B2 Wednesday, February 20, 2013
NORTH FORK TIMES
Judge orders BLM to tell who nominated parcels BY KATHY BROWNING Staff Writer
Citizens for a Healthy Community (CHC) had requested through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) the identity of those who nominated 30,000 acres in the North Fork Valley for oil and gas leases. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) refused. They never give out that information until a couple of days after the lease sale. Western Environmental Law Center representing CHC filed a lawsuit. The names of those who submitted the Expressions of Interest were requested and all related
documents. On Feb. 13, Senior District Judge Richard P. Matsch ruled in favor of CHC, denied the BLM’s motion for dismissal and issued a final judgment “ordering the United States Bureau of Land Management to release the information requested within 30 days.” The BLM had released its final decision to CHC on April 30, 2012, refusing the FOIA request. The BLM said the information withheld was protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the act. They asserted the Expression of Interest, which is the initial document filed with the BLM to nominate federal land for oil and gas development, contained “commercial or financial information obtained from a person that is privileged or confidential.” The information requested on the Expressions of Interest is limited to the name of the individual or company, mailing address and telephone number, legal land description broken into
parcels of 2,560 acres or fewer and the name and address of any private surface owners. The BLM said in its defense that those who nominated the land had done “preliminary investigative work to consider the possibilities of the acreage” and that made the work “protected information” which if released would give competitors “an unfair advantage.” Matsch’s judgment states, “That contention runs directly contrary to the purpose of the public sale process. Competition in bidding advances the purpose of getting a fair price for a lease of publicly owned minerals. Moreover, the identity of the submitter may be relevant to the plaintiff and others who may raise concerns about the stewardship records of that potential owner, a factor relevant to the environmental impact of the proposed sale. “The information required to be provided by an EOI submitter is not protected by Exemption 4 and the plaintiff ’s
request must be granted.” Kyle Tisdel of Western Environmental Law Center said after the ruling, “Every community has the right to know what corporations are seeking to drill on public lands near their homes and where they recreate. The Court’s decision is a clear rebuke of BLM’s policy to protect industry at the expense of the public and its ability to fully engage the agency’s decisionmaking process.” The ruling has obvious national impact because the policy is applied throughout the United States. Jim Ramey, CHC director, stated, “This lawsuit is not only a victory for the North Fork but it’s an important victory for every community across the west which is threatened by oil and gas drilling on public lands.” Ramey added, “The government has not been able to make a compelling argument as to why it needs to keep this information secret and away from the public.”
ent will be recognized as a representative of all the excellent, dedicated teachers in the community who make a difference to children everyday.” There are seven criteria listed, of which, each teacher being nominated should demonstrate at least four. They are: •Inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn. •Have a superior ability to teach and to inspire in students a love of learning. •Have a broad understanding of current trends and issues in education. •Should be highly respected by students, parents and colleagues. •Be a facilitator of creative teaching strategies. •Show active involvement and leadership in professional development and extracurricular activities. •Should demonstrate the ability and willingness to devote time and energy to activities that result in improved instruction for children. For the awards debut, teachers from Vision and Montessori schools are not being included. It’s certainly not because they aren’t
excellent. The board learned teachers at Vision and Montessori have certifications and requirements different from their fellow public school teachers. “We wanted to make certain that all the teachers eligible for the award had the same certification. That’s pretty important,” Cocker said. The foundation continues to award a senior scholarship award to Vision students. As far as determining who will win, the Cocker Kids board of directors and an advisory board of Betsy Marston, Mike McMillan and Pauline Carr will pour over the nomination forms and select the winner. Cocker shared her hope for the impact of the Teacher Appreciation Award. “I think it will foster a community pride in our teachers and I think the teachers will feel more appreciated by the community just to have this going on every year,” she said. “I think the award will spark a little more creativity among teachers. Maybe it will spark a little more working together and finding new programs that will inspire the kids. But I
Delta County Independent
McClure Pass rollover injures 3 BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
A single-vehicle rollover on McClure Pass Feb. 7 injured three. The accident occurred at mile post 40 at about 9:15 a.m. Robert CervantesFuerte, 25, of Glenwood Springs was driving a 2002 GMC Sierra pickup. He was not wearing a seat belt and was injured during the roll sequence. Two passengers, a 37-year-old male and a 24-year-old male, sus-
tained minor injuries. They were wearing their seat belts. According to the Colorado State Patrol, Cervantes-Fuerte was traveling west on Highway 133. He entered a curvy section of road and lost control, rotating counter-clockwise and traveling off the left side of the road and down a steep embankment. The pickup rolled three times approximately 250 feet downhill. It came to rest on its wheels facing north.
Renew membership in historical society The HotchkissCrawford Historical Society will hold its annual meeting Sunday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m. at Memorial Hall in Hotchkiss. Tom McLeod and Larry Knott will present the history of “Black Mesa, The People, Places and Events.” Local historian, Danny Cotten, will have enlarged photographs on display.
The annual meeting provides an opportunity to renew or join the society. A membership card entitles you to free admission not only to the Hotchkiss-Crawford Museum, but also to the Delta County Museum in Delta, the North Fork Museum in Paonia and half-price admission to Pioneer Town in Cedaredge.
think the big thing is just for the teachers to know they are appreciated. And that they are working really hard and we know it.” After the May 1 announcement of the winner, the board will focus on a campaign
to increase community involvement for next year and subsequent years. Cocker Kids Foundation will continue to invite every teacher in the North Fork Valley to its Back To School Barbecue.
Search is on FROM PAGE B1 forms are right there for students, fellow teachers, office staff and parents to fill out. The nominator answers a few questions and can write from one to three pages about why the teacher should win the prize. Nomination forms are also available online at cockerkidsfoundation.com. The nomination form states, “Award recipi-
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Join Biz After Hours at Bross Delta County School District’s
North Fork Community Montessori School
is now accepting APPLICATIONS to fill a limited number of spaces for the 2013-2014 academic year. year. • • • • • • • •
Our enriching, academic curriculum includes: Excellence in academics, life skills, and the arts Differentiated learning Fosters love of learning Spanish Classes Five-day-a-week program Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award 2012 Colorado Department of Education’s John Irwin Award for academic excellence in 2011 and 2012 Dynamic GT and Special Education programs Applications are due no later than March 1 to be included in the lottery.
Please call 872-5910 for an application or to schedule a visit. North Fork Community Montessori School 397 Bulldog Street • Hotchkiss, CO 81419 El Districto del condado Delta La Escuela Comunitaria Montessori del North Fork Ahora acepta espacios del número limitado para el año académico de 2013-2014 Por favor llamar 872-5910 para una aplicación o para hacer una vista.
The Paonia Chamber of Commerce will gather for its monthly Business After Hours at the Bross Hotel Bed and Breakfast on Feb. 21 from 5-7 p.m. This is an opportunity for members to network and become better acquainted as they partake of light refreshments. Community members are invited to attend. It is a chance to learn more
about the businesses in our area and the work of the Paonia Chamber of Commerce. If you have never been in the Bross Hotel, referred to as the “Brown Palace of Paonia” by one travel writer, tours of this historic old hotel will be available. The Bross Hotel is located at 312 Onarga Avenue in Paonia.
Hotchkiss increases insurance to cover embezzlement BY KATHY BROWNING Staff Writer
The recent alleged embezzlement case in the Town of Paonia has spurred the Town of Hotchkiss town council to take action. At their Valentine’s Day council meeting, the trustees voted to increase their coverage for excess crime insurance. Currently, the town’s policy only covers them for $150,000. The cost to up the Trusted Employee Embezzlement Insurance would be $600 for $2 million in coverage.
Hotchkiss work session to focus on sidewalk ordinance BY KATHY BROWNING Staff Writer
Hotchkiss Mayor Wendell Koontz announced there will be a work session to finalize the town’s amendment to the sidewalk ordinance. This will replace sections of the current town code. The town held a public hearing on Feb. 14. Only planning commission co-chair Tom Wills
The Paradise Theatre in Paonia is offering a unique gem on Feb. 23 at 10 p.m. Part road movie and part concert film, “Big Easy Express” bears witness to the birth of a new musical era. The film documents a cinematic musical journey with indie folk heroes Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Tennessee’s Old Crow Medicine Show, and Britain’s acclaimed Mumford & Sons as they climb aboard a vintage train
in California, bound for New Orleans on a “tour of dreams.” The resulting film from this journey is nothing short of magical. Film maker Emmett Malloy documents these incredible musicians as they ride the rails and wow the crowds. It is filled with joyous crowds, late night laughter and endless music ... and a train that was bound for glory. The movie is one hour and 16 minutes long and rated PG.
offered comments. Wills explained the amendment would have the town and property owners evenly share the cost of new or repaired sidewalks. The work session will be this Thursday at 6 p.m. at town hall. The amendment will likely be on the agenda for the March 14 council meeting at Hotchkiss High School.
1st State Bank wants to use lots for parking until sold BY KATHY BROWNING
Special showing of ‘Big Easy Express’
The trustees and staff discussed whether the town could get by with just $500,000 in coverage. But with the cost of public works projects in excess of a million dollars and with the town having large reserves, it was deemed wise to pay the $600 annually to increase the coverage to $2 million. The vote was split though, with trustees Jim Roberts, Lindee Cantrell and Dustyn Foster in favor and Marlin McCracken and Georgia Hopper opposed.
Staff Writer
First State Bank of Colorado has approached the Town of Hotchkiss about its three lots at Second and Bridge. The corner lots are empty and they would like to share costs with the town for earth work and laying road base. The lots could then be used for parking. The cost estimate is $4,000. The bank would like to pay one half and have the town pick up the remainder. The downside is that the three lots are currently for sale. So, this would be a temporary parking lot. Mike Owens, public works director, is opposed
to the town improving private property. He believes that most of the time the parking lot would be vacant. Owens said there is a town parking lot close to the post office which the town should spend its money on improving. Dustyn Foster, trustee, suggested that perhaps the Orton Foundation and the Heart and Soul Project would be interested in helping financially with the temporary parking lot. Jim Briscoe, town attorney, was asked to speak with the bank’s board of directors about the provisions of its proposal.