County, Features

County Beat: October 17, 2019

RBC | The Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners heard from Jim Paul, the director for the Tank Center for Sonic Arts in Rangely, on Tuesday in Rangely. The Tank, a non-profit organization, is hoping to make some major improvements to the landscape around the concert and recording venue in 2020.

Plans include leveling the big hill east of the Tank so that they can fill the valley behind it and add additional space for the outside audience. Paul says they would also like to place a stage outside and terrace the slope into three levels. They envision a walking trail that goes to the top of the hill north of the Tank with five skyboxes for viewing concerts. Paul spoke about digital mappings ability to project images and films onto different surfaces such as the Tank. They would like to have a camera inside the venue so that they can project concerts for the outdoor audiences. The 49-seat Tank is not considered a viable tourist destination for several reasons, but with space for more outdoor seating and other additions he thinks it can become a nice multipurpose area. The proposed $150,000 improvement campaign also includes much needed road signage. The requested grant amount from the county is $5,000 towards this project. The commissioners will act on the request when they adopt the 2020 budget.

Support for Proposition DD 

After some discussion, the board approved a letter in support of Proposition DD. Rector said he has some issues supporting this and he is solely supporting this proposition because of the water conservancy district and the potential positive impact on the proposed Wolf Creek Reservoir project. The problem with Proposition DD, Rector said, is that it is stealing from severance tax. Moyer agreed with Rector saying, “My thoughts are that it would be hypocritical for us to be a strong proponent of the Wolf Creek Reservoir and looking for the funding that is necessary and not supporting this. My reservations are more centered on giving the state water conservation board $29 million with no real enforceable guidance on how they spend that.” County resident James Dearman also expressed concerns for proposition DD, questioning who will hold the conservation board accountable for the spending of the funds.

Building Code Resolution Passes

RBC Planning Director Leif Joy read a prepared statement during public comment following a motion to approve a resolution to amend the building code “to recognize the importance of private property rights.”

In his statement, Joy read: “It is important to note that there is no precedent in which to measure the resolution presented here today. Therefore, the recommendation below is based solely on the opinion and good intent of the Rio Blanco County Planning Director. It is the opinion of such Director that the intent of this resolution is in the best interest of the citizens of Rio Blanco County. It is also the opinion of the Planning Director that the current Board of County Commissioners are attempting to create more options, opportunities, and legal means with which to complete projects in Rio Blanco County. It is not overlooked that the rules and regulations are intended to secure the health, safety, and well being of the citizens that they govern. It is also not overlooked that such rules and regulations can create undo hardships upon the very citizens that they are intended to govern. With that said, there is a balance between freedoms, rights, rules, and regulations. It is the opinion of said Director that the balance will be achieved in the resolutions governing implementation of rules and regulations.”

The Planning Commission voted three out of four in favor to approve the resolution with the following recommendations: the word primary be stricken from the entire document; the implementation, rules and regulations governing this resolution be heard before the Rio Blanco County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners during appropriate public hearings; and that a group of no more than six individuals be involved in the scripting of the previously mentioned implementation rules and regulations governing this resolution, three individuals from a construction and building industry and three individuals from outside the construction and building industry. The group will be given a set time frame at which to complete this implementation designated by the Board of County Commissioners. Joy will chair the group, choose the members and be the deciding vote in case of a tie. He will not be a voting member.

Moyer moved to amend his previous motion to strike the word “primary” from the existing document. Woodruff seconded the motion. The resolution, as amended, passed with Woodruff voting nay and Rector and Moyer voting for its approval. 

Rector to chair Alliance

Commissioner Jeff Rector has been asked to chair the Western District for Energy Alliance. The Alliance includes Utah, Western Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Baja Mexico and Alberta Canada and is trying trying to create avenues export natural gas out of the country. Rector said his “gut feeling” is that Jordan Cove is not going to happen.

“For us to help out our community we have to find a marketability for this gas. What pays the bills in Rio Blanco County and Western Colorado is natural resources,” Rector said.

Dearman asked about the proposed Uinta Basin Railway, Rector said that the railway will go into Vernal but is uncertain if it will ever advance into Colorado.

The next Board of County Commissioners meeting will be held in Meeker at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

By Roxie Fromang | Special to the Herald Times

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
13 hours ago
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The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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