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Volume 7, Number 36 | October 15, 2015

Horse play in Carbondale By Jane Bachrach Sopris Sun Staff Writer

T

he weather in Carbondale last weekend was perfect, so people were out and about horsin’ around. There was one group of folks, however, that were engaged in a different kind of horseplay that wasn’t the typical goofing off kind, and – besides horses – rabbits, goats and dogs were a part of the fun. Rupert Isaacson (aka Horse Boy) was in town giving a clinic to folks interested in learning the Horse Boy method. The Horse Boy method of learning is for kids with autism and others with neuro-sensory conditions like ADD and PTSD. This method opens the lines of communication while at the same time, allows Horse Boy practitioners the ability to teach math and literacy, all from the back of a horse. This was Isaacson’s fourth visit to Carbondale in the last four years. The weekend kicked off on Friday afternoon with an open house at Smiling Goat Ranch east of Carbondale, owned by Sheryl Barto and her husband, Karl Hanlon. Barto, who grew up with horses, has trained intensively with Isaacson over the last few years and is now a certified Horse Boy independent practitioner. She is an “autism mom.” The afternoon was in the spirit of a Horse Boy “play date session,” that showcased play stations and animals that children on the autism spectrum might be attracted to. The open invitation offered the public a chance to meet Isaacson and introduced Smiling Goat Ranch to the community. In order to become a certified Horse Boy independent practitioner, extensive training is required either through online training or at Isaacson’s facility in Texas, where Barto studied and where Carbondale resident Dani Brownell currently is, and in the process of becoming certified. Brownell is the founder of Equine Connections of Colorado and will be working with Barto on various projects. “The guiding principle to the Horse Boy Method is to follow the child and create an environment of ‘yes,’” said Barto. “You present them with a safe environment and they will show you what interests them and you start from there. For example, if a child loves a Disney character and water, we will create a play station with a water feature and the princess from ‘Frozen’ if that’s what she wants!” What’s unique about this method is that most of HORSE BOY page 14

Zoe Hanlon unsuccessfully attempts to get G1, the 30 pound rabbit at Smiling Goat Ranch, to look at the camera and smile (G1 stands for Giant One). Zoe and G1 are both involved in Horse Boy therapies at the ranch, located just east of town. Besides rabbits, the Horse Boy method also uses horses, goats and dogs. Photo by Jane Bachrach

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.

Celebrating a huge milestone for e Sopris Sun! Celebrating a huge milestone for The Sopris Sun! In 2009, when a group of dedicated local volunteers decided to launch The Sopris Sun as a community-supported nonprofit newspaper, their goal was to get up and running quickly. The closure of the corporate-owned weekly Valley Journal just before Christmas 2008 had left a void in print news coverage of Carbondale and the mid-valley. Within six weeks, thanks to the tireless efforts of those founders, the first issue of The Sun was out and in readers’ hands, and since Valentine’s Day 2009, The Sopris Sun has never missed a week of publication. The Sun was able to launch as a nonprofit thanks to the generous sponsorship support of the Roaring Fork Community Development Corporation (RFCDC), under whose 501(c)(3) umbrella we were able to accept tax-deductible contributions from the start. We knew that eventually we would need to spread our wings and apply to the IRS for The Sun’s own tax-exempt designation, though we were warned by many experts along the way that it could be tough

to get the federal government to recognize a newspaper as worthy of charitable status. We are very happy to announce that, after more than eight months of waiting for a determination from the IRS on our application, we recently received official notification that we have been granted full tax-exempt status for The Sopris Sun. By making this determination, the IRS confirmed that it views the paper as an educational and charitable organization. This is a big step in the evolution of Carbondale’s weekly nonprofit paper. And it would never have happened without the vision and efforts of our founders (Allyn Harvey, Becky Young, Colin Laird, Barbara New, Elizabeth Phillips, Peggy DeVilbiss, and Russ Criswell) and the critical help of RFCDC. Celebrate with us by donating to our fall SunScriber campaign. The Sopris Sun, like all papers, depends heavily on advertising to pay our staff and cover our rent, printing costs, and other bills. Unlike a commercial paper, however, approximately 20 percent of our costs must be covered by the community in the form of

donations. The Sun’s expenses will top $200,000 this year. We are extremely grateful for the generous support of so many donors who have contributed already in 2015, but we still have a way to go to reach our $40,000 individual and business fundraising goal by the end of the year (another $18,000 to be exact). Each copy of the paper costs roughly $1 to produce—we distribute 4,500 every week. If all our regular readers who have not yet made a 2015 contribution make a donation, we are confident we will reach that goal. Might you be one of them? It’s easy. Just go to soprissun.com and click on the yellow “Support” button on the home page. You’ll have the option to choose a one-time donation or to set up recurring monthly donations ($5 per month makes a huge difference). Or you can send or drop off a check using the address listed in the bottom right corner of this page. Thank you! The Sopris Sun Board Debbie, Colin, Barbara, Cliff and Diana

Rob Goodwin: No substitute for common sense By Ron Leach Rob Goodwin first saved the life of another kid when he was a young boy, and he was hooked. It was a hot summer day in Carbondale and he was watching some neighborhood boys play in a fastmoving ditch. One of them wasn’t a very strong swimmer and he got sucked into the current. Realizing that this situation required immediate and decisive action, Rob jumped in and pulled the boy to safety. Little did he know at such a young age, but his career path was chosen in that ditch. He started by being a Good Samaritan on what was then known as “Killer 82.” Colorado State Highway 82 was a two-lane road back then, and travelling between Glenwood Springs and Aspen was a dangerous prospect in all weather conditions. Rob often found himself as the first person on scene at the site of a wreck. He quickly learned that he had a passion for this work and decided to start volun-

teering with the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District in 1987. He worked his way up the ladder and ultimately became only the second paid employee after Chief Ron Leach. Officially he’s the “Ops Chief” which must be shorthand for “involved in everything from running a fire crew, an ambulance crew, a wildfire stakeout, swift-water rescue, or back country search, to assisting with the training course of new volunteers.” Rob is one of those rare individuals who devote countless hours to helping his fellow citizens. As the deputy fire chief for the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District (CRFPD) he helps to manage both paid staff and over 75 volunteers in a fire department that covers some 320 square miles in three counties. His motto is: “There is no substitute for good judgment and common sense.” And he should know. He’s had plenty of experience. Like that day in July 1994 when he was called

OPINION

upon to assist with fire-fighting efforts in what would come to be known as the South Canyon Fire on Storm King Mountain. Fourteen fire fighters lost their lives battling a blaze that literally jumped over the Colorado River and Interstate 70. Rob was commanding a post in West Glenwood when the winds picked up and started shooting fireballs at them. There were homeowners stranded up the canyon who failed to heed the evacuation order. Faced with a decision to leave them to their own efforts or send a crew on a potentially life-threatening mission, he acted decisively and sent his people up for the rescue. All of them got out alive, and minutes later they were forced to abandon the post. There’s no substitute for good judgment, common sense … and a little bit o’ luck! Rob Goodwin is a true hero and a Carbondale treasure! Ron Leach is fire chief for the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District.

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.

Thanks to Mr. Kelly Dear Editor: On Sept. 16 at 1:30 a.m. a fire was reported at the Center for Independence located in the Third Street Center here in Carbondale. The Third Street Center is a valuable community asset and a Carbondale treasure. The fire was reported by Mr. Kelly Harding, a neighbor.

Mr. Harding was alerted by the sound of glass breaking, saw flames coming out of the window of the Center for Independence and immediately called 911. Mr. Harding then approached the fire with his fire extinguisher and, along with the automatic sprinkler system in the building, assisted in putting out the fire. Mr. Harding was vigilant and brave and

on behalf of Carbondale Police Chief Gene Schilling and myself, I want to commend Mr. Harding for his efforts to save the Third Street Center. Ron Leach, Fire Chief Carbondale Fire & Rural Fire Protection District LETTERS page 15

Correction In an article headlined “GarCo and CRMS move toward CR106 solution” in the Oct. 8 Sopris Sun, we incorrectly said that Colorado Rocky Mountain School is a “for profit” school. Colorado Rocky Mountain school is a non-profit school with 501(c)(3) status. The Sopris Sun regrets the error. 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015

Sincerest thanks to our

Honorary Publishers for their generous, ongoing commitment of support. Jim Calaway Kay Brunnier Bob Ferguson – Jaywalker Lodge Scott Gilbert Bob Young – Alpine Bank George Stranahan Peter Gilbert James Surls Umbrella Roofing, Inc.

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: Bob Albright • 970-927-2175 bob@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 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.

Town logs in on possible big-box development on 82 Near CMC turnoff By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer The town of Carbondale has been asked for the second time this year to make its feelings known about a proposed commercial center roughly halfway between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, in unincorporated Garfield County. And as things stand currently, the town is likely to come out against the proposal, just as it did earlier in the year. The Garfield County Community Development Department recently sent a “referral” packet of information about the project, which is being proposed by Garfield County Commercial Investments LLC (GCCI), an “affiliate” of Carbondale Investments LLC. GCCI, in its application earlier in the year, wanted the county to rezone the parcel from residential to “commercial general,” which would have allowed large-scale retail stores (commonly known as “big box” stores) to locate there, among other uses.

But the developers withdrew their proposal last April following indications that Garfield County planners were leaning toward recommending the project be turned down. That action came shortly after the town sent a letter to Garfield County laying out a number of reasons why the town felt the development was not a good idea. That letter, dated April 3, 2015, noted that GCCI’s written proposal for the roughly 42-acre parcel, located to the south of the abandoned Sopris restaurant building on Highway 82, “does not indicate what type and size of development is planned for the property.” Calling the proposal “vague,” the town pointed out that if granted the zoning as requested, the developers could bring in bigbox retailers with little review by the county or by the surrounding towns. Pointing to the developers’ apparent intention to build under the county’s “rural employment center” guidelines, the town’s letter maintained that under the county’s land use codes such centers “are defined as small areas adjacent to major

roadways that allow light industrial, manufacturing, equipment storage and incidental retail sales.” But, the letter continued, “The size of the GCCI parcel would allow much more square footage than what appears to be envisioned” by the county’s developmental guidelines. At one point in a document termed the “justification report” in the GCCI paperwork, it states that despite considerable population growth in the valley in recent years, “Glenwood Springs is the only community with large format retailers — all other Roaring Fork Valley communities have only grocery stores.” Anticipating future growth, the application states that “additional commercial uses are needed to serve and employ the growing population,” seeming to imply that more big-box retailers are what are needed. In addition, the town’s letter states that “unincorporated communities in the Garfield County Comprehensive Plan are intended to be ‘self-contained subdivisions that contain town and neighborhood centers primarily to serve their own popula-

tions,” whereas the GCCI application documents mention potential customers in every subdivision in the lower valley from Aspen Glen to Iron Bridge. Allowing this commercial development, the letter states, could create “commercial uses competing with existing and future commercial uses in Carbondale (and) could result in the loss of sales tax and services” to the town and other entities that depend on sales tax revenues, such as the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority. The town’s letter points out that the county’s comprehensive plan contains a policy that “the county will discourage commercial development in the unincorporated areas that would significantly reduce sales tax revenues in incorporated municipalities.” Approval of the GCCI project, the letter states, “would conflict with this adopted policy.” The Carbondale letter also notes that the GCCI project, if approved and built, could result in construction of some 550,000 square feet of retail or commercial GARCO DEVELOPMENT page 18

Carbondale Fire District’s current budget issues date to ‘04 Paramedic level service is key By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer There are only about three weeks left before the Nov. 3 election, and ballots were scheduled to be mailed out this week to voters in general, including those who will decide the fate of a tax hike requested by the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District. And although the management of the district remains concerned about the impending election, Fire Chief Ron Leach said he is determined to avoid feeling one way or another about passage of a proposed two-year tax increase that would boost the district lagging revenues enough to keep the district operating somewhat normally for the time being. “I’m not optimistic or pessimistic,” Leach told The Sopris Sun this week. “I’m just trying to do my job and let the political process take its course.” The district has been trying to dig itself out of a financial hole caused by the recent recession, during which property values plummeted and the district’s revenues fell off the same cliff, since the district gets the lion’s share of its income from property taxes. The tax question asks voters to approve a 1.75 mill increase in the tax rate, which would boost district revenues by about $600,000 a year, enough to upgrade equipment and facilities, provide more training for personnel, and hire back three positions that were dropped two years ago as a result of falling revenues.

Back in 2004 The fire district election also is one consequence of a set of circumstances going back 12 years, all the way to a 2004 election in which the district’s voters approved a $6.75 million bond issue and a 1.5 mill

increase in the district’s tax rate. The resultant increase in revenues was needed, the district told taxpayers at the time, to pay for upgrades to the district’s fire stations, equipment and other infrastructure, and for an upgrade to the district’s level of emergency medical training to what is known as Paramedic-Level — the highest level of training for emergency medical technicians working for an ambulance service. The two revenue-enhancing measures were approved decisively, by a vote of about 500-140, although news stories describing the district’s needs focused mainly on the infrastructure improvements — the buildings and equipment — rather than on the enhancement of the training of medical technicians. Fire Chief Ron Leach, in interviews with The Sopris Sun, confirmed that in the ensuing 12 years or so, the district has trained-up its emergency medical technician (EMT) staff. Back in 2004, he said, the district had perhaps one Paramedical-Level ambulance worker, with three trained to the EMT-Intermediate Level (EMT-I), one step below paramedics, for a total of four paid emergency medical personnel. Today, Leach said, the department has six Paramedic-Level medical personnel, three EMT-I staffers and one EMT-B (or basic skill-level), in the “operations” division of the fire department, meaning their primary duties are to respond to emergency medical calls from district residents. On top of that, Leach said, four of the department’s administrators — himself, Deputy Chief Rob Goodwin, Fire Marshall Bill Gavette, and Emergency Medical Services Coordinator Jake Spalding — are trained to the EMT-I level and are on-call

to respond to medical emergencies, as is one of the district’s two-man maintenance crew, who is trained at the EMT-B level. Taken together, the presence of those 15 EMTs provides the department with its highest training level possible for ambulance calls, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “It’s taken us 12 years to get to where we are now,” Leach said in a telephone interview with The Sopris Sun.

The budget The department’s budget currently stands at approximately $2.5 million in the general fund, derived from property taxes and other revenues. Of that, Leach said, about $1.9 million goes to paychecks for the department’s 18 paid personnel. The remainder of the deFIRE DISTRICT page 18

Dancers rehearse for this weekend’s Spectrum Dance Festival at Thunder River Theatre and the Launchpad. For more information, check out the advertisement on page 13 and also Calendar. Photo by Jane Bachrach

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015 • 3

Town Briefs

Crews address “bumps and bulges” Sopris Sun Staff Report As the town of Carbondale prepares for winter, the street crew has been repairing “bumps and bulges” on bicycle and pedestrian trails around town, some of them caused by weeds growing up under the asphalt surface of the trails, according to Town Manager Jay Harrington’s weekly memo to the Board of Trustees and other town employees. In addition to the attention paid to the trail surfaces, Harrington reported, the crew continued its ongoing tasks of removing low-hanging limbs from trails and streets, and yanking elm trees from alleyways. The parks crew, meanwhile, has kept up with mowing and maintaining public facilities in the town’s parks and pulling weeds from the landscaped area of the Highway 133 roundabout, as well as blowing out the irrigation systems in preparation for shutting off the town ditches this week. At the Thompson Park residential project off Highway 133 near the intersection with Weant Boulevard, Harrington reported, the contractor was scheduled to begin paving this week, starting on Tuesday. Regarding another project in town, Harrington reported that Canyon Excavating, which is the contractor working on installation of a new water main along Industry Way, was scheduled to begin plac-

ing concrete curb, gutter and “valley pan” this week, starting on Monday. As the town grapples with problematic weeds at the North Face Bike Park, Harrington wrote that a bid of $27,864 has been submitted by an unnamed contractor to hydro-seed 47,000 square feet of the area. The proposal, according to Harrington, is to first cut and remove weeds from the subject area, then lay down a combination of compost, topsoil, hydro-mulch and seed that would choke out any remaining weed growth. Harrington noted that, if the project worked as proposed, it could eliminate the costs that the town incurred this year (roughly $6,000) to manually pull weeds at the bike park. The proposal, Harrington wrote, will be presented to the town during budget deliberations this fall, as this project is not at present included in the draft 2016 budget. This week, according to Harrington’s memo, the town will submit a grant application to Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), seeking $7,000 in a Play Yard Initiative Planning Grant on behalf of the under-construction Ross Montessori School off Highway 133 at the south end of town. If the grant is approved, Harrington noted, the school could then apply for a $100,000 grant for construction of the playground, which is to be open to the public during non-school hours. At the Carbondale Recreation and Com-

munity Center, recreation program includes exercise classes of various sorts, youth climbing classes, fall volleyball league play for adults and after-school volleyball classes. Also offered are “summit conditioning” and “Tae Kwon Do” martial arts classes. Registration is now open for a men’s basketball league, a broomball league in the winter, and a youth basketball league (grades 3-6). The fall/winter recreation brochure is available at the rec center and can be viewed on the website, www.carbondalerec.com. The town-owned Gateway RV Park and Campground, located at the intersection of Highways 82 and 133, closed last week for the winter. Harrington had laudatory comments for the campground hosts, Tim and Cheryl Heng as well as Bill and Kathy Kirkland, noting that the couples plan to return next season. According to Harrington, visitation for the season came to 1,799 campsites rented out, of the 3,591 sites available over the summer. Harrington reported that “the number of sold-out days are increasing each year,” rising by 36 percent from 2014 to 2015. Harrington also reported that the Carbondale Police Department’s participation in the recent prescription-drug give-back campaign “went very well. We collected over 53 pounds that were turned in to be destroyed. It amounted to about eight lawn & leaf bags.”

Cop Shop From Oct. 1-8, Carbondale police officers handled 364 Calls for Service. During that period, officers investigated the following cases of note: FRIDAY, Oct. 2: At 9:27 p.m. police were called to a Cleveland Avenue address in response to reports that four young men were at the address despite having been told by the homeowner to stay away. After investigating, police issued court summons for trespassing to the four men, one of whom was a juvenile. The police report contained no indications of violence or disputes between the alleged trespassers and either the police or the homeowner. SATURDAY, Oct. 3: At 2 a.m. a local woman reported that her wallet had been stolen. SATURDAY, Oct. 3: At 2:23 a.m. an officer stopped a car being driven by a 39-year-old local man, for failing to use his turn signal and weaving on Cowen Drive. After investigating, the officer arrested the man for suspicion of drunk driving and other charges. SATURDAY, Oct. 3: At 1:22 p.m. police stopped a man for driving with expired license tags, then added the charge of driving under a suspended license to the ticket issued to the man. COP SHOP page 9

2015 Election Tuesday November 3

10/13

Clerks will mail election ballots October 13. Registered voters should receive their ballots within one week of October 13. If you do not receive a ballot, contact the Garfield County Clerk & Recorder’s Office immediately.

10/26

Voter services are available at www.GoVoteColorado.com. October 26 is the last day to submit a voter registration form by mail, fax, or email and still receive a ballot by mail. After this date, appear in person at a Voter Service and Polling Center in Garfield County to receive a ballot.

Garfield County Clerk & Recorder 970-384-3700

SunScribe! Support your Carbondale community connector Because you live, work or play here, you’re already a “member” of The Sopris Sun community.

As a non-profit community service, we can only thrive and grow with your support.

SunScribe online at

www.soprissun.com www.garfield-county.com 4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015

Distinguished Visiting Artist:

James Surls Works on display

Oct. 2, 2015 – Jan. 3, 2016 The Jerome M. Westheimer, Sr. and Wanda Otey Westheimer Distinguished Visiting Artist Chair

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art The University of Oklahoma 555 Elm Ave. Norman, OK 73019–3003 fjjma.ou.edu James Surls U.S. (b.1943) Walking Through the Thorn Vine [detail], 2014 Bronze and stainless steel 135 x 133 x 64 in.

For questions and accommodations on the basis of disability, please call (405) 325-4938. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@SoprisSun.com.

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Did you know that Carbondale is headquarters for an international non-profit group? That’s right. Those Spellbinders storytellers you see entertaining and educating kids and others up and down the Roaring Fork Valley are part of a larger effort with 18 chapters in six states and Canada. Founded in Denver in 1990, Spellbinders later moved its HQ to Aspen. Three years ago, Spellbinders moved to the Third Street Center, according to executive director Catherine Johnson. Earlier in the month, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a resolution naming October “Spellbinder Oral Storytelling Month” in honor of its 25th anniversary. Spellbinders presented or is presenting 25 performances across Colorado this month, including events in Carbondale, Aspen and Basalt (see Calendar for details). Said RE-1 School Superintendent Diana Sirko, “Listening to stories artfully told in a vivid and gripping manner not only improves the children’s listening skills but also gives flight to the children’s own imaginations. Spellbinders’ volunteers show these children that elders in their community care about them, and that elders are a vital and vibrant component of the community.” For volunteer opportunities and other information, checkout spellbinders.org.

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You’ve heard of Carbondale’s Creative District and Colorado Creative Industries, well here comes Carbondale’s Scavenger Industries. Rochelle Norwood (left) and Olivia Pevec (right) took a break to read the Sun after letting the town know about the new economic-development effort. Stay tuned. Courtesy photo

0401 Castle Creek Road, Aspen, CO 81611

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015

Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Director Andrea Stewart reports that membership is up to 470, which is the most it has been in quite some time. Receiving the chamber’s weekly newsletters and E-blasts are just two of the benefits for hooking up with the group. New members since August are: ACRE Narrative Design, Adobe Power LLC, Balloons2go, Buckaroo Studios, Carl Zoch Photography, Catherine Jackson, DaytonBits, Element by Westin Basalt Aspen Valley, Epicurious Fine Foods, Full Cup Creative, Git ‘Er Done Girls, Heidi Hat, John Haskell Tutoring LLC, LTS Customs LLC, Max Ink Limited, Maya Construction, Ondalu, Restoration Eze, Rising Crane Training Center, Roaring Fork Young Professionals, SEO

Aspen, Sewing Studio, Sopris Valuation Inc., Structural Integrity, Sunshine & Moon’s LLC, Tara Martellaro Productions, The Designer’s Vault Design & Wine Room, The Planted Earth, thinktank research, and TMA LLC

BE HEARD! TV is Boulder-bound BE HEARD! TV, a Carbondale-based non-profit media organization, is heading to Boulder to collaborate with Student Voices Count during the upcoming GOP debate at the University of Colorado on Oct. 28, according to a press release. BE HEARD! TV is a non-profit, non-partisan, unaffiliated, millennial-run news network and is part of the True Media Foundation. Student Voices Count coordinator Aaron Estevez-Miller said, “We’re aiming to have our own live broadcast during the debate, in which we will discuss the issues facing our generation and nation.” To this end, BE HEARD!® will take its two mobile production vehicles and production crew from Carbondale to a location near the debate. The discussion will be streamed live to the BE HEARD!TV YouTube channel enabling the nation and the world to view and participate live through chat. All interested parties are encouraged to subscribe to the BE HEARD! TV YouTube channel to receive updates and announcements about this and related events. A GoFundMe campaign is also underway to raise funds for travel to Boulder and production costs. Christopher Tribble, founder and executive director of True Media Foundation and creator of BE HEARD! TV said, “The mission of this movement is to get out the vote. Nothing will be more important to the future of millennials than the 2016 presidential election. BE HEARD! empowers those who rarely get the opportunity to speak their minds or share their opinions.” For more information, go to facebook.com/events/ then type in 1651952255062322/.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating their birthday this week include: Darren Broome (Oct. 15); Ian Edquist and Mike Grandbois (Oct. 18); and Gabe Alcala (Oct. 20).

Roaring Fork quarterback Hayden Bernot tears away from a Battle Mountain defender during home-ďŹ eld action last Friday. The Rams fell by a score of 24-14 but are 3-3 on the season, stand 1-1 in Western Slope League play and observers say they have a chance to win the league if they play up to their capabilities. Roaring Fork travels to Basalt for a 7 p.m. game on Oct. 16. In other upcoming action, the soccer squad hosts Moffat County at 4 p.m. on Oct. 15, and travels to Grand Valley for an 11 a.m. game on Oct. 17, followed by a 4 p.m. game at Coal Ridge on Oct. 20, and a 4 p.m. game at CRMS on Oct. 22. The volleyballers travel to Basalt for a 6:30 p.m. match on Oct. 15, host Olathe at 5 p.m. on Oct. 17, and travel to Grand Valley for a 6:30 p.m. appearance on Oct. 20. Photo by Sue Rollyson

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Carbondale native takes to the air; brings folks along Alpine Aviation offers helicopter tours By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer A Carbondale native, and fifth-generation scion of the Sewell ranching family, is hoping to make his mark on the Roaring Fork Valley from above — specifically, from the pilot’s seat in a helicopter taking leaf-peepers, search-and-rescue personnel, real-estate buyers, environmentalists and other interested parties on rides that give a new meaning to the concept of “high altitude touring.” Alex Sewell, 32, and his business, Alpine Aviation, are now up and running with a relatively small, four-seater helicopter called a Robinson R44, operating out of the Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport under the motto, “Helicopter Tours For Business Or Pleasure.” Sewell, who with his brother also runs the family ranch along Thompson Creek just south of Carbondale, told The Sopris Sun recently that it his new business represents a longheld dream. “I always wanted to fly helicopters, ever since I was a little kid,” he said, explaining that while flying was the basic motivation, he really was intrigued by the very complexity of piloting a “chopper.” “Helicopters take a lot more than a fixed wing plane,” he said. “With a fixed wing, taking off and landing are the hard parts, when you’re up in the air it’s pretty simple — depending on what you’re flying, of course.” But, he continued, “With a helicopter, you’re using both your hands, both your feet, and there’s just a lot more going on all the time.” He tried working at various jobs around the Roaring Fork Valley, he said, but couldn’t find anything that really grabbed his attention. “I went and worked a bunch of jobs where it wasn’t what I really wanted to do,” he recalled, so he started looking around for ways to do something he knew he would love.

As seen from 500 feet above White Hill looking north-by-northeast toward Glenwood Springs, that’s County Road 100 below. The view is courtesy Alex Sewell and his helicopter business, Alpine Aviation. Photo by John Colson And he found it in a flight school in Boise, Idaho, which was recommended to him by some friends who had gone through the training. So to Idaho he went, and after a year’s worth of training he got his license to do certain types of flying, and went to work for a flight-school training business he started with some friends and financial backing from an investor, as well as doing some contract work outside the flight-school duties. The flight school ultimately folded when the investor backed away, but in the meantime Sewell had been busy with other contacts and contracts.

“With a helicopter, you’re using both your hands, both your feet, and there’s just a lot more going on all the time.”

Big break

Alex Sewell is giving new meaning to the concept of “high altitude touring” and is offering aerial excursions starting at 15 minutes in length. Photo by John Colson

It was while he was flying a leased aircraft in the state of Washington, he said, that he got his big break. He was doing what is known as “cherry drying,” which involves hovering over drenched cherry orchards after a heavy rain to drive away any lingering moisture that might be absorbed into the trees and “split” the fruit. He became friendly with the Idaho-based owners of the helicopter he was flying, and when he expressed his desire to bring the bird down to his home valley and see if he could make a living with it, the owners gave him their blessing and a contract to use their helicopter for six months on a trial basis. “What better place is there to do tours than the Roaring Fork Valley,” he asked rhetorically. “I think this (business) will do well, and I’m flying around the place I love, doing what I love. I couldn’t ask for much more in life.” He also met his girlfriend, Hayley Soito, while he was in the Boise area, and the two recently relocated to the Roaring Fork Valley together. Another reason for trying his luck here in Colorado, Sewell said, was his perception that there is a need for his type of service and it is a need that currently is not being filled following the death in 2014 of longtime local helicopter pilot Doug Sheffer. Scheffer died while conducting routine aerial inspections of some power lines near Silt, and had often worked with law enforcement agencies and rescue organizations, doing search and rescue operations and other tasks.

8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015

“I never got to meet Doug Scheffer,” Sewell said, “but I knew there was a gap (in helicopter services in this area). I mean, there was nobody offering these services.” Currently, Sewell is limited by his type of license to conducting “non-stop tours … that means I have to pick up and drop off at the same airport.” A more advanced license would allow him to fly “charter” services, meaning he could fly to other spots in the region beside his base airport, ferrying passengers and dropping them off in remote locations, for instance. And that is a license he plans to obtain if the business takes off (so to speak) and appears to be viable in the long term.

The menu For now, though, he has been taking tourists on rides to see the fall colors, worked with some videographers seeking birds-eye images of the valleys, and has gone on cattle-finding missions for local ranchers. “They know I’m a Sewell, our family knows all the other ranchers around the valley, so they called me,” Sewell said. “I can find cows a lot faster than someone on horseback. It makes it cost effective for them, and I get to fly.” In particular, he hopes do such things as search-and-rescue operations, and flying environmentalists and other observers over some of the terrain that has been subject to controversial oil-and-gas exploration, such as the Thompson Divide. “I want to do what I can to help,” he said of the effort to keep energy drilling out of the Thompson Divide area. “That’s our back yard, and it’s very important to us.” Currently, he said, the half-hour tour is the most popular with his customers, who pay $120 per person for the ride. “You can see a lot in half an hour,” he remarked. The pricing is based on an hourly rate of $700 per hour for a maximum of three people, and he’ll take people up for 15 minutes. Alpine Aviation can be contacted by phone at 214-7908997, or on line at www.AlpineHeliTours.com.

un p r is S o S The ent K pres N D K and

Community Election Forum Thursday, October 15 KDNK will broadcast the forum live from 6 to 7 pm on October 15

Join community members at the KDNK Broadcast Learning Center for a public discussion of the Roaring Fork School District and the Carbondale and Rural Fire District ballot questions.

We’ll open up the mic for public comments and have representatives from RFSD and CRFD to answer questions.

of ead h a d e l Questions may be emai

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is info@sopr

. co n u s

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Perfect conditions. Connoisseurs claimed conditions were conducive for camaraderie at Oktoberfest’s cornhole competition last Saturday. The cornhole crib was sundrenched. There was no shortage of beer. Smiles and friendly vibes flowed freely. The winners were David Brown and Tom Dion, who played under the team name Hard Cornography. Teams names that were fit to print included: Dashing Dunkelmen, the Bavarian Baggers, the Great Cornholios, the Rebel Alliance, and The Empire. Other winners in the Celtic Fest/Oktoberfest contests were: Randy Henrie (men’s Best Legs in a Kilt competition), Ericka VanDeventer (Women’s Liter Holding) and Kevin Jacobi (Men’s Liter Holding competition). Photo by Lynn Burton

Cop Shop

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SUNDAY, Oct. 4: At 1:54 a.m. police issued a ticket to a local man for trespassing at an address on West Main Street. SUNDAY, Oct. 4: At 9:32 a.m., police issued warnings to two juveniles for allegedly shooting off fireworks. MONDAY, Oct. 5: At 2:28 p.m. police took a report of check fraud at a Main Street bar. TUESDAY, Oct. 6: At 9:12 a.m. police were called to Roaring Fork High School concerning suspected drug possession by two juveniles. The two were issued citations into municipal court on charges of being minors in possession of marijuana. WEDNESDAY, Oct. 7: At 9:32 a.m. police received a report of a check fraud

scam involving the Internet. The victim, a local woman, reported that a website interaction “led her to deposit a fake check,” and that her losses came to $350. Police attempted to contact the parties involved without success, and the victim was advised to contact the FBI. WEDNESDAY, Oct. 7: At 3:24 p.m. police were contacted by a local man “with concerns of child abuse by his ex-wife.” An officer was unable to detect “signs of overt abuse” and the case was referred to social services. THURSDAY, Oct. 8: At 11:38 a.m. police were contacted by a local woman who said her bicycle had been stolen from a shopping center bike rack the night before. The bike was not locked.

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015 • 9

Community Calendar THURS.-MON. Oct. 15-19 DANCE CAMP • Roaring Fork Social Dancers and instructor Ari Levitt present an adult dance camp in Glenwood Springs and Carbondale. Learn swing, blues, waltz, fusion and other dances. For details, go to meetup.com (RFVdance) or e-mail jaeg1@comcast.net.

THURSDAY Oct. 15 ELECTION FORUM • The Sopris Sun and KDNK present an election forum at the radio station’s Learning Center (76 S. Second St.) from 6 to 7 p.m. Open for discussion will be the RE-1 school bond issue, and the Carbondale Fire District’s tax hike ballot question. Questions from the public can be sent ahead of time to info@soprissun.com. AUTHOR SPEAKS • Bestselling author Sam Kean discusses his book “The Disappearing Spoon” at the Carbondale Branch Library at 7 p.m. The book is this year’s One Book One Town selection and is available for checkout at the library. Following Kean’s presentation, there’ll be a book signing with refreshments. His work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Psychology Today and other publications, and featured on NPR’s “Radiolab,” “All Things Considered” and “Fresh Air.” Info: 963-2889. ALTER ALERT • Today is the deadline to submit alter applications for CCAH’s Dia De Los Muertos on Oct. 30. Info: 963-1680 or amy@carbondalearts.com.

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.

TWENTY-FIFTH • Spellbinders storytellers present “Stories from Around the World” at the Third Street Center at 6:30 p.m. The presentation is part of Spellbinder’s 25th anniversary month, with other presentations at Aspen Elementary School at 2 p.m. on Oct. 21 (“Fun Spooky Stories”); and at the Basalt Regional Library at 4:15 p.m. on Oct. 30 (“Slightly Spooky Stories.”) DRUG TALK • Colorado Rocky Mountain School has once again invited a faculty member from Freedom from Chemical Dependencey to facilitate a parent workshop on the topic. The public is invited and the session starts at the Jossmann Academic Building at 6:30 p.m. ROTARY • The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at Mi Casita at noon every Thursday.

FRI.-SAT. Oct. 16-17 GHOST WALK • The Frontier Historical Society in Glenwood Springs hosts its annual Ghost Walk through Linwood Cemetery (northeast of City Market) at 7, 7:45, 8:30 and 9:15 p.m. Tickets are $18 for non-members and $10 for members. Tours continue at the same times on Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 3031. Info: 945-4448 or history@rof.net.

FRI.-SUN. Oct. 16-18 DANCE • The fourth annual Spectrum Dance Festival returns with several performances and workshops at Thunder River Theatre and the Launchpad. Out-of-town companies, choreographers, dancers and instructors include Wild at Heart, Control Group productions, Rennie Harris and his

Grass Roots Project, King Charles and more, plus local dancers including Co-Motion. Workshops are $15 each or three for $40; festival passes are available. Info: danceinitiative.org.

FRIDAY Oct. 16 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “He Named Me Malala” (PG-13) at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16-22. LIVE MUSIC • Sara Thomsen, one of Minnesota’s finest young singer/songwriters dubbed as the new Joan Baez, is coming to Colorado for four concerts – one of them in Carbondale. The Minnesota Women’s Press Association describes her soulful voice as “cutting through to the heart and soul of the human experience” and “the best butter . . . on a big, generous, meltingly gorgeous piece of bread right out of the oven.” Thomsen performs at the Third Street Center from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance at davininkent.org and $18 at the door. The concert is sponsored by Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists and Davi Nikent. FILM • The Roaring Fork Conservancy and Basalt Middle School present “The Great Divide” at the school starting at 5:30 p.m. The screening is free, although donations will be accepted for the school’s outdoor and environmental programs. This is a feature length film from the Emmy award winning team at Havey Productions, and explores the history of water in the west. Info: 927-1290. “DECK THE WALLS” ENTRIES • Today is the deadline to enter CCAH’s “Deck the

Walls” holiday show. The show runs Nov. 20 to Dec. 30 at the Launchpad. Info: 9631680 or carbondalearts.com. SOLES4SOULS • Today is the last day to take your new or gently worn shoes to TreadZ in Glenwood Springs for the annual Soles4Souls shoe drive. Info: 928-0620.

SATURDAY Oct. 17 LIVE MUSIC • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents the TSisters. This is a vocally-driven contemporary folk trio from Oakland, Calif. upright bass player Steve Height and mandolin/guitar player Andrew Fahlander. The band touches on elements of folk, Americana, gospel, R&B, bluegrass and soul. Info: tsisters.com and 963-3304. ROOSTER HARVEST • In case you didn’t know, “It’s time to harvest your roosters” according to a Sustainable Settings press release. The non-profit outfit will be harvesting its old laying hens. “Come learn how to kill, pluck and clean a chicken” the press release continues. Killed, plucked and cleaned chickens will also be available for $30. It all goes from 1 to 4 p.m., and reservations are required at 963-6107. Info: info@sustainabalesettings.org. LIVE MUSIC • Sunlight Mountain Resort presents its Jack Frost music fest starting at 3:30 p.m. Featured bands are Zolopht (reggae rock), Tight Thump, and Richardganson.com. Afterward, there’ll be a meet-the-band bon fire party at the SunCALENDAR page 11

as much as RFHS + BHS combined

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A SPEN tues & thurs 11-1 ASPEN BASALT wed wed & thurs thu hurs 11-1GLENWOOD 1 1GLENWOOD mon 11-4,, wed 11 11-1G wed BASALT CASTLE wed 12:30 0 NEW 0-4 NEW CASTLE wed & fri 9-12 11-4,, fri 12:30-4 RIFLE E/SIL LT tues LT t es - fri f i 9-3 9 3 PARACHUTE PARA PA RAC ACHUTE RIFLE/SILT mon-w wed-fri f i 10-2 1 10 [pantr p ry] y] sat 10-2 10-2 0 2 [thrift store] storre] e] mon-wed-fri [pantry] 10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015

4

Community Calendar light Lodge. “Help us ring in winter with this super fun séance for snow,” said Sunlight spokesman Troy Hawks. Info: 303681-7311. AVH • Aspen Valley Hospital’s Midvalley Health Day runs from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the El Jebel Community Center/Eagle County government building. Tests run from $30 to $40; inoculations from $30 to $60. Free screenings include blood pressure, eye pressure, oximetry and more. Info: 5441305 and avhaspen.org. CAFÉ FILM • The Beat on Main Street presents a film at 8 p.m.

SUNDAY Oct. 18 SIDESHOW • CCAH and Dance Initiative present Sideshow at the Launchpad. Tickets are $125, which includes dinner, drinks/wine and entertainment. Featured acts include bearded ladies, a Red Rocks performer/Slavik Sister and vocalist. Info: 963-1680 and launchpadcarbondale.com. ASC • A Spiritual Center in the Third Street Center presents the pastor Andy Stanley’s “Loopholes and Principles” at 10 a.m. On Oct. 25 it’s Mary Reily (spiritual astrology). Info: 963-5516.

MONDAY Oct. 19 RFHS • The Roaring Fork High School band, choir and guitar class present their Fall Concert at the school starting at 6:30 p.m. The band will perform “Greenbriar Legacy,” “On a Hymn Song of Philip Bliss” and “In the Mood” The choir will perform “Storm is Passing Over,” “O Sinfuni Mungu” and

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“Run to You.” A group from the guitar class will also perform a number. HOOPS • Practice for the Carbondale Middle School seventh grade basketball team start at 3:30 p.m.; eight graders go from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Info: Jason Kreiling (seventh graders) at 384-5736 and Joe Markham (eighth graders) at 963-1109.

TUESDAY Oct. 20 CARBONDALE LIBRARY • The Carbondale Branch Library offers elementaryschool-aged kids a different program each week starting at 4 p.m. The first Tuesday of the month is Story Art with the Aspen Art Museum; second Tuesday is Book Buddies; third Tuesday is Legos at the Library; fourth Tuesday is The Good, the Bad, and the Gross; and the fifth Tuesday is Librarian’s Choice. Info: 963-2889 or gcpld.org.

WEDNESDAY Oct. 21 ROTARY • The Rotary Club of Carbondale meets at the Carbondale fire station on Meadowood Drive at 6:45 a.m. Info: rotarycarbondale.org. POLICE ACADEMY • Basalt’s Community Police Academy is held at town hall starting at 6 p.m. The weekly class, which explains police procedures and related topics, is free and continues through Oct. 31. Info: 927-4316. LIVE MUSIC • Dan Rosenthal hosts an open mic night at Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs from 8 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday.

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Further Out THURSDAY Oct. 22

SCHOOL BOND MEETINGS • There will be a 90-minute public meeting for RE-1 school district officials to explain and discuss the proposed $122 million Roaring Fork School District bond issue at Carbondale Middle School at 6:30 p.m. Other meetings include: Oct. 21, Glenwood Springs Middle School at 6:30 p.m.; and Oct. 26, Basalt Middle School at 6 p.m. ELECTION FORUM • The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association and others present their annual Issues and Answers Night at Town Hall (101 W. Eighth St., Glenwood Springs) at 5:30 p.m. Confirmed participants at press time are CMC board candidates Kathy Goudy and Jon Warnick, and RE-1 school bond proponent/school board member Matt Hamilton. Additional participants will be confirmed at a later date. KMTS will broadcast the forum live.

FRIDAY Oct. 23 IMHS HOSTS EVENT • Iron Mountain

Hot Springs hosts the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association’s Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Info: 945-1514 or joni@glenwoodchamber.com.

SUNDAY Oct. 25 LIVE MUSIC • Symphony in the Valley presents “The Symphony goes West” at Roaring Fork High School starting at 4 p.m. The program includes: “Shenandoah;” “Hoe-Down” from “Rodeo;” music from “The Magnificent Seven,” “The Good/Bad/Ugly,” and “Hang ‘Em High;” “Ashokan Farewell” from PBS’s “The Civil War;” and “American Salute.” Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youth.

THURS.-SUN. Nov. 12-15 BASKETBALL CAMP • Joe Markham is offering a basketball shooting camp for boys in grades 6-8 at Carbondale Middle School at 3:30 p.m. The cost is $5; snacks are included. Info: 963-1109.

Ongoing CARBONDALE LIBRARY • The Carbondale Branch Library offers bilingual help with computers on a first-come/first served basis from 4 to 6 p.m. on Mondays. Info: 963-2289 or gcpld.org. Reservations are appreciated. Please be prepared with all appropriate passwords and other account information. CCAH • The Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities continues the show “CrossCurrents” at the Launchpad. The show features Lynette O’Kane, Meris Barreto and Wendy Prellwitz, and

continues through Nov. 7. The Launchpad is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Info: carbondalearts.com. CLAY CENTER • The Carbondale Clay Center presents new work by Bradley Walters and Paul McMullan through Oct. 30. MAYOR’S COFFEE HOUR • Chat with Carbondale Mayor Stacey Bernot on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Village Smithy.

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CHOOL S E L D D I 15 ASPEN M, October 17, 20 Saturday am - 1:00 pm 9:30

Pick up merchandise tickets prior to drop off at: Aspen Public Schools, Aspen Community School & Alpine Banks: Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt & Willits TO BENEFIT THE

ASPEN SCHOOL DISTRICT OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM 100% VOLUNTEER EVENT

Friday, October 16, 2015 Drop off all new or used equipment, clothing, accessories 4 - 6 pm

Saturday, October 17, 2015 Pick up money and/or unclaimed items 2:15 - 4 pm

Town T own of of Carbond Carbondale ale

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N O B AC K PAC K S , P U R S E S O R L A R G E C A R R I E R S A L LOW E D I N S H O P P I N G A R E A .

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015 • 11

Community Briefs Garfield County Clerk Jean Alberico sent out ballots for the RE-1 school district bond issue, the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection tax hike, and other local elections on Oct. 13. They must be returned by Nov. 3. For related information, please see the advertisement on page 4.

LIFT-UP registration Registration at the Third Street Center for LIFT-UP holiday food baskets starts soon. The times and dates are 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 20, 22, 27 and 29, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 24. For more information, call 963-1778.

Heart-Centered Holidays return Davi Nikent’s Heart-Centered Holidays returns to the Third Street Center on Nov. 7. The event is planned as an opportunity to showcase wellness businesses and pracitioners in Carbondale and beyond. “The goal is to offer heart-centered services and gifts for people to purchase for themselves and their loved ones,” said Davi Nikent organizer Rita Marsh. “It is also meant to create a nurturing atmosphere for the holidays with the goal of reducing stress and anxieties and to create a mindful compassionate connection throughout our community.” Ways to take part include: • Vendor tables – Showcase your wares and your information. Offer brief sessions in your area of expertise, such as acupuncture,

massage, healing touch and more. Fee: $25; • Movement – Yoga, dance and martial arts. Teachers get 45 minutes to share their expertise. Fee: $10; • Speakers — Share information about your practice or expertise for 45 minutes. Fee: $10; • Volunteer opportunities for the event. Planning meetings take place at the Third Street Center from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. on Oct. 1 and 15, and Nov. 5. For more information, contact Marsh at 618-5879 or info@davinikent.org.

Save the spooky date The Crystal River Elementary School’s annual Halloween Happening takes place at the Bridges Center from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 30. There’ll be children’s games, a haunted house, face-painting, costume parade and more. Admission is free; activity tickets are available at the door. Food sales include Peppino’s Pizza, tamales, hot-dogs and baked goods. For more information, contact Angela Hanley at CRESPTO@rfschools.com or (970) 274-1294.

Taste of Basalt turns 20 The 20th annual Taste of Basalt takes place at the Roaring Fork Club from 6 to 11 p.m. on Nov. 7. Tickets are $100 and proceeds go to the Basalt Educational Foundation. For the third year in a row, Alpine Bank is the title sponsor for pledging $10,000. Last year’s Taste of Basalt

The Carbondale Board of Trustees recognized Students of the Month on Tuesday night. Front row, left to right: Amethyst Ferris, Isla Brumby Nelson and Stephan “Perry” Suarez. Back row, left to right: Beverly Patton and Diego Valdez-Duran. Not shown: Rio Pena. Photo by Lynn Burton raised $100,000, which was distributed to Basalt schools. Tickets are available at tasteofbasalt.com.

Aspen Words announces lineup Aspen Words has released a six-month lineup that includes: Nov. 18 – A Writer in Residence reading with Marcia Butler from 6 to 7 p.m. at the

The 2015 Coordinated

Election is Tuesday

NOV 3rd

MAIL BALLOT ELECTION

Ballots are in the mail

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

Woody Creek Community Center. It’s free. Jan. 12 — Winter Words presents Juan Felipe Herrera from 6 to 7 p.m. at Paepcke Auditorium. Tickets are available at aspenwords.org. Feb. 13 — Winter Words presents Adam Johnson from 6 to 7 p.m. at Paepcke Auditorium. Tickets are available at aspenwords.org.

During the week of October 12, ALL Pitkin County registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail. Your ballot will be sent to the mailing address on record in the Colorado voter registration system; please confirm your information is correct at www.pitkinvotes.com. Mail-in ballots will not be forwarded to another address by the US Post Office. You must provide the correct address to which you want your ballot sent. You can cast the ballot by mail (we recommend two stamps), drop it off at the County Clerk’s office (24/7 drop-off), or go to the Aspen Jewish Community Voter Service and Polling Center during Early Voting and on Election Day.

Website:

pitkinvotes.com Elections Hotline: 970-920-5180 EXT 5 Elections Office: 530 East Main St Aspen, CO

REGISTRATION

To ensure you receive your ballot, verify and update your registration information at www.pitkinvotes.com. If you are not registered to vote in Colorado and have been a resident for 22 days or more, you can register to vote any time or up to: 22 days before Election Day — by submitting a paper registration application through a voter registration drive. 8 days before Election Day — online at www.pitkinvotes.com or submit a paper registration application through the mail, a voter registration agency, or via a local driver’s license examination facility. Election Day — in person at the County Clerk and Recorder’s office at 530 E. Main St. in Aspen, or the Aspen Jewish Community Voter Service and Polling Center at 435 W. Main St., Aspen.

TRACK YOUR BALLOT WITH Sign up NOW to receive notification through email, text or voicemail when your ballot is mailed and when it is received by the Pitkin County Elections Department. Go to www.pitkinvotes.com to sign up today!

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015

Staff submits $6.2 million budget for 2016 By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer Town officials are honing in on the final preparations for Carbondale’s proposed 2016 budget, which calls for expenditures of slightly more than $6.2 million in the general fund, which covers the town’s dayto-day operating expenses. At a budget hearing on Tuesday, Finance Director Renae Gustine laid out a generalfund plan divided up between several departments, with roughly 65 percent of the money going for personnel costs. Overall, according to a chart included with the documents provided to the trustees, the general fund’s proposed $6.2 million is only slightly below the total estimated expenditures for 2015, which are expected to come in at $6.3 million once the current budget year is closed out. But this year’s expenditures are expected to fall well below those of 2014, which amounted to about $7.4 million, partially reflecting the town’s additional expenses last year with regard to the recently completed improvements to Highway 133. Historically, the town’s budget hovered around the $5.6-million to $5.8-million mark from 2009 through 2012, and rose to about $6.1 million in 2013 as the local economy started to rebound from the Great Recession of 2008-09. According to a pie chart included in the budget documents, the largest share of the general fund, about 30 percent, goes toward Public Safety, mainly the police department; another 30 percent pays for public works; 19 percent pays for administration services; 12 percent of the budget is earmarked for administration; and nine percent goes for the planning department. In a memo to the trustees, Gustine reported that the town’s revenues came in higher than expected for 2015, by just over seven percent, which goes along with the town’s tendency toward very conservative budget projections from year to year. For 2016, according to the memo, the town’s revenues are estimated to rise by at only about 1.5 percent. Gustine said that figure reflects the town’s expectation that money from mineral severance taxes and mineral lease fees, which have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to the town’s coffers, are expected to decline severely next year. Among the projected expenses for 2016, Gustine’s paperwork indicated, the town anticipates a three-percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), representing a raise for town workers.

For the trustees themselves, the town expects to pay $12,600 for a raise recently approved by the board, which will go toward nine months’ worth of salary checks for the three trustees who win election in the May, 2016 election. In all, according to Gustine, the budget calls for spending more than $135,000 in operations behind the board of trustees. Some specific increases noted by Gustine, regarding the board of trustees, are to include new chairs for the audience in the board of trustees’ meeting room ($4,150), and upgrades to the town’s system for broadcasting meetings to cable television viewers (approximately $25,000), among other planned expenses. But the biggest tap into the general fund will be about $500,000 to be transferred to the Capital Construction Fund to pay for capital improvements. That fund is expected to pay for such things as $100,000 in “energy funding,” meaning the money the town pays toward energy-efficiency programs managed by Garfield Clean Energy and the Community Office of Resource Efficiency. The town also pays membership fees to GCE and CORE, amounting to a total of $50,000. In addition, Gustine’s documents indicate, the town expects to pay out $250,000 in matching funds to supplement grants intended to help pay for streets projects, specifically on Village Road and Meadowood Drive. On the revenue side, Gustine noted that the income derived from the town’s operating cannabis shops and facilities is expected to decline next year. “We’ve already seen a slowdown,” she said, explaining that it is believed that the growth in the number of cannabis shops up and down the valley has had a negative effect on the shops located in Carbondale. So, Gustine reported, while the income from cannabis taxes to the town is already at about $40,000 for the nine months of 2015, the income for the entirety of 2016 is only expected to reach $40,000 total. As the budget process continues through October and November, noted both Gustine and Town Manager Jay Harrington, the trustees need to keep in mind that the budget currently is exactly balanced between revenues and expenditures. Any changes or additions made by the trustees in one part of the budget, Harrington said, will need to be offset by countervailing changes in other parts of the budget, if the document is to stay in balance.

Coalition explores prescribed burns

Sopris Sun Staff Report A group of six local organizations are exploring the possibility of conducting a prescribed fire in the upper Hunter Creek Valley in the spring of 2016, according to a press release. The project originated with the Hunter-Smuggler Cooperative Plan, which was finalized in early 2014 and seeks to improve wildlife habitat, forest resiliency and recreation in the Hunter Creek Valley and surrounding landscape. The goal of the prescribed burn is to improve wildlife habitat, restore the historical fire regime and decrease the risk from a catastrophic wildfire. The collaborative group includes, The Aspen Fire Department, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), Wilderness Workshop, Pitkin County, the City of Aspen and the White River National Forest. “It’s rare to see a diverse group like this all pulling toward the same goal,” said Will Roush conservation director at the Wilderness Workshop. “We’re excited that so many partner organizations are working together to restore fire to the landscape and reduce the risk posed by catastrophic wildfire.” THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s weekly community connector • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015 • 13

Horse Boy om page 1

Sheryl Barto demonstrates how an autistic child would ride in the saddle.

Robson Andrade (left), daughter Julia (center) and Sheryl Barto. Photo by Julie Albrecht

the work is done on the back of a horse, so on Saturday and Sunday the clinics were held at the Aspen Valley Polo Club where Sopris Therapy Services/Horses for Heroes is located. According to Barto, “some children with autism are nonverbal or have challenges with language so they may have a difficult time communicating. When a rider is on a horse that is doing a collected canter, the hormone oxytocin is released in the child and it’s often the place where communication begins.” According to a definition found on Wikipedia, “Oxytocin is a hormone that may play a role in autism and may be an effective treatment for autism’s repetitive and affiliated behaviors.” The philosophy of Horse Boy is to create a “tribe” of practitioners who support each with Horse Boy services. With Barto as the leader and Dani Brownell, who is about to become certified, current tribe members include Megan Holmes, Susan Gibbs, Mel Wiley and her daughter Jess Wiley, Stella and Sadie Shoemaker, Sopris Therapy Services/Horses for Heroes, as well as Barto’s bonus children Zoe and Zane Hanlon. For the upcoming winter months, Barto will be working with Sopris Therapy Services/Horses for Heroes at the Aspen Valley Polo Club to run Horse Boy play date sessions. Next spring, Barto and retired Marine Lt. Col. Dick Merritt will work with veterans with PTSD in cooperation with Sopris Therapy Services/Horses for Heroes. This summer, Barto and Brownell plan to team up to work with the local autism sports camp, Ascendigo, using the Horse Boy method to serve campers with autism who visit from all over the country. For more information on local Horse Boy services, contact: Sheryl Barto, Smiling Goat Ranch, 970-379-1383; Pat Horwitz, Sopris Therapy Services/Horses for Heroes, 970-948-1002; Dani Brownell, Equine Connections of Colorado, 970-819-1372; and Hugh Zuker, Ascendigo, 970379-4759. For more information on Horse Boy, Horse Boy training, workshops and online courses, visit www. Horseboyworld.com. Photos by Jane Bachrach

Ascendigo Director Hugh Zuker hugs his puppy at Smiling Goat Ranch.

Stella Shoemaker helps feed Sharon Gibbs’ goats. 14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015

Rupert Isaacson (left) and Susan Gibbs (right) last summer.

Dani Brownell participates in some horse play.

Letters continued î&#x2C6;&#x2021;om page 2 Apple thanks Dear Editor: To whoever deposited the apples on Crystal Village doorstops, thank you for your very kind gesture. It was a pleasant surprise coming home from work. It made my day! Theresa Dwyer Carbondale

What garbage Dear Editor: The townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s E-Board, with the encouragement of the Carbondale Board of Trustees, is conspiring to raise your trash hauling fees, limit you trash hauling choices, and require haulers to offer products that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to buy. The E-Board has been working with the trustees to revise the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trash ordinance. You can look at the proposed revisions in the trusteesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; packet from the meeting of Aug. 25, 2015, on the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. The staff report starts on page 207 of the packet. Under the revised ordinance, trash haulers will be REQUIRED to offer composting services. But there already is a vendor that offers composing services. Citizens can contract with a vendor to compost today without a mandate. If you want to compost, call Evergreen Events at 987-1364. By requiring trash haulers to provide compost services, the town is adding more cost and complexity to the services trash haulers are providing. But hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best part: if a

vendor hauls trash, they MUST provide recycling and composting services. But if a vendor only offers composting, they are NOT required to provide trash hauling or recycling. It would seem to me that the town is picking winners and losers in the trash business. But it goes further than that. In a free market, innovators like Evergreen Events are the ďŹ rst to market and if successful, are entitled to entrepreneurial proďŹ ts for being ďŹ rst to the market. If the innovator is successful, competitors will naturally follow. This ordinance would mandate competitors before the innovator can succeed. The new ordinance would also severely limit when trash could be picked up in your neighborhood, cap fees for services to a point that are below costs and limit your choices in hauling vendors. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time that we thank the E-Board for all their hard work and get the trustees on to solving real problems in the town, like employing enough cops, and ďŹ xing streets, sidewalks, sewers and storm drains. If you agree with me that this ordinance is ďŹ xing a problem that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist, and the town has larger problems to solve, then call your elected ofďŹ cial and tell them that the new trash ordinance is rubbish. Michael Durant Carbondale

Yes to 4B Dear Editor: I support the Carbondale Fire Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposed mill levy increase. If I lived in the ďŹ re district I would deďŹ nitely vote yes on

4B. Since I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t vote, I hope that everyone who can does vote yes. It should be a nobrainer. How can anyone not support their ďŹ reďŹ ghters and paramedics? Joan Isenberg Glenwood Springs

Do you know Jen? Dear Editor: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh, yeah, I know Jen.â&#x20AC;? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I hear while campaigning for Jen Rupert for the RE1 school board. Why? Because she has a ďŹ nLETTERS page 17

The Blessing of the Animals at CARE brought out pets of all shapes, sizes and colors under blue skies last Sunday. To the right with the Newfoundlands (Bojie and Smooch) is Megan Goldia. She lives in New Castle and is with Heeling Partners. To the left, with Great Danes Bodie and Giselle, is Jaelin Mayer from Carbondale. Bodie and Giselle are senior dogs from a shelter in Denver named Big Dogs Huge Paws.â&#x20AC;? The annual blessing was presented by Colorado Animal Rescue and Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists. Photo by Jane Bachrach

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly community connector â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 15-21, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 15

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

Wyly Art Center picks new director Sopris Sun Staff Report The Wyly Art Center has chosen Genna Moe as its new executive director. “Genna will provide leadership and direction for The Wyly during an exciting time of change and development in Basalt and the Roaring Fork Valley,” said a Wyly spokeswoman. “As an art center that provides both exhibition opportunities and classroom programming, she will grow both aspects. Moe added, “I am beyond excited to serve The Wyly and the greater arts community. I want to continue to make art available for everyone all the time.” Moe received a dual BA in Art History and Interdisciplinary Visual Art from the University of Washington at Seattle, including a two-year undergraduate art fellowship in Italy. She completed her MA from the University of Denver in Arts Development and Program Management. Having worked at the Aspen Art Museum and the Wheeler Opera House, she brings to The Wyly more than a decade of arts administration, management, education, programming, and fundraising experience. “I look forward to working with the community and helping The Wyly realize its great potential as a community leader and regional center of art

learning and celebration!” Moe lives in Aspen with her husband, Jake, is president of the Aspen Young Professionals Association and a recent graduate of Roaring Fork Leadership. She can be reached at genna@wylyarts.org.

In other Wyly news: • “Alleyworks,” featuring local artist John Bozza, and “Between the Lines,” featuring Sara Ransford and Bunny Burson, both close on Oct. 17. • The second annual “Wyly Open” will feature the work of artists living in the 81623 Zip code, starting on Oct. 23. Artist drop-off dates are Oct. 15-16. The show continues through Nov. 20. • The Wyly hosts a conversation between journalist Brent Gardner-Smith and artist John Bozza at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 15. The suggested donation is $10. • Collage Club with Pam Porter takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 18. The fee is $35. The next Collage Club is Nov. 15. • Jill Scher teaches how to create dyes from natural material and then dye silk scarves from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 24. The fee is $85. For more information on the Wyly Art Center, call 927-4123 or e-mail holly@wylyarts.org.

The Wyly presents the work of Tony Prikryl on Oct. 23 through Nov. 21. Prikryl works with both motion picture and still cameras. He works with various photographic tools to create a “vibrational and meditative quality of fine art,” according to a press release. The show is titled “Works on Forever” and features archival pigment prints and mixed-media pieces. Photo by Tony Prikryl

Residential Weekend Leaf Drop Residents can bring leaves, brush and sticks to the following locations for free disposal:

October 10 -11 • Arbaney Park October 17-18 • Willits Soccer & Rugby Field October 24-25 • Southside Soccer Field Oct. 31-Nov. 1 • Arbaney Park November 7-8 • Willits Soccer & Rugby Field 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Go to

www.basalt.net for more information

Coffee with the

Mayor

Please DO NOT drop off yard waste outside of these times. Separate leaves from twigs and branches before bringing to the receiving site. Brush and stick trailer also provided.

On Wednesday mornings, after a Tuesday night Council meeting, visit in an informal setting with Basalt Mayor Jacque Whitsitt for coffee and a chat at Saxy’s Coffee Shop, 104 Midland Avenue. This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, make comments and catch up on what’s happening in Basalt. All issues and topics welcome.

The next Coffee with the Mayor is:

Wednesday, 0DUPCFS at 8 a.m. 16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015

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Letters continued î&#x2C6;&#x2021;om page 15 ger in every cake: martial arts, ski school at Snowmass, a kid in the public schools, soccer games, the hunting and ďŹ shing community â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I even saw a picture of her on a dirt bike this weekend. This is exactly what we want in a board member: someone whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aggressively out in the world talking to people, listening, and then using her abundant energy to push hard for change and success. Your ballots mail this week. Even if your children donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attend public school, or if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have children, or if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re grown up, you can still help the community, and yourself, by voting for Jen Rupert for RE-1 school board, and for 3B so we have healthy, safe, uncrowned and efďŹ cient schools. Auden Schendler Basalt

ness. He has JD and MBA degrees from University of Denver. He had a distinguished business career at IBM, including international postings in Tokyo and London. In addition, he serves as a member of the Valley View Hospital Foundation Board/Finance Committee. Please vote for Jon. CMC needs him. Rich and Holly Glasier Ron and Lisa Speaker John and Kathy Schoenecker Jim and Connie Calaway Frank and Rosie McSwain Alex Yajko Richard and Linda Stewart

Warnick for CMC trustee Dear Editor: Jon Warnick has a passion for education, demonstrated by his many years of service to Colorado Mountain College. At CMC he has served as a member of the Board of Overseers, and member of the CMC Foundation Board from 2008 to 2014, including being chairman from 2009-2014. He was actively involved in introducing a four-year bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s program at CMC and has been a sponsor of CMCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scholars program since 2007. He has also been a continuing education student at CMC, having completed 34 classes over the last few years. Jon is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a BS in engineering and busi-

Vote for this woman Dear Editor: I urge Roaring Fork School District voters to support Jen Rupert for school board in the upcoming mail-in ballot election in early November. Rupert is everything we need and more. She is well positioned in the community to foster connections, she cares about the outcomes for all students and sees our rich diversity as an asset. She has a child in our public schools, has the time to commit, and is a proponent of the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic plan. Though we have qualiďŹ ed candidates run-

ning for election this year, I feel strongly we need more women on a school board that has traditionally lacked this representation. Not only are the majority of RFSD parent volunteers women, but the vast majority of staff is as well. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have a more balanced representation at the school board level. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget all voters in the Roaring Fork School District vote for all school board seats. This is a mail-in ballot only election and ballots must be received by November 3. Please join me in voting for Jen Rupert! Erika Leavitt Basalt

A Hillary for America coffee & conversation get together took over part of BonďŹ re Coffee on Oct. 8. State director Brad Komar drove over from Denver to brief the troops, while Pitkin County Democratic Party Chairwoman Blanca Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary drove down from Aspen. Photo by Jane Bachrach

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly community connector â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 15-21, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 17

Trustees hit restaurateur with ADA requirement By John Colson Sopris Sun Staff Writer

The Carbondale Trustees are commenting on a rezoning proposal for property on Highway 82 just south of the former Sopris restaurant building near the Colorado Mountain College turnoff, about half-way between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. The Garfield County Community Development Department recently sent a “referral” packet of information to the town about the project, which is being proposed by the Garfield County Commercial Investments LLC (GCCI), an “affiliate” of Carbondale Investments LLC. Photo by Lynn Burton

Garco development om page 3 space, which would be considerably larger than the 405,000 square feet of retail space contained in the Glenwood Meadows mall. “We question whether there is a community need for this type and scale of commercial property in this area,” the town’s letter concluded. Carbondale Town Manager Jay Harrington said the board of trustees has yet to formally come up with a response to the “referral” from Garfield County about the GCCI proposal, but noted that the current

application is basically the same as the one submitted earlier this year. So, Harrington reasoned, the trustees may simply choose to make minor changes in the letter sent last April and send the new version to the Board of County Commissioners. The Carbondale Planning & Zoning Commission is scheduled to discuss the resubmittal of the rezoning application at its meeting on Oct. 15, and the trustees are scheduled to talk about it at the board’s regular meeting on Oct. 27.

Fire district om page 3

partment’s fire-fighting and emergency medical personnel are volunteers. Although Leach said it would be very difficult to say exactly how much of that $1.9 million goes to the paid EMTs, he said that if the department had no ambulance service at all, and thus no EMTs at any level of training, the department would have approximately four or five paid staff — the chief, the fire marshall, an administrative assistant and a maintenance/mechanic technician, and perhaps one other staffer. “I would say four or five paid people, if we did not have any ambulance service,” he said, estimating that the cost of that level of paid staff would be about $500,000, compared to the $1.9 million currently paid out for salaries and benefits. This would mean that the district currently pays about $1.4 million in salaries for its emergency medical staff, as well as approximately $250,000 spent annually on drugs, a physician advisor to the EMTs, ambulances and equipment, and training. Without that ambulance service, the personnel costs of the district would drop off drastically, Leach acknowledged, though the fire district then would simply be a fire department, much as the Aspen Fire Dis-

trict is today. But the district’s taxpayers — according to Leach, the fire district board of directors and other officials — clearly wanted back in 2004 that the district provide advanced-level emergency medical and ambulance services. Voters also approved a temporary tax hike in 2011, which helped the fire district weather the worst of the financial downturn, but then rejected a much larger, permanent tax hike in 2013. The district currently is in what Leach said is “not a good situation” with regard to its emergency medical services. The current staffing level means that, at any one time, there are at most three highly trained EMS personnel standing ready to go out on a fire call. If one of them is out sick, or out of town, that ambulance team is reduced to two, Leach said — a driver and a paramedic or EMT to ride in the back with the patient. Approval of the tax increase, Leach said, would bring the staffing back up to four available paramedics or EMTs on call at any given time, which he felt is an improvement in the level of service provided to taxpayers who need emergency medical help.

18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • OCTOBER 15-21, 2015

A local restaurateur was told on Tuesday that he needs to provide handicapped access to his “street dining deck” in order to be compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), when all he really wanted was to obtain a renewal of his liquor license. But, said Andreas Fischbacher, owner of the Allegria restaurant at 335 Main St. in Carbondale, “I don't see a problem. If that's the requirement, done deal. We'll have it next year.” The issue of handicapped access came up when Fischbacher went before the town's Board of Trustees on Tuesday night, formally speaking, to seek a renewal of his liquor license. But the agenda for the meeting listed the matter as regarding a “modification of premises and street side dining revocable license,” referring to town permission granted to Allegria and its neighbor, Phat Thai, to serve patrons on a wooden platform built over the curb and partially into the Main Street right-of-way. The matter was designated that way, according to Town Manager Jay Harrington, because of promptings from the Colorado Department of Revenue, which is the state agency in charge of liquor licenses and that wanted to be sure the curbside dining arrangements met all legal requirements. During discussion of the matter, Trustee Katrina Byars brought up her concerns about compliance with the ADA, which requires that public areas be accessible to the handicapped, mostly with regard to wheelchair-bound individuals. Byars and Trustee Pam Zentmyer, who concurred with Byars' sentiments, urged their fellow trustees to include language in the permit approval that would ensure compliance with the ADA. “Dancing Colors went to extraordinary lengths to create a ramp” that would enable wheelchairs to get into their arts-oriented studio on Main Street, Byars remarked,

adding that she felt the town needs to get behind an effort to ensure such access if available throughout the town. “We need to make it applicable townwide,” Byars said, noting that even Sopris Park in the center of town presents challenges to wheelchair users and needs to be modified to eliminate that problem. Once the trustees determined that Allegria should be required to provided a ramp, they also concluded that Phat Thai should do the same. There was some discussion among the trustees about using the parking spaces to the west of Phat Thai and to the east of Allegria for the ramps, to keep them from impinging on the sidewalk space, but Harrington said the neighboring businesses already are unhappy about losing curbside parking spaces to the dining decks and predicted they would be “pretty vocal” about losing any more spaces. The trustees also talked about whether the ramp should be moveable, or permanently affixed to the decks, a discussion that did not lead to a final conclusion. It was left to the town's staff to work with the restaurants to create a workable solution for both the restaurants. Town Clerk Cathy Derby, reached on Wednesday morning, said the town currently is leaning toward finding a “one ramp” solution, creating something that would be used jointly by the two businesses. In other action, the trustees: • Approved the expenditure of $1,500 for production of a video Public Service Announcement for Grassroots Television, and $300 to produce two advertisements in the Sopris Sun, to promote the town's fall leaf collection efforts and to encourage residents to mulch their leaves into the grass rather than stuff them in plastic bags and bringing them to the town's leaf collection dumpsters at a vacant lot across from Town Hall. • Approved a special event liquor license for the annual KDNK Labor of Love/Community Auction fund-raising event, scheduled for Nov. 20.

Have you counted your chickens lately? This scene was captured in the vicinity of Main Street and Snowmass on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Jane Bachrach

No more of the same with C&RFPD By Davis Farrar

crease to build a surplus of $1.2 million. I am facing a dilemma with the Carbon- Then the ďŹ re district asked the voters for a dale Fire Boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposed tax increase. I tax increase that would have doubled the absolutely respect and support the excellent mill levy permanently, which subsequently work of the professional staff and volun- failed. Despite losing that election, the ďŹ re teers of the district. Conversely, I believe the board made no signiďŹ cant cuts to the 2015 budget and continued to deďŹ re boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ nancial leadership plete the reserves by approxiis amiss. My opinion is reinmately $700,000. forced by what I learned during The newspapers recently reported that my recent six-month service on the Fire District Task Force and through participa- the board plans to replace three salaried potion in the master planning process. I also sitions with revenues from the proposed know others on these citizen committees tax increase even before the taxpayers have voted. Really? They are spending money share my opinion. A common theme expressed by the task that we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t authorized? Four of ďŹ ve members on the ďŹ re board force was â&#x20AC;&#x153;no more of the same.â&#x20AC;? This mantra comes in large part from a solid un- have been on an accelerated path to ask for derstanding of ďŹ re district ďŹ nances and a more taxes, despite the recommendations task-force goal of securing a sustainable ďŹ - to the contrary from the 2014 task force nancial future for the ďŹ re district. It was ev- and the recent master planning effort. The ďŹ re board has hardly had time to diident during the planning process that a big part of the current ďŹ nancial condition gest their adopted master plan, let alone put was/is a lack of good ďŹ nancial foresight. in place solid ďŹ nancial strategies. The new There are several examples of ďŹ nancial faux master plan has not even been presented to 2 for input. It strikes me that the the public pas, but the purchase of continued a $1 million from 100- page foot ladder truck with a $100,000 annual board is pursuing the easy solution â&#x20AC;&#x201C; more hould reflect all of our unique qualities as cellent care provided by the kind, caring and debt payment is a big one. The tallest build- taxes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; instead of developing a long-term hould each branch library cater to the re- dedicated staff; I cannot speak more highly of ing in the district is 35-feet. Other equip- ďŹ nancial plan. uirements of its own community. Carbon- their commitment to their clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; well being. Fire board member Carl Smith has been ment options were available. It is so difficult to observe our loved ones aleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs and interests are different than In another example, between 2010 and the lone voice urging the other members to hose of Rifle or Silt. All well reviewed liter- in discomfort and we strive to do all we can 2013 when other governments were take the time to develop a sustainable monry fiction and topical non-fiction must be a to ease their pain. I felt that every request that wrestling with the Great Recession, the dis- etary approach. He has been regularly critaramount part of Carbondaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection. I made to Heritage on her behalf was hontrict used a two-year temporary tax levy in- icized by fellow board members for his I want to thank Molly and staff for the jobs ored and every attempt was made to fulfill hey are doing. I love walking into our library her needs. She was treated with the utmost nd seeing many young people there and I love dignity and respect and loving care. I am very he programs that are offered for both young grateful to the wonderful folks at Heritage nd old. The library should and can be a com- Park. How fortunate we are to have this facility in our community. unity hub and still fulfill its purpose. Patti Stranahan Ro Mead Carbondale Carbondale

OPINION

Letters

view. The newspaper has already reported that the board is considering another mill levy increase in two years. This does not strike me as a sustainable solution. I am willing to consider a levy increase, but only after the ďŹ re board presents a ďŹ scally sustainable approach that does not continually rely on the taxpayer to balance the budget. The public should be assured that the hard work of the task force and the citizens who worked on the master plan will be given its due. Dozens of people have put in countless hours and the vast majority recommended the ďŹ re board wait a year so it can put together a solid and community oriented plan for managing our ďŹ re district and the people who volunteer and work there. There should be â&#x20AC;&#x153;no more of the same.â&#x20AC;? I do not support this tax increase because I do not believe the ďŹ re board has in place a sustainable long-term ďŹ nancial plan. I hope others consider this mill levy increase very carefully.

Unclassifieds 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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GET THE WORD OUT IN UNDavis Farrar is a Missouri Heights resident chiefs in the Public Works Department ate allCLASSIFIEDS! of you. Thank you. Rates start at $15. who served on the 2014 Carbondale & who gave permission to the project, and to Chris Chacos Email unclassiďŹ eds@soprissun.com. Rural Fire Protection District Citizens Carlos Loya, the one who transformed that Project â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gunga Din!â&#x20AC;?should be *Credit card payment information Task Force and participated in the disold look to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;new look.â&#x20AC;? emailed toCarbondale unclassifieds@soprissun.com or trictâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s master planning process earlier this call 948-6563. Checks may be dropped off at Also, thanks to our newest planting volyear. He is a former Carbondale Town thanks our office at the Third Street Center or unteers: Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;uan Hajdu, O. D., Jeanie Hays with Boogieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manager and currently works with a num- Dear mailed to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO Editor: the law offices of Whitsitt & Gross, and Zane 81623. Call 510-3003 for more info.kicked ber of Western Slope communities. This past Friday, over 1,000 people Kessler with the Thompson Divide Coalition. Thanks to the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new arborist, Dave off their Fourth of July celebration with one Coon, who in addition to his many duties of Aspenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular traditions: the anmanages to water every flower pot in our nual Boogieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Buddy Race to benefit the Buddy Program! This 5K race and 1-mile town three times a week! Other volunteers involved with planting family and canine walk provides funding to their own plants in those large pots are: Mary support nearly 1,000 local youth and their Beth Bos (new owner of Main Street Spirits), families through many critical services and Cleans Inside Aimee & and Anthony Gullwick (Koru con- programs including individual mentoring, Out NOW ACCEPTING FALL Thanks to Heritage Park Thanks to the crew struction Completecompany), Interior and Amy Kimberly (CCAH), group mentoring, leadership education, CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES Exterior wash package. ear Editor: Dear Editor: Peter Gilbert of the Dance Initiative (soon-to- Lemonade Day, activities, scholarships, and counseling. I recently lost a close friend who spent the No doubt most of you have noticed the beWoccupants eather Insurance of the old town library on Fourth therapeutic SPEND $50, and rains or snows bring the vehicle back within David st 18 months of her life at Heritage Park addition of new flower boxes along the en- If itStreet), GET $5 OFFHouggy Stacy Evans & Friends, Susanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flow48 hours and we will rewash it. Executive Director are Center, first in assisted living and then, trance to Carbondaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Main Street public ers plus 21 others who are repeat participants SPEND $100, 970-963-8800 Buddy Program CartoWsee ashbeautiful flowâ&#x20AC;˘ Detailing s her health further +Z\ Â&#x2021; &DUERQGDOH failed following several parking lot. How nice since 2010. Thank you folks! 745 Buggy Circle in Carbondale GET $10The OFF 963-1984 changes â&#x20AC;˘ Tires www.sunburstcarcare.com rokes, in the Skilled Nursing section. For the ers blooming in theseOil newly covered section What attractive and pleasOpen Mon.-Sat. 8am-6pm and on Sundays 9am-4pm for washes only are to 0RQ WR 6DW Â&#x2021; 6XQGD\V 303 Main St. â&#x20AC;˘ Carbondale â&#x20AC;˘ 963-3940 â&#x20AC;˘ OPEN 7 DAYS st month of my friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, I was there sev- of previously ancient black railroad ties. antfrom gifts your efforts al times a day and able to observe the exA special thanks to Smiley Wise, one of the this community. We appreci-

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Minutes, Board Guidance, Site visits NOTICE

OCAL PUBLIC NOTICE ANNOUNCEMENT

OR

HOA Management is our ONLYPURSUANT business. TO THE LAWS COLORADO 33 years in the Roaring Fork OF Valley

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n June 11, 2014, Excalibur Grand Junction LLC d an application with the FCC to assign the linse for K38FO, Channel 38, Carbondale, Colado, from Excalibur Grand Junction LLC to Gray evision Licensee, LLC. K38FO rebroadcasts CT(TV), Grand Junction, Colorado, with 0.13 kW power from a transmitter located at coordinates -25-21N, 107-22-31W.

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URSUANT TO THE LAWS F COLORADO

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AS REQUESTED THE LICENSING OFFICIALS F THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE TO GRANT A RANSER OF OWNERSHIP OF THEIR RETAIL ARIJUANA STORE LICENSE; AND GRANT A RANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF THEIR MEDICAL ARIJUANA DISPENSARY LICENSE; TO SELL EDICAL AND RETAIL MARIJUANA, AND MEDAL AND RETAIL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS AT

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Proposals must be received at the above address no later than 1pm MST, Wednesday, July 16th, 2014, to be considered. There will be a mandatory Pre-Bid meeting at 10am MST, Tuesday, July 1st, 2014, at the project site, the current parking lot at Elk Park.

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: Ă&#x201C;RĂ&#x201C;Â&#x2021; %:Â&#x152;! %; ´ Ă&#x201C;ÂŽ ;Ă&#x201C;Â&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;ÂĽ! ; Project Goals. The CDOT EEO officer has set Dis-

advantaged Business Goals at 3.5% for this project. There will be no on the job training goals. The CDOT Form 347, Certification of EEO Compliance, is no longer required to be submitted in the bid /^` :VWYPZ :OVWWPUN *LU[LY Â&#x2039; 1101 VILLAGE ROAD, UNIT LL4C package. This form certified that the contractor/proCARBONDALE, CO 81623 posed subcontractors were in compliance with the Joint Reporting Committee EEO-1 form requireHEARING ON APPLICATION TO BE HELD AT: ments. The EEO-1 Report must still be submitted CARBONDALE TOWN HALL to the Joint Reporting Committee if the contractors 511 COLORADO AVENUE and subcontractors meet the eligibility requirements CARBONDALE, COLORADO (29CFR 1602.7); we will, however, no longer require certification. For additional information reDATE AND TIME: AUGUST 12, 2014 AT 6:00 P.M. garding these federal requirements, please refer to: DATE OF APPLICATION: JULY 1, 2014 http://www.eeoc.gov/stats/jobpat/e1instruct.html . This project includes funding by CDOT adminisBY ORDER OF: STACEY BERNOT, MAYOR tered by FHWA grants, therefore Davis Bacon wages will apply. APPLICANT: Green Hill Laboratories, LLC Printed Form for Bids: All bids must be made upon HILARY GLASS the Pitkin County Bid Form. Bidder must include CDOT forms 606 and 714 with his bid, forms 605, Information may be obtained from, and Petitions or 621, and 718 the following day and form 715 within Remonstranceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s may be filed with the Town Clerk 48 hours of bid opening. If a work schedule is included as part of the bid package it must also be Carbondale Town Hall, 511 Colorado Avenue, Carcompleted in ink and signed by the individual who bondale, CO 81623 will execute the Contract Form. Any work form completed as part of the bid package shall indicate the Published in the Sopris Sun on July 10, 2014. THE SOPRIS Carbondaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commencement date for SUN, construction. The work

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WHAT WE DO

The Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District is comprised of five elected officials, eighteen career staff and 65 community volunteers. We would like to take this opportunity to explain to our community the many facets of “what we do”.

Operations

Prevention

Medical and Trauma emergencies make up the majority of the ambulance emergencies. Medical transport calls from the local nursing home and senior living facilities account for the remainder of our EMS calls. The Emergency Medical personnel also respond to automobile accidents, swift water rescue emergencies as well as back country rescue calls.

Fire prevention classes are offered to the various schools in the district.

Simply put, we put out the fires, treat and transport the sick and injured and respond to rescue emergencies in the Carbondale Fire District. Safety of our responders is our number one priority!

Wildfire is the number one fire hazard in our district. The District assists other agencies with incident management of large incidents as well as out of the area wildfire calls. The District staffs an initial attack wildfire crew during the summer months each year and has prevented many small wildfires from becoming large events.

Training

The fire district produces both basic and advanced training for our fire fight­ ers and emergency med­ ical technicians. The District is a Colorado State Certified Continuing Education Training Group for EMS.

The District also provides Disaster planning and incident management classes for the Town of Carbondale.

The Fire Prevention Division of the District performs fire inspections of public buildings as well as fire sprinkler system reviews and inspections. All sub­division plans are reviewed by the district and comments made to the Garfield, Pitkin and Gunnison County planning departments. Hydrant inspections and water system flow tests are completed annually helping to keep insurance rates low. Wildfire mitigation advice is available to property owners as well as help with grant requests for brush mitigation of private property. Community wildfire protection meetings are held throughout the district each year.

Administration

Carbondale Fire District is a Colorado Title 32 Special District and func­ tions according to the Colorado Revised Statutes and the Emergency Medical Rules of the Colorado Department of Public Health. Our Financial Manager administers a payroll for 18 paid employees and provides Human Resource Services to both the paid staff as well as the 65 volunteers. The District administers a 2.5 million dollar budget as well as a Volunteer Fire Fighter Pension Fund. All of our ambulance billing is done in house by a professional ambulance billing expert. Our Facebook Page, Web­Site and Twitter page are all professionally managed and up­dated.

The District recently completed a two year planning process culminat­ ing in a 10 year master plan that is available on the District’s web­site.

Public Outreach

The members of the CRFPD are very active in the community all year long.

You may have seen the ambu­ lance standing by at the RFHS football games on Friday nights or at the Carbondale Rodeo arena each Thursday night. That’s our EMTs standing by in case some­ one gets injured. We provide a First Aid booth and EMT coverage for the Mountain Fair, Marble Fest, Lead King Loop and many other special events in the District.

When the big bike races come through town like Ride the Rockies and the Pro Tour, our EMTs are on stand­by in case of any accidents. Hundreds of bike riders participate along Hwy 133 and Hwy 82. Our volunteer and paid EMTs pro­ vide blood pressure clinics at the farmer’s markets in Carbondale as well as City Market (we had 45 people get their B/P checked at the last weeks farmers market). We provide EMT coverage for the Strang Ranch Sheep Dog Trials each fall as well the Strang Ranch horse trials in the summer

Paid for by Citizens For A Safe Community, Tom Adgate Treasurer

as well as the Cedar Ridge Ranch horse shows.

Some lucky kids around town get fire truck rides at the Potato Day parade as well as the 4th of July parades in Redstone and Carbondale. Everyone loves the fire Department water fights on Redstone Blvd on the 4th.

Hundreds of kids visit the fire sta­ tion each year for a tour of the fire trucks and fire station and learn things like “stop, drop and roll” from the on duty fire fighters and EMTs.

Maintenance

District staff provides all building and grounds maintenance associ­ ated with 5 fire stations as well as all mechanical maintenance asso­ ciated with 23 emergency vehicles. Additionally all portable equip­ ment utilized by the fire depart­ ment and ambulance service is maintained in­house by district staff. The maintenance staff annu­ ally tests all fire hose and fire truck pumps. Maintenance of our safety equipment plays a vital role in keeping our people safe in an inherently dangerous job. citizens in the fire district in CPR over the past year and have pro­ vided first aid classes to the com­ munity, all free of charge. We have placed many Automatic External Defibrillators in the Community in public places such as River Valley Ranch, Aspen Glen, Third Street Center, The Redstone Inn and The Hub in Marble. We have provided training to the staff of all the facilities that have imple­ mented an AED program. The Rotary Club of Carbondale uses the Fire Station training room for its meetings each Wednesday morning.

✓ Please vote YES on 4B. We have trained well over 100