Kudos to Re-2 teachers

It’s been a few days since the district closing meeting and I would like to recognize a heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the board to the best of the best Garfield Re-2 teachers of the 23-24 Year.
Here they are in the schools’ alphabetical order.

• Cactus Valley Elementary – Jami Zimmerman;
• Coal Ridge High School – Damon Martinez;
• Elk Creek Elementary – Erica Coon;
• Graham Mesa Elementary – Jennifer Hartung;
• Highland Elementary – Melissa Lopez;
• Kathryn Senor Elementary – Krystyna Gardner;
• Rifle High School – Shannah Smith;
• Rifle Middle School – Laura VanDeusen;
• Riverside Middle School – Miranda Townsend;
• Wamsley Elementary School – Kelly Hillbrand.

Hats off and thank you for your service. This citation is such a coveted honor, cherish and reflect. You are now charged to help others achieve this honor. To all staff, have a great and wonderful summer.

Tony May, Garfield Re2 School Board member; New Castle

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Cyclists on Rio Grande pose danger to pedestrians

My husband and I are senior citizens who live in Carbondale. It has been our daily habit for years to walk on the Rio Grande Trail in and around Carbondale.

We have been grateful that the trail exists and that RFTA maintains it for us all. However, reckless bicycle riding on the trail has reached a point that we have become afraid for our safety. I know we are not alone in fearing accidents. Many polite cyclists we meet on the trail are enjoying the scenery and happily taking the safety of others into consideration.

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Unfortunately there is a growing minority of cyclists who do not follow the rules regarding right of way, speed, single file travel and announcing themselves before passing pedestrians. There has been a significant increase in trail use by cyclists over the last few years. I am aware that signage on the trail has been kept to a minimum to preserve the “Natural” aspects of the trail. This may have been appropriate in prior times but this policy is now sadly outdated. Appropriate trail signage is needed and the safety rules need to be widely promulgated.

There are numerous blind curves that need to be posted to avoid collisions. The signage need not be obtrusive. There are lots of creative people in our valley who can come up with signage ideas that preserve our values and aesthetic while supporting safety.

The community also need to be assured that the cyclists we encounter on our trails on rented bicycles are aware of the rules and aware that the trail is for the shared use of equestrians, the disabled (including those in wheel chairs), the elderly and small children. The distribution of trail safety rules needs be required of the bicycle renting community. I am not naive and am aware of the strong cyclist lobbing power in this valley but it is time for our responsible cyclists to step up and do the right thing and support the rigorous following of the safety rules.

Whose fault will it be if RFTA and the bike rental community do not seriously address these matters? Whose family member need to be injured before responsible action is taken?

Denise Fogerty, Carbondale

Youth Basketball Camp coming up

The GSHS Lady Demon basketball program is hosting a youth basketball skills camp July 8-10 for boys and girls grades 3-9. This 3 day camp will include skill work in shooting, defense, ball handling, etc. The camp will be run by my coaching staff, current and former players, and some retired collegiate players. It will be a fun week learning the game of basketball.

The camp will run July 8-10. 9 a.m. to noon for third-fifth graders and noon to 4 p.m. for grades 6-9. The cost is $100 (grades 3-5) and $125 (grades 6-9) which includes instruction and a camp t-shirt. To register, email jdecrow@rfschools.com.

Go Demons!

Jordan DeCrow, Glenwood Springs High School Girls Basketball Coach; Glenwood Springs

Presidential debate or Presidential berate?

Watching the first presidential debate was a painful demonstration on how NOT to be Presidential. President Biden came across as a lovable Grandpa who looked tired, you just wanted to give him a ride home and tuck him into bed. Candidate Trump came across as that annoying neighbor who stands at the fence constantly complaining about how bad your yards looks but offers no help or solutions. I spent 1 1/2 hours of my life watching 2 well versed candidates engaged in a tit for tat “did so, did not” berating each other like 4th graders.

I had high hopes that each candidate would face the camera, when ashed a pointed question, and say “America here is my solution.” or “Here is where I stand.”, I imagined substance and ideas from each candidate, a debate is a forum when a candidate takes a stand, when they pound their fist on the podium and say without doubt or hesitation “This is what I believe. Stand with me.”

Instead it was more or less a constant barrage of insults, jabs, barbs and skillful avoidance, adding a third candidate and a bit of contact it might have made for an entertaining 3 Stooges skit. Towards the end CNN thought it important to turn on both Mics so they could exchange insults about each others golf stats. This is must see TV? In all honesty the commentary and analysis afterwards was far more entertaining and had me engaged with the TV to the point of standing and screaming at it “Yes my point exactly.” In the future a true debate would include all of the candidates regardless of their standings in the polls, we’d likely hear some ideas worth listening to.

Gary Kirchberg, New Castle