Please clean up
Dear Editor:
I really love where I live in Rangely and in Rio Blanco County, but I would like to bring something to everyone’s attention: certain residents who reside on County Road 101. Because you don’t pay attention to your Dumpsters and trash cans I am continually picking up your used syringes (yes I know you are diabetic), used tissues and toilet paper and other assorted trash. I don’t know what else to do besides try and shame you, since I have talked to you to try and rectify the situation and nothing gets done. I don’t know what else to try.
Melody Eyl
Rangely
Thanks from MSD Food Service
Dear Editor:
The Meeker School District Food Service Department would like to thank those who have donated supplies for our Meal Service Program. The help from our community members is greatly appreciated. Go Cowboys!
Special Thanks to: Cathie Dolan, Jane Holland, Lois Richardson, Diane Gulliksen, Chelsey Moody, Amy Rundberg and Shari Saenz.
Sincerely,
MSD Food Service Staff
Proud of RBC’s response
Dear Editor:
Rio Blanco Citizens, you are the best!
As we all experience the challenges presented us while dealing with a serious nationwide health issue, I am not only impressed but also thankful to witness such a positive community response by the RBC population.
Rio Blanco’s government officials have and continue to provide current and relevant COVID-19 information. They have worked diligently to create ways to assist those in the county most affected by the shutdown.
Healthcare workers immediately stepped up to provide the latest health hygiene information and facilitated the necessary changes to continue to provide health care in the safest manner possible.
The postal service and delivery services have continued to operate without interruption.
The service industry followed the social distancing restrictions by temporarily closing their doors but took the initiative to continue to meet the public needs by providing services with take-out and delivery service.
The Herald Times has continued to provide everyone with a critical and much relied on form of communication.
This list is short and I could go on, however, I want to especially recognize the Rio Blanco citizens for their common sense and responsible approach to dealing with this public health challenge. We all know good health is ultimately an individual responsibility. It is apparent people have recognized and accepted this responsibility and are taking the necessary measures to protect themselves and their families now and into the future. I am sure we all agree everyone is to be commended for doing what is necessary to sustain a mutually responsible healthy environment.
With appreciation,
Mona Avey
2020 RBC Commissioner Candidate
Please support the Douglas Creek mill levy!
Dear Editor:
Over the weekend, I received my ballot for the Douglas Creek Conservation District (District) asking for a mill levy increase. While our community has been asked repeatedly by various special districts for mill levy increases and these are certainly uncertain times, I want to share my thoughts about the District. Our community and economy depends heavily on the natural resources. Everything from water, to oil and gas, grazing, hunting, and coal keeps our economy alive. Sometimes better than others but at all times we need entities like the Conservation District that fight hard to protect private property rights and for multiple uses of our public lands.
Let me first mention that people who live in the town are not within the District boundaries. Therefore, if you live in town you are not and will not be paying into the Douglas Creek Conservation District. If you are unsure, please look at your most recent tax bill.
The Douglas Creek Conservation District currently receives a mere $6,000 for the work they do to protect our interests. Within the last four years, the District has partnered with the White River Conservation District and the County to develop the Rio Blanco County Natural Resources Policy and Plan that went through a rigorous public input process. They continue to use it to help ensure our community’s interests are represented in the federal land management agencies’ planning processes. These efforts stand up for multiple uses such as the oil and gas industry, livestock grazing, and hunting while protecting a specific species (animal or plant). Without voices like the District, our public land could become single use or NO use. We need to keep our voice local!
When there was a need to coordinate and facilitate the White River Algae Study, the District stepped up to the plate and filled that need. They are in the third and final year of the study. While we all have an opinion on what is causing the algae, the District is taking the approach that we must ensure peer reviewed science, rather than hunches or opinions, guides our future decisions and actions. The District has written and received enough grants to cover the last two years’ costs for the study. I for one am looking forward to seeing what the science tells us.
Many of us who follow the water issues are aware that there is a great deal of discussion around Colorado River Interstate Compact compliance and demand management as we struggle to recover from multi year droughts. Out of that discussion will come decisions that impact every one of us. Also, the State Water Plan suggested there be stream management plans (SMP) developed on 80% of Colorado’s rivers and streams by 2030. The District does and hopes to continue having a voice in this discussion through staff serving on the Yampa White Green Basin Roundtable where much of this discussion is taking place. The District stepped up to the plate and took on the effort to determine if our local community wants to develop a water plan. At this time the community has said yes, they support this effort and for the District to lead that effort. This planning effort will work with all local interests to determine the priorities the Community has for the river and work to improve water quantity and quality. I believe the District is the best entity to lead this issue.
Our resource issues must continue to be addressed and led by local people. If we don’t stay involved locally, someone from outside the area or over the mountain (Denver, etc.) will. This would not be in our best interest. The District Board is made up of local landowners who are looking out for the best interest of the community and the resources. Please help them continue this good work. They cannot continue doing all this with just $6,000 per year. I know times are hard right now but please look at your tax statement and see what you are paying into the District right now. The typical landowner is being asked to contribute the equivalent of another couple cups of coffee per year to ensure decisions around our water quality is based on science and water planning is lead by local people. They are asking for just ½ of a mill which is the maximum allowed for conservation districts by state statute so you will not be asked for an increase in the future. Please join me in supporting the District and approving the mill levy increase.
Concerned citizen
Stuart Massey
Rangely
