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Show PAGE 8 THE ZEPHYR """ JAN-FE- 1991 B " - a conversation with mayor tom stocks Ken Davey conducted an Interview with Mayor Stocks. The Interview has been edited for clarity and length. Zeohvr: You're a member of the Hospital Special Service District Board, until the end of this year. What was vour reaction to Commissioner David Knutson's decision not to reanoolnt chairman John West to the board? You worked closely with him In setting the new management direction for the hospital. Will his not being on the board change that? Tom: I don't know. Time will tell You made an Inference that I worked closely with John. Two people don't do anything down there. It took four members of the board. I would have made changes long before John ever came on the board If there would have been four members who would have voted the way I felt Zephyr: How do you feel the board has been functioning this year? Tom: We had a good hospital board this year, up to the end of this year. The board has functioned well, absolutely. Zephyr: Why do you think John was not reappointed? Tom: It's possible he still may be reappointed, before die end of this year. I believe there could be time to meet with the new member of the county commission, then Its up to two of the three members who make the appointments. Fern said she would ask the new county commissioner to call a meeting to make appointments before the end of the year. Zeohvr: But what do vou think of Knutson's decision to try to keep West off the board? Tom: David Knutson was elected, and he Is our county commissioner. He Is my representative. I assume he will be elected chairman of the commission, and I accept that wholeheartedly. He has the right to do whatever the chairman of the commission has the right to do. If he'd like some advice, I'd be happy to give that Zephyr: You think Ifs likely he'll be coming to vou for advice? Tom: I think I can communicate with the chairman of the county commission, he or one of the others. I don't know that he's going to look for advice from me, but I think I have some advice on some things that might be beneficial, If hed like that Information. The mayor and the county commissioners have to work together. Along with the school board and the other elected officials, If we expect to have goals and pursue them In an effective manner. GRAND COUNTY AND MOAB CITY RELATIONS Zephyr: People have been saving for years the city and the countv have to work together. But It really hasn't worked out to well. Tom: Oh, I disagree. I signed the Initial grant for the equestrian building, and I think time will show that will be a valuable asset to the community. The council supported me, and the county commission. Zephyr: Besides the original grant for the eouestrian building, what other protects have the city and county successfully worked on together? Tom: The county supported the Stuntmans Hall of Fame, the Film Commission, the grant for the sidewalks, Including the sidewalk up to the county's civic center building. We Jointly built the pavllllon up there, Jimmy Walker and I worked together to do that Weve worked together well. The road department has helped whenever we've asked. We bought a roller, theyve had It for the last two or three years. We Jointly purchased the city sweeper. Zephyr: So Is the perception that I and others have, that the cttv and county do not work well together, falsa? Tom: There Is a lot of conversation between elected officials about differences of personal opinions, but as far as working together, we do It The building Inspector Is doing the Inspecting for both the city and county. We used to have two animal control officers, now we have one. Zephyr: The agreement to share building Inspection and animal control seems to be breaking down. Tom: The agreement has always been verbal, and needs to be changed every so often. Whenever theres the perception that you're not getting a fair consideration for the effort being put forth, then the agreement needs to be changed. If you talk to the sheriff, hes tickled to death with the animal control. Weve had a couple of things backfire In building and zone administration, and weve havent been happy with the service. There are differences In opinion and there are times when things break down, but Ifs usually from the Individuals, not from governing body to governing body. Zephyr: There was a meeting a few weeks ago between the city and county to discuss building Inspection, animal control, and the ownership and operation of the dump. By the end of the meeting, there was very little progress made In coming to agreements. Tom: That meeting was theoretical, thinking about the things. The ownership of the dump, It doesnt make any difference who actually owns It Individual members of the city council were concerned about materials being dumped. If that was to continue, they did not want to have ownership. Zephyr: But It Is continuing. Isn't It? Tom: Not to my knowledge. Thafs asbestos from outside the state, other products. I usually get a word back from the grapevine If things are being dumped. Zeohvr: Don't they still have a policy of accepting It? Tom: Not to my knowledge. I wrote a letter, or had the city attorney write, to the former chairman of the commission and Insist he either accept the ownership of the dump or we would pursue legal action to deny acceptance of those types of materials. I think thafs only proper. Zeohvr: So If someone approaches the county about putting more asbestos out there. Is the cltv thinking of taking legal action against the countv? Tom: Absolutely. Ill have the attorney advise them to assume all the liability In connection with the acceptance of that type of product and hold us harmless, the council and the mayor and the city. -- BUDGET QUESTIONS Zephyr: When the cltv went through Its budget process six months ago, outside programs were cut The countv Is now lust going through Its budget and outside programs are being cut la that a trend In local government that will continue? Tom: The city council did not wish to raise property taxes, or double the gross business license. So when you do that, you have to take the departments and make them fit It appears In the preliminary budget of the county that all the employeea were raised (In pay In tills budget And when you're talking about a half million or three quarters of a million or a million dollars In salary budget, and you raise them five percent, youre talking $50,000, and ten percent, Is $100,000. The only way you can do that Is to cut someplace. We chose as a city not to raise. We gave the employees a small raise last year, and we felt that we have supported the recreation. The recreation district has the ability, If properly set recreation and leisure-tiup, to Initiate a tax to support that aspect of the community, which are the areas you are talking about Thafs where It should be, In my opinion. It should not be In government We, the council, and the county commission, should be providing a service that the people want and not necessarily supporting activities. By having a recreation program, It should raise the funds, hopefully, with user fees. It shouldn't be a Judgement cad of the governing bodies. It should go over to the recreation district where It belongs. Cutting It out of the budgets Is the proper thing looking at It from that perspective. me COUNTY JAIL Zephyr: Right now the countv sheriff Is saving that when there are eight prisoners In the lall they will not accept anyone arrested bv the Moab Police. Tom: I'm only aware of one Incident where the Jailer did not accept the prisoners. We feel that In the future, our officers will take people who may be a danger to themselves or the public to the Jail. And we will legally document our attempt to have the sheriffs department receive those prisoners. It doesnt matter whether they have 8, or 10, or 20 In of the state code, that the sheriff Is that Jail, It Is the responsibility under section 17-If or for are a menace a detriment or a probable problem to these responsible people. they In It Is his responsibility, not the citys. people the community, then Jim Nyland has to make that call. I think he personally has taken another look at It, because I understand that Just blatantly turning the prisoners away Is not going to happen In the future. If we bring someone In whos a threat to the community, I don't believe Jim Nyland would want that responsibility on his head, turning them loose. I wouldnt want It I think Ifs an Irresponsible comment on the part of the sheriff to say he wouldn't take I believe he has the prisoners. responsibility, no matter what his budget Is. Jim will work that out Jim will come around to what his responsibilities are. Jim has always worked for the Interests of the community, and hell continue to do so, Im sure. 22 DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS Zephyr: Any new Information on whafs going on with the golf course development? Tom: No. Zephvr: Shouldn't there have been a feasibility study bv now? Tom: A verbal comment back was that If s a go. An Individual from Phoenix went around our community and said Ifs as good a program as they have up In Idaho. Zephvr: Up until now, the Idea of the golf course development has been abstract Do vou think people here are going to go for this plan? Tom: The Idea of the golf course development was for economic development, economic development was the whole reason for It In the first place. I have no strong feeling about whether we should develop out there. I believe developers who come, the first Interest they have Is, "out there Is a spot to do It The development Itself will be controlled by the county commissioners. You asked about working with David Knutson. All the Information I have gleaned from these areas, I'd be happy to share with and deliver to the county commission. I believe the community built In that particular area will be a product of the county commissioners's ordinances and the county planning commission, not the city, not the mayor. All we have Is a piece of property for sale out there. Zephvr: What else have vou heard about development plans In the Moab area? Tom: Ive probably heard of about 2,000 rooms, people who say they are Interested in building hotels and motels In Moab. But I havent seen the building permits. Theres a new roof going on the Apache Motel. I know that, because I've seen It Thafs the easiest time to give you good answers. I believe we've agreed to a permit for the Greenwell Motel to build 80 rooms. There Is discussion, weve seen sight plans for the Super 8 to build 74, 76 rooms. Zephyr: Whafs the status of the conflict of the Super 8 with the cltv over landscaping and setbacks? Tom: I havent been too much Into thaL I've heard, I know, theres concern on the part of the owner and management In my opinion, Ifs not In the ordinance to allow It It would have to go to the council for consideration to change the ordinance before anyone can Issue a variance. Zephyr: The accusation Is that the cltv allowed Cltv Market not to follow the setback regulrements. Whv not allow Super 8? Tom: If we had an error at the City Market, I assume It can be rectified. Theres plenty of property around the periphery to comply to thq 15 foot setback requirement I think that needs to be looked at to see If we need to address that Ive had discussions with the building Inspector and expressed my strong views that the ordinance Is the law, and that the zone administrator, the mayor, the chief of police, don't have the right to change the councils law. BACK TO THE BUDGET Zephvr: What about Tom: The county budget? Zephyr: Ok. what do vou think of the county Tom: I did attend the public hearing. I don't believe at this time that we need a fifty percent Increase In general funds In the county. I would hope the commission would take a good look at that before they pass their budget; to give some consideration to maybe trimming the number of people they have working for them. Thafs what we had to do In the city. We gave the raises, and I dont object to paying good people for the work they accomplish. But sometimes by paying a little more money you don't have to have too many people In positions. Weve proven that here In the |