October 20, 2011

LOOK INSIDE:

PAGE 2 Sheriff addresses CIRC

PAGE 3 Tom Friedman’s coming

PAGE 6 Oliver Plattt returns

the

Sopris Carbondale’s

weekly, non-profit newspaper

Sun

Volume 3, Number 36 | October 20, 2011

Fiesta Latina lights up TSC

Fiesta Latina, featuring dancers from the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklorico program, showcased Hispanic traditions during Saturday night’s SWAN program at the Third Street Center. Pictured here is Aspen Community School student Aeelyn Villacarra. For more SWAN action, please turn to page 5. Photo by Jane Bachrach

Carbondale Commentary

CIRC: A mouthpiece for criminals

By Lou Vallario Sheriff, Garfield County I’m sure you have all heard by now about a group called the “Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition” (CIRC) who, along with a local defense attorney has become the mouthpieces for a small group of criminals and those living in our community illegally.

They have in recent weeks, with the support of the Glenwood Springs Post Independent, put out lies, propaganda and half-truths about your local law enforcement and our commitment to keeping our community safe. In fact, the GSPI was so quick to jump on this issue that they couldn’t even wait for a scheduled meeting with local law enforcement before inking their uninformed opinion on their editorial page. In addition to blatant lies regarding a couple of arrests that occurred at Strawberry Days in Glenwood Springs (the leader of their pack referred to it as “loose with the facts”), they have now stooped to degrading local School Resource Officers, bullying local school boards, and demonizing law enforcement agencies in an effort to promote their national agenda of immigration reform. What is most sad about this is that the very people they claim to be helping are being exploited by charging outrageous legal fees to defend them and pitting them against fellow members of their community causing unnecessary fear.

In addition to the lies and the frivolous lawsuit recently filed against me, my Deputies and other honorable Police Officers on behalf of an illegal alien, their latest tactic is to bully the local school board regarding the School Resource Officer position and who these officers or their agencies choose to collaborate with. This is an attempt to drive a wedge between local law enforcement and the schools with whom we have always had an excellent working relationship. By using bullying tactics and smear campaigns, they are hoping to scare our school boards into establishing socalled “policies” determining who an SRO assigned to their schools can and cannot associate with in terms of other law enforcement agencies.

A School Resource Officer is a POLICE OFFICER first, then an SRO. To suggest that the local school board even has the authority to dictate to law enforcement such practices would be equivalent to me dictating to them how to teach algebra.

I am confident that the local school boards understand this and will not succumb to such bullying.

The focus of this attempt to demonize law enforcement by CIRC is ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and the local law enforcement collaboration with them. ICE is a federal law enforcement agency whose agents are charged with the responsibility of enforcement of immigration violations just as DEA is responsible for drug enforcement, FBI is responsible for investigating terrorists and the U. S. Marshals are responsible for tracking down fugitives. Just like your Sheriff’s Office and local Police Departments, they have the authority and responsibility to enforce the laws of this country and state.

None of us are “law-makers.” That’s what Congress and the Legislature are for.

In the United States of America, if the MAJORITY of the people wish to change those laws, they should seek out their legislative representatives for change. That’s how it’s done. Instead, groups like CIRC try to use loud voices, bullying tactics and the demonization of hard working law enforcement officers in an effort to make change for a few.

Law enforcement Agents, Deputies and Officers are law “enforcers” and do not have the right to pick and choose which laws we want to enforce and which ones we want to turn our backs on. Of course, it is also true that in (sic) some cases state and local officers do not have the same authority as our federal partners (i.e. immigration enforcement), but there is nothing prohibiting us from collaborating with them to use whatever Constitutional and legal means is available to protect our communities.

CIRC would have you believe that this is an “evil conspiracy.” I prefer to qualify our working relationship as collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners to provide the utmost safety and security for you.

There is a great debate amongst law enforcement agencies across the country as to whether or not they want immigration authority. Both sides of the discussion present valid concerns. Regardless of the current dialog, state and local law enforcement agencies in Colorado DO NOT have immigration authority. We cannot detain people solely on immigration status nor deport them as some of the propaganda suggests. Only federal authorities can do that! Ironically, even ICE by their internal practices as well as recently re-stated White House policy do not focus their limited resources on those that are here merely as “undocumented” individuals. Instead, the focus of their attention is on behavior, CRIMINAL behavior and they must prioritize those cases first. So, how accurate is it when you hear lies like “the local SRO deported a member of my family,” or “ICE does local sweeps for those that are living in our community as undocumented.” Knowing what you now know, consider that COMMENTARY page 14 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011

Letters

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

SWAN thanks Dear Editor: On behalf of CCAH and the SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Steering Committee, I would like to thank everyone who has been supporting our month of events. I have watched so many women artists working together to bring visual, dance, music and more to these events and it has been joyous. Some of these women had never worked together before or even known each other but now, many friendships have been forged.

We especially want to thank the Embrey Foundation, whose grant has allowed us to spread the money around to help local businesses, women artists and local nonprofits.

This is so important in building community and keeping our quality of life healthy.

We hope to see everyone out and about on Main Street in Carbondale on Friday, Oct. 21 in support of women artists who are on the rise. Local businesses will be showcasing the work of these artists and women performers will be performing around town as well. Thanks again for all the support. We can’t do it without you!

Amy Kimberly Executive director, CCAH Carbondale

Thanks to Mason and Morse Dear Editor: On behalf of the Carbondale office of Lift Up, I would like to publicly thank the gracious people from Mason and Morse Realty.

What a great food drive they did at the City Market here! They collected over 70 bags of food and $400 in cash donations.

Also,thank you to those who donated – you know who you are and we are very grateful!

Debi Boyle Coordinator, Carbondale Lift Up

Thompson Divide thanks Dear Editor: The Oct. 8 community rally for Thompson Divide was a great success. Over 350 people from all walks of life gathered at the Third Street Center to share their passion for protecting the Thompson Divide – the headwaters area west of Carbondale – from gas drilling. We want to thank everyone who attended for making the event so positive, hopeful, creative and spontaneous. It was an affirmation that if any community can successfully say no to drilling, it’s this one.

One highlight was the local ranchers who drove their tractors to the rally, and then led an impromptu parade into town! Thanks also to the many volunteers who stepped in exactly where needed, as well as to the Thompson Divide Coalition, Wilderness Workshop, Third Street Center, PAC3, Out of the Mud Theatre, Carbondale Green Team, Dos Gringos Burritos, and Carbondale Food Coop for their support and assistance.

We hope the enthusiasm generated to protect this special place will carry forward and grow and flower in 100 new initiatives.

Everyone is encouraged to get involved. To find out more, please see our Facebook page

or visit the Web site of the Thompson Divide Coalition.

Thanks also to our Senators Bennet and Udall for their timely letter to the BLM asking the agency to allow for more local participation into the decision-making process.

Malcolm McMichael Community for Thompson Divide Carbondale

Support the fire district Dear Editor: You may or may not know that there is a very important vote coming up regarding the Carbondale Fire District. Our community depends heavily on our fire district to respond to medical emergencies, wild fires, rescue calls and building fires 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is an indispensable service from which all residents of Carbondale benefit.

We have the best fire district anywhere. It is up to the community to decide the future of the fire district and its services. It is a small price to pay for such incredible service.We, at Carbondale Senior Housing, are deeply indebted to the fine men and women of our local emergency response units. We strongly support a yes vote for ballot question 4A. Jerilyn Nieslanik Director, Carbondale Senior Housing Kerry McQuay Maintenance supervisor LETTERS page 14

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Thomas Friedman comes to town Dec. 29

By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer

award for Distinguished Commentary.

Friedman was born in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis Thomas Friedman – a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, best selling author in 1953. His father, Harold Friedman, was vice president of a ball bearing and popular Aspen Ideas Festival speaker – comes to Carbondale on Dec. 29 company, United Bearing. In his youth, Friedman’s father often brought him as part of the Roaring Fork Cultural Council’s on-going lecture series. to the golf course for a round after work and he wanted to be a professional Friedman co-wrote his most recent book, “That Used to Be Us: How golfer.

America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back,” He spent all three of his high school summers living on Kibbutz Hahotrim, with Michael Mandelbaum. It was published earlier this month. near Haifa, Israel, and has characterized his high school years as "one big celFriedman’s Web site says that America has a huge problem. It faces four ebration of Israel's victory in the Six-Day War." major challenges, on which its future depends, and it is failing to meet them.

He graduated from Brandeis University summa cum laude in 1975 with Those challenges are: globalization, the revolution in information technola degree in Mediterranean studies and later earned a masters degree.

Thomas Friedman ogy, the nation’s chronic deficits, and its pattern of energy consumption.

Far from being a dry academic, Friedman is often described as engaging Friedman and Mandelbaum’s book offers a way out of the trap into which and humorous. He notes that when he sat down to write “The Earth is Flat” the country has fallen, which includes the rediscovery of some of the country’s most valu- in 2004, "Facebook didn't exist; Twitter was a sound; the cloud was in the sky; 4G was able traditions and the creation of a new, third-party movement. a parking place; LinkedIn was a prison; applications were what you sent to college; and Previous books include “The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Cen- Skype for most people was typo." tury,” “Longitudes and Attitudes: The World in the Age of Terrorism,” “From Beirut to Friedman is also street-wise on energy and international affairs. He once wrote: “First Jerusalem,” and “The Lexus and the Olive Tree” (which Kirkus Reviews called “simply the rule of oil - addicts never tell the truth to their pushers. We are the addicts, the oil probest book written on globalization.”) ducers are the pushers - we’ve never had an honest conversation with the Saudis.”

Vanity Fair has called Friedman “the country’s best newspaper columnist.” In 1981, he Baby boomers? "We shifted from [the] greatest generation that really operated on what joined The New York Times as a business reporter, specializing in oil-related news. He was we call in the book 'sustainable values' — saving and investing — and we handed power quickly named Beirut bureau chief and has served as Israel bureau chief, Washington chief over to the baby boomer generation who really lived by 'situational values' — borrow and diplomatic correspondent, chief White House correspondent and chief economics corre- consume. The baby boomers, I believe, have a lot to answer for. They have not followed spondent for the New York Times. in the path of their parents in terms of making the hard decisions, making the long-term He earned his first Pulitzer Prize in 1983 for reporting on Israel and Lebanon. His sec- investments." ond one, in 1988, came for International Reporting. In the months following 9/11, his OpFriedman’s talk in Carbondale on Dec. 29 takes place at Thunder River Theatre at Ed page column for The New York Times earned him his third Pulitzer Prize and the 2002 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 at roaringforkculturalcouncil.com.

Bennet, Udall call for Thompson Divide discussions Sopris Sun Staff Report Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar last week, calling for more input before the Bureau of Land Management makes a decision on the designation of a 32,000-acre parcel in Thompson Divide south of Carbondale for potential oil and gas development.

The letter reads in part: “We are writing regarding a proposal currently pending before BLM to designate a 32,000-acre parcel of public land (mostly under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service) in Colorado’s Pitkin and Garfield Counties, as a single exploratory unit for potential oil and gas development.

“The Commissioners of Pitkin County and other local stakeholders argue that the uni-

tization proposal, if granted at this time, may undermine years of discussions by local governments and leaseholders to reach a long-term agreement governing mineral production and conservation of important public lands in this area. Conversely, some of the affected leaseholders argue that promptly granting the unitization request would be the most efficient way to extract the resource in an environmentally-protective manner. “ … it may well be that a viable, consensus-based development plan for the area may emerge. … we believe it is very difficult to gauge if unitization is presently in the public interest (as required under 43 C.F.R. § 3183.4). Until the communities affected by this proposal have been given adequate time to complete their final discussions on the long term management of this area, we believe it would be premature for your respective agencies to approve the current unitization request covering the so-called ‘Thompson Divide’ acreage.”

GarCo Library District chooses Gordon Cooper design team Sopris Sun Staff Report The Garfield County Library District has chosen a design team to build the new Gordon Cooper Library, according to a press release.

The design team will be led by the Aspen architecture firm of Willis Pember Architects (WPA). Willis Pember is currently leading the design of an expansion to the Pitkin County Library and is a member of the design team for the Glenwood Springs Branch Library.

The WPA team is led by Tony Major as project architect. Major is 16-year resident of Carbondale. He will be supported by the Carbondale firm of Land+Shelter as associate architect; DHM Design as landscape architect; Crystal Springs Builders for cost estimating; Carbondale resident Dan Richardson for civil engineering and sustainability consulting; and Carbondale resident Mark Chain for planning and entitlement issues.

“The selection of this team of design consultants with direct roots to Carbondale ensures the project will be highly reflective of the needs and interests of the community,” said a district spokeswoman.“In addition, the inclusion of Humphries Poli Architects as library consultants will bring national library expertise with nearly 60 library facilities designed in the U.S.” The new library will cover 13,000 square feet at the southwest corner of Third Street and Sopris Avenue, adjacent to Bridges High School. The existing Gordon Cooper Library, located on Fourth Street just south of Main Street, covers 3,900 square feet.

The district plans to break ground on the new library in spring 2012 with completion slated for fall 2013. The Gordon Cooper Library project represents the sixth library expansion and/or new construction project for the library district.

The design process proposed by the team will include numerous community meetings and design charrettes to reach out to users and non-users of the library to ensure the building is representative of the community of Carbondale. Invitations to future community meetings will be forthcoming.

The maple tree at Eighth and Garfield was resplendent in its fall glory earlier this week. Colors have started to fade but at least one big pop remains – the gigantic silver leaf cottonwood tree at the corner of Third and Main streets near the Village Smithy. Photo by Lynn Burton THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011 • 3

News Briefs

Cop Shop

The Weekly News Brief The Sopris Sun and the KDNK news departments team up to discuss recent news from the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. Catch the Brief Fridays on KDNK.

Police release toxicology report The man who was lying in Highway 133, run over and killed on Sept. 17 had a blood alcohol content level of .348, more than four-times the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle, according to Carbondale police.

Carlos Alberto Garcia-Cortez, 29, an El Salvador national, died at about 3 a.m. on Sept. 17 after being run over by a southbound vehicle. The accident occurred between Weant Boulevard and Eighth Street.

The driver of the vehicle attempted to swerve when he saw an object in the highway but was unable to do so, according to police reports. No charges were ďŹ led against the driver. The on-site investigation lasted well into the day on Sept. 17 and Highway 133 was closed in both directions.

Gravel pit application withdrawn An application to extend approvals for the so called “Blueâ€? gravel pit north of Carbondale just off Highway 82 was withdrawn on Monday, just before the GarďŹ eld County commissioners were scheduled to discuss it.

The 83-acre pit, located on land owned by Dolores “Dee� Blue and her family, has been in operation since 1981 and is currently worked by Western Slope Aggregates.

Neighbors objected when Western Slope Aggregates applied in 2010 to increase the size by 64 acres.

The commissioners eventually voted to allow the expansion by about 30 acres earlier this year.

cMc slates nursing degree meetings Colorado Mountain College’s nursing program is holding two informational meetings. The ďŹ rst meeting will be held on Nov. 1, at 12:30 p.m. in the Calaway Academic Center at CMC in Glenwood Springs-Spring Valley (3000 County Road 114, Glenwood Springs) and again on Nov. 16 at 3:30 p.m. at CMC’s Glenwood Center (1402 Blake Ave, Glenwood Springs). Attendees will learn about program requirements, the application process and scholarship opportunities.

For more information and to reserve a space, call 947-8257.

cLEER assists in Rie project The Carbondale-based CLEER/GarďŹ eld Clean Energy is teaming with EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) to make the Rie Housing Authority’s housing center for seniors and disabled citizens more energy efďŹ cient and comfortable.

EnCana contributed $25,000 and CLEER contributed $5,000. “This project is a great example of what can be accomplished when we work to bring private businesses, nonproďŹ ts, and government agencies together to focus on speciďŹ c projects with tangible results, “ said Rob Morey, CLEER program manager. “Results that make a difference in the lives of GarďŹ eld County residents.â€?

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

WEDNESDAY Oct. 12 • At 1:37 p.m., police ofďŹ cers responded to a call concerning a woman who was yelling on Colorado Avenue. Police arrested the woman and a man for domestic violence.

WEDNESDAY Oct. 12 • At 2:02 p.m., an ofďŹ cer redtagged a “white and grafďŹ tiâ€? Ford Econoline van in the 1600 block of Barber Drive. The report said the van appeared to be abandoned, although the keys were in it and someone appeared to have been sleeping in it.

WEDNESDAY Oct. 12 • At 10:33 p.m., an ofďŹ cer reported that a motorist following behind him was honking and he thought it might be for assistance. It turned out the motorist did not need assistance.

THURSDAY Oct. 13 • At 3:28 a.m., police contacted a Glenwood Springs man who was “attempting to camp in front of town hall.â€? Police took him to a RFTA bus stop.

THURSDAY Oct. 13 • At 4:23 p.m., police assisted with an ambulance call on Wheel Circle.

THURSDAY Oct. 13 • At 5:56 p.m., a citizen turned in a debit car he found at Miner’s Park.

FRIDAY Oct. 14 • At 2:56 a.m., an ofďŹ cer observed a boat trailer on Marble Court with expired plates. He red-tagged it. At 3:13 a.m. on Wheel Circle, an ofďŹ cer observed two vehicles partially obstructing a sidewalk.

The ofďŹ cer gave both vehicles warnings.

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4 • THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011

SWAN SONG... ... and Dance SWAN stands for Support Women Artists Now but also conjures up images of grace and beauty. Add talent, pride and dedication to the equation and what you come up with is Fiesta Latina on Saturday night at the Third Street Center, and An Afternoon of Dance at the same venue on Sunday.

SWAN programs, presented all month by the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities, conclude on Oct. 27.

Photos and text by Jane Bachrach

Clockwise from upper left: Alexandra Jerkunica (Sunday), Ximena Garcia (Saturday), a mother and child providing rhythm accompaniment (Sunday), a one-woman dance tribute to Michael Jackson (Sunday), Lindsey Vega-Muñoz, Margarita Alvarez and Esteban Magaña (Saturday), and Sunday’s close with multiple dancers.

THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011 • 5

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@SoprisSun.com.

Platt returns Noted actor Oliver Platt paid a visit to Colorado Rocky Mountain School for Family Weekend on Oct. 15 and had this to say about his alma mater during his passionate address: “You know, CRMS didn’t just save my life; my time at Rocky Mountain compelled me basically to consider everything I know about anything. My mind caught ďŹ re here. The engine by which I would eventually become myself roared to life here. I was taught to look beyond the obvious and then beyond that ‌ . I became comfortable asking uncomfortable questions here. My intent for the authenticity I cherish got wired here. My absolutely invaluable appreciation for the group and the beauty of collaboration was found here. My respect for the natural world I gained here. I learned about community here and most important of all my respect for different perspectives was instilled in me by the extraordinary adults who taught me. What was extraordinary was a lot of them had deeply held beliefs ‌ yet they all loved each other and treated each other with a lot of respect. I became a triple ďŹ ve-star product of Colorado Rocky Mountain School, a Rocky Mountain Oyster. I’m just so terribly happy to come back here and celebrate with you.â€?

Platt’s ďŹ lm credits include: “Simon Birch,â€? “Bulworth,â€? “Flatliners,â€? “The Three Musketeers,â€? “Postcards from the Edge,â€? “X-Men: First Class,â€? “Frost/Nixon,â€? “Dorothy of Oz,â€? and more than 20 others (he is currently ďŹ lming “Gods Behaving Badly.â€?) His television credits include: “Nip/Tuck,â€? “Deadline,â€? and “Wise Guys.â€?

Colorado Rocky Mountain School graduate Oliver Platt (class of ’78) returned to town for the school’s Family Weekend last week. Photo by Teige Muhlfeld

carbondale’s the coolest We all think that, and now’s our chance to go on record.

The budgettravel.com Web site’s “Coolest Small Town in Americaâ€? contest is under way and you not only get to vote, you can post a comment such as “Where else can you go to a fair (Mountain Fair) and see police dressed in tie dye? (from Suzanne Palmer), and “ ‌ Bonedale is frikken dope,â€? (from Gigi).

To cast a vote and post a comment, go to www.budgettravel.com.

Larry black is retiring In a byline story from the current Roaring Fork High School newspaper Rampage, reporter Alec Larson says that woodshop teacher Larry Black is retiring at the end of the year after 30 years. Black graduated from RFHS in 1976 and joined the staff as a teacher in 1981. As for future plans, Black told Larson he’d like to do some traveling. “I really look forward to going somewhere warm when it’s cold.�

Anyway, from small stage to huge stage, Wonderland performed live on the syndicated “Imus in the Morning� radio show on Tuesday and must have reached hundreds of thousands listeners. Imus didn’t mention Joplin but he did put Wonderland in the same league as Delbert McClinton – high praise indeed from the I Man. And on a related note, just before Delbert’s stock soared, he played the Wherehouse on Highway 133, so who knows where Wonderland is headed?

They say it’s your birthday Birthday greetings go out to: Gabe Alcala (Oct. 20), Mary Kenyon and Ron Speaker (Oct. 24), and Jocelyn Murray (Oct. 25).

check out “Rock Dust�

Stan Badgett’s memoir “Rock Dust� is now available at Collage Creative Collections (next to the Blend on Highway 133). Badgett, a Colorado native, moved to Marble in the 1960s and worked for several years as a local coal miner.

Straight to the big time Nice legs; great kilt. Taylor Vorhies won the Best Legs in a Kilt contest at Celtic Fest on Oct. 8. In other events, Meredith Dinsdale won the nail driving contest (women’s division) and Chris Collins won the men’s division. Photo by Eric Brendlinger

Texas-based blues singer/guitarist Carolyn Wonderland took the tiny stage at Fourth and Main then wowed a crowd of 200-300 at the KDNK Blues and Barbecue last August. Some writers compare her to Janis Joplin while other said she’s even better.

Carolyn Wonderland wowed the crowd at KDNK’s Blues and Barbecue in August (shown here) and just this week wowed syndicated radio show host Don Imus. Sopris Sun ďŹ le photo

Redstone, Colorado

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Limited Seating - Call early for Reservations, $25pp RedstoneInn.com 970.963.2526 6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011

October’s Special Pumpkin Body Wrap Private Mineral Bath Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage plus a Day Pass to Our Historic Vapor Caves

IT’S A DAY AT THE SPA FOR $115 -VY 0UMVYTH[PVU 9LZLY]H[PVUZ JHSS ‹ `HTWHOZWH JVT :WH 6WLU :HSVU ‹ 4HQVY *YLKP[ *HYKZ ‹ .PM[ *LY[PÄJH[LZ (]HPSHISL

BLM invites public to comment on new management plan Comment deadline is Dec. 15

By Trina Ortega Special to The Sopris Sun The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees some well-loved areas near Carbondale: 9,100 acres on what is known as The Crown up Prince Creek Road; 3,100 acres of hiking and mountain biking terrain on Red Hill; and 9,500 acres of more primitive country in the Thompson Creek area.

The development or preservation of those lands is under consideration in the BLM’s draft Resource Management Plan, which will establish land-use guidelines for the next 20 years.

In an effort to gather public input on the proposed plan, the BLM hosted an open house on Oct. 12 at Town Hall. About 110 Carbondale citizens turned out for the open house, which was the last of three community open houses.The others were held in Silt (with about 45 attendees) and Eagle (62 attendees).

The purpose of the open house meetings was to give the public a chance to weigh in on the draft plan, to talk to BLM representatives about specific concerns, and to comment on both the plan and the environmental impacts (identified in the BLM’s draft Environmental Impact Statement).Although the open houses have concluded, the public comment period continues through Dec. 15.

“This is our big land use plan that we only revise about every two decades. So this is going to set the stage for management for the next two decades in this field office, which includes Pitkin and Garfield counties.

It looks at all the things we do, from oil and gas leasing, cattle grazing, recreation … and this is the opportunity for people to really get in and give their opinions on the big picture,” said David Boyd, who handles regional public affairs for the BLM. “A lot of times we hear, ‘Well, that decision was already made, this decision was already made.’ This is the plan where we’re making those really big decisions. It’s big. It’s complicated. It’s a long process but we really want the public’s involvement.We really want to hear what they have to say.”

The plan covers a Colorado River Valley region that consists of 504,910 acres of BLM land spanning portions of Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Pitkin and Routt counties. Four alternatives were developed, and once the public comment period ends, the BLM will enter a review period. Based on public feedback, the BLM will select an alternative or create a final plan. The four alternatives are: • Alternative A — Current Management - Maintain existing land management based on existing RMPs and policies.

• Alternative B — Mixed Use -- Allowable uses would emphasize balance among competing human interests, land uses, and conservation.

• Alternative C — Conservation -- Emphasizes protecting resource values and sustaining or restoring the ecological integrity of habitats for all priority plant, wildlife, and fish species.

• Alternative D — Resource Use -- Allow-

Bureau of Land Management staffer Greg Wolfgang (left) and Carbondale rancher Bill Fales (right) pour over a map at the agency’s recent open house. Photo by Trina Ortega able uses would emphasize maximizing resource production in an environmentally responsible manner.

Each alternative contains varying amounts of acreage that would be open to oil and gas development, including more than 500,000 acres in surface land and 200,000 acres in federal mineral/subsurface estate. The 200,000 acres of “federal mineral estate” in the plan are managed by the BLM but lie beneath surface land that is not owned by the BLM, (such as the U.S. Forest Service, other federal or state

government agencies, or a private party). A brief summary shows that under Alternative A, 679,200 acres would be open to oil and gas leasing and development.Alternative B would include the designation of 651,400 acres as open to oil and gas exploration and development. Alternative C allows for 531,500 acres to be open to oil and gas exploration and development. Alternative D would include designation of 658,200 acres as open to oil and gas exploration and development.

BLM page 13

SUPPORT WOMEN ARTS NOW! [SWAN] PRESENTS:

SHARE. ENJOY. CELEBRATE. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: OCTOBER 10–16 10.17-18 Cami Lien’s Horse Sculpture Workshop: 10am-3pm – Carbondale Clay Center Using high-fire sculptural clay each student will build his or her own horse using slabs of clay and a simple fold-over technique to create a horse appoximately 10 to 12 inches high, 12 to 14 inches long and 4 to 5 inches wide.

10.19

Who Does She Think She Is?: 7pm – Third Street Center A documentary by Academy Award winning film maker Pamela Tanner Boll, features five fierce women who refuse to choose.

10.20

A Literary Evening of Poetry & Prose: 7pm – Third Street Center Jennifer Catto, Kristen Carlson and Wendy Videlock share poetry and prose

10.21

Women Rising: 5-8pm – Main Street, Carbondale A show featuring women rising in their art. See fresh, exciting visual and performing art by women including highschool aged women and above.

10.25

Creating Change: 7pm – Third Street Center Join author and activist Barbe Chambliss will speak on Contemporary Women Peacemakers: The Hidden Side of Peacemaking.

10.27

The Healing Power of Art: 7pm– Thunder River Theater Valerie Haugen presents a special SWAN performance. In a unique personal performance, Ms. Haugen will share how art can save lives.

FOR MORE INFO & A FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

WWW.CARBONDALEARTS.COM THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011 • 7

Trustees tackle bags, street graphics

By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer

Invites you to a

FUNDRAISING PARTY Thursday Night November 3 • 5-7 p.m. at Dos Gringos Free Food • Cash Bar

Give to the Sopris Sun and support independent, not-for-profit, community-based journalism.

The Carbondale Board of Trustees takes on a couple of hot items – imposing a fee or banning plastic bags at City Market, and street graphics – at its Oct. 25 meeting.

On the bag front, trustees appeared sympathetic to banning plastic bags altogether rather than imposing a 20-cent fee at its Sept. 13 meeting.

The move to take action against plastic bags comes after CORE (the Community Office of Resource Efficiency) approached Carbondale, Aspen, Basalt and Glenwood Springs last summer and asked that they consider a ban or fee for environmental reasons.

Since then, the Aspen City Council banned plastic bags at its two grocery stores. Basalt’s trustees voted 6-1 to impose a 20-cent fee on plastic and paper bags at its grocery stores.

The Glenwood Springs City Council voted not to enact a fee or ban the bags at this time.

None of the Carbondale trustees spoke against the proposal to impose a fee or to ban plastic bags at their Sept. 13 meeting. “We need to eliminate plastic in our lives,” said Carbondale Trustee John Foulkrod. “It’s the right thing to do … stop using them (plastic bags.)”

Most audience members supported a ban or fee, although longtime Carbondale business owner Dwayne Stewart and one other resident opposed it.

Bag ban proponents have said they want to encourage people to bring reusable shopping bags when they go to the grocery store, and CORE has said it hopes to John Foulkrod provide bags for people. In Basalt, mayor Leroy Duroux voted against a fee on bags for his own environmental reasons. He told the other trustees that of the 14 reusable bags he found in his own house, all but two were manufactured in China. He said he couldn’t support exporting jobs to China to further the environmental agenda in the valley and that it’s hypocritical to discourage use of single-use bags but ship in reusable bags from overseas.

As for Carbondale street graphics, the trustees first addressed the issue about two months ago when it was pointed out the town is becoming awash in off-site business signs. The town’s sign code does not allow or prohibit off-site signs, so the trustees asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to draft some recommendations.

The Oct. 25 trustees meeting starts at 6 p.m.

“We need to eliminate plastic in our lives …

It’s the right thing to do …”

Enjoy a guilt-free party and send in your contribution now.

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8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011

Alpine Bank recently received a Colorado Environmental Leadership award from Gov. John Hickenlooper for voluntarily going above and beyond compliance with state and federal regulations and for its commitment to continual environmental improvement. Alpine Bank is the only financial institution that participates the Environmental Leadership program. From left to right: David Miller (Alpine Bank assistant vice president and Green Team chair), Mike Glass (president, Alpine Bank-Vail) and Lynette Myers (Colorado’s Environmental Leadership Program coordinator). Courtesy photo.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20 Gallery Walkthrough | 5 p.m.

Local artists and writers engage in a creative dialogue about America, exploring how their experiences, ideas, and points of view shaped the work created in conjunction with the 2011 Roaring Fork Open exhibition.

Exhibition Reception | 6–8 p.m.

Free and open to the public.

Participating local artists in the Aspen Art Museum 2011 Roaring Fork Open:

Tommy Adgate (top) and Enrique Arbaca (below) score goals in Roaring Fork’s 3-0 win over Aspen on Oct. 11. Photos by Sue Rollyson

Volleyballers, soccer boys notch wins Sopris Sun Staff Report On Tuesday, the Roaring Fork volleyball team, which has proven the star of the Rams’ fall sports teams this year, pulled out of last week’s slump to defeat the Aspen Skiers 3-2.

On the soccer pitch, the boys scored a 1-0 win over Hotchkiss over the weekend.

On the gridiron, Gunnison thumped the Rams 31-6 on Oct. 14.

Although the football team is probably out of the playoff picture, the volleyball and soccer teams are keeping their fingers crossed for post-season berths.

Volleyball district play runs Oct. 26-29, followed by state regionals on Nov. 5, and the state finals after that.

The first round of the soccer playoffs is Oct. 27 and the second round on Oct. 29.

The football team’s final regular season games are at home against Cedaredge at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21, on the road at Grand Valley at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28, and back on their home field against Aspen at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4.

The soccer team closes out its regular-season play at Grand Valley at 4 p.m. on Oct. 20.

The volleyball team hosts Grand Valley at 6 p.m. on Oct. 20, followed by away games on Oct. 22 at Aspen (noon) and Basalt (6 p.m.)

Chris Anderson, Charles Andrade, Fred Annes, Cecilia Anthony, Burnham Arndt, Sheila Babbie, Diana Baker, Mary Ballou, Gail Bartik, Dáša Baušová, Stanley Bell, Joel Belmont, Lili Belmont, Shawn Benton, Mary Bereska, Michael Bonds, MarySue Bonetti, Nathan Bray, April Brooks, Patricia Bukur, Maggie Butler, Amy McDowell Butowicz, Anne Byard, Richard Carter, Brooke Casillas, K Rhynus Cesark, John Cohorst, Shere Coleman, Brian Colley, Barbara E. Courtney, Charles Cunniffe, Khaila Derrington, Staci L. Dickerson, Dennis Dodson, Katalin Domoszlay, John Doyle, Lori Dresner, David Durrance and Dick Durrance II, Lisa Ellena, Connie Engeler, Elizabeth Farson, Marylou T. Felton, Elizabeth Ferrill, Kim Floria, Paul Gannon, Daniel Giese, Willi Goddard, Anne Goldberg, Caren Goodrich, Richard Gordos, Bill Gruenberg, Shelly Hamill, Cindy Hansen, Chris Hassig, Teri Havens, J. HennNordhagen, Kathy Honea, Christie Interlante, Mike Jahn, Sandy Johnson, Steve Kelly, Steve Keohane, Wewer Keohane, Michael Kinsley, Linda Koones, Ross Kribbs, Nancy Kullgren, Jason Lasser, Noel Laxton, Gordon Ledingham, Nicole Levesque, Steve Lewis, Karen YieMei Lindamood, Stuart Lindamood, W. P. Linse, Charmaine Locke, Linda Loeschen, Yalonda Long, Sam Louras, Nancy Lovendahl, Cornelia Madsen, Rick Magnuson, Shelly JXÔi DXifck# Kfi` D`kXj$:Xdg`j`# :c`]] Df_n`eb\c# Jk\m\ Dle[`e^\i# E`Zfc\ EX^\c$>f^fcXb# Patricia Neeb, Brad Reed Nelson, Tracy Nichols, Susan Olsen, Marshall Olsen, Mike Otte, Jim Paussa, Tony Prikryl, Michael Raaum, Mitzi-Jill Rapkin, David Rasmussen Design, Olivia Daane Reische, Suzann Resnick, Jon Rietfors, Andrew Roberts-Gray, Annette RobertsGray, Marina Romanov, Jill Sabella, Jill Scher, Jason Schneider, Jason Smith, Carter St. James, Susan Obermeyer Strauss, Sue Binkley Tatem, Lucy Trémols, Carrie Trippe, Michael Tullio, Katie Van Alstine, Mindy Vernon, Georgeann Waggaman, D. J. Watkins, Chrissy White, Janine Whiterell, Bill Wiener, Karl Wolfgang, Eric Wood, Amy Zausmer

Exhibition on view at the Aspen Art Museum October 21–November 20, 2011 This exhibition is funded in part by the AAM National Council. General exhibition support is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Exhibition lectures are presented as part of the Questrom Lecture Series.

aspenartmuseum.org 590 North Mill Street Aspen, Colorado 81611 Admission to the AAM is FREE courtesy of John and Amy Phelan

THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011 • 9

Community Calendar THURSDAY Oct. 20 ROTARY • The Mt. Sopris Rotary Club meets at Mi Casita every Thursday at noon.

Sean Allen Sr. (major gifts ofďŹ cer with the Rotary Foundation) speaks today. On Oct. 27, the speaker will be Cynthia Meyers (wine specialist for Republic National Distributing Company).

SWAN MONTH • The Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities presents “A Literary Evening of Poetry & Proseâ€? at the Third Street Center at 7 p.m. Info: www.carbondalearts.com. cIRc FORUM • The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition and the Asociacion de Jovenes Unidos en Accion hold a public forum to discuss “the issue of collaborationâ€? between local school resource ofďŹ cers and the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Orchard (aka the Church at Carbondale on Snowmass Drive) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

SOccER • Roaring Fork High School closes its regular boy’s soccer season at Grand Valley at 4 p.m.

VOLLEYbALL • Roaring Fork hosts Eagle Valley at 6 p.m.

FRI.-SUN. Oct. 21-23 GHOST WALK • The Frontier Historical Society in Glenwood Springs holds its 12th annual Historic Ghost Walk through Linwood (Pioneer) Cemetery on Oct. 21-23 and Oct. 28-30. Times vary. Tickets are $15.

Info: 945-4448 or e-mail history@rof.net.

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

“INHERIT THE WINDâ€? • Colorado Mountain College Theatre presents “Inherit the Windâ€? at its Spring Valley campus between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale.

Curtain time on Oct. 2122 is 7:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Oct. 23. The play continues Oct. 27-29 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Oct. 30. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, staff and faculty and can be reserved at svticketsales@coloradomtn.edu or at the door. Info: 947-8177.

FRIDAY Oct. 21 MOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents “The Helpâ€?

(PG-13) at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21-27 and “The Guard� (R) at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21-25.

SWAN • As part of SWAN month, the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities presents “Women Risingâ€? from 5 to 8 p.m. on Main Street and other locations. The night starts at BonďŹ re (next to the Crystal Theatre) from 5 to 6 p.m. and continues in businesses and venues throughout the night. Participating businesses are showing dozens of female artists. The businesses and artists include: Eco Goddess (Tyra Szalakiewicz), Roadside Gallery (Janine Whiterell), San Juan

FOOTbALL • Roaring Fork High School hosts Cedaredge at 7 p.m. They travel to Grand Valley for a 7 p.m. game on Oct. 28 and close out the season against Aspen at home at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4.

Leather (Chris Chapman), Main Street Gallery (Staci Dickerson), BonďŹ re (Lisa Singer, Rochelle Norwood and Kate McRaith), Rainy Day Designs (Sheila Babbie, Valerie Forbes and Felicia Trevor), Joseph Averbach Gallery (Anne Byard), Lulubelle (Heidi Wade, Denev Design and Colby June), the Floral Boutique (Lori Haroutunian and Stephanie Schilling), the Blend (Jennifer Springstead and Sharon Newsome), Dancing Colours (Cami Britt), Dos Gringos (Katherine Rich), Harmony Scott (Harmony Scott), Peppinos (Chloe Brand and Georgia Ackerman), European Antiques (Asha Ironwood) and Creative Collage Collective (more than 50 artists). Info: www.carbondalearts.com.

LIVE MUSIc • Fire in the Asylum plays Carnahan’s Tavern in the Dinkel Building at 10 p.m.

LIVE MUSIc • The Refugees play Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building. Info: 963-3304.

SATURDAY Oct. 22 STRYKER bOOK SIGNING • True Nature Healing Arts in the Third Street Center hosts a lecture/book signing by Rod Stryker at 7 p.m. His book, published by Random House, is titled “The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity and Freedom.â€? True Nature also holds a four-hour workshop with Stryker on Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $65.

Info: 963-9900 or www. rodstryker.com.

FORMER AMbASSADOR SPEAKS • The Roaring Fork Cultural Council presents Chris Hill, former U.S. ambassador to Iraq at Thunder River Theatre at 7:30 p.m. He’ll discuss the Arab Spring. Tickets are $15. Info: 618-7338.

TRUST WORKSHOP • Creative Spark Studio in the Third Street Center hosts the workshop “Access the Trust Frequencyâ€? with Connie Baxter Marlow and Andrew Cameron Bailey. Info: 928-451-2044.

WSPc FUND-RAISER • The Western Slope Preschool Cooperative holds its annual fund-raiser beneďŹ ting early childhood education in the Roaring Fork Valley from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Third Street Center. The music lineup includes Milemarkers. Info: 306-2484.

VOLLEYbALL • Roaring Fork closes its regular season with away games at Aspen at noon, and Basalt at 6 p.m.

cREATIVITY WORKSHOP • Elizabeth Wells gives a creativity workshop at the Wyly Community Art Center (99 Midland Ave. in Basalt) from 6 to 7 p.m. It’s free.

SKI SWAP • The 57th annual Aspen Ski Swap takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Aspen Middle School.

CALENDAR page 11

CARBONDALE LEAF DAYS October 8 – November 20 In the parking lot at northeast corner of Colorado Ave. & 4th St. • Leaves must be removed from bags before being placed in container • Separate container for small branches

ABSOLUTELY No trash, no bags, no other material of any kind (including vegetation) No commercial dumping

! " " !#" $ ! " " !#" $

! " "# $ % & ' ()*+,- .

Sponsored by the Town of Carbondale and InterMountain Waste 10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011

Community Calendar SUNDAY Oct. 23 PARKINSON’S FUND-RAISER • Olivia Savard is hosting her second annual Pancakes for Parkinson’s fund-raiser on her 15th birthday at the Church at Carbondale’s

continued from page 10

Gathering Center on Snowmass Drive. The hours are 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Proceeds go to Michael J. Fox’s Team Fox foundation for Parkinson’s research.

MOUNTAINEERS SPEAK • Legendary

mountaineers Gary Neptune and Kurt Diemburger present a slide show and talk at the Mountain Chalet in Aspen (333. E. Durant, Aspen) at 5:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Colorado Mountain Club and

a $10 donation is asked. Info: 948-6412.

WEDNESDAY Oct. 26 ROTARY • The Carbondale Rotary meets at the firehouse Wednesdays at 7 a.m.

Save the Date

Further Out THURSDAY Oct. 27

HALLOWEEN • The Roaring Fork Family

PAc3 • Bluesman Anders Osborne plays PAC3 in the Third Street Center. Info: www.pac3.com.

FRIDAY Oct. 28

bEATLES TRIbUTE •The Crested Butte-based Beatles tribute band Doctor Robert performs at Carnahan’s in the Dinkel Building at 9:30 p.m.

The band dresses in Ed Sullivan-era suits and plays songs from every album. Instrumental details include a Hofner violin bass made famous by Paul McCartney and Epiphone Casino played by George, Paul, and John on every album starting with Rubber Soul, according to Doctor Robert.

Ongoing

MAYOR’S cOFFEE HOUR • Chat with Carbondale Mayor Stacey Bernot on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Village Smithy, located at 26 S. Third St. FREE DANcE LESSONS • Crystal River Ballet School is offering a free contemporary jazz workshop for ages 7 and up at Bridges High School Wednesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. through October. Info: 704-0114. ccAH • As part of SWAN month activities, the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities presents “United We Art: New Work from 42 Contemporary Women” at the Third Street Center. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Fri-

Resource Center is hosting its third annual Halloween Happening fundraiser at the Bridges High School gym (Fourth and Sopris Avenue) from 4 to 7 p.m. There’ll be pumpkin bowling, seasonal stories, an obstacle course, costume contest, the not-too-spooky hall of TERROR, kids’ carnival games (prizes) plus food, and a silent auction. This community event is co-organized by Students for a Better World and Bridges students, with the help of adult volunteers (including the RVR Loopers). Admission is free and volunteers are still needed. Info: 384-5689.

day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: 963-1680.

LYLA GOLDSTEIN • S.A.W. presents new work by ceramist Lyla Goldstein. S.A.W. is located at 978 Euclid Ave., and the hours are 9 a.m. to0 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment. Info: 963-0201.

THURSDAY Nov. 3

SOPRIS SUN FUNDRAISING PARTY • Thursday night from 5-7 p.m. at Dos Gringos Burritos. Enjoy free food, cash bar and an opportunity to give to the Sopris Sun and support independent, not-for-profit, community-based journalism.

SATURDAY Nov. 5 STEVE’S GUITARS • Lisa Dancing-Light and Penny Nichols present a concert at Steve’s Guitars in the Dinkel Building at 8:30 p.m. Nichols will perform sings from her new CD “Colors of the Sun: the Early Songs of Jackson Browne” and songs from her previous recordings. Dancing-Light will perform songs from her recently completed CD “Light Years.” Tickets are $15 at the door or by reservation at 963-3304. Dancing-Light and Nichols also offer a vocal workshop on Nov. 6. Info: 963-3330.

Hold the Presses

C’DALE CHAMBER HOSTS INSURANCE WORKSHOP • The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce hosts a workshop to explain recent changes in Colorado’s new health insurance law at the Third Street from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 26. Peter Martin from the Martin Insurance Group will explain SB11-019, which changes the way individuals can purchase their health insurance. RSVP at peter@martininsurancegroup.com or call 963-6161.

ART SHOW • The Redstone Art Center presents Western landscape watercolor artist Kurt Isgreen through October. Info: 963-3790.

BIKER SWAP BENEFITS ADVOCATE SAFEHOUSE • The first annual “All Bikers Swap Meet” at Aspen Valley Harley-Davidson on Oct. 23 benefits Advocate Safehouse. The hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and folks are invited to bring biker gear they’d like to sell, swap or trade. All sellers will be asked to give a free-will donation to Advocate Safehouse, which serves domestic violence victims in Garfield County. Aspen Valley Harley-Davidson is located at 2302 Devereaux Road in Glenwood Springs.

PHOTO SHOW • The Colorado Mountain College Gallery in downtown Glenwood Springs presents the photographs of CMC graduate Elizabeth Moreno through Nov. 29.

RFOV CONDUCTS TRAIL WORK • Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) will conduct a volunteer trail workday on Oct. 22 to help complete the new Upper Loop Wulfsohn Trail in Glenwood Springs. The workday runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes free dinner for volunteers afterward. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up at rfov@sopris.net.

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www.harmonyscott.com THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011 • 11

Community Briefs RFFRc seeks Halloween volunteers The Roaring Fork Family Resource Centers is looking for volunteers to help put on its third annual Halloween Happening fund-raiser at the Bridges High School gym from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 28. For details, call Katie Marshall at 384-5689.

chamber accepting expo sponsors The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce is accepting sponsors for its annual Business Conference and Expo titled “The State of Carbondale and Beyond” on Dec. 2.

Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $5,000, and include mentions on posters and in media press releases. The deadline to become a sponsor is Oct. 28. For details, call 9631890 or e-mail sherri@carbondale.com.

The conference will feature Garfield County Commissioner Tom Jankovsky and Carbondale Town Manager Jay Harrington.

cMc offers health care classes Colorado Mountain College is offering refresher classes for professionals in CPR, outdoor emergency care and wilderness first responder. For details, call 947-8474.

Orchard continues Operation christmas The Orchard (formerly Church at Carbondale) will again serve as a collection point for the Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box drive and will kick off the effort on Oct. 23.

Residents are asked to pack shoe boxes with gifts (including small toys, personal care items such as hair brushes, hair accessories, toothbrushes as well as stickers, school supplies and hard candy) that will be distributed to children in more than 100 countries who are suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty.

All shoe boxes will be packed and shipped on Nov. 20. For details, call the Orchard at 963-8773.

HMc symposium is Oct. 21

This cow at Crystal River Ranch struck a somewhat visionary pose last week, or maybe she was just trying to impress the herd with her modeling abilities.

In any case, cattle drives on county roads and highways are not far off so remember – cows have the right of way. Photo

by Lynn Burton

Healthy Mountain Communities’ “State of the Valley” symposium, the first since 2008, is Oct. 21 at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. The hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Speakers include Colorado State Demographer Elizabeth Garner and public spaces expert Fred Kent.

Registration, which includes lunch, is $50 at www.hmcnews.org.

NOVEMBER 1, 20011 COORDINATED ELECTION CONDUCTED BY MAIL BALLOT ONLY IN GARFIELD COUNTY Ballots were mailed to all ACTIVE voters Oct 11, 2011

DID NOT RECEIVE A BALLOT AND WANT TO VOTE?

Get by with a little help from your friends.

Food for families in need is available at LIFT-UP’s 7 area food pantries. Support from our caring community makes the work of LIFT-UP possible.

It’s community spirit in action, since 1982.

Mid-Valley Food Pantries Carbondale: Third Street Center, 520 South 3rd Street, #35 Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 10am-12:30pm • 963-1778

Basalt: Basalt Community United Methodist Church, 167 Holland Hills Rd. Wednesday & Thursday: 11am-1pm • 279-1492 Learn more at www.liftup.org and join us on facebook!

12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011

Call Garfield County Elections at 384-3700 #2 For assistance

Inactive voters may request ballots and update information on-line at www.govotecolorado.com and ballots will be mailed out through Tuesday Oct 25, 2011 After that date ballots must be picked up in person at the County Clerk’s office in Glenwood or Rifle during normal working hours And 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Election Day.

BLM continued om page 7 Boyd said Carbondale citizens were interested in a range of topics, but a majority of people asked about oil and gas development and travel management.

Although Boyd and his team were prepared to answer questions about a Texasbased oil and gas developer’s request to lump together several leases on roughly 32,000 acres in the Thompson Creek area, that property is not part of this plan. The majority of those parcels are on U.S. Forest Service land; the oil and gas leases are managed by the BLM. “We did not determine which lands on the Forest Service were available for oil and gas leasing. But once they’re nominated for leasing or become leased we manage those leases,” Boyd said. “So we knew we would

A Q&A with WW Peter Hart, a conservation analyst/staff attorney for Wilderness Workshop, agreed to field some question from The Sopris Sun concerning the BLM’s management plan process. Here’s what he said.

Sopris Sun: Within the regional BLM’s scope (the Colorado River Valley field office), which areas are of particular interest to Wilderness Workshop/the land conservation community?

Wilderness Workshop: We monitor the entire field office, so we’re interested in everything that’s going on in the CRVFO. But our mission is to protect the biological integrity

hear about the [SG Interests’ unitization request], and we wanted to answer people’s questions about it. We wanted to clarify what our role is and isn’t.”

Each of the five alternatives contains varying amount of acreage that would be open to oil and gas development. A brief summary shows that under Alternative A, 679,200 acres would be open to oil and gas leasing and development. Alternative B would include the designation of 651,400 acres as open to oil and gas exploration and development. Alternative C allows for 531,500 acres to be open to oil and gas exploration and development. Alternative D would include designation of 658,200 acres as open to oil and gas exploration and development.

The Carbondale-based Wilderness Work-

shop is among the stakeholder groups that have been working with the BLM, providing input prior to the release of the proposals to the public. In order to fulfill its mission to protect biological diversity and conserve natural resources, the organization keeps close tabs on oil and gas issues, according to Peter Hart, conservation analyst for Wilderness Workshop.

Hart said Alternative C best addresses Wilderness Workshop’s concern but it is short-sighted to choose just one alternative.

(See sidebar below).

“We are concerned that, while wildland protection was relegated to Alternative C, the gamut of ‘other’ interests (e.g., oil and gas development and various forms of recreation), got relatively consistent play across all alternatives,” Hart said.

From a “broad-brushed perspective,” Fugate says he favors Alternative B. Revisions to the BLM’s current management plan began in 2007. Boyd said depending on the quantity and nature of the public comments received, a final plan may not be in place for another year and a half.

“We will look at how the comments fit into the range of alternatives that we have.

We’ll use those comments to develop the proposed alternative, which will likely be a blend of the alternatives we saw here,” Boyd said.

The 90-day public comment period ends Dec. 15. For further info on the proposals and to submit comments online, visit http://www.blm.gov/rmp/co/kfo-gsfo. Email co_crvrmp@blm.gov or mail comments to BLM–Colorado River Valley Field Office, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652.

and to conserve the natural resources of these public lands. So, for example, we focus on trying to protect lands with high wildlife value, unique plant communities, and lands with wilderness characteristics. We’re also very engaged in oil and gas issues because of the extraordinary impact that kind of development has on wildlife and wildlands, as well as air and water resources. We advocate for wild rivers, for undisturbed backcountry, and for intact ecosystems that are resilient enough to survive strains we put on them.

one alternative and that that alternative is not preferred by the agency.

our concerns, but no alternative is perfect.

We are concerned that, while wildland protection was relegated to Alternative C, the gamut of “other” interests (e.g., oil and gas development and various forms of recreation), got relatively consistent play across all alternatives.

Sopris Sun: Overall, what do you think of the different alternatives presented by the BLM? Wilderness Workshop: We are disappointed that wildland protection was relegated to

Sopris Sun: Did Wilderness Workshop provide input to the BLM prior to the public release of the alternatives? If so, do you feel the organization’s concerns were addressed in any of the alternatives?

Wilderness Workshop: Yes, we have been engaged in this process since the beginning.

We submitted comments at scoping and have been working closely with BLM and other interested stakeholders, including ranchers, climbers, bikers, motorized recreationists, oil and gas companies, and a few others for several years now.

Alternative C does the best job addressing

Sopris Sun: Does WW support a specific alternative? Which one? Why? Wilderness Workshop: At this point, if we had to choose, we’d choose C. But choosing to support one alternative is not a sophisticated way to comment. None of these alternatives are perfect. Our comments will focus on substantive protections that must be part of any final plan.

Join Us for An Inspirational Gathering

October Oc tober 29, 2011 ~ 1 10am-2pm Pitkin P itkin County County Courthouse, Cou urthouse, Aspen Aspen 506 E Main Main St. St. Suite Suite 102 Snowmass Department Sn nowmass Village Village Police Pollice D epartment 130 Road 1 Kearns Kearns R oad Basalt Police Department Pollice D epartment 100 10 00 Elk Run Drive Drive Accepting: -Tablets -T ablets -Capsules -All other solid medications Not N ot accepting: -Solutions -Injectables -Syring es -Syringes -A erosols -Aerosols

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A Service of Story and Song This Sunday, October 23rd, 10 a.m.

Reverend Barbara Palmer with

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Nicolette Toussaint recipient, the Rheiner Award for social justice

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www.TwoRiversUU.org

schedule early drop-off *Call 920-5400 to sc hedule an earl ly dr drop-of rop-offf

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011 • 13

Letters continued om page 2 Vote selfishly Dear Editor: Let’s be real. Nobody is excited about higher property tax rates in a deep recession.

The economic downturn has hit the Roaring Fork Valley particularly hard and many people here are facing tough times.

So why would anyone vote yes to higher property tax rates for our school district?

Paradoxically, the best vote is a selfish vote. For those of us who own property and are concerned about the plummeting prices, a strong school system is one of the single best ways to protect our investments. Countless studies have shown the positive impact that a strong school system has on property values, and also on the economic vibrancy of the community that surrounds it.

It’s also worth noting that even with a yes

vote on Ballot Issue 3E, we will still be paying less property taxes than we did in the boom times. In fact, owners of a $300,000 home will pay less than $10 additional per month for this mill levy; and the mill levy will not tax homeowners more as property values rebound.

Tyler Stableford Megan Currier Carbondale

Saying no won’t help Dear Editor: When you go out into your community look at the children and think of them as you consider your vote on 3E in this upcoming election. I have read letters to the editor stating reasons to not support this mill levy override and I am not writing to debate

Carbondale Commentary continued om page 2 there is more to the story than you are hearing. There is ALWAYS more to the story.

I have heard the statement that “they are afraid.” Who are “they” and what are they afraid of? I understand a drug dealer being afraid if he finds himself in the presence of DEA, a terrorist in the presence of FBI, or a fugitive in the presence of the Marshals. The common thread in these examples is criminal behavior. So it appears to me that unless you’re a criminal or know of criminal behavior, what would there be to be afraid of? As law abiding citizens, are you afraid of law enforcement?

As your Sheriff, I have clearly stated that I will not tolerate criminal activity in our community, especially illegal gang activity. From that perspective, I will use ANY law enforcement agency, including the feds to assist me with protecting you. With the assistance of ICE, we have successfully removed over 50 identified gang members from our county who were also illegal aliens. I am under the impression that as law abiding citizens this is what you expect of me and other law enforcement agencies. If not, please let me know. If it is, please let your voice be heard because until I hear differently from the members of this community, I will continue to collaborate with ALL law enforcement entities to provide the safest environment for you.

(Editor’s note: The above opinion piece comes from Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario’s Web site at www.garcosheriff.com under the heading “Just the Facts” and headline of “Bullying our Schools and Demonizing Law Enforcement.” It is printed here in its entirety without editing, except for two or three paragraph indents.)

CIRC response to GarCo sheriff (Editor’s note: The Sopris Sun invited the Colorado Immigration Rights Coalition to respond to Garfield County Lou Vallario’s newsletter printed in this issue.

CIRC’s response, from spokesman Alan Kaplan, is as follows): The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition and the Asociacion de la Jovenes Unidos en Accion (the Association of Youth United in Action) are looking forward to our Policy Forum on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Orchard Church, which will focus on the real issue in this debate – the need to create a policy stopping collaboration between ICE and School Resource Officers.

We encourage everyone interested in hearing the truth to come out and judge the impact of this collaboration on the community for themselves. We hope that this forum will make it clear that ICE and schools must not mix and the school district should create a policy explicitly stating this fact. We look forward to working with the schools and law enforcement to implement the most viable and workable policy.

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

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

14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011

these. There is valid concern that our educational system needs help. It is good that this is a concern of so many and yet, it is vital to understand and see that saying no on 3E will not fix any problems. It will only exacerbate them. And the ones to ultimately pay the price will be the children.

These children you see in your community will still walk into a classroom everyday. Public education is their right. These children are too young to stand for themselves, to have their voices heard. We adults must be able to see that holding back money in order to show our opinion, to express our anger, does not prove the opinion or rid us of the anger. It only hurts those we care about the most and weakens the future quality-oflife we are hoping to give them.

I am hoping that every single one of you will vote yes on 3E. Karen Barbee Glenwood Springs

concerning 3E misconceptions Dear Editor: There are a good number of misconceptions regarding school funding and our need for the mill levy (3E). Most of it seems to stem from a lack of knowledge about where education funds come from. Our schools are 100 percent state and local funded. In fact, Colorado is 10th from the bottom in per pupil funding. While low taxes are attractive to potential residents and employers, under funded, ineffective school districts are not.

Full disclosure: I am both a parent of children and the spouse of a teacher in the school district. I’ve watched the difficulty of teachers’ jobs growing in parallel with classroom sizes and in direct opposition to salaries (lower than they were in 2008).

These obstacles, however, are surmountable.

We can return to focusing on learning and manageable classroom sizes. The first step is voting yes on 3E. A yes vote on 3E is not a vote of support for the current school district management, nor is it a vote in support of any political party. It’s support for our youth and the future of the valley.

I encourage everyone to check out www.voteforourkids.org and read through the links under “the Issue.”

Matt Brockman Carbondale

Yes on 3E Dear Editor: My family is one of many Roaring Fork families whose children were well educated beneficiaries of the Roaring Fork School District. Following graduation from excellent universities, they returned to the valley where they are living productive lives, contributing to our communities’ vitality and raising families with the expectation of continued strong educational opportunities.

The quality of education for my grandchildren and the young children of our firm’s core staff is being seriously threatened by tax-based funding cuts that, if not supported LETTERS page 15

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Letters continued om page 14 by voter passage of mill levy 3E, will result in certain loss of teacher jobs, outdated teaching tools and technology and dropped programs, as well as the possibility of dysfunctional class sizes. There is no stronger investment in the future of our valley’s communities than the education of our children backed by a strong and well-funded school system with the proven dedication of our citizen teachers and capable administrators.

Our valley’s educational system is signiďŹ cantly funded by current property taxes, which will be diminished in many cases by as much as 30 percent. While from the disposable income side, this may be viewed as an advantage, it will surely result with high impact to the Roaring Fork School District.

It is the community’s responsibility to support the education of our children in a world that demands a platform of excellence for tomorrow’s citizens and leaders.

While our valley’s community issues may be characterized by lively and diverse dialogue, we have never failed to reach consensus on issues of vital and broad reaching impact. Mill levy 3E is an issue of that magnitude. Vote on Nov. 1 and vote yes on 3E. The payback is huge.

Larry Yaw Basalt

Defend our children’s future Dear Editor: Today I have the privilege of teaching high school students the literature of our country. We’ve been studying documents

from the founding of America: the words of Thomas Jefferson and his peers. Jefferson was one of our ďŹ rst proponents of free public education. He saw it as fundamental to democracy, as do I. My students have been debating what rights are universal and worth defending. I posit that a solid education, the great equalizer of society, is a human right. In a state that is not providing for the continuation of effective public schools, it is up to us as local citizens to defend the future of our valley’s children.

For the past nine years, I have lived and taught in Carbondale and have known our community as united and supportive. This is my home, where my husband and I are working to bring our two boys home from Haiti, and where I want them to go to school.

Yet, I see that possibility as threatened.

Over the past three years, we have had to make prodigious cuts in our schools as the state economic situation has plummeted, but we have held on tightly and managed resources prudently to protect the students as much as possible. With the impending additional cuts, protecting the classrooms is not going to be conceivable unless we choose as a local community to secure our local schools by voting yes on 3E, passing the mill levy override.

We need you to understand that this money is not to raise salaries, bring in new programs, or build new facilities. We are looking to hang on — to keep open and op-

erating effectively the schools in our communities. In my own classroom, we have only 18 copies of our literature textbook, and it is now over 20 years old. We are taping pages back into novels the students are reading because they have been circulating and used long enough that the bindings are not holding. Last year’s decrease in stafďŹ ng at our school not only increased class sizes, but also meant that our upperclassmen cannot take a full (eight class) schedule because we no longer have enough classes and sections for them. We have beautiful buildings and excellent access to technology, but can already see that there will be sharp declines if we don’t have funding to maintain these investments.

Without 3E, there will be more drastic and grim changes to local education. I hope we can count on your yes vote.

Lindsay Hentschel Carbondale

Recover those cuts Dear Editor: As an educator and a parent with children at Crystal River Elementary School, I urge everyone to vote yes on 3E. Due to cuts required by the state of Colorado, our district funding has been cut by $5.1 million. If 3E passes, we can recover $4.8 million of these cuts.

Before taking time away from the classroom to care for my young children, I worked for two years as the math coach for Crystal River Elementary School. For many

years prior to that I was as a ďŹ fth grade teacher also in the RE-1 District. Since my time in the classroom, funding pressures have increased and it has become more difďŹ cult for the district to fund coaching and mentoring positions within our local schools. After years of carefully nipping at the budget, trying to maintain teacher positions in order to keep class sizes small, RE-1 was forced to cut 15 teacher positions last year. As a result teacher/student ratios have increased. In addition, classroom budgets for art teachers and other specialists have been greatly reduced. Next year will see this abysmal trend continue if we don’t vote yes on 3E. Teachers deserve salary increases and kids deserve to have small classes as well as funded art, music and PE programs. By passing 3E, we can ensure that class sizes stay manageable, that ďŹ eld trips continue to occur, that kids get PE, art and music and that teachers get the salary increases that they deserve.

Vote yes on 3E. Sacha Hart Carbondale

Schools help economy Dear Editor: If our local economy and jobs are something you think about these days, then consider that great schools are a major component in attracting and retaining businesses and employees.

LETTERS page 16

Your Carbondale Fire District needs YOUR help!

VOTE YES

on 4A by November 1, 2011 >L ULLK [V Z\WWVY[ HUK M\UK V\Y ÄYL KLWHY[TLU[ HUK HTI\SHUJL ZLY]PJL 0[Z NVVK MVY [OL OLHS[O VM V\Y JVTT\UP[` P[Z YLZPKLU[Z HUK ]PZP[VYZ What happens if this mill levy override is not approval? ‹ -PYL +PZ[YPJ[Z YL]LU\L ^PSS IL YLK\JLK I` ‹ ;OL -PYL +PZ[YPJ[ TH` J\[ VM WHPK Z[HMM V]LY [OL JV\YZL VM [OL UL_[ `LHYZ ‹ ;YHPUPUN 7YLWHYLKULZZ 7YVNYHTZ ^PSS IL YLK\JLK ‹ -PYL PUZ\YHUJL WYLTP\TZ ^PSS IL PUJYLHZLK ‹ 4LKPJHS :LY]PJLZ ^PSS IL YLK\JLK PTTLKPH[L YLZWVUZL VM M\SS` JLY[PÄLK WHYHTLKPJ ZLY]PJLZ ^PSS UV[ IL Z\Z[HPUHISL VU HSS ZOPM[Z Paid for by the friends of the C&RFPD

THE SOPRIS SUN • OcTObER 20, 2011 • 15

Letters continued om page 15 In order to be perceived as a healthy community with solid schools to support our business base, we need outstanding and adequate numbers of teachers, updated technology and learning materials, and maintained facilities that are top notch as we have always had in the past.

Investing in education is absolutely and inherently part of supporting community and keeping business strong. That’s why I am voting yes on 3E this fall and hope you will too. For more speciďŹ c information about the ballot question, go to voteforourkids.org.

Jacque Carpenter Whitsitt Basalt

Vote for the kids Dear Editor: Since 2009, the Roaring Fork School District has lost $5.1 million in funding.

More cuts are planned for next year. Passing a mill levy will recover $4.8 million.

When our grandson was in kindergarten in Glenwood last year, parents and grandparents needed to provide supplies for teaching and art.

Students have had no new textbooks in three years. How can children be competitive with outdated materials?

Teachers have received no raises in three years. Teaching positions have been eliminated. How can we retain or attract outstanding teachers?

If we do not support this vote, when current elementary children reach high school, they will not have a strong academic foundation.

A yes vote to support our schools has economic beneďŹ ts. Individuals and businesses want to locate in areas with strong school systems. Our property values will be enhanced by quality schools.

Students do not have many educational alternatives in this valley. Most cannot afford those options. We are taxpayers without a vote (part-time residents) yet strongly support a yes for all the children of this valley.

Frank and Mary Jo Murphy Carbondale

Unclassifieds

Popsicles for pencils Dear Editor: On behalf of the parents’ group at Basalt Elementary, we are urging you to vote yes on 3E. In our efforts to contribute to the school, we have seen our roles change from supporting the teachers with our time to raising funds for basic supplies.

The schools have worked endlessly to eliminate waste, but right now we are literally selling Popsicles for pencils.

This isn’t about three-day ďŹ eld trips.

This is about paper to write on and disinfectant so the kids can clean their own desks (janitorial staff has been already cut).

For a mere $60 per $100,000 of property value, you can make a big difference in the local schools which in turn affects your community, your real estate value and these kids’ lives. With your shrinking property values, your tax bills have drastically diminished. Please consider putting a portion of that back into our schools. Education is the most important thing we can provide our children. Please vote yes on 3E. Andrea Michelson Sara O’Connor Basalt

that they are administered efďŹ ciently and in a ďŹ scally responsible manner.

Terry Lott Richardson wants more transparency between the school district and its stakeholders. She would like to hold meetings with members of the school community — from parents, teachers, administration and staff, to residents of the valley. She believes that all voices need to be heard, not just at board meetings, but at open gatherings.

Richardson knows the importance of having the involvement of community members when making decisions for our school district. She can look at a situation, deďŹ ne the issues, establish clear goals and implement a plan to achieve them. She knows how to bring people together to design creative, budget-conscious and envi-

ronmentally sound solutions.

I am looking for candidates who are committed to providing a solid education for our children, who clearly identify problems and face the challenges head-on, who appreciate the value of education, who are equipped with the necessary life experience to be successful on the board of education.

Terry Lott Richardson, along with Daniel Biggs, possesses all of these qualities, and I urge you to join me in voting for them.

Please take the time to learn more about Terry and her goals at www.terrylotrichardson.weebly.com or on Facebook (search for Terry Lott Richardson for RFSD Board) or email her at mom4rfsd@gmail.com.

Jenny Cutright Carbondale

Yes on 3E Dear Editor: When it comes to leaving the world a better place for our children the path is not always easy but the path is clear. Please vote yes on 3E. Lisa Hershey Lowsky Basalt

Vote for Richardson Dear Editor: I am writing to encourage you to vote for Terry Lott Richardson in the upcoming Roaring Fork School District election.

Richardson understands the delicate balance we need to maintain excellent, forward-thinking education and sound ďŹ scal policy. As the single mother of two students in the RFSD, Richardson has a personal stake in our local schools, in seeing that not only does the Roaring Fork School District offer the strongest curriculum possible, but

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