MEEKER | The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held its regular monthly meeting last week in Rangely, Colorado, with all three commissioners present.
The meeting began with a public comment period.
Wendy Gillard of Rangely congratulated Commissioners Jennifer O’Hearon and Callie Scritchfield on their election victories. Gillard said while she didn’t know much about Scritchfield yet, she was optimistic about her leadership. She also referenced a recent trip O’Hearon and Scritchfield took to Washington, D.C.
“I’m not upset that you guys went to the inauguration because Rio Blanco County was represented there, and I’m glad that you made sure that you had other networking meetings while you were there,” Gillard said.
Gillard praised O’Hearon for being intelligent, involved and informed about issues important to the county, rural Colorado and conservative political values. However, she also expressed concerns about the commissioner’s integrity.
“You’ve had so much potential, and I am praying that changes,” Gillard said. “I just hope that the integrity gets better…Frank Huitt didn’t say you have potential to be a good commissioner; he said you are a good commissioner. And I think all those things are inside you.”
Gillard shared frustrations over what she described as unacknowledged concerns about children’s safety at a previous meeting.
In response, Commissioner O’Hearon apologized to Gillard.
“Wendy, I do want to apologize that there was a misunderstanding between the State Board of Human Services, which is what I thought you were talking about, and the Board of County Commissioners Social Services. Those are two different boards,” O’Hearon said. “I would like the opportunity to sit down with you and explain the differences.”
Other public comments included remarks from Milton Mott, who expressed concerns about maintenance issues at Columbine Park, which he said affected his business involving ram raising and horse shows.
“Nothing is being done out there, and the facility will not accommodate any kind of event,” Mott said, calling for local, experienced management to maintain the site.
James Bilbao voiced concerns about potential nuclear waste storage in nearby Moffat County.
“People don’t want it,” Bilbao said. “I know the dangers. My brother worked in the nuclear field for years, and if there’s ever a spill, it could damage the reputation of everyone downstream.”
Following public comments, the commissioners approved the consent agenda and conducted interviews for board and commission appointments. Courtney Powell, a current Rangely Library Board member, applied to renew her seat. Diana Sizemore interviewed for a position on the Planning Commission, and Jamie Preciado sought a role on the Rio Blanco County Fair Board.
The BOCC approved a temporary use permit for the Johnson Draw Gravel Pit and accepted the treasurer’s semiannual report.
During commissioner updates, O’Hearon clarified that she and Scritchfield did not attend President Donald Trump’s inauguration. When it was moved indoors the two of them would have had to watch it from a hotel room.
“My plan is still to meet with the Department of Energy interim director when I go over for legislative committee meetings in D.C. at the end of February,” O’Hearon said.
After the updates, the meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on Feb. 11 in Meeker, Colorado.
