Chairman Tom Mathers likened the Craig community’s feelings about the changes in the coal industry to feelings whalers had years ago when kerosene began lighting people’s lanterns.
According to Craig City Council member Ray Beck’s “unofficial count,” 562 people attended the meeting at Moffat County High School with EPA Region 8 Administrator Shaun McGrath.
Moffat County Commissioner Chuck Grobe serves on the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s Air Quality Control Commission. Grobe said the AQCC would work with the EPA to set the air quality standard for the state of Colorado.
The EPA’s open-comment period on standards for existing coal-fired power plants ends Dec. 1 (see cover).
Strengthening Economies Together: Danner introduced three guests, Pattie Snidow and Bob Koenen from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Peggy Schlechter from South Dakota State University’s extension office, who all work on the SET program, which focuses on strengthening regional rural economies.
The SET group focuses on areas of economic interest that stretch across county borders, including education, coal and energy, tourism and broadband.
Danner said the group met over the last 14 months to develop a regional economic plan and are now in the process of hearing comments from Craig and surrounding communities about the plan.
Danner said the plan will be dynamic to the communities they developed it for.
Maybell Store: Mary and Joe Schminkey bought the Maybell Store from Lynn Haskins. Commissioners approved a motion 3-0 to transfer the store’s liquor license to its new owners.
Youth Services Department: Commissioners approved a motion 3-0 to elect three new members to the 14th Judicial District Juvenile Services Planning Commission.
Browns Park School: Kathy Bower and Bill Leonard, who are brother and sister and both attended Browns Park School, proposed a plan to replace a rusty outside door at the school with a solid wood door. Commissioners approved a motion 3-0 to provide the Alumni Association with funds to replace the door.
Mathers said the Browns Park Alumni Association hasn’t used all of the $10,000 commissioners gave them to refurbish the school, but periodically returns to the commission to keep them abreast of developments with the project and ask for money out of that fund when necessary for improvements.
Contact Janelle O’Dea at 970-875-1795 or jodea@craigdailypress.com.