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Show THE ZEPHYRDECEMBER 89 PAGE 2 page two Jim Stiles former haberdasher Harry Truman stunned the political "experts" and Thomas defeated Dewey for the Presidency. In 1969, the perennial last place New York Mets surprised everybody and won the World Series. And on November 7, 1989, Tom Stocks Ignored the political obituaries being written about him by friends and foes alike, and won a third term as Moabs Mayor. Voters In this campaign seemed to either despise Stocks, or the supporters of his opponent, Bill Meador. I'm not sure I understand Just why the Mayor generates such extreme animosity In some people. I've talked with his supporters and detractors, and there appears to be a mutual hostility here that has lasted In some cases for decades. It has almost become a part of Moab's history, and I don't know If anyone remembers Just why It started. One thing Is certain, however, It Is time that It stopped. Maybe I'm not the right person to try to place all this In Its proper perspective, I'm but going to try anyway. In this election, we were fortunate to have two decent, honorable men running for Mayor. Bill Meador Is a respected member of the community, an educator, and someone who cares about Moab. Charges that he would have become a puppet for a small segment of the population had he been elected, are absurd. And I'd have to say that some of Stocks' ads suggesting that were unfair. Meador was a "double-dippe- r" Stocks was the victim of some negative campaign ads himself. He has been a successful businessman and served two terms as Moab's Mayor. Yet he has been vilified by some as a man who ought to be run out of town on a rail. The fact Is, Tom Stocks has got his flaws like the rest of us, but he sure doesn't deserve the tar and feather treatment. Since the Zephyr started publication, Ive spent some time with the Mayor each month, and have gotten to know him better, mostly through the Interviews. He gin be aggravating at times. I don't think Tom has ever been able to answer a question In less than ten thousand words. Sometimes, by the time Ive got his answer, I've forgotten my question. The Mayor can also be defensive, and has a tendency to strike back Impulsively at his critics when he would be better off Ignoring them. Bu. Tom Stocks loves this town as much as anyone I have ever met. He Is not a politician who lives In an Ivory tower; Tom Is not aloof or distant from the public he serves. He's so accessible, that If you go to him with a question, he may give you more of an answer than you wanted. But he does listen. I have a Tom Stocks story that I've told a few people, but which I'd like to repeat. It happened a couple of years ago, before this paper took shape, and when I really didn't know the Mayor more than to say hello. I live on Locust Lane, Just down the street from Red Rock Elementary. I learned the City planned to construct a sidewalk In front of my house, from the school to Fourth East. That was good news, until a representative of UP&L came by. In order to put In the sidewalk, the power poles had to be moved back and consequently, he said, one of my locust trees would have to be cut down and my spruce tree seriously pruned. In 1948, Cut down? Seriously pruned? I was furious. I like trees. I even like Chinese I elms, much to the chagrin of my neighbor Toots McDougald, and went straight to care of It, he He'd take not to me worry. the Mayor with my complaint Tom told said. grumbled. I figured I was being placated by yet another politician. But at least I'd done my best to save my trees. Several months later I came home to find a UP&L truck and crane In front of my house. They had pulled the old pole, and were Installing the new one. But Instead of cutting my locust tree, they had pruned a branch here and a branch there and were sliding the new pole between the limbs. I was Impressed. I walked over to the crew and thanked them for being so careful. They chuckled a little and replied, "We had to be careful. The Mayor told the Mayor remembered. us you really like this tree." I couldnt believe It I'm sure hes not always that successful In resolving the problems of Moabites. No doubt he's failed at times; no doubt he's made people mad. After all, he's human. But the fact that Stocks won 54 of the vote Indicates that most voters accept Tom Stocks, warts and all, and think he's doing a good enough Job as Mayor to continue for another four years. Furthermore, It Indicates to me at least, Right; I that most voter don't care about this historic feud that has divided our community so long. It's boring. Its time to move on to more Important projects. The Hatfield and McCoy days are over. While I'm on the subject of elections, I'd like to announce that a Stiles won big on Tuesday, November 7. My little brother, Jeffrey Montfort Stiles, Is Powell Montfort unseated the Incumbent County, Kentucky's new County Attorney-ele- ct. 1 of 32 years by a 2 to margin. Its hard to believe that the same kid I used to call "chicken legs" has grown up to hold elective office. Ifs hard to believe Jyg "grown up" either (save the wisecracks for later), but against all odds, here we are. Montfort has always exhibited a wisdom beyond his years. When we were kids, It was my responsibility as older brother to bully and pick on the younger brother. After a while, Jeff realized that he could find sanctuary by locking himself In the bathroom. Later, he carried his routine a step further. First, he would stock the bathroom with a supply of potato chips, Coke, and the portable T.V. Next he'd go out of his way to Irritate and annoy mg. Warning: Toxic Waste Out of State Industrial Garbage Out of state industrial garbage our in backyard? A large regional landfill nd perhaps toxic waste! I believe we must plan and aggressively fight any effort to make' our county a commercial dumping ground. MSfes It Can Happen To Us T oo... As our next County Attorney he will strive to find solutions not excuses! New Democratic Leadership "I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people JEFF themselves; if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion." SVQIUES Thomas Jefferson County Attorney THE CANYON COUNTRY A Young Man Willing to ZEPHYR P.O. BOX 327 MOAB, UTAH 84332 (801) 259-777- fedlwif ' M N Imps I. Work! Wwt.Tieww JJll.I.LJ ISILim.l.lli. IJI IH..WMM. IPJIHH.II One of my brother's campaign ads from the October Clay Cltv Times. Does the theme sound familiar? 3 JIM STILES, PUBLISHER Trish West production manager contributing writers Edward Abbey, Veronica Egan, Willie Flocko Ber Knight, John Sensenbrenner, Ken Sleight Alan West When my temper rose, he broke for the bathroom. With a two or three step lead, he managed to reach the bathroom and lock the door, with a second or two to spare. While I pounded on the door, and screamed threats and epithets, he opened a Coke and turned on The Three Stooges. With the stockpile he had, my little brother was prepared to stay In there for days. That was almost twenty-fi-ve years ago. Now he's, a responsible adult, prosecuting people who have, In the words of a friend, "failed to do right" Amazing Congratulations Montfort SUBSCRIBE NOW an annual subscription is only $12.00 The Canyon Country Zephyr is a monthly newspaper, published eleven times a year at Moab, Utah. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of its vendors, advertisers, or even at times of its publishers. THE CANYON COUNTRY name address 1989 The Canyon Country Zephyr all rights reserved ZEPHYR P.O. BOX 327 MOAB, UTAH 84532 |
