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Show PAGE 6 the mayor speaks an interview with tom stocks On May 15, Mayor Tom Stocks was Interviewed by Jim Mattingly. Interview was edited for clarity and length. The . are feeling the effects In Moab of a tourist boom, Zephyr: with ever Increasing numbers of visitors to the area. What can we We do to Improve facilities for tourism? Tom: The roads appear to be more Impacted by mountain bikes crime than anything else. We havent really had a lot of to effect law enforcement like the county. We have a good staff overall In all departments to handle the extra people. The Impacts We have three In the are here, and they're still performing. street department now, but I dont foresee adding to the police department Zephyr: There was a suggestion to divert some of the transient room tax monies from the Travel Council to help deal with tourists In-to- wn . Number one, the Information that I have Is that there Is a blacktop road over Douglas Pass (Just Inside Colorado). If this road essentially parallels that road, It doesnt seem to be a Tom: reasonable project It's good to have a road that leads out of Cisco that goes directly to Vernal, or from Thompson, but I don't see any reason In going over toward the Colorado border and mainparalleling another road that's already blacktopped and tained. Common sense tells you not to have two road paralleling each other. Its foolishness. . Impacts. don't think thats a proper approach for those funds. Id rather see It go toward economic development and encourage people to come In with more dollar expenditures for I think that In services provided there taking care of tourists. ought to be user fees based on those services, whether it be trailhead fees, Impact fees for Jeep, bicycle, float trips, four I believe the Blue wheel drives, whatever the case might be. Ribbon Committee Is also considering the possibility that If we have a rescue operation, the person rescued pays the cost That's a means of mitigating the financial Impact In that particular kind of case. Thats whats Impacting the county the most of the time. So people coming Into the county must be alerted to that Currently there are no rules and regulations to handle that You, of course, couldnt leave someone out there who was sick or Tom: Oh, really? Injured. Zephyr: I How would vou Implement a fee on bicycles, for Instance? Tom: I think the SHckrock Trail would be the best example of that But on the other hand, to have someone standing out there collecting fees could cost more In administration costs. With all the Increased traffic, truck as well as Zephyr: ss tourist traffic, what Is the outlook for a possible around bv-oa- Moab? Tom: The Planning Commission Is still looking at It, a number of people are, and that needs to be addressed with the business people to see what they feel. I feel theres a definite need to move the trucks off Main Street We also have a congested area between the City and the river bridge, as well as Route 128. Merv Lawton spoke at the Dept of Transportation Meeting last week In Richfield and I took a letter to UDOT asking they mitigate the cleanup between Dewey and the river bridge. As for the bypass, If they were to make a new bridge for It near the Portal, that would alleviate congestion on the 191 bridge as well as the Junction with 12& I would like to see more trucks coming through here, but we need to be noisier In getting some funding for 191. It Is Just not adequate for the traffic. What are vour thoughts on the Book Cliffs road Zephyr: proposal? Im saddened to write that Moab has lost a great friend. Ed Claus started his final Journey on April 22, 1989. and professional profile In Although he kept a very low-k- ey the community, he touched many lives - many of whom did not realize his contribution to their happiness and well-bei- ng until his passing. He had a unique way of helping others grow and achieve their goals. Many will miss his humor, humility and mind. Perhaps you wonder why the "thank you In the Zeohvr. Ed allowed us to use his laser printer even during tax time. Only A small contribution, but one that we wont forget It would have been so easy for him to say no, but that was not his way. This would allow Jim Stiles, and others, to reach their goals to grow. I was close to Ed Claus, my father-in-la- w. a smile, a clean Joke (though old), and something nice to say to me. He always treated me like I was speclaL A void was created that day. A void I didnt know was possible. I miss him. We miss him. Time will heal. He always had --Trlsh West nm . ' Quality Realty, Inc 59 S. Main Suite 4 sales associate 1924-198- 9 a more personal level, irri suzan martin ED CLAUS On GffiMKw CVSR Box 2209 Moab, Utah 84532 Business (801) 259-502- 1 Residence (801) 259-791- 4 Featuring Castle Valley Properties I know where the best deals are |