July 20, 2024
No Comments
Copyright ©️ 2024 Lake City Silver World. All rights reserved.
On Friday and Saturday July 12-13, volunteers from Lake City, Georgia, Wyoming, Utah and Durango supported 146 Hardrock 100 runners in accomplishing their 100-mile trek across the beautiful San Juans: Silverton, Lake City, Ouray, Telluride and back to Silverton.I would like to thank Troy Strayer, Robert Hudgeons, Laurel Darren, Amanda Hartman, Mike Ralph, Harry MacKendrick, Wade Wandry, Brant Cunningham, Bill Reinhardt, Leslie Nichols, Morris Coile, James Walsh, Matt Carling, Anna Kuznetsova, Siqi Wu, Eric Hodgson, Erik Henderson, Michele Frank, Alex Belisle, David Herring, Maurice Rodriguez, Eric Krohn, Rachel Krohn, and Daniel Krohn. Lake City Community School students, staff, and alumni volunteers for 2024: Rebecca Hall, Lily Virden, Caitlin Rhodes, Bennett Levine, Forrest Swift, Priya Hartman, Silas Hartman, Elliot Hartman, Levi Hartman and Rowan McNeese.Additionally, I would like to graciously thank Greg Collins (water tank); Utah’s Sanitation and Joe Hearn (dumpster); Lake City Community School (suburban and grill); San Juan Solstice (all the things); R.E. Hall (generator); and Dan Scroggins (trailer).The trail community is full of incredible people. I was humbled to spend my weekend in the presence of such grit, perseverance, uplifting human spirit and kindness. It is always a great day at the HRH Sherman aid station. Thanks to all of you! Thank you,Martha Reinhardt:HRH Sherman Aid Station Captain
The Gunnison River Basin is a vital water source for agricultural and recreational activities in Colorado. However, these water features can pose significant dangers if proper safety measures are not observed.During the summer months, the Gunnison River experiences significant fluctuations in water flow. Typically, the river’s flow can range from 1,000 to 3,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), with peaks reaching higher levels due to snowmelt and reservoir releases. Understanding these flow rates and their impact on safety is crucial for anyone engaging in water activities.First and foremost, it is imperative to respect all signage and barriers around these waterways. Signs and barriers indicate dangerous areas where the water may be deep, fast-moving, or where undertows are present. Ignoring these warnings can lead to severe consequences.Supervising children closely around water is another critical aspect of safety enjoying our water. Kids are naturally curious and may not recognize the dangers associated with canals and irrigation ditches. Educating them about these hazards and keeping a vigilant eye on them can prevent potential accidents.Swimming in canals and irrigation ditches is extremely hazardous and should be avoided. These waterways, especially with flows often exceeding 2,000 CFS in some areas, are not intended for recreational use and often contain strong currents, steep banks, and debris. It’s safer to swim in designated areas where conditions are monitored and managed. Additionally, swimming in or floating on any canal is trespassing and can be prosecuted.For those engaging in water activities on rivers or reservoirs, wearing life jackets is a critical safety measure. Even experienced swimmers can encounter unexpected difficulties, and PFDs can be lifesaving.Staying informed about water releases from upstream reservoirs is also crucial. Water levels in the Gunnison River and connected waterways can change rapidly, and checking local notices and river flow reports can help avoid getting caught off guard by rising waters.Last, it’s encouraged for everyone to learn basic water rescue techniques. Taking a local water safety or first aid course can equip you with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively in an emergency.By following these safety tips, you can enjoy the natural beauty and recreational fun of the Gunnison River Basin while keeping yourself and others safe this summer. For more water-related resources, please check out gunnisonriverbasin.org Sincerely,Savannah NelsonGBRT Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Coordinator
It was proverbial Groundhog’s Day in Lake City last Friday afternoon, July 12, as a repeat Hinsdale County Sheriff, Ron Bruce, was once again sworn into office as interim sheriff.As a quick recap, there have been a total of 38 sheriffs in Hinsdale County since its creation 150 years ago, in February, 1874. Bruce, who has the distinction being both the county’s 35th and 38th sheriff in line of succession, was first elected to the office in 2007 and was re-elected to multiple terms prior to retiring from office in 2019.He was succeeded by Justin Casey who briefly served as Hinsdale County Sheriff from 2019 until resigning in 2020, and — most recently —Christopher Kambish who was appointed to the post in 2019 and elected to a four-year term in 2020. Sheriff Kambish announced his resignation earlier this summer and his last day in office was last Friday, July 12.Hinsdale County Commissioners reviewed possible interim successor to Sheriff Kambish and at their late June meeting unanimously named Bruce as interim successor.Bruce, who was ebullient last Friday as he received his oath of office from Deputy Hinsdale County Clerk Allison Athey, will fill the office through this fall’s General Election in November when a successor will be elected and take office in January, 2025.There are three candidates for the office of Hinsdale County Sheriff, Denim Starnes previously a deputy and named Undersheriff by Bruce earlier in the day on Friday, J.T. Stratton, and former Hinsdale County Undersheriff Jordan Kaminski.As reported elsewhere this week, Kaminski successfully applied to the Hinsdale County Republican Vacancy Committee to seek election in November. Denim is an Unaffiliated candidate for Sheriff who will be listed on this fall’s ballot after submitting a petition signed by registered Hinsdale County voters; Stratton is a write-in candidate for Hinsdale Sheriff who filed paperwork with Hinsdale County Clerk Robert on Monday this week prior to the Wednesday, July 17 deadline.Jovial at last Friday’s swearing in, Sheriff Bruce looked out across the packed Coursey Annex meeting room stating he was both “thankful and humbled” by the opportunity to come out of retirement and once again serve the residents of Hinsdale County as sheriff.“I need your support and prayers,” he said, noting that in the interim post he plans to learn from past mistakes and move on. Recalling President Eisenhower’s hallowed motto, he said that as head of the sheriff’s office, “the buck stops here.”Again, drawing audience applause, Bruce said, “you have me for six months, but it’s the last bite of the apple.”He referenced current office operations as “topsy turvy” with multiple resignations in recent weeks and said it was the directive of Hinsdale County Commissioners that he “pull it together and return the office to a smooth-running machine.”Sheriff Bruce drew applause in stating an immediate goal: “I want staff to be happy to come to work.”It was at this point that he announced former Hinsdale Sheriff’s Office Deputy Denim Starnes has been promoted to Hinsdale Undersheriff; Undersheriff Starnes and Deputies Sarah Poet and Mark Zeckser will also be joined on a temporary basis by Lake City local Tom Carl, formerly a deputy with the department, who has agreed to return to ranks.Sheriff Bruce ominously stated, “there are a couple of people I have my eye on who will be unhappy unless they change their lives.”The newly appointed sheriff indicated that his first two weeks in office will be slow as he recuperates from minor bladder surgery which was scheduled on Thursday this week. “I’ll have a week of light duty,” he said, “but after that I’ll be out meeting folks.”From the audience, Hinsdale County Commissioners Robert Hurd and Kristie Borchers added their congratulations, Borchers also extending best wishes to Chris Kambish and his family as they move on to the next phase of their lives.Among those in the congratulatory audience — which included the new sheriff’s wife, Diane Bruce, dressed in red, white and blue in a front row seat — on Friday was Bruce’s old friend, strapping former Texas Ranger Nick Hanna who is now Sheriff of Tom Green County near San Angelo.Raising his hand in greeting to Hanna, Bruce — a former Arizona state patrolman prior to Lake City — told the audience, “In my next life I want to come back as a Texas Ranger.”
Emotions flared on Monday morning this week as the five-member Vacancy Committee of the Hinsdale County Republican Party met to consider endorsing candidates for Hinsdale County Sheriff in this fall’s General Election.After emotional remarks by several members of the Vacancy Committee and in split three-yes, two-no balloting, the committee voted to approve former Hinsdale County Undersheriff Jordan Kaminski as the Republican Party’s candidate for Hinsdale County Sheriff.Empowered by Colorado State Statute to name candidates to fill vacancies, the deliberation was described by vacancy committee member Michael Murphy as “winging it” in a “difficult situation.”Among seated audience at Monday’s vacancy committee meeting was Jordan Kaminski who worked for Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Dept 2012-2014 and again starting 2018 and served as Undersheriff from September, 2020, until his resignation effective June 23 this year.In his remarks to the vacancy committee members, Kaminski stated that following prayerful consideration he had concluded to ask the committee to approve him as Republican candidate for sheriff in order to give the voters a choice.“I am at peace with whatever you do,” he told vacancy committee members Diane Bruce, Wes Williams, Becky Weeks, Michael Murphy, and Bobby Kleckner, the latter representing Hinsdale County’s South End. After 30 minutes discussion, including intense questioning by several members of the vacancy committee, the motion to list Kaminski by name as the Republican Party’s candidate for Hinsdale County Sheriff was made by Wes Williams and Michael Murphy and ultimately passed with Williams, Murphy, and Weeks voting in the affirmative, and Bruce and Kleckner casting no votes. As Republican candidate in this November’s Election, Kaminski will be one of three candidates for county sheriff; as reported in last week’s WORLD, Hinsdale Sheriff’s Dept. Deputy and now Undersheriff Denim Starnes has submitted sufficient registered voter signatures to seek election as Hinsdale Sheriff as an Unaffiliated candidate; added to the list of candidates for sheriff as of Monday morning this week is Lake City resident J.T. Stratton, registered Unaffiliated with the county, who has filed paper work to seek election as a write-in candidate.As write-in candidate, Stratton was not required to submit signatures of registered voters.The successful sheriff’s candidate will take the place of interim Hinsdale County Sheriff Ron Bruce (see separate article, page 1) who on Friday afternoon, July 12, received his oath of office to replace the former sheriff, Chris Kambish, who resigned effective July 12.Bruce, a past Hinsdale County Sheriff, was selected as interim replacement by Hinsdale County Commissioners and has agree to serve from Friday last week until January 8, 2025, when the newly-elected sheriff is sworn into office. In Monday morning’s vacancy committee meeting, former undersheriff Kaminski was seated and calm as he was closely questioned by several of the committee members. Asked by Wes Williams for his reasoning in resigning as undersheriff last month, Kaminski replied that it was an issue of prayer, stating he felt it was “best to step away for a time” in the midst of turmoil which arose as a result of the resignation of Sheriff Kambish.South End committee member Bobby Kleckner referenced “interesting times we live in”……. To read the full story, pick up a copy of the Lake City Silver World at local shops or subscribe today!
Copyright ©️ 2024 Lake City Silver World. All rights reserved.
