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Show Wednesday, September 27, 2006 ete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition A4 - >.*-.-=--..»--_Ti.-» - - • - TO THE EDITOR..FCJR LETTERS-TD-THE-EDITDR POLICY GD TD WWW.SANPETEMESSENGER.CQM, • N CLICK 'OPINIONS' THEN 'LETTERS TD THE EDITOR' A challenge to Sanpete voters: do something different As a candidate and voter I would like to challenge Sanpete voters and candidates in the upcoming election. Benjamin Franklin gave the definition of insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Instead of doing the same old things this election with the same predictable result, let us take a proactive approach. Instead of allowing apathy or outside forces to determine the outcome of the election, let us be a part of this wonderful process in which we have the freedom to choose. I am suggesting that the readers and voters in this election write questions to this paper and in which candidates have a forum to respond. I would ask that we not shy away from the tough questions and put all of the cards on the table. This is the means by which this great nation was formed. Not by mudslinging and uninformed conjecture. Rather it is about being honest about where we are and the direction we need to go. Patrick Henry, one of the founding fathers, said in a speech at the Virginia convention, March 1775. ll I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future but by the past." May we, citizens of this great nation, follow that lamp. May we rise above as did the founding fathers and may truth be found and cherished. May we also be empowered by the Constitution of the great state of Utah and remember Article I sec. 2, "All political power is inherent in the people; ahd all free governments are founded on their authority for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right to alter or reform their government." And may we once again be "Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty," as found in the preamble. Steve Maxfield Constitution Party Candidate Utah House of Representatives District 68 We are very concerned with the location that the Sanpete County Commissioners have chosen for the new county courthouse. In our opinion, we don't need a new courthouse, but if one is to be built, we strongly recommend that they put it in another location. We love our town and feel that the proposed location would take away from its beauty. There is much to be said about cluttering an area, and one more development on the north would make it too conby the Administrative Office of the gested, not only with landmarks, Courts. The current court house will but with traffic. There is already too continue to house the offices of the much on that side of town. County—Auditor, Assessor, TreaIt is our understanding that the surer, Recorder, Clerk, County Attor- jail is going to be built on the south ney, Justice Court computer services side of town. That is where the and other office leasees. Moving the courthouse belongs. The south end building inspector's office to the cur- of town needs some beautiful rent courthouse will also be explored, buildings. It has always been a barproviding more space to the public ren entrance into Manti and if the health department currently co-shar- court building is as beautiful as the ing that building. We are committed to engaging the County to move forward In reading the articles and letwith us in addressing the liabilities ters over the past 6 months in recreated by our current jail and gards to the Sanpete fairgrounds, courts situation as well as prepar- I'm pleased to see the passion and ing for a future fair complex to interest of the citizens of Sanpete serve the needs of Sanpete County to act. for many years to come. In the past, we have left this Sanpete County Commissioners, responsibility for a few individuBruce Blackham als and in the end, the citizens have Claudia Jarrett found fault about the elected offiMark Anderson cials'decisions. • This issue on where to place the fairgrounds is more about (F) Provide for increased rev- change for the citizens of Sanpete enues as the Riding Club grows, County. Why is change so difficult? as more Riding Club events are Well, for older well-established sponsored and as City revenues citizens, it is about history, tradiincrease. tion and memories. Memories of (G) Among those recreational needs considered worthy of financial when they were young with their assistance by Gunnison City are: con- parents and so on. For the newly arrived families cession stands, bleachers, restrooms, into the county, the first thing they racetrack, power and lights for the want is access, simplicity and funcRiding Club Facilities, as well as other tionality. If change is needed they possible projects." The city has not followed will lobby, and in some cases, through on many of the promised throw money at it. In the end, they need to learn facilities. to listen and understand the culture If this is what happens when a facility is torn down and never re- and work with it not against it. placed as promised, will the same Sanpete has rich culture and tradithing happen to the Sanpete County tions. Only in the past 10 years have fairgrounds if it is torn down? we surpassed the high-population Gunnison Riding Committee mark seen in the 1940s. In essence, change is here today. What can we learn about change? I read some of the past letters on this subject and one in particular made me ponder. The letter said that county participation in the fair would improve if we rotated the county fair parade to each city. Personally, I think this is a Commision thanks public for fairgrounds participation cific needs of the County. Conduct additional hearings with the public to share the findings of the committees including identified funding sources and viable location(s) and to present our decisions for moving forward. We are also concerned that information regarding the new jail and courts building continues to be misinterpreted. We would like to clarify the following points; The jail complex will be built in the unincorporated area of the County beyond the south boundary of Manti on ground currently owned by the DWR (Division of Wildlife Resources). The courts building will be built on the southern end of the current fairgrounds. The courts building will house the district and juvenile courts. It will be totally paid for (including ongoing expenses) We wish to thank those who participated in the three public hearings that were held throughout the County. For those who were unable to attend the hearings, we also thank you for personally providing your comments as well Please know that we continue to value the thoughts and ideas that we have received and welcome any who would still like to contribute comments to do so. Regarding the fairgrounds, our plan is for the next six months to do the following: Charge the County's economic development committee to begin a study to define the conditions for an economically feasible and reasonable fair complex. Form a committee representing the different ideas and thoughts that were identified from the hearings to refine and clarify the spe- est of said riding club. Gunnison City agrees to (A) Provide financial assistance as well as use of City equipment and manpower to build a riding arena on the designated 33 acres by Dec. 31, 1988. (B) Run water lines to the arenaforculinary and irrigation purposes for non-crop uses. (C) Establish the Riding Club as a Recreation Committee of Gunnison City. (D) Allow the Riding Club to apply for recreational grants and loans using City guidance and approval. (E) Provide for annual Recreation Budgets through City funds "to maintain existing facilities and build new facilities. them next door to our children? Why should we subject the parents to constant worry because three people choose to put a courthouse in a vulnerable area? We have talked to a great number of citizens of Manti and surrounding towns and every one has opposed building the courthouse on the north end of town. We plead with the commissioners to listen to the people. That is what they were elected to do! We have supported other decisions that you, the commissioners have made, but we feel strongly that we have to speak up on this one. Citizens, whatever your position, please let the commissioners know, so that they can make the proper decision on our behalf. Steve and Kathy Frischknecht Manti commissioners say it will be, it .would be an asset to our town and county to put some of our buildings there. Also, we do not agree that there won't be a safety issue to our high school and swimming pool. We have got to protect our children. No number of lawyers, judges or police could convince us that putting a courthouse next to a water park and high school is not a safety issue to our children and grandchildren. We have to go with our gut feeling and with our heart and protect our children and grandchildren at all costs. The commissioners keep talking about the safety of the citizens in the courthouse halls and the safety of the judges and that their plan would eliminate that problem. What about the safety of the citizens when they have to transport the prisoners across town and place Cliange is hard to accept Gunnison riding urena never replaced, will fairgrounds'? The Gunnison Riding Committee would like to inform the public regarding the riding club arena issue. The old arena in Gunnison was torn down to build the Central Utah Correctional Facility. A new arena was supposed to be completed in December 1988. Then mayor, Bruce Blackham, signed a proposal on April 11, 1988, to establish a community riding club and to reserve 33 acres of city property for the use of the riding club. The proposal states the following: "Let it be resolved that Gunnison City hereby establishes a Community Riding Club, and reserves 33 acres of City owned property, specifically for the inter- Very concerned about courthouse location great idea and suggest that it should be considered. The statements that the fair should be placed in Pigeon Hollow due to the number of people living in the north all hinge on the city of Ephraim, which is a fact. Are t h e c i t i z e n s of Ephraim looking to travel 6.5 miles or 5 miles (new location is further north of Manli by Vi mile)? It looks like some element of a vote is needed. From my perspective, placing the fairgrounds in a location with no infrastructure will require the citizens of Sanpete to pay more to build this facility. I've heard about some funds that could be made available only if the fairgrounds are placed in Pigeon Hollow. Why only Pigeon Hollow? From my perspective, someone is looking to make a tot of money at the expense of the citizens of Sanpete. I'm from the south and have a home in Manti. From my perspective, change is an opportunity to growj to learn to explore and for some to learn from. Personally, I would rather have the fairgrounds on the fringe of a city as many other counties have built and enjoy today. Placing the fairgrounds in a remote location is a steep change, but likely one we may not be ready to accept. Ken Kelsch Manti Mesquite Job Fair 10 am to 3 pm Oct. 21 Room 33 at Mesquite Campus 150 North Yucca St. Mesquite, NV For more info call 702-346-2902 Welcome I told Verl that the govt. is gonna spend a lot of money so we can go back to the moon in a few years. Verl said that's the stupidest thing he'd heard all day. He said the planet is crawling with people, and a whole bunch of them are crawlin' under the fences in Arizona and Texas to get in here and it would make a lot more sense to build a big fence between Mexico and us. He said his sister lives in California and she told him in her neighborhood, she's the only-one who speaks English and said she sometimes looks at the address on her mail to make sure she's still livin' in America. Verl said if the govt. ain't gonna fix the fence, maybe they should load them rockets up with all these people who want to enjoy the system we all pay for in taxes and let them enjoy the thrill of space, and then,they could settle on the moon. 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