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Show PAGE 4 THE ZEPHYR JULY 89 an interview with the grand county commission On June 14, Jim Stiles Interviewed Commissioners Merv Lawton, David Knutson and Feme Mullen. The Interview has been edited for clarity and length. Recently Steve Creamer, of the engineering firm Creamer & Noble, stated that mineral lease revenues alone would not provide the funding needed to pav for the Book Cliffs road project, which according to Creamer could now run as high as 10 million dollars In Grand Countv alone. He said It would require "creative financing." What measures do vou see could be taken to Zephyr: raise the money? Dave: The Community Impact Board Is one. Also going to the State again Is another. Zephyr: Do vou mean money from the General Fund or UD0T7 Dave: I don't know what that means. Wherever they can take It from, but theres some things we're going to try and have to do. The State's agreed to take It over, pave It and maintain It, so they might not be willing to make any further commitment I believe there's funds out there, other than coming to the taxpayers In Grand County to get that Steve (Creamer) seems pretty positive there's monies out there, somewhere. Merv: I agree with David that we don't want any of this to hill on the taxpayers. That's number one. Secondly, when we went to CIB, one of the things we said Is, we're not asking for the money now. We bring you up to speed on what we'd like to do. The study has got to be made on what the actual I don't cost ls necessarily agree on that 10 million that you mentioned, but It may be. I think what the cost will be will determine If the project Is economically feasible. The other thing is, what will be the best way to finance It? This Is part of the study. I dont have the answer yet Dave: Theres always something new coming up If you know the angles, and you know what's going on In the legislature. And I don't know, people like Cal Black and Lee Semken are the ones that always come up with these things 'cause they've been around for 20 or 30 years and they know what's been In and out One thing I do want to mention. If the CIB puts money toward this road. It win not Jeopardize CIB money to the City or County. Zephyr: Do vou think CIB might out grant money on this road prelect In addition to the loan? Dave: If conceivable. To be honest, the Road Board will have to proceed with that road, and as it comes to fruition, at the same time theyll have more funds, and as people see Its a good thing, money will become more readily available. Im positive the money is out there somewhere. " Merv: I feel this Is a great thing for the State, as well as the county. So I can well see the State coming In. Feme: I think maybe there's money and maybe there Isnt We say we wont tax the people. If we cant get the money any other way, and the road Is going In, they're going to have to find the money to pay for It That's of that resolution the Board the reason I could not see a blanket-approv-al much will It asked us to sign. I want to wait till the survey Is over, how I from. Is haven't been coming cost and have some Idea where the money But to we have for I think It's a good Idea. It, and pay against the road I want to know how. What other things can Grand Zephyr: Talking about creative financing. County do to Improve Its school system, specifically returning the school week, reducing the studentteacher ratio, and Improving salaries? How can It find the money It needs? Dave: Thats easy. The people In this community have to support The people seem to think Industry, because that's what supports the schools. can pick from, without we that there's some tree out there that grows money want. But the fact is, If we want any nasty dirty Industries that we don't weve got to have good, solid high tax paying good schools, a good hospital, Thats how you do It As a whole, this community has not industries. supported the idea that we want these kinds of things. We can't support our schools on our home property tax. Thats the answer. Merv: Up In the Book Cliffs area are some state lands oil, gas, tar It Into and the schools. We pours money sands. Get those operations going are blessed In this county by the number of school sections In each township. If we can get production out of that, that's exactly what Dave says. Zephyr: The argument that I've heard many mention. Is that If there wan the vast reserve of minerals up there that vou allude to. the energy companies would already be there paving their own roads and getting It out 5--day now. think you're putting the cart before the horse. Its not the mineral companies that locate these gas and oil deposits, Its the wildcatters. Once theyve gone in and drilled and found It, that Is when the mineral Merv: I companies come In with the roads. Dave: Granted, during the oil boom, the county didn't need to do very much because the market was up, the price was high and they built their own roads. What we're trying to do now Is by the county stepping In, were trying to help out our situation because the market's not there. The market will come back someday, and we have to be ready for H. I dont know what we can do right now because we have a poor market Merv: I see a change coming right now, because Bush has proposed to deregulate gas. I can see an upswing. Is there any new Information on the cleanup at Atlas of the Zephyr: facilities and tailings pond? And has anyone considered the economic benefits to this county If the cleanup required the removal of the pond. Soma sav It would provide lobs for 10 years. 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