Thank you from property owner
Dear Editor:
I have owned property on the Meeker Dome for over 25 years. The land is special to me and is providing much in the way of recreation, relaxation and rejuvenation for myself, family and friends.
For the past several years, the property has been developed to provide forage and habitat for the area mule deer that are being decimated by Chronic Wasting Disease. These efforts are under the supervision of the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
The property was struck by “dry lightning” over the Labor Day holiday. Fortunately, a major disaster was averted through the prompt and skilled action of the following parties and organizations: Meeker Volunteer Fire Department, Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, BLM fire crew, Meeker Police Department, Rio Blanco County Road and Bridge Department, Darrold Nay, and White River Electric Association.
But for the concerted efforts of the above groups, individuals and many others, the Meeker area was spared from what is being reported in the national news regarding the horrors of conflagrations throughout the West.
My thanks and heart felt appreciation to everyone involved in limiting the damage from the fire to scrub trees and ground cover.
Ed Matonich
Meeker
Meeker Mustang Makeover thanks community
Dear Editor:
What to do with an ever expanding herd of wild mustangs in the local surrounding range?
Last year a group of area citizens came up with the idea of a Meeker Mustang Makeover.
A local solution to a local challenge. Quickly it was embraced by the community and in just its second year was able to gain national attention and buyers to more than double the prices and reach of the event.
Huge thanks to our umbrella non-profit, the Rio Blanco County Historical Society and their hardworking Terri Reed, their executive director, for saying, “Sure we can do that!” along with Maym Cunningham for being the on-going cheerleaders and mentors. The White River Branch of the Bureau of Land Management, and in particular the always cheerful and incredibly capable and energetic Melissa Kindall, brought organization and endless resources to assist in this pilot program and make it a success.
Our sponsors, this year led by White River Electric Association who brought in their partners, Tri-State and Basin, to be our grand sponsors, along with generous Silver Sponsors Utah Gas Corp and The Bank of San Juan, and the RBC Lodging Tax Board.
The success of being able to reach around the world goes to our Silver Sponsor partners the Rio Blanco Herald Times who produced our sparkling auction brochure, and helped with their partner Level Head Audio to live stream the whole event, which for those who watched at home, said had the quality of NBC Sports. Our new partner this year, Longhorn Video Auctions, did a spectacular job of marketing the event and running it online resulting in more than double the sale prices for our horses, helping trainers and creating a strong foundation for next year’s event.
Did we mention 20,000 views on the auction page?
Valued financial and service partners included: Ducey’s Electric, Ranch and Resort Realty, Rob and Melani Walton Foundation, 4M Ranch, Columbine Ford, Mountain West, Town of Meeker, Curicyn, Rio Blanco County, Michael Gotchey, DVM and Steamboat Veterinary Hospital, Murdochs, Global Fund Investments, Identity Graphics, the Meeker Fire Department and the Meeker VFW Post 5843 and American Legion Post 74 led by Rob Baughman, Boyd Richardson of the Meeker Fairgrounds, and of course the Lions Club for their great refreshments and cheerful service. And thanks to the /EV Ranch for their use of their yearling cattle.
Our well respected knowledgeable and great judges, Steve Mantle, Bridget Strang, Mindy Bower, brought fairness and legitimacy to our event, along with course designer Maree McAteer, announcer Jay Mueller and Diane Shipley and her sidekick Joanne Oatman, and our volunteer veterinarian, Mike Gotchey.
And special thanks to all the trainers who came from across the state for believing in our mission: educating the public and showing that even with just 100 days these horses can become amazing partners.
And special thanks to the town of Meeker and all of Rio Blanco County for their patience with this year of COVID and the difficulties of event planning. Here’s to next year for full stands of local and visiting families and continuing the growth of this hometown fun event geared to area trainers — a testament to the resilience and innovative spirit of the American West.
Meeker Mustang Makeover Board of Directors: Bruce Clatterbaugh, Melissa Kindall, Deirdre Macnab, Robyn Blackwood, Billy Goedert, Dessa Watson, Jane Turnburke, John Rogers, Elizabeth Pearce, San Riebold
