A personal message to all WREA members
Dear Editor:
In 2019, I joined the Board of Directors of WREA. The last six years serving on the board has been rewarding and incredibly educational. Because of my IT Security background, “protecting the grid” was very high on my priority list. Little did I know that protecting the grid was only a part of the big picture. Since then, I’ve learned that protecting the members was an even bigger piece of the puzzle, and that protection isn’t just in the digital realm.
As a board member, keeping our rates as low as possible while maintaining a high level of service has been critically important. WREA has some of the lowest rates and highest continuity of service in the state. Much of the credit goes to the staff at WREA who are doing so much to make it work. From the skillful linemen to the administrative personnel, the folks at WREA work hard every day to keep the lights on and at an affordable rate…day and night, in good weather or bad. It’s the board’s responsibility to provide them with the tools they need to do the job and I’m proud to be a part of that process.
I am up for reelection this July. Hopefully, you have received your ballots by now. I hope that you will cast your vote for me so I can continue to do my part in helping WREA be successful in providing consistent and affordable electricity to our community.
Sincerely,
Brett Dearman
Meeker
For the love of the course
Dear Editor:
First, thank you for taking the time to read this letter. It comes to you from a committee who knows how important the golf course and facility are to the Meeker community and those who visit. The golf course is viewed as more than just a sporting venue; it is a valuable economic and recreational asset to the town.
In 1969, Mr. Liske, the president of the Meeker Bank, had a vision of a nine-hole golf course for our community. His vision inspired many community members to donate their time, money and physical labor to build the recreational asset we have today. That inspiration continues to carry us forward.
The golf course has faced many difficulties over the years, but because of people like you in this community (both young and old) who have played the great game of golf at this rural facility, it has survived.
At this time, there is tremendous positivity about the future of the golf course. Jimmy Cook, who was a golf professional at the course years ago, has returned to care for the grounds along with his incredible team. The golf course is in the best condition it has been in for years. And as equally as important is the fact that Jason and Amanda Back, who both played this course as young golfers are managing the Pro-Shop, tournaments, daily play, lessons, the restaurant and special events. The future for this special golf course that has served most all of us one time or another looks bright, but your help is needed.
For those of you in this community as well as surrounding communities who hold Meeker Golf Course in high regard, we would like to ask you for a donation. If you would like to donate any amount towards our goal of raising $25,000, please mail a check to RBGA, PO Box 1201, Meeker, CO 81641. Or you can contact Mountain Valley Bank at (970) 878-0103 for an electronic donation.
As a thank you for your donation, you will receive two tickets to our Fall Classic luncheon celebration at the Meeker Golf Course scheduled on Sept. 14, 2025. In order to receive these two tickets, please email [email protected]
We want to thank you in advance for participating and helping a dream of one man and so many others stay alive. It is a special place where generations have played a round of golf, enjoyed a cold drink and taken in the views this wonderful valley setting offers.
Sincerely,
“For the Love of the Course” Committee
Meeker
Taxpayers urged to consider value of seven-person board for hospital district
Dear Editor:
If you are a taxpayer in Eastern Rio Blanco County, you are a stakeholder in the Eastern Rio Blanco County Health Services District (ERBCHSD). There are no exemptions or exceptions. The mill levy for the ERBCHSD is 7.28%; this year, the expected revenue from you, the taxpayer, is $3,666,090. In 2024, you paid closer to $4 million. Most of us gladly and willingly pay our share annually because we are proud of our hospital and grateful to have medical care in our small community. Because we are stakeholders, we should all be concerned about good and effective management of the hospital, and we should be able to ask questions. My question is, why was the decision made to reduce the number of volunteer community board members from 7 to 5?
The ERBCHSD has historically had seven board members. In fact, we had a seven-member board before we became a health district in 2006. In March of 2022, because the requested change in the number of board members from seven to five was material in nature, the hospital board and hospital management requested a letter of agreement from the Board of County Commissioners; they chose not to respond. Accordingly, the hospital board and management submitted a motion to the District Court, seeking an order to reduce the number of board members from seven to five. The Court noted that there was some opposition from the community as to the motion being filed by the hospital; the final outcome was that Rio Blanco County District Court denied the motion to establish a five-member board. And yet, we are still operating with only five members. Perhaps the District is within their legal right, but some clarification is certainly in order. It is important to note that the hospital board and management cited, among other things, a lack of interest from community members to serve as board members. However, the community is well aware that the last two elections demonstrated significant interest among community members; there were more applicants than positions needing filled.
In checking surrounding communities, Grand River Hospital and Medical Clinic in Rifle has a seven-member board; Memorial Hospital in Craig has a seven-member board; Rangely District Hospital has five-member board; UC Health – Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs has 10-member board. Since Rangely has a five-member board, one may conclude that perhaps a five-member board could be based on the surrounding population base. But I disagree for the following reasons:
1. A 7-member board offers a more diverse perspective and expertise;
2. A 7-member board offers bigger and better representation of the community;
3. A 7-member board offers healthy deliberation and debate;
4. A 7-member board enhances community engagement;
5. If a conflict of interest should arise among one or more members, a 7-member board may allow for an important issue to move forward;
6. A 7-member board provides for a broader range of skills and life experiences.
While I understand that a five-member board may reduce scheduling problems in coordinating meetings, I believe we are far better represented by seven community members serving on the hospital board.
The fastest, cheapest and most logical solution to having a full complement of board members is to appoint the next two individuals receiving the most votes in the last election. This would be a fair and equitable method and, in my opinion, the taxpayer will be far better represented.
Contact one or more of your current board members and state your opinion, one way or the other. Current board members include Wade Bradfield, Jean Gianinetti, Regas Halandras, Sherri Halandras and Mark Schryver. Remember, as a taxpayer, you have a lot of skin in the game!
Paul “Buckshot”
Sheridan
Meeker