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Show PAGE 38 THE ZEFHYRNOVEMBER 1993 feedback the readers respond Dear Stiles... I read with more than passing interest the case of the missing brass doors in the last edition of the Zephyr. A lot of Moab history happened behind those brass doors. They lent a dignified touch to the proud old courthouse built in 1937 during the waning years of the Great Depression, proving Grand County's faith in the future. From time to time during the next 57 years, the doors would be polished until they glowed in the dark. In 1941, er route to Washington, D. C to become a Government Girl, I stopped in Moab to bid goodbye to my sister. Fern Sittan (Wood), a nurse at Dr. Allen's old hospital We posed in front of those same brass doors for a snapshot, little knowing that a war would be fought and won before we stood there again. accountable? When she suggested I call the Sheriff, I became a little obtuse and suggested she call herself since die was on the county payroll not L She hung up on me. So I called the Sheriff's office. Deputy Sheriff Squires knew about the missing doors but he didn't know where they were. I was to keep in touch if I gleaned any information. Which I did. A person who wished to remain anonymous told me he had heard the doors were at a certain house. Very possible, the Deputy Sheriff allowed, since the person named had hauled off some doors and other salvage material. He didn't know who had authority to give die salvage away, but he agreed to look far the doors. Later he reported no hide but thanks far my interest and to report any more tips. I was almost ready to give up. The case of the missing doors had become a joke with my house guests and friends, sort of a go get 'em Sherlock situation. But I had one more alternative. I read where Commissioner John Maynard was cme of the elected seven not up for recall so I called him. He agreed to check it out. Then I got a call from Commission Chairman Charlie Peterson. He applauded my interest, but he said far worse things were happening on the courthouse front. A shipment of expensive phones had disappeared right under their noses and they hadn't been able to find them. The Sheriff's office had been alerted and word circulated that the stolen phones were of no use to the average citizen since they were specialized equipment At this stage of my search for the missing doors I had reached the end of my rope. Someone has copped a pair of historical brass doors, and the citizens of Grand County should pursue the missing doors, the missing telephones, and the costs of the new courthouse. When the State builds a bridge or a road, a qualified resident engineer is employed to look after the State's interests. Grand County votes a bond, awards a contract, and lets the chips fall where they may. If Accountability of public property is as lax as it appears, the citizens of Grand County should request a Grand Jury investigation. Perhaps instead of firing the newly elected commission, we should help them set Grand County's house in order. an A concerned citizen, Maxine Newell. Greetings, Hunter Fulghum: Hey, brother, between pusillanimity and pugnacity, where's the choice? one who spends weekends drumming, Your Men's Movement friend the visions for in sweat mystical you suggest the dude's (1) deluded he's lodges searching sitting not Native American, (2) witless he's copping the wrong warrior tradition, (3) and he looks silly. Reckon his aren't hanging very well; the fellow is destitute of manly strength and ineffectual spiritually. In a word, he's pusillanimous. I mean, this Lost Soul's real roots lie in pugnacity. Same place as yours and mine. You the know, plague of wars, the per fidities of imperialism, the pranks terism of combat sports, puttering with power tools, and the pretensions of machismo. Pusillanimity or pugnacity. Hell of a choice. If you were as familiar with Men's Work (who the hell calls it a Movement anymore?) as you seem to be with the patriarchal and political culture that wounded your friend's soul In the first place, perhaps your bitter spoofing would seem less out of whack. Might find a poise on Borne fresh middle ground, one that balances cuteness with credibility, entertainment with insight. Robert Bly, Sam Keen, Michael Meade, James Hillman, Ted Kozak these are a few of the brothers seriously concerned with your friend's dilemma, his search. Of course their writing is a couple of notches above supercilious poking fun at folk. And yeah, sometimes they beat drums or strum the mandolin, recite poetry, laugh and cry, sit in sweats and explore the stories bare-cheste- Fern Sitton Wood & Maxine Sitton Newell So it was with dismay that I read there was no room for a pair of brass doors in the new $4 million courthouse. Moreover, the doors were apparently missing. Not only were they not donated to the Moab Museum, where past history belongs, no one seemed to know or care what happened to them. I decided to find out. I spent considerable time on the telephone during the next few days. My first call was to the County Clerk's office. I should mention that at this point I had no inkling of the hunt I was embarking upon, so I recorded no names. A female voice told me she had no idea where the doors might be. I asked a question I was to repeat numerous times in file ensuing days: Who is accountable? Perhaps the County Building Inspector, she thought. I called the Building Inspector's office. Another female voice had no idea where the doors might be. She had heard they had come up missing and had been located, but she thought they might have been included in the salvage operation when construction began. Who's accountable, I asked, and was reminded there had been a fire and much destruction; a salvage person cleared the rubble. I was referred to the Grand County Commission. At fiie Grand County Commission offices, a female voice had no idea what happened to the brass doors. They might have been hauled to the dump with the rest of the refuse. Who is ZCvK&tZ& WE HWE A WINNER! The winners of the first annual "Color Mo" contest are Jessica Berry and Jen Jensen for their very moving "Moana Mo entry. Congratulations, kids! 606 S. Main 259-590- 8 d |