Correction: Last week’s article about commercial space availability in Carbondale noted nearly 10,000 square feet vacant at Hayden Place. We were informed the northernmost portion has been leased to a local builder as a showroom and office. The remaining 6,755 square feet (or a smaller portion) can be rented by contacting Gabe Molnar at Gabe.Molnar@elliman.com
Electricity & fire risk
At Holy Cross Energy we want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to safety, especially as wildfire risk becomes an increasingly urgent concern across our region.
We’ve taken bold, proactive steps to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by electrical infrastructure. One of the most effective tools we use is “fast tripping,” a system setting that increases relay sensitivity during heightened fire danger. When fire weather becomes significantly elevated, for example during a Red Flag Warning in any part of our service territory, we enable these settings to reduce the chance of ignition. If a tree or debris contacts a line, the power cuts off more quickly than under normal settings, minimizing potential fire risk.
These changes are made for the safety of our communities, but they can result in short, momentary power “blinks.” Therefore, we deeply appreciate your patience and understanding on these high-risk days.
In addition, we’ve embraced cutting-edge inspection technologies to enhance our wildfire mitigation strategy:
- Drone inspections give our crews a bird’s-eye view of our system, helping detect issues not visible from the ground.
- Multispectral imagery allows us to assess tree health, decay and fallen vegetation, helping to prioritize areas for vegetation management.
- LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) enables us to build detailed digital models of our infrastructure for more efficient system awareness and planning.
- Infrared thermography identifies “hot spots” on equipment that can’t be seen by the naked eye.
These inspection technologies allow us to identify and correct system problems before they become failures.
Lastly, extreme fire conditions may warrant the need for more extreme safety measures. While rare and used only as a last resort, our team has worked diligently with our local governments and regional transmission partners on a plan for potential public safety power shutoff (PSPS) planned outages. An action of this scale will never be taken lightly, but it is another tool to prevent catastrophic wildfire ignition from electric infrastructure.
Safety will always guide our operations, and we thank you for your continued support and trust.
Cody O’Neil, VP Operations
Holy Cross Energy
Carbondale rafters
While on my interminable and unscheduled flight, compliments of our thoroughly broken airline industry, recently, my frustration was assuaged by a good read. The novel was “Secrets of the River” and it was written by my neighbors, Larry Gottlieb and Kay Knickerbocker.
I don’t do much reading for enjoyment these days. Mostly, I read newspapers and emails. That’s gotten awfully depressing. Larry and Kay’s book is enlightening, thought provoking and eminently enjoyable. I may change my reading habits.
A lot of philosophy, psychology and physics in these pages, everything from existentialism to Carl Jung to quantum physics to A Yaqui Way of Knowledge. It’s about five total strangers from an unspecified city who take a raft trip down an unspecified river with a mysterious and omniscient guide known only as Skip, a psychologist and a physicist.
Their discussions and the relationships that develop are fascinating. There’s a surprise at the end I won’t spoil for you. “Secrets of the River” is available at White River Books.
Fred Malo Jr.
Carbondale
Pathfinders Angels
Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back? Do you enjoy cooking and helping others during challenging times? If so, Pathfinders needs you!
Pathfinders is a longstanding, local nonprofit that provides support to individuals and families facing grief, loss, cancer and other serious illnesses. One of the ways we help ease the emotional and physical burdens of these life-altering conditions is through the work of our dedicated volunteer team — the Pathfinders Angels — who deliver home-cooked meals and companionship to those in need.
Many of our clients are too ill to cook for themselves, and their caregivers are often overwhelmed. A nourishing meal can bring comfort, dignity and relief. More importantly, it reminds them they are not alone, and that their community cares.
We seek volunteers to join our Pathfinders Angels team by preparing and delivering meals. We have a place for you whether you can contribute weekly, monthly or occasionally.
If you’d like to help or want more information, please contact Debbie at debbiekreutzer@comcast.net Your time and kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
Debbie Kreutzer
Pathfinders Angels
Libraries
Myrna Fletchall has submitted her resignation from the Garfield County Public Library District Board of Trustees. A little history: Myrna was appointed by the Garfield Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) a little over a year ago after they rejected the Library‘s choice of Hanna Arauza as the trustee to represent Rifle and after they co-opted the long-standing procedure whereby library trustees were selected by the existing library board. (Coincidentally, Hanna‘s husband, Stephen, was running to replace commissioner Mike Samson on the BOCC). The BOCC expressed a desire for more diversity of thought on the board, accusing the existing board of “group think“ rather than recognizing that the trustees are required to follow the law and library policies. (There is some irony here that this extremely Republican BOCC was complaining about a lack of diversity; also that Mr. Samson said the trustees needed “new blood” when he has been on the BOCC for over 16 years).
The BOCC has swallowed the snake oil being peddled by a small group of local malcontents and it is clear that their goal is to “stack“ the board with members who would do their bidding.
Since Myrna‘s appointment, the BOCC has refused to reappoint two highly qualified trustees and have appointed three new trustees, one of whom is outspokenly anti-LGBTQ+, doesn’t believe children have First Amendment rights and believes that the government controls the weather.
Now, they will be appointing a replacement for Myrna as well as future vacancies as they occur. It is incumbent upon us as citizens of Garfield County to speak out and let the BOCC know their actions in this matter are not acceptable. Our library is excellent and we need to defend it.
Carole O’Brien
New Castle
Rio Grande safety
One year ago, I was the victim of an e-bike versus bike crash on the Rio Grande Trail. The 300 pounds of force that hit me inflicted a deep puncture wound through my thigh and caused broken bones. I’m still recovering and am facing future surgeries.
I’m grateful to the good samaritan who spotted me in the grass from her car, offered help and called 911.
While the Rio Grande Trail (managed mainly by RFTA and Pitkin County) is a beautiful asset to our community, over the past four years the speeds and weights of mobility devices on the trail have greatly increased. The Trail’s brochure states that riders should ride single file and not exceed 20mph. E-bikes/bikes on sidewalks are a common local sight. A helmet is a critical line of protection and a cell phone in an accessible pocket is an asset if you or someone else is injured.
These crashes are avoidable and should not happen, but they do. If you’re involved in or come across an accident, call 911 and, if you’re comfortable doing so, administer help to any injured party. Take pictures of the scene and the parties involved. If you don’t do the right thing a witness may capture your picture and post it on social media for identification!
Colorado state law requires that information to be exchanged between injured parties.
Local officials need to allocate resources to protect cyclists by policing trail speeds, ensuring only Class 1 or 2 e-bikes are on trails and deploying police officers to the scene when 911 is summoned. At present, there is little data on these injuries – mostly anecdotes. I urge RFTA and Pitkin County Open Space and Trails to establish a self-report database. With data, I hope protection via policing, trail signage and education can move forward.
As I continue to recover, I thank Aspen Valley Hospital, Drs. Ruzbarsky and Sachar as well as the Howard Head rehab team for their excellent care.
Kathleen Brehm
Basalt
RE: RFTA housing
I read Steve McQuiston’s predictable, quagmired, disappointing job and employee housing exposure of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA).
The RFTA temporary “housing stipend covering 50% of the rent plus utilities,” its “transition from payroll deductions to direct rent payments” strategy, its labor wages, its Rental Advance Program and its Housing Resource Guide are inadequate to sustain any one American in Carbondale and the Roaring Fork Valley who does not have surplus financial resources and a strong social network.
RTFA should hire only people who are high net worth individuals because there ain’t enough sugar mamas or sugar daddies around to subsidize its labor force, isn’t that right?
RFTA should be straight up with its job applicants by giving them a truth in risk management analysis of their social, financial and emotional well-being in the short term and the long run.
Furthermore, RFTA should man up to all of its employees by saying, “If you get iced, it ain’t the American Firsters’ or the U.S. government’s fault. In these parts, partner, our priorities are pretty skewed left and not right. Get what I mean?”
Emzy Veazy III
Aspen
Climate change?
At least 95 are dead from floods in Texas. Eighteen days ago: six dead in West Virginia. Twenty-one days ago: 13 dead in San Antonio. Right now, fires over 1,000 acres are in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Washington, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico. Heat domes have been popping up with temperatures over 100 degrees. All of these extreme events are now attributed to climate change.
Should anything be done to lessen climate change? What? The big spending bill just passed in Congress. AI says:
“The new spending bill does not include provisions that support climate change initiatives; instead, it dismantles incentives for clean energy and boosts fossil fuel industries. This has raised concerns among climate advocates about its negative impact on efforts to address climate change.”
Patrick Hunter
Carbondale
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