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Show nMwm Pace 2 - November 6. &SS T T OPINION 2001 Uintah Basin Standard 0 A Fathers Concern Submitted by Dr. David F. Russell On Sunday, Nov. , Veterans Day, we to reflect on the war that has been set well do before us and on those who serve. What follows is a story from a dear friend. 1 1 deployed in words are The terrorism. the war on especially thousands for of because speak they poignant, wives and and husbands fathers mothers and who arc today anx iously waiting for word from their loved ones: 1 both ends and begins with a phone call. I Icy, Dad . . . Just got the word that were moving out, pronto. Like we talked before, it'll be a while before I can call again. I love you. Dont worry about me. Put Mom on fora see, 1 1 is son is a soldier, who has been 1 willyou?" It's the end of the wailing for military orders. The end of hope that they dont come. He's The cndofunccrtaintyaboutdcploymcnt. The end is bad, but the beginning is worse. ts the beginning oflong months ofsilence, long nights of worry. Watch the news. Search the Internet. Wait for the phone to ring ... but it doesn't. I -- 11 going. I and neighbors. Theyre all doing their duty, leaving their homes, leaving their families to fight an enemy who wears no uni form, swears allegiance to no country, and recognizes no rules of war. Americas troops may be gone for weeks, even months or years. Some may never come home, yet all will be with thcirfamily. Not blood relatives - not mom and dad but with other young men and women with whom they serve in the military uni form ofour country. Come whatmay, none will fail those with whom they serve. They are todays Private Ryans and Band of Brothers." Their platoons and air wings and ships companies are their families, their brothers and sisters. Each has pledged his life and entrusted his safety to the other. All have forged a sacred bond that wi last a lifetime, a bond none can understand, except those who share it. We are praying as a family, because, in a very real sense, every Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman and Coast Guardsman is a part ofour family. The American Legion family, and we love them all and were proud of them. No words are sufficient to describe our national sense ofresolve or our collective feeling of concern for those young ones who have gone into harms way on our behalf. Instead, let us pray to the God ofus all that we gain victory and rejoice in the safe return of our family. Nonetheless, let us also pray that His will be done, and that He give us the strength to bear it - be it sorrow or rejoicing. Icmightbc inTuikmcnistan, or Uzbekistan, or a dozen other countries I didnt know existed before Sept. . 1 knew it might happen. After all, this is what he was trained for. Hesa soldier. I know hes proud to do his duty. And Im proud ofhim. I hug my wife and tell her hes going to be okay, but we need somethingmore tocling to. Lord give him strength. Lord protect him. Still, I have to focus. I have to keep on iving, despite the hollow numbness in the pit of my 1 1 wwwJwyscarroonsLCom gives me more control over my political destiny than the county council . form of government. First, proponents of the county council argue that everyone in the county will be able to elect a council representative from their area plus council memvote on two bers. My vote will have sway over at-lar- i of t council. Currently, my vote has sway over every elected official in Jintah County. Second, the county council proponents continue to argue the virtues of a professional manager. My question is How does the position of county manager improve my condition as a citizen? Currently, three county commissioners make the decisions on issues and direct the various county departments. Under the county council form of government, we simply add one more level of bureaucracy to accomplish the same GodhasblessedAmericawithmuchbounty amount of work. Under this proposal, the manager will make decisions on and many fine men and women through the stomach. the every day issues of the county and My boys gone to war. direct the county departments while years who have risked their lives - and given council will make the seven-membI vc been there - but I ve never been here. them - to preserve our liberty and our way of the decisions on the more weighty I vc been the one to life. matters plus police the actions of the go to war, but not the one manager. How does this benefit the So today let this be our prayer, as in ages left behind to worry to to wait jjlizenry? In my opinion, it does not. wonder. I didn't wantthisfqrhinL... . past, God Bless America. ..... Third, we have seen a council-managform of government in acOnly yesterday he was alittle kid pleading tion for years - the part-tim- e Uintah for me to go outside and play ball. Today hes Dr. David F. Russell ofSpotsylvania, Va. is e School Board and superintendent that currently govern our a man doing his duty, defending his nation. national chaplain of the 2.8 million-memb- er school district. History has shown American Legion, the nation 's largest Hes special to me, but really no di fferent that nearly all policy and real power originates from the superintendent, from thousands ofothers. Your sons and daughveterans organization. not the school board. Many parents, ters, grandsons and granddaughters, friends teachers, and administrators will agree that our former superintendent pressed through several policies cess. borhood. that were contrary to the majority of As far as confusion about who parents. The reason that state and national elections are run this way is obvious; might review and certify the petiFinally, the proponents' of the different parts of Utah (or of the tion, the prior law was very specific county council form of government - review was by the Attorney GenU.S.) may have different, regional hare implied and directly accused our concerns. It seems likely that the eral, certification by the County county commissioners with abuse of Clerk. Under the new law, the County power. west side of Uintah County has different concerns from downtown VerWho is to say that abuse of power Attorney seems to have gained the EDITOR'S NOTE: The Uintah Batin whole review authority. Now, instead will not occur in the county council nal. In its current form, ail three Standard welcomes and ent ourages commissioners could come from of one review (AG) we are faced with and with its county manager? Who is opinions from readers in the form of the same block in Vernal. In the proletters to the editor. Letters may he up to 29 individual county attorney to say that tlie council will not make utilised to express opinions or Who is to posed form, the west side would be reviews which, to a large extent, might their positions guaranteed a representative from be influenced by their involvement say that they cannot raise their salactunmenls, to highlight outstanding service of an individual or organisation, their neighborhood, who hopefully in the local political scene. To me, ries? Who is to say that their actions or any other worthwhile purpose. understands their special concerns. this creates a greater inconsistency will always be virtuous? If the abuse Letters may not he used to replace Cards In fact, every part of Uintah County in legal interpretations. of power occurs in our county comof Thanks, or to list sponsors, would have the same guarantee. Gone is the iossibility of propos- mission, at least my vote to remove No one will lose their vote; inparticipants or contributors to a ing a plan, voting on the plan and will hare impact on every county comftarticular event or purpose. LETTERS stead, well all be guaranteed a repreimplementing the plan without the missioner. That is not the case for the MUST CONTAIN 4(10 WORDS OR sentative from our neighborhood. of the current county gov- proposed county council form of govapproval HE TYPED OR WRITTEN I ESS. ernment. The ability of citizens to ernment. My vote is AGAINST. LEiilBLY. SHINED. AND INCLUDE Tom Elder change a county government is now Allen Huber NAME. ADDRESS AND PHONE Vernal limited to petitioning to vote on forcNUMBER OF THE AUTHOR. Utters ing the current government to form a will he published unless they contain libelous or defamatory statements. IYc study committee, whose members would be basically appointed by the Councilmanager government resent' the right to edit letters and to current government (including at withhold a name by reifuest if the nature least one of the proponents of change). would not be cure-a- ll of the letter is msitive. Utters may be submitted to the Standard office at 26S The plan would then hare to approved S. 200 E.. Roasewlt, Utah, B40ttf by the by that county government and the Dear Editor, published deadline (normally County Attorney (not the Attorney Can you envision loading a canThursdays at 5:00 p m ) All letters General). In other words, if the county non and firing the charge with the become miperrv of the I intuit Basin Dear Editor, officials do not want a change - no n bolts on one side of the canStatulaid. There is un old adage that says change will be possible! So much for non carriage missing? It would be You can't fight City Hall While not citizen to right petition. anybodys guess where each shot totally correct, it is incredibly diffiSo, for those of you who may hare would go. What I hare witnessed in cult. Last November the voters of considered that another form of gov- Uintah County Government for the Wasatch County approved a citizen ernment might be more efficient or past ten years is similar to the above proposal to change their form of representative than the mentioned situation. county government. Although there County Commission - sorry, but During the past ten years, the wus definite (and continuing! opposiout You of luck! you are might con- County Commission has fallen easy tion by some residents and by many sider contactingyour Representative to special interest requests for Dear Editor; county officials, voters are confident or Senator, but dont be surprised if prey Rinding. At times funds have been The current debute over county that the plan muy finally he imple- they ask, We did what? Perhaps spent illegally, because these expengovernment has been an education mented in November 2002. you might find one to revisit the issue ditures were contrary to Utah State I for me. think that the public now Regrettably, under a law passed and return the right to petition once law. Only in Uintah County, rich in liasu far better understandingnrhow last year by the legislature (SB 80), again to the citizens. natural resources, does the County county government works, which is a the remainder of the residents of the Commission have to look, annually, plus, whichever way the actual vote state of Utah hare lost their ability to Robert Wren for new ways to tax in order to progur. directly offer and implement a new Heber Citv vide funds to meet special interest I liuve heard one side form of government. say repeatdemands. edly, youre going to lose your right SB 80 was described as a bill A recent article the Vernal Exto vote. With the current system, significant in size but only modest in No reasons press states that ainlegal compelling complaint 1(X) percent of us vote for all three substance. While the bulk of the bill was filed over the alleged, questioncommissioners. With the new sysdealt with technical changes, there to change existing able use of $50 of county funds. The tem, youll only get 20 percent reprewere a few substantive previsions. same group of people who filed the sentation. The clear implication beIt was neurly 200 pages of technical government also support changing our complaint is ing that electing by districts somechanges to county government. The commissioner form of county govhow and unpatriotic. change to optional forms of county Dear Editor, ernment to a counciL'manager form. But voting by districts is exactly the government was intended to clarify In regards to the issue of whether and how did this group of people llie role of government officials in or not to change our existing form of Why way we operate at a state and nareceive interest money from Uintah tional level. We vote for someone to certifying a petition once a petition county government, I have patiently tax revenues (Tax for a change in government has been listened to both parties as they have County surplus represent rural, eastern Utah voices, and dont believe that we only have instituted by citizens. Under the old advertised the virtues of their cause. Stability Trust FundJ to pay for staff salaries and travel expenses of a 501-C-- 3 33 of state representation law, there wus confusion about who From the information prerented, I organization; namely, because we didn't also vole for the might review and certify a petition, have found no compelling reason to the Vernal Chamber of Commerce other two. On the national level, we lending to delays and itu ousisicnry change our existing form of govern(VcofC)? only elect Utahns to represent Utah, in legal interpretations. The changes ment. I recognize that the commisUtah State law is very specific in and don't settle for unythingless t ban wore designed to clearly define und sioner form of government is not perwhat constit utes a permissible use of someone who represents our neigh- - limit government's role in the pro fect, but from my it county tax revenues. Nowhere in the 1 er ... ... ... er . full-tim- JL mttm at-lar- full-tim- State law on county government options is badly flawed Council government guarantees best representation three-memb- er non-prof- it numbers as well as referee the games. It is a thankless job most of the time profit organizations such as Cham-- ; but we thank each one of you who were willing to help out bers of Commerce. Thanks to Kary Eldrodge, Mike Do not think for a minute that the proposed county councilmanager ' Guinn and John Hyder for refereeing the Superbowl game. A big thank you form of government will fix everyto the coaches and players for makhidden be No there doubt, may thing. reasons why the original group of ing it a great year. supporters wants to impose the coun- A Stud Muffin Mom, cilmanager form of government, like Vicky Courtright wolves in sheeps clothing. It is doubtful that part time counci Imen would take the time to make a detailed study of Utah State law; relative to proper use of public funds, hence other ille- gal projects may inadvertently be funded. The councilmanager form of government will make it even harder for citizens to root out such illegally funded operations. The past misuse of county funds state law is there allowed the disbursement of tax revenues to non- through our present three-ma- n County Commission may be corrected, by following procedures contained in existing state law. Our present commissioners allowing the media to print no commissioner salary raises for ten years has hurt their credibility, since several commissioner salary raises were during the previous ten- - year period. Some will vote for the proposed county councilmanager formvf government, not because they like it, but because they are mad. Dont do it! It will make things worse! The county councilmanager form will make it much harder to change out the bad actor than will our present commissioner form of government. I served on Uintah County Com- -' mission from 1989 through 1996 and know the above is correct H. Glen McKee self-impos- Appreciates support given to boy's football league Dear Editor, We just want to say thank you for all of the support given to the boys football league this year. We had a wonderful group of parents from our team who were willing to help provide Gatorade or water to each game that we had. It is really great to see the support for the boys. We had a really great season this year and want to tell everyone thank you very, very much and be sure to watch the freshmen team at Union next year! It will be an awesome combination of the great players that were involved in the league this year. The Stud Muffins were a great bunch of young men to coach and Eddy and Ben had a great time! Thanks again for all of your support! Thanks also to all of the parent helpers and volunteers who were willing to run the clocks, markers and Th Accident near Fruitland claims life of mother fr daughter A former Uintah Basin resident and her small child were killed in a two-ccollision near Fruitland at ar 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4. Jacqueline Fausett, 30, of Salt Lake, and her old daughter, were killed instantly when their westbound vehicle Bkidded into the east bound lane strikcar driven by Jason ing an Kumffer.20, Vernal. Kumfer is in the Uintah Basin Medical Center with multiple broken bones. According to Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Merv Gustin, its unknown why Fausett lost control of the vehicle. He said there is evidence that she applied her breaks prior to the crash and skidded. For some reason she went into the other lane, he said. Fausett was following her husband, Anthony Fausett, as the couple was on their way home to Salt Lake when the accident occurred. Jacqueline is the daughter Carol and Chad Chad bourn, of Roosevelt. Anthony is the son of Esther Fausett and the late Johnny Fausett, of Fort Duchesne. Funeral services are board meeting schedule UBATC The Uintah Basin Applied Technology College (UBATC) announces a schedule of Board meetings to be held the last Wednesday of each month 7 p.m. at alternating UBATC campuses in Roosevelt, Vernal or Manila. The board meeting agenda will be posted 24 hours before meeting convenes at the Roosevelt and Vernal 3 or (435) campus. Call (435) 2 for further information. 722-452- 789-194- Uintah Basin Standard Inc. Periodical portage paid at Roosevelt and Duchesne, Utah (USPS 646-90Published weekly at 268 S. 200 E., Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Uintah Basin Standard at 268 S. 200 E.. Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310-9 OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m. Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday. Phone 0 Fax: DEADLINES: For all News, Legal Notices, CUssineds A Advertising, the Deadline is Thursday at 5 p.m. PUBLISHER: Craig Ashby EDITOR: Lczlee E. 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