Sunshine Laws | The Herald Times

More on open meetings

This is part 7 of a series exploring Rio Blanco County’s special districts, how they are funded, and their transparency practices. Read part 1: The ins and outs of special tax districts Part 2: Explainer: how special districts work Part 3: Recreation in Rio Blanco County: WRBM and ERBM Part 4: Rio Blanco County’s[Read More…]

February 23, 2023 by Lucas Turner Comments are Disabled

The ins and outs of special tax districts

If you’ve ever worked out or gone for a swim at the rec center, enjoyed a nice walk in the park, dropped your kids off to school, visited a departed loved one in the cemetery, walked through the doors of the local hospital, or flushed a toilet, you’ve benefited from[Read More…]

December 29, 2022 by Lucas Turner Comments are Disabled

Opinion

Editor’s Column: Sunshine for all

It might seem like the Sunshine Laws — Colorado’s Open Records and Open Meetings Laws — are only of importance to journalists covering the activities of elected officials and special districts, but the laws themselves are designed to benefit everyone, including members of the general public. A rash of recent[Read More…]

June 8, 2022 by editor Comments are Disabled

Opinion

Editor: What have we learned?

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. ~ Søren Kierkegaard Someone has said that when we go through difficult times, instead of asking “why is this happening?” we should be asking “what can I learn from this experience?” So what can we learn from the[Read More…]

May 13, 2022 by editor Comments are Disabled

Opinion

STAFF COLUMN: With responsibility comes accountability

We learned this week of the death of our former newspaper delivery person, Paula Maguire. Paula delivered the Herald Times and helped with distribution of our annual hunting guide for many years. She was also a rural mail carrier for the postal service. Originally from the East Coast, she often[Read More…]

June 25, 2021 by Herald Times Staff Comments are Disabled

Opinion

Let government know who’s boss

RBC | When government fails, it’s the rare public official who says, “Oops. My fault.” That’s human nature, particularly for officials in the public eye who may have to run for office again. No one wants to be held directly responsible for letting the public down. Case in point is[Read More…]

March 12, 2021 by Herald Times Staff Comments are Disabled

Editor’s Column: Fool’s Spring

These deceptive days of blue skies and warm temperatures are likely — if we’re lucky — to be followed by the usual March and April snowstorms, but a brief respite from snow and cold is welcome this time of year. I’m going to take up ink and paper this week[Read More…]

March 5, 2021 by Niki Turner Comments are Disabled

Loose Ends: Thankful for sunshine

MEEKER | There ought to be a law. Ever hear someone mutter that phrase when they are frustrated or angry? Lately it might have been used in regards to recent decisions and actions taken by the County Commissioners. There are a couple of legislative mandates addressing the lack of openness[Read More…]

February 28, 2021 by Dolly Viscardi Comments are Disabled

Opinion

Editor’s Column: Those Sunshine Laws again

My kitchen is always open to friends. ~ Dr. Hannibal Lecter If you missed it, which many likely did, there was a “special meeting” of the Board of Commissioners Tuesday. It was an executive session of the board called for the purpose of conferencing “with the Rio Blanco County Attorney,[Read More…]

February 12, 2021 by Niki Turner Comments are Disabled

With a $2.3 million budget shortfall, four county jobs are on the chopping block

RBC | Budget work sessions last week culminated in two special meetings Monday and Tuesday as commissioners tackle a shortfall now expected to reach $2.3 million. Late Friday after work sessions, the board issued a notice for a special meeting on Monday at 8 a.m. to discuss “county restructuring due[Read More…]

September 4, 2020 by Niki Turner Comments are Disabled

Opinion

Editor’s Column: Gobsmacked!

It means “utterly astonished; astounded,” and it’s the perfect descriptor for my reaction to the announcement that I was chosen Meeker’s Citizen of the Year for 2019. It’s taken me several days to wrap my head around it. First, I’m honored and challenged: honored to be chosen when there are[Read More…]

June 7, 2019 by Niki Turner 1 comment

Opinion

Editor’s Column: It’s your right to know

I found myself in yet another journalistic quandary this week. I received an inflammatory letter from one elected official accusing another elected official and an employee of making a unilateral decision to spend taxpayer dollars to investigate the letter writer’s department following complaints. However, since the letter did not include any[Read More…]

January 25, 2019 by editor Comments are Disabled