Letters To The Editor, Opinion

Letters to the Editor: March 13, 2008

Dear Western Rio Blanco County Residents and Taxpayers,
I would like give you a brief update as to where we are at with the remodel of the recreation center. We are waiting on getting the estimates from the general contractor for the cost of remodel from their estimators.  Since the beginning of this process the district has been aware that things have deteriorated with the pool to the point where it has now been determined that the pool will need to be replaced as well as the roof over the existing pool area. The architect, general contractor and all involved believe that we can still do the original scope of work and also keep it within the budgeted monies for the repairs.
Once we receive the estimates from the general contractor which should be at the end of March a contract can be signed with the contractor and work can begin. We are still looking at sometime in June as start of construction. I do want to put caution in the scheme of things because the pool continues to leak and we continue to repair it. The longer we wait the more the project costs go up.
We are also currently putting out to bid the playground equipment for Elks Park and the skate park. This process has been slowed due to all the snow we have received here!
Thank you for your support and please be patient with us through this process. It will definitely be worth the time and effort once completed.
Should you need to speak with me or have any concerns; call me at the recreation center (970) 675-8211.
Sincerely,
Timothy J. Webber
Executive Director
Western Rio Blanco Recreation and Park District
Rangely, Colo.

Dear Editor,
I would like to compliment Dolly Viscardi on her wonderful columns in the Herald Times. This last one really struck me as important to all of us. I, too, have had people describe trying to fit into the social structure in Meeker as difficult. As a person who sees new residents quite often at the museum I, too, always encourage them to involve themselves in the community.
I do think that we as a rural community have dropped some of the things that used to help newcomers establish themselves. We, like the rest of the country, have to work harder and longer for our income and usually it takes two incomes to make it here. As a result we have dropped many of the social activities our families used to have. There is a small note in the museum from a gentleman to my Aunt Lillie Purdy accepting the kind invitation for a small party at her home. Who now has the time to have a small party for friends or to introduce new neighbors in their home? Life demands so much more from us and raising children seems to take more time.
Another social activity many of us no longer have time for are the clubs our parents used to attend. Most of those organizations no longer exist. Those clubs introduced young people into the social areas of the community and some mentored the people who joined their organizations. It was a truly important part of social life in the community. It does make it difficult for the newer residents to make a place for themselves.
I do not know the answers to this problem but I really believe it never hurts anyone to be friendly to other people. Whether you are an employee in a business or person on the street, it would be nice if we welcomed new people and did not judge them for being “different.” It would also be nice if new residents did not judge anyone in a rural community until they get to know them (most especially about dress codes which, for a lot of people, are non-existent unless you are working with the public). It is understandable, having lived in a large city, that people there often have to make quick judgments about others. But, in a small town, you should probably not judge by the same criteria because if you do someone will be watching and will likely judge you for being too critical. That, as all small town people know, is really as much of an indictment toward you as toward the person you are judging. Having run a business myself in Meeker I think it is up to the owner of the business to make sure the employees are friendly and take the time to say, “hi, I will be with you in a minute” if they are with another customer or to greet the customer as if you truly want them to spend money in your business. Why should they come into your store if you are not friendly? That is something else we are losing and it is a sad thing to see go!
A note to the ladies of the community — the museum is actually having a soup and salad luncheon at Kilowatt Korner for women. The guest speaker will be talking of unique and antique items our grandmothers, great-grandmothers and great-great-grandmothers had in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The ad is in this paper and you are all invited!
Sandy Shimko
Meeker, Colo.

Dear Editor,
Each of us are letting God down
As we act like clowns
By letting our children run around
The churches here abound
Not very many young attend
For they like their lives not to bend
For God’s laws are strict
You have to admit
When this country was born
All were to attend as sworn
To be a family of good faith
To keep God in their grace
That is the way it had to be
For everyone to see
Only the sick could be absent
Or those with proven cause were repent
Now we are losing our God’s ways
Throughout our nasty by-ways
Leaving others to dictate what is best for us
By going the wrong way by bus
We have to stand our ground for God’s way
He is the only One to save our day
To keep us true to His laws
They do not have any flaws
Orval LaBorde
Meeker, Colo.

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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
3 hours ago
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1/9
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
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Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
6 days ago
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