SERVING RIO BLANCO COUNTY, COLORADO SINCE 1885 R I OOB B LL AA NN CC OO Herald Times Home of Richard and Pearl Ellsworth Volume 128, Number 41 I May 23, 2013 I theheraldtimes.com Teachers: BMS meets more needs EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the sec- of questions in the surveys; what fol- (BMS) teachers were happier with sions. The 2013 TELL Colorado sur- ond of three stories looking at the lows is only a sample. teaching, preparation and discipline vey was administered Feb. 6 to March results released by TELL Colorado, issues at the school than at many 11. More than half the results from which surveys teachers in Colorado By SEAN McMAHON Colorado middle schools represented BMS instructors rated conditions at every two years on specific teach- [email protected] in the 2013 TELL Colorado survey. the school about the same or better ing/preparation conditions at their The Teaching, Empowering, than average compared to all middle schools. This week we will look at SECOND OF Leading and Learning (TELL) schools in Colorado. The 2013 figures Meeker’s Barone Middle School. Next Colorado survey is an anonymous are also split between rising above and week, we will examine the results from THREE PARTS statewide survey of licensed, school- falling below the teacher’s survey fig- Meeker Elementary School teachers. based educators regarding teaching, ures from 2011 results, which are also All results are taken from the surveys MEEKER I Teachers at Barone preparation and discipline conditions available as part of the survey. turned in by certified teachers only. Middle School are considerably hap- at their school. There are three survey results for SPRINGTIME IN Complete results for all three schools pier with conditions at that school than Results are intended to support each school: site summary compari- are available online at www.tellcol- teachers were in last week’s look at school and district improvement plan- orado.org /results There are hundreds Meeker High School. In fact, Barone ning and to assist with policy deci- See TELL, Page 6A THE ROCKIES ... Peacock Building site to be museum By HEATHER ZADRA Special to the Herald Times RANGELY I A piece of Rangely history came down when the structure popularly known as the “Peacock Building” was demol- ished last week. Another form of history, a car museum, will take its place. The building, initially a large shop with a small office on its south side, took on a distinct look over the years as owner Harry Peacock built additions using oil storage tanks cut in half and lifted, with steel sheets welded to the tanks for additional height. The structures were not insulated, but burning used motor oil and natural gas pro- vided ample heat, Peacock said. The building’s location near Main Street on South Stanolind Avenue made it an ideal place for the businesses that eventually grew from there. A propane company dispatch center before Peacock bought it, the structure later housed Peacock Well Service, Little Rocky Construction Co. and Peacock Oil Co. JUNE STRIEGEL From the late 1950s to the mid- Last week’s demolition of what was popularly known as the Peacock Building on South Stanolind ‘60s, the construction and oil com- Avenue, where Peacock Oil Co. and several other businesses operated over the last six decades, panies operated alongside the marked the end of one era and the beginning of a new era in history. Owner Bud Striegel hopes to Peacock Family Store, which ini- have an 80-by-180-foot steel building he plans to turn into a car museum on the site by August. tially provided clothing and equip- ment to oilfield workers but later claimed his life, though Martinson The building sat vacant for some a different kind of history. Now sold everything from motorcycles survived for 12 days after the acci- time after Peacock Oil went out of there’s just one problem. and shoes to GE appliances and dent and had been improving. business, then housed equipment “I don’t have near enough cars snowmobiles. “It was kind of like a security used to modify municipal water yet,” Striegel said, laughing. “We had everything,” Peacock blanket knowing the building was plants. Now the land, if not the Peacock said that while learn- said. “We had a heck of a busi- still there,” said Martinson’s building, that has seen so much his- ing of the old building’s demise ness.” widow, Ruth. “I felt a little sad tory will take on new life as current was bittersweet, this seasoned busi- The building was also the site because it’s the end of both eras. owner Bud Striegel makes plans to nessman knows that’s how things of a tragedy. In 1997, Claude The Peacock Building is a land- bring in a new 80-by-180-foot steel work. Martinson was working on a gas mark, and that’s where Claude’s building with a 2,400-square-foot “Yes, there’s a lot of sentimen- welder when a droplet of gas con- accident happened.” office in front. tal feelings there, but, what the hell, nected with a halogen lamp. The Still, Martinson and Peacock The building, a car museum for progress is progress,” he said. “And resulting fire on March 22, 1997, understand the pace of progress. rare and antique models, will house I’m all for progress.” Smaller deer numbers to be discussed Special to the Herald Times officials on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at there is a large section of the public we solutions and restoring herds to their Mountain Valley Bank, 400 Main St. have yet to hear from and we are management objectives. RBC I To address the overall in Meeker. happy to provide another opportunity “This is not just a concern for BOBBY GUTIERREZ decline in mule deer populations Wildlife officials stress that the for them to listen and also provide hunters and outfitters,” de Vergie said. Rio Blanco County operator Ron Willey uses an 872 throughout Western Colorado, state public’s understanding of the decline their input. “If you live in Western Colorado, a John Deere, all-wheel-drive, fully-chained, road grader wildlife managers are participating in is critical and opportunities to have an “Mule deer provide substantial continuing decline may affect you with an A-plow to break through the snow on the numerous, ongoing research projects open discussion with researchers and economic benefits to communities eventually, whether you hunt mule Colorado Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway at approximately in Rio Blanco and Moffat counties as biologists can provide valuable across Colorado and are an important deer, earn an income from hunting, mile marker 44 on Monday. “This is the best part of the they continue their search for answers insight. indicator species for the overall health collect antlers or just enjoy viewing job,” Willey said. County Road and Bridge Director Dave and possible solutions for the drop in “Some of our stakeholders have of the environment,” he said. wildlife.” Morlan said the “goal” is to have Ripple Creek Pass offered their views and opinions about “Numerous factors may have led to Among other topics to be dis- open by Memorial Day weekend. Willey broke through numbers. To discuss their findings so and over the top Tuesday, then was headed to do the far, local wildlife managers are invit- what needs to happen to reverse the the overall decline and wildlife cussed, local landowners will learn same on Burro Mountain. ing the public to a presentation with decline,” said Area Wildlife Manager researchers will continue their years- about plans for neonatal studies on biologists, researchers and wildlife Bill de Vergie of Meeker. “However, long research with goals of finding their lands. WEATHER Saturday: 80s/40s Sunny! Sunday: 70s/30s Mostly Sunny Meeker Laurie J. Brooks Owner/Broker Rangely ADVERTISE HERE! Charlie Novak Broker Associate 1-866-628-3532 BROOKS889 Main St., Meeker, Colorado (970) REALTY 878-5858 www.brooksrealtymeeker.com 675.5033 or 878.4017 Commercial Opportunity! Thousands of potential customers Rim Rock Campground could be reading your ad today! Meeker, Colorado 30 RV Hook-Ups. Numerours 1 bedroom cabins. Rental home with 3 bedrooms, 1 bath. Nice 3 bedroom Manager Home. $ 438,000 Don’t miss out on this opportunity! 654 MainMain St.St. | Meeker,Meeker, COCO www.stratanetworks.comwww.stratanetworks.com RIO BLANCO HERALD TIMES 2A " COMMUNITY Thursday, May 23, 2013 BRIEFS Donations sought for Okla. tornado victims MEEKER | If you wish to help the victims of the Monday torna- does in Moore, Okla., Rocky Mountain Hair Benders hair and nail salon at 640 Main St. in Meeker will be the drop-off site for non-per- ishable foods and clothes of all sizes and for all ages by Friday at 10 a.m. A group from Rangely will pick up all items by 10 a.m. on Friday, then drive directly to Oklahoma City to distribute the goods. Fire danger low, but caution urged RBC | Fire danger is low in Rio Blanco County, which means the current potential for large intense wildfires is at a minimum. However fire safety always needs to be observed as lighter vegetation, like grass and brush, can dry out quickly and when combined with dead vegetation from last year, can easily catch and carry, especially if it is windy. DIAPERS COLLECTED FOR NEW EDEN ... Recent rain has moderated the fire danger in many northwest Colorado areas and snow is lingering at some higher elevations. “While our area has received rain and green-up is under way in fine vegetation, the larger fuels and trees still suffer from the effects of drought and are ready to burn, said Colt Mortenson, the Northwest Colorado fire management officer.