THIS PAGE IS COLOR

DELTA COUNTY 75

INDEPENDENTwww.deltacountyindependent.com

NORTH FORK TIMES SPORTSSURFACE CREEK NEWSMAKING A DIFFERENCEHotchkiss chamber pays tribute

to community leaders, B1

TOP-NOTCH DELIVERYCedaredge postal carrierearns top state honor, C1

COMPETITION HEATS UPDelta, Paonia football teams

post convincing wins at home, B5

Accent ........................... A4Activities ....................... A7Agriculture .....................C6Back Page ................... D8Business ........................ A8Church ........................... D4Classifieds .................. D1-2Editorial ......................... A2Health & Fitness .........C4-5Legals ............................ D3North Fork Times ........B1-4Obituaries ......................B8School Zone .................. A5Sports ..........................B5-7Surface Creek News ...C1-3TV Listings ................. D5-6

INDEX Meet the finalistsCommunity members are invited to

meet the four finalists for Delta city man-ager Monday, Nov. 23. A reception will be held at Bill Heddles Recreation Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The four finalists are Don Gaeddert of Larned, Kan., Dan Hamsmith of Parker, George Korthauer of Petoskey, Mich., and David Torgler of Hayden. They were selected from a group of 46 applicants.

The candidates will be in town Mon-day and Tuesday for interviews with pan-els comprised of city council members and city department heads.

NOVEMBER 18, 2015VOL. 132, NO. 46

Community dinnerA community Thanksgiving dinner will

be hosted by Delta Christian Church, 795 1600 Road, on Thursday, Nov. 26. Meals will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Deliveries will be made from 10 to 11 a.m., and can be requested by calling Michael Frazier at 270-2524 or Carrie Fra-zier at 260-1945.

Delta Elks Lodge is providing the tur-keys and potatoes. The remaining food items are being donated and prepared by members of Delta Christian Church, First Baptist Church of Delta and Calvary Baptist Church.

Road work plannedThe Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and

Gunnison National Forests have contract-ed for work to occur on the Lands End Road from the forest boundary for 9.3 miles, up to the boulder fields. The work will improve the sight distance and reduce brushy vegetation for 20 feet on each side. Weather depending, work will take place Nov. 16-Dec. 15, six days a week.

The Lands End Road will remain open to the public until the seasonal closure on Dec. 1. Citizens are asked to use caution and slow their speed for contractor and public safety.

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Dr. Sam Jahani, 52, faces up to four years in prison after pleading guilty to a sin-gle charge of conspiracy (con-trolled substance violations, health care fraud violations and/or money laundering vio-lations).

Jahani was initially charged with multiple, individual counts of those numerous vio-lations, and was accused of causing the deaths of three patients through the practice of overprescribing. He will be sentenced in U.S. District Court on Feb. 8. The federal government is recommending two years imprisonment.

The plea agreement lays out the governments case:

Dr. Jahani opened a medi-cal office in Delta in 2003, and an urgent care clinic in Montrose in 2005. As the patient base grew, Dr. Jah-ani expanded his business. In November 2007, he hired Dr. Eric Peper.

Many patients traveled from Grand Junction to Delta to obtain, and were prescribed, scheduled controlled substanc-es, so Dr. Jahani opened a third clinic in Grand Junction in November 2008. The clin-ics closed shortly after search warrants were served on the businesses and residences of Drs. Jahani and Peper on Oct. 14, 2009.

Prior to obtaining the search warrants, federal agents conducted numerous interviews of health care pro-fessionals, former employees, patients and family members. Pharmacists reported that Drs. Jahani and Peper were prescribing large quantities of powerful controlled substances to patients. Some pharmacists indicated they could not keep

controlled drugs such as oxy-codone in stock because of the demand by Jahani and Peper patients. In addition, many of these patients were paying cash for their prescriptions. Some pharmacists refused to fill the prescriptions; others called the doctors to question prescriptions.

Emergency department personnel and jail doctors reported numerous Jahani and Peper patients on high levels of narcotics, making it difficult to treat them. Mem-bers of the community com-plained to law enforcement that their loved ones were being overprescribed and could not function due to pre-scriptions obtained from Drs. Jahani and Peper.

A Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) investigation concluded that Dr. Jahani and Dr. Pepers actions were

Overprescribing lands docs in prison

Photo by Pat SunderlandJerry Allen discusses the unique seed mix used to create a cover crop on a eld in the Pea Green area. Producers are encouraged to mix their own cocktails to address specic issues.

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

For five years, Ahlberg Farms has been disking under corn stalks and onion tops soon after harvest, then reseeding with a unique blend of seed mixes to produce a cover crop that provides for-age for livestock and nour-ishes the soil.

The practice is one that has many benefits, according to the experts on the Uncompahgre Soil Health Team.

Last week team members hosted a tour of six farms that are employing cover crops to increase organic mat-ter, increase nutrient cycling, suppress weeds, reduce soil

compaction, provide forage for livestock, provide cover for wildlife, and potentially break disease and pest cycles.

The team points to the four practices that promote soil health:

Keep the soil covered for as long as possible.

Minimize soil distur-bance.

Keep a living plant on/in the soil throughout the year (or as long as possible).

Diversify the types of plants growing on the field through crop rotations and cover crops.

Three out of four of those practices involve cover crops, described as annual and semi-annual plants grown for sea-sonal vegetative cover as part of a planned rotation to provide soil health benefits. There are also benefits to the principle cash crop, as evidenced by the higher yields, quicker matu-rity and larger onions/ears of corn the Ahlbergs have been harvesting since they began the practice of planting cover crops.

Zach Ahlberg has refined the seed mixture over the years. His most recent mixture consists of triticale, sorghum, sudangrass, hairy vetch, Aus-trian pea, purple top turnip and Daikon radishes.

As the cover crop matures, cows are let out to graze on the nutrient-rich mixture. Their droppings further add to the organic mix in the soil.

Adding organic matter to build carbon is the key to soil health, said Katie Alexander, a soil conservationist with the National Resource Conserva-tion Service.

Steve Woodis, NRCS biol-ogist, points to the cottage cheese quality of the soil, referring to the loose soil structure that results when deep-rooted plants like rad-ishes, canola and some annual

grasses are planted. These plants can reduce the need for mechanical deep ripping.

Another benefit, said Dave Dearstyne, is that the soil holds moisture better than a fallow field.

The composition of the cover crop is specific to the individu-al need, and can change each year to address common issues such as weed control, disease control or nitrogen balance.

The cost of the seed is often covered by the grazing value, noted Jerry Allen of the Sha-vano Conservation District. Increased yields also make

cover crops worthwhile.The goal of the Uncompahgre

Soil Health Team is to help producers maximize soil health by increasing organic matter through cover crops, green manure, grazing, com-post, entomology and other sustainable practices.

The team also helps put on the annual Western Slope Soil Health Conference, which will be held Feb. 11-12 at the Delta Center for the Perform-ing Arts and Education. More information can be found at www.westerncoloradosoil health.com.

Cover crops build soil healthJAHANI TO A3

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The Colorado Cattlemens Association and Delta Coun-ty Livestock Association are joining forces in search of the individual or individuals who have shot calves to death in the Black Mesa grazing allotment.

Since late September, three dead calves have been discov-ered, two with small caliber bullet holes and one shot by a large caliber rifle. Placement of trail cams nearby led to the speculation that perhaps unscrupulous hunters were killing the calves and leav-ing their carcasses as bear bait, but that theory appears to be unfounded. Crawford area rancher Danny Todd says the owner of the trail cam has been identified and while he admits placing the camera near the carcasses,

he denies any involvement in their deaths. It is not illegal to place a trail cam on public land near a carcass to cap-ture images of game in the area.

Since the calves were located just off roadways, the cattlemen believe the perpetrator may be a mali-cious individual out to cause trouble. No meat has been taken, as was the case in an incident earlier this summer on Grand Mesa.

The $5,000 reward offered by the cattlemen is in addi-tion to the $1,000 offered by CrimeStoppers for informa-tion leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetra-tors. Anyone with informa-tion is asked to call the Delta County Sheriff s Office at 874-2000 or CrimeStoppers at 874-8810, if you wish to remain anonymous.

Cattlemen offer $5,000 reward

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The coal industry remains in a period of distress due to strict governmental reg-ulations, oversupply in the global coal market, increased competition from natural gas, and low coal demand and prices, among other fac-tors.

This management analy-sis has led Arch Coal to warn that a significant financial restructuring will be required for the publicly traded com-pany to operate as a going concern over the long term. Underscoring the immediacy of action is a reported net loss of $2 billion for the quar-ter ending Sept. 30.

Arch Coal operates coal mines in Colorado, Wyoming, Illinois, West Virginia, Ken-tucky, Virginia and Mary-land. It is the owner of West Elk Mine, the only local mine operating at full capacity. It employs about 350 coal min-ers.

A filing with the Securities

and Exchange Commission warns that it may be neces-sary to file a voluntary peti-tion for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to restructure debt obli-gations.

On a positive note, Arch delivered an exceptionally strong operational perfor-mance during the quarter, according to John W. Eaves, Archs chairman and chief executive officer. Our results reflect the actions we have taken to respond to the chal-lenging market environment, including reducing costs and enhancing efficiency across the company. Thanks to the efforts of our skilled employ-ees, we increased cash mar-gins in each of our three oper-ating regions and continued to build on our industry-lead-ing safety and environmental stewardship records. Despite these efforts, however, the difficult conditions impacting the coal industry persist, and we expect they will continue throughout 2016.

Challenges to coal industry persist

THIS PAGE IS GRAYSCALE

A2 Wednesday, November 18, 2015 OPINION Delta County Independent

Veterans deserve more than lip serviceDear Editor:

Truly responsible indi-viduals (most actually consider themselves as such) who incur obliga-tions should be not only willing, but should feel themselves obligated to face up to them. That is true of everything, even that which they incurred to those who served in the military. And, in doing so, they should not be deceived into believ-ing that in doing so that they are in any way charitable or engaging in charity work.

Today we see cam-paigns to help veterans in need, especially the wounded and/or dis-abled. Two of those are the Wounded Warrior Project and the other

for Disabled American Veterans. While those operating those organi-zations, as well as those who donate to them with only $19 a month or 63 cents a day, while well intended, they are allowing others to shift their own obligations and responsibilities onto the backs of others. That these veterans are in need of assistance (in particular the disabled ones) is not in question. However, that is every-ones responsibility, and not just those who can or want to donate. Neither is doing so at all chari-table.

Some of us like to compare issues and, in this case, we look at members of the House

of Representatives, now under a so-called Free-dom Caucus. Their cal-endar is set up such that they will be in session slightly over 100 days. (Being in session, by the way, does not mean that they even have to show up which many dont). Some of us would ask the following: What are they doing during the remain-ing 265 days? Should they not be present, and actually working at their job and meeting their obligations and respon-sibilities to the people, many of those veterans. Oh, those politicians will show up at every event which presents them with an opportu-nity to thank veterans; i.e. How patriotic and wonderful you were and thank you, thank you! Those are just words and their own actions belie their words. They will go back to Washington and do everything they pos-sibly can to cut the Vet-erans Administrations budget, or condemn the entire organization for its failings, then use that to cut the budget even further.

One of the complaints we frequently hear from veterans (among others) is that others dont lis-ten. In that conclusion I concur. There is also no problem with help-ing others out, in this case veterans. However, those truly concerned about veterans (and vet-erans themselves) should not restrict themselves to raising funds to help out but get in the face of those politicians who, while they give lip ser-vice to veterans and their service, will do every-thing they can to avoid doing what needs doing most of it by them. If there is an example of empty words, what these so-called conserva-tives preach, then look-ing at what they actually do, this is one of them.

Robert I LaitresDelta

Tough oil/gas regulations serve joint interestsDear Editor:

These comments were submitted to the Colora-do Oil and Gas Conser-vation Commission, as it conducts hearings on pro-posed rules addressing oil and gas development near residential areas:

Energy development is not abstract to me. I have lived for 41 years within 10 miles of three large underground coal mines that until recently employed 1,000 miners and produced 1.5 percent of the nations coal. For 40 years, I heated my house with coal from those mines. Trains carrying that coal to market pass within 0.7 miles of my house. Tragically, those mines are now in termi-nal decline. More than half of the jobs are gone, with the rest doomed by the enormous changes in fossil fuel energy produc-tion and use.

Thanks to intense fed-eral and state regulation, coal mines are excellent neighbors. For over a century, coal mining in my North Fork Valley has not just coexisted with our rural area and pub-lic lands, but enhanced them. As a result, we supported the mines and we mourn their passing.

By comparison, oil and gas extraction is so light-ly regulated as to not be worthy of the word. As a result, the industry is a threat to the life, limb and health of its workforce and a threat to the physical and men-tal health of those of us who have the tragic mis-fortune to live near this rogue industry. It imposes heavy truck traffic on our lightly constructed roads and bridges, it destroys the tranquility and clean-liness of residential areas with industrial activity, and it converts our fed-eral lands into a single, sprawling, industrialized, ugly-beyond-description landscape.

Living in rural areas is not easy. Jobs are few and usually low paid. As a group, we tend to be older, poorer and less well educated than urban and suburban people. Our major compensation for this difficult life is the beauty and recreation

potential of the federal lands we live among. But now our federal lands are threatened by industrial-ization. These lands will be impossible to reclaim not just in my lifetime, but in my grandchildrens lifetime. Drilling, given present regulations, makes the ruling theme of federal lands mul-tiple use a joke. You can graze and log and develop water and mine coal underground with-out violating the princi-ple of multiple use. But oil and gas production represents the expropria-tion of the land from all other users.

These lands are not just important and valu-able to those of us who live among them. People come from around the country and world to hunt and fish and gawk at the mountains. The snowmelt coming off the central Rockies irrigates land that produces fruit, grapes, vegetable and grains. Cattle and sheep graze the mountainsides in the warmer months. We are an amazingly pro-ductive place. All this is threatened by the mas-sive industrialization this industrys present way of operating requires.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Com-mission is charged by law with the twin fiduciary duties of encouraging the industry and pro-tecting communities and the environment from industry abuses. Instead of balancing its respon-sibilities, the commission has become a captive creature of the industry. The irony is that this cap-tivity is causing a reac-tion that tough but rea-sonable regulation could avoid. By ignoring the public health and welfare and by failing to protect the wildlands that over-lay oil and gas deposits, the COGCC is dooming the industry it seeks to protect.

Regulations that allow drill pads to be placed next to schoolyards, for example, or close to residential areas, or in beautiful wild landscapes guarantee unending opposition from local and eventually national con-

stituencies. If these non-regulatory regulations are made final, the Com-mission will have set the stage for a fight-to-the-death. Either the indus-try will destroy our rural areas by making this a barren and unproductive place (except for liquid and gaseous Btus), or we will destroy it. The com-mission will have given us no alternative.

Governor Hickenloop-er, a proponent of drill-ing, saw this unhealthy fight coming, and tried to head it off by appointing a Task Force to reach a compromise. The Gover-nors Task Force failed and judging by its draft regulations, now the Com-mission has failed. We will soon be back fighting it out through referenda at election time.

As fate would have it, the industry would have been in better shape if the governor had let the battle go forward last year, when the industry was economically strong and many jobs depended on it. Now the industry has gone bust; gas and oil prices are flat and according to the financial futures market likely to remain so for the foresee-able future. Communi-ties threatened by future drilling and communities already damaged by drill-ing and now economically abandoned by the indus-try both have reason to be receptive to strong regulation or outright bans.

If the commission could understand that tough regulations are in the joint interests of both the industry and the pub-lic, it still has time to respond to citizen com-ments and produce reg-ulations that give local government the power to site pads, to phase in the pace of drilling, to keep drill pads long distances from schools and resi-dences, and so on. Unless the commission imposes such regulations, it is going to doom the indus-try. Powerful though the commission may be, it cannot protect the oil and gas industry from an enraged public.

Ed MarstonPaonia

We all bleed redDear Editor:

With all the racial hate and controversy going on in this country, I felt this might be a good time to share some thoughts that came to me which I titled The Earthly Play:

God is the main char-acter in this play on earth and throughout the uni-verse; without the red blood shed by Jesus there would be no one freed from sin regardless of skin color. We all bleed red. No

one, and I mean no one, has a choice where, when or what color their skin will be when they are born. You are, however, given a choice to love Him (God) and share His love with all the characters in this play.

Another thought about the political race: I think it is time to trim the Bushes and let the Clin-tons go bankrupt.

Alice M. FowlerCedaredge

From the Delta Police Department:

Nov. 7:Jose B. Suazo, 41, of

Delta was issued a tick-et for alleged disobeyed a red signal light after being involved in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 92 at Stafford Lane. One driver was transported to Delta County Memo-rial Hospital by the Delta County Ambulance Dis-trict with unknown inju-ries. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.Nov. 9:

Aaron T. Grange, 27, of Delta was issued a ticket for alleged child abuse.

Lionel G. Cruz-Vil-lalobos, 33, of Montrose was arrested and jailed for alleged possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and placed on parole hold.

James R. Wich, 30, of Montrose was issued a ticket for alleged care-less driving after being involved in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 50 at Pioneer Road. One driver was transported to Delta County Memorial Hospi-tal by the Delta County Ambulance District with unknown injuries. One vehicle was towed from the scene.

Nov. 10:A 17-year-old female

of Eckert was issued a ticket for alleged failure to yield right of way from a stop sign after being involved in a two-vehicle crash at E. 3rd Street and Riley Lane. No inju-ries were reported or observed. Both vehicles were driven from the scene.Nov. 11:

Octavio Rodriguez, 24, of Delta was issued a ticket for alleged driv-ing a motor vehicle while license cancelled/denied.Nov. 12:

Richard T. Farabee, 26, of Lehi, Utah, was issued a ticket for alleged careless driving and driv-ing a motor vehicle while license suspended after being involved in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 50 at 1600 Road. Minor injuries were reported. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.Nov. 14:

Derrick L. West, 20, of Delta was issued a ticket for alleged unlawful acts and destruction of prop-erty.Nov. 15:

Nicholas P. Rios, 29, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged DUI, DUI per se, speeding (71

in a 40), careless driv-ing and prohibited use of a firearm after being involved in a one-vehicle minor crash on Highway 50 at 1550 Road.

Spencer D.L. Bach-man, 26, of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged violation of a pro-tection order.

Crystal L. Church, 32, of Delta was issued a ticket for alleged running at large prohibited.

Citations: 19 tickets for traffic violations were issued this week, 15 for speeding.

Please remember: All criminal charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is pre-sumed innocent until or unless proven guilty.

From the Delta County Sheriffs Office (partial list):

Nov. 9:A baggie containing a

suspicious substance was reported by an Orchard City business, where it had apparently been dropped accidentally. The substance field tested as methamphetamine.Nov. 12:

A disturbance was reported at a Crawford residence. A woman reportedly banged repeatedly on the door of a home on Cedar Ave-nue while shouting about money owed by the occu-pants son. Eventually she broke out a window. By the time deputies arrived she had left the premises. The son would not identify the woman and his father was not interested in filing a complaint.

A Delta area resident reported the theft of a 14-foot, two-axle utility flatbed trailer from his home on 2200 Road.Nov. 13:

A woman on Cou-gar Mountain Road, Hotchkiss, called dis-patch after a vehicle pulled into her driveway in the middle of the after-noon. The female driver got out of the vehicle and seemed confused about where she was. When deputies arrived they noted an odor of alcohol. The driver was taken into custody.Nov. 14:

A serious accident was reported at High-way 50 and G50 Road north of Delta at about 5 p.m. Brandon Marti-nez, 18, of Denver was on G50 Road attempting to make a lefthand turn onto Highway 50 when he struck a vehicle trav-eling eastbound on High-way 50 in the left pass-ing lane. That vehicle was driven by Jebidiah Delhagen, 38, of Rifle. Delhagen skidded 119 feet before colliding with the left side of Marti-nezs vehicle. The Mar-tinez vehicle rolled one time, coming to rest on its wheels in the center median. The two drivers and a 26-year-old female passenger in the Marti-nez vehicle were trans-ported to the hospital by Delta County Ambulance District. Delta firefight-ers and sheriff s deputies remained on the scene to assist the Colorado State Patrol with traffic con-trol. Martinez was cited for careless driving caus-ing injury.

Law enforcement blotter

LETTERS

DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENTDELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT (UPS 152-700) is published weekly on Wednesdays at 401 Meeker St., Delta, CO 81416. Second class postage paid at DELTA, CO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT, PO BOX 809, DELTA, CO 81416

401 Meeker St. (970) 874-4421editor@deltacountyindependent.comads@deltacountyindependent.com

Delta County Independent LOCAL NEWS Wednesday, November 18, 2015 A3

BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer

The Board of County Commissioners on Mon-day discussed a pay raise proposal for county elect-ed officials that could amount to 30 percent. But the board has not approved any increase.

The General Assembly has approved a 30 per-cent pay hike for county elected officials, and pay increases for state offi-cials as well, but other

options allow for a 10 per-cent or a 20 percent raise, county staff explained.

The commissioners want to get more infor-mation about the plans before making a final decision.

In other business at its Nov. 15 regular meet-ing:

The board approved purchase of a Caterpil-lar four-yard loader for the District 1 Road and Bridge Department at a price of $230,469. The county had budgeted $242,000 for the pur-chase.

At a budget meeting on Monday, commission-ers heard a report from staff that 2017 revenues will be cut by $500,000 due to loss of personal property tax and produc-tion tax revenues from the Bowie layoff.

Staff reported that the West Elk Mine opera-tions will not be impacted by Arch Coals reschedul-ing of its debt.

Commissioners awarded a contract to Blair and Associates for an annual audit to cost $29,500.

The county will cover increased health insurance premium costs for employees next year

equivalent to a 3 per-cent pay increase, said Robbie LeValley, county administrator. County

workers will also get a 1 percent cost of living increase across the board next year.

Commissioners ponder pay increase

BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer

Ten county employees were recognized for their

years of service to the county by the board of commissioners on Mon-day.

Receiving recognition for 10 years of service were the following:

Heather Lashmett,

child welfare caseworker for the county Health and Human Services depart-ment; Lisa Orona, an eli-gibility technician for the county Health and Human Services department; Jan Speas, county useful pub-lic service coordinator; Jaimie Thomason-Smiles, administrative assistant for child support, county Health and Human Ser-vices department; Chris Wagner, road and bridge equipment operator; Teresa Weaver, Health and Human Services eli-gibility team leader.

Recognized for 15 years of service were Rene Beck, general management assistant for child welfare, Health and Human Services; Leo Beltran, lead custodian; Stephanie Graham, cook for the detention facility; and Ron Pearce, road and bridge equipment opera-tor.

County workers earn recognition

Photo by Hank LohmeyerCounty employees receiving service recognition from the commissioners on Monday are, front from left, Jan Speas, Rene Beck, Teresa Weaver, Lisa Orona and Heather Lashmett. Employees receiving recognition but not pictured were Jaimie Thomason-Smiles, Chris Wagner, Leo Beltran, Stephanie Graham and Ron Pearce. Pictured in the back row above are commissioners Doug Atchley, Bruce Hovde and Mark Roeber.

Scattered outages began affecting members of Delta-Montrose Elec-tric Association (DMEA) as winter weather rolled through the co-ops ser-vice territory late Mon-day night and early Tuesday morning. The weather system dumped heavy, wet snow onto

trees, many of which had not yet lost their leaves, snapping tree limbs which fell into DMEAs power lines. Power was restored to the majority of affected members by 10 a.m. Tuesday.

DMEA reminds mem-bers to report trees caught in power lines, downed power lines, and outages by calling 1-877-687-3632. It is important to remember, email and social media are not reli-able for reporting out-ages, as they are not con-tinuously monitored.

In Orchard City, Eckert and Cedaredge, approximately 1,295 members were affected by the outage.

Approximately 572 members in and around Crawford experienced a power outage beginning at 6:12 a.m. and ending at 8:30 a.m.

In Hotchkiss, a num-ber of trees leaned over onto power poles from the weight of the snow, and three caught on fire. The trees were smoul-dering and eventually went out on their own, although the Hotchkiss Fire District had crews on the scene at 3rd and Orchard early Monday.

A real-time outage map is available online at http://www.dmea.com/content/outage-informa tion. DMEA also works to regularly update our Facebook page www.face book.com/DeltaMontose ElectricAssociation< http://www.facebook.com /DeltaMontroseElectric Association> during large or prolonged out-ages.

Weather causes power outages

Jahaniinconsistent with the usual course of medi-cal practice. Specifical-ly, patient history was scant, physical exams were rarely conducted, and there was a lack of individualized treatment planning. Instead, treat-ment typically involved the prescribing of a fixed set of controlled drugs, including oxycodone, hydrocodone or fentanyl. The DEAs medical expert used the word relent-less to describe the doc-tors escalating rate of prescribing controlled drugs. Analysis of patient records revealed three patients, while suffering legitimate health issues,

ultimately died of poly drug overdose.

Financial records revealed Dr. Jahanis debts outpaced his income each year. To cover the cost of clinic operations, build a home in Montrose and purchase multiple vehicles, Dr. Jahani billed Medicare, Medicaid and Rocky Mountain Health Plans for office visits associated with the act of prescribing the narcotics. The DEA expert deter-mined there was no legiti-mate medical purpose or medical need in many of the patient files he ana-lyzed.

Dr. Peper entered a guilty plea in July. He will be sentenced Feb. 24.

FROM PAGE A1

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

State-level results are back from the first administration of Colora-dos new tests in English language arts and math. The tests were admin-istered last spring, and were submitted electroni-cally with the intention of providing schools and parents with timely feed-back. But in the first year of implementation, school-and district-level results wont be released to the public until Decem-ber.

From what I gather from recent training, next years tests wont be available the first of June either, said Kurt Clay, assistant superintendent of Delta County Joint School District #50.

Given to public school students in grades three through high school in spring 2015, the tests were the first statewide measure of the more rig-

orous Colorado Academic Standards, which were fully implemented in all schools in the 2013-14 school year. The Colora-do Academic Standards set rigorous, grade-level expectations in 10 content areas, and they include the Common Core State Standards for English language arts and math.

Test scores to be released in December

Email ads to: ads@deltacountyindependent.com

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A4 Wednesday, November 18, 2015 ACCENT Delta County Independent

More than 8,500 Al-Anon members recently took part in a member-ship survey to share how participation in Al-Anon meetings has improved the quality of their lives. As part of the survey, respondents were given the opportunity to pro-vide comments about the benefits they have expe-rienced as a member of Al-Anon. Of the 5,875 comments received, over-whelmingly, Al-Anon saved my life was most frequently cited.

Al-Anon saved my life and the lives of oth-ers around me, said an anonymous respondent in the survey. They contin-ued, I was so angry with my alcoholic that I actu-ally thought of killing him and myself. Out of desperation I went to an Al-Anon meeting, and in that meeting I met people who were laughing and seemed to be at peace, even though they had

lived with or were living with an active drinker. I wanted that peace, too. So I kept going back.

Another anonymous respondent said, I no longer recognize the depressed, anxious and fearful man who first came into Al-Anon. My outlook in almost every area in my life has changed for the good. I believe Al-Anon saved my life.

Respondents in the survey also answered questions about how their health has improved after attending Al-Anon meet-ings. Across the board, in all areas of health cov-ered in the survey, includ-ing mental, physical and emotional health, partici-pants reported improved well-being.

More than one in three Americans report they have experienced alcohol-related family trouble, according to a Gallup poll conducted in July 2014.

Al-Anon Family

Groups are for families and friends who have been affected by a loved ones drinking. Nearly 16,000 local groups meet throughout the U.S., Can-ada, Bermuda and Puerto Rico every week. Al-Anon Family Groups meet in more than 130 countries, and Al-Anon literature is available in more than 40 languages. Al-Anon Fami-ly Groups have been offer-ing strength and support to families and friends of problem drinkers since

1951. Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. acts as the clearinghouse worldwide for inquiries from those who need help or want information about Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen, its program for teenage members.

For more informa-tion about Al-Anon Fam-ily Groups, go to al-anon.org.

Find a local meeting by calling Elizabeth at 874-9832 or toll-free 1-888-4AL-ANON.

Family, friends find strength with Al-Anon

Join HopeWest and become a part of a heart-felt ceremony dedicated to remembering those who have touched our lives. Light up a Life will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 5:30 p.m. at Heir-looms for Hospice, 521 Main Street in Delta.

This beautiful cere-mony honors loved ones and celebrates the hope that HopeWest brings to patients and families.

The evening will feature holiday music, remem-brance of loved ones, an inspiring holiday mes-sage and refreshments.

Celebrate the lives of friends and family with the purchase of a person-alized pewter heart orna-ment, luminary, greeting card or make a donation in honor of a loved one. Find out more about these options by visiting www.HopeWestCO.org.

Celebrate those you love this holiday season

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Photo by Pat Sunderland

Leaving their markThe Delta Police Department and VFW Post #9221 joined forces to n-gerprint kindergartners at Lincoln and Garnet Mesa elementary schools. The ngerprints were placed in an ID kit that was sent home for parents to add photos and a physical description of the child. Parents retain the ID kits and share them with law enforcement only in case of emergency. Above, Charles Kettle, interim police chief, and Commander Jesse Cox gently take impressions from Namiyah Huff and Sophia Siennicki; below, VFW volunteers wipe the ink from students hands.

Shoeboxcollectionweek runsthroughNov. 23

Calvary Baptist Church, 1290 A Street, Delta, is a collection site for Operation Christmas Child.

A shoebox, or similar-sized box, is filled with gifts for a boy or girl. Toys, stuffed animals, hygiene items and school supplies are all suitable for packing a box. Some people include a personal note or photo, plus $7 for shipping costs.

The boxes are collected in a central location for distribution by Samari-tans Purse to children throughout the world.

Samaritans Purse is a nondenominational evan-gelical Christian organi-zation providing spiritual and physical aid to people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disas-ters, disease and famine, with the purpose of shar-ing Gods love.

A small shoebox can have a big impact. What goes into the box is fun, but what comes out of it is eternal. Learn more about the power of Oper-ation Christmas Child at www.samaritanspurse. org.

The senior center meal sites at Delta, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss and Paonia will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

No meals will be served by Senior CommUnity Meals, there will be no Meals On Wheels deliver-ies, and the Delta Senior Centers Thrift Store will also be closed.

The Hotchkiss Senior Center will be open on Thursday, Nov. 26, for a community Thanksgiv-ing dinner, but it is not organized by the seniors there.

Senior meal sites close for holidays

Dance thenight awayNov. 21

Come dance the night away at the next com-munity evening dance Saturday, Nov. 21, at Bill Heddles Recreation Cen-ter. Chuck Gregory will provide the music for this fun event, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Bring a friend and a snack to share. Coffee and lemon-ade will be provided. The cost is $5 at the door. For more information, call 874-0923.

Delta United Meth-odist Church is hosting two special Advent Bible studies. On Wednesdays, beginning Nov. 25, Pas-tor Carol Rhan will lead participants through The Journey. In a five-week study, these jour-neys will capture the stories of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, and the road from Bethlehem to Naza-reth to today. There are two opportunities, from

1:30-2:30 or 5:30-6:30.Karl Gaiser will lead a

small group study on the book, Jesus Apprentice - Doing What Jesus Did. Combining four sessions into the study will be on Saturdays, Dec. 5 and 12, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Both are free but a free will offering would be appreciated. Please call the church office for more information 874-9501.

Two Advent studies planned at Delta UMC

Show your Colorado pride in style by light-ing up an entry for the Delta Parade of Lights. This years theme is A Colorado Christmas.

Applications are avail-able from the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce at 301 Main Street, Delta,

or on the chambers web-site. There is no entry fee for participants, thanks to the sponsorship of Senior CommUnity Care.

The parade will be held on Main Street Friday, Dec. 4, starting at 6 p.m. Contact the chamber at 874-8616 for details.

Celebrate A Colorado Christmas in Delta

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Delta County Independent SCHOOL Wednesday, November 18, 2015 A5

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Five members of a health occupations orga-nization from Delta High School attended a fall leadership conference in Denver last weekend. They sat in on sessions to develop leadership skills, explored competitive

events, learned about professionalism and dis-cussed fundraising oppor-tunities for the national HOSA charity, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They also cheered on the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.

Health Occupation Students of America, or

HOSA, is in its second year at DHS. Its struc-tured much like Future Farmers of America or Future Business Lead-ers of America, but its geared toward students who are interested in any type of medical career.

Julie Boyd and Robin Liston sponsored the club

in its initial year. Ben Magtutu, a physics teach-er at DHS, is now co-advisor with Boyd. Boyd teaches college anatomy at DHS, as well as science at the Delta Opportuni-ty School and an online health course at Delta-Montrose Technical Col-lege.

Boyd said HOSA gives students an opportunity to explore a variety of career opportunities, from nurs-ing to pharmacy to veteri-nary medicine. Along the way, they participate in leadership, public speak-ing and teamwork build-ing activities. They learn skills expected by those working in the medical field, such as CPR, first aid, hygiene and the prop-er transfer of patients.

Medical math, ter-minology, spelling and cultural issues are addressed. As individuals or members of a team, they prepare for a con-stantly expanding series of health care-related competitive events. Com-petition is held in Colora-do Springs in the spring.

The future health professionals also per-form community service, conduct fundraisers and have time for fun and socialization during the twice-monthly meetings.

Their course load typi-cally includes classes that will prepare them for careers in health care, such as college anatomy and college biology.

The need for com-

petent, compassionate health care providers is expected to continue to grow, Boyd said. HOSA provides students an opportunity to learn about career opportunities they may not have considered, while moving DHS toward graduation guidelines that expect students, by the year 2021, to demon-strate postsecondary and workforce readiness.

Delta High School students explore health careers

Photo submittedShanaya Deuschle, Haylee Curry, Jaspe Arias, Joyclie Webb and Missa Webb represented Delta High School at a HOSA leadership conference in Denver.

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Veterans were honored at an assembly hosted by Delta Middle School on Nov. 11. Honored military included Randy Charles-worth, U.S. Air Force; Jerry Harding, a com-bined 26 years with the Marines and Army; Mike Stahly, a 20-year Army veteran; Louis Webb, U.S. Air Force; Noah McCul-ley, U.S. Air Force; Pat-rick Wear, U.S. Army; and David Rowland, 22 years, U.S. Air Force.

Guest speaker Tom Jones, a lieutenant with

the Civil Air Patrol cadet program, was the guest speaker. Three members of his squadron Senior Airman Jonathon Lyons of Palisade, Cadet Air-man Jayd Gardner of Clifton and Master Sgt. Jack Jones of Delta (a DMS student) comprised the color guard.

Lt. Jones talked about three military organiza-tions that are rarely recog-nized WASPS (Women Air Force Service Pilots), Merchant Marines and the Civil Air Patrol.

Two DMS students read their entries in the VFW Patriots Pen essay contest. The winners will be announced in Decem-ber. James Goff and Jez-zie Couch addressed the theme, What Freedom Means to Me.

Goff s essay embraced the right to bear arms; Couch said thinking free-ly is a vital part of what she considers freedom. The freedom to own a firearm and the ability to practice her religion are also two of the greatest freedoms one can have.

The assembly was also attended by the BELA preschoolers; their class-rooms are adjacent to the gym where the event took place.

DMS celebrates Veterans Day

Closed on Thanksgiving!

A place where you can bee yourself

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Photos submitted

Terric KidsThe following Garnet Mesa students earned a Terric Kid Award from the Kiwanis Club of Delta for their efforts to be a responsible citizen and student. Pictured above are kindergarten and rst grade students (front) Hailey Wachowicz, Cali Duran, Bailee Hernandez, Sophia Siennicki; (back) Sarah King, Paola Solis Martinez, Lilyanna Borgerding, Liam McFarland. Below are second and third graders Tyson Hughes, Hunter Proctor, Alyssa Rule, Merissa Floyd, Abby Campas, Leilani Rundle, Teddy LIng and Kiva Hartung.

Lt. Tom Jones

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Color Guard

Speech isoff to astrong start

The Delta High School speech and debate team did extremely well in Paonia on Nov. 7. Senior Rodolfo Contreras and freshman Claire Corbas-son took first place in duo interpretation. Fresh-man Elena Melgoza and sophomore Audrey Mayes took fourth place in duo interpretation. Junior Sheali King took third and junior Hannah Bran-son took fourth in humor interpretation. Sopho-more Allison Castrejon took third and sophomore Maddy Tracey took fourth in original oratory. Soph-omores Logan Freed and Jaspar Carmichael took fourth in public forum debate. Juniors Hannah Owens and Lydia Stal-cup and seniors Cidney Fisk and Anthony Streich served as presiding offi-cers in the congressional houses. Cidney Fisk was also named outstanding speaker in her house.

THIS PAGE IS COLOR

A6 Wednesday, November 18, 2015 LOCAL NEWS Delta County Independent

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

At the Delta County Museum, a World War II exhibit showcases activi-ties on the home front to support the war effort. Theres also a memo-rial for William Billy Bellmire, the Delta pilot who was killed in a train-ing exercise at Deland Naval Air Station in Florida. Fragments of his aircraft and some person-al effects were recently recovered and passed along to museum direc-tor Jim Wetzel, along with a shadow box Wet-zel presented to two of Bellmires distant cousins, Frank Pace and Susanne Bellmire Schultz. Includ-ed in the shadow box are a parachute buckle/cord, a belt buckle and gold chain.

Ensign Bellmire is buried in the Delta City Cemetery next to his par-ents, Clarence and Shir-ley (Roady) Bellmire. He was 25, an only child and unmarried at the time of his death, Feb. 1, 1944. Additional artifacts are displayed at the Deland Naval Air Station Muse-um, an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization dedicated to commemorat-ing the men and women who have served in Amer-icas armed conflicts. The museum occupies the bases former master-at-arms quarters and is a historic landmark.

Fallen airman remembered

BY MATT SOPER Delta County Historical Society

Bill Rea, a medic, landed with his platoon at Easy Red on Omaha Beach on D-Day plus-one.

Rea, a retired teacher and former Orchard City trustee, was drafted into the Army at age 19.

As the LST (landing ship tank) approached the beach, Nazi hedge-hogs and mines in the water meant that Rea

and others had to jump, shoulder-deep, into the icy Atlantic water and wade ashore. Rea said he distinctively remem-bered a dead soldier with a flame-thrower lying on the sand, his pack shot open and photographs of his family lying beside him.

A German tank broke the American lines and fired rounds past them, hitting a boat and debris behind them in the water. The sound was like a handful of gravel hitting a tin roof.

The first night in France Rea spent in a fox hole with .50 cal tracer rounds buzzing just feet above him and anti-air-craft shooting at bombers overhead. Rea said the fear was not always bul-lets, but shrapnel falling from the sky.

As the Americans pushed further inland, the medics followed, establishing a camp in an apple orchard. On one occasion Rea watched a pilot eject from a P-49 and his chute opened only a few feet above the ground. At the same time, the bomb from the plane landed less than 30 feet from where Rea had been observing the incident.

Due to the planes low altitude, the bomb didnt explode.

As a medic, Rea said, venereal diseases were the most commonly treat-ed. After liberating Paris, treating syphilis and gon-orrhea became the main objective of the non-front line medical.

On one occasion some of the soldiers thought cans labelled poison were really alcohol. So they mixed it with grape-fruit juice and within an hour 10 soldiers were dead and 75 were en route to the hospital after having consumed muri-atic acid, a chemical used for cleaning typewriters, Rea recalled.

A victory ship trans-ported Rea and a couple thousand of his fellow soldiers back to the U.S. in 1945. As the ship came into Boston harbor, Rea said hed never forget a tugboat coming by with a Christmas tree lit up, White Christmas play-ing from the intercom, and a giant sign that read: Welcome home a job well done!

Rea said his only regret was not being able to spend more time on the front lines treating the real heroes, the ones taking bullets for their nation. After the war, Rea used the GI Bill to go to college and become an educator with a spe-cialization in teaching reading, later serving on the Orchard City Board of Trustees.

This is the third in a series of firsthand accounts from Delta Coun-ty residents who served as soldiers in World War II, supported the troops on the home front and feel the costs of war today. The series coincides with a special exhibit which can be seen at the Delta Museum.

Remembering World War II

A medics perspective

Bill Rea

Photo by Pat SunderlandMore than 300 pieces from a downed World War II Navy aircraft were discov-ered on private property in Osteen, Fla., and later associated with a pilot from Delta County. Some of those artifacts are displayed in the Delta Museum; additional pieces were collected in a shadow box and presented to two of Bellmires family members, Frank Pace and Susanne Bellmire Schultz, by museum director Jim Wetzel.

Delta County Historical Society photoMedics help a wounded soldier during the Battle of Normandy in 1944.

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Delta County Independent ACTIVITIES Wednesday, November 18, 2015 A7

Alan Stands Alone Bryant, of Tsalagi (Cher-okee) descent, will pres-ent a program concerning Cherokee Families and Ceremonies at the Delta Public Library, 211 West Sixth Street, on Satur-day, Nov. 21, starting at 1:30 p.m.

Bryant has been an improvisational actor at the Renaissance festivals for 15 years and involved in major films such as True Grit, Jonah Hex and Mandrake. Also, he has modeled for book covers.

As a speaker, Bryant has lectured on Native

American history at museums, libraries and Scout meetings, as well as performed on stage with the well-known native musical group, Brule. Recently he pre-

sented a similar program at the Paonia Library with a standing-room-only audience. Families with children are encour-aged to attend, as he is well-received by young people.

Stands Alone is to be presented by the Native American Cultural Pro-grams - Delta County Affiliate in celebration of Native American Heri-tage Month. The year-old organization has part-nered with Delta County Libraries on a number of educational presenta-tions.

Program celebrates Native American Heritage Month

Alan Bryant

Music,laughterare on tap

A Colorado Adven-ture or Camping Sweet Adeline Style is sure to make you laugh this Saturday at the Delta Christian Church.

The Del-Rose Cho-rus has put together a great mix of old and new songs. Some songs have been pulled out of the archives to help promote the beauty of Colorado; others are longtime favorites with the chorus and the audience. As in many years past, the Black Canyon Chorus will participate in the show, along with DeJaVu, a guest quartet from the Denver area that has entertained audiences since 2005.

Bring a friend and enjoy an afternoon of great music Saturday at 3 p.m. An afterglow follows the show with more entertainment, soup and sandwiches.

Tickets to both events can be pur-chased at Heirlooms for Hospice in Delta and Montrose, the Delta Chamber of Com-merce, and the Gazebo Florist in Cedaredge.

For more informa-tion, call 256-9763.

Quality is the hall-mark of the many items offered at the upcoming show and sale by the San Juan Weavers Guild. The public is cordially invited to the 38th annual event Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Holi-day Inn Express, 1391 S. Townsend Avenue in Montrose (next to Safe-way). Admission is free, and shopping temptations will be abundant!

Montrose-area resi-dents have come to con-sider the weavers show as a tradition for holi-day shopping, with hand-crafted yarns and textiles not available elsewhere in the region. Household items such as towels, run-ners, placemats and rugs will be available in a vast assortment of colors and patterns. Scarves and fiber jewelry are wonder-ful accessories for person-al use, and handwoven clothing such as vests and shawls are also offered.

Even your cat will appreciate your shopping; pet toys are traditional-ly included in the sale! Handwoven dolls for chil-dren, holiday ornaments and dcor, and baskets

made by guild members are popular. Fiber for spinning and felting, and beautiful handspun yarn will be featured. Woven and felted bags will make wonderful gifts for family, friends or yourself.

As in the two previous years, the guild will sell beautiful baskets made by members of an African crafts cooperative. The San Juan Guild sponsors the efforts of the Ngurunit Basket Weavers from Kenya by paying for their membership in Weave a Real Peace, an interna-tional organization that helps revive traditional weaving techniques and provides fair-trade mar-keting opportunities and income to women in many communities around the world. Profits from the basket sales in Montrose help support the families of the women who craft the baskets.

Education is a big part of the show and sale, and children and adults are encouraged to try spin-ning and weaving, under the guidance of guild members. Materials and instruction are free, and the equipment is pro-

vided. In addition, there will be ongoing demon-strations of various fiber arts throughout the day. Discover the pleasure and satisfaction of creating your own yarn and fabric. These skills are easy to learn, and they are not lost arts!

Every year, the guild exhibits the results of cre-ative challenge projects, and this year there will be two special displays. Some members took on a challenge called weavers poker, where they were assigned four topics at random to use as inspira-tion for a finished piece: colors, patterns, tech-niques, and geographic landmarks were among the assignments, and options for nonweavers were included.

For a separate project, members were challenged to use thrums leftover bits of yarn as a sig-nificant part of a finished piece, and the spectacular results will be on display.

The San Juan Weav-

ers Guild is celebrating its 38th year in 2015 and currently has more than 50 members from the Montrose and Delta areas and beyond, includ-ing Grand Junction, Paonia and Telluride. The guild normally meets in Montrose the third Sat-urday of the month dur-ing the school year. (The sale replaces the Novem-ber meeting, and a holi-day potluck is scheduled earlier in December.) An informal spinners gather-ing and potluck lunch is held monthly year-round in Delta.

The guild welcomes anyone interested in the fiber arts, at any level of experience. Many monthly meetings fea-ture special programs and sharing sessions, and workshops offer new learning experiences. Educational outreach is included at some public events. For information, contact Bobbie Irwin, 249-2981 or irwin@rmi.net.

San Juan Weavers Guild celebrates38 years of quality workmanship

Photo submittedDeanna Grider, left, and Linda Brown, right, weave during a workshop sponsored by the San Juan Weavers Guild.

Ever want to make your own Christmas cards? Then Delta United Methodist Church has something for you. On Saturday, Dec. 5, 1:30-3:30, the community is invited to come and make three to four handmade cards to share with your

friends and family. There is no charge but attendees need to bring their own glue or adhesives and col-ored pencils if they have them. Call to reserve your spot by Friday, Dec. 4.

For more information, call the church at 874-9501.

Make your own Christmas cards

The Western Slope Concert Series will pres-ent two concerts with con-ductor Alejandro Gomez-Guillen and a 19-piece chamber ensemble on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the recital hall at Colorado Mesa Uni-versity, and on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion. Tick-ets are available online at www.JunctionConcerts.com, and at Roper Music in Grand Junction and the Montrose Pavilion. All seats are reserved, and start at $9 in advance

and $12 at the door for adults.

Gifted young conduc-tor Alejandro Gomez-Guillen will lead a 19-piece chamber ensemble of leading musicians in fascinating music for strings and wind, includ-ing Coplands famous Appalachian Spring in the original chamber ver-sion, John Adams bril-liant and driving Son of Chamber Symphony, and Schoenbergs late-roman-tic masterpiece, Cham-ber Symphony #1.

Call 241-4579 for more

information, or buy tickets online at www.Junction Concerts.com.

Concert series showcases large chamber ensemble

Gomez-Guillen

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A8 Wednesday, November 18, 2015 BUSINESS Delta County Independent

Residential & CommercialInteriors & Exteriors

New ConstructionCustom Matches

RemodelsEntry Doors

Garage FloorsLog Home Protection

Stains, Polys & EpoxysLicensed & Insured

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Products

Liquor Tasting Events

Crossroads Senior Living was established in 2000 with one building and 32 rooms. A few years later, the building was expanded to incorporate 17 additional rooms. In 2006, 16 independent living cottages were built, followed by 10 more. In 2014, the kitchen and dining room were expanded and ground was broken on a memory care facility.

Each step in the growth of Crossroads Senior Living has been geared to serve residents who dont need a nursing home or skilled care, but would benet from some protective oversight.

In addition to independent living, assisted living and memory care, Crossroads provides adult day care during the day and respite stays for those needing a short-term stay.

Independent living consists of two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottages, each with a one-car garage. These residents receive assistance with chores and maintenance, freeing them to focus on themselves and the things they enjoy doing.

Assisted living residents also receive assistance with chores and maintenance, as well as help with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing and medication management. The assisted living residents occupy their own apartments, with help just steps away when needed.

Our community preserves the rural culture so important to our residents,

yet provides the comprehensive assistance desired, said facility director Diane Obermeyer. We focus on wellness and keeping residents as independent as possible by providing a tailored plan of assistance.

Memory care is still assisted living, but it specializes in dementia care in a secured building. There is a lot more one-on-one care in memory care than you would nd in your standard assisted living.

We strive to assist our residents while keeping them as independent as possible.

Obermeyer has been with Crossroads since its opening in 2000.

She is proud of the warm and welcome community, where residents and staff feel like family.

Crossroads is owned by Maranatha Volunteers International, which builds churches, school campuses, hospitals and day care centers in communities all over the U.S. and the world.

Crossroads is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Visitors are always welcome, and tours are available for those who would like to learn more about the wonderful options at Crossroads Senior Living. Learn more by calling 874-1421 or visiting www.crossroads alc.org.

Know Your Neighbor

Crossroads expands to meet the growing need for assisted living facilities, services

The memory care building was completed this fall. Every detail is geared toward those with dementia, from the layout of the building, to meals, activities and care. Families can be assured their loved ones will receive the best of care.

Photo by Pat SunderlandCynthias is a family venture for Deon and Anine Appelgryn and their two daughters, Corrini and Amor, who plays the piano Friday and Saturday nights. The Appelgryns also have two grown sons living in Texas.

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Great food ... good friends ... unforgettable memories. Thats the vision that forms the basis for Cynthias, the restau-rant operated by Deon and Anine Appelgryn. The large cedar-clad restau-rant on Highway 92 has had several names over the years, and was even closed for a short time before the Appelgryns found the location theyd been searching for. They were living in Dallas, Texas, ready for a break from the corporate world, when they decided to go into the restaurant busi-ness. A year-long search brought them to western Colorado, where they were told Delta needed a decent restaurant.

Since then, theyve been trying to identify what makes a decent restaurant in the eyes of Delta residents. Theyre still learning, but believe theyve got the right foun-dation a menu featur-ing steaks and seafood, food thats consistently well prepared, and a staff that has the ability and passion to provide a

memorable dining expe-rience.

It all starts the min-ute our customers enter the front door, said Lisa Stanley, the front of the house manager. The dcor, the music, the food all combine to create an ambience that fulfills a vision the Appelgryns have had in the back of their minds since they were newly married and still living in South Afri-ca. On their first anniver-sary, they had an amaz-ing night out at a res-taurant called Cynthias. That evening set the bar by which they measure all other restaurants, and its why they named their own venture Cynthias.

Although they most recently lived in Dallas, the Appelgryns grew up in a small agricultural town similar to Delta. Theyve worked through the bumps in the road typical of a new business venture and are now hosting special events in the banquet room. The next step is to get more connected to the com-munity. They recognize theyre outsiders, and so rely heavily on input from

their customers. We lis-ten to what people have to say and we adapt, said Deon, who makes it a point to seek feedback, both good and bad, from restaurant patrons.

The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Monday-Friday and at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Steak, ribs and prime rib (available Friday and Saturday nights only) are customer favorites. Seafood entrees include fish and chips, shrimp scampi, salmon and scal-lops. Or choose one of the restaurant specialties bow tie chicken, chicken fried chicken and chicken fried steak.

The menu also includes appetizers, salads and sandwiches. The Philly cheese steak is a popu-lar lunch choice. Daily specials have included a Guinness stew and chick-en pot pie.

All menu items are available in the pub, where patrons gather to watch sports or enjoy ladies night out.

Check out the full menu at www.cynthias.restaurant. Reservations can be made online or by calling 874-7688.

Cynthias dishes up a memorable dining experience

BY LEAH MORRIS Delta County Libraries

Clearly, Lea Hart knows libraries. Her resume reflects years of interesting library jobs and incredible experi-ence, from working in the special library of the mining company, AMAX Extractive Research and Development, Inc., to serving as a librarian for the organization that built the Hubble space satellite, Ball Aerospace in Boulder. She received her masters degree in library science from Emporia State Universi-ty in 1993 while raising a family and working. She has run printing press-es and provided public library programming for all ages from babies to college students.Her name can even be trans-lated to the verb read in Spanish, although she pronounces it Lee.

In the past six years, Hart has worked for the Delta County Libraries, and her experience here is also varied, as she has spent time in every library in the district. I started as a Delta volun-teer, then became a sub-stitute. I was willing to do what I needed to get my foot in the door, she explains.

Soon after becoming a

substitute in 2009, Hart started to travel around the county to provide story times in each library. She then spent three months substituting in the cata-loging department in Hotchkiss, covering for a staff member on mater-nity leave. Hart eventu-ally moved into an open position managing the Delta Library, then took on Cedaredge as well, becoming the regional manager for the Delta and Surface Creek areas.

Such broad knowledge and willingness to help out where she is most needed has served Hart well, as has her unwav-ering commitment to the public. She explains, My focus in libraries has always been empower-ing people, whether it is staff, patrons, or other

team members. Being the regional manager gave me the ability to do that. I felt like I was making a difference.

Recent events have placed Hart into the posi-tion of interim district director for the Delta County Libraries. She is working with staff and the board of trustees to ensure that the needs of all library employees are met and that the district continues to offer the high levels of quality pro-gramming and services that patrons have come to expect.

Outwardly calm and easygoing, Hart makes light of her experience and drive, saying, What can I say? Im a worker bee!

Visits to Harts various offices around the library district reflect her peace-able demeanor. Cute kitten calendars adorn walls otherwise holding key district information. However, in much the same way as the calen-dars casually conceal vital district documents, Harts affinity for soft, helpless creatures belies a woman with a powerful work ethic, a keen sense of right and wrong, and an intense compassion for her staff and her com-munity.

Meet Lea Hart, interim Delta County Libraries director

Lea Hart

10-year employeesLynda Brew, Paula Carter and Jennifer Phillips were recently recognized for 10 years of service at Delta County Memorial Hospital.

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BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

Walter Elias Disney said that Our greatest natural resource is in the minds of our children.

Maybe that was the think-ing a few years back when members of the Hotchkiss town council and Hotchkiss High School student govern-ment began holding joint meetings on a semi-annual basis. In what has become an annual tradition, the two enti-ties shared responsibilities last Thursday at the regularly

scheduled council meeting. Student Council spon-

sor Matt Cavanaugh said seniors are studying a unit on the structures of govern-ment. This week begins the local governments part of the unit. Sitting in on the meet-ing provides an introduction of sorts on what they will be discussing in the coming days, said Cavanaugh, and gives students a reference point and practical experience for their student council duties at school. The meeting allows them to witness how decisions

are made at the town level. They get to see how exciting local government can be, said Cavanaugh.

Student body president Sophia Schelle co-chaired the meeting and was joined at the front table by senior class president Andrew Oviedo, junior class treasurer Roggen Frick, sophomore class presi-dent Nolan Egging and fresh-man class president Bruce Turnbull. About 20 mem-bers of the senior class also attended the meeting. Atten-dance wasnt mandatory, said

Cavanaugh, but students do receive extra credit.

The tradition of having stu-dents join council began about four years ago, said Mayor Wendell Koontz. Its a way to get kids interested in town government, and vice versa.

Among the agenda items was an application for a water tap on property located near Back River Road northeast of town. The access line doesnt provide a lot of volume, which can affect service, said public works director Mike Owens. Applicants Tom Curry and

Mike Pitt said they under-stand that because of the low volume, they may find them-selves without water on occa-sion. The only fix, which is not in the immediate plans due to limited growth, is to install a bigger water main, said Owens. Following dis-cussion, trustee Thomas Wills made a motion to approve the request with the provision that purchasers acknowledge awareness of the possible lim-itations of the tap, and that the conditions be disclosed on documents related to the property to avoid problems with future buyers. Lets not get in the habit of doing such a stand-alone, suggested town attorney Bo Nerlin.

Owens and town engi-neer Joann Fagan provided an update on the wastewa-ter rehabilitation project. Owens showed photographs of the 9-foot-deep trenches where sewer pipes are being replaced, and explained how steel supports prevent the sides from caving in on pipes and workers. With much of

Trustees, students share seat at the table

www.deltacountyindependent.comTIMESNORTHF O R K

November 18, 2015

BSection

BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

It was fitting that the Hotchkiss Community Cham-ber of Commerce held its Nov. 11 annual meeting at Memo-rial Hall. The nonprofit was named the chambers Non-profit of the Year.

The building is used by the community about 450 times per year, according to board member Sue Whit-tlesey. Board member Paul Schmucker gave a brief his-tory, from the pouring of the foundation in 1949 to the present. Schmucker read a long list of names involved in its inception, which he said was by no means a com-plete list. The $1,400 for the community rooms Michigan maple floor was donated by Ola Taylor. Youre walking on it, said Schmucker. Its still here.

Thanks to community gen-

erosity, the property has seen numerous upgrades in recent years, including installation of new energy-saving windows made possible by a $25,000 donation from Oxbow Mine.

Schmucker takes personal pride in the building. I just feel at home in here because I feel like Im walking around with the guys who put it together. A few of them and their descendents are still around, added Schmucker. He considers the building one of the best in Hotchkiss in terms of construction, and said its as good as when it was built. And were going to keep it around as long as we can.

Business of the Year typi-cally goes to a business thats had a really good year, said chamber president Nathan Sponseller, but this years award honors TDS Telecom for its sustained commitment to the community.

I kind of feel like this is a TDS Telecom/Bill Long award, said Sponseller. Long, TDS field services manager for Colorado, Arizona and Winterhaven, Calif., is also chamber vice president. Spon-seller said Long works for the betterment of both TDS and the chamber. Bill has really given a lot of time to the chamber, and TDS has pro-vided a lot of good service to the community on an on-going basis, said Sponseller. As an example, he said, the welcome sign at the south entrance to town was blown down last spring. Long took the initia-tive to have it replaced.

Gates Shaklee was named Citizen of the Year. The Hotchkiss High School gradu-ate and deputy marshal for the Town of Hotchkiss origi-nally showed interest in edu-cation, said Carrie Yantzer, Hotchkiss K-8 principal and chamber board member, in presenting the award. Shak-lee is a volunteer sports coach at HK-8 and his alma mater. He does that on his own time and gives of his heart, said Yantzer. So many kids tell me how much they trust and value Deputy Shaklee. Just to have that, in this day and age, is really incredible.

At the monthly town coun-cil meeting, Marshal Dan Miller praised Shaklee for his involvement in the commu-nity.

Shaklee said when he and wife Anna, who was also his high school sweetheart, were preparing to graduate from Adams State in Alamosa, they decided to return to Hotchkiss. We wouldnt change it for the world, said Shaklee. This is our home, this is our commu-

nity, and its a pleasure being back here.

In the annual report on the chamber, Sponseller said the organization had a success-ful year, increasing member-ship 14 percent to 108 mem-bers. Sponseller gave credit to chamber board members. I think Ive got the best board I could ever hope for, said Sponseller. They really work well together.

Among the 2015 highlights, Ride the Rockies brought 3,500 cyclists and support crew to town. While the chamber about broke even on the event, said Sponseller, it brought good exposure to the town and the valley. And we like to believe they left a lot of money in the process.

The Colorado Grand clas-sic car rally donated $7,500 to the chamber, as well as a $7,500 scholarship that will be awarded to a Hotchkiss senior this coming spring. If for nothing else, its worth put-ting on just for that scholar-ship, said Sponseller. Were very proud to work with the Colorado Grand.

Looking to 2016, Spon-seller said there will be no shortage of activities. The board is partnering with Delta County and others to consider improvements at the Delta County Fairgrounds in Hotchkiss. The Hotchkiss Downtown Improvement Committee has also made great strides with beautifica-tion and other projects.

Chamber applauds community leaders

Photo by Tamie MeckGates Shaklee gives a thumbs-up for being called a cheese-head by chamber board member Carrie Yantzer during the annual meeting of the Hotchkiss Community Chamber of Commerce last Thursday at Memorial Hall. Shaklee, a deputy for the Town of Hotchkiss and volunteer sports coach, was named 2015 Citizen of the Year by the chamber.

Photo by Tamie Meck

TDS Telecom employees Bill Long, center, and Ray Vasquez accept the Hotchkiss Community Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award for many years of exceptional service to Hotchkiss and the North Fork Valley, from cham-ber president Nathan Sponseller.

Photo by Tamie Meck

All in a days workMichael Brown clears snow from the sidewalk in front of Hightower Cafe Monday morn-ing. Brown, an employee at Hightower, said shoveling snow isnt in his job description, but he doesnt mind the task because he likes his job. Paonia received about an inch of snow by the time businesses opened Monday morning.

Photo by Tamie MeckIn what has become a tradition, Hotchkiss trustees and Hotchkiss High School seniors and student council members held a joint meeting last Thursday. Next April the students will host a council meeting at the high school.

BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

After considering public comments regarding proposed hefty increases in water rates at a Nov. 5 special meeting on water, sewer and trash ordi-nances, the Town of Paonia announced at a Nov. 10 spe-cial meeting that the proposed change to the water ordinance will now reflect a $6 across-the-board rate increase. While the Nov. 5 meeting attract-ed about 70 citizens, most of whom represented out-of-town users and some of the 32 private water companies serviced by the town, a half dozen attended the Nov. 10 meeting, which preceded the regularly scheduled meeting of the board of trustees.

A proposed $100 admin-istrative and services fee for water companies was removed from the draft ordinance in

response to public comments at the Nov. 5 meeting.

The new rates will bring the town closer to meeting its debt obligation for loans on recent state-mandated water filtration upgrades at the 2 million-gallon Upper Lam-born Mesa Water Treatment Plant. Under the current rate structure, the town can meet about half of that debt obli-gation. Town manager Jane Berry has recommended to trustees that the ordinance be passed under an emergency provision. Trustees can decide when to vote on the ordinance, and when the new rates will go into effect.

The rate increase provides an interim measure pend-ing results of a water study, which Berry said would likely be completed no sooner than April or early May. Once the

Paonia changes course on water rate increases

WATER RATES TO B2

AT THE TABLE TO B2

THIS PAGE IS COLOR

BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

Of the five cases that came before Paonia Munic-ipal Court Judge Bradley Kolman on Nov. 12, two of the defendants were no-shows. One had a good excuse: he was in jail on a town warrant after an earlier failure to appear on shoplifting charges.

Thats how court began for Judge Kolman, who has served as Paonias judge for about 20 years. Kolman also served as Delta County attorney from 1990 to 2011. Prior to 1990 he performed con-tract work for the Health and Human Services Department.

Last weeks session was Kolmans second this year, not because citations arent being issued. Read the Paonia Police Departments semi-monthly blotter posted to the town website and youll see the department is very busy. Most of those on the receiving end of a citation pay the fines, and some choose to come before Judge Kolman, who has the power to impose a maximum fine of $1,000, a prison sentence of no more than one year, or both. If defendants disagree with

his final decision, they can appeal to the Delta Dis-trict Court.

If how Kolman handled his cases last week is any indication, people charged with an offence of town ordinances and wind up in court are treated fair-ly. And he has a sense of humor. When a defen-dants cell phone went off, twice, he requested that the caller be informed that the judge is unavailable.

Going through the docket, Kolman dismissed charges against a female after her alleged victim was uncooperative. Kol-man politely asked the

defendant if she had any problems with that, to which she politely replied no, then thanked the judge and left.

In a case involving keeping of junk, the defen-dant was cooperating with the Paonia Police Depart-ment, said Investigator Neil Ferguson. The indi-vidual has made signifi-cant improvements on her property, and Ferguson requested she be given another 30 days to bring her property into compli-ance with town code.

In another case, a male driver was going 31 mph in a 20-mph zone and

failed to present proof of insurance when stopped by Officer Taffine Patter-son. After pleading guilty to both charges, and in the absence of any prior legal history, Judge Kol-man reduced his speed-ing charge and loss of four points off his driv-ers license to 29 mph in a 20-mph zone and the associated one point off of his license. The defen-dant didnt bring a paper copy of his proof of insur-ance, but Judge Kolman accepted an email from the insurance company after reviewing it on the defendants phone.

These tickets arent cheap. The driver was ordered to pay $242 $90 for speeding ($10 for every mile per hour over the speed limit), plus a $27 surcharge, $200 for failure to produce proof of insur-ance, $100 suspended on condition of no further speeding infractions, and a $25 court cost.

Hopefully we wont see you again here, said Kol-man.

As for the other failure to appear, he will likely appear at a later date. Prior to ending the ses-sion, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

It is never dull when municipal court is in session

B2 Wednesday, November 18, 2015 NORTH FORK TIMES Delta County Independent

Water ratesFROM PAGE B1results of the study are known, the town would amend the rates later in the year, if necessary.

Loan payments are currently $197,000 per year. The town is required by law to maintain 110 percent of the coverage of those payments. The town also has an obliga-tion to make payments of $128,000 per year on loans pertaining to state-mandated upgrades to the lower (Clock) water treat-ment plant.

Keep in mind the $6 only covers debt service, said trustee David Brad-ford, who also serves on the town public works committee. The town also needs to address costs for maintenance and depreciation. Past boards have consistently put off addressing those needs until tomorrow, said Brad-ford. Tomorrow is here.

The revised water ordi-nance will raise the per-thousand-gallon usage fees and create a fee sys-tem that is more equi-table.

Under the proposal, per-thousand-gallon rates for all water users are fol-lows: 0-10,000 gal.$1.75 10,001-20,000 gal.$2.0020,001-30,000 gal.$3.5030,001-100,000 gal.$4.50100,001+ gal.$5.50

Regarding water tap fees, the cost of a basic residential (3/4-inch) water tap fee remains at $6,000, and in-town com-mercial tap fees will be $9,790 for a 1-inch ser-vice line, up to $156,200 for a 4-inch line. Taps for water companies will cost $15,000 for a 3/4-inch line, up to $750,000 for an 8-inch line.

Changes to the pro-posed town trash ordi-nance reflect increases in monthly costs for weekly pickup services. Weekly collection of one 33-gallon container will rise from $12 to $15 per month; from $15 to $18 per month for two or three 33-gallon containers; and from $22 to $25 for four or five con-tainers. A $3-per-contain-er fee will be charged for each additional 33-gallon container that exceeds category limits. Addi-tional fees may apply for oversized items.

Weekly dumpster charges will be $33 per month per 2-cubic yards dumpster and $35 for a 3-cubic-yard dumpster.

Rates were considered prior to the announce-ment that Delta County will raise its landfill fees in 2016 (see Nov. 4 DCI article Landfill fees are going up in 2016). Berry noted that the increase is significant enough to

raise the towns trash fund expenditures. That fund was balanced to the penny.

Proposed changes to the sewer ordinance reflect a monthly in-town service charge of $31, up from $26, and an out-of-town rate of $50, up from $44; rates for new in-town connection fees will be $5,000 per unit, up from $3,750, and out-of-town rates will increase from $7,500 to $10,000.

Draft ordinances are posted online at townof paonia.com/news/news-announcements/

Adoption of ordinance changes is necessary for completion and passage of the 2016 budget, noted Berry. We havent even talked about the actual budget yet.

In October the town adopted a schedule of spe-cial meetings to address the budget and associ-ated ordinances, includ-ing a special meeting on Nov. 17. The next special meeting, a budget study session, will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, proceeded by the regu-larly scheduled board meeting at 7 p.m. Final adoption of the budget is scheduled for the Dec. 8 board meeting. The draft budget is available on the town website under the Government heading.

At the tableFROM PAGE B1the system dating back to 100 years ago, the project has its share of surprises, said Fagan.

Trustees also approved four requests for dona-tions. Billie Marta requested $500 to help Hotchkiss Memorial Hall pay for repairing the front steps, which will largely be completed by volun-teers and is estimated to cost about $1,000. The hall sees about 450 com-munity uses per year, said Marta.

Council also approved an annual donation of $500, $250 each for the community Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners organized by trustee Larry Jakubiak. Mayor Koontz told the students that the events provide great volun-teer opportunities that are both rewarding and look good on scholarship appli-cations.

Pam Bliss received $200 for the 24th annu-al Childrens Christmas Party. The $200 will pro-vide support for four chil-dren in the North Fork area. And we, too, need a lot of volunteers for that party, said Bliss.

Trustees also voted to

approve a donation of $500 to the Center for Mental Health, which provides services in a six-county region, and awarded $500 to Delta County Economic Development.

Anita Evans, with the Delta County School Dis-trict Foundation, gave a presentation on The Nature Connection, an environmental educa-tion center to be located on Bulldog Street in the former Montessori School building and funded by a $75,000 planning grant from Great Outdoors Colorado. Evans asked students and trustees to consider creative ways to get local students to spend quality time outdoors, and the equipment that might be needed.

Koontz also reminded students that the town awards two $500 Hotchkiss Community Scholarships annually. These are not academic scholarships, but are based on commu-nity spirit, volunteerism and involvement in the community, said Koontz. Applications will be avail-able in January. We do this to let you know that the town and the commu-nity supports our seniors,

said Koontz. Trustees anticipate

approval of the draft 2016 budget at the regularly scheduled Dec. 10 public meeting. In looking at this years budget as year-end approaches, Mayor Koontz stated that projected gener-al fund income for the year is $788,000 and expense projections are $785,000. Were about $3,000 in the black, Koontz told coun-cil and town staff. Well done.

Student council mem-bers said they enjoyed the experience. It allows students to get comfort-able with walking into this kind of situation, so that if they ever have to come before a board or council, theyll have an idea of how things work, said Cava-naugh.

Freshman class presi-dent Bruce Turnbull said he was encouraged to get involved in school government by his older brother and that Schelle and others have been very supportive. The experi-ence gave him more of an understanding of how a town government is run. Its good to know whats happening in town, said Turnbull.

Photo by Tamie MeckPaonia Municipal Court Judge Bradley Kolman prepares for court on Nov. 12, at Paonia Town Hall. Kolman has presided over the Paonia municipal courtroom for the last 20 years.

THIS PAGE IS COLOR

Delta County Independent NORTH FORK TIMES Wednesday, November 18, 2015 B3

BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

The six Paonia High School students who shared lunch with Viet-nam veteran Joe Kaputa on Veterans Day paid close attention as the for-mer Marine told of how he enlisted, his tours, and about spending time on the island of Okinawa. Much like the USO, said Kaputa, Okinawa was a place where members of the military could go and relax.

When Kaputa realized the five students at his table were football and volleyball players head-ing into state playoffs, he told them he was hon-ored.

Kaputa was one of three veterans who dined with students on Veter-ans Day. All three are members of the American Legion Wilson Head Post

97 in Paonia.Dave Hiney served in

the Marines as an elec-trician for three years, and twice was headed for Vietnam. Both tours were canceled, including the first tour after he broke his leg and was sent to Okinawa for 13 months. He told students that joining the military is a good option these days. It teaches you self-disci-pline, self-confidence, and teamwork, said Hiney.

Lonnie Trujillo, a 1982 graduate of PHS and the son of PHS graduates, served 11 tours of duty in his 26 years as a muni-tions systems expert in the U.S. Army, and is a retired master sergeant. He has served as com-mander at the Ameri-can Legion the past four years. After giving a brief synopsis of his 26 years, he shouted Go Eagles!

Kaputa also reminded students that the national holiday that is Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, marking the signing of the armistice to end World War I on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 oclock.

PHS recognizes Veter-ans Day every year, said science teacher Tracy Campbell. World War II veteran Norm Shetley is often invited to speak, and this year, all area veterans were invited to join students for lunch.

Following lunch, the veterans visited their fel-low veterans at Paonia Care & Rehabilitation. The local American Legion Auxiliary hosted the legions annual din-ner last Friday.

Trujillo said the legion provides food boxes on Thanksgiving and holds a toy drive and food box event for Christmas. The

legion also awards annu-al scholarships, and in 2014 awarded 12 scholar-ships to area students. The legion also spon-sors Boys State and the

Legion Auxiliary sponsors Gi