OCR Text |
Show PAGE 4 THE ZEPHYRJUNE 89 7T - , an interview with the grand county commission On May 16, Commissioners Merv Lawton, Feme Mullen and David Knutson were Interviewed by Jim Stiles. The Interview has been edited for clarity and length. Merv. at the last commission meeting vou said vou now had some about the proposed Trough Springs road. What are those concerns, and do vou. David and Feme, agree? Merv:. When Gene Nodlne and I spoke about this, he was talking about Just a connection between two routes. Then I heard that there was more to It than that And Ive not been able to find out exactly what It Is as yet But Judging by the money hes asking for. It looks Ike theres a lot more than Just that connection. So I have some reservations. Dave: From the Information I have at this point, I dont have any concerns. Feme: When they talked to us, they said they were going to connect those two roads so they would have a loop. But the other day, I heard something that sounded Ike there would be another outlet, out to Window Rock or something. Merv: When we spoke Initially, we spoke about making that Into a gravel road between the two, certainly at this stage, so that later on If the need arose, you could pave It But now It looks Ike theyre going right Into paving. Zephyr: If the road Is paved, will they follow the same alignment or win mater changes occur? And would the County have a sav? Feme: I understood that they would follow the contour. Merv: The only thing Im aware of Is the Trough Springs section; I know nothing Zephyr: beyond that Zephyr: I had heard that If the BLM upgrades and constructs new road In Kane Springs and to Trough Springs. It would be necessary to similarly upgrade the Egg Ranch road. Where would the County get the funding for that? Merv: IPs not available. Ive heard of no deals that If they do this, we must do that Zephyr: Regarding our tourist boom, weve been somewhat overwhelmed bv an Influx of visitors to Grand County: what means do we have of dealing with the Impacts financially? Feme: I think weve gone over this. Were trying to get something set up on the river road particularly, with the BLM to see If we can help with some toilet facilities. But the big hangup Is who win keep up the maintenance. Because we certainly dont have the funds. Dave: I dont know If tourism will keep up at this level or not; If It does. If were going to mitigate some of the Impacts, we either have to start charging people that make the Impacts, or raise taxes, and Im not too hot on raising taxes. Uke Feme says, somebody has to pay. Thats the bottom tine. Zephyr: How would vou Impose Impact foes? . Dave: I dont know that It can be done, but Id Ike to try. You simply put out some Information and let people know that theres going to be a fee. Then you have to enforce It, for them to pay. Its complicated, but I think It can be done. Merv: Pm right with Dave. He has expressed the same thoughts as I do. Although I might express them a Ittle Mt stronger. That It shouldnt be the local With user fees you need some' form of taxpayer thats paying for the Impacts. enforcement, and the last thing you want to' do Is after hiring someone to do the It Just enforcing, use up all the money from the use fees you get for policing. that and But this Is aggravates everybody way, you havent accomplished anything. what were hoping the task force will come up with. One doesnt know exactly how to do It, so the Task Force consists of persons from different areas of Influence, and were looking for a picture they can paint for us. Zbphyr: Someone has suggested that the county lease the land along the river and the Sand Flats from the BLM and create a river district where the countv could collect user fees and the money would stay In the countv. Merv: Well, there would still be the difficulty of collecting the fee. Ive used the analogy of cattle. IPs difficult to count them when they're spread all over the range. Zephyr: Collecting the fee would be difficult, but I think the point being made Js that the money would stay In Grand County Instead of vanishing Into some federal general fond. Merv: I wouldnt want to what die Blue Ribbon Committee comes up double-gue- ss with. I think that's a I think the Dave: pretty good suggestion. county should collect user fees. Theres no sense In having It go to the BLM. That doesnt help. This has to be a county-initiatprogram. Zephyr: Merv. a couple of weeks ago vou called a meeting of the BLM. National At least Park Service. Sheriff Nvtand and others to discuss the tourist Impacts. one merchant said that he was told he could not attend because It was bv Invitation only. Wlw was the meeting set up Uke that and would that be a violation of the Sunshine Law? (I might add that about 20 people turned out anvwav.l Merv: Initially, I had It In mind, and I thought about the Sunshine thing, but we werent going to make any resolutions or anything of that nature. Therefore, I did not feel that R came under that law. IPs Rke me going to talk to someone at BLM. I Invited them over, and can we have a discussion and what Is the best way of ed But And once youve got that, then you can can a Mg meeting. And It ended thaPs friends. their why that Interested brought so was they everyone I to turn around at that stage and say, up so Mg, and theres no way that wasoffgoing The more Input,' the better. us. But a for couple Look here, this is only National Park with the BLM discussion a to have I Service, originally was Just going and Travel Council, and say: What Is the best way of handling this? But I did hear a number of people say: how about us coming along to this meeting and I did say, wait a minute. I Just want to talk to a few people. I did make the statement that this was by Invitation. room tax revenue Zephyr: Someone had made the suggestion that mavbe transient for tourist used and Council Travel Impacts. Is thm from the diverted could be R? handling possible? dont think It can, but with proper legislation It could. Just this year they passed legislation that allowed money to be used for capital Improvements. But It might be something worth looking at Dave: I Merv: As I understood It, that money had to be legislated for (1) where It can (2) what percentage. And I think 3 Is the maximum. But It Is spelled out what we can use It for. But certainly there Is a possiMDty that In order to handle this, they would reduce the amount of bait were throwing out for the fish. Weve got too many fish In the lake right now. But I dropped that seed and It was taken as If thaPs what were going to do. And we cant without a change In be used and legislation. Zephyr: TWs Is a Question that vou realfo End of Mcvcletourist Questions. have no authority over, but IPs an Issue that has raised the Ire of a lot of parents of voung school children. Currently the Grand County School Board allows high school students to wear shorts during the hotter periods of the year. Elementary Recently a student Justin Novas. and Middle School students are prohibited. from his classmates and presented the over collected three hundred signatures Board the relected the petition and However, petition to the School Board. How do vou fad maintained the ban of shorts, saving It could be too disruptive. about that? Feme: I have a lot to say on that because I think IPs ridiculous. When you take tittle first grade and kindergarten boys and put them In long pants, and the girls can wear short skirts, I think IPs ridiculous. : The tittle boys should be able to wear shorts. I dont see how It could be disruptive. Dave: First of all, I dont think they should wear shorts In the high schooL I think the whole dress code should be revamped. ed Feme: I have a little grandson that comes home. Hes and hot from Kindergarten. Merv: Ive been brought up In a different environment, of course, and IPs a tittle odd for me to answer for here. Where I grew up kids at our Junior schools all wore shorts. And when you went to high school, If you were of a certain height, you got to go to long pants. s Zephyr: Im glad 1 didnt go to vour school. Merv. I would have been In shorts forever. Merv: Now, Im In favor of shorts In hot weather. I dont find them disruptive and I think they are more comfortable. And I think pepple can concentrate on their work a lot better when they're comfortable. Zephyr: Recently the Emery County Commission affirmed the position that they are opposed to any additional wilderness designation in their county. How do vou feel about wilderness In Grand Countv at this time? I Merv: and wilderness Is not multiple-us-e. Im not prefer multiple-us-e, to wilderness Pm What Is concerned about opposed that Industry designation. finy has not been able to have the money or time to Investigate what Is under the surface of the ground. And mineral production Is terribly Important to the country. If you lock It up as a wilderness you cant go out and see the resource there. That Is why Pm worried about wilderness IPs coming too soon. In terms of legislation. Representative Owens has Introduced a five Zephyr: Bti.njpn.acre MIL and I boBeve Representative Hansen has Introduced a one million acre MIL Can vou support either of these? Feme: As far as Pm concerned. It depends on where they want to put R. R depends on which piece of land they want to tie upi I dont know that people realize that wilderness designation eliminates oil lease fends In those areas. Dave: Politically, I might support the lesser evil because were going to get one or the other, but Pm opposed to any wilderness designation. I dont think IPs I think theres necessary. wilderness, there will always be wilderness out there I and dont think we need to designate R. Bmnfly S ffllKbW WOOOWd towlno nubile trim land. In th. Book CHffs and using the area as a private hunting preserve. R would have sold rcpnfoflp fo thg State, The specific proposal was recently withdrawn. upp9rtPtf bv. many. For the record, would vou support ffij? proposals In the I(n0w enouflh bout R to agree or D.av The concept of making -lands make more money Is good. I Ike that disagree. The problem they got Into Is the privatization of public lands as for as hunting goes, and thaPs a pretty sticky red-fac- i , - 1 11 MTS! YOUR YARD FROM THEMPHOU (automatically) Tired of being left holding the garden hose when the rest of the gang heads for the 1st led? A Ran Bird automatic sprinkler system is your WHERE THE BIG BOYS EAT! GREAT BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER 4th East and 3rd So TAKEOUTS: artwork by ms Katie Sensenbrenner 1989 259-742- 4 ED STONE, LANDSCAPING 259-844- 7 |