mam T T t Pace 2 -- , l "i ,ir t . OPINION June 18. 2002 Uintah Basin Standard When Voting Rely on More Than Signs You hear it every time there is an election: get out and vote! It sounds easy but there is more to voting than showing up at the polls the day of the election. The hard part is dec iding which candidate yiui want to support, and sometimes it is the voter's lackofconfidcncc that keepshim hoi ne on elect ion day . I here arc signs around town pleading for oies, hut most conscientious voters aren't wvav edhy thequantityorqualityofsigns. What coik lusions can you draw? The candidate is cither very diligent and hard working, or the candidate has strong financial backing from generous contributors. In either case, signs really don't tell you where a candidate stands on ihc issues. However, there arc still some si cps you e; in take to make a good choice when v oi i go to t he polls on Tuesday, June 25 to vote in the primary election. flic 1 intali Hasin Standard contacted all the candidates to obtain their views on issues of importance. You can check out their responses to the Standards questionnaire in this weeks edition. You can also seek the advice of friends you respect and ask them who they are going to v otc for and why. After a little discussion you may be able todctcrminc which candidate will get your v otc. I f not, try calling the candidate and clarify their position on issues that arc important to you. Voters arc notorious for stay inghomc during the primaries, saying theyll take care of their civic duty during the general election in November. However, because some candidates face no challenge by a member of the opposing party, the outcome of the primary election will actually determine who will hold office next year. Its your vote that will hclpdctcrminc who will be makingdccisions for the next four years that will have a direct impact on you, on your pockctbook, your family, and your lifestyle. Please take time to do your homework before choosing the best man or woman for the job. cials we cun not afford for them to make these kind of mistakes. I will not give second chances when it comes to the lives and safety of my children, will you? If you care about the safety of your children and the children in our community, please take a close look at who you are voti ng for no w and in the future. The first step in preventing pedophiles from continuing to harm our children is to prevent supimrters of pedophiles from continuing to hold office. .Jennifer Wull l.limWSXOm The Uintah Rasm neleomes and encourages opinions mm readers in the form of letters to the editor Letters may he utilized to express opinions or lommcnts. to highlight outstanding srmeeoliiH individual or organization, hi fine other worthwhile purnise. 1 llei i max not he used In replace I aids of Thanks, or to list sponsors, participants or contributors to a the titular event or purpose. l.J'TTEBS MI S I CONTAIN 400 WORDS OR i i ss. hi. rynii) written i i. (iIhi y. siaxm A.xn include .NAME. ADDRESS A XII IllONE M MHl.R Tin: AUTHOR. U tters will he published unless they contain or defamatory statements. He the right to eilit letters and to withhold a name by request ifthe nature of the letter is positin', falters may he submitti-to the Standard office at 2tiS .V 200 E . Ronscxx'lt, I Uah. H406A by the St, in, hud 1 West Jr. High facing current teen trends or Dcar Editor, Last week I provided your paper, or along with others that are distributed in this area, the school rules to be implemented at West Junior High next year. I am thankful for the in thenewspaixirandon the radio. West Jr. High wants to work in conjunct ion with the community and other partnering agencies, as well as published deadline (normally Ihuisdms at 5 00 pm.) All letters parents, to address issues within the school that are not unfamiliar toother bctunic pniK-rtof the Uintah Rasin Siaiulanl schools in the area and around the world. The goal of the administration at Voter West is to provide a safe and respectful learningenvironment for all individuin als within the school and thus the community. What needs to he understood is that West Jr. High is nodiifer-en- t lVur Editor, from any other school in t he nation IV you know where your children an ? Youd hotter, because Richard and is affected by current trends that Kisco will soon he released from reflect upon the behavior of the stuDuchesne County Jail after serving dents. It is only that West chooses to his token sentence of two years. Will attempt to curtail these behaviors he move to Tooele or Salt Lake City? and the trends that influence them Who knows. Mavhe he will decide to that bring about misinformed negaslay here in thclJintah Basin after all tive public opinions. We are not an Ihi'fiipporl he received two years ago isolated school with these issues, but are taking a stance to address them. Inuii nor "community." As these rules were bcingpresented . ..he Kisco i isa pedophile and will to the student body, it was clear that continue to pose a threat to the community." I)o you remember this efforts would he made by school adquote? I do and I also remember who ministrators to work through any violations by allowingstudcnts to correct con l nlnii id to t lie light sentence not change the infraction and return to school t lie j i.'iM or the actions of Judge without question. The schools desire Payne and others. However, we can is to keep all students in school where they need to be and will make all prevent those who support child from in public efforts to accomplish this. The truth about West is that only n llice. The good oP boy" mentality of (he Uintah Basin has to atop. With 2.34f of the entire 6tudent body are elect inn time coming up the time has students that have difficulty within our school. This percentage is about conic to hold those community members responsible that supported Rich-- a average for any school in the country. It is this that the public chooses to of Pisco two years ago. I 'm not gningtolist names ofthose concentrate on and not the overall u ho wrote Utters on Richard's behalf. succeRsesofthe school. Improved readEveryone make mistakea now and ing and math scores, a decrease in again. Granted some mistakes have office referrals, and substantially reduced violent outbursts are several of tar more dire consequences than others, hut when it comes to elected oflfi- - the improvements that have been hht-lou- s expo-siireho- th d y urges caution support of children i rs MS-900- 1 and Duchesne, l.'iah PcniKlical postage paid at Room-vei-l Roosevelt. I'tah 84066-310- 9 Published weekly at 2t S 200 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Uintah Basin Standard at 268 S. 200 K., Roosevelt. Utah 84066-310- 9 OrriCE HOURS: 8.00 a m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, 9:00 a m. to 5:00 p m. Tuesday thru fridav. l ax: 0 Phone DEADLINES: fm all News. Legal Nonces, Classified A Advertising. the Deadline is Thursday at 5 p.m. EDITOR: Lerler I:. Whiling rt'RLISHLR: Craig Ashby OITICE MANAGER: Bonnie Pamsh AD i.RTISING: Matthew Evans il'SPS Shana - Teresa Harmstoa 722-- 2 5 IX; ALTAMOKT - ; BLUEBELL 454-397LAPOINT HANNA - Tracy Roberta 848-5414; MYTON - ; MONTWELL - Nola Nelson Marlene McClure 247-237- 5; 1 RIDl l.l.; N I.OI --A - Mondt Taylor 3; WHITEROCKS; DUCHESNE -Orinda tree lee Lncmchcr .1 Out of the Uintah Basin I 1 Yr.S36-2Yr.S- 56 I I I City.' Zipt4 Cash or Chech mdv. Sony No Charges Duchesne's budget passage uneventful The water is back Dear Editor, If you are like me when the folks at UBTA said they had to hold hearings about having Extended Area Service for the Basin, I had (EAS or to laugh. Who in the world would object to a flat rate? In fact, I kind of suspected it was a stalling tactic. So I just sat back and waited for the inevito just roll onto tability of flat-ratmy doorstep. Lo and behold, it turns out that there are some citizens who are offended at having $5 added to their phone bills. I guess there are people 0 who dont regularly spend a month on basin calls each month like flat-fee- down to two an d the bidding was going normal way this commission does alongand all of a sudden she said sold. business. Therefore I am certainly I was sitting next to a lady who was anxious to see if the much needed a county resident who was one of the house clean inggets started in the very bidders. The other bidder was a deputy near future here in Duchesne at our sheriff who the property was suddenly county administrative building. Gerald W. Wilkeraon sold to. I said, "Diane what is going on, this lady is bidding? The auditor turned to Commissioner Roes and deferred the decision to him and he told her to reopen the bidding. She then looked at the attorney and he distinctly nodded his agreement with Commissioner By Susan Collier Ross. The bidding started again between the woman and the deputy sherDuchesne city passed its budget iff. In the end the lady ended up being proposal last Tuesday. We had a the high bidder at approximately couple of questions but nothing ma$2,000 higher than where the bidding jor, explained Mayor Clint Park of had been stopped the first time. the proceedings. "We put a little more The lady paid for the property and money in to do some of the street and rightfully assumed that being the high road work. Hopeflilly we can get a bidder she had bought the property. little more road work done in town. A few days later she received a Although the $106,000 park budletter from the county saying that the get may appear large, it is right in line deputy sheriff had appealed the sale considering the city sold a portion of based on the auditor saying sold to his the city park adjacent to Duchesne much lower bid. I told the buyer that High for the construction of the new there couldn't possibly be any con- hiffo school. Park explained that they cern, because the county was obliwill use these funds to move the ball gated to get the highest possible price gqinpqd up to.tbs othm: diamonds for the property because the preVious and move the pavilion andlag cabin to owner was entitled to the surplus and anutlief location in the park. the county was legally obligated to protect his interest. on When the hearing came up this commispast Monday however, the sion decided to sell the property to the By Susan Collier deputy sheriff, regardless of who was the high bidder. They didnt even Roosevelt residents got a taste, not listen to what we or the attorney had of water, of what its like to be high to tell them. and dry when the city shut the water They based their decision on the supply off to the entire town to fix a rules written for the sale and that gave leak last Tuesday. the county auditor complete authorAccording to Roosevelt Maintenance Supenrisor Roger Eschler conity. The fact that she deferred to Commissioner Roes and attorney Uresk tractors fixing a water line for the and they had her continue the bidding school district inadvertently jarred had no meaning as they determined pipe at about 9 a.m. with heavy equipthat they had no authority. ment. The movement of the pipe jmred What in the world were they doing a valve attached to the pipe. The rusty sitting up front appearing to have bolts on the valve failed and a mqjor authority if they had absolutely no leak occurred. Personnel tried to isolate several purpose for being there? And why was the commission so incompetent as to different lines in an effort to make the allow the rules to be written in this repair, but soon found thatitwouldbe manner with no checks and balances? necessary to shut off water to the enThe motion was made by Commistire community and drain the towns sioner Thayne to sell the property to two tanks in order to fix it. the deputy and seconded by Commis"It created a real problem, desioner Koas, who previously instructed clared Eschler who explained that the the auditor to continue the bidding. leak occurred about 9 a jn. The whole The voting was unanimous among all town was finally pressured back up at three commissioners to not Bell to the 10 p.m." According to Eschler some high bidder, but to the county em- - residents were without water for shorter periods depending on which ployee. ; county will be sued by the lady line supplied their residence. who was the high bidder and I feel I think we had a lot of foil toilets quite certain by the previous property in Roosevelt that day, surmised owner and they should win in court Eschler. That may account for the very easily. I feel that probably any constant calls fielded by city office property owner who lost property at personnel. "It created a real inconvethe sale could protest the sale and get nience. People were very concerned, it overturned if they desired because he continued. of the irregularities in the bidding According to Eschler it isnt unusual for parts of the towns water process. I have found this to be kind of the supply to be shut offto make repairs, but they have never had toturn off the to water the whole town until now. s) es $70-$10- Ido. However, right now I am involuntarily paying that $5 per month so I can call places like LaPoint, Current Creek and so forth. It could be said that I dont get any benefit out of that $5. But I am willing to pay it so that those who are in the outlying area can receive those benefits. There are others who benefit more than me, but we commuare all part ofthe Basin-wid- e nity out here, and it doesnt hurt me that much to contribute to that This does illustrate the power of speaking up. About 200 people have stopped a process that could greatly benefit thousands. If we want to get EAS (Extended Area Service) in the basin wed better let our voices be heard as welL Call or write : The Public Service Commission attn: Ria Peterson 160 E. 300 S. Box 146751 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-675- 1 June 28-2- 9 Dear Editor, Ive always thought that an elecSay that you are in favor of EAS if tion in Duchesne County could be you wish to have a flat-rat- e fee of $5 bought if you had enough money to per month to be able to call anywhere throw into a campaign to put your in the basin. Call UBTAifyou have any name and opinion before the public. It other questions (like I did) at appears from the article in last week's Thank you. newspaper that this may be happening in the commissioner race. I also Velinda W. Mitchell agree with your editorial saying, A Looking for something fun to do wise candidate will not align himself next weekend? Why not check out in Myton Daze? With somethingfor each with those whoare obviously tiyingto member of the family, activities are buy the right to receive political favors." ruling on scheduled to run Friday, June 28 at 4 On the other hand, I must agree p.m. to Saturday, June 29, ending with a fireworks show after dark. jyith Vickie Bailey that if you have Dear Editor, been wronged that you should speak Is it time for a complete house Acoording to Myton Daze chairout. About a year ago. I applied forth cleaning at the peoples' big bouse in man, Mike Fenn, "Everything there is position of Board Member to the Duchesne? Many who attended the fun," but the most popular activity in Duchesne County Water Conservancy propertytax sale would tell you prob- previous years has been, and is ex District. 1 attended the commission ably so. This sale was handled so badly pectodtobe again this year, the carnival. Fenn believes its the most popumeeting where the commissioners that it was almost beyond belief. were to make their decision on that The county auditor announced at lar event because thechildren can win appointment. I was interviewed by all the beginning of the sale that when prises and they love the games, espethree commissioners, found to be the said sold" the panel would be cially the dunking tank. Other papular activities, accordqualified, and was appointed to that sold. She didnt tell us that we would position by a unanimous vote by the have no idee when she was suddenly ing to Fenn, are the watermelon eatcommission. An employee of the going to say sold. This was the pattern ing contest and other contests which t the entire sale, but on the last are free of charge. In addition to the county found out that I had been apit got absolutely ridiculous. free contests, some contests (Little pointed to the board position, went to the commissioner!) and told them been several bidden on Mias Indian Princess, Little Mi that I had said derogatory comment! this pared for awhile, but then it got Myton, and the karaoke contest) have (fax) Mark your calendar for Myton Daze! Commission erred RixistVl lT Name. Address'. Billie Miller Bowen Bountiful, UT calling letyour voice be heard! 646-500- 7. CORRESPONDENTS: 1 Yr.S24-2Yr.S- 37 Im writing this letter to hopeflilly warn the public who have toga through the loss of a loved one. My husband recently passed away. Under much sadness, distress, and confusion I went through the many difficult tasks necessary for funeral, burial, etc. I requested the obituary be in the Salt Lake Tribune for three days. It was written not only as a tribute but the means of getting the details to family, friends, and manymany people that we did not have time to contact. The obituary was 7" long. My cost was $905.56 (the casket cost was $1,100). This is absolutely outrageous and its obviously taking advantage of people while in a vulnerable situation. Maybe a boycott would be the answer to this outlandish charge. We have subscribed to the Tribune for manyjnany years but, I plan to cancel when the subscription expires. Maybe using the small Utah local newspapers or perhaps the radio would be the answer to this situation . Better yet, why not let the subscriber have so many lines free and a small charge for additional lines? Basin-wid- e 40 PRODUCTION: In the Uintah Basin Dear Editor, If you favor (phone) Writers; Aldun Radicle. Therms Momll. Sue Collier Production; Colette Ashby. Andres Harper. Valerie Winn. Min Evans and Doris Benoch Subscription Rates: Obituary charge is outrageous Agree with commissioners or you'll be dismissed Uintah Basin Standard Inc. Clip and Send to: Uintah Basin Standard 268 S. 200 E. Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 documented last school year. I feel that with organizational supervision, ax policies dictate, further reduction is possible and that the implementation of these district policies will allow the school administration to accomplish just that. West Jr. High does not want to be viewed as a punitive school that will not work with individuals and families to be a safer school. West, as many are aware, is a school in transition, and desirous of even more positive change than what has already occurred and correct information provided to the public is a vital component to this process. West Jr. High welcomes any and all visitors into our school that wish to witness the improvements as they take place. We also continually encourage all parents to visitour school to also gain an understanding of the issues being addressed. Again, thank you for your interest in perpetuating West Jr. High as a positive fixture within the community, of which it is and will continue to be, as it deals with currenttrends facingthe youth of the area. Bart Stevens to a about them. A "special meeting was then held and I was illegally fired from that position (two days after being appointed!) The commissioners have the right to appoint but they do not have power to release. I wasn't given the right to face my accuser or defend what I supposedly had said about them. I was not given the right ofdue process, therefore they violated my 14 amendment right. I immediately sent them a letter informing them of their wrong doing and they began the process of changing thik. county policy on how appointments are made to cover their actions. It is obvious from the action of these commissioners that you had better always agree with them and not exercise your privilege offreedom of speech or you will be dismissed and not be given the opportunity to serve the public. The public record of the Duchesne County Commissioner minutes and special meetingminutes will verify what I am saying to the rest of the story.' JohnSwaaey j tax sale deadlines to sign up and require a $5 entry fee. Other contests (pet show, bike races) also require sign-up- s but no fee. Sign upsheets are at the Myton City building. Fenn said that new this year is the kids day, which win be held Saturday, June 29 from 12 noon- - 4 p.m. Kids day includes the carnival games, contests, radio DJ.s, balloons, and a new kids-onraffle (held from 5--9 pun.) in which children can win toys and other prizes out ofa surprise bag. Also, Vocalist Jami Daniels will be performing from 9 pun. to midnight June 29. Expected turnout for Myton Daze is 500-60people, which is based on attendance in years past. Fenn stated that we need everyone to come out and support Myton Daze." For more information about Myton 2 Daze, call or Myton City at . ly 0 . 722-274- 722-271- 1. POOI