Meaningful engagement
Dear Editor:
I owe a lot of my neighbors, friends and family so many deeply sincere “thank yous” for the hours they spent face-to-face educating me on water, on history, on family connections, on science, on drought, on range–even though I only used 1% at most of what I learned, their input was extremely valuable. Not all of their important facts were exposed and many really deserve articles by themselves. Bob Amick, Bill deVergie, Darby Findley, Joe Dungan, Bob Dorsett, Bill Mills, Kyle Turner, Luke Trout, Shawn Welder, Jennifer Hill, Kari Neilsen Brennan and so many others I literally can’t name, truly enriched my understanding of the Piceance and my community.
I guess the one thing I will never understand, however, is abject cruelty to each other. When I started face-to-face interviews with folks who were directly involved with the Piceance/East Douglas wild horse gather, I was startled by the depth of visceral hatred they experienced from people and organizations they never knew existed. Nobody should ever have to go to work, hit the playback button on an answering machine and hear the crap the BLM employees, the Piceance Mustang organization, and to a certain extent Meeker Mustang Makeover have endured through this wild horse gather. It is wrong on so many levels. Nor should they have to come home to the same threatening attacks on playback on their personal phones and computers. Or get harassed on the street. Their children shouldn’t have to hear it either.
I know people have strong opinions about how to change the world. Good. We need them. But, I learned over the years to always ask myself, “Is it an opinion–or is it a solution?”
Bill Mills, in my interview with him, mentioned something that struck a deep chord in me: “Meaningful engagement.”
It’s not just about being heard–it’s about listening. Questioning. Trusting that we can learn from each other. Being part of the discussion to the point we silence ourselves, shoulder in and drag others away from their own seething silence when they turn away and help them meaningfully engage.
Meaningful engagement.
I’m going to issue a challenge. I absolutely love this community and I have a lot of faith in it. I think we are capable of greatness, because I think, at the core, we are about meaningful engagement, whether we cheer on actors at a local play, chant together at a football game, or sit together at parent/teacher conferences. We engage.
Please think about what some of our people have been through recently and will likely face again when next spring another gather ensues. If we join with these people and step up and volunteer, if we reach out to strangers and invite honest, practical engagement, maybe we all can heal.
So, I am asking you to volunteer.
Piceance Mustangs will have a booth at the Meeker Mustang Makeover events. They need help manning it and they need donations. They will have a membership drive in October. Join. I will. I think these are incredible people.
Meeker Mustang Makeover needs boots-on-the-ground volunteers to help set up the arena, greet trainers and attendees. They need mustang buyers. These animals need healthy homes. Call Robyn Blackwood or show up Friday and Saturday. They’ll set you up with a job. Bring your checkbook.
And for Pete’s sake! Would somebody please take a plate of cookies and a card of appreciation to our local BLM guys and gals? They need love. Lots of it. They are the quintessential definition of “professional.”
And most of all invite meaningful, positive, enriching, engagement. I know I’m going to try to do better.
Most sincerely,
Kathleen Kelley
Meeker
Thanks from Classic
Dear Editor:
The Meeker Classic extends a huge thank you to the Meeker High School Football team members for their help at Ute Park on Sunday. With the help of twenty plus team members and in a matter of hours, t-posts went into the ground, fences went up, snow fence built and panels arranged. What a super bunch of young athletes! They worked hard, were polite and helpful. Coaches, parents and the community have done a good job raising these young people.
In the weeks to come we will be working with more young volunteers – FFA members, FCCLA, Eighth Grade Washington Trip, Belize Students and cross country athletes will be helping with the Meeker Classic in multiple ways. These young volunteers make so much possible. They are our future and we are in good hands!
Thank you again to all the coaches, teachers, parents and guardians that share their youth with us. And yes, thanks to each of you young people that have given your time to help the Meeker Classic. We are grateful for all that you have done.
All the best,
The Meeker Classic
Thanks from ecology group
Dear Editor:
The Meeker International Ecology students would like to thank the RBC Pioneers Association for allowing us to fundraise at your fun event on Saturday night. It was very kind of Ma Famiglia’s to give us the opportunity to help them serve such a delicious meal. The attendees were extremely generous with their donations into our jars on the tables and we were able to raise over $900 that night. Thanks once again to the community of Meeker for providing opportunities for us to raise money towards our trip to Belize next June where we will be studying bats, sea turtles, manatees, the Great Barrier Reef and the local culture. It is a fantastic opportunity!
Sincerely,
Alex Garcia, Adi Selle, Ainsley Selle, Harrison Foreback, Gage Richardson, Jayda May and Montey Franklin
Meeker
Thanks for great summer rodeo
Dear Editor:
The Meeker Summer Series Rodeo truly appreciates the outstanding support we get to make this event come together. Without the support of the many sponsors, the rodeo couldn’t happen. The generous monetary support and donations for the weekly raffle prizes keeps our rodeo unique; where else can you attend a rodeo for free and also receive free prizes? Take a minute to go over the list of rodeo sponsors and then make sure to give one & all a big thank you; we can’t do it without them!
Tyler Farris & Tyler Farris Bulls and their crew keep the animals coming week after week. From broncs to bulls, they keep good, fresh stock available every week. Tyler has been the backbone to the Meeker Summer Series since its start 5 years ago.
We also want to give a big shout out to the Meeker Lion’s Club. It is with their generous personal support that the concessions stands continuously push out great, inexpensive meals. The Lion’s assistance gives the 8th grade Washington D.C. kids a big push towards their trip costs.
Boyd Richardson deserves a big shout-out. Boyd’s constant care of the arena and RBC Meeker Fairgrounds Colorado gives us the ability to keep having a great rodeo. Make sure he knows how much we appreciate what he does.
AND, YOU! Our constant spectator. It is for you that we all do what we do. We see you all in the stands; thank you for your constant presence cheering on our participants. We will see you all again next summer. Mark you calendar now – Meeker Summer Rodeo Series 2023.
Thank you,
Meeker Summer Rodeo Series
County to take on Visionary customers
Dear Editor:
On May 31, 2022, Visionary Broadband notified the Board of County Commissioners of Rio Blanco County (County), Colorado, of their intent to vacate their position as a provider on the County Broadband Network. However, Visionary is extending their billing and support for broadband customers in Rio Blanco County to October 1, 2022.
The County continues to be dedicated to providing the citizens of Rio Blanco County with modern, best-in-class, internet connectivity and is preparing to assume responsibility for billing and support of internet services for Visionary’s current customers. This will not include any other over-the-top services such as TV, phone or other add-on services. Over the next few weeks, the County will be sending information to current Visionary customers explaining the transition and helping customers understand how to ensure their service will be transferred in a timely manner.
There is no need to worry. No action is required by current Visionary customers at this time. Visionary customers will be receiving additional directions on how to transfer their service. If additional information has not been received by Oct. 1, please contact the County’s broadband office at 970-878-9545 or email customer care at: [email protected]. Please see the ad on this page for additional information.
Further information will also be available during RBC Commissioner and budget meetings this fall. All RBC Commissioner and budget meetings are streamed on our YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/c/RioBlancoCountyColorado and meeting dates and times can be located on the RBC website at: https://www.rbc.us/186/Board-of-County-Commissioners.
Thank you!
Rio Blanco County Communications
Thanks from Pioneers Association
Dear Editor:
The RBC Pioneers Association Committee hopes everyone who attended the dinner/dance had a great time. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next event in June 2023.
Many thanks to Ma Famiglia, the Main Line Band, the Rosendahl family musicians, the Meeker International Ecology Program students raising funds for their trip to Belize, and the Fairfield Center staff.
Sincerely,
RBC Pioneers Association Committee
Meeker
Thoughts expressed on opinion pages are exclusively those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Herald Times. You are welcome to submit signed letters on matters of local interest to [email protected], mail to PO Box 720, Meeker, CO 81641 or drop off at 304 4th St., Meeker. there is no charge.
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