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Show THE ZEPHYR JUNE 1990 PAGE 10 the councils turn an interview with Bill McDougald On May 18, 1990, Ken Davey conducted an Interview with Moab City Councilman William "Bill" McDougald The Interview has been edited for clarity and length. Zephyr: Longtime San Juan Countv Commissioner Cal Black died earlier this month. What will he be remembered for? Bill: Whether we agree or disagree with his philosophies, Cal was a tremendous County Commissioner for more than 20 years. We may be In disagreement, or partial disagreement, with his positions on public lands, but the greatest thing he left behind was many years of responsible public service. He worked for all of southeast Utah. He was partial to San Juan County, of course, and he was partial to Blandlng, but he helped the whole region. He was very controversial, but he was well Informed on Issues, a real bright guy, Is what he was all about service and Things are changing In southeast Utah, making Cals positions less viable, less likely to be carried forward I don't think we have a replacement for him, especially working upstate. I dont think we have anyone to replace him. Zephyr: Do you think his Ideas are still valid? Bill: Yes, I do. I come out of a mining background geology, using public lands, sometimes what you may call detrimental use, not Intentionally, but It happened When you ran a drill crew, you had to watch the bulldozers, because theyd like to take out extra trees and such. Cal's Ideas of keeping that land open are still good ones. But things are changing rapidly. This Is now a play area, southeast Utah, much more use from a recreational standpoint And it's going to become harder In the future for people like Cal, the mining Interests, the oil Interests, having the same access and freedom to use the land Cal stood strong for mining, strong on roads for access. But now we're really fighting over the land with the large wilderness proposal and We know there's going to be some wilderness, but from the mining standpoint, from so on. oil and gas, we have to stand our own If we want to keep using the land The multiple use concept Is ours, and It was Cals. Zephyr: You mention that were becoming more recreation oriented. Can tourism support the people here? Bill: Its limited, the number of businesses that can make the good bucks. Motels, restaurants, RV parks, service stations, service oriented This town, whether we like It or not, Is becoming a service community. It would be nice If we had Industrial payrolls, but we dont Tourism Is our economy today. And we have to be ready for It We have to work with the B.LM. and others to make sure those people coming can get what they need and the things they need are toilet facilities and a place to take a shower. That's why I took the stand I did on the short term rentals. Zephyr: That leads to the Bed and Breakfast Ordinance. A vote on It will come up sometime In the middle of June. Of all the cltv council members, vou have been the least In favor of It Can vou tell us why? Bill: Im not against the Bed and Breakfast Ordinance Itself. I think we need It What I didn't like was putting short term rentals of homes as part of tt. We dont have the facilities for these people, and they literally clobber us at the restrooms down at the visitors center. We have people taking showers and everything else at the visitors center. So I'm not against opening up houses to provide those facilities. People say bikers dont spend much money. I cant dispute that, but they spend a lot In the supermarkets, and sales tax Is 70 percent of the city's revenues. It gets back to the basic problem. We need facilities. People say build motels. But thats a bunch of bull. You cant build motels for 4 or 5 months. I dont think that the bikers overrun us for more than so many months a year. I think Its shorter than the regular tourist season. Zephyr: How Iona have vou been part of dtv government? Bill: I first come on the council in 1956. I was off for a few years, then back on, then I was mayor from 1974 through 77. I think altogether Ill have 28 years In public service at the end of this term. Zephyr: How Iona are vou going to keep doing It? Bill: I don't know, maybe one more term. I'm getting old. Zephyr: Do vou think vou are In tune with the newer people who have been moving Into Moab? Bill: On a lot of Issues, yes, but I cant say on everything. We have a pretty diverse city council. A lot of 3 to 2 votes and such. It used to be different It used to be you served with guys who thought like you, who worked the same Jobs you did. Now, If s totally different Terry Warner and I are pretty much In tune. I would think that down the line I'm In agreement with Terry most often. Christy Robbins surprises me sometimes. She really comes on strong about certain things I'm In agreement with. And Blerschled, hell, we differ like night and day In a lot of ways. When Dave Sakrison came on the council, he thought I was going to be a pigheaded guy, and I probably was. But he learned to work with me, and we get along pretty well. Hes a good man. I guess I dont know If Im In tune or not I don't know If the Mayor's In tune. Zephyr: So what about vour relationship with the Mayor? Bill: Tom and I work together. We disagree, on the garbage contract, for example. I know the guy who runs It, yes. But he provides a good service. But Tom Is down on the and I cant agree with that contract, garbage Zephyr: Some people sav Moab oavs more for garbage than most other towns. Bill: Well, the service In Moab Justifies some additional charge. But thats one of the things Tom and I disagree on. It's an old family feud from way back. And of course Tom keeps It going. Tom Is a very strong politician, to say the least In the last election, he beat the strongest contender you could put up. I mean that Bill Meador had all the credentials for a tip top administrator, and Tom beat him. The person who Is elected Is the person who I will work with. Thafs what I've always done. Tom Is a controversial man. He loves controversy, and If there Isnt a controversy hes going to creafo one. But he's a hell of a good administrator, and he has done a good Job. He knows the city. We joke about things, we Joke about the Moab Mafia and The Magical Seven and all the stuff you hear about on the street But tt s a Joke, we don't take It seriously. Zephyr: Some cltv politicians have complained that Moab cant seem to work out agreements to share services with the county. Is there a problem? Bill: I really dont think so. We've had our differences, but we've worked them out If s a two-w- ay thing, Its not all city or all county. But I appreciate the county. I remember them doing a lot of free, gratis work for Moab, on our streets and other things, using their equipment and so on. I hear that the city Is taking a beating from the county now, but as far as I am concerned, the city Is getting a lot In return. Zephyr: You are a golfer, and youve watched the growth of the golf course. You've also been Involved In the talk about developing the cltv owned land near It What Is the progress on those plans? Bill: Were probably not moving fast enough, at least thafs what a lot of people tell me. But we need a responsible developer, who can handle the bonding and so on. And we don't have one at this time. The city council moved slowly, making sure we protected the water up there, the springs up there. And everyone on the council agreed we should move slow. The votes were 0, we all agreed, we have to protect the watershed. Well, now we have It protected, and we can look at other things like selling the 5-- land. A & B AUTO 405 N. Main 259-518- No developer In his right mind Is going to get Involved without ordinances and restore lost power vie. LUMnicj an$i wouLt) 0 all foreign & domestic custom exhaust work all work guaranteed HE$ TALKING ABOUT VOUR CAR, NOT THE WHITE HOUSE, XtyOT. |