town Council had met on April 22 and discussed turning the old elementary school over to the county to build justice center, which includes a jail.
This discussion was not well publicized so many citizens were not able to express input. It is reported that the issue will be considered at the May 7 Meeker Town Council meeting at 7 p.m.
It is likely there will be substantial support by both organizations. This issue was discussed in July 2010, after the new elementary school opened. Discussions were held about repurposing the old elementary school. The county wanted to make it into a jail, but local citizens adamantly opposed destruction of the historic landmark building, wanting to repurpose it as an assisted living center, a performing arts, conference, theater. concerts, movies, a hospice venue etc., attractive to all ages of Meeker and RBC.
An article about negotiations with the county and town in the Herald Times on July 23, 2010, quoted Mayor Mandi Etheridge: “Etheridge said, because the property is owned by the town, a change in ownership would have to be approved by voters.
But that won’t be necessary now?
“There won’t be anything on the ballot,” Etheridge said. “For one, we don’t have a specific plan formulated to put it to a vote. The town owns the land, so it’s public land, and if (the ownership) changes hands, it has to go to the voters.”
“At some point, if we ever choose to relinquish ownership of that land, the voters will vote on whether they want us to do that,” she said.
Does the town have the legal authority dispose of the property without a vote of the public at the next regular election?
The school should be repurposed for improving the quality of life and promote economic growth. The building is being increasingly used by the community (meetings, Chamber of Commerce, dinner Theaters, quilting club, non-profit organizations, etc.). Surveys conducted by Recreation and Parks district and by the Meeker Arts and Cultural Council showed a strong preference for a performing arts conference and community center. Citizens do not want a jail; they do want a community center at the old elementary school. A community center would create less need for a jail with such offerings.
The county already has architectural final drafts and funding for a code-compliant jail and courts to be built just north of the existing courthouse that will meet their needs. Underground parking can be added to save surface space. Parking is rarely an issue except when there is an entertainment event (concert, dinner theater, Range Call, Sheepdog Trials, fun and appealing events).
Economic development will not occur with a a jail where the old elementary school was. Tourism and business will be enhanced by a a community center that provides opportunities expressed above. This is not a decision that should be left to elected officials but rather to the voters at the next election.
The decision will determine the appearance and thus the viability of downtown Meeker for decades into the future. Efforts are already well under way to designate the downtown area as a Creative District, to repurpose the school and open doors for grant funding. A more detailed Creative District proposal is available via E-mail at [email protected].
Contact the commissioners and town to express your opposition. A jail will forever destroy any such possibility of having an ideal community center in the downtown area. The historic old elementary school is your property, your school and your tax dollars, so let your elected officials know how you feel and oppose this move at the Meeker Town Board meeting on May 7. Let your friends know to be there as well.
Contact the commissioners at: [email protected] or by phone at 878-9430; fax 878-5442; contact the Meeker Town Administrator at: [email protected]; or by phone at 878-5344; fax 878-4513.
Mary Ann Wilber
Task Force Member
Meeker and Rio Blanco County Citizens for repurposing the old elementary school
Meeker

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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.
  • 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.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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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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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.
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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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.
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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.
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