Opinion

Women stand out in local political scene

I want to talk about women. Women in politics, that is.
At the national level, women in politics generate a lot of attention, as evidenced by all of the hub-bub surrounding Sarah Palin’s selection as John McCain’s running mate.
It seems to be a different story locally.
Around here, women who hold leadership positions in government have become commonplace.
For example, there are women serving as mayor on both ends of Rio Blanco County — Mandi Etheridge in Meeker and Ann Brady in Rangely.
Not only are women holding key positions in local government, but they are serving with distinction.
Brady was recently elected Colorado Municipal League District 11 president for 2009. Rangely will host the District 11 meeting next September or October. Brady will succeed David Merritt, mayor pro tem of Glenwood Springs. The district president serves a one-year term.
“CML is an organization that supports municipal governments in Colorado,” Brady said.
Another local woman in government — Nancy Amick — has a leadership role at the state level. Amick, county clerk for Rio Blanco County, is president of the Colorado County Clerk’s Association. It is an elected position voted by members of the association, which is made up of 64 county clerks from around the state. Amick has less than three months remaining on her term, which has been a busy one.
“This year has been the most trying time for clerks, in my memory,” Amick said, because of all of the issues on the ballot. “Fortunately, I believe I work with the most dedicated group of elected ‘servants’ in Colorado government. They are a wonderful group, and I am very honored to be their president.”
And the list of local women in leadership positions goes on.
Sharon Day is the administrator for the town of Meeker. Mary Strang is president of the Meeker School Board. Dondi Glasscock is chairwoman of the Pioneers Medical Center Board of Trustees. Renae Neilson is the assessor for Rio Blanco County. The county treasurer is a woman, Karen Arnold. The county budget director is a woman, Diane Sorensen. And any list of local women who are making a difference would be incomplete without Peggy Rector, who is president of the Colorado Northwestern Community College Foundation and a former Rio Blanco County commissioner.
I’m sure I’m leaving somebody out, and for that I apologize, but you get the idea. Women in important community roles are making an impact, on both ends of the county.
Oh, yeah, it’s worth mentioning, just to keep the peace: I work in an office of all women.
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With all of the talk about the local school bond elections and what could become of the current Meeker Elementary School, if voters approve construction of a new one, I had someone ask about the former BLM building, west of town. So I posed the question to Dan Evig, school superintendent. Here’s what he had to say:
“The building was given to the district. … We are renting the building right now and will continue to look at what long-range plans for the building might be. I don’t know the history of the building, other than the owner at the time the new one was being built offered the building to the district. We are getting near the third year of our ownership of the building. During most of the first year, the BLM was still in the building. After they moved, we advertised and rented the building.”
Evig said the building is currently being rented to ExxonMobil.
n n n
Here are the dates for next year’s Smoking River Powwow, so mark your calendar. “It looks like the powwow will move to Sept. 25-26 for 2009,” said Lynn Lockwood, one of the event’s organizers. The first-ever Smoking River Powwow was last July 25-26.
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Both candidates for the Senate District 8 seat — Al White and Ken Brenner — have called for an investigation into gas prices in northwest Colorado. I have had people tell me they thought it was about time. Gas prices in northwest Colorado have dropped of late, which was nice to see, but they have consistently been higher than other parts of the state. According to the newspaper in my hometown of Lawrence, Kan., gas prices are as low as $2.65 a gallon.
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Scott Pierson, new director of the Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District, recently announced the Fay Action Park, located next to the new Meeker Public Library, would be closed because of complaints about trash and graffiti around the park.
I walk by the skateboard park numerous times every day on my way back and forth from home to the newspaper office, and the trash has been a problem. I don’t understand it, either, because, when the park was open, there were three trash cans available. You’re telling me they couldn’t put their trash in at least one of them? Unfortunately, the kids who utilized the park for the right reasons are punished along with the ones who trashed the place.
n n n
Chris Ham, who is going off the Meeker Board of Trustees, because he and his family are moving to Grand Junction, bemoaned the fact he was never challenged in an election.
Originally, Ham was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the town board. Then, when his position came up for election, no opponent ran against him.
“This isn’t the way the democratic system is supposed to work,” Ham said in his farewell comments at last week’s town meeting. “In my time here I have not been voted on by the public once. That’s disappointing to me.”
The lack of participation in local politics isn’t unique to Meeker.
In August, the town council in Rangely voted to place a measure on the Nov. 4 ballot that would repeal term limits for town elected officials. Council members justified the move because of so few participants in the previous election.
Maybe what we need is for more women to get involved.

Jeff Burkhead is editor of the Herald Times. You may e-mail him at [email protected]

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  • Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
  • Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!
@bailey_waldref_rew 

💚💚💚

Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
  • More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
  • 🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
  • The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
  • Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
  • Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier.
“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
  • The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
7 hours ago
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1/9
Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
8 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!
@bailey_waldref_rew 

💚💚💚

Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce! Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues! @bailey_waldref_rew 💚💚💚 Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! #locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
11 hours ago
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3/9
More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier.
“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier. “For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.” Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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