Aspens
Dear Editor:
I was operated on May 16, 2024 in Glenwood Springs on the Colorado River at Valley View Heart and Vascular center. While recovering my faculties and massive jolt of oxygen to my diminished reasoning ability I noticed a beautiful aspen tree out of the window when I was put in the room as the day had just dawned and the sun had not yet peeked over the horizon. I watched as the light danced down from the crown of the tree as a robe of bright golden light slowly cascaded down through the branches. The hush of morning twilight dawning was replaced with a slight breeze as though the new day was catching its breath with a final lingering kiss to the night. As the breeze picked up it seemed to be the music to set the tens of thousands of tiny dancers to frolic in celebration of the promise of a beautiful day, I discovered shades of pale emeralds that could only be real in my imagination as the number of shades of green were limitless. I watched them turn to catch a shadow then pass that shadow on to another golden-kissed leaf as though spinning insubstantial partners of darkness through the dance of light. I watched them pirouette on a single stem to a crescendo of sight and color until the breeze whispered to an end to close the performance as they slowly stopped spinning until motionless as though awaiting my applause. I give thanks that the creator hath gifted me the ability to truly see the beauty which has always been there and sometimes, the patience to perceive it.
Chris Ball
Rangely
Some more thoughts from candidate Halandras
Dear Editor:
Thank you for returning this week. In continuation of my letter last week, more thoughts for you….
RBC residents face the re-introduction of animals to the wild lands of our state. The ideas behind wolves, wolverines and other wild animals being re-introduced into our environment highlights the disregard to the realities behind many of these policies. Not only do these threaten our livestock growers, small and large, they also threaten revenue producing wild game and their habitats. This revenue is, again, overlooked. It is deemed as not necessary, no big deal, etc. The urban citizens don’t seem to understand that these revenues are what maintain and support their lovely open spaces and the services that keep them available for all to use with minimum taxation.
No need to discuss how the livestock producers strive to keep the lands they use in pristine conditions by protecting the natural environment around them. The mineral industries also work hard to keep their footprints clean and natural as they work diligently to preserve the beauty of that which we call home.
Future water issues will continue to cause more friction between those of us in the headwaters of the nation’s watersheds and the bulk of users living in the urban landscapes. As the climate changes, we will continue to live in hotter and dryer environments. Watersheds will become even more of a target; agricultural usage will be deemed “unnecessary” even as the urban front continues to grow in dry, hot climates and increase their call for more and more. Lower snowpacks and subsequent lower spring run-off can easily stop the highly sought after large hydropower which powers some of our nation’s largest consumers.
These issues, and many more, will always be in our lives. I believe we, Rio Blanco County residents, see the big picture. Our need of representation on all levels puts a lot of pressure on our commissioners. But that is why I look forward to putting my experiences to work on the county level. I believe that, together, we can promote and maintain that which we know and love – Rio Blanco County.
Thank you for reading. Please keep following.
Regas Halandras
Meeker
RBC Commissioner Candidate
District 3
Support for Scritchfield from Rangely resident
Dear Editor:
I want to take this opportunity to say that I strongly support Callie Scritchfield for county commissioner and would encourage you to also support her. I have gotten to know her and understand her ideas and vision for Rio Blanco county. Her strong commitment to strong conservative values, smaller government, and fiscal responsibility will help our county to continue to thrive during these difficult times. She has proven herself as a dedicated leader with vast experience in public land management to include oil and gas development, grazing, and travel management. She is also knowledgeable in financial and budget management. She is willing to listen to all citizens to insure that all voices are heard and considered in the decision making process. I am confident that Callie Scritchfield will be a strong leader and great asset for Rio Blanco county as our next county commissioner.
Respectfully,
Frank Huitt
Rangely
Support for Halandras from former ERBM director
Dear Editor:
It is my pleasure to draft this letter of recommendation on behalf of Regas Halandras whom I was grateful to work with in his role as the Meeker Mayor for several years, as well as in a volunteer capacity for the Meeker Area Mountain Bike Association. Throughout my tenure as the ERBM Executive Director Regas’ passion and dedication to the community was evident in every conversation. As a board member for several public and non-profit entities Regas consistently demonstrated a relentless commitment to practical progress and civic engagement and would undoubtedly be an asset to Rio Blanco County as a commissioner.
Whether in his duties as a board member or all around involved citizen, Regas is relied upon to provide valuable insight and direction on a variety of topics, including policy development, grant applications, project supervision, and many other administrative functions that helped navigate challenging issues. In my experience Regas was always willing to role up his sleeves in big and small ways toward the betterment of the Meeker community and I am confident that his character attributes and well-rounded experiences will serve him well as he represents the best interests of Rio Blanco County.
The Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District is committed to providing quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences to its citizens in collaboration with great community partners including the Town of Meeker and Rio Blanco County. Having moved on from my previous role with ERBM, I still consider Regas to be a valuable community advisor and someone that can be counted upon to advance the collective values of the RBC constituency. Thank you for your strong consideration of Regas Halandras’ candidacy for the BOCC.
Sincerely,
Sean VonRoenn
Former Executive Director
ERBM Recreation & Park District