Volunteers sought for cleanup days at the Meeker Golf Course
Dear Editor:
Good afternoon, everyone. This unseasonably warm weather we are having is making the course wake up and green up. The board would like to ask the members to please help out however you can with some spring clean up on the course and the clubhouse.
There will be a work day on April 5, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Once the work is done play can begin and everyone that helps will be able to play a round afterwards. Then, on April 12, 2025 we will be taking annual fee payments from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. we will have another spruce up day to finish things up and give our course a jump start on what looks to be an exemplary year.
We would like anyone that helps to please enjoy a round of golf after we are done tidying up. Thank you to everyone and let’s make this year one that people will be talking about our little hidden gem all over the state. Please bring gloves and rakes!
Meeker Golf Course
Term limits for hospital board
Dear Editor:
Thank you for publishing the article “Hospital board’s responses to community questions,” Special to the HT, in last week’s edition of the Rio Blanco Herald Times.
The article reads how disconnected people who are not publicly elected are, from the public they are supposed to serve.
What you published was what Kim Tedford took more than 20 minutes to read in the Feb. 25, 2025 PMC public board meeting, responding before even listening to the questions actually asked in the board meeting.
What you did not publish, was when Tedford introduced herself in the meeting, she told the public she served two terms on the PMC board of directors from 2014-2022 (twice appointed, elections canceled), was term limited in 2022 and then appointed to fulfill a vacated seat in January of 2024.
Yet, Tedford submitted a self-nomination form for the upcoming May 6, 2025 election, clearly violating her Oath of Office to support the United States and Colorado Consititutions, of which, Art. XVIII, Sec. 11 of the Colorado Constitution, reads; “terms are considered consecutive unless they are at least FOUR YEARS apart.” Tedford should have not been appointed to fill a vacancy, knowing she could not legally run for reelection until 2026.
According to the Jan. 23, 2024 PMC board minutes, under; “Move into Executive Session” – published on the PMC website (www.pioneershospital.org), “The Board unanimously gave Liz Sellers, CEO, permission to invite Kim Tedford, previous Board President, to assume the remaining portion of Jeff Eskelson’s term.”
We have an election coming up May 6, 2025, with six qualified candidates and one who feels entitled to violate her Oath of Office and the Colorado Constitution to be on the ballot — we encourage everyone to vote — for transparency, honesty and the pursuit of local control of our community hospital.”
Bobby Gutierrez
Meeker
PMC employee expresses pride for hospital
Dear Editor:
I wanted to take a moment to share what an incredible place Pioneers Medical Center is to work for. As an employee, I feel compelled to express how proud I am to be part of this organization.
At PMC, we are more than just a hospital — we are a team, a family, and a cornerstone of this community. Every day, I witness the dedication, compassion, and teamwork that make a real difference in the lives of our patients and neighbors. Because of that, we achieve great things together.
I’m not alone in feeling this way. Many of my coworkers share similar stories of how much they love working here. Unfortunately, some are hesitant to speak out, especially after multiple members of our staff, not just leadership — received threatening letters at their homes. The group addressing concerns about the hospital has, at times, acted very aggressively. My children and I have personally experienced this behavior as well. In fact, it has reached a point where I no longer feel comfortable going to certain public places and school activities alone here in Meeker, out of concern for potential repercussions — not from the hospital, but from certain community members.
This saddens me deeply. I love my job. I love this community and the schools here. Meeker has been a sanctuary for my children and me as we rebuilt our lives following the loss of my first husband. It supported us with arms wide open when I met my now husband, Brent, and the school has done my children wonders in their healing journeys. It’s disheartening that this fear is silencing the voices of those who are proud of the care, kindness, and hard work happening at Pioneers every day.
I believe in celebrating the good. I want to make it clear: PMC is a wonderful place to work, filled with people who care deeply about the health and wellbeing of this community. We are proud of what we’ve built here and will continue to stand behind it.
Sincerely,
Anita Ruder,
BSN, RN, TNC
Pioneers Medical Center
