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Show a THE ZEPHYRDECEMBER 89 cost of building the new lalt. Could vou attach that to the special service district? Merv: I believe public services does fall In there. Dave: Im not sure If It does or not Merv: We really haven't explored that avenue yet Zephyr: Are there any other thoughts on how vou can oav for this orolect? Merv: A building fund. Zephyr: What does that entail? Merv: I don't know. Dave: Weve set up a series of public meetings. The purpose Is to get down to the nitty gritty. We decided the best thing to do Is find out what the public wants to do, because it seems like every time we sit down and figure out all the answers, the public assumes we've already made a decision. So we're going to Involve the public from step one, and say we're not sure what we're doing. We want answers from you, the public. Zephyr: That's a refreshing approach. Feme: Well ask for advice before Its given to us. The Blue Ribbon Committee Zephyr: What are vour thoughts on the Blue Ribbon Committee, now that the tourist season Is about over? Merv: I thought there weren't going to be any questions to rile Dave? Dave: You keep prodding, don't you? Well I think what they've done so far Is admirable. They did more than I though could be accomplished. I dont think It's a problem that's been solved yet. Theyve come a long ways. I noticed on Channel 6 they have a commercial running; Im not sure what the next step Is, but I've been really Impressed. Merv: In deference to Dave, I'd like to say right here that he was delegated to do this, but Dave Is the working man of this group. So Ive been going to the meetings. It's going well, and one thing that's happened, Is, people want to put money Into It, to help things. We've opened an account In the county books for donations. Zephyr: What did vou think of the tourism this Fall? From what I read In the paper, It sounded like mountain bike Dave: registration was down a little bit Merv: I think that's only natural. After a long Winter, people Just want to get out In the sun. But after a whole Summer, waiting for It to cool down, you dont notice that sudden Influx. Fall PAGE 5 to get along, but to learn where each other's coming from. It takes awhile to figure out what your Ideas are. As far as other accomplishments, we've got a lot of things on the planning board that are well on their way, like the equestrian center. It will eventually mean as much to the community as the golf course does now. Personally, I've had to adapt my thinking to realize that the days are gone where we can depend on hard hat workers. That's gone. I fought that for a long time; I Just didn't want to agree that we're going to turn Into a mini-Pa- rk City. But that's the direction I think Moab Is heading and thats not bad; It's Just not what I want We can progress and thrive on that type of thing, so I've had to adapt my way of thinking. I'm on my way to gradually accepting that, but It's been kind of tough for me. I dont think we'll ever see the Moab that I grew up In again, at least not for many years. Feme: My biggest disappointment has been that Im unable to make any progress on zoning and cleanup. It Is such a laborious thing. Everybody thinks, and I did too, that you could Just go In and lay these things on and get them to clean up. But It Is really Important to look and listen, because some peoples' most priceless treasures might be Junk to me. You have to be very careful. It's easy to stand on the bandwagon and say, get It cleaned up. But some of these people have lived here for years. You have to think about them legally and personally and work with them. I still think we're making some progress, but Ive been disappointed at the speed we're doing IL David: The wheels of government grind slowly. Merv: I cant be as specific as Dave. I think the development of the three of us as a team has been the thing. Its a natural evolution; Its not Just us -- It's the whole gang workinggreatest together. It's the people too. We've pulled ourselves up by the bootstraps. Things were pretty low at the end of last year. They were bleak. But I think theres a new vitality In the area now. The old way Is lost. But we'll make another life. It'll work. The people are doing that. I like the feeling of the county, and I think that's something good thats happened. From that, other things are going to generate by themselves. Zephyr: Thanks aoain. Two days after the Interview with the Grand County Commission, I received a letter from County Attorney Elaine Coates. In fairness, that letter Is printed here, along with my reply. Dear Mr. Stiles: did not receive your Invitation to the Zeohvr Interview on November 13th until after was over. I was not In Moab at the time you delivered the Invitation to my office on November 9th and the 10th was a holiday. I did not see the mall until after I had been to District Court and the County Commission meeting on the 13th. If you want to Invite me again In December, please do so far enough In advance that I can arrange my calendar to accommodate the date and time. I It Crescent Junction Special Service District Zephyr: There had been a plan to establish a special service district near Crescent Jet., so that water rights could be obtained bv a party Interested In building a truck stop. What exactly happened with that. Merv: That water line belongs to the Federal Highway Administration and they decided that they did not want to turn It over; they would set It at cost, about $65,000. Its a water line that Is a troublesome line and breaks probably once a week. They would sell It, so the Special Service District public hearing was cancelled. It didn't now appear you need a special service district to get that water line. They would sell It at a hell of a price. But I don't think that price Is worth It, even at a 10th of the price. I think It needs a new line. Zephyr: So the orolect Is on hold? Merv: Yes. Summing Up Zephyr: Looking at the last year, what do vou consider to be vour malor accomplishments and what are your disappointments? Merv: I think our major accomplishment has been to learn how to work as a team. Feme: I think so too. I think we've learned to work together very well Dave: I would have to agree that we've learned to get along. Not necessarily Cordially, Elaine M. Coates Dear Mrs. Coates: ed your Invitation to Bill Schultz on Thursday, November 9. You were In Salt Lake City again. However, you returned that evening and were present In your capacity as private counsel at a Road Board meeting of the Special Service District at 7 a.m. on Friday morning. Had you taken the time to stop by your office, you should have found the letter. While I respect your dedication to the Road Board, It would be nice If you could at least give enough of your time to your responsibilities as County Attorney to check your mall. Hope to hear from you soon. I hand-deliver- Sincerely, Jim Stiles, Editor Nelsons Heating and Refrigeration serving Moab since 1962 the traveling tub jeff davis, owner 2250 murphy In 259-846- 3 in Read the Zephyr cozy comfort with heatim by NELSONS |