Laws governing public meetings, public records and open government emerged in the 1970s after the exposure of vast amounts of concealed government information and corruption — think Watergate and the Pentagon Papers. The idea was simple: government works better when the public can see how decisions are made. You would[Read More…]
Opinion
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – March 19th, 2026
Sharing stories Dear Editor: I was privileged to share stories with Meeker Elementary students, from pre-K through fifth grade, in the last couple of weeks. The experience was wonderful; the students were attentive, their manners were impeccable, and I was left with a glow in my heart. Memories returned from[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – ‘Suppose they gave a war and nobody came?’
A cartoonish poster with that phrase hung in my childhood home. The line comes from a movie made the year I was born — a film I’ve never actually seen — but the title stuck with me. I was in Lamaze class the night the first Gulf War started. Someone[Read More…]
LETTER TO THE EDITOR – March 12th, 2026
Noodle memories Dear Editor: I was raised in Meeker from 1943 to 1961, living at 645 Water St. with my grandparents John and Mary Murray. I graduated from Meeker High School in 1961, then moved away for college and a career that took me to Berkeley, California, where I now[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: More listening, less loudness
MEEKER | The challenge to certain words used by any one of us in the middle of a serious conversation may go unnoticed. There are numerous examples of rancorous issues, but the one that comes up most frequently now is immigration. The words two politicians were arguing over on a[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – The Pedestal Problem
“Hero-worship is innate to human nature, and it is founded on some of our noblest feelings… but which, like all other feelings, when uncontrolled by principle and reason, may easily degenerate into the wildest exaggerations.” ~ John Calvin One of my granddaughters is currently obsessed with Spider-Man. She wears her[Read More…]
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – March 5th, 2026
Why the Colorado Democratic Party’s Caucus & County Assembly matters Dear Editor: As a county Democrat officer in Rio Blanco County, I encourage Democrats to take part in the Colorado Democratic Party’s Caucus & County Assembly on March 7. This process plays a key role in deciding which candidates appear[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: Avalanche danger still exists, despite dry conditions
MEEKER | The news feeds on all of our electronic devices have been busy lately, reporting an increase in Mountain West avalanche deaths alongside a decrease in annual snowpack and precipitation. Locally, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers haven’t had to worry as much about avalanche conditions this winter. But with exceptionally[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Won’t you be a neighbor?
“Borrow trouble for yourself, if that’s your nature, but don’t lend it to your neighbors.” ~ Rudyard Kipling From Mr. Rogers to Veggie Tales to Sesame Street, a significant chunk of children’s programming for the last 50 years has been dedicated to educating our little ones about how to identify[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Happy Lunar New Year!
“This New Year, do not live in the past for it may make you depressed; do not live for the future for it shall only make you anxious. Live only in the present, for that alone will bring you peace.” ~ Unknown You know, it’s not a bad idea to[Read More…]
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – February 19th, 2026
Thanks for dinner! Dear Editor: I want to thank the person or persons that bought our dinners at the Ma Famiglia. It was really nice because it was Valentine’s Day. Dinner was really special. Thanks again, Harold and Joan Bates Meeker Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation Year-End Review Dear Editor:[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Pinocchio Syndrome
“Prove yourself brave, truthful, and unselfish, and someday you will be a real boy.” ~ The Blue Fairy I’ve been thinking about Pinocchio a lot lately. Not just the lie detecting growing nose part of the story, although I can’t help thinking how handy it would be if the deceitful[Read More…]
