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Volume 6, Number 44 | December 4, 2014

Redstone kicks off season Quinn Wells shares her Christmas thoughts with Santa at last Friday’s annual Grand Illumination in Redstone. Folks report the evening started with an attempted lighting of the Christmas tree at the Redstone General Store. Unfortunately, it yet wasn’t dark enough so Santa started skipping up to the Redstone Inn and then hitched a ride on the fire truck heading that way for the bonfire. Inside the Osgood Room, Santa was greeted by an endless stream of excited visitors as carolers caroled. The singers then moved outside as the bonfire was lit and the sky provided it’s own orange glow at sunset. Elves were present, handing out gift bags to the children who visited Santa. There were even fireworks. Three hours after Santa first split the General Store, there was still a line of kids waiting to have a chat. Photo by Sue Rollyson

Carbondale Commentary The views and opinions expressed on the Commentary page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The Sopris Sun invites all members of the community to submit letters to the editor or guest columns. For more information, e-mail editor Lynn Burton at news@soprissun.com, or call 510-3003.

It’s just plain free money

Weekly in print; daily online

Some would say Carbondale is losing its favorite bracelet, one I like to call it: Just Plain Free Money. charm at a time, to monied newcomers eager to show us the latest Here’s how it works: every single person collects a check from the trends. It’s a slippery slope, reaching for that carat. One minute we’re government each month. A check that is enough to cover the basics: standing on a hill overlooking our town, and the next thing we know food and water, clothing, shelter, health care and education. (Unforwe’re taking a downvalley bus home because we can’t tunately the cost of those electric icicles that hang off afford to live here anymore. the roof and look terrible during the day, but lovely at Letting the money take over is the worst-case scenight, are not included. I mean, we have to draw the nario because money doesn’t have imagination. line somewhere). Money only cares about more money. And in order to “Boom!”, as my friend Taryne likes to say. That’s maintain a vibrant anything (town, economy, circus) it. It’s not welfare because it goes to everyone, even cute one must make room for variety, especially when it little billionaires who don’t need it (although if they are comes to money. as wealthy in character they’ll donate theirs — my “Wealth does not reflect a man’s character; it reopinion). People will still go to work because humans flects his bank account.” – Rutger Bregman* like to be productive and useful, and because we still If we don’t manage a way for people of all walks have to buy Christmas lights. It will eliminate hometo live comfortably in Carbondale, they won’t. We’ll lessness and school lunch meat. A huge lot of our probget EVS (empty village syndrome) and it isn’t just the lems solved with one little act, problems like crime, young people we should focus on keeping. If I were redomestic violence and child hunger. Not to mention tired and I could sell my house for enough to buy anthe increase in artists, acrobats and tinkers because By Jeannie Perry other house and still have a big pile of money, I would people won’t have to take a middle-management, soulseriously consider leaving Carbondale. In order for killing job unless they want to. The creativity level our community to continue to thrive we need to convince people of would soar. And instead of teaching our children how to sit still for all ages and affiliations to stay here. eight hours at a time, we could encourage them to find and follow On a national level, it’s much worse. People in Detroit can’t sell their dreams. Oh, and I almost forgot: corporations do not receive out, and even though they go to work every day they can barely sur- the stipend. No matter what. “That’s it. It’s in the books.” – UB vive, much less thrive. The only reason the American Dream lasted Where does all the money come from, you ask? Easy, it comes from for this long is because people could afford to buy a house and take us; between our taxes and our spending (through corporations’ taxes) a summer vacation. The system won’t continue to work if the aver- there’s more than enough to go around. We just need to cut into the age worker keeps taking it in the teeth from every side. (And if you’re enormous pie that is the defense budget. Yep, I said it. We have to stop one of the privileged 1 percent you should be even more worried. Re- a few Greedy Guts who are currently gorging themselves at the Mad member, the French aristocrats didn’t see it coming either). Hatter’s table of American government. Luckily, there is a simple-yet-outrageous-sounding solution. It’s Locally, we could get started on a smaller scale, maybe in the form of not my idea originally (however, I did ponder it in college). Why free trash/recycling removal, or an open tab at the Pour House on Last can’t we marry socialism with capitalism? What if we made sure Saturdays. Whaddya say Carbondale trustees: how about an incentive every citizen had their basic needs met, and then continued to fos- program for regular folks to remain in Carbondale? Because, let’s face ter an open-market based economy? Even as a sophomore at a state it, they’re why this town was so flippin’ charming in the first place. college I could see the potential. Thomas Paine thought of it way back in the founding days of our country: the Citizen Stipend. Or as *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIL_Y9g7Tg0

OPINION

The Sopris Sun keeps you informed all week long with special content on the web; including breaking news, photo galleries, calendar events and much more.

Ps & Qs

Letters

The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 400 words. Letters exceeding that length may be edited or returned for revisions. Include your name and residence (for publication) and a contact email and phone number. Submit letters via email to news@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623. The deadline to submit letters to the editor is noon on Monday.

Stay with Sirko Dear Editor: In reference to the recent opinion piece about the RE-1 Superintendent Diana Sirko, who may be awarded another contract, there seems to be some misconceptions. I am wondering why a Sopris Sun board member is writing an opinion piece verses an article that represents different sides of a news story. Some people, such as ex-school board member Debbie Bruell, claim that every parent, teachers, and principal she has talked with is ready for Rob Stein to move into the position of superintendent. I found it disconcerting that she decided to speak for all teachers, administrators and parents in the district. I am wondering how big this circle of people is that she is representing? Education in our district is going through many changes, from Common Core standards, to new math and reading curriculums, to the wide variety of different testing mechanisms that are now required. For those of us who are in the classroom, day in and day out, dealing with these requirements while still keeping our educational integrity is a challenge and Diana Sirko has been an amazing superintendent.

Diana Sirko came out of retirement to help our district. She has proven to have great leadership qualities, provides a calming support system and has offered continuity when there have been so many changes. There are countless parents, teachers and principals that support Diana Sirko in her current role as superintendent and will continue to do so until she decides to move on, at which time Stein can re-apply for that position. Stein has worked diligently to compliment and create programs for our district and no one is saying this needs to come to and end. Sirko is our current leader, and Stein is a part of her team and many of us see no reason to change the situation. I would hope that in the future, The Sopris Sun reporters and board members will write informative and responsible articles that offer different points of view and not use the paper to promote their own opinions. As an independent newspaper that prides itself on staying in touch with its community, you seem to have missed the opportunity to inform the community of this issue in an unbiased format. Patty Thayn RE-1 educator Carbondale

2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DEcEmbER 4, 2014

Sirko decision is critical Dear Editor: The upcoming Dec. 10 Roaring Fork School District board meeting (5 to 8:30 p.m. at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale), is a must-attend event for taxpayers, business owners, parents and community members in Glenwood Springs, Carbondale and Basalt. Why? It’s at this meeting that the board will discuss superintendent Diana Sirko’s request for a contract renewal. The decision is of critical importance because of its cascading impact: renew Sirko’s contract for too long and we will likely lose second-in-command Rob Stein, a progressive educator and administrator who is leading the district’s strategic plan, and who many expected to succeed Sirko. Some board members want to make the decision that night; others want more time to consider the decision. The community is concerned, but the public outcry is not divisive. Rather, it’s a sign of an engaged, supportive and enthusiastic district. The outcry comes from the LETTERS page 16

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To inform, inspire and build community. Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Editor/Reporter: Lynn Burton • 970-510-3003 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Bob Albright • 970-927-2175 bob@soprissun.com Reporter: John Colson Photographer: Jane Bachrach Ad/Page Production: Terri Ritchie CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS board@soprissun.com Debbie Bruell, President Barbara Dills, Vice President Colin Laird, Treasurer Frank Zlogar • Sue Gray Denise Barkhurst • Craig Fulmer Honorary Board Members David L. Johnson • Jeannie Perry Trina Ortega • Laura McCormick Founding Board Members Allyn Harvey • Becky Young • Colin Laird Barbara New • Elizabeth Phillips Peggy DeVilbiss • Russ Criswell

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KDNK GM hangs on to job following ouster bid Vacations at the crux John Colson Sopris Sun Correspondent Steve Skinner, the general manager at KDNK, Carbondale’s community access radio station, held onto his job this week despite an attempt to oust him over his refusal to sign a set of “directives” aimed at tightening oversight of his duties by the station’s board of directors. The decision to keep Skinner on the job came after a tense three-hour special meeting on Dec. 1 at the station, during which at least three members of the board, President Mark McLain, Treasurer Susan Darrow and member Bob Schultz (who was not at the meeting but sent in a written statement of his feelings), indicated that Skinner’s 11year reign over the station had run its course and should be ended. Skinner, in his own defense, stated at one point, “I haven’t done anything wrong. I haven’t been accused of doing anything wrong.” Skinner’s retention came in the wake of prolonged testimonials to the improvements he has made to the station’s finances and stature, along with accusations of poor job performance and high-handed refusals to do what the board wants him to do. Several deejays and others connected to the station, who were present at the board meeting, argued that the fight over Skinner’s job boiled down to personality conflicts and veiled agendas on the part of Skinner’s critics at the station, including several board members. But at least one long-time volunteer, deejay and former board member, a local businessman known as Monk, rejected the idea that Skinner was being unjustly targeted by a small group of critics pursuing some kind of what he termed a “vendetta.” “A lot of what’s happening here is … there’s a lot of people that don’t believe Steve should be here (in the job as GM),” Monk told the board. “A lot of people don’t think Steve works often enough at the station.” Monk noted that Skinner is paid $61,000 annually, and questioned whether Skinner puts in enough actual working time to deserve that salary. Monk also cited accusations that Skinner has intimidated deejays and others into

Left to right at Monday night’s meeting: KDNK board members Jay Leavitt, Mark McLain (president) and Stacy Stein. Photos by Lynn Burton

voting in favor of certain board candidates, has at times checked over ballots in board elections to determine who voted for whom, and has solicited his own picked candidates to run for the board as ways of bending the station’s operations to his way of thinking. “I do hear a lot,” Monk told the board, though he added that hearsay, which is the basis for some of the accusations he mentioned, is not a proper foundation for firing someone. At the heart of the board’s deliberations about Skinner’s continued employment, however, was one central issue, according to board member Susan Darrow. “The crux of the matter was over Steve’s vacations … the amount of time he takes off,” Darrow declared, referring to charges from various people that Skinner often would be absent from the station and unavailable to assist deejays or other employees, and would take weeks off at a time without notice. She said that two years ago the board asked Skinner to inform the board president when he would be taking time off, and Skinner signed an agreement to that effect and followed it once. But, Darrow continued, Skinner last year did not inform the board in advance of his vacation, a lapse that came up during Skinner’s annual review. “I was disappointed that Steve did not follow through on what he said he would

Questions? 970-963-5782 SunScribe online at www.soprissun.com For a mail-in SunScribe form and more details see page 19

do,” Darrow recalled, adding that the board subsequently ordered Skinner to follow the “directive” that he inform the board of his pending vacations, and that is the directive Skinner refused to sign.

“Punitive directives” Skinner, admitting he refused to sign “what I considered to be punitive directives” aimed at removing him from his job, read from a written statement, “My goal is to have a healthy and productive relationship with the board” but not to go along with efforts he said contributed to an acrimonious and divisive atmosphere at the station. He, along with his supporters and others at the meeting, KDNK General Manager Steve Skinner reads from a prepointed out that, during his pared statement at Monday night’s board meeting. An tenure, the station has achieved 11-year veteran as general manager, Skinner said he hadn’t financial stability, has increased done anything wrong and hadn’t been accused of doing its listenership, and is “thriv- anything wrong. The meeting drew several supporters and ing” when compared to earlier, at least two detractors. Photo by Lynn Burton more difficult times in the statime on the job. tion’s history. Board Secretary Keith Edquist, reading “Not everyone agrees with my management style or decisions that I make,” from a summary of Skinner’s most recent he said, “but I am confident they are the performance review, noted that the board was generally happy with what Skinner vocal minority.” Even members of the board agreed had accomplished. with much of what Skinner said of his KDNK page 4

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cial to anybody. I think the station will be hurt, and I think the community will be hurt.”

But he also indicated that board members were concerned that Skinner deliberately refused to cooperate with the board’s No axe grinding decisions and directives. Lamenting the current state of affairs at the station, Board Schultz’s written remarks on the subject, submitted because President Mark McLain said he had “no personal axe to grind he was out of town and could not attend the meeting, flatly stated, “It is time for a change of management at KDNK” due against Steve.” But, McLain continued, the board was elected to closely largely to Skinner’s alleged lack of cooperation concerning watch the operations of the station, including direct oversight of board decisions. Board member Jay Leavitt, reading from a prepared state- the GM’s job performance, a function that he said has been “absolutely impossible” to achieve and which ment of his own, said, “It has behe blamed on “a weak board, and resistcome clear to me that the board has ance from Steve.” been remiss” in failing to tightly Given those circumstances, he called oversee Skinner’s job performance the board “just a sham. We have no and vacation schedule. power” to force Skinner to follow the But, he read, he felt that a change board’s directives and personnel decisions. in management “is not required” as In light of all that, he said, “I don’t things stand now. Stacy Stein know how to be president of a board that What is needed, he said, is “a Board Vice President can’t get that done.” higher-performing board and a more McLain is not running for reelection to communicative Steve Skinner.” Another board member, Diane Johnson, said she feels “like the board in the upcoming station election. Following more than two hours of comments from the varian outsider” as she has been on the board only for a few months, but credited Skinner with doing “a damned good job” ous people at the meeting, the board went behind closed doors, with Skinner present, to continue to discuss Skinner’s fate. as general manager. After half an hour of secret deliberations, the board came to Arguing that the board should not fire Skinner at this juncture, she advised that the board look more closely into the facts the decision to leave Skinner at his post and rewrite the direcof the situation, discuss things with Skinner openly, and find a tives in a form Skinner indicated would be acceptable to him. Among the changes to the directives will be a requirement way through the complex mix of hearsay and personality conthat Skinner let the board know in advance about any vacations flicts to a final resolution of the matters at hand. To Steve, whom she said she has always supported, she said he plans that will be longer than three days. In addition, Skinner is to inform the board regarding who simply, “Just let us know when you’re going on vacation.” Board Vice President Stacy Stein agreed, saying, “I think the will be in charge of the station in his absence. “I think it was a pretty productive session,” Edquist said of directives is something that can be worked out.” Another board member, Brian Keleher, concluded, “I think if the closed-door deliberations. “I got the sense that nobody we let Steve go, or terminate him … I don’t think that’s benefi- wants to bring this to a head and get rid of this guy (Skinner).”

“Just let us know when you’re going on vacation.”

Cop Shop The following events are drawn from incident reports of the C’dale Police Dept. SATURDAY, Nov. 22: At 4 a.m. police received a report of a mountain bike stolen from a home on Maroon Place. No further information was available. SATURDAY, Nov. 22: At 8:42 a.m. a customer at Grand Junction Pipe & Supply, 740 Highway 133, called police to report a theft. But according to a store representative, it turned out another customer had walked off with the wrong order of merchandise. The mistake was rectified, and no theft took place. SATURDAY, Nov. 22: At 11:40 a.m. an officer got a call from the Colorado Department of Human Services reporting a suspected sexual assault in Carbondale. The matter is under investigation. mONDAY, Nov. 24: At 10:55 p.m. officers were called to a break-in in progress at a home on Highway 133 in Carbondale. The officers arrested a man on charges of third degree criminal trespassing and took him to the Garfield County Jail in Glenwood Springs. WEDNESDAY, Nov. 26: At 8:28 p.m. a local laundromat owner reported a man was refusing to leave the laundromat, having been ejected from the premises two months ago and told not to return for refusing to pay for use of the machines and exposing himself to the proprietor. The man was ticketed for third degree trespassing.

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Trustees connect gas to energy conservation programs John Colson Sopris Sun Correspondent The town of Carbondale, alone among local governments in Garfield County, voted last week to dedicate a large portion of its energy-impact-assistance funds to programs aimed at cutting local reliance on petroleum products and increasing the use of alternative energy sources and the conservation of energy in general. The town’s board of trustees agreed on Nov. 25 to use 20 percent of the funds it receives in the form of mineral severance tax proceeds and federal mineral lease payments, both of which are paid by companies drilling for natural gas in the state, for the town’s energy efficiency goals. Carbondale, like other governments in Garfield County, receives severance-tax and mineral-lease payments annually, as a way of offsetting the social and governmental costs of dealing with impacts from the energy industry. In 2014, for example, Carbondale received nearly $190,000 in severance tax proceeds, and nearly $400,000 in minerallease-fee payments. By comparison, the city of Rifle, which sits in the middle of the gas-rich portion of the county, received more than $2.2 million for the same year, while the town of New Castle, which perches on the edge of the gas patch, received about the same amount as Carbondale. At the Carbondale town board meeting, Mayor Stacey Bernot said that the vote to dedicate the funding was a way of “memo-

rializing what we have been doing for the past few years.” Bernot was referring to the fact that the town has been spending roughly $150,000 or more annually for the past several years in an ongoing campaign to encourage energy conservation and pay for alternativeenergy programming run by the Community Office of Resource Efficiency (CORE), Garfield Clean Energy (GCE) and its contractual partner, Clean Energy Economy for the Region (CLEER). The resolution to earmark the money was approved unanimously by the sevenmember board of trustees. Town Manager Jay Harrington acknowledged that the vote to formally dedicate the energy-impact money to energy efficiency and alternative energy sources also is viewed as a way to get other local governments to do the same. “The whole concept was that, passing it might encourage other local governments to follow suit,” Harrington told The Sopris Sun on Monday, noting that the resolution earmarking the funding came “at the request of CLEER and CORE and GCE.” The resolution, Harrington said, establishes a minimum “floor” of spending to help the town reach its stated goal of reducing its reliance on petroleum-generated energy by 20 percent in the coming decade or so. CLEER Director Alice Hubbard Laird said that Carbondale is the first town in Garfield County to formally link its energyimpact money with the effort to reduce its

“carbon footprint,” and said of the vote, “It’s kind of path-breaking.” She recalled, however, that in 2008 the state of Colorado established its New Energy Communities Initiative (NECI), a push for greater use of alternative energy sources and energy conservation statewide, using money from the severance-tax and minerallease funds. That initiative led directly to the formation of the Garfield NECI and, later, GCE, as a way to funnel the state money into local projects. So, said Hubbard Laird, Carbondale’s approach is “ambitious, but it also corresponds to what the state has adopted” in the broad goal of decreasing the state’s reliance

on petroleum products and increasing its use of energy-efficiency and alternatives. In other action last week, the trustees gave their collective, if informal approval for the 2015 municipal budget, which is scheduled for formal approval on Dec. 9. During the budget discussions, Harrington informed the trustees that sales tax collections, which form the lion’s share of the town’s revenues every year, have increased in 2014 by an average of nine percent over collections in 2013. Town officials, he said, had anticipated tax receipts would rise by as much as six percent, and will continue to budget “conservatively” to avoid an over-optimistic budget forecast for the coming year. Wild turkeys on private land north of Carbondale didn’t have much to worry about the day after Thanksgiving, but some said they seemed a bit less skittish as the calendar moved toward the first of December. Photo by Jane Bachrach

Whhimsical imsicall Wo omen men off tthe o he Westt Annual A nnua al Holiday Holida ay Show Sho Show w Friday, December 5th, 4:00 - 8:00 Saturday, December 6th, 9:00 - 4:00 Third Street Center 520 S. 3rd St., Carbondale )PMJEBZ %FDPS t Jewelry 'JCFS "SU t Vintage Collectibles $MPUIJOH t 1IPUPHSBQIZ t Folk Art 'JOF "SU t Food Goodies 1PUUFSZ t

A percentage of sales will benefit the Advocate Safehouse Project For More Information Call Sharill 970-945-4004 THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s community supported newspaper • DEcEmbER 4, 2014 • 5

Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@SoprisSun.com.

Handbellers return

Reed heads to “congress”

maybe they’re not totally stupid

The Orchard will again host the Daystar Adventist Academy for a free handbell, strings and choir concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Donations will be accepted. DayStar Adventist Academy is a laymen-operated Seventh-day Adventist boarding school in southeast Utah. For more information, call Melissa Miller at 963-8773 ext. 105 or visit theorchardlife.com.

The Western Colorado Congress has chosen Dave Reed as its new executive director starting on Jan. 1, according to a press release. Reed has worked for the Wilderness Workshop for the past 11 years, most recently as its development and communications director. Reed is originally from Connecticut and moved to Colorado in 1979 to attend Colorado State University. He was later a reporter for the Aspen Times, among other writing gigs. He also wrote five editions of “The Rough Guide to Nepal.” The Grand Junctionbased Western Colorado Congress works on quality of life issues and has five community groups, including the Grand Valley Citizens’ Alliance in Garfield County. Reed currently serves on the board of Clean Energy Economy for the Region, and is a Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteer and chapter co-leader. He is married and has two kids.

State Farm Insurance reports that survey results show that 93 percent of drivers are less likely to use their cell phone when they are operating a vehicle in icy conditions. They are most likely to get on the phone at red lights (63 percent). One troubling finding: at least 10 percent of respondents reported that driving in school zones has no impact on their cell phone use.

Hot titles at the library There are at least 30 new titles at the Carbondale Branch Library for December, including: • “Paying the Ferryman” by Jane A. Adams; • “Perfect Sins” by Jo Banninster; • “Scorched Eggs” by Laura Childs; • “Enter Pale Death” by Barbara Cleverly; • “The Boston Girl” by Anita Diamant; • “The Firebird’s Feather” by Marjorie Eccles; • “You Know Who Killed Me” by Loren D. Estleman; • “Die Again” by Tess Gerritsen; • “Tom Clancy Full Force” by Mark Greaney • “Saving Grace” by Jane Green.

Free toys at Near New The Near New Store on Main Street is giving away free toys to parents to use for Christmas presents. The hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through Dec. 24.

After places 18th The Delaney dog park Rock Cairn of the Week honor goes to this balancing act. Photo by Lynn Burton

Independence Run & Hike’s Brion After placed 18th in the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K in Glenwood Springs. His time was 25:01.

Hoopsters go 4-2

If you’re wondering

With a 44-38 win over the Basalt Longhorns on Dec. 2, the Carbondale Middle School eighth grade Wolverines improved to 4-2 in league play on Dec. 2. Oscar Miranda led the scoring with 12 points followed by Ronald “Cutie” Clemente and Joe Salinas with 10 and 8 respectively. The season ending PEG league tournament is Dec. 6 in Aspen.

The US Postal Service says it expects to deliver about 470 million packages this holiday season, up about 12 percent from last year. The PO will also: process 15.5 billion cards, letters and packages; deliver parcels seven days a week in many large cities; and have seven-day-a week service in some locations. If you’re wondering what the busiest day at post offices, it’s Dec. 15.

6 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DEcEmbER 4, 2014

This just in The American Rosie the Riveter Association is trying to locate woman who worked on the home front during World War II, according to an actual type-written press release that was delivered to The Sun’s PO box via U.S. mail. “Thousands of women worked to support the war effort as riveters, welders, electricians, inspectors in plants, sewing clothing and parachutes and more,” the press release said.“These woman have stories to tell.” If you are a woman (or descendant of a woman) who worked during WWII, call 1-888-557-6743 or e-mail americanrosietheriveter2@yahoo.com, or write the association at Box 188, Kimberly, AL 35091.

They say it’s your birthday Folks celebrating their birthday this week include: Carol Klein (Dec. 4); John Stroud and Mark Stover (Dec. 5); Amy Kimberly, Cathleen McCourt, Judy Whitmore, Carol Craven and Frank McSwain (Dec. 6); Holly Richardson, David Dabney and Lisa Speaker (Dec. 7); Sandra McMullen and Jennifer Lamont (Dec. 8); and Kirstie Smith, Vicki Yarbrough, Bob Johnson and Bill Laemmel (Dec. 10).

Wexner ďŹ ght not over; new group plans appeal reached for comment. A Denver attorney working with the CWPL, Neil Levine, said the ďŹ nal decision on launching an appeal has yet to be made. “My sense is, at least today, the leaning is that we will,â€? said Levine on Monday. The deadline for ďŹ ling a notice of plans to appeal, is Dec. 17. The actual appeal, which would be heard by the Interior Board of Land Appeals in Arlington, Va., would then have a deadline of Jan. 17, 2015. The BLM approved the land exchange, which has split the normally cohesive Roaring Fork land conservation community, on June 19, and issued a decision denying the protests on Nov. 19. Under the provisions of the swap, the Wexners are to take ownership of three parcels of formerly public lands totaling 1,268 acres. The Wexners own Two Shoes Ranch in the Prince Creek area. In exchange, the public is to receive the 557-acre Sutey Ranch adjacent to the Red Hill Recreation Area north of Carbondale. Red Hill is a popular recreation destination for hikers and mountain bikers. It is managed by the BLM, so the exchange provides continuity in ownership. The public also is to get title to 112 acres along Prince Creek Road that can be incorporated into a popular trail network on lands

John Colson Sopris Sun correspondent The new owners of the Crystal Village Plaza shopping center in Carbondale paid approximately $9.7 million for the property, which covers a little under ďŹ ve acres of land at the intersection of Highway 133 and Main Street. The plaza, which is called the TKG St. Peters Shopping Center in documents on ďŹ le at the GarďŹ eld County Courthouse in Glenwood Springs, was purchased on Sept. 13 from the Carbondale Square LLC partnership, according to the county assessor’s ofďŹ ce. And at least for now, the new owners, The Kroenke Group out of Missouri, have no immediate plans for development on the site, according to a spokesman, Mike Tamblyn of Denver. “At the moment, it’s business as usual,â€? Tamblyn told The Sopris Sun on Tuesday. Tamblyn said he could say no more about the purchase or the future of the site, but would forward a reporter’s contact information to the corporate ofďŹ ces in Columbia, Mo. The ownership group is named for its founder, billionaire Stan Kroenke, who is married to Ann Walton, daughter of the late co-founder of the Wal-Mart chain of stores, Bud Walton. According to online sources, Kroenke is a developer of shopping centers around the U.S., many of which have a Wal-Mart

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ROTARY CLUB OF CARBONDALE

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December with Carbondale Rotary 2014-15 Rotary International Theme

“Light Up Rotaryâ€? RI President Gary C.K. Huang Carbondale Rotary Practicing Service Above Self, at home and around the world ‌

The Rotary Club of Carbondale distributed dictionaries to approximately 180 third-grade students at four local schools, Crystal River Elementary, Carbondale Community, Ross Montessori and the Waldorf School, during November. The Scholastic Books dictionaries will assist teachers and help students develop a strong vocabulary so they can succeed in school. •••

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The Carbondale Rotary Club meets at 6:50 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Carbondale Firehouse. Visitors are welcome to come enjoy our weekly program and learn about the wonderful work Rotary does in the community and around the world.

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS Dec. 10 – Katie Murch Aspen Deaf Camp Dec. 17 – Amy Barr United Way of Garfield County Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 – TBA

LOCA PR

Carbondale Rotarian Mike Waski helps distribute brand new dictionaries to third-grade students at Crystal River Elementary School.

Carbondale Rotary is again ringing the bell for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign at Carbondale’s City Market this holiday season. Others in the community are welcome to help out. To volunteer for a bell-ringing shift, contact Ken Neubecker at eagleriver@sopris.net •••

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“SERVICE ABOVE SELF�

as the main anchor tenant. Kroenke Sports Enterprises owns the Pepsi Center (home of the Denver Nuggets professional basketball team and Colorado Avalanche professional hockey team) in Denver, according to websites. His holdings also include the Denver Nuggets and St. Louis Rams professional football team. Although news of the purchase was ďŹ rst made public in the Nov. 27 Sopris Sun, there has been little public reaction to the deal. Long time local real estate broker Lynn Kirchner, when informed of the purchase, replied in an e-mail, “After all the BS about big boxes and Crystal River Market Place – how ironic would it be for Wal-Mart – a SUPER Wal-Mart to come into town!!!â€? Kirchner referred to a controversial series of development proposals over the course of more than a decade ending in 2012, concerning a 24-acre parcel of land at the northwest corner of Highway 133 and Main Street, behind the 7-Eleven store. One of the proposals, called the Crystal River Market Place, called for bringing a “big-boxâ€? store to Carbondale, although no speciďŹ c store was ever publicly identiďŹ ed as a prospective tenant. Carbondale voters twice shot down the development plans, ďŹ rst in 2003 over the Crystal River Market Place and the second, in 2012, over a proposal known as the Village at Crystal River.

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For program suggestions, contact Rick Carlson, rccarlson@gmail.com

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John Colson Sopris Sun Correspondent Organizers say they are likely to appeal the recent denial of at least one of three protests ďŹ led over a controversial land swap between the federal Bureau of Land Management and an Aspen couple, Leslie and Abigail Wexner, involving land at the base of Mt. Sopris near Carbondale. The appeal, according to area resident Anne Rickenbaugh, would be based on arguments that the BLM undervalued the public lands included in the exchange, by calculating the public lands’ value according to appraisal standards that assumed public ownership, instead of appraisals based on private-land values. “They didn’t apply the free-market standards at all,â€? said Rickenbaugh, “even though they could have.â€? Rickenbaugh is the board secretary of the Colorado Wild Public Lands, Inc. (CWPL), a relatively new organization which has members throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, which ďŹ led one of the protests over the land swap. The two other protests were ďŹ led by individual long time residents — Linda Froning of Carbondale and Gregory Durrett of Glenwood Springs. Froning said this week she is not planning to appeal the BLM’s rejection of her protest. Durrett could not be

Price tag for shopping center: $9.7 million

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For membership and other Rotary Club information, visit www.rotarycarbondale.org

THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s community supported newspaper • DEcEmbER 4, 2014 • 7

First Friday Carbondale, Basalt shine Dec. 5 Sopris Sun Staff Report Carbondale and Basalt ip the switch on Christmas Dec. 5, with holiday lights, caroling, multiple visits by Santa and more.

carbondale “Light Up Carbondaleâ€? is a team effort between the recreation department and CCAH, and is this month’s First Friday. Activities start at the Launchpad from 3:30 to 5 p.m. when Santa meets with kids up to ďŹ ve years old. He’ll return for older kids from 6:30 to 8 p.m. In between those times, Santa will take to his sleigh. The spruce tree at Main Street and Weant Boulevard will be Santa’s ďŹ rst stop at 5:15 p.m., where he’ll light the tree and Crystal River Elementary School students will sing “Oh Christmas Tree.â€? A pedestrian parade will then head down Main Street to Fourth Street plaza at 5:30 p.m. with carolers trailing behind. Upon arrival, St. Nick will magically illuminate all the lights on Main Street. Folks can also dig in for cookies and hot

chocolate, roasted marshmallows, and join in for some sing-along caroling. Meanwhile at the Launchpad, Sol Theatre’s cast of “Annieâ€? will perform numbers from their upcoming show; the Crystal River Ballet Nutcracker dancers will also perform. Also on the Launchpad program: • Holiday hip-hop performer Quincy Gray does his thing at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.; • The Deck the Walls holiday show continues, featuring artisan items from local artists.

basalt The old railroad town lights its Christmas tree with Santa’s help from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lions Park. There’ll be caroling, cookies, hot cocoa and cider, chili, a bonďŹ re, carriage rides and more. The switch on Christmas is ofďŹ cially ipped at 5:15 p.m. Live music will be provided by the Cathy Markel Quartet, Dwight Ferrin, and the Basalt High School choir. The night’s festivities will be hosted by the Basalt Downtown Business Association, town of Basalt, Basalt Area Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts, the Basalt Lions club and Wyly Art Center.

Wexner om page 7 managed by the BLM. The Wexners also contributed $100,000 to cover the BLM’s costs to develop a management plan for the news lands and $1 million for long-term management of the lands. Along with using the wrong appraisal process, Rickenbaugh told The Sopris Sun in a recent interview, the BLM committed procedural errors in adding the Sutey Ranch to the deal, which occurred late in the process of considering the swap. Rickenbaugh said she and others in the CWPL are worried that ďŹ ling an appeal might be a waste of time, out of concern that the BLM already has made up its bureaucratic mind on the issue.

But when asked why the group would bother, in that case, she replied, “You bother because it’s building the record,� and the case might ultimately end up in federal court. Speaking about the CWPL in general, Rickenbaugh said, “We’re not anti-landexchange. We’re public-lands advocates.� And, she said, “We think the public is really getting the short end of the stick� in the Wexner exchange. Among other issues, she said, the BLM has not provided much in the way of environmental protection for endangered or threatened plant species, such as Harrington’s penstemon (also known as Harrington’s beardstongue), which can be found in

the area. Nor are there adequate protections for archeological sites in the area affected by the swap, she said, adding that it is believed there are several in the affected area. Overall, she said, “The land exchange is a proponent-driven land exchange,â€? meaning the process began with a proposal from the Wexners, instead of the BLM, that the CWPL maintains was not closely analyzed either for possible environmental impacts or future exploitation if minerals are found beneath the surface. “What’s to say, two generations down the line, they ďŹ nd the next kind of oil or gas, and decide to drill?â€? she asked rhetorically. “Or,

worse yet, they put in a Victoria’s Secret mall up there?â€? Victoria’s Secret is one of the brands controlled by Wexner’s corporation, L Brands, formerly known as Limited Brands and, before that, The Limited. Attorney Levine, acknowledging that his clients are worried about whether the appeal is worth pursuing given the decisions of the Colorado BLM ofďŹ ce, said he thinks the national IBLA may be less inclined toward the swap. “I think it’s a little more removed than the protest denial,â€? he said, noting that the denial came from “the people with the most interest in the exchange.â€?

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8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DEcEmbER 4, 2014

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Break out the paints,

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sharpen your pencils it’s time for the

“Spruce Up The Sun” ANNUAL HOLIDAY COVER DESIGN CONTEST The theme is “winter-wonderland” and the contest is open to grades Pre-K through High School.

Let your imagination run wild and get those creative juices flowing. Spruce Up the Sun contest winners receive the honor of having their artwork in the Dec. 25 issue which is distributed throughout the Roaring Fork Valley as well as being posted on the Sun’s Web site.

The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15.

LOOK INSIDE: PAGE 5

Snowsnake PAGE 8

Films

PAGE 15

Trees

Sopris the

Carbondale’s community

Spruce Up The Sun

E E AG AL E MP ND SID RA RBO E IN CA ID & . GU C RE

Artwork must be 8 1/2 inches wide by 11 inches high. You may use a variety of media, such as watercolor, pen and ink, crayon, chalk, markers, etc. Brighter colors are encouraged. No sparkles please. Please keep designs 2-dimensional in order for us to scan the artwork for publication.

Sun

supported, weekly news paper

Volume 5, Number 45 | December 19, 2013

This year’s winner is …

The Sopris Sun conti nued its Spruce Up Sun cover competitio The n this year, opening up the competition to origi nal designs instead of limiting it to a contest in which students colored in a line drawing. Almost 100 entries were submitted, inclu ing a box full from dart teacher Ami Mae s, who delivered them just before deadline on Monday. The entries included many beautiful and ative winter holiday crescenes. Some featu red more traditional settin gs, such as a warm fire other inviting hom e scenes. Others inclu and ded favorite winter spor ts such as snowboar ding or ice-skating. Santa seemed to be mult i-talented: disco dancing, hot-t ubing in hot cocoa and even dunking a basketbal l. This year’s top hono r a sixth grader at Carb goes to Daniela Rivera, ondale Middle Scho ol. First place winners in the various categ are: Cal Stone (preories school), Emmet Garc (kindergarten thro elon ugh fourth grade), Gelena Amaral (fifth grad e), Hayden Holbrook (sixth grade), Hannah Feder (seventh grade), Nanessa Montoya (eighth grade) and Maes (adult). Ami Judging such a comp etitive contest wou not have been possi ld ble without the help of discerning eyes at the Carbondale Coun cil on Arts and Humanities. The Sopris Sun staff and CCAH would also like to thank all of the contestants for sharing their creativity and talents. It made judging a truly difficult task. Contestants may pick up their origi nal artwork at The Sopr is Sun office at 520 S. Third Street #35. For the contest category winners, please go to pages 18-1 9 and visit our website (www.soprissun.c om). Thanks again to all who entered. Happy holidays and start ing thinking now for the 2014 contest. Cover contest winn er: Daniela Rivera, sixth grader at Carb a ondale Middle Scho ol.

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Drop them off at The Sopris Sun office in the Third Street Center (520 S. Third St., #36 – at the end of the “long hall”) or send them to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623, postmarked by Dec. 8. Please include your name, grade level, and a phone number with your entry. For more information, call The Sopris Sun at 510-3003.

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Community Calendar

To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is noon on Monday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted. For up-to-the-minute valley-wide event listings, check out the Community Calendar online at soprissun.com. View events online at soprissun.com/calendar.

THURS.-SAT. Dec. 4-6

FRI.-SAT. Dec. 5-6

THEATER • Sopris Theater Company presents “The Glorious Ones,” a fun and bawdy musical that follows a 16th century commedia dell’arte troupe backstage, on stage and off stage during the Italian Renaissance. Directed by Brad Moore and featuring Colorado Mountain College students, theater professionals and community members, the production will take place at the New Space Theatre on the Spring Valley Campus on at 7 p.m. The play continues at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7, and 7 p.m. on Dec. 11-13. Info: 947-8177 or svtickets@coloradomtn.edu.

WHImSIcAL WOmEN RETURN • The Whimsical Women of the West’s annual holiday show takes place at the Third Street Center from 4 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 5, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6. Items include fiber art, jewelry, clothing, holiday decore, vintage collectibles, fine art, photography, folk art pottery, food. A percentage of the proceeds go to the Advocate Safehouse Project. Info: Sharill at 945-4004.

THURSDAY Dec. 4 “cLImb FOR FREEDOm” • Director Stephen McGhee will discuss his film “Climb for Freedom” after its screening at the Wheeler Opera House at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. The documentary follows seven men who are determined to conquer Mount Aconcagua, the world’s tallest mountain outside of Asia. WINTERFAIRE STORE • The Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork hosts a store and open house from 5 to 8 p.m. Adults only, please. Info: 963-1960. bASKETbALL mEETING • There will be a parent/player informational meeting for sixth, seventh and eighth grade boys interested in playing on a competitive/club basketball team. It will be held in the Carbondale Middle School library at 6:30 p.m. Info: 963-1109. ROTARY • The Mt. Sopris Rotary meets at Mi Casita at noon every Thursday.

cLASSIcAL mUSIc • Symphony in the Valley presents a holiday program that includes Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” and other favorites at the Glenwood Springs High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, and Rifle’s Ute Theatre at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6.

FRI.-SUN. Dec. 5-7 WYLY WARES • The Wyly Holiday artisan market returns to the Wyly Art Center in Basalt from 4 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 5, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6-7. The sale features an array of handmade gifts created by local artists. Info: 927-4123 or holly@wylyarts.org.

FRIDAY Dec. 5 FIRST FRIDAY • First Friday returns with Santa Claus in tow and other Christmas-related events around town. Highlights include a visit from Santa Claus at the CCAH Launchpad from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m., switching on downtown lights and caroling at 5 p.m., a cup auction at the Carbondale Clay Center and more. Info: 963-1680 or carbondalearts.com. For more details, see the article in this week’s paper. mOVIES • The Crystal Theatre presents

DEC

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10 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DEcEmbER 4, 2014

“Rosewater” (R) at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-11; “The Good Lie” (PG-13) at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 5-6; “The Creep Behind the Camera” (R) at 2 p.m. Dec. 6; “Birdman” (R) at 5 p.m. Dec. 7 and “I Am Eleven” (NR) at 12 p.m. Dec. 9. TNHA • True Nature Healing Arts (at 100 N. Third St.) hosts a holiday boutique open house from 5 to 8 p.m. Info: truenatureheals.com. IT’S OVER • The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce holds a ribbon cutting ceremony at the City Market parking lot at 3 p.m. to note the completion of the Highway 133 construction project. LIVE mUSIc • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents Tony Furtado and Luke Price at 8:30 p.m. Furtado is a Portland-based singer/songwriter/slide guitarsist who is well known in these parts. Price is a two-time national fiddle champion. Tickets are $25. Info: 963-3304. LIVE mUSIc • The Beatles tribute band Doctor Robert plays the Black Nugget at 9:30 p.m. Info: doctorroberttribute.com. bASALT SPARKLES • Santa Claus comes to Basalt for its tree-lighting ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lions Park. Info: basaltdowntown.com. FILm • The Wheeler Opera House presents “Pretty Faces.” Info: aspenshowtix.com and 920-5770.

SATURDAY Dec. 6 FILm • The film “The Creep Behind the Camera” is presented one time only at 2 p.m. at the Crystal Theatre. The film stars Roaring Fork Valley resident Josh Phillips. Advance

tickets are $10 at Dos Gringos Burritos in La Fontana Plaza. LIVE mUSIc • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents David Starr from Cedaredge. Opening act will be Hap Harriman and Nelson Oldham as the HalfMilemarkers. Tickets are $10. Info: 963-3304. WINTERFAIRE • The Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork hosts Winterfaire from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’ll be children’s crafts, food, live music, puppet plays and more. Tickets are $25 at the door; $20 before. The school is located on the Highway 82 frontage road, just upvalley from Catherine Store. Info: 963-1960. WHISKEY TASTING • CCAH reaches out to male shoppers with a whiskey tasting from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Launchpad. It’s part of the on-going Deck the Walls holiday show. Coming up Dec. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. will be champagne shopping; on Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. it’s a holiday cookie swap. Info: 963-1680 or carbondalearts.com. bHS FUND-RAISER • A fund-raiser for Basalt High School basketball teams takes place at the school starting at 6 p.m., and features the band Poser, food, drink and silent auction. Info: 948-7703. SPOKEN WORD • Suzi Q Smith holds workshops at the Third Street Center. Smith has appeared alongside the late Gil Scott Heron, plus Les Nubians, Dead Prez, Rev. Run, Talib Kwell and other spoken word artists. The fee is $45 per workshop or $80 for both. The workshops are co-sponsored by CALENDAR page 11

Community Calendar CCAH and Justice Snow’s. Info and to RSVP: 309-2582 or alyahowe@me.com. cLASSIcAL mUSIc • Pianist Amanda Gessler returns to the Carbondale Branch Library for another classical music concert at 3 p.m. She will perform Beethoven’s Sonata no. 29 in B-flat Major, Opus 106, “Hammerklavier.” Refreshments will be provided. WINTER mARKET • The Glenwood Springs Community Center holds an artisan winter market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a one-day craft, bakery and gift market. Info: 945-5562.

SUNDAY Dec. 7 SENIOR mATTERS • Folks from Senior Matters head to the Methodist church in Glenwood Springs to take in Mountain Madrigals. For a ride, call the Traveler at 456-2295. SNOWSHOE RAcE • The 23rd annual Day of Infamy snowshoe race takes places at Sunlight Mountain Resort at 10 a.m. (registration at 9 a.m.). The entry fee is $20 in advance at Independence Run and Hike and $22 on race day. Proceeds benefit Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE), the Rifle Animal Shelter and Valley Dog Rescue. The race is co-sponsored by Sunlight and Alpine Bank.

MONDAY Dec. 8 JAZZ JAm • The Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs continues Jazz Jam Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. All abilities are welcome. For more info contact Hunter Damm 319-7853.

TUESDAY Dec. 9 LIVE mUSIc • Steve’s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents World’s

continued from page 10

Finest. This acoustic quintet plays high-energy string music. Info: 963-3304.

WEDNESDAY Dec. 10 cULTURE cLUb • The Carbondale Culture Club in the Third Street Center presents seasonal stories by Sylvia Wendrow, Annie Sinton and Susan Carter at noon. The Dec. 17 program features the piano/guitar duo Kelly Quinn and Chris Pfeiffer playing Christmas songs and selections for their new CD. HOUR OF cODE • The Carbondale Branch Library offers a computer coding class from 2-3:30 p.m. The classes are also offered at all other Garfield Cojnty library system libraries. Info: gcpld.org. POTTERY SALE • Colorado Mountain College in Aspen (0255 Sage Way) hosts a reception for its holiday pottery sale from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The sale features affordable ceramic work created by local artists, including CMC students and faculty. The sale continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 12. Info: 925-7740. cASA FUND-RAISER • Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) recruits, trains and support volunteers who advocate for children in courtrooms and communities. CASA will hold a fund-raiser and awareness event at the Grind in Glenwood Springs (720 Grand Ave.) from 5 to 8 p.m. Info: 970-987-4332 or casaoftheninth.org. LIVE mUSIc • Dan Rosenthal hosts open mic nights at Rivers restaurant from 8 to 10 p.m. Info: 928-8813. ROTARY • The Rotary Club of Carbondale meets at the Carbondale Fire Station at 6:45 a.m. Info: riccarlson@gmail.com and steve@kdnk.org.

Further Out

THURS.-SUN. Dec. 11-14 THEATRE • Thunder River Theatre Company presents “The Lion in Winter” at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $14 for students and $17 for twenty/thirty-somethings at 963-8200 or thunderrivertheatre.com. The play continues Dec. 18-21. The theatre is located just west of the Dinkel Building in downtown Carbondale.

FRIDAY Dec. 12 STUDENTS’ REcITAL • Students of Sonia Roldan will present a bilingual piano recital at the Third Street Center starting at 6 p.m. Their ages range from 4 to 12 years old. Info: 9631680 or carbondalearts.com.

Ranch artists speak and present images of their work at the CCAH Launchpad at 5 p.m. They include print makers Tara Cooper and Daniel Greenberg, sculptor Jeremy Dean, ceramist Marisa Finos, photographer/new media artist Anna Garner, and painter Caitlin Cocco. Happy hour libations will be served. Info: 963-1680 and carbondalearts.com. KOROLOGOS GALLERY • The Ann Korologos Gallery in Basalt hosts an artist’s reception. The show runs through Jan. 4. Info: 927-9668.

SAT.-SUN. Dec. 13-14

ANDERSON RANcHERS TALK • Anderson

“THE NUTcRAcKER” • Aspen Santa Fe Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at the Aspen District Theatre. Info: 920-5770 or aspensantafeballet.com.

Ongoing

Save the Date

cASTLE TOURS • Guided tours at the his- SATURDAY Dec. 13 toric Redstone Castle are offered on Saturdays WILD & ScENIc FESTIVAL • The Thompson and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. through the winter, Divide Coalition brings the Wild & Scenic Film with holiday tours Dec. 22-26 and 29-31. Info: Festival to the Crystal Theatre on Dec. 13. The 963-9656 and redstonecastle.us. festival features conservation and adventure films ASPEN cHAPEL GALLERY • The Aspen that illustrate the Earth’s beauty, the challenges Chapel Gallery features Brian Colley, Lisa that face the plant, and the work that communiSinger, Staci Dickerson, Kat Rich and 27 other ties around the world are doing to protect the local artists in its “Small Wonders” show, which areas they cherish, according to a press release. “Through these films, we hope to inspire you, our runs through Jan. 4. audience, to become more involved with one of OPEN cONTINUES • The Wyly Open con- the biggest conservation opportunities facing our tinues at the Wyly Art Center in downtown own community: permanent protection for pubBasalt. Also, “4 Architects,” which features lic lands in the Thompson Divide area,” said a Glenn Rappaport, Harry Teague, Larry Yaw Thompson Divide spokesman. Other sponsors and Will Young, continues at the Wyly Annex include CLIF Bar, Sierra Nevada, Patagonia and (174 Midland Ave. in Basalt) through Dec. 6. local businesses. Info: 970-355-4223.

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s community supported newspaper • DEcEmbER 4, 2014 • 11

Community Briefs board discusses Sirko contract The Dec. 10 Roaring Fork School District board meeting slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. at Bridges High School has been moved to Roaring Fork High School at 5 p.m., according to a school district e-mail. A school district spokeswoman said public comment probably will not begin until 5:45 p.m. because a ďŹ nancial audit is ďŹ rst on the agenda. School District Superintendent Diana Sirko is asking the board to extend her contract, which expires in the spring. The board hired Sirko as interim superintendent in 2012 after Dr. Rob Stein had to step down after about one month on the job following his wife’s serious bicycle accident. Stein later returned as assistant superintendent and chief academic ofďŹ cer.

Photo students offer free portraits Faculty, staff and students of the professional photography program at Colorado Mountain College will set up their cameras at the CMC Lappala Center to create free portraits from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 5. The photo shoot is part of the international Help-Portrait movement, according to a press release. “Help-Portrait is a global movement of photographers using their time, tools and expertise to give back to those in need,â€? said a CMC press release. There will be multiple portrait studios set up at the Lappala Center and portraits will be printed and delivered that night. This is the ďŹ fth year the professional photography

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

program has participated in Help-Portrait, bringing hundreds of free portraits to the residents of the Roaring Fork Valley. For more information, e-mail Derek Johnston at djohnston@coloradomtn.edu or call 947-8151.

KDNK holds annual meeting Community access radio station KDNK holds its annual meeting and elects members to the board of directors at 5 p.m. on Dec. 10. The action takes place at the station, located at 76 S. Second. KDNK members elect the board. Votes must be received electronically by 3 p.m. on Dec. 10, cast in person at 5 p.m. on that day, or delivered to the station on or before Dec. 10.

SVA looking for players

The second annual Roaring Fork Valley Design + Build cornhole tournament takes place at Glenwood Springs High School from 4 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 6. The entry fee is $10 per two-person team. It’s winner take all.

Symphony in the Valley is looking for musicians to play with the orchestra. “We’re a volunteer organization comprised of local musicians making music for the communities here in the valley,� said conductor Kelly Thompson. “We would love for you to join us.� All ages who play an orchestra instrument are invited; high school students are welcome with a teacher’s recommendation. For details, email conductor@sitv.org.

Library board talks guns

clothing drive under way

An agenda item on the Dec. 4 GarďŹ eld County Library Board has to do with whether to draft a policy allowing or not allowing permit-carrying patrons to lug concealed ďŹ rearms into library buildings. According to published reports, the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners group threatened to take Windsor’s Clearview Library Dis-

Basalt Realty is the drop-off place for the Salvation Army’s annual cold weather clothing drive. “Thanks to the overwhelming generosity last year, several hundred people were outďŹ tted,â€? said a local Salvation Army spokesman. Basalt Realty is accepting clean and gently used coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, socks,

cornhole returns

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trict to court, after a librarian asked a legal gun-toter to leave the building. The library district quickly backed down, and passed a policy that allows those with permits to carry a concealed ďŹ rearm to bring a gun into the library. Other agenda items for the GarďŹ eld County Library District on Dec. 4 include a discussion on the JVA marketing plan, and an executive director evaluation. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the New Castle Branch Library. The next meeting is Jan. 8 at the Silt Branch Library.

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Grief and Loss Support Gro G rief a nd L oss S uppGrief Gori rtefG and arnd o L Loss oss S Support upportdG Gro L Loss ross o S Support upport G Groups roups ffor or Grief Support Groups Holidays –A Time Time to tH Holidays ooH Time Timeli to tdoafor H ys–AThe T Time imeHolidays tto oH Honor onor The H oand lidaysLoss The lidays–A lidays The holidays can be a tough time whhoen lid– yaoys uA chaav nvebTime lo e a tough timto e when youe haatvoeugloh time when you havve lost someone you Honor place love. This season we want to create aThi s sefaosronyowue want to create a place feowa r yonut to create a place for you to come talk and

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AspAspen en – – C arbondAs Aspen alpee–n – Carbondale C Carbondale arbondal– e– Aspen Carbondale Mondays at days Wmed Mondays Mondays at M ondays at at 6:00pm 6:00pm Mondays atd 6:00p ays at atm6:00pm 6:00p at 6:00pm 6:00pm Mondays 6:00pm Wed Mondays 6:00pm 24-Dec Nov 24-Dec 24-Dvec24-D Novat 24-D ec 22 N ov 24-D ec at Nov 24-Dec Nov 24-Dec 22 6:00pm Nov 22 ec 22Mondays

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12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DEcEmbER 4, 2014

Attention fashion designers The early submission deadline for CCAH’s 2015 Green is the New Black fashion extravaganza is Dec. 15, according to a press release. Regular submissions are due Jan. 12. For details, call 963-1680 or e-mail carbondalearts.com.

Attention artists The entry deadline for CCAH’s 35th annual Valley Visual Art Show is Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. The non-juried show is open to artists who are CCAH members and reside in the 816 ZIP code. Each artist may submit two pieces, which must have been created but not shown in the past 12 months. The opening reception takes place at 6 p.m. on Jan. 23. To download an application, go to carbondalearts.com or pick one up at the Launchpad. For details, call 963-1680.

Fire district calls Here are the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District’s emergency 911 calls for the week of Nov. 23-29: • Medial emergencies (6); • Motor vehicle accidents (5); • Trauma emergencies (4); • Smoke alarm responses (1); • Ground hazard (1); • Gas leak (1); • Wildland ďŹ re/controlled burn (1);

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Carbondale Business Pa Park rk (don’t be turned off by the na name) me) PARTICIPPATING BUSINESSES: BUS Silo Board by Design Ann B. Design Jewelry Up Ski Osmia Organics

Aspen Sled Company Brent Moss Photography Kenichi Custom Wooodworking Roaring Fork Beer Company

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Holidaay Holiday Market Market

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Nov 24 -Dec 22 LocatioLno–cation – Nov 24Lo-Dec 22 Nov 26 -Dec 24 Location – cation – Location – Location – Location Healing –in TCenter, aLocation linrgCAen rts, ature Healin g Arts,TrueArts, Nature HealingLocation Arts, in RRifle ifle at at rue Nature Henio True NNature ter, – True Senior C–enSenior ter, EasSt, t 3rdSte. St, St203 e. 203 100 N. 3rCdaSstt.le Creek R111 100 3rd N. 3rdSt. St. 111100 N. 3rd 111 St. East111 d. 100 N. 0275 CasCastle tle Creek Creek Rd. 0275 Rd. 3rd Call Robyn Hliza ubbbar d MillerC Call Robyn Hubbard CaCll Robyn Hubbard Call Jenniffer Glynn eth Call Elizabeth Miller CalltoElizabeth Miller Call Robyn Hubbard Call Jennifer Glynn to sign up to sign tuopsign up to sign up to sign up sign up to sign up to 970-319-6854 sign up to sign up 970-319-6854 970-319-6854 970-987-1171 970-379-7388 0-379-7388 970-379-7388 970-319-6854 970-987-1171

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Andrea Chacos Special to The Sopris Sun Hustling out the door for anything early on Thanksgiving morning is mastering a small act of greatness. Making it to the start of the local 5K race is really just icing on the cake. But first you have to leave the cozy warmth of your home. The smell of prepped food lingers in the air and the anticipation of a day of relaxation with few obligations plays tricks in your head. Part of your brain tells you to stay home, drink another cup of coffee, find a newspaper to read and start calling family far away. The other part of your brain says to get out and exercise before the gluttony begins. Once successfully out the door you give yourself a congratulatory smile. You could have easily pulled back into the driveway and crawled back into bed. Instead you make your way over to the Drumstick Dash 5K benefitting the Carbondale Soccer Club and their over 300 member strong, nonprofit organization. Your perseverance pays off! The local coffee shop and sponsor of the race, Bonfire Coffee, has a spread worthy of the entry fee itself. There’s plenty of coffee, chai, scones, muffins and fruit for everyone. Kids are excited to bike or scooter around the course. Parents are ready to push strollers with their napping children. And there are also a few runners ready to crush the course with speed and determination. You are instantly happier than before just by being part of this small-town fund-raiser. The anticipation of the race is in the air and

the sun is now shining brightly. And with only a whistle, a shout by volunteer Crista Barlow, and a stopwatch on Dan Pittz’s phone, the race quickly begins. The first racer, Amy Rollins, sprints in at 21:36 with Brad Palmer close behind at 22:41. Then there are more cheers when the first children run toward the finish line. Megan Heath comes in first with an impressive 26 minutes followed by Ari Chacos at 29:05. They are each nine years old. Staying until the end of a casual, lighthearted Carbondale race sometimes yields big rewards if you are patient and get into the spirit of it all. This is due to the precedent set by Bob Olenick, a Carbondale Soccer Club patriarch and overall happy guy. Jarid and Amy Rollins, Stacy Stone, Laurie Guevara-Stone, Bob Albright, Kevin Heath and Mary McKisson all won in their respective age-groups. Kinley Richmond won for her butterfly costume. Axel Anderson and Kai Holcombe tied on their bicycles for passion and grit. Someone won chocolate for saying they liked chocolate. Another winner took home a body-awareness analysis for asking about the body-awareness analysis. People won bags of coffee, gift certificates and soccer gear. Early morning exercise coupled with a donation to the local soccer club feels like winning inside and out. This was infinitely worth the effort getting the family to the starting line on Thanksgiving morning. For more information on the Carbondale Soccer Club, please visit: www.carbondalesoccer.org.

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Garret Jammaron: From football to finance A 2004 RFHS graduate comes home By Barbara Dills Sopris Sun Correspondent Carbondale native Garret Jammaron says he couldn’t be happier about being back in his home town. In mid-November, he started a new job as assistant vice-president at the local Alpine Bank branch. Garret grew up in the Roaring Fork Valley, attended grade school at the former Carbondale Elementary School (now the Third Street Center) and graduated in 2004 from Roaring Fork High School, where he played offensive lineman and linebacker on the football team. In a recent interview, he said it means a lot to have the chance to serve the community where his family has lived for over a century. Besides helping local residents with consumer and commercial loans of all kinds, he is looking forward to serving as one of several community relationship managers for the bank. Garret’s love for football was kindled in the Carbondale pee-wee league when he was small. After high school, he went on to play football for two more years at Western State Colorado University in Gunnison before back injuries forced him to retire from playing the sport (he still loves to coach). He transferred to Boulder to finish college at the University of Colorado, where he earned a degree in economics. The Front Range never quite felt like home, so

when he had a chance to return to this area, he grabbed it. He’d grown up hunting, fishing, skiing, and enjoying everything the wilderness surrounding Carbondale has to offer. “I always knew this was a special place,” he says. “But living in Boulder I came to appreciate it even more than I had growing up here.” Garret’s great-grandfather Victor was the first of the Jammaron clan to settle in the Roaring Fork Valley. He arrived here in the early 1900s from northern Italy after an uncle returned from a stint as a miner in Colorado with tales of the land and the opportunities. Victor’s son, Garret’s grandfather Leo, was born on Missouri Heights and still lives on the family ranch he established between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, as do Garret’s uncle Ken and his father and mother, who built a house there when Garret was in eighth grade. The three homes make up something of a family compound, and Garret has fond memories of participating in ranch life there as a kid growing up. Before taking his current position at Alpine Bank, Garret worked at the Rifle branch as a loan operations officer, a behind-the-scenes role helping manage the bank’s entire loan portfolio. In his new role, he’ll have more direct contact with the public. A child of the bank in some regards (his father Glen is president and vice-

Garret Jammaron was a stand out football player at Roaring Fork and continued for two more years at Western State Colorado University. These days, he is an assistant VP at Alpine Bank-Carbondale. Photo by Barbara Dills chairman), Garret says he is pleased to be reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances through his job. He says he thinks Carbondale is poised for responsible growth over the next few years — growth that is compatible with its unique identity — and he believes the bank can continue to play a valuable role in community building on all levels.

“A community bank like Alpine is more interested in seeing growth happen in the right way, because the people who work here grew up close by or live here now and are not looking to hit the next step in their careers and, say, move to another state. They are personally invested in the community, which means the bank is invested in the community.”

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Letters continued om page 2 very same parents who worked hard to pass the mill levy; who participated in visioning, strategic planning and facilities meetings; and who volunteer in the schools, serving on PIE, boosters and the accountability committees. We care because if this community loses Stein, whose hiring we participated in and supported, we’d lose a top-tier administrator who would be almost impossible to replace. Many of us who have been hugely engaged will feel disenfranchised, especially because two of the five board members voting on this issue were just recently appointed, not elected. The best way to avoid unnecessary divisiveness is for the board to find a way to keep Stein and let Sirko finish her good work as our transitional superintendent. Short of that, the board should undertake a new public process for determining who our next superintendent should be. Ellen Freedman Auden Schendler Basalt

board should look long-term (Editor’s note: This letter was addressed to RFSD board members). Dear Editor: First, thank you all for your efforts over the last few years in the visioning process and some tough decisions that are always required when change is present, or needed. While there has been a lot of work done by staff, administration, the board and hundreds of committed parents and volunteers, there is still much work to be done with im-

plementation. From looking at the district website and reading letters to the editor in local papers, it is clear there is a lot of interest in the discussion revolving around extending Dr. Diana Sirko’s contract. The community seems overwhelmingly appreciative of Dr. Sirko’s efforts and assistance in bringing in Dr. Rob Stein as part of the team to develop and implement some important changes to the school district, which I feel will be important for our kids in the years to come. I tend to agree. That being said, I also feel (as many do) that the board had a plan of succession and spent much time and funds looking for the right candidate. We have that candidate in Dr. Stein. There is nothing wrong with having this plan in place and a three-year extension of Dr. Sirko’s contract would potentially jeopardize much of the work that has been done and people that have been put in place. While the board may say there was never this planned succession, I say: why not?; and I would say 90 percent of the public was not under this impression — right or wrong. While I cannot claim to know the RFSD’s human resources policies as it relates to hiring of executive-level staff, I know most institutions have policies that enable a board to make these type of decisions without going through extensive public-selection processes. This seems especially true since a national search process already took place and resulted in Dr. Stein’s initial hiring. While the initial scenario may have

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16 • THE SOPRIS SUN • www.SoprisSun.com • DEcEmbER 4, 2014

changed, the end result should not and if performance is considered, I think you have a qualified candidate the school district board should be looking to guide it into the future. Not to mention, it seems somewhat wasteful in both taxpayer dollars and board and staff time to go down the road of another large search process. Lastly, if there are to be negotiations on contract extensions, it certainly does not have to happen in a vacuum and in a “hurry up offense” type scenario, since the RFSD should be focused on contracting with the skilled pool it has for superintendent position and a calculated transition. It is likely this may be happening behind the scenes, but a transparent and frank discussion will serve the community best. Thank you for your consideration in this matter and I hope for our kids and the sake of the community visioning process to date the board considers a transition in the next year or two between Dr. Sirko and Dr. Stein. It is great having two wonderful qualified leaders, but I request we look past the immediate to the long-term. Rob Morey Carbondale

Stein is the starter Dear Editor: I have read the school board will discuss extending Dr. Diana Sirko’s contract as superintendent at the school board meeting at Roaring Fork High School at 5 p.m. on Dec. 10. I was surprised to read this. As most peo-

ple will recall, she got the position as a stand-in for Dr. Rob Stein, who was hired for the position but had to vacate it to tend to his wife who suffered a serious brain injury in a bicycle accident. The common perception was Sirko would fill in until Stein’s wife recovered enough that he could resume his position, or if not, someone else could be found. Sirko has done a fine job leading the district in the interim. Stein’s wife has recovered well, and Stein has worked under Sirko for the last year or so. Rob Stein is our starting quarterback. He stepped down because HIS WIFE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED! The back-up came in and did an admiral job. But the man we recruited, after a lengthy search, is back. He deserves to regain his starting position. David Teitler Carbondale

Not impressed with Surls Dear Editor: Frankly, we are not impressed by how much money was used to put this sculpture in the roundabout. We are not impressed with this artist. I don’t believe that Carbondale has ever been known for abstract art. Oh, you can explain all you want regarding this, but it doesn’t depict anything about Carbondale, its history, the people that first came into this valley, how it was settled, its traditions, absolutely nothing about Carbondale and its beginnings. Sorry, I can’t relate to this even one little LETTERS page 18

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

Stacey Cra: Giving back is what she’s about By Steve Jundt

Halloween Musical for five years, which involved neighborhood kids and friends in the If there were a Citizen of the Year award you would be hard pressed to rule Stacey Craft starring roles. Miles is following in her footsteps and creating his own events now. He out of the running. Stacey and her husband, Lester, moved here with their two children six hosted a neighborhood Summer Olympics this year and is now planning a Winter Olympics and several other projects. years ago and Stacey wasted no time in contributing back to their new community. Stacey was a Realtor® in Los Angeles for five years and began working for “I love living in Basalt,” says Stacey. “I felt “settled” here within two weeks of our move. There are so many opportunities to effect positive change in this Chaffin Light when she moved here. Now, six years later she has opened her town. I have enjoyed working on civic and electoral projects, being a part of own brokerage. the public school accountability committees and helping start the middle “I decided to call the business Happy Real Estate,” says Stacey, “because school’s Reading Buddy Program.” that’s really what I wanted the office to be — a happy, welcoming environStacey grew up in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, a small town near a ski ment for brokers and clients. Our first year and a half has been very rewardslope, much like Basalt. Like many, she fell in love with the Roaring Fork ing. We have five brokers working at Happy now and I hope to add a few Valley during a ski trip. more like-minded agents in the new year. We’ve created something that I’m “The first visit was on a high school field trip in 1984,” says Stacey, “and very proud of … it’s a special little office and people immediately pick up on Stacey Craft I vowed to live in Aspen one day.” Stacey spent a couple winters in Aspen that when they walk in the door. We have a sign outside that says ‘Come on in, during the early 1990’s then returned to North Carolina, married her writer husband, ask us anything’ which leads to lots of interesting conversations with passersby.” and spent the next seven years in Los Angeles. Stacey’s volunteer and educational advocacy work is an important part of her life. Her “Our kids were small then,” says Stacey, “and as they got older, my husband and I family collects, sorts and distributes thousands of books to Basalt school children each yearned to move to the mountains and raise them in a small town. We realized that dream year. “I am one of the moderators of the Roaring Fork Valley Homeschool Network and and moved to Basalt in 2008.” assist in planning activities with the nearly 150 families who homeschool in the valley. I Lester currently works in the digital media industry. Their daughter, Adele, is 15, a soph- started homeschooling my son and his friend when they were in fourth grade. Our omore at Bridges High School, and their son, Miles, is 12, a homeschooled seventh grader. daughter asked to be homeschooled for eighth grade. That has plunged our family into “They are a real joy,” says Stacey, “always planning interesting projects.” Their par- a whole new world of educational opportunities. We now have four boys learning at ents talents are certainly reflected in their kids. Adele wrote and produced the Elk Run our house each day.”

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+ THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s community supported newspaper • DEcEmbER 4, 2014 • 17

Letters continued om page 16 bit. It’s hard enough to get around it and watch that somebody doesn’t run into you. It’s the mentality of “me ďŹ rst, get out of my roadâ€? type of round about. Jane Spaulding Carbondale

Speak up on 24D Dear Editor: As I was turning west off Highway 133, in town, I noticed two men beside the ditch to my right-hand side. One of them was carrying a green, ďŹ ve-gallon jug with a spray attachment on the end and he was spraying it at the top of the grade into the ditch and lower into the ditch. I recognize the container to be Weed Be Gone and related products. I started to drive by and I thought, no, he’s not supposed to be spraying within 25 feet of a waterway and he’s spraying within two feet of the running ditch. Someone with

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a sprinkling system down the line is getting sprayed with 24D (Agent Orange) when they turn on their sprinkling system. When I said something to him about spraying 24D within 25 feet of a water source he lifted the bottle and began to read it. My deepest concern is for the lives for which we are now responsible. I’m fearful of what cancers might have been inflicted on the future of the children that live now, believing our water is safe. These individuals using the easy way to an end are not an isolated occurrence. We mourn loved ones every moment of the day, dying of cancers and chemical/man caused diseases. I just lost a dear friend that swam in the ditches and rivers with me all those years ago and I can’t help thinking of the chemicals we were swimming in and what could have caused those cancers to grow initially.

Several weeks ago I watched four delightful little girls romp and play in the water and come up spitting out water, and just having a general good old time in the summer heat. Those little girls are holding us responsible for the purity of our water system and we should be adult enough to accept that responsibility. Are we the adults? Do we really care? As a town, as trustees, as a police department and as individuals that choose to live in this town, we are the ones allowing these things to happen. Unspeakable sicknesses are occurring right now because we do not speak up. Would you favor a petition to the town council to levy ďŹ nes to individuals dispensing toxic chemicals irresponsibly in Carbondale? Speak up Carbondale. Please, speak up. Lynn Olson Collings Carbondale

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COLORADO PRODUCT SERVICES, LLC

HAS REQUESTED THE LICENSING OFFICIALS OF THE TOWN OF CARBONDALE TO RENEW THEIR RETAIL MARIJUANA STORE LICENSE TO SELL RETAIL MARIJUANA AND RETAIL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS AT

DOCTORS GARDEN 580 MAIN STREET, SUITE 300 CARBONDALE, CO 81623

HEARING ON APPLICATION TO BE HELD AT: CARBONDALE TOWN HALL 511 COLORADO AVENUE CARBONDALE, COLORADO

DATE AND TIME: JANUARY 13, 2015 AT 6:00 P.M. DATE OF APPLICATION: NOVEMBER 24, 2014 BY ORDER OF: STACEY BERNOT, MAYOR APPLICANT: JAMES LEONARD

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

Published in The Sopris Sun on December 4, 2014.

Unclassifieds Submit to unclassifieds@soprissun.com by Friday 12 p.m. Rates: $15 for 30 words, $20 for up to 50 words. Payment due before publication.* EMBROIDERY BY CORALIE. To raise money for girls education in Afganistan. She will donate all to a nonproďŹ t. Names/words $5, mountains, heart or other design $10 on a beige background. Personalize a bookmark $15. Call 970-355-9982. FREE CLASSIFIED ADS for kids and teens to promote their businesses enterprises. Thirty word maximum. Please send to unclassiďŹ ed@soprissun.com.

LOST. Two keys on a paperclip, possibly in the vicinity of the Third Street Center, KDNK or the recreation center. One goldish and square, the other not. If found, please  call 963-1549.  GET THE WORD OUT IN UNCLASSIFIEDS! Rates start at $15. Email unclassiďŹ eds@soprissun.com. VOLUNTEER SPORTS EDITOR wanted to coordinate So pris Sun high school winter sports coverage and also write

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THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s community supported newspaper • DEcEmbER 4, 2014 • 19