Steamboat Pilot & Today

Second effort to recall DA fails

Steamboat Springs — A second attempt to recall 14th Judicial District Attorney Bonnie Roesink has failed.

Steamboat Springs resident Thomas Reuter Jr. announced Wednesday he would not submit a petition of signatures to the Secretary of State's Office because his effort fell more than 1,000 signatures short of what was needed. Reuter said he collected between 1,500 and 2,000 signatures; he needed 3,802.

In April, Craig resident Kathy Oberwitte attempted to recall Roesink but also failed to gather enough signatures.

Reuter said he decided not to submit the partial petition to protect the identities of those who signed it.

Despite having the recall fail, Reuter said he is not discouraged.

"I still feel like the recall petition partially succeeded," he said Wednesday. "I raised some awareness about the issue and I also met a tremendous number of people that share the similar feelings about the DA's Office as I do."

Reuter needed to gather 3,802 valid signatures from registered voters in Routt, Grand and Moffat counties by July 30 to move forward with the process. Reuter spurred the effort as a way to respond to what he says are systematic errors, bad judgment, poor management and inconsistent prosecution, and "to hold other district attorneys in the (DA's) Office accountable."

Roesink, who was at a conference in Oregon on Thursday, said she was happy to hear the recall failed although she was never "too concerned about it."

Roesink said she is eager to implement several new programs at the DA's Office and is happy with how the DA's Office is running.

"I'm looking forward to finishing out my term and doing the best job possible," she said. "It's going to be a good 17 months."

Colorado Group Realty offers Parade of Homes

The Colorado Group Realty Charitable Foundation is inviting the public to tour five homes Saturday during the Steamboat Springs Parade of Homes.

The self-guided tour runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and allows participants to observe large homes in five distinct Steamboat neighborhoods. Tickets are $20 a person with proceeds benefiting the foundation.

Tickets are available at Colorado Group Realty locations on Lincoln Avenue, Yampa Street, in Ski Time Square and also at City Market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Tickets, which are in the form of a program, also are available Friday evening at the Yampa Street sales office from 4 to 7 p.m. during the Steamboat Wine Festival's Downtown Stroll.

Colorado Group Realty Charitable Foundation supports a range of community-based programs in human services, the arts, education, Western heritage, environment and recreation.

The five homes are between 3,000 to 9,000 square feet and are located in The Sanctuary, Tatanka Ridge, Priest Creek Ranch, Angler's Retreat and Elkins Meadow.

"These homes represent a variety of styles exhibited in mountain home building," said Annamarie Shunny, a member of the board of directors of the foundation.

Aerial spraying for mosquitoes in Hayden

The town of Hayden will conduct aerial spraying for mosquitoes today or as soon as the weather permits, Town Manager Russ Martin said. Thursday's scheduled spraying was postponed because of afternoon rain. For more information, call Town Hall at 276-3741.

Quilting workshop reservations now accepted

The Delectable Mountain Quilters are accepting reservations for the Fall Retreat Quilting Workshop to be held Oct. 12 to 14 at the Holiday Inn in Steamboat. Nationally recognized quilter Louisa Smith will be the instructor. Smith will offer two classes - "Strips and Curves" and "One Patch Plus." Reservations must be made by Sept. 1. Call Sue Leeson at 871-0985.

HPV vaccine available for girls ages 9 to 18

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now available through the Colorado Vaccines for Children program for eligible girls ages 9 to 18. The vaccine protects against four major types of HPV, including the types that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases and 90 percent of genital warts. HPV is spread through sexual contact. Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association provides vaccinations for children under age 19, on a sliding scale of free to $14.50 a shot. No child will be refused a vaccine due to an inability to pay. Additionally, VNA can provide the vaccine to eligible low-income women ages 19 to 26 who have no insurance under Merck's Patient Assistance Program. For more information, call the VNA at 879-1632.