No dispatch shift
Dear Editor:
In reference to shifting the county’s dispatch to the regional call center in Craig, the commissioners were overwhelmingly responded to with negative public input.
Rightly so!
I witnessed a classic example this past weekend on County Rd. 8. I don’t know any details of the incident, but a Flight For Life helicopter landed in a pasture across the river from my house, waiting for someone. The State Patrol whizzed by my house, lights flashing, several houses too far (on a county road that’s more than a few blocks) and had to turn around and come back past my house again.
As I said, I don’t know details as to whether or not it was an emergency, (but Flight For Life is certainly an indication it was) but if it had been, not knowing the area is a valid reason for not moving 911 call center to Craig, let alone having the State of Colorado involved in our business.
If a 911 call had to come out of Craig a few years ago when I developed complications a few hours after I was discharged and home from surgery, it was an emergency as I was losing blood faster than they could pump it in. If the driver hadn’t known the territory and had been delayed, I might not be here today to be writing this.
And you’re talking about hiring another person to be “go-to” at the cost of $150,000 per year. Come on! Surely you are smart enough to find a “go-to” in each department. How many choices could there be? And it wouldn’t cost $150,000!
I think the writing is on the wall when you’re each up for another election if you go for this ridiculous 911 move to Craig.
Patricia A. Haas
Meeker
Thankful for local fuel prices
Dear Editor:
Have you folks noticed how our local fuel prices have come down lately? Like many of you, I have been critical of paying a premium on fuel here in town for a long time now. As a result I purchased as little fuel locally as possible. But in the interest of giving credit where it is due, I would like to bring attention to the recent reduction of fuel prices here in town. I for one appreciate it and would like to thank our local suppliers for that effort. I hope many of you will join me in showing that appreciation by buying locally whenever you can. I’m happy to say that in the past few months I have made it a point to fill up here before and after each trip in support of their efforts in reducing our prices. I certainly wasn’t able to do that in the past!
Tom Allen
Meeker
Kudos to Ducey’s Electric and WREA
Dear Editor:
Over the past two years ERBM has worked with Ducey’s Electric and the WREA to retrofit and upgrade the Paintbrush Park softball and baseball fields with new state-of-the-art MUSCO LED Lighting Systems. This system has significantly improved the visibility and playability of these activity areas, while also minimizing spillover light. This efficient system provides both energy and maintenance savings over the lifespan of the product. ERBM would like to recognize and appreciate the tremendous work and collaboration of both Ducey’s Electric and the WREA in accomplishing this project. Both of these great local partners were able to save valuable taxpayer dollars with their hard work and integrity to complete this project under its contracted budget, upgrade utility equipment, and secure significant energy rebates to further off-set costs. Thanks for all you do to make our community better, your efforts and partnership are greatly appreciated!
In thanks,
ERBM Board of Directors
Meeker
Dignity and respect, please
Dear Editor:
Before Ruth Bader Ginsberg has reposed in state or been buried, before her family and friends can mourn, the news is all about her replacement on the Supreme Court. Please, can’t we have some days of respect and a sense of dignity?
One of the things I appreciate about Meeker citizens is an overwhelming observance of respect. When our veterans march in a parade, we salute them. When taps are played for commemorative services, we listen. At public events, the local crowd is very civilized, quiet, and respectful.
We know the respectful ways of supporting those who die and their loved ones. Support and food is provided. Attendance at funeral services is huge. Loved ones are not forgotten or overlooked.
Whatever one’s politics, let’s take time to respect and mourn an American icon.
Kaye Sullivan
Meeker
COVID-19: the virus’ hidden toll
Dear Editor:
One of Colorado’s most vulnerable populations, elderly with dementia, was locked up with no opportunity to touch or see their loved ones, except via a telephone or video call, for months. As we’ve heard from other families suffering the same fate, our mother felt abandoned, unloved, completely alone, pleading with us to please come visit her. Finally, Governor Polis decided that visiting these dear, sweet human beings could occur outdoors … in the triple-digit heat, wind, and in our case, smoke from the raging wildfire, for 45 minutes, six feet apart, no touching, no comforting. But it was better than nothing, and at least we could visibly check that she was treated well … when she wasn’t too afraid to come outside. In the meantime, we felt the hypocrisy of government at its best as the facility was allowing prospective new renters to enter and view a unit, but we were not allowed to enter and hug our mother; the facility allowed movers to come in and move renters out or move in new renters, but we were not allowed to enter and hug our mother; staff, maintenance and others were allowed in on a daily basis, and while we knew we had not been exposed to COVID-19, we did not if all the others entering the facility could have been exposed. We saw that Gov. Polis has recently decided to figure out a way for families to visit their loved ones safely. We don’t know what that will look like, but perhaps will be similar to our suggestions sent to Polis, K.C. Becker, and other representatives back in April/May. Polis didn’t answer the phone message or emails, but maybe someone read it. Why not treat families the same way care staff who take care of our loved ones are treated? Namely, take the temperature of the person coming in, ask the same questions the care staff get, and wear a mask. We presume that we are being at least as careful as any of these young people going in and out of the facility on a daily basis, bringing our mother’s food, giving her medication, helping her dress, shower, etc., all within a closer distance than six feet. Heck, we would even take a COVID test. Jared, just let us see our mom. Well, that’s at least how we felt in early August. We all just returned home from our mother’s funeral service. Her health deteriorated significantly from the lack of interaction with her family. If we had been able to hug and converse in person, we believe her final months would not have been wrought with such fear and shocking sense of abandonment … perhaps she would still be with us. Governor Polis, if your mother had dementia and was confined, as was our mother, would you be able to see your mother? We think the answer is, yes. No doubt, the COVID lockdown is taking lives. #KilledMyLovedOne
Julianne Belland, Jeannine Harrington, Keith Poole
Rio Blanco County
Great Septemberfest
Dear Editor:
To the Rangely community: what an awesome 2020 Septemberfest! A big thank you to Tim Webber and the Western Rio Blanco Park and Rec. District crew! The three-day marathon is always a big win every year. We at the museum have a big thank you list and please know we can’t do the Ice Cream Social without your help and how much it is appreciated. The town of Rangely crew who prepared the East End Park, my board members Mike Miller who donated the prize money and helped with crowd control and our safety plan, Dan Fiscus was my MC and his band Fiscus and Gravy was our entertainment, Cheryl Robertson for her donation to purchase supplies, Tom and Dorothy Collins for overseeing the buildings, Rita Lancaster for running sales in our main building, my staff for all their help with set-up and tear down. Keith Peterson, Angie Miller and Kathy Kottenstette for running the greeting and sign in table and managing the crowd and monitoring our safety plan. James Caldwell for all of his photography during the social. Bill Hume for his donation of ice and ice cream, Belinda and White River Market for their supply donation, Heath Gebaur for his donation of homemade ice cream. My judges, who will remain anonymous, for their tasting skills. René Hardin was our first place winner with rhubarb crumble and second place winner with mango berry, and Chloe Noel was our third place winner with caramel chocolate cookie. The ice cream social was very well attended this year. We had approximately 248 people attend and enjoy some ice cream and lemonade great weather and better company.
Best Regards,
Diana Sizemore
Rangely Outdoor Museum Director
Thanks for piece on Eskelson
Dear Editor:
I just wanted to thank Kaye Sullivan for expressing my thoughts about Judy Eskelson. It’s what I wanted to say but didn’t write.
Sincerely,
Jean Wood
Meeker
