“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss As we head full-speed into summer, it’s worth remembering that the winter months around here are for hibernating, and the summer months are busy, busy, busy with multiple events and[Read More…]
Author: Niki Turner
Water rate increases on the horizon to meet demands of aging infrastructure
MEEKER | Meeker’s Board of Trustees and town staff began preliminary discussions about the need to raise water rates at last week’s meeting. Town Manager Mandi Etheridge explained that the current rate structure covers operational costs, but provides a “very slim margin” — about 9% — for building reserves in[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – The little things
“While it may seem small, the ripple effects of small things is extraordinary.” – Matt Bevin I’m writing this with an ice pack attached to my lower back. Less than five minutes into my warmup Monday everything suddenly hurt. I say suddenly, but it’s been “twingy” for a week or[Read More…]
COUNTY BEAT – Commissioners make board appointments, discuss broadband upgrades
MEEKER | Rio Blanco County Commissioners met last Tuesday in Rangely for their regular meeting, followed by a workshop with Matt Solomon with the Northwest Colorado Energy Initiative (NCEI). Emergency Management At the start of the regular meeting, Rangely resident Don Davidson suggested connecting the local White River Area Preparedness (WRAP)[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN: The most popular indoor sport: gossip
“…while golf and fishing are Scotland’s most popular outdoor sports, gossip is the most popular indoor sport.” – Diana Gabaldon (Outlander) We may not be in Scotland, but we can draw some definite parallels. It’s been my observation that the rumor mill (which would be an ideal moniker for a[Read More…]
Meeker trustees hear updates from Chamber, approve liquor license applications
MEEKER | Meeker’s new Chamber of Commerce director, Sara Stephenson, presented her first update to the town’s Board of Trustees on March 18. Projects in the works for the Chamber include a replacement plan for the lightpole banners downtown, the placement of parklets this summer outside of Mountain Charisma and[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – The emotional allure of being offended
One could argue that if you have taken offense, you’re automatically in the wrong because you are offended, but that’s a different discussion. There are multiple opportunities to be offended these days, by so many things, and it seems we’re surrounded on all sides by folks who exist in a[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Sunshine Laws — not just a journalism thing
“Leadership means you communicate. It means you believe in transparency and the rule of law.” – Nancy Mace On May 6 we will have local elections for three special district boards in Meeker: the hospital, the recreation district, and the fire district. There are multiple candidates running for a handful[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – You can only play the hand you’re dealt — play it well
“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.” – Jack London There are a lot of things no one warns you about when you’re young and innocent. Death, sickness, taxes, man’s inhumanity to man… chin hairs. The list is endless. We’re really[Read More…]
COUNTY BEAT – County commissioners consider outsourcing emergency manager role
MEEKER | Continued speculation about the possibility of nuclear energy development in Rio Blanco County — whether in the form of small scale reactors for power generation or potential siting for nuclear waste storage — prompted two Rangely residents to share their concerns with the Rio Blanco County Board of[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Let the sunshine in
“…transparency is not up to the whim or grace of public officials. Instead, it is an enforceable right.” – Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General We’re 10 days from Colorado Sunshine Law Week (March 16-22), part of a national celebration and recognition of open government, open records, and transparency. “Approved[Read More…]
CPW asks residents to report potential wolf sightings directly to their office
MEEKER | Following recent reports posted online about two collared female wolves tracked near Meeker, the HT asked Rachael Gonzales, public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), Northwest Region, to confirm or deny the reports and received the following reply: “The level of local movement information you reference[Read More…]
