.... The Daily Sentinel • Tuesday, March 9, 2010 3A Antero says it has no plans to drill in town of Silt By DENNIS WEBB disturbing wildlife, Silt resident ered a landmark one when it porated community of Battle- town’s limits. said after last week’s meeting. Dennis.Webb@gjsentinel.com David Hare said in an inter- was adopted several years ago ment Mesa, where it is pursuing Eventually, though, it plans Others at the meeting praised SILT — Antero Resources view. and figured prominently as a controversial proposal to drill to do much more drilling on Antero for its ongoing efforts officials have sought to dispel “Now they’re disturbing com- state officials developed new 200 wells. the north side of the Colorado to meet with residents and speculation by residents that it munities,” he said. oil and gas rules, which include Rumors of possible drilling in River, closer to Silt. to reduce impacts of drilling plans to drill for oil and gas in Antero met last week with a similar voluntary process Silt arose after some residents Hare worries that incidents through means such as install- the town of Silt. several dozen residents in Silt. for companies to put together received notices about an An- such as well-site explosions ing water pipelines to limit The company’s denial of The company holds occasional comprehensive development tero well-spacing proposal in could endanger residents. Fel- truck traffic, and not using pits. that rumor hasn’t fully eased public meetings to provide up- plans to address concerns such the area. Unlike in Battlement low resident Georgann Barclay Kilstrom said it’s to Antero’s the concerns of some residents dates on its operations between as impacts to wildlife and public Mesa, where Antero is plan- wasn’t assured by Antero point- benefit to constantly look at about the fact that its operations Rifle and New Castle as part of health. ning well pads within the com- ing out it planned to drill no ways to minimize impacts and are moving ever closer to the a voluntary development plan it Antero now is creating such munity, Antero’s vice president closer than 500 feet from homes keep neighbors happy. town. agreed to with communities and a plan under the state rules for of production, Kevin Kilstrom, in Battlement Mesa. “We have no incentive not to Drilling used to primarily residents in the area. the area between Rifle and New told Silt residents the company “To have a well 500 feet from explore an alternative that’s bet- raise concerns about companies That agreement was consid- Castle and one for the unincor- wouldn’t be drilling within the my house? I don’t think so,” she ter,” he said. CAREFREE AND CAR-FREE County workers may borrow from retirement fund By MIKE WIGGINS Mike.Wiggins@gjsentinel.com Mesa County employees who ployment with the county prior may be strapped for cash in to repaying the loan must repay this recession soon will be able the loan immediately upon their to take out a loan from their employment with the county retirement fund under a change ending. Failure to do so will re- approved by county commis- sult in Internal Revenue Service sioners on Monday. penalties. Commissioners Steve Ac- In formulating its own pro- quafresca and Janet Rowland gram, Conley said Mesa County agreed to amend the Colorado took pointers from Jefferson County Officials and Employees County, which placed no condi- Retirement Association retire- tions on employees taking out ment plan to allow employees a loan. to borrow against their vested “They just opened the flood- 401(a) account balance. Com- gates,” she said, noting that missioner Craig Meis was ab- as a result, “They’ve got some sent from the meeting. employees upside-down in their Assistant County Administra- retirement accounts.” tor Stefani Conley said county Conley emphasized that administrators considered per- employees should consider bor- mitting the county’s nearly 1,000 rowing money from their retire- employees to borrow against ment fund a last resort. their retirement fund after an “This is not something you employee approached them would use to buy a snowmobile about a month ago. or take a trip to Hawaii,” she “This employee said, ‘I’ve got said. some critical financial needs. If I Acquafresca noted there are could get funds for this, it would risks to employees who don’t help immensely,’ ” Conley said. manage their loans and retire- Conley told commissioners ment funds well and asked employees can borrow up to 50 county staff to provide quar- DEAN HUMPHREY/The Daily Sentinel percent of their vested account terly updates on the program. A couple walks west in the 400 block of Main Street, dwarfed by an excavator as it removes curb and gutter from the Fourth Street intersection balance — between $2,500 and Rowland said she’s more as part of the Main Street Uplift project. The intersection is closed, shutting off a popular southern route through the city. $50,000 — for any reason. Em- interested in seeing how the ployees can take out only one program affects the county. She loan at a time. said since it’s employees’ money, Loans will be repaid through they can spend it any way they Man accused of sexually assaulting three girls payroll deductions, with partici- pants charged loan administra- tion and annual service fees. Workers who leave their em- want. “I’m not their mother, and you’re not their father,” Row- land told Acquafresca. By PAUL SHOCKLEY The girl said the assaults Paul.Shockley@gjsentinel.com started when she was between According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the alleged A Fruita man was arrested Sunday on suspicion he sexu- victims, now ages 11, 9, and 12, told a Grand Junction ages 5 and 7, and outlined for a detective several incidents when Gallegos allegedly touched her Amazon cuts off Colo. ally assaulted three young girls police detective they were assaulted at two of affiliates because of tax in private areas. She initially over nearly six years. started going to Gallegos’ home Jose Elizario Gallegos, 58, 816 Jose Gallegos’ former Grand Junction homes. after school, where she was paid E. Ottley Ave., surrendered at to clean, the affidavit said. Mesa County Jail on a warrant She told a detective that Gal- By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS alleging five counts of sexual victims, now ages 11, 9, and 12, mother confronted Gallegos legos explained it was “OK” for DENVER — Amazon is ers either have to start col- assault on a child and two told a Grand Junction police within hours of hearing the the girl and her young cousin cutting off affiliates that help lecting state sales tax them- counts alleging sexual assault detective they were assaulted at claims. to inappropriately touch one it sell products in Colorado selves or send annual notices on a child in a pattern of sexual two of Gallegos’ former Grand “(Woman) said Gallegos acted another, the affidavit said. The because of a new online sales to customers telling them to abuse. Junction homes. surprised but didn’t say any- girl said this happened five to 10 tax law. pay the tax. Gallegos is being held without Gallegos became the focus of thing,” the affidavit said. times at one home. Affiliates earn money by Amazon says the law is bond on the allegations and is an investigation after the moth- The girl said she didn’t come “He told them ... there was using their Web sites to link cumbersome and no other expected to make his first court er of one of the girls told police forward earlier with the infor- nothing wrong with it,” the af- customers to online sellers. state has similar rules. appearance today. her daughter confided she’d mation because she was “scared fidavit said. “He also told them Amazon told affiliates on Affiliates feared the tax According to an arrest been inappropriately touched maybe she had done something if they told they would get in Monday it would no longer would hurt them, and law- warrant affidavit, the alleged on several occasions. The girl’s wrong,” the affidavit said. trouble.” pay them advertising fees be- makers changed the bill to cause of the new state law. try to prevent them from be- The law says online retail- ing harmed. Help with jobless benefits available this week The Daily Sentinel (ISSN 1545-8962) Published every morning at 734 S. Seventh Street, Grand Junction, CO, 81501. Periodical Post- age paid at Grand Junction, CO. By AMY HAMILTON Miller, an employment special- claims on the Internet. Getting said. Carrier home delivery prices: 13 weeks - $42.90, 26 weeks - $81.12, 52 weeks - $140.40. Amy.Hamilton@gjsentinel.com ist at the workforce center. questions answered via phone Counselors will visit with Weekend delivery packages: Wednesday thru Sunday: $131.04, Friday thru Sunday: $85.80, Saturday and Sunday: $54.08, Sunday only: $54.08. Weekend delivery includes the following Having trouble receiving un- “This is going to be going to can reportedly take three to four residents in alphabetized order dates (in 2010): Jan 1, Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 17, Apr 5, May 31, July 5, Sept 6, Oct 11, Nov 11, Nov 25, Nov 26, Dec 25. employment benefits? be very helpful for people,” she hours. And representatives at according to the first letter of Single Copy: $.75 daily and $1.50 Sunday. If you’re a Mesa County resi- Mail (USPS): $5.00 per week, $260.00 per year. “POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The said. “We don’t have the access the local work force center large- last names. Daily Sentinel, P.O. Box 668, Grand Junction, CO 81502.” dent and have hit a snag receiv- or authorization to handle ly are unable to help clear up is- The schedule is as follows: ing a jobless claim, make plans claims. That’s why this is so sues in the benefits program. ■ Thursday, 9 a.m.- noon: Last “Personnel are consistently focused on helping the client to speak with a counselor dur- important. This is maybe a way Counselors who visited in names A-C and honoring the client’s preferences without interruptions in ing meetings Thursday through they can get their case cleaned February were able to help most ■ Thursday, 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.: Last the home/living style.” - Eugenia J. McClure Saturday at the Mesa County out.” of about 400 people who showed names D-G Workforce Center, 2897 North Ave. About 7,000 Mesa County resi- dents received unemployment to resolve issues with their ben- efits, Miller said. ■ Friday, 9 a.m.- noon: Last names H-L Serving Seniors State counselors will be benefits in December. Handling The counselors are heading ■ Friday, 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.: Last Complete Care for You and Your Home available at those times and claims can be difficult for people back to Grand Junction after names M-Q Housekeeping & Laundry are authorized to handle issues unaccustomed to the process or learning there is additional ■ Saturday, 8 a.m.- 1p.m.: Last Medication Reminders • Personal Care surrounding claims, said Suzie unable to figure out how to file need for their assistance, she names R-Z Shopping & Errands • Companionship 660 Rood Avenue Suite 101 208-3985 BLOTTER COMPILED BY SENTINEL STAFF 217060 www.nightingales-care.com Member of the Home Care Association of Colorado dogs to a neighbor’s house. The dogs were North Ave. If your DUI provider has Pit bull attack reported taken away by Mess County Animal Control abruptly closed up shop, officers and neither party wanted to press According to the Mesa County Sher- The owner of some alpacas took matters charges, the sheriff ’s department said. iff ’s Department: call us. We can continue your into her own hands when pit bulls dogs ■ A vandal on Sunday shot a BB through a Level I and II classes as well as began attacking her animals on Sunday, According to the Grand Junction Po- window of a vehicle parked in the 600 block according to the Mesa County Sheriff ’s De- lice Department: of 33 Road. Damages are estimated at $200 help you get documentation of partment. A woman in the 3100 block of F ■ Denise Johann, 38, on Sunday, was ar- ■ A vandal on Sunday damaged a tire on a classes you have completed. 3/4 Road shot the dogs with a BB gun as they rested on suspicion of taking items valued vehicle parked in the 500 block of Campbell were attacking her animals and chased the at less than $100 from another person at 2809 Way. Damages are estimated at $125. Tesla Center Counseling, LLC 970.270.4108 All contents copyright ©2010 The Daily Sentinel. All republication rights are reserved. Material in this publication may not Cash 5 Monday: 6-16-23-25-26 Grand Junction, be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. For information, go to www.coloradolottery.com. seling for life issues, substa I Coun nce abuse and DU HOW TO REACH US – 242-5050 CIRCULATION ADVERTISING NEWSROOM Features and entertainment.............256-4224 A. 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