NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
HOME SWEET HOME Some BMW ralliers now call Paonia home, B1
GOOD SAMARITANS Concertgoers jump in to assist victims of traffic accident, B8
DELTA COUNTY
DELTARADO DAYS HATS OFF TO AG
Parade, music, car shows, BBQs highlight 82nd celebration, C1-8 JULY 26, 2017 VOL. 134, NO. 30
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INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
CAWS seeks group to run shelter CAWS plans shift to foster home model
BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer
Contrary to recent rumors, Citizens for Animal Welfare and Shelter is not closing. Also known as CAWS, the organization is looking for a group or organization to take over operations at the animal shelter in Delta. At its July 20 monthly meeting the board of directors discussed reducing its overhead by divesting itself of the CAWS Adoption Center in Delta and transition to a volunteer-based organization. This, they believe, will allow CAWS to better serve its mission of offering spay and neuter and vaccination programs, and fostering and adoption of homeless, abused or unwanted dogs and cats. CAWS relies largely on grants, donations, adoption fees and the Barkin’ Bargains resale store in Paonia for its funding. Barkin’ Bargains, which is run entirely by vol-
unteers, covers the cost of services related to its mission, but the shelter’s operational costs are affecting the organization’s ability to provide those services. Payroll and vet bills make up the majority of the shelter’s costs, said treasurer Robbi Cox. Income from adoption fees and donations offset vet bills, but payroll, the biggest expense, is resulting in monthly losses of between $3,000-$4,000. In the first six months of 2017 CAWS reported a net loss for the shelter of $22,800, with a payroll of $26,500. “Right now all the money goes to the shelter,” which leaves nothing for those other programs, said Cox. As of July 20 CAWS was sheltering eight dogs, and has another dog, nine kittens and a soon-to-be-fixed young mother in foster care. The board has adopted a directive of “no new intakes” for the shelter, with the exception of emergencies and adoptions that aren’t working out. CAWS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that began in 1998 as the Animal Shelter of Delta County. The City of Delta, which owns the 12-
kennel shelter located at 640 W. Fourth Street, has leased the facility to CAWS rent-free since 2012, said Delta community development director Glen Black. “It’s a great partnership.” Under their agreement, the city pays utilities and property-related expenses in exchange for using the facility for the city’s animal control program, said Black. The release fees for impounded animals goes to CAWS, and when an impounded animal is not claimed, CAWS works to adopt the animal out. The city is willing to work with CAWS on a transition, said Black. If CAWS is unable to find a suitable successor, the city would revert to running the facility as a city pound. Closing the shelter is a “last resort,” said board member Lynn Wetherell. The board spent the last 30 days contacting other animal rescue and nonprofit organizations, and reached out to the city to see if they are interested in taking over operations. In considering the fate of the shelter, the board looked at two possible options at last week’s meeting, includ-
ing continuing to operate the shelter “... with some changes in operational structure that could lower costs,” wrote board president Angela Cerci last Friday on Facebook. “The second was a proposal from a newly formed organization, based in Delta, who are in
the process of obtaining notfor-profit status.” The board unanimously supports the latter proposal and is in the process of discussing how best to support the organization and the City of Delta in making that transition, said Cox.
Photo by Pat Sunderland
Emoji, a 2-year-old male, is awaiting adoption from the animal shelter in Delta.
Region 10, partners light up broadband BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
In a symbolic gesture, state, county and city officials gathered to light up the fiberoptic cable that will deliver high speed broadband to both Delta and Montrose. Phase one construction, and the building of the fiberoptic network in those two cities, is complete following more than three years of planning, engineering and construction. “Today marks the start of affordable broadband for our communities,” said Delta Mayor Ed Sisson. “This regional access point in Delta is the culmination of many years, long hours and organizations working together to make it happen.”
The carrier neutral location is housed in the city’s municipal light and power building. It serves the Delta County Library District and soon, the school district. From that location, internet service providers can deliver gigabit speeds to businesses and residents. Michelle Haynes, executive director for Region 10 League of Economic Assistance and Planning, said it’s fitting the lighting ceremony was held at ML&P, which generated the electricity that moved the community forward in the ‘30s and ‘40s. “Now this is where we’re locating one of our regional hubs, which will take our community into the next step, into the next centu-
ry, and help us move forward with economic development.” The collaborative effort began in 2013 with a planning grant from the Department of Local Affairs. In 2015, DOLA made a $5.2 million investment in the design and construction of a middle-mile system for the Region 10 network. The project became a reality with buy-in from the cities of Delta and Montrose, Delta County and DeltaMontrose Electric Association. Additional funds were provided by El Pomar Foundation and the U.S. Economic Development Administration, in recognition of the economic impact mine closures held for Delta and Gunnison counties. “Now with the work of
DMEA, we’re looking at gigabit-level service to every home in the Delta-Montrose county area in the next five to six years,” Haynes said. Delta County commissioner Doug Atchley said the county committed $750,000 in the belief broadband is essential to economic development not only in Delta County, but all of western Colorado. He thanked all the partners for their vision and the push to make the project a reality. “There’s lots more to do, but congratulations!” said Irv Halter, executive director of the Department of Local Affairs. “I can’t wait to see what this will do for your community as you move forward.” He commented on one indi-
Photo by Pat Sunderland
Officials from the cities of Delta and Montrose, Delta and Montrose county commissioners, Delta County Economic Development and Delta-Montrose Electric Association grab onto a fiberoptic cable as Irv Halter, DOLA executive director, gets ready to light up the cable. “Broadband is light,” explained Michelle Haynes, executive director of Region 10. “When you want to increase your broadband speed, you increase the light you send through the fiber. So today, in a symbolic way, we’re going to light up a ribbon instead of cutting a ribbon.”
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Back Page ................... D6 Business .......................A10 Church ........................... A6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Deltarado Days ........ C1-8 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ..................... A8 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports .............................B7 Surface Creek News .B8-10 TV Listings ..................B5-6
vidual who did not attend the lighting ceremony on July 24, but is committed to connectivity across the state — Governor John Hickenlooper. Phase two of the project, which is currently underway, will extend that connectivity to communities throughout Delta, Montrose, Ouray, Gunnison, Hinsdale and San Miguel counties. Local internet service providers (ISP’s) can leverage Region 10’s network to build strong business models to provide low-cost access for their customers. Region 10 explains gigabit broadband is the next-generation technology that enables the world of tomorrow, including telemedicine and telehealth, improved education and distance learning, more efficient and effective government, economic development and job creation, enhanced public safety, and smart grid and energy management systems. Additionally, the network can be used by internet service providers, cellular companies, and phone and cable companies, to lower their costs and improve services. In a press release issued last week, Region 10 broadband project director Chris Kennedy said, “Abundant, affordable, and reliable broadband services are no longer a luxury in rural areas, but are more like a utility like water or electricity. In terms of attracting and retaining businesses locally, we can now compete more effectively with other, larger urban areas.”
Input sought on trails planning
County fair: It isn’t just for kids
Delta County has received a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant to help create a comprehensive recreation master trails plan. The plan is essential to develop a guiding document to inventory existing trails, identify opportunities for new connections and prioritize planning for implementation of future improvements. Your input is valuable to the success of this project. Citizens are encouraged to attend upcoming open houses. The first will be held Monday, July 31, 4 to 7 p.m. at Heritage Hall on the Delta County fairgrounds in Hotchkiss. The second will take place Tuesday, Aug. 1, 4 to 7 p.m., at Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 531 N. Palmer Street in Delta. For additional information visit the project website at www. deltacountytrailsmp.com.
Are you interested in the possibility of making a couple of bucks, taking home a ribbon or two, and earning bragging rights? Then you should enter the Delta County Fair. The Delta County Fair offers exhibit hall displays in arts, crafts, leathercraft, woodworking, ceramics, doll making, scrapbooking, baking, food preservation, flowers, crops, herbs, fruits, vegetables, sewing, photography, knitting, crochet, needlework, quilting and much more. The Delta County Fair is open to anyone interested in displaying their talents in the categories listed above. All ages are welcome to join in on the fun so be sure to tell your friends and family too. There is no cost to enter. Open class Heritage Hall entries will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, which means you still have time to complete your entry. Grab a Delta County Fairbook for an entry form and to check out the classes you can enter today.