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Show Standard Rate U S Postage Paid Utah Press Association 307 West 300 South, Suite 5005 Salt Lake City UT 84101-1212 P.O. Box 224 Milford, UT 84751 Milford. UT. 84751 Perm No. 15 r w P. O. Box 224 MAY 15, 1997 1997 Beaver Countv Livestock Show is. m - ;v-- - VOL. VII NO. 20 Milford, Utah 84751 County Assessor The Golden Egg Is Tarnished Seeks To Postpone 1997 Valuations Beaver County Assessor, Max Limb, has formally requested a delay in finalizing the 1997 assessment roll for the county, as a result of a recent Tax Commission decision. Ss&H) , Normally the assessor would have the 1 997 assessments completed by May 22 and information sent to the county auditor to be dispersed among the taxing entities like the school districts and cities. This year the assessor has made a request to postpone the completion of the final roll until June 10, after the filing deadline for appeals from large utilities, mines, railroads and other such property. A decision by the State Tax Commission in a case involving Wiltel Communications on April 24, 1997, excluded from property taxation, for these large corporations, intangible property such as franchises, goodwill, trade secrets, etc. Place Lambs Fitting and Showing and Grand Champion Market Lamb The assessor has two concerns in seeking Taylor Pearson-1- st for the postponement. One, if large companies are to receive a tax reduction for intangibles so should homes, farms and small businesses. If that is not done the taxes paid will shift from large companies to homes and other property beginning in 1997. The second concern of the assessor is that taxing entities like schools cities and the county may be unable to generate the amount of tax revenue they budgeted for if they are at their tax That forces an unanticipated rate ceilings. reduction in programs and services. The county has expressed its concerns to the State Tax Commission, legislators and the Governor's office .about the impact of the Wiltel decision. City Recorder Nedra Kennedy added that official the city position is: "Milford City doesn't have as many centrally assessed properties as the county, so it should not have a dramatic effect on the upcoming budget. We are concerned about the way the state tax commission is handling the settlements. We would like for them to allow input from the cities and counties in settling the Wood lsl Steers -- Handel Fitting and Showing, Junior Class. disputes." A)f f Xtzr- La - Leo Countv Attorney he doesn't think a change in Utah Department of Corrections administration will have any effect on filling the new Beaver County prison. A contract to house state prisoners represents collateral for at least $3 million of the cost of the county prison. Although Kanell is examining the contract, he said he is not sure who signed it. "It could have been the one who just resigned." he said. Lane McCottcr announced his resignation as Utah Corrections He will Director last Friday. continue on the job until a can be recruited. replacement Timetable has not been specified, but it is reasonable to expect a transition period of at least 90 days after the new director takes charge before departmental policy is set. Experts in the current administration have worked under the premise that jail beds could not be added fast enough to keep up with prisoner Ethical population increase. correctness of current and former Kanell says addition to the shakeup in the Department of Corrections, there have been other changes in the "state" of the county since the S'ovember 1996 Bond Flec tion: 1. The Beaxer County Assessor, like assessors in other affected counties, has announced delay of assessments related to an April 22, 1997 ruling by the state Tax Commission on "intangibles ".(See aiUlce this page.) According to Treasurer LeeAnn Joseph, the county receives payment from a large number of centrally assessed companies including utilities, mining claims and airlines. Among the largest of those Pacific-Cor- p paid.. ..under protest..... $575,355.40, Kern River $352,629.27 and UP Railroad $173,241.05 in county properly tax last year. the Wiltel Following decision, UP Railroad challenged a 1997 tax bill they have not yet received. Their taxes in Utah could be cut by as much as Beaver is one of 18 counties to be effected. 50. If they are successful in their bid, Corrections others are likely to follow. employees "making deals" with 2. The Beaver County School Board counties to promote construction will schedule a could be reversed with the new hearing as soon as assessments are the administration. Unless in to declare intent of additional levy Legislature changes the rules, all for the 1997-9- 8 budget. (Page 7.) contracts will remain subject to 3. Commissioner Sullivan is excused annual appropriations. from duty because of illness. A recent study ordered by Commissioner Marshall is also in the Salt Lake City Council suggests poor health. Although theoretically alternative methods of sentencing all commissioners represent all for offenders to restrain constituents in the county, when construction and staffing costs. faced with unprecedented challenges Kanell said he has heard of the three heads are better than one. County government currently rests study, but doesn't think it would the shoulders of lessen the demand for the prison mostly on Commissioner Johnson and Doug beds the county plans to lease. Media reports, depicting Catriger, administrative assistant. release of violent criminals back into Carriger is not an elected official. because of overcrowding, society have coincided with funding cycles and bond elections. Such coverage, until the investigation of the March death of Michael Valent, has not included scrutiny of prison personnel. The psychiatrist who prescribed the treatment reportedly responsible for Valcnt's death has a history of questionable diagnostic techniques plus possible Medicaid fraud, prescription fraud and professional license probation all By Norman Baxter: When I left radio school in of which was known by prison administration. Claims that Valent was Washington, D.C., I was assigned to New restrained to protect him from have been challenged. The 1995 Construction on the Destroyer, USS Waller. I death of another Utah State Prison inmate who was receiving involuntary was the only one to get such an assignment and treatment, and the apparent murder of a federal prison inmate by prison guards all of my shipmates congratulated me. They said currently under investigation by Senator Orrin Hatch and the Judiciary that it meant at least six months stateside duty, Committee, may effect future new s coverage of prisons. Beaver County voters approved away from the war. How could I be so lucky? Unless a lawsuit to a GO $6.5 bond last November - 889 But, when I went aboard it was to find that the the contrary is filed on or for and votes 843 votes against. In an construction was over. The ship was tied up at a before June 5th, Beaver letter to open county residents before the pier in Brooklyn Navy Yard and getting up steam County proposes to issue GO election, commissioners asked for voter to get underway. bonds for $5.1 million at 7.5 approval. "You commission has no My girl friend (later, my wife) hadn't per annum, $1.4 million at intention of issuing the maximum been to New York but had a girl friend living 2.5 for 25 years, and amount ($6.5 million) in bonds unless it Revenue Bonds in the amount there, so she went with me. We found her is supported in the public hearing of $3 million. The county will process. " Within 36 hours alter the friend's apartment building and I went on to the also reportedly receive a navy yard. It was so late at night that the polls closed, commissioners submitted a C.I.B. Grant up to $1.1 didn't quite know what to do with to C.I.B. for additional monies request million. Kanell warns that the over and above the GO Bond. Total cost me. 1 suggested, and he willingly gave me a county would probably take of the jail is not yet available. liberty. I returned to the apartment, and the action against anyone filing a Commissioners arc not limited from next day we went sight seeing. My $54.00 a suit or circulating a petition to issuing bonds at a later date in addition to month pay didn't allow for many taxi fares, so delay issuance of the bonds the $9.5 million GO plus Revenue Bonds we rode the subway. We always took the local y during the protest advertised. currently for it allowed us time to check the stations. We period. The I Jtah County jail is depending Although not a protest thought we were becoming old hands at that, but on revenue generated by inmate overflow late that evening we meant to return to the against the bonds, a former from Salt Lake County when it opens at an Beaver County resident, Tony apartment building so we boarded a subway. As as yet undetermined date this sununer. If Hamilton, does have a suit we were far from our destination, it wasn't Salt Lake County joins Salt Lake City in against the county. He has developing programs outlined in the above necessary to check the stations for some time. served advisoiy copies of a mentioned study to incarcerate only violent When we did begin to check, something strange COMPU1XT: WRIT OF offenders who are actually a threat to became apparent. Every other station was the ERROR on George K. Baum society, it leaves Utah County with three one at which we had boarded. Confused, we & (bondingjCompany, Jon choices: 1. Spanish Fork City would be went to the surface and hailed a taxi. The cabbie Bronson and Blaine Carlton, forced to change a city ordinance and allow was kind, he didn't laugh at us but explained that bonding attorneys, UAC and the county to house upwards of .100 state CIB. we had been on a shuttle that ran back and forth prisoners for profit...or 2. Go to the between the two main subway systems. (We taxpayers w ith for yet another tax increase. could have been there all night.) ($40.00 per $100,000.00 property was I boarded the subway to return to my added earlier this year for staffing costs only. This is in addition to construction costs.) or 3. Nudge the legislature for permission to contract prison labor to ship but, missed my station and ended at the end industry. prisoners could then pay for board and room. of the line, far out in the boondocks and had to private While moving jobs inside prison w alls would lessen the tax burden on property wait for it to go back. It was late when I got to owners and give law enforcement agencies and industry a boost, it creates a 1 the sip, but made it before my liberty expired. danger of undermining the economy. Industry jobs ..especially those such as By the time that our destroyer left for Utah County's software industry which currently pay a living wage, supporting Portland, Maine, I was convinced that with families, communities, and services, could be contracted at minimum wage. "The goose that laid the golden egg has been seriously injured. Passers-b- y limited funds, New York was no place for a their eyes as she lies bleeding and unattended in the street. " avert Country Bumpkin! Department of non-viole- nt Historical Tidbits self-inju- ry Market Steers: Sarah Bcalcr - Reserve Champion; Jcb Marshall (See page 3 for more) - Grand Champion. Week In Review Milford Hospital: Dr. Bradley Spaulding appeared in a hearing before the Department of Professional Licensing on Wednesday to respond to allegations of drug abuse. It will probably be several weeks before their decision is announced. The doctor is on duty and seeing patients. The hospital will issue a general statement to the public next week. Planning & Zoning: Board members will tour the Circle 4 site on Friday, May 16. to learn what the company is doing to reduce odor. The company has applied for a permit to put a trailer at the truck wash site to be used as an office, rest room & rest area for drivers. Also on the agenda. Elk Meadows, under new ownership, Is getting ready for some upgrades. (See page 6 for complete May 21 agenda) Doctors to address Milford City Council: Dr. David Symond has four doctors from the University Medical Center to speak to the council about health issues related to air and water quality. The March 1, 1997 release of a book the Waters Turned to Blood" by Rodney ("And coincided Barker) closely with (Jovernor Jim Hunt's enactment of a moratorium on swine industry expansion in North Carolina. The subject is research by Dr. JoAnn Burkholder, North Carolina State University, linking a health endangering cell to pollution. Jmmanuel Foundation: Almost a year has passed since the June 21. 1996 alleged aggravated assault on Tony I Iamilton. Felony charges against James Eldrcdgc (now deceased) and Don Eldredge. although technically filed, were uot pursued by the county. Complaint filed by Hamilton in relation to the incident, naming not only the Fldredges but Max Limb, went into default earlier this month. The County Clerk refused to enter default judgement and. as is general procedure, referred the matter to Judge Eves. Eves excused himself from ruling on the case. Hamilton will pursue with a "Praecipe" demanding that the clerk enter the judgement or show reason why he will not. Hamilton has also a COMPLAINT: WRIT OF ERROR against Sheriff Yardley, various deputies, judges and attorneys associated with his September 28, 1 996 arrest and ensuing incarceration. The case is based on procedural error. Advisory copies were filed with the county's insurance and bonding agencies. Horse Show (Minersville - May 10) results will run next week. Look for some great photos! offlcer-of-the-de- ck 48-ho- ur 30-da- Non-viole- nt . |