Letters To The Editor, Meeker, Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Snowmobiler tickets called callous

Dear Editor:
On. Feb. 16, I had the privilege of attending the fund-raising third annual “I Ride with James” Snowmobile and Poker Run.
I am so proud of the Sizemore family. They have turned the tragic loss of their son into something positive for our area by bringing avalanche awareness to a forefront. They have also been able to raise money for equipment needed by search and rescue to assist in helping others.
They have taken on this mission with passion, jumping throughout hoops with the U.S. Forest Service to obtain all permits needed and also insurance even though they met with some resistance at our local office in the beginning.
I was pleasantly surprised when I looked up that Sunday to see two USFS personnel in their freshly laundered, green “pickle suits.” I thought they were there to show their support and good will.
But, no! They were there to write tickets to snowmobilers without current registrations.
I was pleased that the 6-year-old on a Kitty Kat snowmobile was not ticketed! Many riders and residents of the area stated that they rarely see USFS personnel up there and never on snowmobiles.
As they say, Karma’s a bitch. They rode up on the trail, a trail groomed by 12 people earlier in the week and a trail more than 135 participants would eventually ride, and they got lost and stuck! They rode newer fancy machines and had all the latest gear our tax dollars could buy, but they lacked the riding skills necessary. They ultimately compromised the safety and welfare of other riders as well as themselves. They needed to be rescued, and even as their sleds were being dug out by other riders, the female officer was trying to check registrations.
We have a wonderful search and rescue group and a great Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office available whenever needed. Has anyone from the USFS ever showed up to help? Not that I am aware of.
I know firsthand that this is not the first time USFS personnel have been lost while on the job. It was, however, the most callous, underhanded act by a person in a position of power at a charity event that I have ever seen.
Denise Pearce
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 
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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! 
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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.
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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