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Volume 8, Number 18 | June 9, 2016

Bull-rider Cole Morgan hangs on tight at the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo’s first performance of the season on June 2. The Thursday night series continues through Aug. 18. For more information, check out this week’s Calendar section. Photo by Jane Bachrach

970.963.5880 On the SE Corner of Hwy 133 and Main Street in Carbondale

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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.

Event sales-tax reporting easy but crucial The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce is a stand-alone organization that is committed to working together with business and the community. We provide leadership, education, and support for our members in order to make the Carbondale area a more vital and dynamic place to live, work and visit. The Carbondale Chamber is non-partisan and treats its 475 members equally. We support them through business-to-business communications, educational opportunities, marketing and more.

One of the many ways we support our business community is through programing and events. Carbondale is home to hundreds of events each year. Events bring people together, offering a platform to educate a greater audience for a cause or business, and oftentimes, raise funds for an entity. Events support the community and the economy. Individuals near and far travel to Carbondale to attend events, and also to shop, eat, drink and even stay overnight.

Visitors contribute to sales tax, which both supports our business community and provides jobs. Sales tax helps to support Town of Carbondale employees who prepare and support events, open and close the streets and provide security. Event participants also contribute to the lodging tax (the 2 percent tax collected by the Town of Carbondale and managed by the Tourism Council of Carbondale, an entity of the Carbondale Chamber). The Tourism Council of Carbondale’s mission is to develop, oversee and implement a strategy and marketing plan to promote tourism in Carbondale.

Many decisions accompany the planning of Carbondale events, and the considerations may include Town of Carbondale funding requests, street closures, which events to support, and which events to continue, repurpose or retire. Kiko Pena, Carbondale Chamber board president, and owner of Sopris Liquor & Wine, explains: “Having an accurate record of our town’s sales tax figures during special events, as opposed to regular days, is an important tool in planning events and allocating money for those events.” So, as a business owner, you play a vital role when it comes to events.

Two years ago, the Town of Carbondale integrated an online system for sales collection. “The Town of Carbondale has made reporting revenue earned on specific dates a quick and easy process. This valuable snapshot, comparing income received on

event days and non-event days, provides great insight the town can use to plan future events known to boost local business revenue and town vitality,” states Keith Marlow, Marble Distilling Company partner and Tourism Council of Carbondale board member.

Renae Gustine, the Town of Carbondale finance director, takes you step-by-step through the sales-tax-entering process. “When filling out the sales tax return online, at the end of the form is a special section that lists special events that occurred during the month of the sales tax collections being reported. The accounting information requested is for a specific time (sales for the day or duration of an event) and it is limited to no more than three events a month. It is requested that the gross amount of sales for the day(s) are reported in this section. This gives the Town of Carbondale the information to measure whether investments in special events increase retail sales and lodging revenues during the period of the event. The Town of Carbondale can measure changes from event day(s) to non-event day(s) to help create a non-event baseline. The information allows measurement of which events provide the greatest benefit to businesses. At no time would the individual information be released, only summary detail much like the information released on sales taxes for the Town of Carbondale. With building a good base of information, the data would allow our community to utilize business impact data when making event decisions.”

States Eaden Shantay, a Tourism Council of Carbondale board member and also owner of True Nature Healing Arts, “Reporting sales tax for special events may seem arduous and painful, but it really isn’t. As most things Carbondale, it is relatively easy and the end results make it worth the time and effort, i.e.: continuing to have special events, promoting our community and having the quality of life that we want to continue for generations to come.”

Thanks to all Carbondale business owners, employees and event planners for doing your part and keeping our economy strong. Our entire community benefits from a strong business and event environment in Carbondale!

OPINION

Submitted by Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andrea Stewart.

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 news@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. The deadline to submit letters to the editor is noon on Monday.

Vacation rentals nothing new Dear Editor: Vacation rental by owner (VRBO) is not a new phenomenon. It used to be the privilege of the very rich; a greedy banker in London with a house in the countryside knew a greedy banker in New York with a house in the Hamptons and once or twice a year, they’d trade.

The market for VRBO has evolved and now companies like Airbnb have opened this market to the proletariat: renters and landlords. Now, the trustees want to prevent “speculative home buyers” from “taking long-term rentals out of the town’s affordable housing mix in order to make a killing by offering short term rentals to tourists.”

Sorry, the economic model doesn’t support “making a killing.” Yes, rents are higher for short-term rentals, but so too are expenses and vacancy. In their report to trustees, staff suggested that there were

maybe 20 listings within the town. That’s about 1 percent of the town’s housing stock. That number would be higher if people were “making a killing.”

I wonder why some trustees feel it’s their duty to prevent people from “making a killing”? I hope the trustees will try to determine that this is actually a problem before they try to solve it.

Michael Durant Carbondale

Join the CASA ride Dear Editor: Founded in 1977, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) provides well-trained court-appointed volunteer advocates to abused and neglected children across the country. CASA’s goal is to provide a safe, permanent, nurturing home for every child it serves.

CASA in Colorado’s Ninth Judicial District, which serves children in Garfield,

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JUNE 9-15, 2016

Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties, will have its second annual Sopris Century RIDE for the CHILD event, a supported bike ride featuring 100-mile, 60-mile, 31-mile and new this year, a 12-mile family/fun course on the scenic country roads of the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley, on Saturday June 25. All distances start and finish at Sopris Park in Carbondale, where we will have a post-ride party with food by the Hickory House and music. The ride will include fully stocked aid stations as well as support vehicles circulating the course.

To learn more and to register please go to our website at sopriscentury.com.

Our valley features some of the country’s best road riding in the summer, so let’s get on our bikes on Saturday, June 25 to support our community’s most at risk youth!

Soledad Lowe Board Member CASA of the Ninth

Sincerest thanks to our

Honorary Publishers for their generous, ongoing commitment of support.

Jim Calaway, Chair Kay Brunnier Bob Ferguson – Jaywalker Lodge Scott Gilbert: Habitat for Humanity - RFV Bob Young – Alpine Bank George Stranahan Peter Gilbert James Surls Umbrella Roofing, Inc. Bill Spence and Sue Edelstein

ank you to our SunScribers and community members for your support!

It truly takes a village to keep e Sun shining.

To inform, inspire and build community.

Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Editor: Lynn Burton • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Advertising: 970-379-0214 adsales@soprissun.com Reporter: John Colson Photographer: Jane Bachrach Graphic Designer: Terri Ritchie CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS board@soprissun.com Barbara Dills, President Debbie Bruell, Secretary Colin Laird • Cliff Colia Diana Alcantara • Matt Adeletti • Olivia Pevec The Sopris Sun Board meets regularly on the third Monday evening of each month at the Third Street Center. Check the calendar for details and occasional date changes.

Honorary Board Members Denise Barkhurst • Sue Gray David L. Johnson • Laura McCormick Jeannie Perry • Trina Ortega • Frank Zlogar Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell

The Sopris Sun, Inc. • P.O. Box 399 520 S. Third Street #36 Carbondale, CO 81623

970-510-3003

www.soprissun.com Send us your comments: feedback@soprissun.com The Sopris Sun, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Donations to The Sun are fully tax deductible.

HCN explains threats to public lands

A “Sagebrush Rebel” watches as protesters on ATVs ride through southeastern Utah’s Recapture Canyon in May 2014.

High Country News will discuss the new Sagebrush movement on June 10 at the Rocky Mountain Institute. Photo by Jonathan Thompson/High Country News

By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer A panel discussion sponsored by High Country News will take place in Basalt on June 10 at 6:30 p.m., at the Rocky Mountain Institute's newly constructed Innovation Center, focusing on the topic of “The Fate of Our Public Lands.”

The conference, according to HCN Managing Editor Brian Calvert, is meant to describe an effort by right-wing activists in some western states to force the federal government to relinquish its control of hundreds of millions of acres of public lands.

At the heart of the controversial proposals — which are described in numerous articles in HCN and other publications — is what HCN writer Jonathan Thompson termed “a new and more dangerous Sagebrush Rebellion” in an article on Feb. 10 of this year.

The article was referring to a politically conservative movement several decades ago, aimed at ending federal control of public lands and turning that control over to private hands.

The conference is billed as a fundraiser for HCN, with tickets costing $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

The event will feature a panel discussion among HCN senior editors and writers, including Thompson and Jodi Peterson, and HCN's Washington, D.C. Correspondent Elizabeth Shogren, moderated by Calvert (see sidebar on page 13).

The discussion will be broadcast live on KAJX.

The controversy According to articles in HCN and elsewhere, the issues surrounding the latest iteration of the Sagebrush

Rebellion are many layered.

At the surface, the “rebels” bill themselves as foes of federal authority over public lands, lands that the movement claims were promised to the states when they joined the Union during the formation of our country.

The movement members argue that current federal management of some 640 million acres of public lands in the west is unconstitutional. They have garnered considerable support among conservative politicians, writers and activists, who stand with the “rebels” in their demands that the federal government relinquish control of vast amounts of public land.

According to one HCN story, by writer Bryce Gray, the unconstitutionality argument is a misinterpretation of what is known as the “Enclave Clause” of the U.S. Constitution, which the “rebels” believe gives states the rights to opt out of federal land management.

Gray, however, quotes legal scholars as having the opposite interpretation — that the clause actually reinforces the federal government's authority to set aside and control use of public lands.

In addition, reporter/writer Josh Zeitz, in the Politico online publication, wrote on Jan. 7 that the militants were incorrect in their assumptions about public lands management, and that the states were never granted rights to the federally controlled public lands within their boundaries, and that claims that the states, ranchers and other activists are owed these lands was in direct contravention to history.

“From the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the Oregon Treaty of 1846, to the Mexican Cession (1848), Gadsden Purchase (1853) and Alaska Purchase (aka SePUBLIC LANDS page 13

Sophie Catto (left center) and Ian Stokes (right center) were among the 47 seniors who graduated from Colorado Rocky Mountain School last Saturday morning.

Stokes and Jacob Wexler were the senior speakers; Sophie Timms and Victor Henckel performed “Hey Jude” by the Beatles. Photo by Ed Kosmicki THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JUNE 9-15, 2016 • 3

Town Briefs Cop Shop Bike park volunteer work days continue

From May 27 to June 2, Carbondale police officers handled 245 calls for service. During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note:

Sopris Sun Staff Report Volunteer work days at the North Face Bike Park continue every Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., according to Town Manager Jay Harrington’s weekly memo to trustees, staff and others. Work includes weeding, rock clearing and other tasks aimed at keeping the riding surfaces clear and usable for the summer season. All users of the bike park are urged to pitch in to the task.

In other items from Harrington’s June 3 memo, the Carbondale Recreation Center will be closed to the public from 3 to 11 p.m. on June 10 for the Carbondale Rotary Club’s “Casino Royale” fund-raiser, which will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $75 at the door and also from Jack McKay (jhmlad@msn.com) and Steve Skinner (steve@kdnk.org).

Harrington reported that the last of the 2016 Art aRound Town public sculptures were installed at 3 p.m. on Thursday, “just in time for the 5:30 p.m. Art Walk,” a tour of the pieces that have been loaned to the town. Harrington wrote that there are 14 new sculptures on the sidewalks and other locations around the commercial core.

A street-striping contractor completed most of the list of striping projects around Carbondale last week, Harrington continued, though they were expected to return to town this week to paint stripes at several intersections where town thoroughfares meet Highway 133. Harrington did not give an expected final completion date in his memo.

Along similar lines, Harrington wrote, the first part of this summer’s chip-and-seal program has been completed, and the contractor, GMCO, was expected to return this week to remove any loose gravel and apply a “fog coat surface to lock in the gravel and seal the surface.”

Carbondale’s irrigation system repairs continued last week, as did the normal mowing and other parks maintenance chores, including removal of a fence between the Thompson Park neighborhood and Triangle Park, “allowing easy access for people between the two parks,” Harrington reported.

A fiberglass tree slide in Sopris Park has been fenced off for safety reasons, the memo stated, and town officials are contemplating removal of the piece of equipment.

The parks department removed a dead honey locust tree on Holland Drive, and an elm stump on Jewel’s Lane, as part of the department’s ongoing tree maintenance program. Workers also weeded the flower beds around the Nature Park solar array and planted trees along the highway corridor through Carbondale.

At the Carbondale Recreation and Community Center, Motion Mondays continues for participants aged 1-6 years every Monday from 10:30-11:45 a.m., and the CRCC is offering two new evening fitness classes.

In addition, the Ascendigo adult enrichment program and the Ascendigo Summer Camp both will be using the CRCC climbing wall this summer on Wednesday mornings and afternoons.

The summer recreation brochure has been posted online (www.carbondalerec.com) and registration for all summer programs is open.

At the John M. Fleet municipal pool, a new swimming program has been initiated under the title “Swim Lesson University.”

The first Carbondale Wild West Rodeo was held on June 2 and will continue from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gus Darien Riding Arena for the next 10 weeks.

4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JUNE 9-15, 2016

FRIDAY, May 27: At 10:58 a.m. police were called to a home on Hendrick Drive regarding a burglary. The resident told police that the stolen items were 10-15 sheets of silver, 4x6 inches in size, that she had used to make jewelry.

SATURDAY, May 28: At 10:15 a.m. police stopped a vehicle at Village Road and Buggy Circle for allegedly weaving outside the traffic lane. The 41-yearold driver was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and violation of a restraining order, and his license was confiscated.

SUNDAY, May 29: At 1:31 a.m. police stopped a vehicle at North 3rd Street and Colorado Avenue for failing to signal a turn. After investigating, officers arrested the 20-year-old driver on charges of drunk driving, driving without a valid driver’s license and failure to signal a turn. His driver’s license was confiscated.

SUNDAY, May 29: At 12:47 p.m. police were called to Sopris Park regarding a man wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and drinking near the gazebo. Officers encountered two juveniles, issued both of them citations for being minors in possession of alcohol, and released them to their parents.

SUNDAY, May 29: At 11:05 p.m. police stopped a vehicle at Highway 133 and Meadowood Drive for allegedly failing to dim headlights. The 52-year-old driver was ticketed for failing to dim his headlights and driving a vehicle under a revoked driver’s license. The driver’s keys were confiscated, after he was allowed to park the car.

Mind if we drop in?

That’s what the Classic Air Medical helicopter team did this week at the Carbondale fire station on Meadowood Drive.

The helicopter and team have been operating out of Valley View Hospital as of April 25, and have been getting to know local emergency responders. Classic Air Medical is headquartered in Woods Cross, Utah, and operates other bases in Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon and New Mexico. It operates at no cost to Valley View Hospital, according to published reports. Photo by Jane Bachrach

6 P.M.

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JUNE 9-15, 2016 • 5

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@SoprisSun.com.

Dandelion Market names new GM Dandelion Market (the Carbondale Community Food Co-op) has named Katrina Byars as the new general manager, according to a press release. She has a long history with the Market as a member, shopper and former assistant manager. “She brings experience working with local food producers and studying sustainability at CMC,” said Dandelion Market Board Chair Emily Steers. Along with Byars, there are a few new faces at the Market: Rachel Burgerhoff, Lauren Yust and Gabe Riley. “The Co-op has been through a transition phase over the last year and on behalf of the Board,” Steers continued, “we are thrilled to have Katrina bring her passion for sustainability and her strong connections to the Carbondale community to make the Co-op a thriving marketplace in Carbondale.”

Dandelion Market is located downtown at 559 Main Street and is open seven days a week. In addition to groceries and local dairy, meat and produce, the Market has recently added fresh sourdough bread every Friday, grab ‘n go sandwiches by Fiona, and free drip coffee for morning shoppers. Visit carbondalecommunityfoodcoop.org or call 963-1375 for more information on membership.

CLEER offering rebates As part of its Energy Smart! program, GCE/CLEER is offering rebates of $150

to home-buyers in Garfield County to help pay for a home energy assessment.

With a home energy assessment, buyers can qualify for the Colorado Energy Saving Mortgage incentive, which can provide up to $3,000 to buy down the cost of energy related upgrades, according to a press release. Funds are limited, so contact Garfield Clean Energy or the Colorado Energy Office for program details and availability. For details, go to garfieldcleanenergy.org or call CLEER at 704-9200.

Home buyers looking for information about energy efficiency can learn more at GarfieldCleanEnergy.org or by calling CLEER at 704-9200.

RFSD picks board member The Roaring Fork School District’s Board of Education has appointed Shane Larson as its newest board member, according to a press release. Larson will fill the seat vacated by Board President Daniel Biggs (the District D director).

Larson’s term continues until the next election, in November 2017. He has worked at Colorado Mountain College for the past several years and has recently moved into the position of interim-vice president of student affairs.

He lives in Glenwood Springs with his wife, Amy, and their three children who attend Glenwood Springs Elementary and Glenwood Springs Middle School.

He also coaches youth sports and enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors.

Hanging Lake Trail closed Hanging Lake Trail in Glenwood Canyon will be closed June 13-14, as a Rocky Mountain Youth Corps crew will construct new rock steps to Spouting Rock, remove graffiti from and repaint bridges, and clear-coat the benches along the trail. The popular trail will also be closed for a Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers work day on Sept. 10.

Bike path closed On June 5, the Colorado Department of Transportation closed the Glenwood Canyon bike path from Shoshone to the Hanging Lake rest area, and from Siloam Springs to Bair Ranch, due to high water levels in the Colorado River. Cyclists and pedestrians can still access the path from Glenwood Springs to the Grizzly Creek rest area, according to a press release. For up to the minute CDOT reports on Glenwood Canyon and other state highways, go to cotrip.org.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating their birthday this week include: Rock Leonard and Henry Ortiz (June 9); Dick Hunt and Paul Sutro (June 12); and Eileen Waski and Lynni Hutton (June 15).

MU USIC FEST STIVA V L In Memory of Cynthia (Cyd) Sue Buthmann Lange October 12, 1950 – December 7, 2015

LOCALS PA P SS on sale now!

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JOSHUA HUA BELL 15

A Celebration of Life:

Cyd Lange Memorial Saturday, June 18, 4-6 p.m. at Redstone Park

Come and share a dish, along with stories and photos of our dear Redstone friend.

Call Deb McCormick for more information at 970-963-1635.

Dance Initiative recently awarded $1,000 grants each to Robyn Hubbard of Core Healing arts (bottom) and Jaden Grimm (top), a student at Aspen Santa Fe Ballet School. The annual grants go to experienced dancers, choreographers and teachers to further their education and development.

Courtesy photos

Dandelion Market carries HUMANELY RAISED, GRASS-FED MEAT from Mountain Primal Meat Co. And now when you shop with us in the morning, enjoy a free cup of organic drip coffee!

RENÉE FLEMING July 3

FOR COMPLETE L LOCALS OC AL S PASS PA SS DETAILS, DE TAIL S, VISIT VISIT W WWW.ASPENMUSICFESTIVAL.COM/LOCALSPASS W W. A SP SPENMUSICF C ES TI T VA VAL .COM/LOC AL SP PA SS O RC ALL 9 70 9 25 9 0 4 2.

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6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JUNE 9-15, 2016

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK M-F 9am-7pm Sat. & Sun. 10am-6pm 4HPU :[YLL[ carbondalecommunityfoodcoop.org

Town’s population increases almost 50 percent…

By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer But by Sunday morning (June 12), 2,500 Ride the Rockies bicyclists and support crews will be on their way to Aspen for the tour’s second stop, and Carbondale’s population will drop back to about 6,000.

We know a lot about RTR (see ad below) but one question remains for folks who just want to know everything: how will the 2,000 bicyclists weave their way through town on Sunday? In lieu of an actual map, here is a narrative the RTR organizers sent to The Sopris Sun. • Depart Roaring Fork High School; • North on Highway 133; • Northeast on Snowmass Drive; • West on Main Street; • North on Eighth Street; • Merge west on Rio Grande Trail; • Cross over Highway 133 at Village Road; • Continue on Rio Grande Trail.

“There won’t be any street closures or detours,” Carbondale Police Chief Fred Williams told The Sopris Sun. “Police will be monitoring traffic, but not directing. People should watch out for bicyclists from 7 to 9 a.m.” (Editor’s note: Fourth Street from Main to Garfield will be closed for the day’s RTR festivities).

After waving goodbye to Carbondale, the bikers continue west and eventually grunt their way up Red Canyon Road (CR 115), south on Coulter Creek Road (CR 113), southwest on Catherine Store Road (CR 100), east on CR 102, southeast on Upper Cattle Creek Road, southeast to Tree Farm Drive, south on Willits Lane, southeast on Hooks Lane.

After that, the upvalley dailies may fill you in.

This is the second time the Denver Post’s annual Ride the Rockies has rolled through town, but the first time it

has started here. As befitting such a grand occasion, the opening ceremony at RFHS at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday features the Earthbeat Children’s Choir singing the National Anthem, followed by a color presentation by the Glenwood Springs High School JROTC. The entire Ride the Rockies takes place from June 12-17, with overnight stops in Aspen, Copper Mountain, Grand Lake, Estes Park and Fort Collins. In all, the cyclists will cover 403 miles and ascend nearly 30,000 vertical feet, ac-

cording to tour organizers. Mountain passes of note include Independence, Tennessee, Vail and Ute, plus Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park.

“In 2015 our cyclists hailed from all 50 states and 11 countries,” said Chandler Smith, tour director.

“We’re truly an international event with deep roots in Colorado’s communities.”

For more on the 2016 Ride the Rockies, check out the ad on this page.

They saw it, now they don’t. Some folks were keeping their eye on this stump in the Roaring Fork River on Two Rivers Road just west of Basalt since it ran aground last winter.

The Sopris Sun can’t confirm exactly when the river won the battle and sent the stump on its way to Grand Junction, but it was approximately last weekend.

In related news, the Roaring Fork and other rivers are flowing bank to bank, and runoff is reaching its peak; emergency responders are cautioning everyone to be careful on and around the rivers. Photo

by Lynn Burton

Carbondale welcomes

Ride the Rockies - June 11-12, 2016 The Carbondale Community is invited to attend this fun, free, family event in the 4th Street Plaza. Carbondale is the start of the 31st Annual Ride the Rockies, which has over 2,000 riders participating in the 400+ mile ride.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday, June 11 Location: HEADQUARTERS – Roaring Fork High School 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch for purchase, catered by Epicurious Fine Foods, assorted wraps, organic and locally-sourced foods 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration, Roaring Fork High School Lawn

Saturday, June 11

ENTERTAINMENT/LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE: (FREE!) 2 p.m. Jim Hawkins Jim Hawkins is a local singer/songwriter.

3 p.m. Local Musicians 4 p.m. Live painting

by Marcel Kahhak

Location: 4TH STREET PLAZA, at the intersection of 4th Street & Main Street Hours: 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

BEER GARDEN: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (for purchase, $4, proceeds benefit the Carbondale Chamber and Tourism Council of Carbondale)

4 p.m. Louie and the Lizards High energy rock band who have been playing their originals and unique party music since 1998.

5 p.m. - The Half Milemarkers & Aaron – Featuring Hap Harriman on electric guitar and vocals and Nelson Oldham on acoustic guitar and vocals.

6 p.m. Vid Weatherwax Vid in another popular local Valley musician who has rocked venues up and down the Valley for years.

• Ride the Rockies Official Beer Sponsor: O’Dell Brewing • Wine • Marble Distilling Company, signature mixed cocktail • Food Vendors: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (for purchase) • White House Pizza: pizza by the slice • Amazin’ Blasian by True Media Foundation: Black Asian Fusion Cuisine • Windy City Eats: Greek cuisine and Chicagostyle hot dogs • Mama Bear’s Organic Bakery: granola, bars, cookies, snacks • There will also be 25 vendors contracted by RTR, which will include a few food vendors and various retail

7 p.m. The Dave Notor Band Here comes some smokin "AcousticGrassic-Rock" from some of the valley's best acoustic string players.

8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Fire show performed by Dance of the Sacred Fire.

Sunday, June 12 Location: HEADQUARTERS – Roaring Fork High School 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. – Breakfast for purchase in the Auditoria.

Proceeds benefit RFHS Booster Club. Locally-sourced foods, including Potter Farms, a Carbondale-local farm.

6:15 a.m. to 7 a.m. Morning stretch led by True Nature Healing Arts. Bring your yoga mat.

7:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony, with the National Anthem by Earthbeat Children’s Choir, and Color Presentation by Glenwood High School JROTC.

In addition to Ride the Rockies, this event is organized by:

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JUNE 9-15, 2016 • 7

ROARING FORK HIGH SCHOOL

Community Briefs Please submit your community briefs to news@soprissun.com by noon on Monday.

PROJECT

Wilderness Workshop kicks off hikes

Thanks RFHS Project Graduation is a community effort to keep our high school seniors safe on the important night of graduation, and is completely funded and supported by the generous donations and volunteer efforts of these businesses and individuals.

THANK YOU to our generous Project Graduation donors and sponsors!

Congratulations RFHS Class of 2016!

Items/Prizes donation - Businesses Novus Auto Glass White House Pizza Redstone Inn Glenwood Hot Springs Redstone Castle Basalt Printing Sunburst Car Wash Napa Auto Parts Town Restaurant Phat Thai Restaurant Pour House Restaurant Village Smithy Harmony Scott Peppino's Pizza Colby June Jewelry Town of Carbondale Crystal Valley Dance Club Aspen Ski Company Bristlecone Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Iron Mountain Hot Springs Whole Foods Good Old Days Barber Shop Days Inn Ragged Mountain Sports Giro Carbondale Rec Center Joy Blong Massage The Goat Aspen Glen Thor's Grill (Moe's) S.P.O.R.T. Physical Therapy Starbuck's Meadows True Nature Wax It Windwalkers Factory Outdoors Cowen Center Sunlight Red Rock Diner Habitat for Humanity – The Restore Headache and Back Pain Center of Carbondale Aspen Face and Body Sculpting Custom Body Fitness Aloha Cyclery Crystal River Dance Club Alpine Bank Eagle Crest Nursery Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Casual Culture Dancing Colours

Inner Mountain Distributors Gran Farnum Printing Money donation - Businesses RFHS Boosters Xi Gamma Tau - Potato Days Aspen Thrift Store Berthod Motors The Fireplace Company Alpine Animal Hospital Verheul Family Dentistry Amore’ Reality Cobble Creek Landscaping Carbondale Car Care Engstrom Home & Garden Rusby Power Sports Margaret M. Chain/ Mountainside Sewing Gabriella Sutro Real Estate Sopris Engineering Sopris Self Storage M.R. Maintenance Repair, LLC DRU Handy Custom Painting, Inc Beaver Lake Lodge & Cabins Seven Star Rebekah Lodge No. 91 Toni Cerise Real Estate Signature Picture Framing Carbondale Center, LLC Stableford Studios Inc. Crystal River Spa Coldwell Banker Mason Morse American Legion Post 100 Business World Brokers Ackerman Log & Timber, LLC Timbers Resort Management, LLC Avalanche Ranch Jaywalker Lodge, Inc. Geneva Property Management Crystal Springs Builders, Inc. Holy Cross Energy ANB Bank Hunter Electric Lamont Planning Services, LLC Luckett Management Services, LLC Terralink Structures Ltd. Carbondale Bus Drivers Feldman Trucking, LLC Hobbs & Murphy, P.C. CPAs Frank X. Taverna Real Estate Impressions of Aspen Roaring Fork Family Practice at Valley View Fleisher Real Estate- Bob Johnson Snowmass Patrol Foundation Aspen Highlands Ski Patrol Bank of Colorado

Apologies to anyone we may have neglected to list.

Please know that your contribution has helped save lives.

American Legion Womens Auxillary Colorado Poolscapes Umbrella Roofing Riverstone Reality Rachael's Sewing MW Appraisal Valbridge Appraisal Woodbridge Realty of Colorado Bishop & Mohl CPA’s Distinguished Boards & Beams Carbondale Chamber of Commerce City Market Money donation - Families Vallerie Gilliam James Githens Larry and Susan Emery Gregory and Anita Owings Kimball and Lori Spence Curtis and Colleen Fawley Daniel and Pamela Rosenthal Kenneth and Deborah Baird The Gianinetti Family Chad and Jennifer Roeber Janet Johnson Mary Ellis Mirka and Ivo Bensch George Tempest Betsy and Bryan Browning Phoebe Gruel Martin and Tammy Rascon Janelle Johnson Tony and Jane Gross Karen Salamida Lee Ann Eustis Bernardo Benitez Angelica Rochin Brad and Nancy Zeigel Marty Silverstein Wayne and Susan Rudd Patricia Hubbard Dr. Richard and Sheryl Herrington Laurie Stone Joseph Meade Rose and Brook Le Van Claudia Crane Arthur and Carolyn Ackerman Seana and Steven Lee Fred and Dolores Pulver Maureen Rothman Scott and Jackie Hansen Joe Markham Cindy Nett Penny Ridley Katie Marshall Daniel Bullock Laura and David Carpenter Alice and Colin Laird

THANK YOU! 8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JUNE 9-15, 2016

Wilderness Workshop kicks off another summer of free “Hikes with a Purpose” with a six-miler on the Placita Trail between Redstone and the Marble turnoff on Highway 133. This is a difficult, mid-elevation hike, according to Wilderness Workshop, that traverses immense groves of aspen and transition forests. The hike also overlooks a section of the Crystal River that is under consideration for Wild & Scenic designation. The guided hike is free; meet at the Wilderness Workshop at 7:30 a.m. Other hikes in June include: Lake Ridge Lakes west of Carbondale (June 18), Huntsman Ridge southwest of Carbondale (June 19) and Hunter Creek for wildflowers (June 23). For more on the hike series, go to wildernessworkshop.org/hikes.

Pomeroy memorial service There will be a memorial service for Joan Pomeroy at St. Mary’s of the Crown at 11 a.m. on June 11. The service will be followed by a reception at the family home, located at 1401 Hendrick Dr. All who knew and loved Joan are invited to the church and home to share laughter and stories. St. Mary’s of the Crown is located at 397 White Hill Road, just outside Carbondale off Snowmass Drive.

Lange celebration of life A celebration of life for Cyd Lange from 4-6 p.m. on June 18 at Redstone Park. Come and share a dish, along with stories and photos. For more information, call Deb McCormick at 963-1635.

First Friday on June 3 was a perfect night for a Main Street stroll, especially for the police. Downtown was packed for the first summer-time First Friday of the season. Upcoming First Fridays are July 1 and Aug. 5. From left to right are: Bill Kirkland, Robb Windham and Randy Rodgers. Photo by Jane Bachrach

Coming of Age Service with five TRUU youth members delivering their credos lead by Rev. Florence Caplow

Join us Sunday, June 12, 2016, 10 a.m.

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist (TRUU) @ Third Street Center, Calaway Room

www.tworiversuu.org Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist

Inspirational, Contemporary Music by Jimmy Byrne Heather Rydell, Youth Program Minister Childcare Provided

A cattle call

It wasn’t the kind of cattle call (a theatrical audition that’s open to everyone) that a performing arts theater would traditionally hold, but these Nieslanik cattle were apparently hoping to become bovine actors as they flooded the Thunder River Theater Company’s parking lot early last Thursday morning on their way through Carbondale during the annual spring cattle drive from winter pasture to their summer digs on the BLM land. Marty Nieslanik managed to pretty much protect the grass in front of town hall, and when the cattle reached the holding pens up Thompson Creek, Paul Nieslanik, Tom Herrington and one of the cattle dogs discussed how to avoid that grass entirely during the next drive.

The boots-and-chaps-and-cowboy-hats theme, along with the cows and horses and cowboys and cowgirls, seemed to linger in Carbondale well into the evening as the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo season kicked off right outside of town at the Gus Darien arena.

From barrel racing to bull riding, and from calf roping to Alpine Animal Hospital’s free horseback rides for kids, there was plenty of entertainment for spectators. Then there was Stevie (shown left), the horse from Skyline Ranch who was simply there to spread the love.

Photos and text by Jane Bachrach

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JUNE 9-15, 2016 • 9

Community Calendar THURSDAY June 9 RODEO • The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo continues at the Gus Darien Arena at 7:30 p.m. and continues on Thursdays through Aug. 18. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with slack at 6 p.m. and the Grand Entry at 7:30 p.m. The arena is located a mile east of Carbondale on County Road 100. Info: carbondalerodeo.com.

LIBRARY • The Carbondale Branch Library continues with Story Time every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Other library action includes: Game and Lunch on Thursdays at noon (free lunch for those 18 and under); Lunch at the Library every Monday at noon (for kids and teens under 18). Info: 9632889 and gcpld.org.

PHOTO SHOW • The Eagle County Community Building in El Jebel presents “Hunger Through My Lensâ€? through the end of June. The show opens from 4 to 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments. The show is the product of a project from Hunger Free Colorado, the health and human service departments of Pitkin and Eagle counties, and the Aspen Community Foundation.

LIVE MUSIC • Iron Mountain Hot Springs continues its Rhythm on the River weekly series from 6 to 8 p.m. Regular admission prices apply. Info: 945-4766.

ROTARY • The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at Mi Casita at noon every Thursday.

FRIDAY June 10 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents

To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is noon on Monday. 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 events online at soprissun.com/calendar.

“Love & Friendship� (PG) at 7:30 p.m.

June 10-16 (no show on June 15); “The Meddler� (PG-13) at 5:15 p.m. June 11 and “Sing Street� (PG-13) at 5:15 p.m. on June 12.

FATHER’S DAY PHOTOS • Today is the deadline to submit a photo of your father for the Sopris Sun’s Father’s Day page, to be published on June 16. For details, see the ad in this week’s Sun. HCN • High Country News hosts a panel discussion titled “The Fate of Our Public Landsâ€? at Rocky Mountain Institute in Basalt, starting at 6:30 p.m. Panelists include Brian Calvert (HCN managing editor); Jonathan Thompson (HCN senior editor); Jodi Peterson (HCD senior editor); and Tay Wiles (HCN online editor). The discussion will be followed by a short Q&A and reception at 7:30 p.m. This is a fund-raiser for High Country News. Tickets are $20 at brownpapertickets.com or $25 at the door.

Sponsors include: BF Foundation, Conundrum catering, Wilderness Workshop, Fishtrap, Colorado Wild Public Lands, Element Hotel, and New Belgium Brewery.

LIVE MUSIC • Hudson Valley rural rockers The Mike + Ruthy Band play Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building. Their 2015 recording “Bright as You Canâ€? was named one of NPR’s best albums that year.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Info: 963-3304 and stevesguitars.net.

ROTARY HAPPENING • The Carbondale Rotary Club presents “Casino Royaleâ€? for its 2016 Happening. There’ll be casino

Basalt opens “Drawings� by local artists Richard Carter, James Surls, Jody Guralnick and Chris Hassig from 5 to 7 p.m. The four artists will discuss their drawing practices with Art Base Director Genna Moe at 5:30 p.m. on June 30. Info: 927-4123 and info@theartbase.org.

ART OPENING • The Nomad pop-up art gallery opens a show featuring Carbondale ceramist Matthew Eames and Glenwood Springs painter/multimedia artist Jay Phillips from 6 to 9 p.m. The gallery is located at 809 Grand Ave. The show continues through June 26. Info: nomadgallery.space and 815-713-8909.

games (craps, roulette, poker and blackjack), dinner, drinks, a silent auction and music from Valle Musico. The action takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Carbondale Recreation Center. Tickets are $75 at the door, or RSVP to steve@kdnk.org. Proceeds go to scholarships for graduating seniors in Carbondale and Basalt.

KREHBIEL OPENING • The Art Base in Basalt opens the show “What Are You Thinkingâ€? by Roaring Fork High School senior Katelyn Krehbiel at 5 p.m. Krehbiel won “Best of Showâ€? at the recent Valley Visual Art Show in Carbondale. She will talk about her art with Art Base Director Genna Moe at 5:30 p.m. at the Art Annex in Basalt.

LIVE MUSIC • Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs presents the Leonard Curry Trio from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. There’s no cover. Coming on Friday nights through June: Painter’s Stage (June 17) and Valle Musico (June 24).         Â

SATURDAY June 11 LET’S PARTY • Ride the Rockies takes over Fourth Street Plaza with music, food and more. For details, see the ad on page 7 in this week’s Sopris Sun. YARD SALE • Crystal Meadows (1250 Hendrick Dr.) holds its annual yard sale from 9 a.m. to noon.

BREAD BAKING • The Carbondale Community Oven folks ďŹ re it up earlier in the day, then put in the bread at 1 p.m. Bring your dough or just yourself to see what goes on at a community bread bake. Info: Jenna

BASALT ANNEX • The Art Annex in

CALENDAR page 11

RFTA SUMMER SCHEDULES EFFECTIVE SATURDAY, JUNE 11TH RFTA SUMMER SEASON SCHEDULES

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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS & PROPOSALS (RFQP) Roaring Fork School District RE-1 CONSTRUCTION MANAGER/GENERAL CONTRACTOR (CM/GC)

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Summer schedules are effective SATURDAY, JUNE 11TH. Changes have occurred on the VelociRFTA BRT, Local-Valley, Hogback, and City of Aspen routes.

Preview schedules at WWW.RFTA.COM

HORARIOS RFTA PARA LA TEMPORADA DE VERANO Horarios de verano son efectivos el SABADO, 11 de JUNIO. Cambios han ocurrido a las rutas de VelociRFTA BRT, Local-Valley, Hogback, y rutas de la Ciudad de Aspen.

Para ver los horarios con anticipaciĂłn visite WWW.RFTA.COM CALL 970.925.8484 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR VISIT WWW.RFTA.COM

10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JUNE 9-15, 2016

Community Calendar Haugaard at 808-463-8767.

LIVELY MUSIC • The Cowboy Corral — a high falootin’, rootin’ tootin’ singing group from the Roaring Fork Valley — will be singing cowboy tunes and telling stories and poems about the cowboy era at the Silt Historical Park from 7 to 9 p.m.

Info: 963-3883.

LIVE MUSIC • The Loyal Brothers Lounge in Glenwood Springs presents The Tankerays at 9 p.m. There’s no cover.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY • Mountain Valley Developmental Services hosts its 6th annual Mountain to Valley Half Marathon, FAST 4 Mile Run/Walk and Smilin’ Sam Half Mile Fun Run. All races start and finish at Glenwood Park. Participants can register online at mountaintovalleyrace.com.

ASC • A Spiritual Center in the Third Street Center presents Lisa Chiles at 10 a.m. (social gathering at 9:45 a.m.). On June 19, it’s Gwen Garcelon (“The Divine Masculine); on June 26 it’s Michael Manning (“DNA for Success.”). Info: 963-5516.

MOTORS ON MIDLAND • Classic cars, food and music take over Midland Avenue in Basalt for Motors on Midland. It goes from 5 to 8 p.m. and besides the cars and everything else features the band Aspen 440.

Beer garden proceeds benefit the Art Base.

TUESDAY June 14 COFFEE WITH DAN • Carbondale Mayor Pro Tem Dan Richardson holds “office hours” at the Village Smithy from 7 to 8 a.m. on Tuesdays. Drop by for some coffee and a chat.

Father’s Day 2016

continued from page 10

ART DEMO • The Glenwood Springs Art Guild’s June demonstration presents Minisa Robinson with the art of wood burning at 3:30 p.m. The guild meets at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (1630 Grand Ave.). Info: 274-3325.

WEDNESDAY June 15 BINGO • Carbondale Beer Works on Main Street hosts Bingo Book Night. Attendees can sign up for the Carbondale Branch Library’s adult reading program and must be at least 21 years old. Books will be awarded as prizes. Info: 963-2889 and gcpld.org.

BROADBAND SERVICE • Garfield County and NEOConnect host a meeting about broadband service from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. at the Carbondale Branch Library.

Info: 963-2889.

FRIDAY June 17 THEATRE • Thunder River Theatre concludes its 21st season with “Rashomon” by Fay and Michael Kanin. The play depicts the story of a samurai and his wife, traveling through a forest in Japan, who are apprehended by the roving bandit Tajomaru.

Through a mesmerizing series of flashbacks, four different characters recount their conflicting versions of what actually happened, revealing the complexities of perception, human nature, truth, deception, love and honor. The preview is June 16, followed by performances on June 17-18, June 24-26, and June 30-July 2. Thunder River Theatre is located in downtown Carbondale. Info: thunderrivertheatre.com

The Sopris Sun would like to honor your dad.

Share a favorite photo of you and your father with our community.

Photos will be published in the June 16 issue of The Sopris Sun and/or online at www.soprissun.com.

Further Out THURSDAY June 16

SATURDAY July 2

BATIK WORKSHOP • The Basalt Regional Library presents a batik workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. for fifth graders through high schoolers. Registration is required.

WILDFEST 2016 • The Wilderness Workshop presents Wildfest 2016 at Owl Farm in Woody Creek. It goes from 5 to 10 p.m. and the action includes live music, kids activities, discussions, locally produced cuisine, plus beer and spirits. General admission tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Gonzo tickets are $150, which grants the holder free drink tickets at the main bar and Gonzo Nation tent, parking on site or via a shuttle from Aspen and other surprises. Info: wildernessworkshop.org/wildfest.

MONDAY June 20 FLY FISHING • The Basalt Regional Library gives a fly-fishing workshop for teens from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration is required.

Ongoing SENIOR MATTERS • Silver Sneakers meet at the Carbondale Recreation Center on Mondays at 9 a.m., Wednesdays at 9:15 a.m., and Fridays at 10 a.m.

SENIOR MATTERS • Martin Finkelstein leads Tai Chi workouts at the Sopris Park gazebo at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

SENIOR MATTERS • Bring a partner to Senior Matters bridge at the Third Street Center at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Info: Diane Morgan at 963-0424.

SENIOR MATTERS • The Senior Matters Board of Directors meets the third Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Third Street Center.

SENIOR MATTERS • Diane Johnson talks about senior issues and services on KDNK at 4:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month.

PLANT-BASED WHOLE FOODS/LIFESTYLE SUPPORT • Dr. Greg Feinsinger speaks on the health advantages of eating plant-based whole foods on the first Monday of every month at the Third Street Center starting at 7 p.m. A plant-based whole foods potluck dinner is held at the Third Street Center at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of every month. Everyone is welcome. Info: info@davinikent.org.

LINX • The Linx Business Network meets Tuesdays at 7:15 a.m. at the Sotheby’s International real estate office (201 Midland Ave.) in Basalt. Linx is a networking organization whose members work together to grow and promote their businesses, according to a press release. All dues not used for administration are given to local non-profits each December. Info: Keith at 970-390-8401 or kedquist@usa.net.

There will be a Memorial Service for

Joan Pomeroy Saturday, June 11 at 11:00 AM at Saint Mary’s of the Crown in Carbondale: 397 White Hill Road, Carbondale, CO. The service will be followed by a reception at the family home: 1401 Hendrick Drive, Carbondale.

All who know and loved Joan are asked to come to the church or the home and share laughter and stories.

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Please submit your high-quality photo to terrir@soprissun.com.

by Friday, June 10.

Please include “Father's Day” in the subject line and in the body of the email include both of your names and towns of residence. Note: Use largest setting on your camera to assure best print quality. Any photos that don't make it into our print issue will be featured on our website.

Questions? Call 510-3003.

For Information & Reservations call 970-945-0667 `HTWHOZWH JVT

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JUNE 9-15, 2016 • 11

Diaz challenging Martin in GOP primary

By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer Aron Diaz, the Silt trustee running to replace Garfield County Commissioner John Martin on the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), is careful to stay away from criticizing Martin’s job performance.

Instead, he prefers to focus on hisbelief that more can be done to diversify the county’s economy, and shelter it from the booms and busts of the energy industry, than has been done by successive county governments in recent years.

Diaz is hoping to beat Martin in the Republican Party’s June 28 primary, which is currently underway as a mail-in ballot election.

Martin’s tale Martin, who has been on the BOCC since 1996 — at 20 years, a longer tenure than most county commissioners in Colorado, according to a profile on the county’s website (www.garfield-county.com) — did not respond to requests for an interview with The Sopris Sun. The profile on the county’s web site notes Martin is in his fifth term of office and is “a seasoned, knowledgeable leader serving the county, region and state” and that he “also represents western Colorado’s interests nationally” in such organizations as the National Association of Counties (NACO) and its Western Interstate Region (WIR).

According to the profile, he left home when he was 13, married his high school

sweetheart and has several children and grandchildren.

A native of Garfield County, Martin never earned a college degree, though the profile declares he “has sufficient credits” to hold some kind of degree.

“I hold a master’s degree in the school of hard knocks, with a minor in common sense, and have applied-reality tattooed on my back,” he is quoted as saying in the profile.

He is said to have worked in construction for some time before becoming a police officer for Glenwood Springs Police Department, where he worked for nearly 25 years until he ran for election on the county board.

After being elected, according to the profile, he held both jobs for a year before retiring from the police department with the rank of administrative sergeant in 1997.

The challenger: Aron Diaz Speaking with a reporter on Monday, Diaz, 41, said the county government has been “very fortunate” to be the site of vast deposits of natural gas and other sources of energy.

But, Diaz continued, “I still believe that the county needs to do a greater job of promoting itself” to draw in a broader range of businesses and industries that will bring jobs to a region currently depressed by a downturn in energy economics.

And particularly, Diaz said, the county needs to begin working more closely with the six towns within its boundaries to promote economic development and bring in new

business that will provide jobs to residents and get them off the highways.

He acknowledged that the county has an economic development team that was created to do exactly what he is talking about, but Diaz believes the team could do better.

“I think it’s just not focused,” he said, noting that recent economic-roundtable meetings sponsored by the county have been “all about reports … not about an action plan.”

He said a definitive plan is necessary both for the county’s economic development efforts, and for those that the county should be working on with the towns — Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, Rifle and Parachute — to help the towns reach their own economic-development goals.

For example, he said, Rifle is seeking ways to boost its Center of Excellence for advanced aerial training for fire fighters, of which the county is a partner.

Or there is Silt, which Diaz said has long sought a way to attract a traditional grocery store and still is.

In Parachute, Diaz continued, town officials are working to find ways to create recreational facilities and opportunities along the Colorado River as it passes through town.

Garfield County, Diaz maintained, “needs to be greater advocates for those (goals) at some level.”

For instance, he said, the Rifle community also has for some time considered how to attract a firearms manufacturing firm to town,

Primaries an all-GOP affair in GarCo

By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer When Garfield County voters start mailing in their ballots this month (they were mailed out on June 7) for the 2016 primary election, only Republicans will actually be making choices.

That is because there are no competitive primary races involving Democrats on the Garfield County ballot.

County Clerk & Recorder Jean Alberico told The Sopris Sun this week that state law requires that she send out ballots for the Democrats anyway, but only on the Republican side of the political ledger are there any races where two or more candidates seek their party’s nod to appear on the Nov. 8 general-election ballot.

According to the sample Republican primary ballot at the clerk’s website (www.garfield-county.com/clerkrecorder/) the contested races include: • The fight to occupy one of Colorado’s two U.S. Senate seats, the one now held by Democrat Michael Bennet, featuring five ballot-qualified Republican candidates — Darryl Glenn, Ryan L. Frazier, Robert Blaha, Jack Graham and Jon Keyser, all businessmen or politicians from the Front Range, filed in time to make the official ballot. (A sixth, Jerry

GOP CANDIDATES page 14

PRIMARIES page 14

Sierra editor dit r of Sierr a Magazine & environmental environme o ental author

For more information or to RSVP aspennature.org | 970.925.5756

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • JUNE 9-15, 2016

Public lands om page 3 ward’s Folly, 1867), the vast majority of federal lands were paid for by the blood, tax dollars, deeds and misdeeds of residents of all the United States,” not just a small number of ranchers who presently live in the region, Zeitz wrote.

“In fact, the only meaningful swath of territory the federal government obtained directly from states was roughly 233 million acres that New York, Virginia, Massachusetts and Connecticut agreed to cede to Congress,” Zeitz continued. “Congress, in turn, created the Northwest Territory, out of which it later carved out today’s Midwestern states … Ohio and Illinois.)”

Occupation The most recent manifestation of the new Sagebrush Rebellion movement was the occupation earlier this year of the 188,000acre Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon, an occupation ostensibly meant to protest prison sentences for two area ranchers convicted of committing arson on federal land.

But following a peaceful protest about the prison sentences, the event became an armed standoff between anti-government militants and law-enforcement agencies of the affected counties, the state and the federal government.

Leading the occupiers was Ammon Bundy, whose father, Cliven Bundy, a 71year-old rancher from Nevada, had forced an armed standoff with federal land managers in 2014 over nonpayment of $1.2 million in leasing fees owed to the U.S. Bureau

of Land Management in return for permits that let him graze cattle on federal land.

The occupying militants, according to news stories, threatened essentially to engage in a gunfight with law enforcement officials over the militants' demands that control of the Refuge be turned over to them, which they believed was somehow called for in the U.S. Constitution.

Further, the militants and their supporters have demanded that federal land mangers cede control of public lands to the states.

In a series of articles this year, HCN reporters concluded that if the lands were turned over to the states as demanded, the most likely outcome would be the sale of those same lands at bargain-basement prices to energy, logging and other private land-exploitation interests.

The lands According to published accounts, the 640 million acres now under federal control make up roughly 35 percent of the approximately 1.85 billion acres of public lands amassed by the feds between 1781 and 1867, when westward expansion of the nation is generally acknowledged to have been finished.

Throughout the rest of the 19th and early 20th centuries, according to Politico, federal agencies got rid of approximately two-thirds of its holdings, largely in the interests of economic and regional development, land grants to veterans, or the raising of money to fund new public universities.

In addition, millions of acres were given to citizens under various land-settlement acts passed by Congress, and millions more went

to the fledgling railroads as a way to tie up the vast new country into a cohesive bundle.

Therefore, the activists at Malheur Refuge and their supporters are wrong about their claim to the lands.

But the true undercurrent beneath the new Sagebrush Rebellion, according to published articles, is one of virulent, right-wing, anti-democratic rhetoric and violent intentions.

“Whereas the Sagebrush Rebellion of old was driven largely by pragmatic, grassroots concerns, today's version is purely ideological –– a nationwide confluence of right-wing and libertarian extremists,” wrote Jonathan Thompson in February. “Many of them have little interest in grazing allotments, mining laws or the Wilderness Act. It's what these things symbolize that matters: A tyrannical federal government that activists can denounce, defy and perhaps even engage in battle.”

A new network A network of groups has coalesced around such ideas, wrote Thompson, and “are bound together by libertarian-tinged ideology, disdain if not hatred for [President Barack] Obama, and by fear that the government will take away their guns, their liberty, their money, their land, their Confederate flags, and, yes, Christmas.”

But the groups have supporters among some politicians, private entrepreneurs and conservative think tanks, which join in the call for local control of public lands, according to Thompson and other reporters.

For example, writer Lyndsey Gilpin in February documented that the controversial organization ALEC (American Legislative

Exchange Council) is increasingly involved in the effort to put public lands in state and, ultimately, private hands.

The conference in Basalt is intended to provide locals with a glimpse into the publication's public-lands reporting and writing over the past decade and more, and to offer attendees a chance to ask questions of the editorial staffers responsible for those reports.

The panel All the panelists have long resumes in reporting on a variety of issues, according to biographical summaries provided to The Sopris Sun. Calvert, a fourth-generation Wyoming native, was raised in the town of Pinedale and has worked as a foreign correspondent in several eastern nations.

Peterson, who grew up near Denver, has been a managing editor at HCN for five years and is now a senior editor writing about public lands, wildlife management, and other topics.

Thompson, also a native westerner, was owner and editor of the Silverton Standard & The Miner in Silverton, Colo., before being hired as editor in chief at HCN from 2007 to 2010. He then lived in Berlin, Germany, for a time before returning to Colorado.

Shorten, who has worked as a Moscow and White House correspondent for the Los Angeles Times as well as an environmental correspondent for National Public Radio, is based in Washington, D.C., where she reports for HCN on how issues focused on the western U.S. play out in the nation’s capital.

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JUNE 9-15, 2016 • 13

GOP candidates om page 12 “but you’ve got to have a planâ€? to ďŹ nd and lure in such large scale businesses.

Another way to boost economic activity, he said, is to work with existing local businesses to expand, improve and offer more opportunities for services and employment.

His suggestion for such concepts, he said, is to create a “business incubator� that could help existing businesses get started. “Yes, I want to bring other businesses here,� Diaz went on, as well as “if we can, build businesses that are here already and make them better.�

Diaz avoided criticizing Martin’s work as a commissioner, holding that Martin had not failed to do what is needed, but that the way he views the choice for voters is, “It’s a difference in style.�

He continued that, “the rate of change in business today requires a nimbleness� that has been lacking in the county government.

Not that he dismisses the value of the county’s energy sector, which he praised as a ďŹ nancial boon to the county despite a recent slowdown. “I think oil and gas is going to come back,â€? he predicted. “I mean, the resource is here,â€? so it should and will be exploited.

But diversiďŹ cation is necessary, he said, adding, “I think I’m the kind of person who, if somebody wants to do something great for their community, my ďŹ rst reaction is going to be, ‘How can I help?’â€?

Another area he feels his leadership would differ from Martin’s is in the realm of public transportation.

Noting that GarďŹ eld County pays out some

$800,000 a year to the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) for bus service to the western part of the county, he was mildly critical of the county administration for its decision to not actually join the RFTA network, which he feels has been an error. “I want to be more engaged� with RFTA’s organization and administration, he said, so the county can be at the decision-making table if circumstances change and RFTA has to alter its services to match those changes.

In collaborating with RFTA, and ďŹ nding ways to promote business diversiďŹ cation in the western end of the county where the gas ďŹ eld is located, the county can help residents of the west-end towns ďŹ nd jobs where they live rather then having to take long bus rides or drive long distances to jobs in the Roaring Fork Valley.

As for county government itself, Diaz noted that oil and gas revenues have declined, along with taxes paid to the county, which has had a shrinking effect on the county’s cash ow — an effect that has held the county in a boomand-bust cycle for decades. “You can’t keep spending money like it’s going to keep coming in as it has been,â€? Diaz said. “You’ve got to prioritizeâ€? rather than “just keeping the economy aoat and waiting for the next boom.â€?

One possible direction, he said, might be to look seriously at shrinking the county’s workforce wherever possible, to reduce the size of the county budget, while simultaneously using county resources to fund projects and proposals that spur economic growth. “What we’re going to need is a lot of col-

If you would like to advertise your local non-profit or school here, free of charge, please

laboration, a lot of county leadership to pull everybody together,� he said.

Diaz, who said he is a fourth-generation native of GarďŹ eld County and a graduate of Rie High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, in 1997, working as an intern for veteran attorney and political appointee Russell George for a couple of years.

He then went to Washington, D.C., to work for former Congressman Bob Schaffer (R-Colorado 4th Dist.) in 2000, and later returned to Denver to work for then Gov. Bill Owens on Owens’ state workforce council.

From 2006 to 2010, Diaz said, he was director of the Associated Government of Northwest Colorado. Following that job, he went to work as the municipal representative on the Western Slope for the Waste Management trash hauling company from 2010-2014, during which time he got to know ofďŹ cials at the eastern end of the county, including the Town of Carbondale. “I really look forward to working with the trustees up there,â€? he said of Carbondale’s elected leaders, mentioning speciďŹ cally his belief that Carbondale has already set a standard for establishing a special kind of culture and working to solidify that culture.

Diaz currently works as internship coordinator for the GarďŹ eld R-16 School District in Parachute, where he helps students ďŹ nd jobs and other opportunities.

(Editor’s note; The Sopris Sun hopes to proďŹ le incumbent commissioner John Martin in an upcoming edition).

Primaries om page 12 Eller, is listed by the online election website, BallotPedia, as a write-in candidate; and two other candidates, Arn Menconi of the Green Party and Lily Tang Williams of the Libertarian Party, will be on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.) • An electoral contest for the District 3 U.S. Congressional seat, between incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton (R-3rd) and Carbondale resident Alex Beinstein (the winner is likely to face former state senator Gail Schwartz, a Democrat from Snowmass Village, in the general election); • A contest between Carbondale resident Joyce Rankin and Anita M. Stapleton of Pueblo, for the 3rd District seat on the Colorado Board of Education; • And a local political race between long-time GarďŹ eld County Commissioner John Martin and his challenger, Aron Dias, a current member of the Silt board of trustees, for the District 2 seat on the Board of County Commissioners (a Democrat from New Castle, businessman John Acha, will be on the general election ballot in November, running against the winner of the Republican primary.)

The ofďŹ cial primary election day, by which all primary ballots must be received at the county clerk’s ofďŹ ce in order to be counted, is June 28.

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GarCo reaching out on broadband issues Sopris Sun Staff Report Garfield County will hold a public input session on broadband needs at the Carbondale Branch Library from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. on June 15, according to a press release.

The county has also posted a survey at garfield-county.com to help determine current service levels and provide information for the future. The deadline to fill out the online survey is July 1.

The input session and survey are part of Garfield and Mesa counties’ Broadband Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan study, with the goal of improving the speed and reliability of internet service for businesses and residents throughout the region. The counties retained NEO Connect to prepare the broadband plan and determine strategies regarding the local governments’ role in this process.

The Garfield County Board of Commissioners held a kickoff work session May 3 to discuss broadband services, constraints and challenges. “The Board of County Commis-

sioners would like to get the community’s view of current broadband services and feedback regarding Garfield and Mesa Counties’, or the local municipalities, role in improving broadband services throughout the community,” said a Garfield County spokesman.

The Garfield County commissioners are also considering placing a question on the November ballot regarding opting out of Senate Bill 05-152, which restricts local governments from offering competition for some communications services, including broadband internet. The bill specifically prohibits local governments from providing broadband internet services either directly or through public/private partnerships. If voters agree to opt out, the counties would be able to consider a wider spectrum of opportunities for attracting and implementing the services.

The county held a broadband meeting in Glenwood Springs on June 3. In addition to the Carbondale meeting, others are slated for the Rifle Branch Library on June 10, and the New Castle Branch Library on June 16.

“The Board of County Commissioners would like to get the community’s view of current broadband services and feedback…”

The 2016 CPAC Art aRound Town sculpture walk pointed art enthusiasts to 14 new sculptures placed throughout the downtown core on June 2.

This wooden sculpture at the new CCAH Betty Jane Schuss Memorial Garden was too tempting for Maielle Maes to pass up as a resting spot.

Photo by Terri Ritchie

Carbondale Police Department is now accepting applications for the position of

Police Administrative Assistant

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who will enjoy working in a TEAM / Community Policing environment. Salary range is from $37,100 to $45,500 DOQ. We offer an excellent benefit package. Spanish speaking is a bonus. Works under the direction of the Chief of Police or designee and performs a wide variety of responsible, confidential, and complex administrative, financial, technical, programmatic, and administrative duties. Prepares a variety of fiscal, administrative, and operational reports. Serves as a representative of the Department and liaises with Town staff, departments and outside agencies. Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and ability to learn a number of other software programs.

Applicants must complete background checks, drug test, polygraph test, and integrity test.

Send application, resume and references to Carbondale Police Department, 511 Colorado Ave., #911, Carbondale, CO 81623 or to Lt. Chris Wurtsmith, cwurtsmith@carbondaleco.net.

Deadline is June 24, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JUNE 9-15, 2016 • 15

EAT. SHOP. PLAY. CONFLUENCE OF RIVERS, RECREATION & CULTURE

Art Base Annex presents the ‘fab four’ Carter, Surls, Guralnick and Hassig Sopris Sun Staff Report The Art Base (formerly the Wyly Art Center) presents “Drawings” — which showcases local artistst Richard Carter, James Surls, Jody Guralnick and Chris Hassig — at the Art Base Annex through July 2. An opening reception is slated for June 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Curated by Richard Carter and composed of four artists who draw extensively, “Drawings” celebrates the contrast in styles within the same medium — how a seemingly insignificant instrument can release a small amount of material onto a surface, and leave a visible and profound mark in time and humanity, according to a press release.

Exploring and expanding the definition of drawing, Carter, Surls, Guralnick and Hassig demonstrate that drawings can often stand on their own as fine art and are frequently exhibited independently beyond their other chosen mediums.

Carter is a painter who works with graphite in both pencil form and powder, creating a wide range of constructivist images that touch on natural phenomena such as lightning, ice, water and sky.

Surls, widely recognized as a sculptor, creates pencil drawings that are abstract compositions representing two-dimensional studies of lyrical and dynamic themes that we commonly see executed in his three-dimensional work in metal and wood.

Guralnick, best known as an assemblage artist, uses markers and ink to produce her character sketches of whimsical people, creatures and plants, embraced in a swirling

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abstract cosmos, creating sublimated narratives on nature and science.

Hassig, primarily thought of as a print maker, draws in ink. His detailed visionary maps and depictions of imaginary landscapes reflect a compulsive precision.

The four artists will discuss their individual drawing practices in an art talk with Executive Director Genna Moe on June 30 at 5:30 p.m.

Krehbiel and Magidson Running concurrently at the Charles J. Wyly Gallery at the Art Base main campus is the exhibition “What Are You Thinking?” that focuses on mixed media drawings from Roaring Fork High School junior Katelyn Krehbiel and mentor Ingrid Magidson. The opening reception is also June 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.

“What Are You Thinking” is a part of the Claudette Carter ARTmentors program, and is the second of three student/mentee exhibitions at the Charles J. Wyly Gallery Exhibition.

It runs through June 18. The Charles J. Wyly Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information and full schedule visit theartbase.org, or contact 927-4123 or info@theartbase.org.

The Art Base Annex is located on 174 Midland Ave., next to Café Bernard in downtown Basalt. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.

Backstage ballerinas Last Friday evening at Carbondale Middle School, a rehearsal was held for the ballerinas who would dance in the Crystal River Ballet School’s spring performance of “Sleeping Beauty: The Wedding” on Saturday.

Although the rehearsal was entertaining, what happened backstage in the dressing room, as the dancers were getting ready for the dress rehearsal that followed, was even more entertaining; especially watching owner/instructor Jeni Ptacek struggle to remove an unauthorized barrette from Mia Contrera’s hair without damaging her long locks.

Top row, left to right: Randi Garcia, Jeni Ptacek and Mia Contreras (5 years old), and Robin Muse (12); second row: Amy Rodriguez (4), and Caroline Billeisen (6) and Harper Campbell (4); bottom row: Caroline Billeisen, Brianna Leyva, Ayla Peterson and Cassidy O’Neil (ages 6-7), Payton Whalen (4) and Brianna Leyva (6).

Photos and text by Jane Bachrach

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JUNE 9-15, 2016 • 17

In government, local control works best

in politics, I Senate Bill 190, which addresses Before I became personally involved I also sponsored used to watch the news on TV and yell at the news- the improvement of administration of food-stamp elcasters. Now I can’t watch it at all. There is so much igibility as well as other programs at the county level. opportunity in government to actually solve prob- I made sure that the counties, each with very differlems and make the system work better for ordinary ent performance histories, had control of their own people, yet we seem to focus on naimprovement processes. tional politics and political turmoil as a We are working on an issue that form of entertainment. made the news last Sunday, having to do I love working on state government with the administration and delivery of issues, but I’m convinced that local town services to the developmentally disabled

and county governments, school boards by the 20 community-centered boards and other (CCB’s) around the state. Our local local involvement are also great venues to make a real difference. board, Mountain Valley Developmental We spend too much time and energy Services, managed for many years by at every level dealing with and in some Bruce Christensen (thanks for your dedcases over coming federal and state govication and service) has very different reernment mandates and regulations. source needs and constraints than those

the Whether it’s control of our school stanin urban areas. dards and curriculum, or administration These are just three examples of

By Bob Rankin of our far-reaching health care and sowhy it’s important to work for local cial programs, one size does not fit all. The nine involvement and control. In all three cases there’s towns and vast rural areas that I represent often have federal money, state management and local adcompletely different issues than Colorado’s Front ministration in play, but I learned from my corRange urban corridor. I worked on and sponsored porate days that the people actually doing the job

several bills this year that address these critical dif- know best how to do it better. ferences.

Consistent with the theme of this month’s column, House Bill 122 (one of the bills that I sponsored) I plan to attend meetings of town councils, county increases the availability of online supplemental commissioners, school boards and others this sumcourse content to support, primarily, teachers in rural mer. Please invite me to your favorite local meeting. and small schools. The program is ably coordinated Follow our travels on Facebook.

by Troy Lange, my Roaring Fork Valley neighbor, who heads our local Board of Cooperative Educa- Representative Bob Rankin, House District 57, tion Services (BOCES). The result is local control of lives in the Carbondale area and represents curriculum with the same quality as the big city.

Garfield, Rio Blanco and Moffat counties.

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By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer Attorneys in the murder trial against Arturo Navarrete-Portillo were concentrating midway through the trial this week on how intoxicated Navarrete-Portillo was when he killed his wife last year.

At issue, according to reports about the 10-day trial, is whether Navarrete-Portillo, 47, was in his right mind when he allegedly used a machete to kill Maria Carminda Portilla-Amaya, 30, in the early morning hours of Feb. 16, 2015 at their Carbondale apartment, or was too drunk to know what he was doing.

Later that same morning, Navarrete-Portillo crashed a car he was driving into the back of a livestock truck on Highway 133 just south of Carbondale, in what authorities were told was an attempt at suicide due to remorse over the killing of his wife.

Navarrete-Portillo is charged with first-degree murder in the case, as well as with child abuse, because the killing took place in a bedroom in front of Navarrete-Portillo’s young son from a previous marriage.

The trial began on May 31, with a grueling and unusual four-day jury selection process. Hundreds of prospective jurors reportedly were called, and the court opted to empanel an equally unusual number, 12 regular jurors and four alternates, due to the complex nature of the case.

The defense has admitted that Navarrete-Portillo killed his wife that day, but is contesting the prosecution's allegation that it was a premeditated act committed with a clear head, which are necessary elements of a first-degree murder conviction.

The defense, presented by public defenders Elise Meyer and Molly Owens, wants jurors to conclude that Navarrete-Portillo was both extremely drunk and overcome by anger generated during a disagreement with Portillo-Amaya, which reportedly came at the end of a day of heavy drinking by the couple.

The defense reportedly is hoping jurors will find Navarrete-Portillo guilty of second-degree murder, committed “in the heat of passion,” according to a story in the Post-Independent, although the defense attorneys had not made clear the exact nature of the provocation that they claim brought on the killing.

MURDER TRIAL page 19

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Murder trial

om page 18

According to reports, the defendant cannot recall much of the domestic disagreement that preceded the murder.

During the course of two days of testimony this week, the prosecutor showed a grisly set of photos taken by the victim, using her own cell phone, showing her injuries after Navarrete-Portillo allegedly beat her.

According to the prosecution, it was after that beating that Navarrete-Portillo went to a closet and produced the machete with which he killed his wife.

There was testimony from experts on Tuesday, indicating that Navarrete-Portillo had a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .237 when he was tested at the hospital that morning, three times the legal limit. His wife had a .185 BAC at the time of her death.

(Editor's note: This report is culled from stories about the murder trial, still underway in Glenwood Springs, by reporters Ryan Summerlin of the Glenwood Springs Post Independent and Collin Szewczyk of the Aspen Daily News).

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NOTICE OF PRIMARY MAIL BALLOT ELECTION June 28, 2016

PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF COLORADO

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HAS REQUESTED THE LICENSING OFFICIALS OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE TO GRANT A RETAIL MARIJUANA INFUSED PRODUCT SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND RETAIL MARIJUANA INFUSED PRODUCT LICENSE TO MANUFACTURE RETAIL MARIJUANA INFUSED PRODUCTS

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BY ORDER OF: DAN RICHARDSON, MAYOR PRO TEM APPLICANT:

JESSIE MILLER

Information may be obtained from, and Petitions or Remonstrances may be filed with the Town Clerk Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, CO 81623.

Published in The Sopris Sun on June 9, 2016.

Submit to unclassifieds@soprissun.com by Friday 12 p.m. Rates: $15 for 30 words, $20 for up to 50 words. Payment due before publication.*

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Election Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2016 Election Type: Mail Ballot with in person voting options at Voter Service & Polling Centers Election Hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Election Day

Ballots will be mailed between June 6th and June 10th to all active registered voters affiliated with a political party with candidates on the primary ballot. The mail ballot issued to you will contain only those candidates on which you are eligible to vote based on your affiliation with either the Republican or Democratic Party. Unaffiliated voters may affiliate at the County Clerk’s offices and request a ballot or can go to www.govotecolorado.com and affiliate on-line through June 20th to have a ballot mailed, or appear at a Voter Service & Polling Center (VSPC) to affiliate and receive a ballot.

Voters who do not receive their ballots may request replacement ballots in person at the County Clerk’s Offices in Glenwood Springs or Rifle or by phone (970-384-3700 option 2, fax (970-947-1078) or email (elections@garfield-county.com). The last day to request that a ballot be mailed is June 20, 2016. After that date voters must appear in person at the County Clerk’s office or a Voter Service and Polling Center to request a replacement ballot, register to vote, affiliate and receive a ballot, or complete a change of address and receive a ballot. Any voter may surrender their mail ballot and cast their vote on an ADA accessible electronic voting machine located at the Clerk’s office in Glenwood Springs or the Early Voting (VSPC) located at the new County Administration Bldg. D at 195 West 14th St. in Rifle beginning Monday June 20th. Each VSPC open on Election Day will have at least one ADA accessible electronic voting machine available for use from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Return voted ballots by mail with appropriate postage affixed ($0.47 stamp) or you may hand deliver your ballot to one of the designated drop-office sites listed below.

Ballots must be received at a Voter Service and Polling Center or the County Clerk’s offices by 7:00 pm on Election Day to be counted. Postmarks do not count. Verify your voter registration information and track your ballot (sent and received) at www.govotecolorado.com.

County Office Drop-off sites for voted ballots: Beginning June 6, 2016

Garfield County Clerk & Recorder 109 8th Street, Suite 200 Glenwood Springs, CO East Entrance M -F 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Suite 200 M-F 8:30-5:00 pm Election Day Open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm 24/7 Drop Box on 8th St.

Rifle Branch Office 195 W 14th St Bldg. D Rifle, CO Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Election Day Open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm 24/7 Drop Box near building entrance

New Castle Town Hall 450 W. Main Street New Castle, CO M-F 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Silt Town Hall 231 N. 7th Street Silt, CO M-F 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Town Hall Drop-off Sites: June 6 - June 28, 2016

Carbondale Police Department is now accepting applications for the position of Police Officer I and II. “Laterals welcome to apply”

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who will enjoy working in a TEAM / Community Policing environment. Starting salary is $48,822.00. Ability to work shift work, weekends and holidays a must. We offer an excellent benefit package. Spanish speaking is a bonus.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have or ability to obtain a valid Colorado driver’s license and no felony convictions.

Applicants must complete background checks, complete physical agility test, and participate in a ride-along program.

Send application, resume and references to Carbondale Police Department, 511 Colorado Ave., #911, Carbondale, CO 81623 or to Lt. Chris Wurtsmith, cwurtsmith@carbondaleco.net.

Deadline is June 17, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.

Parachute Town Hall 222 Grand Valley Way Parachute, CO M-Thursday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm

Carbondale Town Hall (7am to 7pm on June 28) 511 Colorado Ave Carbondale, CO M-F 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Garfield County Courthouse-Room 200

M-F 8:30 am to 5:00 pm & Election Day from 7am to 7pm M-F 8:30 am to 5:00 pm & Election Day from 7am to 7pm

Voter Service & Polling Centers:

Rifle Branch Office 195 14th St. Bldg. D

Early Voting Location- Rifle Branch Office 1st Floor, Conference Room at 195 W 14th St, Bldg. D Rifle, June 20th to June 27th (M-F hours 8:30 am to 5:00 pm). Election Day June 28th 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

All drop off sites and Voter Service and Polling Centers listed above will be open Saturday June 25, 2016 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Voter registration changes and ballot issuance available only at the VSPCs in Glenwood Springs and Rifle on this Saturday.

Additional Voter Service & Polling Centers open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Election Day Only

Carbondale Town Hall- 511 Colorado Ave Glenwood Springs Community Center - 100 Wulfshon Rd New Castle Library - 402 W Main St Silt Library - 680 Home Ave Parachute Library - 244 Grand Valley Way

Questions: 970-384-3700 Option 2 for Garfield County Elections Department

Designated Election Official: Jean M. Alberico, Garfield County Clerk & Recorder Sample ballots available at www.garfield-county.com.

Published in The Sopris Sun on June 9, 2016.

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JUNE 9-15, 2016 • 19

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