January 12, 2012

PAGE 14

What a “yard”

Sopris Carbondale’s

weekly, non-profit newspaper

E rk Fo SID ng N

Ram basketball

I i ar GE PA

PAGE 5

the

Ro

PAGE 3

Hot springs moving?

M RA

LOOK INSIDE:

Sun

Volume 3, Number 48 | January 12, 2012

Last week’s snow brought out smiles all the way around, including this snowperson on Third Street that was born when clouds spread two or three inches of the white stuff all over town. What with cold nighttime temperatures, the happy snowperson has continued grinning through the week. Photo by Lynn Burton

Carbondale’s favorite place to fuel up.

Sign up for the Loyalty Card and receive free and discounted in-store items.

What you need, when you need it.

Plus, a little bit more. ÈÎ ÓÈÈä U ÀvÛ> iÀ °V

Carbondale Commentary The views and opinions expressed on the Commentary page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The Sopris Sun invites all members of the community to submit letters to the editor or guest columns. For more information, e-mail editor Lynn Burton at news@soprissun.com, or call 510-3003.

General Fund trends downward

By Stacey Bernot A New Year brings new resolutions. Less than two weeks into the New Year and your municipality is working hard on resolutions; well, resolutions and ordinances to be specific.

Town staff and the board of trustees toiled for months towards establishing expenditure limits for town departments and operations. Embedded in resolutions and ordinances passed in late 2011 are the goals, priorities and policies established by the Board of Trustees for Carbondale in 2012.

In order to plan for 2012, we first should look at 2011. Last year’s budget conservatively projected a modest increase in overall revenue, but at the same time authorized the expenditure of General Fund reserves to address a variety of needs.

Initially over $450,000 of reserves were earmarked for expenditure. Initial data suggests that minimal reserves were expended. What happened last year to prevent those additional expenditures out of our reserves? Mineral Severance (MS) and Mineral Leasing (ML) monies happened — to the tune of $428,934.

That’s right: MS/ML brought almost $430,000 of unbudgeted revenue into the General Fund in 2011. MS/ML monies are distributed by the federal and state governments to help alleviate impacts of energy extraction in mineral rich areas. Were you aware that the town of Carbondale has received over $1.7 million in MS/ML revenue since 2007?

With increased revenues due to neighboring energy extraction, surely the rest of the town’s revenue sources must be looking up in 2012? The town has been budgeting for the “new normal” for a couple of years now; we should be there, right?

Unfortunately, economic indicators suggest otherwise. For example, with only one new single-family building permit issued in all of 2011, building permit fees in the coming year are projected to be down 60 percent from 2011. Overall General Fund revenue is projected at being down 9 percent from 2011. This decreased revenue projection takes into account all revenue sources, including our largest revenue source — sales tax.

Due to Carbondale’s sluggish emergence from our economic downturn, revenue projections are not anticipated to increase in 2012. Our extremely capable and dedicated town staff is conservative in their approach to these projections, and as with any revenue projection, with time we will realize if those projections were accurate.

Each budget is an opportunity to reassess and adjust those projections.

Since we’re looking at available funds for 2012, let’s touch on General Fund reserves for a minute. General Fund reserves are ample for now at over $4.7 million.

These reserves will continue to get discussed, debated, and eventually allocated. It is worth noting that the town has targeted over $500,000 of these reserves for future land acquisition, hopefully occurring in 2012.

Speaking of capital improvement projects, where does the town see the Capital Construction Fund balance ending in 2012? $20,031.

No, that’s not a typo; $20,031 is what is anticipated to be the fund balance in the Capital Construction Fund at the end of 2012. This fund’s primary purpose is to complete capital improvement projects throughout our community.

What about the Streetscape Fund? You may remember voting to approve a property tax extension in 2010 to fund street improvements. That specific property tax is the revenue stream to the Streetscape Fund. This Fund’s balance at the end of 2012 is projected to be $449,051. With the combined available revenue from both these funds totaling $469,082 the town’s ongoing challenge will be to accomplish limited capital projects beyond 2012 through reserve fund allocations.

What are the town’s capital needs? Well, there are too many to list here and cost estimates are extremely outdated. The town will continue wrestling with prioritizing capital projects, investing in our fleet replacement, addressing deferred maintenance, and numerous other unfunded budget requests. During our budget deliberations for 2012 alone, over $380,000 of additional requests went unfunded.

Those requests included everything from non-profit support to minor infrastructure projects.

Make no mistake: town staff and your Board of Trustees strive to find long-term solutions while balancing scarce resources and community ideals. Continue to support our efforts in productive ways because at the end of the day, we are all truly in this together.

Assessing town needs and endeavoring to address them should be something we all can resolve to do.

Stacey Bernot is mayor of Carbondale.

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012

Letters

The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 400 words. Letters exceeding that length may be edited or returned for revisions. Include your name and residence (for publication) and a contact email and phone number. Submit letters via email to letters@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623.

Compelled to respond Dear Editor: I have read many comments concerning the vote on the VCR project. As an owner of the existing City Market Center, I feel compelled to respond.

Without question, Carbondale should promote productive uses of its available land. Planning and zoning tracts of land is well within the purview of the town trustees. The only reason citizens are being asked to vote is because they are being asked to subsidize the project.

After reviewing the issues, I find no compelling reason for a town of 5,500 citizens to provide taxpayer-funded assistance for the benefit of the developer and Kroger, Inc. owner of City Market. Taxpayers should only be required to fund public improvements when a great public need is defined and cannot be met by other sources, i.e. the developer or the State, who has maintenance responsibility for Highway 133.

The developer of VCR should have the funds available to develop a commercially sound project. If the project is not commercially viable, without taxpayer subsidy, perhaps this is not the highest and best use of the property. It is the developer who should bear the risks and rewards of the development.

Likewise, the economic burden of increased rents should be borne by Kroger, Inc., a public company. If the developer charges higher rents, because the taxpayers are not subsidizing the costs of the project, Kroger may choose whether moving to VCR or possibly remodeling its existing location is the best economic decision.

Should the economics of the current project allow for the developer to build a grocery store, including all required infrastructure, and Kroger agrees to pay rent in an amount that induces the developer to proceed, we can take pride in the economic activity that this private transaction brings to Carbondale. However, if the citizens subsidize this transaction, rest assured that all new development will expect like subsidies for their projects.

We need to responsibly zone our property to encourage growth and economic prosperity for our town. The citizens of Carbondale should not subsidize the developer, the State or provide an indirect rent subsidy to Kroger.

Neill H. Taylor Gregory B. Owings Carbondale

co-panelists from the Say Yes campaign for their participation as well.

In my opening statement I indicated that my goal for the forum was to provide the facts about TVCR development so that every voter could make an informed decision when casting their vote later this month. Unfortunately some of the facts I provided that night are being misrepresented by the Locals and by a Post Independent newspaper headline and article printed in the Jan 6 edition (“VCR sales tax revenue estimates cut in half.”)

At the forum I explained how I arrived at my projected $335,000 in sales tax revenue that TVCR would generate to the town. I admitted that my numbers were a reduction from the revenue numbers projected by Economic Development Systems (EDS), the town's Road Map Group's consultant, that were prepared in 2005.

In late 2009, when the project was starting it’s BOT review process, I adjusted these numbers downward due to market conditions and the state of the economy. I thought this was the prudent thing to do.

The projected sales tax revenue number I used in all of the meetings with the BOT was $335,000.

The meeting minutes and the town’s LETTERS page 13

To inform, inspire and build community Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Editor: Lynn Burton • 510-3003 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Bob Albright • 970-927-2175 bob@soprissun.com Photographer/Writer: Jane Bachrach Ad/Page Production: Terri Ritchie Paper Boy: Cameron Wiggin Webmaster: Will Grandbois Sopris Sun, LLC Managing Board of Directors: Peggy DeVilbiss • David Johnson Allyn Harvey • Colin Laird Laura McCormick • Trina Ortega Jean Perry • Elizabeth Phillips Frank Zlogar

Sopris Sun, LLC • P.O. Box 399 520 S. Third Street #35 Carbondale, CO 81623

970-510-3003

Locals misrepresent facts Dear Editor: I want to thank all of the listeners who either attended the forum on Jan. 4 or joined in on the radio or TV. I also want to thank the moderator, Tim McFlynn, the panelists from the Locals campaign and my

www.soprissun.com Visit us on facebook.com Send us your comments: feedback@soprissun.com The Sopris Sun is an LLC organized under the 501c3 non-profit structure of the Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation.

Trustees put bag ban on April election ballot

By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer The Carbondale Board of Trustees voted 6-0 on Tuesday night to put its plastic bag ban on April’s ballot, where it will join the trustees’ election.

The decision comes after bag-ban opponents — Mary Boucher, Lyndsey Sackett and Michelle Hyken — collected 200 signatures on their petition late last year, asking the trustees to either rescind an ordinance passed Oct. 25 that bans plastic bags in grocery stores or put it to a vote of the people. The ban also puts a 20 cent fee on paper bags.

After the vote, trustee Frosty Merriott got up from his seat and handed Boucher a reusable shopping bag. “I can use it for meats,” said the somewhat pleased Boucher.

Carbondale’s ordinance last October came after several months of discussion and research, led by the town’s Environmental Board and CORE (the Community Office for Resource Efficiency). At CORE’s urging, Aspen and Basalt also passed ordinances meant to reduce the use of plastic bags.

Tuesday night’s meeting started several minutes late while Mayor Stacey Bernot, trustees Elizabeth Murphy and John Hoffmann, Roaring Fork High School student representative Monica Grijalva Ruiz, staff members and the public waited for the other trustees to show up to field a quorum. Trustee John Foulkrod was in Mexico and did not attend the meeting.

In other action from the late-starting meeting: The trustees voted 5-1 to annex and zone Thompson Park, which includes the historic Thompson ranch house.

The annexation starts the process by which developer Frieda Wallison will eventually give to the town the 100-year-old house and the ground it sits on. The town has said it wants to then give the two-story brick house to the Mt. Sopris Historical Society to be used as a museum. Most of the structure’s contents belonged to the Thompson family and some are more than 100 years old.

After the meeting, mayor Bernot said the next step is for Wallison to subdivide the property and present a master plat, which trustees must approve.

The 10-acre parcel sits at the north end of River Valley Ranch, west of Highway 133.

The ordinance that allows the Thompson Park annexation allows for up to 45 dwelling units, some of which are deed restricted affordable housing.

Bernot said she voted against the ordinance because the town doesn’t need the residential development that Wallison’s plan calls for.

•••

The trustees voted 5-1 to approve a medical marijuana license for Rock Leonard’s Doctor’s Garden dispensary at 580 Main St., Suite 300A. The “product description” on the application includes: bubble hash (“a form of hash that is created by a system of separation and filtration using ice, water, a mixer and a 225micron cheese cloth”), fudge hash (“a mixture of “keef” and hash oil that we contract out to be made from licensed infused product companies”) and ear-wax hash (“a solidified form of hash oil that we contract out to be made from licensed infused product companies.”)

Just before the vote, trustee Hoffmann leaned forward and asked Leonard, “Does your ear-wax hash taste as good as is sounds?”

Leonard did not reply.

The vote was 5-1, with trustee Murphy voting against.

The personnel included on the application were Rock Leonard (president), Christie Leonard (vice-president), Harold Leonard (investor), James Leonard (investor) and Alyson Romanus (employee).

Responding to a question, Leonard said he thinks there are now six medical marijuana dispensaries in town. Two years ago the town peaked out at 11 dispensaries.

••• The trustees distributed approximately $55,000 to 25 non-profits as part of the town’s 2012 budget. Those non-profits and the funds they received are: Access Roaring Fork ($17,500), Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment ($2,000), Aspen Camp for the Deaf ($600), Aspen Dance Connection ($500), Buddy Program ($1,500), Childhelp River Bridge Children’s Center ($1,500), Project Graduation ($500), Roaring Fork Valley Early Learning ($1,000), Youth Entity ($2,000), Alpine Legal Services ($1,500), Club Circle West ($1,000), Columbine Home Health ($1,750), English in Action ($1,000), Family Visitor Program ($2,000), Lift-Up ($1,000), Mountain Valley Developmental Services ($1,000), Pathfinder ($2,500), Roaring Fork Family Resource Center ($1,500), RSVP ($500), Senior Matters ($2,000), Roaring Fork Conservancy ($1,000), Thompson Divide Coalition ($2,200), Wilderness Workshop ($2,200), Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities ($1,900), Mt. Sopris Historical Society ($2,000).

The trustees also distributed $156,000 from the town’s recreation sales tax fund to the following non-profits or community organizations: Business Development, Regional Housing Administration, Energy, Youth Zone, Mt. Sopris Nordic Council, Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club, Red Hill, 5Point Film Festival, CCAH, KDNK, Andy Zanca Youth Radio, Club Rotario festival, Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, Farmer’s Market, Steve’s Guitars festival and Carbondale Fire District (for fireworks).

On Dec. 30, these three guys “constructed” this year’s Penny Hot Spring pools by arranging rocks to mix hot and cold water in the Crystal River between Carbondale and Redstone.

Shown here are (left to right): Cody Lee. Dylan Mace and Michael Gorman.

In the background is a group of out-of-towners who got together in Carbondale for the holidays.

The rock arrangers say the normal soaking pool wasn’t much good because the hot water has shifted downriver a few feet. Some theorize the new hot springs pools at Avalanche Ranch just down stream has affected the Penny Hot Spring flow.

Photo by Julie Albrecht

THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012 • 3

Fact checking Village at Crystal River claims

By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer Arguments for and against the Village at Crystal River range from warnings that it threatens Carbondale’s very soul, to visions of a new economic era for the town, if voters approve the 24-acre mixed-use development on Highway 133.

Locals for Smarter Growth uses words like “sprawl” to deride the project, even though VCR sits inside the town limits and is bordered on two sides by commercial development.

On the other side of the issue, Say Yes to Carbondale folks defend the project, saying it’s “a village that will be built in (sic) the character of Carbondale,” even though the developer himself doesn’t expect to build any housing for villagers for years to come.

Many of the Locals and Say Yes claims and “facts” are open to interpretation, but at least two appear not to be in line with the “truth” as most Carbondalians tend to define the word.

For that reason, this article fact checks both groups, based on statements that have appeared in print, on Web sites, in advertisements and in public forums.

FaCT CHECK NO. 1: The town of Carbondale will be on the hook to pay off a $2-$2.5 million bond to construct a roundabout on Highway 133, should a PIF revenue stream sufficient to pay off the bond at VCR not materialize.

This claim came from the Locals for Smarter Growth web site, which listed three “what ifs” and concluded: “WHAT IF . . . the retail and office space does not get filled and the houses don’t get sold? Carbondale will be left with paying the bond, a big empty hole in the ground, and/or empty buildings at the entrance to our town.” (Note: Wording on the Locals for Smarter Growth Web site was changed this week and the word “bond” has been deleted.)

In an e-mail, Village at Crystal developer Rich Shierburg told The Sopris Sun, “There is NO WAY the town could ever get stuck with the bonds, unless they intend to buy them, which I don’t think will ever be the case. The town and its residents have NO risk of the bonds going upside down.

Town attorney Mark Hamilton agrees. In an e-mail to The Sopris Sun, he states, “ … A bond is a loan by a public entity (in this case, the (VCR) metro district) which is funded by bondholders (usually institutional investors). Should the metro district default, the bondholders are the ones taking the risk, not the Town. …”

When asked about the claim the town of Carbondale would be liable for the VCR bond if the developer can’t pay if off, Locals for Smarter Growth member Allyn Harvey (a Sopris Sun board member) stated in part: “The Say Yes website says the developer and his investors may finance the PIF bond themselves. So what if they do declare bankruptcy and walk away from the project? Who is on the hook then to finish a possibly unfinished roundabout and highway-widening project? Carbondalians could still be stuck with the mess, both on Hwy 133 and financially.”

FaCT CHECK NO. 2: In a Jan. 6 guest opinion in the Aspen Daily News, Say Yes to Carbondale member John Baker stated, “ … the (Carbondale) board of trustees said yes” to the Village at Crystal River.

Technically, the trustees did say “yes” to VCR in a motion approved 5-1 on Nov. 1 to send the issue to a public vote. Before that motion, however, there were two other motions. The first motion asked trustees to put the issue to a vote of the people and failed 33. The second motion, which asked for the trustees to approve VCR, failed 3-3. If there hadn’t been a third motion, the one to put the issue to the people, VCR probably would have died then and there. So, to say that the Carbondale Board of Trustees “said yes” to VCR is technically correct, although at the same meeting the trustees also said “no” to the project. (Note: On a tie vote, a motion fails. So in effect a tie vote means a board is saying “no.”)

Schierburg did not respond to an e-mail request concerning his claim that the trustees said yes to VCR. In his Aspen Daily News opinion piece, Baker also says “The Roadmap citizens committee said yes.” A Say Yes radio ad on KNFO during the “Imus in the Morning” show on Jan. 11 also said the Roadmap group said yes to VCR. Based on Sopris Sun research, this statement either isn’t true or is highly suspect.

The Economic Roadmap Group was founded as part of the Economic Roadmap process the town of Carbondale conducted to draft an economic development plan following the Crystal River Marketplace defeat in the early 2003.

The Economic Roadmap Group presented its final plan to the Carbondale Board of Trustees in December of 2005, then disbanded as an official town committee.

The trustees never adopted the Economic Roadmap Plan, which does present three development options for the current VCR property. Schierburg did not take over as VCR developer until 2006.

He submitted his VCR application to the town as Crystal River Marketplace LLC in September 2008. His application went to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) in April 2009.

Between 2006 and 2009, Schierburg did hold a design charette for the VCR property, and some Roadmap Group members took part. This week, several Roadmap Group members told The Sopris Sun the group never endorsed Schierburg’s VCR plan, that the group no longer functioned as a group during the charette process and the trustees never adopted the Roadmap plan.

In 2009, Schierburg did tell Carbondale trustees that VCR is “in line” with the recommendations of the Carbondale Economic Roadmap Group (April 29, 2009 Post Independent) but The Sopris Sun cannot find any evidence that the Roadmap Group ever “said yes” to the Village at Crystal River or endorsed it.

Carbondale residents have until 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 to cast their ballots on the Village at Crystal River PUD.

Rik Sargent recently won the $1,000 Best of Show award for his “Free Mind” in the current Art Around Town lineup. The Carbondale Board of Trustees made the selection. The sculpture is located at the corner of Fourth and Main.

Photo by Lynn Burton

Sponsored by

SOPRIS LIQUOR & WINE Be Responsible!

Cop Shop The following events are drawn from incident reports of the Carbondale Police Department.

Jan. 2 at 6:58 p.m. a resident on Dolores Way reported loud music coming from nearby.

Jan. 2 at 9:48 p.m. police took a report of vandalism in the 900 block of Garfield Avenue (a vehicle’s broken rear window).

Jan. 2 at 3:57 a.m. an officer assisted the fire district with an alarm in the 700 block of Garfield Avenue.

Jan. 3 at 10:59 a.m. a caller told people several vehicles were idling in the post office parking lot. When the police officer asked if the vehicles had been idling for more than 10 minutes, the caller hung up.

Jan. 3 at 8:20 p.m. police officers arrested a man on Weant Boulevard on a warrant out of Greeley, Kansas, and took him to Garfield County jail.

Jan. 3 at 3:31 p.m. a resident called police to report he tried to buy a vehicle on e-Bay. He wired $1,000 to Bank of America in Sherman Oaks, California, but has not heard back.

Jan. 4 at 4:22 p.m. Carbondale police assisted an ambulance crew with a call on Latigo Loop.

Jan. 4 at 2:16 p.m. a resident reported he lost is wallet between 7/Eleven and the library.

Jan. 4 at 1:06 p.m. police wrote two tickets to vehicles violating the twohour parking limit on Main Street.

Jan. 4 at 10:49 a.m. police issued two red-tag warnings for vehicles blocking driveways on Wheel Drive and Barber Drive. At 8:35 a.m., they issued a ticket for parking on the sidewalk at Wheel Drive and Wheel Circle.

NOTE: Carbondale police report a spate of fraudulent phone calls to residents asking for money. One call asks for money to clear up warrants out of the Dominican Republic. Police advise residents not to give money to callers.

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012

Basketball season heats up, Rams hit court Sopris Sun Staff Report Roaring Fork boys and girls resumed basketball play Jan. 56 with road games at Aspen and home games against Olathe.

Against Aspen on Jan. 5, the Ram boys fell to the Skiers 5545. Dakotah Grett led Roaring Fork with 18 points and Sam Carpenter chipped in 13.

The girls got their second win of the season against Aspen by a count of 47-40. Kaleigh Wisroth and Maddie Nieslanik both had another solid game with 10 points each. Hattie Gianinetti started the game strong with 6 points in the first quarter and finished with 10. Autumn Grandberry came in at crucial times with strong support, was instrumental late in the game and finished with 5 points. Megan Gianinetti had another all-around strong game, went five of six from the free throw line late in the game when it mattered most and finished with 7 points.

“The girls had high energy, worked hard except for a couple of lapses controlled the game from start to finish,” said coach Kirk Cheney.

Rounding out the scoring was Shaeley Lough with 3 and Georgia Ackerman with 2.

On Jan. 6, the boys beat Olathe 67-61. Trae Moxley had 14 points and 8 rebounds; Dakotah Grett scored 13 points (10 of 10 from the line).

Trenton Reeds had 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Clay Gross notched 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

For the season, Roaring Fork is 3-4 (1-1 in league play). On Jan. 13 they face Basalt at home at 7 p.m. and travel to Coal Ridge on Jan. 14 for a 4 p.m. game.

On Jan. 6, the girls fell to a tough Olathe team 44-31. Hattie Gianinetti again led the way with 8 points. Maddie Nieslanik had 7, Shaeley Lough had 5, Kaleigh Wisroth had 4, Megan Gianinetti had 3, Georgia Ackerman and Samantha Denard each had 2.

“The girls are seeing their hard work pay off and are excited as we dive deeper into the league schedule,” Cheney said. “They realize they are going to be competitive and that they are going to experience the feeling of winning as we go forth.”

The girls face Basalt at home at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 13, then Coal Ridge in Silt at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 14.

The Roaring Fork boys and girls took on the Olathe Pirates in Carbondale on Jan. 6. Their next games are at Basalt on Jan. 13 and Silt on Jan. 14. Photos by Sue Rollyson THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012 • 5

Send your scuttlebutt to news@SoprisSun.com.

The full audio recording of the Jan. 4 Village at Crystal River forum at Carbondale Town Hall is available for your listening pleasure at KDNK.org.

On a related note, KDNK’s new news tip line is 970-315-2342.

Call before you go Jan. 16 is Martin Luther King Day. It’s a federal holiday so state and federal offices will be closed, as well as some private businesses.

Mystery solved A couple of new residents on Missouri Heights couldn’t figure it out. How come cars after often parked with drivers and passengers sitting inside, off to the side where County Road 100 tops out after the steep, twisty stretch from Highway 82.

After scratching his head over this seemingly weird parking deal until he nearly went bald, the guy figured it out. Folks park alongside the road so they can make or continue their cell phone calls because reception goes bad after that point.

Which brings the suggestion: maybe the Missouri Heights Improvement League should stick a little sign up that says “Cell phone dead zone ahead.”

BCS note Now that Alabama blew out LSU in the BSC college football championship game on Monday night, the debate has flared up again. It seems as if everyone (including professional gamblers probably) wants some kind of playoff system so the two finalists are cho-

KEEP THE SOPRIS SUN SHINING Your financial support is a critical part of our community news effort DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

Donate online at www.soprissun.com

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR

DANCE FOR KIDS!

MOMIX-Botanica

Generously underwritten by Melinda and Norman Payson

Saturday, January 21 3:00pm all tickets $20!

Paul Fran-zik January 20

6:30 pm-dessert 7:30 pm-concert

S E

HONORING THE JACKSON FAMILY Songwriter Paul Fran-zik has recorded for 25 years, and founded Feed Them With Music. Your attendance will contribute 2000 meals to the hungry.

“Eye-popping and mind-boggling ...everything looks magical.”

–New York Times

R

The Rifters

A JIM CALAWAY HONORS SERIES PERFORMANCE TICKETS:

Folks celebrating their birthday this week include: Barry Sheehan, Gentri Engelke, Lou Dawson, Barbara Peckler and Trevor Stroud (Jan. 12), Steve “Smitty” Smith, Heidi Kimmel and Steve Weaver (Jan. 13), Kathy Williams and Anne Marie Zanca (Jan. 14), Annika Johnson (Jan. 16), Patricia Daniells, John Smollen, Cindy Meyer, Marlin Walker and Sandy Tippett-Smith (Jan. 17), and Logan Faczak, Tyler Madden and John Cessna (Jan. 18).

Aspen District Theatre

P

Take out an ad for your business by contacting 8E8@soprissun.com, zsxÄsrxv

970.947.8367 $20 - adults $15 - students

They say it’s your birthday

E

Send a check made out to the Sopris Sun LLC, P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, 81623

The Sopris Sun received the following letter from Garfield County Library Board President. Nella D. Barker.

“The Garfield County Public Library District Board of Trustees wishes to acknowledge and thank the Library District staff for their outstanding and extraordinary efforts over the past three years. In particular, we would like to single out the work of all six Branch Libraries where the managers and staff have provided exceptional service during the economic downturn. We also wish to acknowledge the work of Executive Director Amelia Shelley and her administrative team for keeping up with a breakneck construction schedule and for continuing to develop innovative library services for our users. The hard work and commitment of all of our staff is evident in a 47 percent increase in circulation of library materials and a 24 percent increase in user visits to our libraries since 2008.

“The Library Board also wishes to thank our patrons. All of you are helping our libraries stay successful by checking out books, movies and other items, attending programs and classes, using the computers or just enjoying a comfortable place to read. There are those who are enjoying new facilities in Parachute and Rifle, those in New Castle waiting for the new library to open in April, and those in Silt, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, who are in the process of having their new libraries designed. All six communities will have a new library open by the fall of 2013. We sincerely appreciate all of you who have taken time to attend community meetings and who have provided input on what we can do to make your local library a great place for future generations. It is your support and tax dollars that are making these improvements possible, and we are proud to be building sustainable libraries that will serve your community for years to come. We invite you to be a part of our continued success!”

S

Tune in

From the library district

T

Andy Hackbarth, who grew up on is parents’ (Charlie and Sandy) llama ranch just south of Carbondale, brings his band and guitar to the Wheeler Opera House on Jan. 14.

Hackbarth started playing the guitar at the age of seven, taking bluegrass lessons at the Great Divide Music Store in Aspen until he discovered the classical guitar at the age of 11.

He won a scholarship at the Aspen Music Festival, made his symphonic debut at age 15, and has studied with Julliard's Sharon Isbin as well as Ricardo Iznaola, Kevin Gallagher and others. Hackbarth continued his studies at Lawrence University and the University of Colorado at Boulder, majoring in classical guitar performance.

Hackbarth’s third CD, “The Last Love Song,” was released in May. The concert is part of Winterskol 2012. It starts at 9 p.m. and is free.

sen by the playing of actual games, and not by some computer somewhere.

Well, Carbondale’s self-proclaimed “No. 1 college football expert” stumbled into The Sopris Sun office on Tuesday and had this to say. “College football already has a playoff system. It’s called the Southeast Conference.”

N

Hackbarth plays the Wheeler

ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET

Scuttlebutt

Tickets: 970-920-5770

www.aspensantafeballet.com

CMC in Glenwood Springs

Spring Valley New Space Theater 3000 County Rd 114

OFFICIAL HEALTH CLUB AND SPA OF ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET

OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET

MAYO A V I A T I O N

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012

GarCo commissioners agenda includes river report The Garfield County commissioners meet at the county courthouse in Glenwood Springs at 8 a.m. on Jan. 16. The agenda is as follows: Roll call – 8:00 a.m.

Pledge of allegiance Invocation Public comments from citizens not on the agenda – 8:05 a.m.: Individuals may be limited to 5 minutes each.

Regular work session: • County Clerk Update: Jean Alberico • Authorization for the Chair to sign a resolution setting precinct boundary changes previously approved by the Board • Approval and authorization for the chair to sign a resolution authorizing the county clerk to conduct the June 26, 2012 primary election as a mail ballot election • County Treasurer’s Update: Georgia Chamberlain • Finalization of Garfield County Banking Services Agreement (Alpine Bank) exhibits and addendum • Investment Advisory Services Contract – Finalization with authorization for the chairman to sign – Georgia Chamberlain and Gene Duran • 1st Amendment to the 2012 Budget – Lisa Dawson • Consent Agenda: Items of a routine nature are placed on the consent agenda to allow the Board of County Commissioners to spend its time and energy on more important items on a lengthy agenda. Any commissioner or any member of the public may re-

quest that an item be“REMOVED”from the consent agenda and considered on the regular agenda.

Approve Bills Wire Transfers Inter-Fund Transfers Changes to Prior Warrant List County Manager Update: Human Services Commission: Board of Human Services: EFT/EBT Disbursements • Consideration and approval of the Senior Program Advisory Board – 12 member list.

III. Program updates • Board of Health: • Public Health Contract with Colorado Mountain College Nursing Program – Laurel Little • Ratification of action by Garfield County Public Health Director concerning health assessment, Office of Planning and Partnerships • Request for continuation of WIC Educator position – Christine Singleton • Year-end report

Public meetings: • Request for discretionary monies for materials for senior accessible gardens at Community Gardens of Glenwood Springs Wulfsohn Mountain Park Garden – Marilee Rippy • Colorado River Conservation District Report – Dave Merritt • Approval of professional services contract with Valley Events, Inc., events coordinator, 2012 Garfield County Fair, with

authority to chair to sign – Gene Duran • 2011 Highway UsersTax Fund – Request for approval of 2011 County Roads Inventory to be submitted to CDOT – Rob Hykys • Consideration to allow the IRS to use the county courthouse steps as a location to conduct an IRS auction of commercial property – Betsy Suerth • Appointment of Jim Milender to Garfield County Fair Board – Andrew Gorgey

Public hearings: • 2012-2015 Community Services Block Grant for Senior Transportation • County Attorney Update:Andrew Gorgey • Engagement of Services Contract for Acting County Manager – Carey Gagnon • Draft Resolution for the formation of a ULURAdvisory Committee to assist the BOCC in evaluating and recommending changes to the ULUR – Fred Jarman, Carey Gagnon • Consideration of counteroffer in Rudd v. BOCC litigation, Garfield County district court case 11 CV152 – Cassie Coleman

Public meetings: • To consider signing a letter to the Bureau of Land Management for comments regarding the Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado River Valley Field Office, Colorado - Fred Jarman

Executive session Pursuant to §§ 24-6-402 (4) (a), (b), and (e) C.R.S. Determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations;

developing strategy for negotiations; and instructing negotiators regarding the purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer or sale of real property interest(s), and receipt of legal advice on specific legal questions regarding same.

Comments from citizens not on the agenda – 1:00 p.m.: Individuals may be limited to 5 minutes each.

Regular agenda: Building & Planning issues • County Attorney Update – Land Use Issues: Andrew Gorgey • Legal advice regarding planning commission board member appointments – Carey Gagnon

Public meetings: • Consider a request to vacate the Amended Plat of Lots 7, 8, and 9 – Rock Creek Subdivision, approved by the Board of County Commissioners on July 5, 1994 and recorded at Reception No. 465473 in the Office of the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder. Applicants are Nanna Schov and the Ann M. Geupel Revocable Trust. A request has been received to continue this meeting until February 13, 2012 – Kathy Eastley

Public hearings: • Consider a request for an amendment to the conditions of approval related to the preliminary plan for the Stephens Subdivision as memorialized in Resolution 2011-34. The applicant is the James and Jean Stephens Revocable Living Trust – Kathy Eastley

VCR INFORMATION Read all about the VILLAGE AT CRYSTAL RIVER at the town of Carbondale’s Web site:

www.carbondalegov.org GO TO THE LINK “Village at Crystal River documents” on the right of the home page. (is ad brought to you by the non-profit Sopris Sun, which is made possible through donors, fund-raisers and advertisers).

( NYLH[ WSHJL [V ^HYT \W HM[LY WSH`PUN PU [OL ZUV^ January’s Special

Green Tea Body Wrap Back, Neck, Shoulder Massage Private Mineral Bath Day Pass to the Vapor Caves “It’s a Day at the Spa” $115

/PZ[VYPJ <UKLYNYV\UK =HWVY *H]LZ

For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 `HTWHOZWH JVT 6WLU +HPS` HT WT 4HQVY *YLKP[ *HYKZ .PM[ *LY[PÄJH[LZ (]HPSHISL THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012 • 7

Carbondale Commentary The views and opinions expressed on the Commentary page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The Sopris Sun invites all members of the community to submit letters to the editor or guest columns. For more information, e-mail editor Lynn Burton at news@soprissun.com, or call 510-3003.

Seen some changes Dear Editor: I am a child of the Crystal Valley. I was not born here and I only came to live here a dozen or so years ago but it has been the home of my grandparents my whole life and it has always been home in my heart.

I can't remember which streets were paved and which weren't when I was 6, 13, or 20 yeas old. I can't remember all the businesses I've seen come and go and change location. Though it's not possible, I swear I remember hearing trains going up the Crystal. I remember, clearly, when my grandmother took me to see the wonderful new painting at the new post office. I was here

Speculative bean counting Dear Editor: I have read through many statements made in support of the Village at Crystal River (VCR) development and in opposition to it, including those, which the Sopris Sun has done a service to the community in publishing.

The more sophisticated arguments both for and against the development are essentially competing exercises in speculative bean counting. The "Say Yes to Carbondale" group cites projected increases in revenues to the town from sales and property taxes, while the "Locals for Smarter Growth" group claims that the projected income from the VCR is exaggerated and will be offset by losses to downtown businesses.

Under the American system of free enterprise, predicting future cash flows from a proposed business venture is a function reserved to private citizens deciding how to invest their own money, and I have no such

New numbers are worse Dear Editor: At the community forum on Jan. 4, developer Rich Schierburg accused opponents of the Village at Crystal of using outdated numbers. He attempted to ridicule us, and said he lowered his estimates for business activity. Stunningly, the new numbers are an even worse for local businesses and the community as a whole.

Let's take a look at the new numbers for the fast food restaurant he plans to build.

According to the "old" information on the town of Carbondale Web site — the only numbers anyone can actually find — the developer estimated that a fast food joint will generate sales of $2.5 million per year. Of that amount, he claimed 80 percent of the spending on Big Macs will be brand-new spending — business activity that does not currently exist. Under that scenario, $500,000 spent at the fast food restaurant will be money we would have otherwise spent at our existing eateries.

The developer now claims the fast food restaurant will generate $1.25 million in business annually. And of that amount, only 50 percent will be brand new spending. The other 50 percent will come from our current spending at local restaurants. That is a profoundly worse deal for Carbondale. Fifty

when "Once was a river valley ranch" was scrawled on the fence of the big new golf course development.

Every year I have seen growth of all kinds. The best being the creativity, ingenuity strength of dream manifestation of our citizens. Three to five years ago the economic boom seamed like it would never end. Except they always do.When things fall down it's an opportunity to build it back up better. When old dreams die, new ones can grow, like a blacksmith who became a farmer and an architect who turned brewer.

Everything'll change, then change again. I disagree with sentiments that allude to the destruction of our community

if Village at Crystal River comes or doesn't come. I am saddened by the Us vs. Them that has so much strength during times like these. Especially when I can't resist it and jump on board.

Obviously, everyone who sees this as a make or break issue cares about Carbondale and all of our future here. The VCR plan as it stands is a relic of a dying paradigm. We can do better. I'd like to see something being made in Carbondale, not just consumed. My dream is a factory that makes new products from waste materials such as used bicycle parts, paper board packaging and used clothing (all plentiful, local, natural resources). This probably makes some people

laugh as much as the VCR makes me laugh as a plan for the salvation of Carbondale. I know there are 100 other ideas that are better. I’d like to read about them here.

A new City Market is probably inevitable, but I'd rather have food I want to buy there than fancy packaging and architecture. And I’d rather it were surrounded by anything other than chain restaurants and gas. If I lived in town, I'd vote no. If it goes through, I’ll be dreaming of potential uses for the old building and looking forward to driving cows through the landscaping of the new one.

Olivia Pevec Carbondale

interest in VCR. However, as an American who understands both the benefits of freemarket economics and the role of government in urban planning, I am troubled that I have not yet heard anyone address the issue in terms of a course of action that is most consistent with policies that are best for America as a nation, rather than their own parochial interests.

The first "big picture" consideration is this. The population of the United States is continuing to grow, and people need to live and work someplace. I regard the strain that that places on limited natural resources as a serious threat to the long-term economic and environmental quality of life in the U.S. I have deliberately not contributed to that threat with my own reproductive behavior, but I recognize it as a reality that must nevertheless be addressed.

We should have learned from the mancaused catastrophe of 9/11 and from natural catastrophes like the 1906 San Francisco

earthquake and the Japanese tsunami that it is foolhardy to concentrate population in mega-cities, particularly along the coastlines.

As a national policy, we should be encouraging the growth of smaller cities, and Carbondale should acknowledge that it is part of the United States and accommodate its share of that growth. Furthermore, to discourage sprawl into surrounding areas that have genuine scenic and ranching value, growth should be encouraged in and adjacent to existing developed areas.

Carbondale's trustees in 1993 appropriately followed this principle by zoning the site of the proposed Village at Crystal for commercial development. But the current board allowed the process of reviewing the plans for the development to be turned into a virtual "people's court." The most vocal critics, with the most vivid imaginations as to the dire consequences of the project, were allowed to repeatedly sabotage the project with a welter of demands that were often contra-

dictory, economically absurd, and beyond the reasonable regulatory framework of the town's development ordinances.

So, in my judgment, the second "big picture" consideration is that giving "the public" an effective veto over a project that conforms to establish zoning requirements is giving the majority the opportunity to deny the property rights of a minority. This is a violation of the U.S. Constitution, particularly the Fifth Amendment that prohibits the taking of property without "just compensation."

If the majority of Carbondale residents want to preserve the site as a cow pasture, or turn it into an organic marijuana farm, a landing zone for aliens, or whatever, then they should put up the money to purchase it from the current owners. But I won't be voting to support spending public funds on anything so ridiculous.

Carl Ted Stude Carbondale

percent of $1.25 million is $612,500 — so instead of $500,000 coming from the bottom line for local eateries, as estimated under the "old" numbers (which are the only ones anyone can find), now $612,500 will be siphoned off from places like Fatbelly Burger, Peppino’s, White House pizza, The Pour House and Dos Gringos.

Are we ready to see our local businesses close down for the sake of McDonald's or Burger King?

Additionally, sales tax generation for the entire project falls from $335,000 per year to somewhere between $180,000 and $220,000 per year. And it's important to remember that those amounts will not be realized until sometime between 2020 and 2030.

The fact that Schierburg is willing to simply pull numbers out of the air shows just how shaky the economic foundation is at VCR. What did not change was the 1 percent public improvement fee that will be charged to our groceries and other spending at VCR in order to subsidize this developer and his backers. We will still be on the hook for as much of $5 million to pay for a roundabout entrance to the Village at Crystal River.

Please, vote no.

Allyn Harvey Carbondale

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012

Remember RVR? Dear Editor: At the recent VCR forum, there was discussion about an important historical point that the press coverage did not mention. As a resident of River Valley Ranch, this is of special interest to me.

When the debate and voting about approving the RVR development was ongoing, 17 years ago, there were passionate and vocal ideas and feelings against it. There are similar strong positions voiced today against VCR. “It will ruin the small town atmosphere, bring too much growth, it will make us like Glenwood or worse, Denver or Lakewood.”

Now, years later, both sides at the VCR forum were unanimous that RVR has turned out to be a good and positive development for Carbondale. This turnaround in circumstances and outcomes is strong evidence that lack of vision and foresight will limit the character and future of our town. If the community roadmap-approved VCR development is defeated, this loss of opportunity will be more than just unfortunate. It’s hard to measure lost opportunity, but the land involved is owned by Rich Schierburg, and it is zoned commercial. It will eventually be developed. It could be a giant truck stop or a place for Waste Management to park their trucks or it could look as unattractive as the east side of

Highway 133. There is a strong chance that the result will be haphazard and certainly not what Carbondale needs or wants.

Barbara Grant Carbondale

VCR doesn’t fit Dear Editor: The one thing that is fundamentally wrong about the Village at Crystal River Marketplace slated for the open space on the Highway 133 entrance to Carbondale that has yet to be addressed sufficiently by it's promoters is that it does not fit the character of this small town.

People come to Carbondale to enjoy the art, the fabulous downtown hospitality, the Third Street Center, our great restaurants and much more.

Our downtown is thriving; just look at the traffic that goes through there on a daily basis.

VCR proponents claim that Carbondale needs the money. I say to them yes we need the money but we need character more; it's what makes Carbondale, Carbondale.

Throwing into the mix a strip mall that every other town has will make us just like "them."

Help keep Carbondale's character and vote no on the proposal at the end of this month.

Mark Burrows Carbondale

3 Reasons to vote NO: PIF – The Village at Crystal River will charge shoppers 1% on all goods to subsidize approximately $5 million of the developer’s construction costs. (If the developer finances the bond for highway improvements himself, we would actually be paying interest to him.)

1

False projections – The developer suddenly slashed projections in half at the forum on January 4th. This indicates the project may not be fiscally healthy, and if sales are half of what was initially projected we would pay the PIF for much longer.

2

3

Historic Downtown suffers – Revenue growth from VCR will come at the expense of local businesses and the downtown core.

Community Calendar THURSDAY Jan. 12 CRySTaL RIVER CaUCUS • The Crystal River Caucus takes place at the Redstone Community Church at 7 p.m. Agenda items include discussion on developing a process leading to the creation of a trails committee that will help guide the design and construction of the Crystal River bike trail. The forest service will also update the caucus on several items, including Coal Creek stream restoration. Info: 963-2143.

MEDITaTION • A community meditation takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Third Street Center. “Come leverage the exponential benefits of group energy for personal and global thriving,” said a spokeswoman.“Quiet stress and mental chatter and access the guidance of your heart.”

Donations are accepted. Info: 963-9182.

LIVE MUSIC • The Basalt Library presents “The Valley’s Got Talent” with garage bands from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

FRIDAY Jan. 13 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “Young Adult” (R) at 7:30 p.m. Jan 13 -19.

RaSMUSSEN BENEFIT • S.A.W. holds an auction benefit for David Rasmussen, a wood worker and designer who suffered a catastrophic loss of his studio in a fire in November. The auction takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. and will consist of a silent auction from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and a live auction from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Artists who have contributed work include James Surls, Doug Casebeer, Isa Cato Shaw, Brad Reed Nelson, Tia

To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted. For up-to-the-minute valley-wide event listings, check out the Community Calendar online at soprissun.com. View and submit events online at soprissun.com/calendar.

Pamoria and others. Refreshments will be served. S.A.W. is located at 978 Euclid Avenue. Info: 970-355-9058.

LIVE MUSIC • PAC3 in the Third Street Center presents The Band of Heathens. This is the fourth or fifth time around for this Austinbased roots rockin’ outfit. “This will be their first performance in the new PAC3 so it will be really special,” said CCAH Director Amy Kimberly. Mile markers are the opening act.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Info: pac3carbondale.com.

LIVE MUSIC • Carnahan’s Tavern in the Dinkel Building presents Smooth Money Gesture Jan. 13-14. Smooth Money Gesture is infectious groove funk with ear twitching space jams, face melting solos and tight rhythmic changes. The band’s sound is rooted in rock ‘n’ roll with elements of funk, bluegrass, metal, and electronic producing a high-energy psychedelic musical euphoria.

LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars presents live music every Friday.

SATURDAY Jan. 14 LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars presents Cassie Taylor. Info: 963-3304.

WyLy RECEPTION • Wyly Community Art Center in Basalt presents stitched aluminum mixed media and encaustic pieces

by Nicole Nagel-Gogolak. An opening reception takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 14. The exhibition continues through Feb. 6. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wyly Community Art Center is located in the former Basalt Library building at 99 Midland Spur in downtown. Info: 927-4123 or art@wylyarts.org.

SUNDAY Jan. 15 SPECIaL PERFORMaNCE • Irish Thunder, featuring an Irish champion dance duo and the Celtic band Feast, performs at Glenwood Springs High School at 3 p.m. Tickets are $19 in advance, $22 at the door, and $9 for kids. Info: junctionconcerts.com.

TUESDAY Jan. 17 SENIOR ZUMBa • Senior Matters offers Zumba classes for seniors at the Third Street Center from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays through Jan. 31. A punch pass is offered for $32. For details, call 945-8822.

WEDNESDAY Jan. 18 ROTaRy • Carbondale Rotary meets at the fire house Wednesdays at 7 a.m.

LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars presents

A UNIQUE RESALE BOUTIQUE AT RED ROCK PLAZA 774 HWY 133 CARBONDALE (Next to the Co-Op) 970-510-5030

BRAND NEW MERCHANDISE AT DISCOUNT PRICES! Open Daily 11AM - 7PM, Sundays Noon to 5PM 970-963-9900 | truenatureheals.com

520 S. THIRD STREET, SUITE 12, CARBONDALE

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012

Labels Announces Random Acts of Daily Sales (RADS)!

We're picking a random item each morning for sale – could be a brand, a color, or the whole store! CHECK IN DAILY AND LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!

Peter Mulvey. Info: 963-3304.

LIVE MUSIC • White House pizza on Main Street presents Karen King and Barry Chapman (“original smooth jams”). On Jan. 25 it’s Phillip Gibbs (folk music). Info: 704-9400.

OPEN MIC • Dan Rosenthal hosts open mic nights at Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs every Wednesday from 8 to 10 p.m.

Further Out

THURSDAY Jan. 19 THEaTRE • Aspen Gay Ski Week presents a staged reading of “Unmarried in America: Prop 8 on Trial” at the Wheeler Opera House at 7 p.m. The reading is staged in association with Colorado Mountain College and the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities.

The reading is a benefit for Roaring Fork Valley TEACH (Teachers Empowering Agents of Change). Tickets are $20. Info: 920-5770.

FRIDAY Jan. 20 LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars presents Ashleigh Flynn. Info: 963-3304.

SATURDAY Feb. 4 SHINING STaRS • A benefit fund-raiser for Shining Stars takes place a the Little Bear in Aspen The dinner will consist of passed hors d’oeuvres and fondue, and will be prepared

by Susie Jiminez of Spice It Up catering. Tickets are $75.

ONGOING page 11

Ongoing

Hold the Presses

SELF DEFENSE • Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts holds self defense training at the Santa Fe Ballet space in the Third Street Center Thursdays at 7 p.m. Info: 274-0870.

Library presents activities for kids from kindergarten through fifth grade from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, and toddler and infant story time on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Info: 963-2889.

FREE CLaSSES • True Nature Healing Arts offers one week of free classes to Roaring Fork Valley residents who are first time students to TNHA. Info: 963-9900.

BOOK CLUB • The Senior Matters Book Club meets the third Tuesday of the month at the Third Street Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Info: 945-7094.

UNITaRIaN UNIVERSaLISTS • Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists meet at the Third Street Center Sundays at 10 a.m. Child care is provided. Info: www.tworiversuu.org.

BLOOD DRIVE • Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs holds its monthly blood drives from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. Info: 384-6657.

MUSIC CLaSSES • All Valley Music Together enrollment for Winter Bells Music classes continues. This is music and creative movement for parents with their young children (infants to 5). Info: 963-1482.

CONVERSaTION CIRCLES • Literacy Outreach holds conversation circles for non-English speakers to practice their English at the Gordon Cooper Library Mondays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and Fridays from 10 to 1 a.m. Volunteers are needed. Info: 945-5282.

WyLIE aRT CLaSSES • Registration is under way for art classes at the Wylie Art Center in Basalt. Classes include Boys Art Club I (ages 5-10) and Girls Art Club (ages 5-10).

Info: 927-4123.

BaSaLT LIBRaRy • Story time returns to the Basalt Library Mondays at 10:15 and 11 a.m. for Book Babies. Preschool story times are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., with Toddler Rhyme Time at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.

TEEN PHOTO SHOW • The Gordon Cooper Library presents a photo show from local teens based on their favorite book titles.

MayOR’S COFFEE HOUR • Chat with Carbondale Mayor Stacey Bernot on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Village Smithy, located at 26 S. Third St. PHOTOS SHOWN • Allison Austin shows her photography at the Blend on Highway 133.

GORDON COOPER • The Gordon Cooper

LINX NETWORKING • The Linx networking group meets each Tuesday morning at 7:15 a.m. at the Chaffin and Light Real Estate office in downtown Basalt. Linx is a business networking organization whose members work together to grow and promote their businesses.

All dues not used for administration are given to local charities each December. Info: Keith at (970) 390-8401.

CaNCER SUPPORT GROUP • Pathfinders holds its support group at the Third Street Center the fourth Tuesday of every month. Info: Elizabeth Miller at 925-7792. aL-aNON MEETS • Al-Anon for friends and families of alcoholics meets at the Orchard Tuesdays. Info: 963-8773.

GRIEF GROUP • Hospice of the Valley, in partnership with Grand River Hospital, is offering an ongoing Grief and Loss Support Group that meets the first and third Monday of every month. Info: 544-1574.

Library design open house is Jan. 12 An open house for the new Gordon Cooper Library takes place at the Third Street Center from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 12.

The design team and library district representatives will be on hand to talk about the project with community members and gather feedback.

Carbondale’s new library will be built at the corner of Third Street and Sopris Avenue. The Garfield County Library District plans to break ground later this year.

Locals rally at Dos Gringos Locals for Smarter Growth hold a fund-raiser at Dos Gringos Burritos in La Fontana Plaza at 6 p.m. on Jan. 18. There’ll be drink specials and food will be available. Group members will also be on hand to discuss the proposed Village at Crystal River.

Meditate at TSC A community meditation takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Third Street Center.

Donations are accepted. For details, call 963-9182.

archaeology Society meets in G’wood The Roaring Fork Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society will meet at the First Presbyterian Church in Glenwood Springs at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16. Science teacher Susy Ellison will present “Taking Science to the Extreme: An Arctic Archaeology Adventure.” She will share information about her experiences working with researchers in northern Alaska at the Raven Archaeology project, a prehistoric camp dated to about 11,000 years ago. The public is invited to attend. For information, call Cynthia at 524-7981.

CRMS holds Community Visitation Day Colorado Rocky Mountain School welcomes prospective families to campus for its annual Community Visit Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 16. For details, call 963-2562.

Chamber after Hours meets The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours and Basalt Chamber of Commerce gets together at Styles Kitchen & Bath Studio in the Midvalley Design Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 18. All Carbondale and Basalt chamber members are invited to attend.

Tune in for Jimmy and Big Mama The “Four Courseman Dinner,” filmed in a private home on Prince Creek Road, will be aired on The Cooking Channel Jan. 13-14. Kathy Ortiz of Big Mama’s Home Cookin’ LLC and Jimmy Nadell of Bravo Fine Catering are featured in the segment.

Western Slope Concert Series presents Celtic band FEAST and STRICTLY IRISH Champion Dance Duo in an all-new show

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS REGULAR ELECTION TOWN OF CARBONDALE

Those wishing to run for a Town of Carbondale Trustee seat in the regular election on April 3, 2012, may pick up Nomination Petitions beginning February 13, 2012, from the town clerk, 511 Colorado Ave., Carbondale, CO.

There are three (four-year term) Town Trustee seats up for election.

All candidates must be a citizen of the United States, and shall be a Town resident for at least twelve (12) months as of the date of the election, and must remain a town resident during his/her entire tenure in office.

Petitions must be returned to the town clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 2, 2012.

The Town of Carbondale is a non-Sartisan body of local Government; therefore, there is no party affiliation designation.

For more information, contact Town Clerk Cathy Derby, CMC, at 510-1206.

Celtic band

FEAST

Champion Irish dancers

GLENWOOD SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Jeannie Miller Auditorium Sunday, Jan. 15, 3:00 PM TTICKETS: ICKETS: TICKET OUTLETS: online at Adults: Adults:$19in inadvance, advance, www.JunctionConcerts.com $22attthe heddoor. oor.

Kids Ki ds$9. $9.

Calll970-241-4579 Cal 970-241-45579ffor or m more oreinfo. info.

www.JunctionConcerts.com THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012 • 11

NOTICE OF CARBONDALE SPECIAL MAIL BALLOT ELECTION JANUARY 31, 2012

Election Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Election Type: Mail Ballot Only Election Hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Community Briefs

Ballots will be mailed between January 9, 2012 and January 13, 2012 to all eligible registered voters.

Voters who do not receive their ballots may request replacement ballots in person at the Garfield County Clerkʼs Office in Glenwood Springs from January 9 through Jan 24, 2012 by phone, fax, or e-mail. The last day to request that a ballot be mailed is Tuesday January 24, 2012. After that date voters must appear in person at the County Clerkʼs office to request a ballot.

Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm 109 8th Street, Suite 200 Glenwood Springs, CO 970-384-3700 Option 2

Voters may obtain replacement ballots or change an address and request a ballot on Election Day January 31, 2012 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm at the following locations: Garfield County Clerkʼs Office 109 8th St, Suite 200 in Glenwood Springs, CO or Town of Carbondale 511 Colorado Ave, Carbondale, CO

Ballots may be returned by mail with appropriate postage affixed ($0.44 stamp) or hand delivered to one of the designated drop-office sites listed below.

Remember postmarks do not count as a received date. The regional mail distribution center moved from Glenwood Springs to Grand Junction in September 2011. If you return your ballot by mail, be sure to allow for additional delivery time. Ballots dropped in the mail without postage will not be returned for postage due but delivery will be delayed by 2 to 3 days.

DROP-OFF SITES FOR VOTED BALLOTS:

Garfield County Clerk & Recorderʼs Office 109 8th St., Suite 200 Glenwood Springs, CO East Entrance M -F 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Suite 200 M-F 8:30-5:00 pm Election Day Open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Carbondale Town Clerkʼs Office 511 Colorado Ave Carbondale, CO M-F 8:00am to 5:00 pm Election Day 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Ballot Language: __________________________________________________________

TOWN OF CARBONDALE QUESTION Shall the Town of Carbondale approve Ordinance No. 16, Series of 2011, which ordinance would rezone 24 acres within the Town of Carbondale as the Village At Crystal River P.U.D., and thereby allow phased development of up to 140,000 square feet of commercial buildings and 164 multi-family residences, or a combination thereof (together with utilities, lighting, parking, access roads, landscaping and other improvements), limit the maximum size of a new full service grocery store to be developed in the first phase of the project to no larger than 60,000 square feet, limit the maximum size of all other commercial buildings to no larger than 30,000 square feet, and authorize collection of a 1.0% Public Improvements Fee against gross sales on transactions within the P.U.D. that are subject to the Townʼs Sales and Use Tax until debt to be incurred by a Title 32 Special District to construct Highway 133 improvements is fully repaid? ___ YES ___ NO __________________________________________________________

Questions: 970-384-3700 Option 2 or elections@garfield-county.com

Coordinated Election Official: Jean M. Alberico, Garfield County Clerk & Recorder Published in The Sopris Sun on January 12, 2012.

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012

First Friday on Jan. 6 brought out bicyclists, a horse drawn wagon and kettle fire at Fourth and Main Street. Photo by Lynn Burton

Wellington Webb speaks The Garfield County Democratic Party holds its eighth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet on Jan. 16 at Rivers Restaurant in Glenwood Springs. This year’s special guest speaker is former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb. The dinner starts at 7 p.m., preceded by a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $30 per person. Advance registrations (which are required) are available by calling 319-4005 or 285-7791.

Webb served as Denver mayor from 1991-2003. Upon leaving public office, he founded Webb Group International, which works with businesses and cities on economic development projects and public relations. He is married to former Colorado State Representative Wilma J. Webb.

CCaH entries due Entries for the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities show “Everything Old is New Again” are due on Jan. 13. The show is slated for March 2-27 at the Third Street Center. The show is juried and entries must use recycled materials. Digital images or conceptual drawings can be sent to ccah@sopris.net. Artists will be notified by Jan. 27. Art must be delivered by Feb. 27. For details, call 963-1680.

Fire district schedules election The Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District has scheduled a board of directors election for May 8. The seats of board members Louis Eller and Bob Emerson are up for re-election. The deadline to submit a nomination petition is March 2. For details, call 963-2491. The Carbondale Fire District covers an area from Marble to Missouri Heights and is funded through property taxes. The District is comprised of volunteers and paid staffers and was established in the 1950s.

Ice rink is open The ice rink at the Gus Darien roping arena on Count Road 100 is open. The rink is closed to public skating for the following programs: • Wednesdays from 6 to 10 p.m. for the broomball league; • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. for youth hockey lessons and scrimmages; • Pick up hockey is scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday and Sundays from 7:30-9 p.m.; private rentals of the rink are also available at 510-1278.

• Skate rentals are available seven days a week at the Carbondale Recreation Center.

• Ice maintenance usually takes place in the mornings and the rink is closed to the public for safety reasons and to let the ice form during this time.

Recreation center programs The following programs are slated for the Carbondale Recreation Center: • Youth climbing class in January and February; • A community ice skating party on Jan. 20 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Food events slated The newly-formed Roaring Fork Food Policy Council (RFFPC) has scheduled two events in January. On Jan. 14, Colorado Mountain College in Carbondale will host “Changing the Way We Eat,” a free TED Conference viewing party and local food planning event at the Lappala Center. The live broadcast takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At 11a.m., Gwen Garcelon will lead an interactive discussion panel of local food activists and organizations. At 4 p.m. Dawne Vrabel will conduct a foodshed mapping workshop.

On Jan. 19, the film “THRIVE” will screen in the Calaway Room at the Third Street Center at 7 p.m. Weaving together breakthroughs in energy production, consciousness and activism, “THRIVE” features Paul Hawken, Vandana Shiva, Deepak Chopra, Van Jones, Amy Goodman and Barbara Marx Hubbard.

VCR yes men

(Editor’s note: This letter was addressed to VCR developer Rich Shierburg).

Dear Editor: I know these times can be unsettling for developers and others who are deeply tied into the collapsing financial system. I'm not sure how long you've been in the biz, but maybe it's time for a change.

To offer our condolences for your failed development, I would like to donate a basket of produce to you and your family for each month of the growing season. The food will be grown from healthy Carbondale soil and pure Crystal River water.

Maybe, I can talk Sustainable Settings into donating some of their fresh milk from cows grazing on healthy, abundant land right off the side of Highway 133.

I hope this might inspire you to follow your true heart's calling. If you were sincerely trying to help our town, thanks anyway.

We're all in this together. Good luck man!

Cody Lee Carbondale

a letter to Schierburg

Dear Editor: I lived in Carbondale in the early 1980s and return to visit frequently. Back then, I consulted with Carbondale on solar energy ordinances and affordable housing. I love Carbondale and its preservationist tendencies, so I was shocked to hear about another mall development proposal on the same parcel where a similar proposal was voted down years ago.

This development is wrong for Carbondale and the people of Roaring Fork Valley. Wrong time, in a bad economy. Wrong place that would move City Market away from a walkable downtown. Wrong funding, using a regressive PIF tax to fund road improvements only required for the private gain of the developer. Tax everyone to pay for private development? Say what?

Taxing groceries is the cruelest way to impose a new tax because everybody eats, but the poor spend a much higher percentage of their income on food. Carbondale is wonderful because it grows local businesses, co-ops, radio stations, art programs, affordable housing and a marvelous array of educational opportunities.

Why would a smart town like Carbondale vote for a dumb idea like this? Please, my friends who vote in Carbondale, just say “no.”

Peggy Wrenn Boulder

DRAWING: DRA WING: A CONTINUATION CONT IN NUAT ION Noon-2p 1/17-2/21 TTu u N oon-2p 1

ENGLISH E NGLISH COMPOSTION COM MPOST ION II II 1/17-5/3 TTh 8-9:20aa 1/19-5/3 Th 6-8:50p p

DRAWING DRAWING BASICS BASICS W 9:30-11:30a 1/18-2/22 1

PC IINTRO NTRO TO TO P C APPLICATIONS A PLIC AT IONS AP W 6-8:50p p 1/18-5/2

NTERMEDIATE DRA AWING INTERMEDIATE DRAWING W 1-3p 1/18-2/22 1

INTRO TO INTRO T O ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENT TAL A SCIENCE SC IENCE 11:50a 1/16-5/2 MW 10:30-11:50a Lab: M, Noon-1:50p Noon-1:50p n-1:50p

K NIT T ING KNITTING Th 10a-N oon 10a-Noon W ATERCOLOR WATERCOLOR Basi Basicc Th 1-3p In t.

Th 6-8p Int.

1/19-2/23 1

WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY WORLD R EGIO ONAL G EOGRAPHY Th 6-8:50p p 1/19-5/3

1/19-2/23 1 1 1/19-2/23

PHYSICAL PHYSIC AL GEOLOGY GEOL O OGY MW 5:45-7:50p 50p p 1/16-5/2 / /

CHINESE C HINESE WATERCOLOR/ WATERCOL LOR/ INK PAINTING IN KP AINT ING TTu u 6-9p 2 2/28-3/27

AMERICAN A MERIC AN ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENT TAL H ISTOR RY HISTORY W 6-8:50p p 1/25-5/2 MATH MATH FFOR OR LIBERAL LIBERAL ARTS ARTS MW 7-8:50p 1/16-5/2 p

COMPUTERIZED C OMPUTERIZED A ACCOUNTING CCOUNT ING FFOR OR SMALL SMALL BUSINESS BUSIN NESS (WITH QUICKBOOKS) QUICKBOOKS) OKS) M 6-8:50p 1 1/16-4/30

Business & Computers

The view from Boulder

ENGLISH COMPOSITION E NGLISH COM MPOSIT ION I TTh 4:15-5:50p 50p 1/31-5/3

TO PHILOSOPHY IINTRO NTRO T OP HIL ILOSOPHY TTu u 6-8:50p p 1/17-5/2

ENTREPRENEURIAL E NTREPRENEURIAL OPERATIONS OP ERA AT IONS Th 2:30-5:40p 1/26-5/3 1

COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS C OMPARA AT IVE R ELIGIONS WF 8 8-9:20a 9:20aa 1/18-5/4 1/18 5/4 PSYCHOLOGY I PSYCHOLOGY p M 6-8:50p

COMPUTERS NEW USERS COMPUTERS FFOR OR N EW U SERS Th 9-11:20a 2/2-2/23 2 INTRO NTRO TO TO THE PC PC F 9-11:50a

2/3-3/2 2

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH C ONVERSAT IO ONAL SP PANISH I M 6-8:50p 1/16-4/30 p II W 6-8:50p p 1/18-5/2 IIV V Th 6-8:50p p 1/19-5/3

STRATEGIC S TRA ATEGIC VISIONING VISIONIN NG & PLANNING LEADERS P LANNING FOR FOR L E DERS EA 2/2 Th 9a-4p 2 PROBLEM PROBLEM SOLVING/DECISION SOL LVING/DE /DEC ISION MAKING LEADERS MAKING FOR FOR L EADERS Th 9a-4p 2 2/9

ZUMBA Z UMBA & MORE MORE RE M 5:30-6:50p 50p

HOW ENERGIZE, H OW TO TO EN ERGIZE, RECOGNIZE MOTIVATE RE COGNIZE & M OT IVATE YOUR EMPLOYEES Y OUR E MPLOYEES 2/16 Th 9a-4p 2

1/16-4/30

P HYSIC AL C ONDIT IONING PHYSICAL CONDITIONING TTh 5:25-6:25a 25a 1/17-5/3 FITBALL STRENGTH FITBALL & CORE CORE O S TRENGTH TTh 5-6p 1/17-3/22 IINTEGRATIVE NTEGRA AT IVE YOGA YOGA TTu u 6-7:30p p 1/17-5/1 TTu u 7:30-8:45p 45p 1/17-5/1 1/17 5/1

NSIGHT MEDITATION MEDIT TAT IO ON INSIGHT M-Th 8:30-10a 1/16-1/26 1 PERSONAL E SSAY PERSONAL ESSAY TTu u 6-9p 1 1/17-2/7

BEGINNING DANCE BE GINNING BELLY BE ELLY D ANCE 1/19-2/23 Th 12:30-2p 2p

SIMPLIFY Y OUR L IFE E SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE Tu 6-8p 1 1/17-1/24 Tu

HOOP DANCE BETTY HOOP D ANCE WITH B ET TY HOOPS HOOPS 15p 1/19-2/9 Th 6:15-7:15p

H EAL YOUR YOUR BODY, BODY, HEAL H EAL Y OUR T HOUG GHTS HEAL YOUR THOUGHTS TTu u 6-9p 1 1/31

MUSICAL M USIC AL THEATRE/JAZZ THEA EA ATRE/JAZZ F 12:30-2:30p 2:30p 1/20-3/2

ABUNDANCE THROUGH THROU UGH ABUNDANCE MANIFESTAT ION MANIFESTATION Tu 6-9p 2 Tu 2/7

WORLD WORL D FFOLK OLK DANCE DANCE W 6:45-8:15p 6 45 8 15p 15 2/1 2/29 2/1-2/29 YOGA Y OGA Th 6:05-7:20p 20p

DREAM INTERPRETATION INTERPRET TAT ION DREAM TTu u 6-8p 2 2/21-2/28 IINTRO NTRO T O JAZZ JAZZ TO Th 6-8p

1/16-4/30

2/23-3/15 2

FUTURE OF NATURE: NATURE:: R EAD FUTURE READINGS ON A H UMAN ECOLOGY ECOLOGY INGS HUMAN Tu 6:30-8:30p 2/21-4/10 2 Tu

2/16-5/3

WILDERNESS FFIRST IRST AID A ID WILDERNESS 05p 1/19-2/16 Th 5:30-9:05p FFIRST IRST A ID & C PR AID CPR Sa 8a-5:50p 0p

First Aid

Dear Editor: Carbondale, what are we thinking?

In our small community we are facing big decisions of furthering construction to create yet another mall/housing/commercial complex.

There is a strong voice that rings through our community: sustainability, buy local and a character that makes our town truly unique.

My family moved to Aspen in the 1960s and watched a charm disappear, unique stores replaced by name brand chains. Right now, here in Carbondale, we have the Yes's on one side, the No's on the other. Why not try something different — combine forces (what a concept).

We have vacant spaces not utilized on Highway 133. I am an artisan throughout the valley, and vendor at Willits Winter Market. Why not create an indoor market, as vendors at Willits will be losing their spaces in February, due to big changes. For those of you who don't know about the Willits indoor market, it is a fabulous one-stop shop,

DRAWING FFOR DRAWING OR PEOPLE PEOPLE WHO THIN K THEY THEY CAN’T C AN ’ T THINK M 2-4p 1 1/16-2/20

690 Colorado Ave. 963-2172

Dance & Fitness

What are we thinking?

Register Now for CMC Classes in Carbondale

Personal Interest

Dear Editor: The VCR Yes men have been thick on the point of a 79 percent sales leakage from Carbondale. Thinking a repositioned grocery will recover a major portion of that loss is a failure to consider the nature of the loss to stores like Costco and Sam’s that have significant savings or quality advantage. Additionally we will be competing against a new Whole Foods in Willits that is likely to keep drawing the upper incomers out of town. People like to shop around, it’s what we do.

Meanwhile the 1 percent PIF will take $231,000 a year from grocery shoppers to bring an additional $150,000 in grocery sales tax to the town. Likely at an expense of $70,000 a year for a new town position to beautify and maintain the new real estate.

I support developer rights to build on their property. CDOT requires that developers build highway infrastructure to access new developments safely. Defraying the expense of the highway infrastructure to the working families of the community is an unfair subsidy to the retailers. Let VCR build what the market will bear, just don’t put it on the backs of the little folk.

John Hoffmann Carbondale

keep your brain on warm.

Spanish

European-type market, where you can buy everything you need. Locally grown and made, quality at affordable prices.

It is time to change our thinking! We know this to be true, so … buying smaller amounts of quality, rather than larger amounts of short-lived plastic crap to fill our landfills, or foods overly processed.

Getting back to basics is essential. Creating space in already existing spaces for a valley rich in farmers, ranchers, musicians and artisans. Working with what we already have.

Barbara Sophia Ulrych Marble

Transfer-Level Classes

web page verify this fact!! It appears the Locals and the Post Independent’s misleading headline, and its article that says “his (Schierburg's) use of numbers no one had seen before Wednesday night” suggest that the reduction in projected sales tax number just occurred, maybe just for the forum.

This is totally not the case and a misrepresentation of the facts!

The charge by the Locals that I just changed my numbers appears to be an effort to question my credibility. How credible is it to make charges before checking your facts?

Rich Schierburg Crystal River Market Place LLC

This January and February,

Art

Letters continued om page 2

2/18

THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012 • 13

The Green Thumb Guide

The Green Thumb Guide is printed the second Thursday of each month. If you’ve got a farm photo or tip to share, let us know at news@soprissun.com.

Simple balance in a couple’s yard always be the head corner stone.” My one another. The flag work is impeccable. hand sought the newel post of their porch. Sinuous joints show the care stonemason A large flaw was sanded, burnished, bring- Hector Ruiz chiseled into every slab. My feet just smile walking on ing about the one feature making the it; quality craftsmanship ordinary lumber rocks. (That was bad.)

A product of Frances, unique. It’s signatures the berms are playful. “I like this that keep me like it when ornamentals engaged, year after year, are mixed with edibles,” watching this place evolve. she says. Alongside goldWorking with Cathy enrod, catmint and popMarkle, ASLA, of pies, they’ve grown tomatoes, peppers, Alpine Design & Plansquash and mint, “For ning, and Jon Ray of Elemental Gardens, lots of things … mojiFrances has organized tos,” adds Randal (any the whole of their land parent gets that).

In an era flooded with into useful areas, balLawn Rants, these guys ancing wild and cultihave again, sought balvated.

By Geneviève Joëlle ance. A jellybean of Up front, gently Villamizar sloping berms cradle a green in front of the porch and abutting the flagstone walkway. Unlike many of the older, narrow walkways ditch is perfect for children Harper, Emory in town, where this path meets the curb, it and Orson. Frances dropped to her hands flares wide, with open arms to gather you and knees, explaining “We can lay down or send you on your way. Between the and enjoy the ditch and feel like we have a street and porch, you can walk alongside real experience in nature.” As she crawled Genevieve Joelle Villamizar

When I think of the future of landscape and design — interesting, affordable, manageable and achievable — I think of Frances and Randal’s place.

It’s not a “landscape;” it’s a “yard.”

Why don’t we see that word in print anymore? Yards are fantastic — our stomping grounds for living. They’re practical; they make being at home fun, easy. Back in the day, yards were a personal statement about ourselves, our own lives and belief systems, not something we borrowed from HGTV ’cuz it looked cool.

Frances and Randal’s place is Old School and I like it.

Everyone waves the Sustainability Banner: individuals, corporations, yep, even “green” design firms. Yet we import custom carved stone from China to enhance a swimming pool in Snowmass.

We ship $10,000 lead planters from England to Aspen because we can. In these days, and in our town, where we strive not just to preserve but to enhance what is, there’s nothing “over the top” about my friends yard.

Chatting with them in the warmth of a Friday afternoon, Bob Marley sang to me, “The stone that the builder refused shall

Getting Grounded

CALLING all SCULPTORS!

across the grass in her striped Lycra tights, modeling a child’s perspective, I had to laugh. Randal and I nod to the driver that has slowed to his own crawl, admiring the view. Which leads us to the privacy thing.

Life on a street corner can feel like center stage. Several trees along the street will eventually give them more privacy. Meanwhile, the hub of their yard is between their home and garage. The kids have a natural playground here of logs, boulders and a small pool of sand. On a raised deck, they enjoy summer supper. Steps spill down to a more open, social area. Around a Twelfth Night bonfire later that night, we circled the flames, burning the old to make way for the new.

Watching sparks rise to the starry skies of 2012, I thought of their pussycat, Annabelle. Earlier on, she had tiptoed through the dry whisper of brome, on past the raspberry canes, to sit Buddha-like on the sun-drenched porch. Remembering her performance, it clicked in my mind why this setting so appeals to me. Through a balance of simplicity and possibility, Frances and Randal have created a property that feeds their bellies, fuels their souls and treads gently upon the planet.

Welcoming by design...

What’s your plan?

Apply to be Included In

“Art aRound Town 2012” Carbondale’s Fabulous Street Sculpture Program Apply at w w w.callforentry.org More information at w w w.publicartcarbondale.org Deadline: February 29

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012

Geneviève Joëlle Villamizar www.evolvinglandscape.com 963.7055

Guest Commentary VCR will provide economic security

Don’t end up with buyer’s regret

By Megan Cook

By Shelle de Beque

I am a Carbondale resident, business owner and mother of three. Carbondale is the place we love because it has continued to grow and evolve becoming a blend of arts, events and dining that transcends cultures, ages, and backgrounds.

It is hard to remember when we didn’t have the LEED certified Recreation Center or the Thunder River Theatre. A new high school, the amazing restaurants (like Russets that moved here from Basalt), or dare I say, even the convenience of Subway — that is considered fast food, but does offer healthy options.

Isn’t it strange that the opposition questions the “health” of fast food, and yet our poor unhealthy community needs a dozen “medical” marijuana shops?

Why is it OK to impose a mill levy on the “poor” families for schools, but not to improve the safety of Highway 133, a regional highway that has one of the lowest ratings in the state?

I am looking forward to having a new City Market with an expanded organic food section and quality prepared foods, but also more local meat and produce vendors so I won’t be wasting time and gas driving to El Jebel or Glenwood. Not to mention a place where my family can get everyday needs — like underwear, school supplies, a kids’ birthday gift, a wedding present.

I love our local “boutiques” and the character of downtown. I try and support them whenever I can, but there are basic staples that we need at affordable prices that we can’t find in Carbondale. And do we really need another resale/secondhand shop? I mean, recycling is great, but let’s find some balance.

Like so many mountain resort communities, the historic downtown offers the quaintness that we love, with galleries, restaurants, the coolest hardwood floor movie theater (even though they rarely show kids movies), but is balanced by the convenience, not to mention the sales tax revenues of City Market, Ace Hardware, the Co-op, Cowen Center and the banks off Highway 133. I have heard that more than 85 percent of our sales tax revenues come from these business and only 15 percent from downtown.

In order to continue to maintain our streets, support our non-profits, have the wonderful free community events (like our summer concerts, Potato Days, Dandelion Days, Oktoberfest/Celtic Fest and more) we have to generate the funds to pay for these things and it can’t just come from downtown. The Village at Crystal River will offer new retail options, keeping my purchases in Carbondale.

Plus The Village will finally connect us from Main Street all the way to Ajax Bike. Just imagine, we could have expanded senior care, a medical building that could offer real options for health and human services, a new day care or even a school.

Yes, there are some vacant retail and office spaces, but not the ideal size or location that can be built in The Village. The new retailers and businesses will mean more jobs and employees who will be able to eat, shop, do errands here in Carbondale, helping everyone’s’ businesses thrive.

By supporting the Village at Crystal River, we can look to a future for Carbondale with more security in revenues that will allow us continue to support our nonprofits, our town’s basic needs and provide staples for our family. This town is what it is because it has evolved and grown. We need The Village at Crystal River.

“I’m a salesman. I’m selling a story,” Rich Schierburg, developer of the Village at Crystal River, confessed to Carbondale citizens at last week’s public forum. He is selling a story all right, but it's not one based in reality.

As any good salesman knows, one must first create a need. In this case, we’re being told that without more sales tax revenue, Carbondale will go broke. In reality, Carbondale has a healthy reserve of $4.5 million, sales tax for the last 3 months are up, and the town has thrived in the eight years since the last mall defeat in 2003.

We’re also being told that an alarming 76 percent of Carbondale's dollars are being spent outside of Carbondale. In this story of leaking sales dollars, VCR is coming to the rescue — capturing escaping sales dollars and returning them to Carbondale.

The 76 percent figure needs to be examined as carefully as a used car purchase contract. This figure comes from a survey of respondents throughout the 81623 zip code.

Only half of the people in the study actually live in the town of Carbondale; one quarter live in El Jebel. It’s very misleading to count the folks who live and shop in El Jebel as Carbondale residents who spend their dollars outside of town. Is the VCR really going to “capture” their dollars by luring them to drive 10 miles to grocery shop at City Market in Carbondale?

The happy story the developer is selling us includes bringing needed business to our downtown. Pure fiction, folks. The roundabout, which we will all pay for through the PIF, will make it easy for shoppers to get in and out of the VCR. There is no such roundabout planned for funneling folks onto Main Street. VCR will do nothing for our downtown except siphon sales from existing businesses. These are business owners who know there is more to creating success than turning a quick profit.

The final selling point is oodles of new sales tax revenue for Carbondale. Our group examined the developer's Fiscal Impact Analysis, submitted with the application, and found his projections to be grossly over-estimated. Once our group pointed out these inflated figures, the developer acknowledged that the figures are not realistic. At last week’s forum, he informed us all that he has revised his projections.

One week before ballots are sent out and he changes his figures? The town has been reviewing this project for two years, basing their review on the developer’s projections as documented in his Fiscal Impact Analysis. Town Manager Jay Harrington confirmed last week that the town has not received any revised figures from Schierburg.

The fact is, his new numbers present a profoundly worse deal for Carbondale. Not only will there be less sales tax revenues and a longer pay-off period for the PIF, but under his new projections VCR businesses will drain even more revenue from existing locally-owned businesses.

People across the valley rave about Carbondale’s great restaurants, events in town parks, and great music venues; they load their bikes into their cars to come to Carbondale for the Full Moon Cruise, and they whoop it up at a rodeo that feels like a real rodeo, not a tourist show. They come to Carbondale for quality movies at the Crystal Theatre; they tune into our people-powered radio station, and they come to celebrate summer at the Mountain Fair.

Let’s forget the developer's fairy tale. Let’s get real and come back to Carbondale.

We can continue to grow our economy by working together to create sustainable businesses and a vibrant downtown.

Megan Cook is a member of Say Yes to Carbondale, which supports the Village at Crystal River development proposal.

Shelle de Beque is a member of Locals for Smarter Growth.

The Sopris Sun encourages commentaries on local issues from our readers.

Remember: Keep your commentary local and keep it to 700 words, then dispatch it to news@soprissun.com or P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. Don’t forget to tell us your name, phone number, where you live and any other pertinent information about yourself.

Service Directory INTERIOR RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL

REFERENCES AVAILABLE

EXTERIOR

MANNIX Painting

970-704-0400

Your Complete Decorating Contractor

CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE

LICENSED/ INSURED

High Tone Auto Body Inc. We Build Beautiful Bodies

FREE ESTIMATES

Look What oin’ We’re D CSBLFT CBUUFSJFT

NOW! TUBSUFST BMUFSOBUPST

WE WORK ON ALL MAKES & MODELS WE HANDLE ALL INSURANCE CLAIMS

CALL 970-927.4351 hightoneautobody.com

265 East Cody Lane Basalt Hours: M-F, 8-5

970 963 8800 745 Buggy Circle in Carbondale www.sunburstcarcare.com

THE SOPRIS SUN • JaNUaRy 12, 2012 • 15

VOTE NO Why

on the Village at Crystal River ?

1

2 3 4

PIF Subsidy

• VCR would charge shoppers an additional

1% Public Improvement Fee (PIF) on all groceries and other goods in order to subsidize the developer's construction costs. Add in the interest on the construction bond and we're paying a total of about $5 million.

• The developer may finance this construction bond

himself, which means that we would pay interest to him and his financial backers every time we buy food.

Draining our downtown

• The economic climate will not support commercial

development throughout the entire town. Focusing our resources on VCR would drain resources away from our downtown core.

• Fast food and chain restaurants will compete with

The Pour House, Peppino’s and our other unique, locally-owned restaurants.

Adding to the real estate glut

• VCR would add 164 unneeded homes and

125,000 square feet of unneeded commercial space.

Rosy forecasts, changing numbers

• For the past 2 ½ years the developer's economic analysis has relied on pie-in-the-sky projections that assume that a gas station, fast food restaurant and other stores will magically generate spending that doesn't already exist.

• Just last week, the developer acknowledged that his projections for VCR's sales tax revenues have been significantly over-stated.

• The developer said he revised his figures – although the

Town Manager confirmed that the Town had not received any revised figures.

• The new numbers stated by the developer are indeed

more realistic – and they result in a profoundly worse deal for Carbondale: signficantly less sales tax generation, a longer pay-off period for the PIF, and a greater revenue drain from our current businesses.

Do we really know what we're getting?

Please vote NO on the VCR

Chris Chacos Sally & Frank Norwood Marj Perry and Bill Fales Diana Alcantara Greg and Kathy Feinsinger Diane Kenney Amber Sparkles Amelia Potvin Andrew and Karin Beuter Ben and Sue Heffer Bill Gray Bob and Kathy Zentmyer Bob Schultz Charles Moore Chuck and Peg Malloy Mark Burrows Marta Parker Craig Silberman Craig Wheeless Dan Whitney Dylan Mace Eilene Ish Erin Rigney Frank and Ruthann Zlogar Frosty and Carly Merriott Gwen Garcelon Hank Van Berlo Illene Pevic Jade Moss Janet Carney Shane Spyker Shelle DeBeque Jason White Jean Perry Jeff Dickinson Jennifer Cull Nan Campbell Jennifer Johnson Jillene Rector John J. McCormick Patty Phelan Paul Black John Philip John Stickney Tania Odessa Tanya Black

Skip Bell Kathy & Bob Ezra Kate Lindeman-Schutt Katherine Ware Michael Lindsay Tyler Stableford Kathy Fontaine Katrina Byars Ken Olson Kevin Passmore Lee Beck Leslie McNamee-Johnson Lisa Ruoff Marc and Debbie Bruell Marge Palmer Davi Roach Denise Moss Matt Johnson Megan Larsen Kay Brunnier Keith and Carrie Brand Meghan Perry Staci Dickerson Melanie Finan Michael Gorman Miles Barkhurst Rebecca Young Allyn Harvey Alyssa and David Reindel Nancy Kyner Nancy Watts Cody Lee Collette Newell Noah Davis Pat Bingham Patrick Johnson Randy Schutt Laura Bartels Laurel Karlik SheehanRichard Marsh Rita Marsh Rosemerry Bingham Russ Criswell Russell Hedman Sarah Johnson Dan and Pam Rosenthal

Soozie Lindbloom Steve and Karen Hessl Sloane Shoemaker Sue Edelstein Thane and Betsy Lincicome Nancy Thal Tina Fang Wewer and Steve Keohane Zuleika Pevec Michael & Jill Scher Noah Scher Steve & Skye Skinner H. Robert & Patricia Johnson Greg Watts John Hoffman Anne Sullivan Laurie Guevara-Stone Annie Flynn Kim Stacey Mary Lilly Joanne Jimino Clare Bastable Austin Hazzard Jess Jacobson Pam Zentmyer Laurie Loeb Robbie Williams Patrick Hunter Vicki Browne Sheri Gaynor Dawne & Mike Vrabel Melanie Finan Sam and Ann Johnson Will Grandbois Danny Stone Greg Fitzpatrick Gwen Ballard Angela Hanley Stacy Stein Richard Vottero Caroline Alberino Carol Bruno Noreen Steiner Jesse Moss Eric Baumheier Anibal Guevara-Stone

http://sites.google.com/site/carbondalelocals Paid for by Locals for Smarter Growth • 837 Sopris Ave • Craig Silberman, Treasurer