Letters to the Editor:

Frisch a better choice for CD3

Dear Editor:

Adam Frisch is the better choice for Rio Blanco County’s Colorado Congressional District 3 (CD3) representative. In CD3 we have economic, health and natural resource issues that need to be addressed in Washington. We need a representative who has knowledge of those issues and will represent our concerns. Adam Frisch, a conservative businessman, will take our concerns seriously and stand up for our rural way of life. 

Since Adam Frisch became a CD3 candidate, he has traveled to every corner of CD3. Adam wants to know what CD3 constituents are thinking and what they care about. He is respectful and a good listener. Adam will work with Republicans to deliver results for our district. He will negotiate in the halls of Congress on behalf of our families, our community and our businesses. We need a workhorse not a person who only represents herself.

Our current representative, Lauren Boebert, has not represented us well. She  has voted against measures that were supported by her fellow Republicans, including common-sense measures that help veterans and senior citizens, protect our first responders from fentanyl, promote wildfire resilience, and defend Colorado’s waters from pollution. Those measures would have benefited the people of Rio Blanco County. She has been ineffective in her first term, going 0-39 in getting bills she introduced signed into law.

Adam supports all-of-the-above energy that prioritizes American energy independence, the environment and jobs. According to Adam Frisch, “Colorado produces the cleanest oil and natural gas in the world; we are in the top 10 renewable energy producing states in the nation and we are well positioned to dramatically expand our solar and wind generation.” To achieve this, we need representatives who will work to pass policies that not only protect our energy producers, but that make it easier for them to thrive. That takes thoughtful leadership, not just bumper sticker slogans and political posturing.

Adam believes that protecting Colorado’s share of the Colorado River requires teamwork and strong negotiations. Adam is a level-headed businessman with deal-making experience. He knows how to get things done. 

Adam Frisch, is a mainstream businessman who was registered as unaffiliated for decades before registering with the Democratic Party in December to run against Boebert. Frisch will be an independent voice for change, listening to the people of CD3, and not beholden to any political party. As he said on the campaign trail, he will “work hard in Washington to protect our water, create jobs, and achieve energy independence.”

Come listen to Adam Frisch, Saturday, Oct. 15, 1 p.m., at the Meeker Public Library meeting room. Being informed will benefit us all.

Respectfully Submitted,     

Mary Carroll

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Roberts will keep working for SD8

Dear Editor:

Senate Candidate Dylan Roberts Will Continue His Work Cutting Health Care Costs

The newly drawn state senate seat is a close one, and unfortunately some untruths have been published about senate candidate Dylan Roberts by his opponent in paid advertisements titled “Open Letters” in various regional newspapers. The first one dealt with an issue that as a state representative Dylan Roberts has championed: the reduction of the high cost of health care in Colorado and the lack of choices of health care plans, particularly on the Western Slope. Integrity is on the ballot, and it is important that voters have the correct information.

Here are the facts:

The truth is that the Colorado Option is projected to be more affordable than current plans when it goes on sale next month for individuals and small businesses. Colorado Option will be available in 63 of Colorado’s 64 counties. 

Dylan’s opponent falsely claims that the number of people insured by the new Colorado Option are less than expected. Fact: The new Colorado Option does not go on sale for the first time until this coming Nov. 1. Nobody has signed up yet because they cannot until next month. 

Other letters by Dylan’s opponent continue with factual inaccuracies. Here are the facts:

Opponent claims that Dylan’s campaign has directly engaged in negative attacks which is nonsense. Look through Dylan’s campaign platforms and you will not find a single negative word about his opponent. In fact, Dylan has pledged to run a positive campaign focused on the issues and not personal attacks – something that is not happening from his opponent’s campaign on his social medial platforms and emails. 

Opponent claims Dylan co-sponsored a bill related to decreased penalties for drug possession. The bill referenced, just like every bill, is easily searchable and lists co-sponsors. Dylan’s name is not on that list: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1263. He also claims that the bipartisan bill signed into law “decriminalized” the possession of fentanyl and other drugs. Again, not true: possession of fentanyl or any other controlled substance is still very much a crime, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Dylan’s opponent writes in a recent email that he wants to have a “fact-based dialogue without puff, lies, deceit, or smearing personal attacks” yet in that same email and in these “letters” he is clearly using claims that are easily fact-checked to be false, not to mention the personal attacks he is making on his opponent. 

The fact is that as a Western Slope elected Representative, Dylan Roberts has already been given significant leadership by his peers as chair of two major committees, and has passed the vast majority of his bills with bi-partisan support. Dylan is deeply concerned about the high cost of health care and has made reducing these costs a priority of his service and will continue to do so. His ability to gain bi-partisan support on bills shows that Dylan puts people over party and is committed to helping solve Colorado’s challenges in a collaborative and non-partisan manner. Dylan encourages his opponent to voice his opinions, but stick to the facts. 

Debbie Frazier

Meeker

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Citizens make a difference for the White River

Dear Editor:

About five years ago local citizens and interested people gathered together and started the non-profit White River Alliance.  It came together by folks concerned about the outbreak of green algae bloom and our river’s health.

Taking observations from our local Colorado Parks and Wildlife sponsored Riverwatch who summarized 25 years of scientific data and soliciting information from experts, the group identified common challenges that if addressed could help promote a healthier river.

We started taking a closer look at changing precipitation and weather patterns, growing development along the river, stream flow, water temps, fisheries, fish stocking, river projects, USGS and River Watch data and observations, water use and return flows, riparian health, invasive species (that are taking over our range and river). We also heard from educational resources like the Yampa White Green Basin Roundtable educational committee PEPO, and looked at historic conditions and changes in our basin over time, as well as aquatic insect populations in the river and mosquito control practices (a river’s health indicator and my personal favorite). This research is helping us learn more about how we effect the river and what we can do proactively to insure its health.

Meanwhile a local taxpayer funded Algae Task Force study is going into its sixth year with a price tag of around $1 million or more (not advertised) still with no conclusive findings or solutions. Not good results — but fortunately all this attention does suggest the need for landowners, stewards, and water users in the valley to be more aware of their practices and how we affect the river. And that seem to be happening! 

Our next gathering of the White River Alliance is Wednesday, Oct 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Smoking River Brewing Co. in Meeker. Our guest expert presentation will be by Darby Finley from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. As one of the designated biologists for the White River area, Darby will be sharing some of his insights about elk and deer migrations, changes in range and habitat, and migration patterns. Please join us for another valuable and interesting presentation.

Going forward this winter, the White River Alliance will continue to host presentations from experts in their field to help us as a community learn more and pursue the best practices and science based solutions implemented successfully in other river basins. Join us! 

Shawn Welder

President, White River Alliance