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Show PAGE 4 THE ZEPHYRDECEMBER 89 an interview with the grand county commission looking back on 1 989 On November 13th, an Interview was held with the Grand County Commission. Present were Merv Lawton, Feme Mullen and David Knutson. County Attorney Elaine Coates was also Invited to participate, but failed to respond or appear. The Interview has been edited for clarity and length. Last Spring's CDBG Money to Green River Many of the questions this month Involve Issues that have been of Interest and concern to the citizens of Grand Countv over the last year. The first Is a question that arose last Soring. The Commission recommended at the time that Community Development Block Grant monies fCDBGI go to Green River City. There was some oblectlon to that bv the City of Moab at the time. Has that money been allocated and are vou satisfied with the wav It's being used? Merv: The money has been allocated. I dont think, I cant recall If they've drawn that money yet I have a feeling that when the bills come In, they send It upstate and they pay the money. Am I satisfied with It? No, I'm disgruntled that nothing has happened yet One of our objects of that thing was that It looked like an Immediate project, and that hasnt turned out to be the case. And when I've spoken to their Mayor, he says they've run Into a couple of problems In getting these businesses set up In the area. So I'm no disgruntled, I'm disappointed. Dave: My understanding was that the CDBG monies was to be used to provide Infrastructure on this side of the Green River. I dont know to be honest If that has been accomplished or not I didn't know of any Immediate things that were going to, move In, but I haven't checked up on It. I'm assuming that Its been put In, but I really don't know. Feme: I feel that when we went Into this, there were companies that were ready to go In as soon as they got the services to them. As far as I can see, I don't know that they've done anything yet Zephyr: Zephyr: Will Merv: Yes. another grant be available In the Soring? Zephyr: Andvousald last year that for next year vou would want the money Merv: We got a load last week. Zephyr: I was at the dump last week, and the sign which deslgnatedthe asbestos had been dumped last Soring was gone. AccordingJQ EPA. standards. that sign Is supposed to be permanent. Merv: I didnt notice. If Its down, we'll put It up again. Dave: I assumed that the sign was there so that those people dumping the asbestos would know where that's aL People aren't supposed to be digging In the dump. Once Its covered up, It should be there permanently. Zephyr: So they were marking It lust to show where the next load was going? Dave: Thats what I'm assuming. I couldn't say for sure. Zephyr: But I think the EPA savs It should be marked permanently so that nobody ever ooes back there bv chance and digs It up. Merv: That's a generic thing. Different dumps have different rules. The Countv Dump Zephyr: Let me ask vou about the dump. A lot of people feel If s reaching Its capacity, and that the location Is poor. conslderlngthe use of the davs as a mecca for bicyclists. Is there a plan to relocate the dump? Merv: There's nothing concrete. Dave: It's not anywhere near capacity right now. There's lots of ground up there. It's not the best place for IL I think It would be better In another place, but until the situation arises where If s financially feasible, we've got plenty of capacity left where we are. It's a stop gap measure, but It's still got a lot of years. Not that we want to, but we don't have another choice right now. Feme: As far as I've been able to find out, the dump Is large enough for awhile. And I think what people dont understand Is If we create a new dump, It's going to be very expensive, It'll be farther from town, It'll have to meet all the Sand-FJatsJiies- o regulations, so of course whoever has the contract to haul garbage will raise the price. Are they ready for that? to oo to Moab Cltv. Dave: That's what J said. Merv: Thats what we're all saying. County Attorney's Budget We talked about this last Spring, and how the budget had Increased dramatically the last two years. Recently we discussed the possibility that drug monies which pav the deputy countv attorney's salary mav drop. How does that stand right now, and do vou foresee cutbacks In the countv attorney's office? Dave: I'm not sure how that stands; Fran been working on the budget She hasnt advised us, so I assume things are status quo for now. Merv: Drug monies were running a little low, but Elaine Indicated that there should be more coming In. But we pretty well made up our mind that If drug Zephyr: In The Asbestos Issue Zephyr: Last Spring, asbestos was an Issue. Ive heard rumors that there are plans to bring more asbestos In here. Is that true? Merv: Sure. Zephyr: Is It a given? Have there been contracts signed? monies arent there, something will have to be done. Zephyr: Do vou know If Mrs. Coates has been offered the lob with the U.S, District Court? Merv: I dont know. Zephyr: If she Is offered the lob, and that position becomes vacant, would Bill Schultz be the new Countv Attorney? Merv: Not necessarily. Dave: I'm not sure what the process Is for selecting a new County Attorney since Elaine ran as an IndependenL Merv: Bill might become acting county attorney as we did when Elaine was In for her operation. Ilguflh.Springs Rppd Zephyr: Have vou heard anything from the BLM on the proposed Trough Springs Road? Merv: Its on this weeks agenda. Gene Nodlne Is coming In today. Zephyr: .ArejysJiavIng a good time this morning? Merv: Yes. Feme: Yes. Dave: Yes. Zephyr: Everyone seems sleepy today. The Book Cliffs Road only on Tuesday, Tacos for 2$c 50c )$c La Hacienda 574 No. Main 259-631- 9 Jeff Davis, owner Open 6 AM to 10 PM 7 days a week Zephyr: Here we go again. To review the last few months, last Summer. Mark Walsh of the Association of Counties confirmed that the UDOT money from mineral lease revenues for the Special Service District could be used for other purposes than roads, and that there were precedents for that In other counties. Yet the Board continues to push Its major prelect, the Book Cliffs Road, now committing Itself to as muchas$10QJQQonan Environmental Impact Statement. Do vou think this Is a prudent Immediate use of funds? Dave: Let me break that Into a two-p- art answer. First, the Special Service Road District has been set up, and that money has been funneled to them, so that money should be used for roads because Its a single-purpo- se district As far as using It for an EIS, sure that's part of It Merv: It's exactly as David says, but as a sort of addendum to that I've been Informed that as an example, If the hospital urgently needed some money, we could add hospital to the SSRD, and have some money go to the hospital that way. Dave: Whered you get that Information? Merv: Mark Walsh. Zephyr: Would that be a decision of the Commission? Merv: Yes, but It would have to go through public hearings. Feme: I think they have a chance to change later If they want to. Courthouse AnnexJall Zephyr: Jflu$?S this Is relpted.-- WS .Spoke In an earlier Interview about the |