Clarifying clerk and recorder’s office schedule

As your Garfield County clerk and recorder, one of my top priorities is being transparent with the citizens about how our office operates. I often receive questions about our public hours, and I would like to take a moment to explain the reasoning behind our daily schedule.

Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, the times we are open to the public — when you can walk in for services — are 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Like many public offices, we work with a limited staff and manage a large volume of responsibilities, from processing mailed paperwork and returning phone calls to assisting in-person customers and managing complex transactions.

The time we are closed to the public allows us to stay on top of this essential work so we can provide you with faster, more efficient service during open hours.

I also want to clarify a common misconception about our lunch break. While our office is closed from noon to 1:30 p.m., this is not an extended lunch for staff. Every team member is allotted a standard one-hour lunch.

The 90-minute closure provides us with flexibility, ensuring that each employee can take their break. Many times, our staff assists customers past noon. Typically, the time from 1 to 1:30 p.m. is used to assist customers with more time-intensive needs or to catch up on desk work that requires focus.

These decisions are not made lightly and represent a thoughtful balance between delivering quality public service and supporting the dedicated staff who provide that service every day.

I am proud of the work my staff does, and I am committed to making sure they have what they need to do it well — because when they are supported, you are better served.

We truly appreciate your understanding and continued support. It means a great deal to me and to my entire team.

Jackie Harmon, Garfield County Clerk & Recorder, Glenwood Springs

Urging trail riders to announce themselves

I love cycling my recumbent trike all year round, mostly in the early mornings. I always let others know I am coming: “Good morning, I am passing on your left (or right)!” My average speed is about 5 miles per hour. I am over 77 years old in my 78th trip around the sun, hard of hearing and have had one heart attack. May I ask all other trail users to advise when passing? Do it loudly, please.

Many do, and I thank you profusely. Some of us trail users are seniors in similar or worse conditions. Many race by on pedaled or electric bikes without advising us slowpokes. Many younger and not-so-young go well over 20 mph. Please be cautious. Don’t use your phones while cycling. Please let us know you are coming — loudly. Slow down when others are on the road.

Paddy Flynn, Glenwood Springs

Late-night speed demon

Dear Glenwood Springs Police Department,

Where were you Saturday night, May 30, at 10:19 p.m.?

As I listened to car after car rev their engines and speed through my residential neighborhood and down Grand Avenue, I asked myself: When did Grand Avenue turn into a NASCAR speedway? Where are you? Where is the police presence?

I saw the speed limit. My neighbors follow the speed limit. But some don’t, and there is zero police presence to keep this from happening.

Why?

Kelly Kiesnowski, Glenwood Springs