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Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper
the
Sopris Carbondale’s weekly
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Sun
Volume 8, Number 29 | August 25, 2016
Dig that guac’
Did Stacy Stein “savor” the guacamole at the KDNK table during the second annual “Our Town, One Table” community potluck last Sunday? Or did she “chomp down,” “inhale, “scarf up,” or just “enjoy” the tasty dip before moving on to other offerings at the table? In any case, for more photos from “Our Town, One Table” community potluck on Fourth Street, please turn to pages 8-9. Photo by Jane Bachrach
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New CARE director ready for his first “K9” party Sept. 10 at the Orchard By John Colson Sopris Sun Writer Wes Boyd, who is settling in to his relatively new post as director of the Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE) shelter near the Spring Valley Campus of Colorado Mountain College, is getting set for his first “Dressed To The K-9s” party, the annual bash to raise money and awareness about the organization's programs and facilities. The celebration, scheduled for Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Orchard on Snowmass Drive, will feature a silent auction, a dog fashion show and an entertainment program by the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue. Tickets are $85, according to a poster advertising the event, and more information can be obtained by calling 947-9173.
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
From Steamboat Boyd moved here from Steamboat Springs and, before that, the Front Range area, and he told The Sopris Sun this week that he has always loved animals and has had pets all his life, though most of his working career has been taken up by operating restaurants. For much of his three-and-a-half years in Steamboat Springs, however, he served on the board of the Routt County Humane Society and grew to also appreciate the work of helping find new homes for dogs, cats and other domesticated animals who suddenly have found themselves homeless. “I loved the combination of serving the needs of the public and the animals,” he said of his three years with the Society, so when the job of director at CARE came open, he applied and got it. Boyd, who lives in Glenwood Springs, is 38 and single (except for his German shepherd, Nash), last November replaced long-time CARE director Leslie Rockey, who moved a short distance away to take a job with the veterinarian technology school at CMC. He has a bachelor of art's degree from the University of Northern Colorado and a master’s in business administration from Colorado State University, both of which have served him well as a restaurateur and, he conceded, likely will serve him just as well at running the businesses of “providing safety and care to homeless and abandoned animals,” as proclaimed on the CARE website (coloradoanimalrescue.org).
Transfer collaboration In his current capacity, said Boyd, he has kept to “a continuation of a lot of ongoing efforts,” which includes “transfer collaboration” with animal shelters in the Alamosa and San Luis Valley region in south-central Colorado. “They're usually very full and in need of help,” he said of the three organizations that CARE collaborates with in that region — the Valley Humane League in Alamosa, Conour Animal Shelter in Monte Vista and the Ark Valley Human Society in Buena Vista. About once a month in the summer, Boyd explained, CARE will send its “Critter Cruiser” — a 2015 Ford cargo van with painted animals and an image of Mount Sopris festooning its outer shell — to pick up animals (mostly dogs) from one of the three shelters. The pickup trips also happen in the winter, but less frequently, Boyd said, because of the closure of Independence Pass and the resultant much longer route by way of Paonia, Hotchkiss and Gunnison. In fact, Boyd elaborated, “Our transportation program serves, really, the entire state,” as the Critter Cruiser also will pick up animals in Eagle, Summit and other mountain counties. “We all work together,” he said. “They help us, too,” when the Roaring Fork Valley CARE facility finds itself with more animals than it can handle.
New service One relatively new service at CARE, though, is the ability to do “basic dental work” on the animals that come through the facility
ank you to our SunScribers and community members for your support! It truly takes a village to keep e Sun shining. CARE Director Wes Boyd and his two dogs (top). Below (left) an unidentified cat and (right), Tuxedo, a 9-year-old cat who has lived at the CARE shelter for 11 months. Boyd took over as CARE director after Leslie Rockey took a job with the CMC veterinary program. Photos by Jane Bachrach
— mostly cleaning and extraction — thanks to a donation of specialized equipment by retired veterinarian Jenifer Givens of Basalt. Boyd said Givens' donation was augmented by donations of certain hand-held tools — such as scalers and pics — from Dr. Dirk Fleischman of Carbondale. According to Boyd, CARE has roughly 75 animals in its care on the average day, which typically are present for a stay of about 25 days before being adopted out to new homes. But, he said, some “have been around for a long time,” such as 9year-old “Tuxedo cat” (meaning it is black and white) that has been a ward of CARE for 11 months. He said the facility averages about 10-15 adoptions per week, although those numbers fluctuate at a rate that “depends on the week.” Once an animal is sent to a new home, Boyd said, follow-up mostly depends on the adoptive new owners, although “certain animals we do follow-up ourselves,” particularly if there are concerns that the animal might not adapt easily to its new home. Overall, he said, CARE has rendered aid to nearly 14,500 cats, dogs and other creatures since it was founded in 1972 (the shelter the currently houses CARE, he added, was built in the year 2000).
Correction In an article last week about the Carbondale Board of Trustees, the Sun incorrectly stated Frosty Merriott’s tenure on the board. He has served eight years, four months. Merriott also served for four years on P&Z, and several more on the E-Board and Tree Board. 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • AUGUST 25-31, 2016
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: Kathryn Camp • 970-379-7014 adsales@soprissun.com Reporter: John Colson Photographer: Jane Bachrach Graphic Designer: Terri Ritchie Delivery: Tom Sands 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.
Women protest dark streets; Cortez declares Candidate interviews continued By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer Tuesday night’s Carbondale Board of Trustees meeting at Town Hall produced a curious mix of unusual activity and inactivity, beginning with a protest by 20-30 local women who heavily criticized the trustees over what the protesters felt was a lack of serious attention regarding the safety of the town’s streets at night. In addition on Tuesday night, the trustees were unable to complete a series of interviews of applicants interested in taking the board seat being vacated by outgoing Trustee A.J. Hobbs, because two of the applicants were unable to be there for the interviews. The interviews will be continued on Sept. 13. The applicants are Rebecca Moller and Heather Henry, both of whom serve on town advisory commissions; energy-efficiency expert Erica Sparhawk, who grew up in Carbondale; veterinary technician Beth Broome; local-food activist Gwen Garcelon; and local businessman and member of the planning and zoning commission Michael Durant. All applications by the six trustee hopefuls are available for public inspection on the town’s website home page (www.carbondalegov.org). The trustees on Tuesday also failed to pass two marijuana-related ordinances because the six-member board deadlocked at a 3-3 tie, an unusual situation caused by the resignation of former Mayor Stacey Bernot and the fact that her position will not be
filled until Election Day in November. And, in one apparently unexpected development, former trustee Ed Cortez appeared at the meeting and declared he is running for election to Bernot’s old post, currently held by acting mayor Dan Richardson, who also is hoping voters will elect him for the mayor’s position. Cortez, who works for the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, has gained some notoriety as the head of the RFTA drivers’ union and the public face of union disputes with the authority. At the Tuesday meeting, Cortez criticized the trustees for appointing a replacement for Hobbs rather than putting it to an election, calling the board’s appointment plan “a travesty and a slap in the face to all who believe in the electoral process. The perception is, it’s back-door politics, and this is not the way things are done in Carbondale.” None of the trustees responded to Cortez’ criticism.
Street safety The women protesting the town’s lack of action concerning dark streets were at the meeting in reaction to at least two recent sexual assault attempts on the streets, one in the area of Gianinetti-Sewell Park on the north side of town on June 28, and another along Highway 133, also in the northern section of town, on July 23. According to Police Chief Gene Schilling,
little to no progress has been made in solving either case, beyond sending DNA samples, taken from “persons of interest,” to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for analysis. Organized by local resident Felica (Flash) Trevor, whose daughter was the victim of the June 28 assault, the protest occurred during the portion of the meeting agenda reserved for constituents who have something they want to tell the trustees that is not related to anything on that night’s agenda. “I’m here because I’m under the impression that this (the attacks, and the safety of the streets) is not being taken seriously by the town board,” Trevor told the trustees, who added that there needs to be more lights placed in numerous parts of town where the streets are utterly dark at night. “There’s a lot of people who don’t feel safe in this town,” Trevor concluded. Her remarks were echoed by several other women who came up to the microphone to speak, and to demand action by the town. She and others were critical of statements by a trustee who suggested, at an earlier meeting, that until something can be done to throw light onto the town’s dark streets, perhaps women should not walk around at night without accompaniment, as a way of avoiding attacks. Local resident Tracey Wright, however, rejected that idea as impractical. “I’m single,” Wright said. “I don’t always have somebody to accompany me.” She said she finds herself often looking over her shoulder at night, and that she now carries a knife for self-defense.
Trevor told The Sopris Sun on Wednesday that she and others were incensed by the suggestion about only walking with accompaniment. In talks about the problem, she said, “We were saying, maybe we should just have a curfew for men, to not be out after a certain time.” Another protester, Natalie Fuller, who also said she feels unsafe on the streets at night, suggested the town consider putting up its stock of Christmas lights along the dark sections of streets and trails, which would be cheaper than putting up more traditional street lamps but would provide illumination where it is needed. Mary Catherine Conger, a 10-year resident of the area, suggested the town’s police department offer self-defense courses for women, something she said was done in Vail, where she lived previously. The trustees appeared sympathetic to the women’s concerns, and Town Manager Jay Harrington said the issue would have been on the meeting agenda that night except he had been out sick for a week and had not gotten it posted. Trustee Ben Bohmfalk assured the protesting women that the issue is being attended to, and that the town’s Pedestrian Bike and Trails commission will take up the matter at its next meeting, on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Regarding the proposals to put up more lights and offer self-defense courses for women, Bohmfalk told his fellow trustees, “It is something concrete that we can do” and urged the protesters to attend the Sept. 12 meeting and let their concerns be known.
The 14 sculptures in the 2016-2017 Art aRound Town exhibition have comfortably settled into their spots after being placed in June. This one, “To Walk a Higher Plain,” by John Hoffmann of Carbondale, and Barbara Hovey of Montrose, is located on the south side of the Carbondale Branch Library. Hoffmann and Hovey said they created their metal piece to honor the Nuche (Utes) who came before us. The sculpture is purposely hidden in the grass but shows their footsteps. “The Ancient Ones continue to walk with honor and respect,” Hoffmann and Hovey said in their artists’ statement. On a related note, the deadline to vote for Best of Show is Sept. 15. For details, go to carbondalegov.org. Courtesy photo
THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • AUGUST 25-31, 2016 • 3
Luis Alberto Urrea returns to TSC for EIA talk
By Barbara Dills Sopris Sun Correspondent Luis Alberto Urrea, the author of 16 books of fiction, nonfiction and poetry, including the 2004 Pulitzer Prize finalist “The Devil’s Highway: A True Story,” visits the Roaring Fork Valley later this month and will speak at the Third Street Center on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. “The Devil’s Highway” was the local 2012 Big Read selection through a program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Aspen Words that culminated in Urrea’s fluidly bilingual presentation to a packed Third Street Center gym. Urrea (pronounced ooRAY-uh) grew up in Tijuana and San Diego, the son of a Mexican father and an American mother, and experienced firsthand the complex reality and porous nature of the U.S.-Mexico border, themes that have inspired much of his work. For “The Devil’s Highway,” Urrea investigated the harrowing attempts of 26 men to cross the border into the desert of southern Arizona in May 2001. The book documents their often tragic experience, humanizing immigration issues through the personal stories of these men, their families, and those whose job it is to enforce the law. He is the author of three additional nonfiction titles: “Across the Wire: Life and Hard Times on the Mexican Border,” “By the Lake of Sleeping Children” and the memoir, “Nobody’s Son:
what interests me.” His appearance on Sept. 1 benefits the El Jebel-based nonprofit English In Action, whose mission is “to strengthen the quality of life for all Roaring Fork Valley residents by helping adult immigrants learn to read, write and speak English, and by building cross-cultural bridges.” Presented in collaboration with The Sopris Sun, the event is designed to be accessible to both native English and native Spanish speakers. Admission is by a $10 suggested minimum donation at the door. Thanks to the generous support of – Lara Beaulieu, English In Action Executive Director local sponsors, a number of free tickets will “Kirkus Reviews,” among others. be available for students, teachers and others Urrea is also the recipient of the American for whom the suggested admission fee is a Book Award and the Lannan Literary Award hardship. These free tickets may be reserved and in 2000 was inducted into the Latino Lit- in advance by calling 963- 9200. erature Hall of Fame. In the introduction to “We are thrilled to have an author of Luis an interview with the author, the NEA web- Alberto Urrea’s caliber to help showcase Engsite offers this description: “His work tran- lish In Action’s work helping immigrants bescends media stereotypes and contemporary come more engaged members of our immigration disputes, revealing the border as community through improving their English a place of connection as well as divide.” The language skills,” said Lara Beaulieu, the orarticle goes on to quote him from a 2011 in- ganization’s executive director. “Luis has writterview with the University of Colorado’s ten eloquently and extensively on identity and “Coloradan” magazine. Said Urrea, “The border issues. He understands better than Mexican border is a metaphor. Borders every- most the importance of building bridges where are a symbol of what divides us. That’s rather than walls between cultures. Plus, he is Notes from an American Life,” the novels “The Hummingbird’s Daughter,” “Queen of American,” and “Into the Beautiful North,” and several other titles. His most recent book is the story collection “The Water Museum,” which was a finalist for the 2015 PENFaulkner Award and was named a best book of the year by “The Washington Post” and
“Luis has written eloquently and extensively on identity and border issues. He understands better than most the importance of building bridges rather than walls between cultures.”
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Luis Alberto Urrea a passionate and inspiring speaker. We are honored to present him to the Roaring Fork Valley community.” In addition to his Sept. 1 appearance in Carbondale, on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m., Urrea will be the featured speaker at English In Action’s key annual fundraiser, to be held this year at Casa Tua Aspen. The intimate event includes a cocktail reception and presentation by the author. Space is limited. Tickets for the Aspen event may be purchased at www.EnglishInAction.org.
Anniversary
SALE Sale starts August 24
Thank you for &$5%21'$/( Ř La Fontana Plaza off Hwy 133 4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • AUGUST 25-31, 2016
10 years!
Peter Hart’s roots go deep in Colorado history Attorney for Wilderness Workshop By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer Throughout nearly 10 years of disputes over oil and gas leases in the Thompson Divide, one man's name has been both prominent and, because of the bureaucratic nature of the ďŹ ght, somewhat unknown and unexplained to the public until recently — Peter Hart, an attorney working with the Wilderness Workshop (WW) nonproďŹ t organization in Carbondale. As an attorney and environmental activist, and scion of a family that has deep roots in the kind of extractive industries he is now ďŹ ghting against, Hart might seem something of a contradiction to some observers. Hart explained that his family goes back to the early days of Colorado's history, adding that his father, grandfather and greatgrandfather all were attorneys, who mostly worked in the prevalent industrial arenas of the day — mining and water. In fact, he continued, one of his greatgrandfathers, John L. Jerome, was “a principal at Colorado Fuel & Iron,â€? the company of John C. Osgood that built the village of Redstone and initiated the coal mining activities in the Crystal River drainage that continued until the 1990s. And, he said, a grandfather represented the late Wayne Aspinall, former Colorado politician and member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado’s Fourth District from 1949-1973 (Aspinall died in 1983). His grandfather, Hart said, acted for Aspinall “in his quest to dam western rivers,â€? an activity Hart found somewhat disturbing. But his grandfather also was a president of the state historical society and was instrumental in preserving the Georgetown Loop rail system for later generations of tourists and history buffs, work that Hart praised. Regardless of his family heritage, he made it clear that he is right where he always wanted to be, even before he knew he wanted it.
the day he ďŹ rst came to the ofďŹ ces of the Wilderness Workshop, fresh out of law school, and he openly admits it is the only kind of work he’s wanted to do since a very young age, and he has no plans for a career move any time soon.
â€œâ€Ś At an early age I was interested in environmental issues, and that gravity has always pulled me home.â€? “I wasn’t one of those guys who wanted to practice in setting up trusts, or estate or corporate practice,â€? Hart told The Sopris Sun in a recent interview at a back table at the BonďŹ re coffee house and eatery. Having studied natural resources, as well as public lands, environmental and water law in college, he was determined to do the kind of work that might not pay as well as, say, real estate law, but in which he has found great satisfaction. He said he revels in his job’s odd, long-distance commute from Grand Junction, where his wife (who is a pediatric dentist) and two young children live, to Carbondale, where he works a few days a week at the Third Street Center with Wilderness Workshop director Sloan Shoemaker and a staff of ďŹ ve. “I’ve got a lot of family at both ends (of the commute),â€? he remarked, explaining that his sister and his parents live in this part of the Western Slope.
Born in a Denver hospital, Hart grew up in the ski town of Vail, where he went to kindergarten in a public school but soon ended up at a private academy. From there, he went to Carleton College in NorthďŹ eld, Minnesota (historic site of the James-Younger gang's notorious and ill-fated bank robbery in 1876) for his bachelor’s degree, and ultimately wound up at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. While in Minnesota, Hart, said, “I was always kind of looking back over my shoulder, you know? The ‘I want to go home kind of
##
Hart, 39, has since 2007 been instrumental in holding back the energy industry’s adamant charge to put drilling rigs in the Thompson Divide. In fact, it's been his main job, starting on
actions of federal land management agencies. The two organizations work together, he said, to identify potential targets for litigation. “When it comes time to actually ďŹ le a lawsuit,â€? he continued, “they (Earth Justice) are much better prepared to take on national agencies than we are.â€?
Thompson Divide At the time that he started working on Thompson Divide questions, Hart said, some of the groundwork already had been laid for a concerted effort to stave off drilling in the region, including the ďŹ ling of lawsuits and administrative appeals by Pitkin County and its contract attorney, Mike Chiropolos (who currently is also working with the Town of Carbondale in its support for cancellation of gas leases in the Divide). Added to that effort, he said, was the founding of the Thompson Divide Coalition (TDC) in 2008, and the coalition's immediate popularity among locals anxious about gas rigs in the Divide. At that time, the natural-gas drilling industry was booming all over the U.S., notably in the Piceance Basin that encompasses the subterranean geology of much of western HART page 13
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thing.’ It’s hard to grow up in Western Colorado and not be some sort of free agent for wild lands and the environment. I think natural resources issues have kind of deep roots in western Colorado. At an early age I was interested in environmental issues, and that gravity has always pulled me home.â€? He graduated with his law degree from DU in 2006, got a master's degree in environmental law by 2007, and went to work immediately for Wilderness Workshop, he said. Though he had heard about Wilderness Workshop for much of his life, he said, he was not that familiar with its work or its personnel — at least, not until he answered an ad in the High County News environmentally-oriented newspaper and met Shoemaker soon afterward. Starting right on Thompson Divide issues, Hart also began working with attorneys with the Earth Justice law ďŹ rm, which has ofďŹ ces in Denver and other parts of the country. “We’re a small organization,â€? he said of WW, “so what we do is a lot of the administrative work,â€? identifying areas poised for protection and looking for ways to achieve that goal, reviewing federal plans for use of the public lands and staying up-to-date on the
Early Deadline for
In observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 5,
It ain’t over yet. Late-season swimmers and sun soakers have a few more days to enjoy the John Fleet memorial swimming pool. It closes on Sept 5. For more information on the late-season schedule, go to Carbondalegov.org. Photo by Lynn Burton
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the editorial and ad reservation deadline for the Thursday, Sept. 8 issue is
12 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2 -VY 0UMVYTH[PVU 9LZLY]H[PVUZ JHSS VY 0UMVYTH[PVU 9LZLY]H[PVUZ JHSS ‹ `HTWHOZWH JVT ‹ `HTWHOZWH JVT :WH 6WLU :HSVU ‹ 1\Z[ 6UL )SVJR ,HZ[ VM [OL /V[ :WYPUNZ 7VVS :WH 6WLU :HSVU ‹ 1\Z[ 6UL )SVJR ,HZ[ VM [OL /V[ :WYPUNZ 7VVS THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • AUGUST 25-31, 2016 • 5
Scuttlebutt
Send your scuttlebutt to news@SoprisSun.com.
Update
No CMC agenda, yet
Carbondale Police Chief Gene Schilling told The Sopris Sun this week he won’t release any police reports surrounding last Sunday’s drowning of Ryan Becvarik in the Sopris Park irrigation ditch until the Garfield County coroner releases a toxicology report. Becvarik, 29, was pronounced dead at Valley View Hospital at 7:15 p.m., after being discovered at the south end of the ditch at about 6:10 p.m. The Sopris Sun filed a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request for the police reports with the town on Aug. 18. In response, Schilling gave the following statement to The Sopris Sun. “The records you requested from (town clerk) Cathy Derby are governed under the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, not CORA. These records are under CRS 2472-304. The records you requested are unavailable as they are part of a current active investigation. The soonest the records would be available would be once the toxicology reports are completed and given to us. If once the case is closed you request these records again we will provide them to you.”
The Sopris Sun had not received an agenda for the CMC Board of Trustees monthly meeting on Aug. 31, and annual planning retreat on Sept. 1, by press time but this much we know – the meeting and retreat will be held on CMC’s Steamboat Springs campus. At the trustees meeting in Breckenridge on July 27, they discussed whether to “censure” trustee Mary Ellen Denomy over two letters to the editor, and their content, that she sent to several newspapers. The trustees took no action on the “censure” issue, but indicated they would continue discussing it at either the Aug. 31 meeting or Sept. 1 retreat. For more information on the agendas for the two meetings, call Colorado Mountain College at 945-1390 or go to coloradomtn.edu.
Mountain lion put down Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers had to euthanize a mountain lion earlier this week, after it was reported in the vicinity of Alpine Bank. John Groves, the district wildlife manager for the Carbondale area, told The Sopris Sun that wildlife officers first tranquilized the mountain lion in the covered patio area of the Goat restaurant. “After darting (sic) it, the lion ran and ended up over by Heritage Park before it was fully sedated,”
Lowry Camp splashes to the finish in the swim part of the Carbondale Recreation Department’s Youth Triathlon last week. A total of 11 kids, ages 6-9 and 10-and-older competed in running, biking and swimming in Sopris Park. Those triathletes were: Sadie Silcox, Lucy Silcox, Lowry Camp, Wyatt Smith, Alea Blanchard, Devon Blanchard, Sam Friday, Levi Friday, Nico Passerini, Inez Passerini and Natasha Zucco. Sam Friday and Lucy Silcox won the male and female categories in the 10+ bracket; Wyatt Smith and Lowry Camp won in the 6-9 year old group. Word it the kids were cheered on by a good group of supporters. Courtesy photo
Groves said in an e-mail. After examining the lion it was found to have been hit by a vehicle. It had minimal road rash but the right front shoulder was “fairly significantly” injured. That’s probably the reason the lion was hanging around the Goat and not running away. “Based on the injuries, it was euthanized.” Groves said the lion was a young male so he’s not connecting it to the two mountain lion kittens on the Rio Grande Trail near Catherine Store, which prompted RFTA to close the trail for about two weeks earlier in the summer.
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Celebrating his 95th Wally de Beque celebrates his 95th birthday with an open house (0126 Surrey St.) from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4. Everyone is welcome to stop by for a piece of cake and a visit. If you can’t come, Wally would love to get a card.
Happy anniversary Independence Run & Hike in La Fontana Plaza is celebrating its 10th anniversary. For details, check out their ad on page 4.
Calling CRMS pre-school alumni Children’s Rocky Mountain School is looking for alumni and parents to attend a painting party at its new building (126 Main St.) starting at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 27. Please bring a medium-nap roller, roller pan with
liner, and paint brush. Other upcoming volunteer jobs include: helping to move before Sept. 6, work on a schoolyard bike/trike path, and grounds work. For details, call 963-2524 (the school), 963-3216 (Debbie Condello) or crmspreschool@sopris.net.
Soffer joins WW board Philanthropist Jill Soffer is the latest addition to the Wilderness Workshop Board of Directors, according to a press release. Previously, Soffer owned an interior design and home-building business in Santa Monica, California, where she emphasized sustainable energy and water systems. In 2015, she relocated to her Missouri Heights ranch and continues her support for the environment, women’s issues and animal rights. She is an active member of the Natural Resources Defense Council Global Leadership Council, and is on the board of the NRDC Action Fund. She holds a degree from Brown University and Barnard College. She joins current WW board members: Mary Dominick, Sue Edelstein, Cici Fox, Lindsay Gurley, Allyn Harvey, Charlie Hopton, Peter Looram, Michael McVoy, Aron Ralston, Michael Stranahan, Karin Teague, Peter Van Domelen, Ted Zokoski and board president Andy Wiessner.
They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating their birthday this week include: Danielle Rozga and John Hoffmann (Aug. 25); Julia Tallmadge (Aug. 26); Joanne Howard (Aug. 27); JoEllen Maynard and Phil Maynard (Aug. 28); Tyler Treadway (Aug. 29) and Lynn Kirchner (Aug. 30).
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6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • AUGUST 25-31, 2016
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PEACEFUL
EASY FEELING ING Playin’ real good, for free … Actually, this out-of-town violinist at City Market didn’t want to be playing for free. His sign reads “I have 2 kids. I need gas and any help to go home. God bless you.” Passersby said he was playing beautiful classical music, and coins and dollar bills were finding their way into his violin case. Photo by Jane Bachrach
Library presents “The American West as Living Space”
Celebrates Pulitzer Prize
Sopris Sun Staff Report The Carbondale Branch Library received a grant from the Pulitzer Prizes Centennial Campfires Initiative through Colorado Humanities earlier this year. This funding has enabled the library to participate in “The American West as Living Space” joint venture of the Pulitzer Prizes Board and the Federation of State Humanities Councils in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the prizes. The centerpiece of local programming is a collection of readings by former Pulitzer finalists and winners, assembled into bound workbooks and available at the library. The first 25 people to request them will receive copies. The readings cover the genres of nonfiction, news literacy or journalism, fiction, and poetry. Group discussions will be held at the library for three consecutive Wednesdays starting Sept. 14, 6-8 p.m. Stop by the library or call 970-963-2889 to sign up and reserve your copy of the readings.
Below are a few short excerpts from the workbook. Other well-known writers in the collection include Annie Proulx, Louise Erdrich, and Robert Hass. From Wallace Stegner’s essay “Living Dry” The West is a region of extraordinary variety within its abiding unity, and of an iron immutability beneath its surface of change. The most splendid part of the American habitat, it is also the most fragile. It has been misinterpreted and mistreated because, coming to it from earlier frontiers where conditions were not unlike those of northern Europe, we found it different, daunting, exhilarating, dangerous, and unpredictable, and we entered it carrying habits that were often inappropriate, and expectations that were surely excessive…. The West has had a way of warping well-carpentered habits, and raising the grain on exposed dreams.
ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY
AIRPOR T EMBRACING THE CHARACTER OF ASPEN
SINCE 1948
N O N - STO P — CHI C AG O DE N V ER LOS A NGEL ES S A N F R A N CIS C O H O US TO N DA L L A S / F T WORT H
LIBRARY page 13
THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • AUGUST 25-31, 2016 • 7
Guess who came to dinner? Photos and text by Jane Bachrach
Only about 1,000 people, that’s all. Our Town, One Table organizers told The Sopris Sun they set up 98 tables on Aug. 21, and 14 extra individuals and groups brought their own, which translates to about 1,000 potluckers who happily turned out on Fourth Street to share their dishes and best wishes. Lots of diners dressed for the occasion (opposite page, bottom). Some bubble blowing (upper right, this page) added to the communal vibe. Some tables used as many locally grown and raised meals as they could, while others (middle far left) brought their own chickens (who reportedly survived the night). Other photos of note: Barbe Bowes, Peter Westcott and David Franklin of Cowboy Corral (above) blew some “nose kazoo” to entertain with old-time country tunes.
8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • AUGUST 25-31, 2016
“One Table” has bounty of friends
THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • AUGUST 25-31, 2016 • 9
Community Calendar THURS.-SUN. Aug. 25-28 MOUNTAIN SUMMIT • Mountainfilm in Aspen, and Mountainfilm in Telluride, present Mountain Summit at the Wheeler Opera House. Festival packages range from $45 to $135. Info and schedule: wheeleroperahouse.com.
THURSDAY Aug. 25 YAPPY HOUR • Go home with a different kind of squeeze after Yappy Hour at the Marble Distillery. We’re talking on-the-spot pet adoptions from CARE. SPEAKING OF WHICH • CARE also brings adoptable pets to RJ Paddywacks in El Jebel every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. LIVE MUSIC • Carbondale Beer Works serves up a jazz group on its patio from 6 to 8 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday of the month. ROTARY • The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at Mi Casita at noon every Thursday.
FRI.-MON. Aug. 26-29 MONKS RETURN • The monks of Gaden Shartse Monastery in India return to the Third Street Center. Their visit kicks off with “Cultivating Bodhicitta” (great compassion) at 7 p.m. on Aug. 26. On Aug. 27 at 7 p.m., it’s “Vajrasattva Empowerment.” The suggested donation for Aug. 26 is $10$15, and for Aug. 27 $15-$20 (nobody is ever turned away due to lack of funds). The monks are also available for personal heal-
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.
ings, and house and business blessings through Aug. 31. Folks are also invited to host the monks for a meal, or to bring one to them. Info: Shannon at 510-0583, Shannon@wocompassion.org, and wayofcompassion.org
FRIDAY Aug. 26 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “Captain Fantastic” (R) at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26-Sept. 1 and “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” (PG-13) at 5:15 p.m. Aug. 27-28. LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents live music every Friday night. Info: 963-3340. LIVE MUSIC • The Marble Distillery on Main Street presents the Milemarkers with Nelson Oldham and Hap Harriman at 7:30 p.m. No cover. LIVE MUSIC • Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs presents Valle Musico at 8:30 p.m. No cover.
SATURDAY Aug. 27 AVLT • The Aspen Valley Land Trust holds its annual Save the Land Dance, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the John Nieslanik Ranch at the top of White Hill. Music will be provided by Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beans.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 9AM - 1PM
Ticket prices vary. Info: alvt.org/events or 963-8440. COWBOY UP • This year’s proceeds from the eighth annual Cowboy Up go to the Roaring Fork Booster Club. Highlights include: Over 100 auction items including rounds of golf at Aspen Glen and other area courses, pre-season Bronco’s tickets, Colorado Avalanche tickets donated by R&A Electric, and more. Puttin’ on the tunes will be local country band Lever Action (word has it they put on a great show at the Garfield County Fair). Admission is $5 (does not include dinner and drinks) with Smoke Modern BBQ serving up plates of tasty food. There’ll also be beer, wine and soft drinks. Scott Haycock, Erin Basset and other Carbondale locals started Cowboy Up as a means of showcasing the town’s western heritage, and also helping out nonprofits. Last year, Cowboy Up raised almost $8,000 for Raising a Reader. Cowboy Up takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. in downtown Carbondale. The Nieslaniks will also bring their horse-drawn wagon to town for free rides.
SUNDAY Aug. 28 FESTIVAL • Roaring Fork Rotary/Club Rotario present Festival las Americas from 11
a.m. to dusk at Sopris Park. The music lineup includes: Grupo Control, La Nueva Lealtad, Viva Colombia and Jammin’ Jim. Admission is $10 for those 12 years old and up. Proceeds go to scholarships for local students attending Colorado Mountain College. ASC • A Spiritual Center in the Third Street Center presents Sandy Haber (“Disproving the Myth You are What You Eat”) at 10 a.m. Info: 963-5516. CVEPA • The Crystal River Environmental Protection Association holds its annual meeting at the Redstone Inn. Social hour starts at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. ($24 prepaid) and a discussion, featuring Pitkin County Open Space and Trails board member Wayne Ives, at 7 p.m. The discussion will include the Pitkin County open space and trails ballot issue, and an update on Wild & Scenic designation for the Crystal River.
WEDNESDAY Aug. 31 FARMERS’ MARKETS • The Carbondale Farmers’ Market at Fourth Street Plaza goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Sept. 28. Look for fresh veggies, bread, eggs, coffee, lunch, live music and local art all summer. This week’s music is provided by Don Howanick, followed by M. Kelly Blue, Josh Rogan, TBA, and Let The Roar. Info: carbondalefarmersmarket.com. The Evening Farmers’ Market, which features a mostly different lineup of vendors, takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fourth Street Plaza CALENDAR page 11
FIRST FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Trunk Show
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THIS COMMUNITY AD SPACE DONATED BY COOL BRICK STUDIOS.
SECTION 00100
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID Sealed BIDS for construction of the
Town of Carbondale Nettle Creek Water Treatment Plant Building Siding Replacement & Repair will be received by the
Town of Carbondale, 511 Colorado Ave., Carbondale, CO 81623 (Town Hall) until 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. The project generally consists of adding approximately 131 sq. ft. of storage space, 200 sq. ft. of roof, replacing all siding on the 2,700 sq. ft. building and adding a fire hydrant.
A Bid Bond in the amount of 5% will be required and must accompany the bid. Performance and Payment Bonds will be required upon contract award. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at 511 Colorado Ave., Carbondale, CO 81623 (Town Hall) Electronic copies of Contract Documents will be available on August 9th, via email, free of charge for vendors and subcontractors. To request an emailed copy please contact Joan Preisner at joanp@sgminc.com. The email subject line shall read: Request for Electronic Bid Documents – Town of Carbondale Nettle Creek WTP. All questions pertaining to the project shall be directed to Jaimal Proctor through email or phone at jaimalp@sgm-inc.com (970) 384-9074. Questions will be received until end of business on September 1. Town of Carbondale Mark O’Meara, Utilities Director
10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • AUGUST 25-31, 2016
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Community Calendar
continued from page 10
Further Out
THURSDAY Sept. 1
VINTAGE NEWSPAPERS • The Carbondale Branch Library will host an exhibit/reception for the “The American West As Living Space” Roaring Fork Valley series. Starting at 5 p.m., vintage Carbondale newspapers will be on display courtesy of the Mt. Sopris Historical Society. Refreshments will be served. Info: 963-2889.
FRIDAY Sept. 2 DEFIANT PACK • As part of First Friday, Defiant Pack opens its new location from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at 2557 Dolores Way. Located next to the Rio Grande Trail, Defiant Pack sells locally-made custom bike-packing and bike touring bags. Info: 970-315-2605 and info@defiantpack.com.
WEDNESDAY Sept. 7 “THRILLER RETURNS” • Learn to dance to Michael Jackon’s “Thriller” at the Carbondale Branch Library starting at 6 p.m. This is an informational meeting led by Alexandra Jerkunica from Coredination. She’ll provide details for the world-wide, synchronized dance of “Thriller” on Oct. 29. Info: 963-2889.
WEDNESDAY Sept. 14 THE AMERICAN WEST • The Carbondale Branch Library kicks off a three-session course titled “The American West as Living Space” starting at 6 p.m. Christine Smith (a faculty member at the CMC Spring Valley campus), Adrian Fielder (CMC) and Ronald Edgerton (Pulitzer Campfire Initiative project scholar) will lead the course with readings and conversations focused on work by Pulitzer-recognized authors in non-fiction, journalism, fiction and poetry. The course meets at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14, 21 and 28 and is limited to 25 participants. It’s pre-
Ongoing
sented by the Pulitzer Campfire Initiative and Colorado Humanities. Info: 963-2889.
WEDNESDAY Sept. 21 BODY READING • The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce presents body language/persuasion expert Traci Brown as part of its annual Expo at the Orchard. Attendees will learn to: read body language, get people to like you using only body language, see the message that is hidden in a handshake, easily get others to buy into your ideas, detect truths and uncover lies. The Carbondale Business Conference & Expo will also showcase more than 20 businesses. The evening will close out with a cocktails and local tastings reception, live music and the famous Wall of Wine & Chocolates. Tickets are $85. Info: 963-1890.
FRIDAY Sept. 9 OPENING • The Art Base Annex in Basalt hosts an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. for Third Street Center artist Lisa Singer. The show, titled “Storm: New Works by Lisa Singer” introduces paintings and sculptures that hold together the dichotomy of the turbulent and sinister nature of storms, and the calm, unwavering center within, according to a press release. “The works are about having serenity within the tumult of the world around us,” Singer said. The Art Base Annex is located at 174 Midland Ave. Info: 9274123 or info@theartbase.org.
MONDAY Sept. 12 WATERSHED TOUR • The Colorado Federation for Watershed Education (CFWE) leads a day-long tour of collaborative water management projects. The cost is $85 for CFWE and $105 for non-members. Pre-registration is required at 303-377-4433.
A Confluence of K indness and Annual Water Ceremony Introducing Rev. Shawna Foster
PLANT-BASED FOODS • Greg Feinsinger, M.D., gives power-point presentations on wholebased foods at the Third Street Center starting at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. There is also a plant-based whole foods potluck at the Third Street Center starting at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month. Info: Ardis@hearthealthymeals.us. Dr. Feinsinger also gives free consultations at the Third Street Center on Monday mornings. To make an appointment, call 379-5718. COMMUNITY MEAL • Faith Lutheran Church (south of Main Street on Highway 133) hosts a free community meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. Info: 510-5046 or faithcarbondale.com. MEET THE MAYOR • Carbondale Mayor Dan Richardson holds his weekly “Office Hours” session at the Village Smithy from 7 to 8 a.m. on Tuesdays. Drop by and say hi. ULTIMATE FRISBEE • League and nonleague folks play ultimate Frisbee at Crown Mountain Park in El Jebel at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. It’s for beginners and experts. Info: aspenultimate/free on Facebook. AB & ABA • The Art Base in Basalt continues photographer Jeremy Swanson’s show “Mountain Portraits.” At the Art Base Annex, it’s Teresa Booth Brown with “Anomalies.” Info: theartbase.org and 927-4123. CCC & CA • The Carbondale Clay Center, and Carbondale Arts, present their 11th annual Clay National Exhibition at the Launchpad and the Carbondale Clay Center. The show, titled “Intimacy of Scale,” features less-traditional ceramic work of both intimate and monumental scales.
Info: carbondalealerts.com or 963-1680. FREE DANCE LESSONS • Free dance lessons for two-step, swing, cowboy cha cha, waltz and line dances are held at the Third Street Center from 7 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. An open dance follows from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ($15 admission). Info: 948-3006 and billypat4@gmail.com. LIONS MEET • The Carbondale Lions Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at the Gathering Center (the Orchard on Snowmass Road) starting at 6:30 p.m. Info: Chuck Logan at 963-7002 or Chris Chacos at 379-9096. MAKING MUSIC • The Carbondale Songwriters Circle meets in the Carbondale Branch Library after-hours parking lot from 7-9 p.m. every Thursday. Bring instruments and songs to share. Everyone is welcome. Info: Amy at 970-470-1750. SILENT MEDITATION • Free silent meditation sessions are held at the Launchpad from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The public is invited. BRAIN TRAIN • Senior Matters’ early memory loss program Brain Train continues Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program is operating at capacity but is accepting applications for the wait list. Info: Diane Darling at 970-987-3754. FIRE DISTRICT • The Carbondale Fire District holds master plan meetings at the Meadwood Drive fire station the fourth Wednesday of the month starting at 5:30 p.m. SENIOR MATTERS • Martin Finkelstein leads tai chi workouts at the Sopris Park gazebo at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Wally de Beque is turning
95
Please stop in for a visit and a piece of birthday cake.
Sunday, Sept. 4, from 1-4 pm. at the Ranch at Roaring Fork
0126 Surrey Street
If you can’t come by, he would be happy to receive a card at 0126 Surrey St., Carbondale, CO 81623.
Join us Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, 10 a.m.
Help you Help yourself, rself, help you yourr town, town, help you yourr neighbor neighbor
Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist (TRUU) @ Third Street Center
www.tworiversuu.org Inspirational, Contemporary Music
J im m y B y rn e Religious Exploration
H e a th e r R y d e ll Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist
Childcare Provided
Y U B CAL LO
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*Y You help yourself by insuring Carbondale businesses stay in business so you don’t have to shop out of town; you help the town of Carbondale by keeping your sales tax dollars
right here; and you help your neighbor because most of Carbondale’s store and businesses are locally owned.
THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • AUGUST 25-31, 2016 • 11
Obituary Carolyn Gordon Ackerman 1926-2016 Carolyn Gordon Ackerman died peacefully in her sleep, two days after her 90th birthday, on Aug. 23, 2016 in Carbondale, Colorado. She was born Aug. 21, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan to Dr. Stephen F. Gordon and Eleanor Patterson Gordon. The oldest of three daughters, she grew up in Detroit and was a graduate of Cooley High School. Carolyn married Arthur W. Ackerman Jr., a childhood friend, on June 12, 1948. She worked at the Detroit Armory during World War II before marrying and starting a family. Carolyn was a loving mother and wife, always sharing her quietly positive spirit with everyone she encountered. She is survived by her husband of 68 years: Arthur Ackerman, of Carbondale; ďŹ ve children: Gwendolyn Ackerman Hansen (Hans Peter) of Carbondale, Arthur “Skipâ€? Ackerman (Susan Moore) of Los Barriles, BCS Mexico and Carbondale, Stephen G. Ackerman (Deborah Stanley) of Ft. Collins, Colorado, John E. Ackerman (Marianne Millard) of Carbondale, and Cynthia Ackerman Knutson (John Knutson) of Flagstaff, Arizona. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Ivy Jane and Anders Hansen; Adrienne Ackerman; Adam and Carlyn Ackerman; J.R, David and Georgia Ackerman; and Alex, Amy and Madeline Knutson, as well as three greatgrandchildren and a sister, Jacqueline Dvorman of Huntington Beach, California.
In addition to devoting her time and talents to her family, she was a volunteer with the Child Research Center of Detroit, and LiftUp in Carbondale. Carolyn loved to sing and was a member of the choir at Westminster Presbyterian Church of Detroit and later the Carbondale Community United Methodist Church as well as various community vocal groups and musical productions. Always an avid skier, she worked in ticket sales at Snowmass Mountain and skied until she was 80 years old. She and her husband traveled extensively in their later years and circumnavigated the world twice by ship. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Frances Nicholson. In lieu of owers, contributions can be made to Lift-Up. Special thanks to Debra Wanzer and the caring staff at Gardner Hall of Heritage Park Care Center.
A shady spot, and some peace and quiet, on a recent Sunday afternoon at Sopris Park. Photo by Lynn Burton
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12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • AUGUST 25-31, 2016
Library
from page 7
From Diana Marcum’s L.A. Times” series on water Even in years when rain falls and the Sierra mountains hold snowpack that will water almonds and onions, cattle and cantaloupes, Huron’s population swells and withers with the season. These days in Huron—and Mendota and Wasco and Firebagh and all the other farmworker communities on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley— even the permanent populations are packing up.… Since the days of the Dust Bowl, these have been the places where trouble hits first and money doesn’t last. From N. Scott Momaday’s “House Made of Dawn” Dypaloh. There was a house made of dawn. It was made of pollen and of rain, and the land was very old and everlasting. There were many colors on the hills, and the plain was bright with different-colored clays and sands. Red and blue and spotted horses grazed in the plain, and there was a dark wilderness on the mountains beyond. The land was still and strong. It was beautiful all around. From Gary Snyder’s Poem “By Frazier Creek Falls” This living flowing land is all there is, forever We are it it sings through us— We could live on this Earth without clothes or tools!
Hart om page 5 Garfield County, a gas reserve that touches on the Thompson Divide. But as WW, the TDC and local governments dug in to oppose rigs in Thompson Divide, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (which controls oil and gas leasing) and the U.S. Forest Service (which controls surface uses throughout the White River National Forest, including the Divide) began to take notice. “What happened is, the BLM has paid more attention” over the last decade or so, to a growing chorus of voices arguing against business as usual in terms of the granting of leases wherever the industry wanted them. “I mean, you know, these voices were more broad-based and louder as the years went by,” Hart continued. “They (the BLM and the USFS) just heard this huge uproar from the community about it.”
Another factor Another factor in federal thinking was the fact that the gas-drilling industry is greatly reduced today from what it was only a few years ago. Currently, only about three drilling rigs are operating in the Piceance Basin, compared to perhaps 50 rigs in 2007. In addition, a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey agency, issued earlier this year, indicated that there is much more natural gas in the Piceance Basin than originally estimated. Oddly, Hart surmised, that finding is viewed as helpful by those resisting the placement of rigs in the Thompson Divide, both because the area has unproven potential for
exploitation by the industry, and because of arguments that with more gas available in other parts of the Basin, it is not necessary to drill every piece of land in the region. Largely as a result of work by the TDC, the WW and governmental supporters at the local and federal level, the BLM recently announced it is planning to cancel the 25 most controversial leases in the heart of the Thompson Divide. A final comment period on the Environmental Impact Statement containing that expected cancellation, however, will not close until Sept. 4, and Hart said he and others plan on “pushing really hard in the next few days” to move forward with cancellation of the 25 leases, and with strengthening restrictions on surface disturbance and drilling of other sections of the region to the west of the Divide. “We’re pretty focused on it (the Divide), but there are 40 other leases, and on 27 of those, the BLM is basically saying it’s not going to add any new stipulations (drilling restrictions), even though the Forest Service’s recent management plans says more stipulations are necessary to protect the resources there.” Hart explained. “We would like to see the BLM implement a plan on these remaining leases that actually (imposes) the protections.”
After that? Hart said he has a young son who is “very interested in birds right now,” and he hopes to spend more time going up into the high country for bird-watching expeditions. Recently, he said, they have spotted ospreys along the Colorado River, as well as other rather rare species, and are eager to go again. “That’s good, because it keeps me out-
Wilderness Workshop attorney Peter Hart has deep roots in Colorado. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all attorneys, who mostly worked in the realms of mining and water. One of his great-grandfathers was a principal in John C. Osgood’s Colorado Fuel & Iron. Photo by John Colson doors and engaged,” he said, conceding that he had never been much of a birder until his son got him thinking about birds and about the White River National Forest in general, which is said to be the most heavily visited national forest in the U.S. “It’s a special place,” he said of the Western Slope. “I think there’s a reason all those people come visit. Its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, it’s all of the developed and undeveloped recreational opportunities, so I think somebody has to be keeping their eye on activities that may affect those places. That’s what we do, and I think it’s a great organization to work for, I think we do great work.”
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NOW ENROLLING Preschool-age children (Ages 1-5 years)
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to enroll your child today.
ĂƌŶ ŐŝŐŐůĞƐ Θ ŐƌŝŶƐ ĂƐ LJŽƵ ŐŝǀĞ ďĂĐŬ ƚŽ LJŽƵƌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͊
ůů ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĂƌĞ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ƐƚŽƌLJƚĞůůĞƌƐ͘ dĂŬĞ ŽƵƌ ƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ůĞĂƌŶ ŚŽǁ ĨƵŶ ĂŶĚ ƌĞǁĂƌĚŝŶŐ ŝƚ ŝƐ͘ ^ƉĞůůďŝŶĚĞƌƐ ƚƌĂŝŶƐ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ʹ ũƵƐƚ ůŝŬĞ LJŽƵ ʹ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ Ăƌƚ ŽĨ ŽƌĂů ƐƚŽƌLJƚĞůůŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ƉůĂĐĞƐ ƚŚĞŵ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌ ƐƚŽƌLJƚĞůůĞƌƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ůŽĐĂů ƐĐŚŽŽůƐ͘ sŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌƐ ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ĐůĂƐƐƌŽŽŵƐ ĞĂĐŚ ŵŽŶƚŚ͕ ĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ƌĞůĂƟŽŶƐŚŝƉƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ŬŝĚƐ͘ ^ƚŽƌLJƚĞůůŝŶŐ ďƌŝŶŐƐ ůŝƚĞƌĂĐLJ͕ Ăƌƚ͕ ŵƵůƟ-ĐƵůƚƵƌĂů ŝĚĞĂƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ŝŶƐƉŝƌĂƟŽŶ ƚŽ ůŝĨĞ͘ ŽŵĞ ůĞĂƌŶ ƚŚŝƐ Ăƌƚ ĂŶĚ ĞdžƉŽƐĞ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ ƚŽ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ͕ ĐŚĂƌĂĐƚĞƌ-ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ƌŽůĞ ŵŽĚĞůƐ͕ ďŽƚŚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐƚŽƌŝĞƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ŝŶ LJŽƵ͊ sŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌ ƉůĂĐĞŵĞŶƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ sĂůůĞLJ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƉĂƌƟĐƵůĂƌůLJ ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ŶĞĞĚ ĨŽƌ WƌĞ-< ƚŚƌƵ ϭƐƚ ŐƌĂĚĞ ĐůĂƐƐƌŽŽŵƐ ŝŶ ƐƉĞŶ͘
Located at
1340 Highway 133 Serving Toddlers and Preschoolers The daycare center is a ministry of Faith Lutheran Church.
^ƉĞůůďŝŶĚĞƌƐ͛ EĞdžƚ sŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌ dƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ tŽƌŬƐŚŽƉ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϲ͕ ϴ͕ ϭϯ͕ ϮϮ ͻ ϵ Ă͘ŵ͘ - ŶŽŽŶ ͻ ƐƉĞŶ &Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽ Žƌ ƚŽ ƌĞŐŝƐƚĞƌ͗ ƐŚĞƌĞĐŽůĞŵĂŶΛLJĂŚŽŽ͘ĐŽŵ ǁǁǁ͘ƐƉĞůůďŝŶĚĞƌƐ͘ŽƌŐ THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • AUGUST 25-31, 2016 • 13
Summer wrap up Wrapping up the summer, the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo held its last performance of the season on Aug. 18, while Mountain Fair held its volunteers party on Aug. 19. At the rodeo, Tammy Nieslanik did some horseback communications (it’s not known if she was talking to the folks in the announcers’ booth, ordering a pizza or something else). At the Mountain Fair volunteer party, Joe Raatz won the chili cook-off after folks sampled the entries and cast their votes.
Photo by Jane Bachrach
Photo by Lunn Burton
Photo by Jane Bachrach
Photo by Jane Bachrach
Photo by Jane Bachrach
14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • AUGUST 25-31, 2016
Frosty Merriott: A desire to make a difference Service Directory By Nicolette Toussaint Sopris Sun Correspondent Frosty Merriott has a name that sounds made for Colorado. But it wasn’t; his roots run deep in Louisiana, and John Frost Merriott’s middle name was plucked from his family tree. Like many in this valley, Merriott first came here to ski and fell hard for Colorado. He says Mitchener’s “Centennial” is his favorite novel. Robert Redford’s “Jeremiah Johnson” (about the legendary Utah mountain man) is his favorite movie. In the late 1990s, long after the ski trip and two decades into his CPA career, Merriott considered relocating to several spots, including Santa Fe and Southern California. After a friend introduced him to Lakewood-basedcompany Gordon, Hughes and Banks, Merriott landed a job overseeing the company’s accounting services. In December 1993, he kissed his pregnant wife Carly goodbye and set off in a U-Haul truck filled with household goods and two golden retrievers, promising Carly that they “could always move back” if they didn’t like Colorado. But “it was kinda like that John Denver song,” he says, “leaving yesterday behind and being born again. The move had a big effect on our lives.” A decade earlier, the couple had tragically lost unborn twins, the first one dying and the second following four months later. Deciding that God didn’t intend for them to have a child, they gave their favored name, “Shiloh,” to one of their dogs. But after Frosty surprised Carly with an anniversary retreat at a plantation B&B, they found themselves expecting a daughter. “We had to change the dog’s name to Cheyenne then,” Merriott recalls. (Merriott has a daughter and son from a previous marriage. Daughter Heather Chambliss has two daughters of her own (Karis and Clare, 12 and 10 respectively). She has a doctorate in exercise science from the University of Georgia and lives with her husband, Donnie, in southern Mississippi. Son Jeremiah has a degree in culinary arts and is a chef in Nashville). Before long, Merriott moved to Gordon, Hughes and Banks’ Frisco, Colorado, office. He later settled in Carbondale, enabling daughter Shiloh to grow up and graduate from high school
Frosty Merriott and his two dogs, Bentley (left) and Miley (right). In 2010, he was given an “Everyday Hero” award from the Colorado Society of CPAs for his work in lowering the nighttime speed limit on Highway 82 in order to protect wildlife. Photo by Jane Bachrach here before becoming the fourth generation of the family to attend Louisiana Tech University. Merriott opened his own CPA firm in 1998. He began his foray into public service that same year by serving on the Carbondale Environmental Board. Next came stints with the town’s Economic Roadmap group, the Revenue Diversification Committee, the Tree Board, and Planning and Zoning Commission. Asked why he would want to get involved in public service, he replies, “It’s stressful. Sometimes Carly shakes her head and asks me why I put myself through it. But I’ve always had this thing about wanting to make a difference in the world.” He continued, “That time (at a trustees meeting) when … (someone) called me a rich white man?” he confides, “That’s just not true! Carly didn’t go to college because her family couldn’t afford it …We’ve had to work for everything.”
Raised on a farm Merriott was raised on his grandparents’ farm by strong women who instilled a strong work ethic. In 1931,
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after his grandfather died of pneumonia, his grandmother put her four children through college by selling milk and eggs during the Depression. In the 1950’s, to help pay off “astronomical” medical bills that were run up when his sister died of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Merriott’s mother become one of Louisiana’s first real estate brokers. “I was partly raised by Katie, one of the black women who lived on our farm,” he adds. “She was like a second mother to me, and I needed one then.” In college, athletics helped the stillstruggling youngster to overcome “low confidence.” Although Merriott weighed only about 150 pounds, he was named 1969 MVP for Louisiana Tech’s Theta Tau intramural football team. He played wide receiver on Bud Light’s All Star teams in 1983, 1985 and 1993, tried out for the Houston Oilers, and played for the Shreveport Steamer team of the World Football League. In addition to sports memorabilia, Merriott’s office sports some stunning wildlife photos. A longtime photographer, he snapped a face-to-face shot of a grizzly-sized bear in Alaska at a distance of just 15-feet. “My knees were shaking when I took that one!” he says. Merriott says that what he’s most proud of in his political career is a bill he developed in concert with state Sen. Gail Schwarz—a bill that earned him a 2010 “Everyday Hero” award from the Colorado Society of CPAs. A photo of Merriott’s testifies to the bill’s beginnings. It shows daughter Shiloh, then four, squatting over a fawn killed on Highway 82. “I showed that photo to the House and Senate transportation committees when I was lobbying,” he says. The bill, which went into effect in September 2011, reduced nighttime speed limits in wildlife zones and doubled fines. “We helped turn the whole dynamic about wildlife collisions, and CDOT ended up putting wildlife fencing along I-70. I’m proud I could make a difference saving animal lives and people’s lives.”
Legal Notice TOWN OF CARBONDALE ORDINANCE NO. 15 SERIES OF 2016
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE, COLORADO, APPROVING REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 6 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL PROCEDURAL PROCESS FOR CERTAIN LICENSE APPLICATIONS AND PROHIBIT RENEWAL OF NONOPERATIONAL LICENSES
This Ordinance was introduced, read, and adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Carbondale, Colorado, on August 9, 2016.
This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication of this notice. The full text of said Ordinance is available to the public at www.carbondalegov.org or at the office of the Town Clerk, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carbondale, Colorado, during normal business hours. THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE _________________________ By: s/s Dan Richardson, Mayor Pro Tem
__________________________ s/s Cathy Derby, Town Clerk
Published in The Sopris Sun on August 25, 2106.
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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • AUGUST 25-31, 2016 • 15
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