All Clippings From The ‘Opinion’ Category

October 4th, 2015

1.7.15 Tom

Editorial: It is Time for Delta County to Step Back for Clear Look at Land Use Planning Beyond Chicken Farms

Editorial: It is Time for Delta County to Step Back for Clear Look at Land Use Planning Beyond Chicken Farms Opinion by Thomas Wills – Merchant Herald Editor-Publisher, Hotchkiss Trustee and land use planner.  A couple dozen people, mostly supporters…Click to view post »


September 28th, 2015

Another Month in the Valley: Changing Seasons, Gas Deals, Climate Science Denial, and Mundane Garden and Weather Stuff

  Another Month in the Valley By Thomas Wills – Editor and Co-Publisher                 Fall, my very favorite time of the year in the Valley. Cool enough to work outside, with the smell of lush maturity everywhere. Shades of browns,…Click to view post »


September 26th, 2015

Downtown Paonia 1030's

Valley Economics: Why You Should Please-Please-Please Buy (and Hire) Locally

Downtown Paonia -1930’s, when most people shopped locally. Valley Economics: Why You Should Please-Please-Please Buy (and Hire) Locally By Thomas Wills- North Fork Merchant Herald & Wills Gallery and Used Books At local Chamber of Commerce meetings one topic that…Click to view post »


September 23rd, 2015

Out-of-state interests write the Thompson Divide SGI exchange playbook for Scott Tipton

Out-of-state interests write the Thompson Divide playbook for Scott Tipton  Opinion – Chris Saeger – Western Values Project When it comes to the plan to exchange oil and gas leases in Colorado’s Thompson Divide region, nearly all the players—industry, communities,…Click to view post »


September 21st, 2015

Climate Change is Liberal Hoax: Reply to a Local Climate Skeptic

Climate Change is Liberal Hoax: Reply to a Local Climate Skeptic By Thomas Wills “(Human caused) Climate change is a threat to human societies and natural ecosystems, yet public opinion research finds that public awareness and concern vary greatly. Here, using…Click to view post »


September 13th, 2015

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Tipton Votes Against Iran Deal

Rep. Scott Tipton (R) of Cortez on left with Paonia Mayor Neal Schwieterman  on right during a recent visit by locals to the capitol. Tipton Votes Against Iran Deal (Press Release)  Sep 11, 2015 Issues: Military and Veterans Votes to…Click to view post »


September 10th, 2015

North Fork Real Estate: Water that Tastes Like Million Dollars

North Fork Real Estate: Water that Tastes Like Million Dollars By Mike Jackson – Western Colorado Realty.com – Hotchkiss and Paonia offices. As a local real estate agent it’s part of our job to disclose where the water comes from…Click to view post »


September 4th, 2015

Horses, the Fair, Music, the Equestrian Granddaughter and the Waning of Summer

Horses, the Fair, Music, the Equestrian Granddaughter and the Waning of Summer By Marla Bear Bishop Summer is making an early attempt to move out of the Valley this year. Closing the windows at night? Can’t ever remember doing so…Click to view post »


August 10th, 2015

9.15 300 Dollar Reward

DMEA Court Energy Ruling Could Drive a New Kind of Local Boom

DMEA Court Energy Ruling Could Drive a New Kind of Local Boom     By Ed Marston (former member of the DMEA Board of Directors and former publisher of the High Country News based in Paonia) In a recent issue, Tom Wills…Click to view post »


August 4th, 2015

Another Month in the Valley: Health Care Woes and Lots of Rain

Sure, kids ride bikes in Hotchkiss.  The bike rack made by metal artisan Ira Houseweart at the Hotchkiss Library Another Month in the Valley By Thomas Wills – Editor and Co-publisher Hot and humid. And then just hot.  Then wet…Click to view post »