Columns, Opinion

Editor’s Column: Freedom demands responsibility

On the holiday each year when we hold our freedoms most dear, I get a bit frustrated that so many folks forget that with freedom comes great personal responsibility. Lighting illegal fireworks all night long is not you “exercising your freedom,” it’s just you being a selfish jerk. Those are the kinds of poor decision-making skills that end up getting more laws passed. More rules, more restrictions, all because too many folks lack self-control, consideration of others, and good old-fashioned common sense.

I was saddened to hear of Peggy Rector’s passing last week. In the nearly three years since we bought the paper, she has been a voice of support and encouragement. Coming from someone like Peggy, I took those compliments as high praise, indeed. After all, she knew what she was talking about, having kept the Rangely Times alive for a short period following the death of longtime Rangely publisher Bernard Yaeger. Our condolences to the Rector family in their time of loss.

Pulling off a three or four-day festival in multiple locations with volunteers and several organizations working together is a logistical challenge on a good day. Trying to make it live up to or exceed expectations year after year is high pressure. Kudos to the Range Call committee, and to the Meeker Chamber, and the rec district, and all the other groups and individuals who put your hands to the plow for Meeker’s 134th Range Call.
For those of you with suggestions, complaints, concerns and ideas for improvement? The Range Call committee meets regularly throughout the year, and like every other board and committee out there, they need warm bodies to pull off the work to be done. Get involved.

Some of you have commented on changes in the appearance of the paper, particularly the color quality. As you may recall, we changed printers at the beginning of June. It was a business decision made after much consideration and for multiple reasons. If you want details, please call me or stop by the office and I’ll gladly give you the full story.
That said, changing printers after almost 20 years is a little like getting a new dishwasher after 20 years. Everything is different. What’s the best way to place the glassware, the plates, the silverware? Are they going to come out clean? Will the glasses have spots? Every load is trial and error until you learn new tricks.
That said, we’re in communication with the new printer about ways to tweak our settings to get the best possible print product. We ask for your understanding and patience as we navigate this transition.
Meanwhile, Nellie the Newshound had her own opinion about last week’s edition… “Tasty.”

By NIKI TURNER, EDITOR
[email protected]

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  • Even with rain and snow coming this weekend, the time is now to start thinking about your gardening plan. https://www.theheraldtimes.com/358647-2/rio-blanco-county/
  • The MHS Cowboys are racking up their qualifications for the state meet in May. https://www.theheraldtimes.com/cowboys-travel-to-coal-ridge-rangely-meets/sports/
  • The Barone Middle School track team competed and placed well in the meet in West Grand last weekend. The eighth grade boys won the overall meet. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
  • The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
  • Gear up for an unforgettable adventure with the 2024 Ride The Rockies Route, set to unfold from June 9th to 15th! Read all about this new and exciting adventure visiting Meeker this year in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Rangely Panther Kobey Chism (#22) has been selected to play in the 2024 8-man football all-state game. He’s sponsored by the Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation. Story at ht1885.com.
  • The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District (RBFPD) will begin work on a firebreak northwest of the Town of Meeker this month. Read about it online at ht1885.com.
  • You can always find a reason to laugh... start with yourself. Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
Even with rain and snow coming this weekend, the time is now to start thinking about your gardening plan. https://www.theheraldtimes.com/358647-2/rio-blanco-county/
Even with rain and snow coming this weekend, the time is now to start thinking about your gardening plan. https://www.theheraldtimes.com/358647-2/rio-blanco-county/
6 hours ago
View on Instagram |
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The MHS Cowboys are racking up their qualifications for the state meet in May. https://www.theheraldtimes.com/cowboys-travel-to-coal-ridge-rangely-meets/sports/
The MHS Cowboys are racking up their qualifications for the state meet in May. https://www.theheraldtimes.com/cowboys-travel-to-coal-ridge-rangely-meets/sports/
9 hours ago
View on Instagram |
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The Barone Middle School track team competed and placed well in the meet in West Grand last weekend. The eighth grade boys won the overall meet. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
The Barone Middle School track team competed and placed well in the meet in West Grand last weekend. The eighth grade boys won the overall meet. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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2 days ago
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The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Gear up for an unforgettable adventure with the 2024 Ride The Rockies Route, set to unfold from June 9th to 15th! Read all about this new and exciting adventure visiting Meeker this year in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Gear up for an unforgettable adventure with the 2024 Ride The Rockies Route, set to unfold from June 9th to 15th! Read all about this new and exciting adventure visiting Meeker this year in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
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Rangely Panther Kobey Chism (#22) has been selected to play in the 2024 8-man football all-state game. He’s sponsored by the Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation. Story at ht1885.com.
Rangely Panther Kobey Chism (#22) has been selected to play in the 2024 8-man football all-state game. He’s sponsored by the Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation. Story at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District (RBFPD) will begin work on a firebreak northwest of the Town of Meeker this month. Read about it online at ht1885.com.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District (RBFPD) will begin work on a firebreak northwest of the Town of Meeker this month. Read about it online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
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You can always find a reason to laugh... start with yourself. Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
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