Tuesday May 8, 2012

3M/ROSS REELS
The Montrose-based 3M/Ross Reels needs some money to conolidate its operations and stay in Montrose.  The company says it has a $1.75 million payroll and the city and county would lose benefits from that if it has to move.  Montrose County Commissioners are in the fray, deciding whether to help fund the company, the City Council takes up the matter in a special meeting tonight.  According to the Montrose Daily Press, the issue seems to be whether helping one particular existing business meets public economic development funding criteria.

GJ AIRPORT SERVICE
Grand Junction Regional Airport could be getting more service, this time from what's described as a "Major" airline.  According to the Daily Sentinel, the airline approached the airport authority about the possibility of moving in. Airport Manager Rex Tippets isn't too excited, saying airlines approach the airport all the time.  Tippets and Deputy Director Amy Jordan will meet with the airline at an airport marketers meeting in California next month.

JUNK SUIT
Just about everyone has seen the eyesore of junk on desert property near Mt. Garfield off I-70.  Mesa County Commissioners say they're done asking the owners to clean up the mess and will take legal action if junk isn't removed by the end of next month.  According to the Daily Sentinel, the landowners say county code-enforcement officers have been professional and put the blame for the mess on themselves.

DELTA 50-J SUPER
Delta School District 50J has been without a Superintendent since the school board ousted the old one.  Now after months of looking for a new super, the board says it's negotiating with Interim Superintendent Jerre Doss to serve as Superintendent under a one year contract.  The Daily Sentinel says the board had narrowed candidates to three, but the one offered the job withdrew from consideration, leading the board to wait until later this year to start the process again.

WET GAS
A slowdown in natural gas production driven by low prices apparently isn't being felt in the Piceance Basin.  Encana, ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobile say so-called "wet gas" is saving the day.  The Daily Sentinel says the "wet gas" contains heavier products including ethan, propane and butane, some of which can be processed into gasoline.  WPX, a spin-off of Williams, says its liquids production is continuing at higher than expected rates.

LEANE TURNS IN SIGNATURES
Independent John Leane is turning in petitions today to run for Mesa County Commissioner.  Leane was a Democrat when he served on the commission from 1989 to 1993. Leane will be running for the vacated District 1 seat.

NO BACK-TO-SCHOOL TAX HOLIDAY
A bill that would have set a back-to-school shopping tax holiday has died in the state Senate. The tax break would have allowed a tax free shopping day on clothes, computers and school supplies. It passed the house before its death in a senate committee.

G-ROAD CLOSED
G Road is closed today between Horizon Drive and 12th Street.  Ute Water is replacing a line and says the road will be reopened around 4:00 this afternoon.

BUDGET BILL SIGNED
Governor John Hickenlooper has signed the so-called Long Bill, the state's budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st.  It includes a $7.4 billion general fund plan, and $100 million in tax breaks for seniors.  It's the first time in 3 years there is no cut in K-12 funding.