Don’t change livestock town code
Dear Editor:
I have a few things for the town board to hear on their proposed town code change to livestock in town by being a livestock owner in town and no one can seem to answer where to message the town board this as well.
I am a livestock owner in town. Me and my family have always had livestock in town limits since I was born 30 years ago and before. It’s a shame that you would even consider changing the already small amount of large livestock you can have in town which at this time is two of any sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, cattle, llama, alpaca, etc. with already strict codes about their care and pens being clean in place because if you think that just these owned livestock in town bring in flies and smell in spring and summer you are mistaken. Dogs and cats do as well. The cattle at Ute Park and down by 10th St. Bridge and hogs do as well. And especially with what our world has showed us this year with COVID and not being able to get things at grocery store like eggs, milk, chicken, beef, pork, produce, etc. There are many neighbors and townspeople that knew we have this and stopped by, called, and asked for eggs, goats milk or even an old hen to process for dinner to buy if it wasn’t cutting into the food for my family.
I am proud to say that I could help five, yes that’s right, five families for weeks to months and still do with eggs, milking our goats three times a day instead of once or twice to give extra to help someone that needed milk, eggs for their child or cooking or making bread because you couldn’t find it at the store or are limited to something your family needs more of one of since your family size is bigger or could not afford the price increase.
It was somewhat of a breath of fresh air to know I can’t get meat at the store. All I had to do to feed my family if push comes to shove and let me tell you many times it did and I had to process old chickens and rabbits for meat and I could feed my family or someone else struggling off our chickens, rabbits, goats. One thing I would like to ask the board is what is it you are considering, large livestock? Is it all listed or just a few classes or classes like cattle and horses? What are you wanting to limit us to now on large livestock and chickens and rabbits? Yes, there are more cattle and horses being stored in the town’s backyard. I have a feeling it has a lot to do with the fact of the stall fees that now sit empty at RBC Fairgrounds are too high. Lower them down. It used to be full just a few short years ago to the point there was a waiting list to get an animal placed there when it was just half of the price it is now at $60 per stall and head. It’s a shame you want to change what has been in this town for years. We have always been an agricultural community in the town and county and is a part of why we continue to live here and have for many, many years. We have always tried to help our neighbors and with putting more code limits will make us stop doing so because won’t be able to and will have to restrict it to just ourself due to the limits
Sincerely,
The McCord family
Meeker
Forced introduction of wolves
Dear Editor:
To the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioners: What a sad and horrifying moment to have the ballot force the introduction of the wolf into Colorado and our lives. It is even more tragic to be informed that financial assistance to achieve this came from beyond Colorado’s borders. It was supported and sponsored by people that have nothing to gain and nothing to lose.
This forced introduction has absolutely no winning results for our state, our citizens or our way of life. The demise of one elk, one deer, one beef, one sheep, or one anything is a total loss to our future.
My family has been in agriculture for nearly 100 years, raising sheep and cattle. We have also promoted habitat to support a limited hunting livelihood. The wolf does not provide an enhancement to the well-being of the ranching environment and definitely is a mortal threat to our limited big game herd.
How readily I can remember the majesty of growing up in Colorado when we had the largest mule deer herd in the world and places like Rifle, Colorado, could brag about being the “buckskin capitol of the world.”
That magnificent mule deer herd is now gone. This loss is due to many causes, mostly man-made, of which the wolf entry only sinks the changes of resurrection even more — beyond the pale of words.
Please hold local meetings before making the decisions you are going to be forced to make establishing a no return, no win environment. This wolf thing is a terrible political effort. Thank you for hopefully allowing us to share in the making of the travesty.
Gus R. Halandras
Meeker
Community vaccine distribution way ahead
Dear Editor:
Thanks to our County Commissioners, Pioneer’s Hospital staff, and the Public Health Nurses I got the Moderna COVID vaccine last Thursday at the Fairfield Center without an appointment, in a wonderfully efficient operation. My friends in Boston, Connecticut, San Francisco, Hawaii, and New York don’t know when they can get it, so a small community in Colorado is way ahead of those cosmopolitan communities. What a relief to be safe.
Jim Magid
Meeker
Public health vaccine rollout impressive
Dear Editor:
COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe. It manages to disrupt lives, livelihoods, businesses. Our social lives and family lives are upended and with sadness we see some of the most vulnerable ones fighting for their lives and some do not make it….
Now with the vaccines, growing hope is coming our way, and as we are cautious, masked and distanced, the new infection numbers are trending down. The number of vaccinated individuals is gradually climbing and with time, we will see a return to a normal life.
Last Thursday I very much enjoyed attending the first public Meeker vaccination clinic conducted by Rio Blanco County Public Health under the direction of Alice Harvey RN, BSN, MSN. Two-hundred and nine citizens received their first round of Moderna vaccine at the Fairfield Center. It was heartwarming and impressive to see how Meeker citizens, mainly seniors, lined up for their first shot. It was so exciting to see the Rio Blanco County health workers, boosted by a group of volunteers, calmly guiding the citizens through a registration and immunization process while maintaining social distancing in the process. My compliments to Alice Harvey, RN, and her professional team and the medical volunteers.
This is one of those many moments when I appreciate the privilege of living in Rio Blanco County. This is also a moment to thank our three county commissioners for their unwavering support of the public health program. Yes, COVID 19 has been and is a huge headache for all of us but our county leaders stayed the course and staunchly are in support of our public health department as evident in the smooth rollout of the vaccination programs to our healthcare facilities, first responders and now the public.
Rio Blanco County Proud,
Albert Krueger, MD
Meeker
