School district confronts housing question

Survey reveals employee preference for ownership

Abby Harrison Times Staff Writer

Alongside almost every other public entity in the county, the Gunnison Watershed School District is square in the middle of an employee hous- ing bind, short at least 30 staff members, but hindered in the hiring process by lack of affordable housing. Now, the school board is asking if it is a good use of taxpayer dollars to buy, build and offer housing to its employees. At a school board meeting on May 8, board members tackled the question with survey data from workforce housing consultant Willa Williford.

“The district is considerSchool board A7

OBITUARIES A2 • NEWS • Thursday, May 18, 2023 Gunnison Country Times

QUOTE of the week

Jonathan Houck Gunnison County Commisioner

See story on A13

MetRec elects new board members

The results of the Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation (MetRec) District board elections were certified on May 11.

Mary Haskell, Cassia Cadenhead and Keith Bauer were each elected to serve four-year terms; this will be Cadenhead’s second elected term. Haskell received 139 votes, Cadenhead, 130 and Bauer, 132. The results were confirmed by the Canvass Board, including MetRec director Loren Ahonen and Eligible District Elector M'lissa Story.

New board members will take their oaths of office at MetRec’s May 17 board meeting at 6 p.m. in the Crested Butte Town Hall at 507 Maroon Avenue.

OVHs allowed to roam CR3 for another summer

Gunnison County

Commissioners authorized a seasonal OHV exemption on a small portion of County Road 3 (CR3) that connects the Town of Marble to the Lead King Loop.

The exemption will expire in December 2023.

Since 2016, commissioners have approved this annual exemption to allow unlicensed recreational vehicles — like allterrain vehicles (ATV) and offhighway vehicles (OHV) — reach the start of the 13-mile Lead King Loop, which takes visitors to the increasingly-popular Crystal Mill.

Commissioners went back and forth on the decision for weeks, fielding noise, crowding and safety concerns from Marble residents who live along that portion of road. Gunnison County Public Works and county commissioners will remain in contact with staff at the White River National Forest to examine long-term solutions for the area, said Public Works Director Martin Schmidt. All commissioners expressed that they would not like the OHV exemption to become indefinite.

“I keep hoping that there is a silver bullet somewhere that's going to make everyone happy,” said Commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels. “And at the end of the day, there isn't.”

Donna Rae Bratton

Donna Rae (Howard) Bratton passed away peacefully on May 12, 2023 after fighting a quiet and courageous battle against Parkinson’s disease. She was born August 31, 1934 to Dave and Ruth Howard, a special birthday gift to her dad, also born on August 31. Dave and Ruth owned a ranch in the Powderhorn Valley, having met when Ruth was a schoolteacher in the one-room schoolhouse there and Dave was a “handsome cowboy who rode up on his white horse wearing a white cowboy hat.”

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Dick Bratton (Sept. 6 would have been 70 years), her two daughters Susan Bratton and Sara Bratton Bradbury; three granddaughters Anna (Erik) Peterson, Abby (Yuri) Suguiyama and Katie Bradbury; two great-grandsons (Luke and Kai) and one great-granddaughter (Lily). She is also survived by one sister Polly (Tom) Hayden and one brother Mike (Barbara) Howard, 16 nieces and nephews (and their spouses), and numerous great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters Peggy Lou (Bob) Reece, Patsy (Russ) Brown and Bonnie (Gary) McCorkhill, and brother Ed (Vonnie) Howard and her parents.

She spent the first eight years of school in the oneroom schoolhouse in and while he was in the Army. Th ey returned to Gunnison in October 1958, when Dick was invited to join Ed Dutcher, a prominent trial and water lawyer, in his law practice. a play or event or to Santa Fe for the Opera. As a group, the ladies raised the “classy” level whenever they appeared.

Powderhorn. Because there were no school buses at the time, during high school she lived in Gunnison with Jay and Effi e Miller, going home on the weekend. In addition to being a good student, she was a very active participant in Gunnison County High School as class president, thespian and cheerleader. Well-liked and admired for her character, class and commitment, she was crowned homecoming queen her senior year and received the Outstanding Thespian Award her junior and senior years.

Donna went back to college, graduating from Western State College (now Western Colorado University) in 1962.

They married at the beginning of Donna’s sophomore and Dick’s senior year of college. She worked at Miller’s Clothiers, owned by Jay and Effie Miller, and together they worked cleaning the log “Clubhouse” (then on campus as the student union, now Th e Last Chance Bar). Th ey would arrive at closing time, turn on the record player (always including “When the Saints Come Marching In” on their playlist), turn up the volume and get to work.

In 1954 they moved to Boulder so Dick could attend law school at the University of Colorado, first living in an apartment and, later, in campus housing. During their last year at CU, they were dorm counselors and received room, board and phone. (Local car dealer, John Roberts, was a fellow counselor). Donna worked to help Dick through law school first at the CU School of Education and later for Dow Chemical at Rocky Flats where she earned her PHT Degree (Putting Hubby Th rough). She continued working at Rocky Flats after Dick graduated

Donna and Dick’s fi rst daughter, Susan, was born in Nov. of 1962. Th en, in Jan. 1965, their second daughter, Sara, was born. Donna then devoted her time to being a fulltime wife and mother, volunteering in the girls’ schools, being a Brownie leader, driving the girls to and from their numerous events and activities, keeping track of everyone’s schedules and managing to keep all of the plates in the air for Dick and his burgeoning law practice. Offi ce parties hosted by Donna were always classy, and she made a point of having everything presented perfectly. Having been a secondgeneration native of the valley, Donna was passionate about being involved in the community. She was a longtime member of PEO, election judge, bridge player and volunteer at the Pioneer Museum (of which she was especially proud). At the state level, Donna served on the State Republican Central Committee. She was a prodigious reader, having read hundreds of books from biographies to history to novels. After Sara graduated from high school, Donna went back to work, fi rst at the Gunnison Bank and Trust and later as the Deputy County Clerk and Recorder. Her friends were a tight-knit group. Th e ladies got together regularly, were second parents to each other’s children and made no excuses for bad behaviors! They loved sharing books with each other (long before book clubs were a thing), relished a lunch or dinner together and enjoyed taking a road trip to Denver for

Dick has often said that it was because of Donna that their daughters were high quality, successful women of character, and that any success he may have had was in large part because of Donna. Her appearance and character rubbed off on him a little, and he was dressed well because of her. Some of Donna’s greatest attributes were her incredible ability to judge character, her wisdom in the world and her understanding of business and politics. Those things were a central piece of their incredible partnership — she was his most trusted ally and advisor. She always said, “When you are having a bad day, put on something that makes you feel good, fix your hair and keep your chin up.” bath,

Donna was a quiet and private person, not one to want the attention focused on her. At Christmastime, she loved baking brown bread and making hard candies and delivering them to friends and individuals who she knew had few connections in town. She seemed to know exactly the right way to meet someone else’s needs, quietly taking a meal, sitting and listening without saying a word, offering help or even planning a road trip to bless a friend. She would be the fi rst to give and the last to ever expect or ask for help.

The family asks that any donations be made to the Gunnison Pioneer Museum, Western Colorado University Foundation or the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley.

Services will be held May 20 at 11 a.m. at the Community Church. A reception and light lunch will be held immediately afterward at Webster Hall.

SPORTSMANS RESORT in Ohio City features a 3 bdrm/1 bath, 1808sf main house with year-round access location, mature trees, all positioned on 1.28 acres. Rustic cabins onsite would make great storage. 116 County Road 771; $499,900.

PRICE REDUCED R-3 lots & finish the West End Townhomes for a spec option, rental investment or employee housing. City approved site plans allow for two more duplex units. Water & sewer taps are already installed. Centrally located near the schools & RTA bus stop. 817 W. Denver Ave.; $319,000.

3 HOMES TOTAL Investment opportunity in town where each home is 2 bdrm/1 bath, tenants pay utilities, $5,400 income per month. Location near the airport and fairgrounds. 314 S. 12th St; $1,200,000.

LISTING 3 bdrm/2 ½ bath nearly 1,700sf home with additional family room & attached 2 car garage features a fully fenced backyard on just over half an acre. 430 Fairway Lane; $699,000.

Lovely gym

PRICE REDUCED 3 bdrm/2 bath, ranch level home with a walkout basement. Open kitchen & dining area with a pellet stove.

Sage

Big valley FEATURED PROPERTY NEW LISTING BAT ning . New metal roof in 2 er bathroom was rem ities with walk-in UNDERCONTRACT NEW LISTING ome acr $ UNDERCONTRACT JOSH TOWNSEND Broker/Owner (970) 209-4479 views Honest, Ethical, Professional CLARKE AGENCY REAL ESTATE 241 N. Main St. Gunnison, CO 81230 Office: (970) 641-0511 www.clarkeagency.net View listings at: www.clarkeagency.net from this 4 bdrm/3 AUDRIE TOWNSEND Broker/Owner (970) 209-6208 People’s Choice Award for Best Realtor 2021 & 2022

3 BDRM/2 BATH 1554sf home with open kitchen & dining room and a fully fenced backyard with storage shed. New metal roof in 2020 as well as exterior painting. Master bathroom was remodeled & includes two separate vanities with walk-in closet. 404 N. 7th St.; $425,000.

HOME ON 50 ACRES in Ohio City features an excellent mixture of wildlife, nearby trails, aspen, pines & 300 feet of Gold Creek frontage. 3 bdrm/2 bath house, huge attached garage, large detached barn, touched by Forest Service lands. 5498 County Road 771; $2,500,000.

OVER 1,900SF log cabin on 35 acres features 2 bedrooms, an open living room & kitchen with custom made oak cabinets, Upstairs loft includes additional beds for guests & the woodstove keeps the cabin warm. Well in place & solar panels for electricity. Seasonal pond and sold partially furnished. Lot 1 Stratman Subdivision; $425,000.

4 BDRM/2 BATH 1920sf home and a fully remodeled basement with 2 car detached garage conveniently located near the new library & trail system. Includes a cozy great room & bonus room for storage or crafts. 108 Irwin Street; $639,000.

NEW LISTING Remarkable 4 bdrm/4 bath, 3650sf home on nearly an acre features 3 full master suites! Fully fenced backyard with firepit, new roof in 2020, office, game room, storage room, workout room and two storage sheds, dog run, and raised garden beds. 122 Meadow Lark Trail; $1,100,000.

Obituaries

William Arthur Moore

Without a clear plan for the future, he joined the Peace Corps from 1965 to 1967, during which, as an essentially urban kid who had worked summers on a ranch, he taught rural north Indian villagers how to increase chicken eggyields. Bill returned home at the height of the Vietnam War and was about to be drafted when a vision-related issue rendered him unable to serve. Still without a clear plan, he went on a six-week mountain-climbing expedition to Afghanistan and then worked as a cowboy for his family’s friends, Bob and Ditty Perry, at the Mt. Sopris Hereford Ranch in Carbondale.

With their two children, Bill and Lorna traveled the world, spending substantial time in Peru, Tibet and Bolivia, where Lorna and her colleagues had medical research projects aimed at understanding the mechanisms by which the multigenerational high-altitude residents were protected from hypoxic-related disorders afflicting newcomers. Bill, always the facilitator and diplomat, made such ventures possible and productive.

The lights went out for Bill Moore on May 8, 2023. Though he lived in Denver for 50 years, his heart’s home rested at his family longtime cabin on Gold Creek above Ohio City, Colorado, where he spent all the time he could.

Bill was born William Arthur Moore II in Los Angeles on June 26, 1942, to Eudorah Goodell (Morse) Moore and Anson Churchill Moore. After travel restrictions were lifted at the end of World War II, the family moved to Richmond, Virginia for four years while his father engaged in a construction business. While Anson was happy in the East, Eudorah was determined to return to California, and in the late 1940s the family moved first to Altadena and then Pasadena. In Pasadena they built what became the longtime family home overlooking the San Gabriel Valley. It was a heavenly place for a boy to grow up, roaming over as-yet unbuilt hillsides.

He attended 3rd through 8th grades in Pasadena, but the town’s starchiness was not a good fit, so his wise parents, having ranching friends near Carbondale, Colorado, trundled him off to the newly formed Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS). It was a perfect match, toughening him and pushing him to grow physically and socially. After graduation from CRMS he briefly attended Pasadena City College, then transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder, and graduated with a degree in business administration in 1964.

During that Carbondale year, in August 1969, he met Lorna Auguste Grindlay of Rochester, Minnesota. Lorna was working as a summer faculty at CRMS while enrolled in a PhD program in biological anthropology at the University of Michigan. She convinced Bill to pursue his longtime interests in geography by enrolling in a master’s degree program there with a focus on regional land-use planning.

Bill and Lorna married in July 1971 and settled in Denver shortly thereafter to raise two wonderful children and remain happily for nearly 52 years.

Bill was happiest helping others. During his land-use planning jobs, Bill resolved conflicts that arose. For example, when his employer, Level 3, who was laying fiber optic cable throughout the western U.S., strayed from the approved route into a rancher’s field or a railroad right of way, Bill always found a way to resolve each side’s concerns, create peace and accomplish the important goals. He was equally adept at resolving problems for his children, siblings, parents, nieces and nephews, whether arising from divorce or work-issues such as those encountered by his wife while navigating the male-dominated world of medical sciences at the University of Colorado DenverAnschutz Medical Campus and simultaneously a teaching faculty (and founding chair) of the University of Colorado Denver’s Anthropology Department or as Dean of Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Bill had a deep love for the outdoors, especially Colorado’s high country. He summited its 150 highest peaks, loved long walks along high-alpine ridgelines and skied into backcountry huts every year — including a three-day hut trip to the Sangree M. Froelicher hut near Leadville, Colorado in January 2023. He practiced yoga for over 25 years, wove beautiful baskets and was a longtime member of the Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad. And nothing was more enjoyable to him than a Sunday dinner with his family, grandchildren and a cold IPA (but only after 5 p.m.).

In addition to his wife and two children, Anna Auguste and John Anson, and spouses David Biagioni and Emily (Gamble) Moore, Bill leaves behind four thriving grandchildren, Madalyn Eudorah and William August Biagioni, and Olin Anson and Juna Grindlay Moore; his three siblings, Anna Reynolds Moore, Anson Churchill Moore, and Reynolds Morse Moore, and their respective children; nieces and nephews, William and Matteo Valeri and spouses Manuela Zanaboni and Valentina Cirella; Carolyn and Sarah Moore; William, Henry, and Charlotte Ogden Moore; and great niece/nephew Isabella Eudorah and Julian Anson Moore.

Bill’s life has been one of deep and quiet grace and devoted, loving service. He has been his family’s navigator, its rod and its staff, noble builder and keeper of the family flame. He will be profoundly missed by the many left behind but who have been enriched by knowing him and having benefited from his many good deeds and kindest and most loving of hearts.

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