This is part 7 of a series exploring Rio Blanco County’s special districts, how they are funded, and their transparency practices. Read part 1: The ins and outs of special tax districts Part 2: Explainer: how special districts work Part 3: Recreation in Rio Blanco County: WRBM and ERBM Part 4: Rio Blanco County’s[Read More…]
Tag: Sunshine Laws
The ins and outs of special tax districts
If you’ve ever worked out or gone for a swim at the rec center, enjoyed a nice walk in the park, dropped your kids off to school, visited a departed loved one in the cemetery, walked through the doors of the local hospital, or flushed a toilet, you’ve benefited from[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: Sunshine for all
It might seem like the Sunshine Laws — Colorado’s Open Records and Open Meetings Laws — are only of importance to journalists covering the activities of elected officials and special districts, but the laws themselves are designed to benefit everyone, including members of the general public. A rash of recent[Read More…]
Editor: What have we learned?
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. ~ Søren Kierkegaard Someone has said that when we go through difficult times, instead of asking “why is this happening?” we should be asking “what can I learn from this experience?” So what can we learn from the[Read More…]
STAFF COLUMN: With responsibility comes accountability
We learned this week of the death of our former newspaper delivery person, Paula Maguire. Paula delivered the Herald Times and helped with distribution of our annual hunting guide for many years. She was also a rural mail carrier for the postal service. Originally from the East Coast, she often[Read More…]
Let government know who’s boss
RBC | When government fails, it’s the rare public official who says, “Oops. My fault.” That’s human nature, particularly for officials in the public eye who may have to run for office again. No one wants to be held directly responsible for letting the public down. Case in point is[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: Fool’s Spring
These deceptive days of blue skies and warm temperatures are likely — if we’re lucky — to be followed by the usual March and April snowstorms, but a brief respite from snow and cold is welcome this time of year. I’m going to take up ink and paper this week[Read More…]
Loose Ends: Thankful for sunshine
MEEKER | There ought to be a law. Ever hear someone mutter that phrase when they are frustrated or angry? Lately it might have been used in regards to recent decisions and actions taken by the County Commissioners. There are a couple of legislative mandates addressing the lack of openness[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: Those Sunshine Laws again
My kitchen is always open to friends. ~ Dr. Hannibal Lecter If you missed it, which many likely did, there was a “special meeting” of the Board of Commissioners Tuesday. It was an executive session of the board called for the purpose of conferencing “with the Rio Blanco County Attorney,[Read More…]
With a $2.3 million budget shortfall, four county jobs are on the chopping block
RBC | Budget work sessions last week culminated in two special meetings Monday and Tuesday as commissioners tackle a shortfall now expected to reach $2.3 million. Late Friday after work sessions, the board issued a notice for a special meeting on Monday at 8 a.m. to discuss “county restructuring due[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: Gobsmacked!
It means “utterly astonished; astounded,” and it’s the perfect descriptor for my reaction to the announcement that I was chosen Meeker’s Citizen of the Year for 2019. It’s taken me several days to wrap my head around it. First, I’m honored and challenged: honored to be chosen when there are[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: It’s your right to know
I found myself in yet another journalistic quandary this week. I received an inflammatory letter from one elected official accusing another elected official and an employee of making a unilateral decision to spend taxpayer dollars to investigate the letter writer’s department following complaints. However, since the letter did not include any[Read More…]
Come say hi!
The Barone Middle School track team competed and placed well in the meet in West Grand last weekend. The eighth grade boys won the overall meet. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
2 days ago
Gear up for an unforgettable adventure with the 2024 Ride The Rockies Route, set to unfold from June 9th to 15th! Read all about this new and exciting adventure visiting Meeker this year in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
Rangely Panther Kobey Chism (#22) has been selected to play in the 2024 8-man football all-state game. He’s sponsored by the Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation. Story at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District (RBFPD) will begin work on a firebreak northwest of the Town of Meeker this month. Read about it online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
You can always find a reason to laugh... start with yourself. Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
The amount of money reported lost to fraud and scams in the United States nearly tripled from $3.5 billion in 2020 to $10 billion in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Learn the tricks to help protect yourself and your family in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
About 80 Meeker Elementary Students participated in the reading competition. Prizes were distributed according to the most minutes read by each student. Story at ht1885.com.
5 days ago