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Show THE ZEPHYR JAN-FE- was the only white candidate on the Democratic ticket with six Native Americans. With the whites dominating the Republican ticket, a number of old line Democrats crossed over to vote Republican. I happily and fully supported the Indian candidates, and I was soundly spanked by the Saints of San Juan for doing so. I made some computations. In my race for the State House, I garnered about 79 percent of the vote In the predominately Indian precincts. In contrast, I gained only 9 percent of the vote In Blanding and Monticello. How did the Native Americans fare? The Indian slate as a whole, those running county wide, garnered an average of 79 percent of the Indian vote. They acquired 10 percent of the white votes In Monticello and Blanding. And how did the whites fare In Indian country? They garnered an average of about 21 percent of the Indian vote. The late Commissioner Cal Back remarked once that maybe San Juan County ought to be split into two counties Instead of one. This Is a distinct possibility. Furthermore, the Indians feel they are not properly represented In the State Legislature. The Aneth Chapter last spring voted for recall of Rep. David Adams after his support of House Bill 312. A legislator cannot be recalled, but It did show their frustration and anger. This Is further reflected In the fact that Adams was only able to garner about 21 percent of the Indian vote In this election. Native Americans need representation. Who better to represent them than Native Americans? I wonder if all Native Americans - Navajos, Utes and all other tribes in the state - might form their own legislative district Reapportionment Is coming up. Now Is a good time to consider the pros and cons of it Politics aside, we all desperatelyneed to work for the common good. Poverty is extreme in southeast Utah, especially among the Utah Navajos. People are suffering and yet the problems remain. Governor Bangerter has made repeated trips to Lake Powell to plan big developmental projects; he has sent trade missions to Belgium, Japan and elsewhere; he has developed ambitious economic plans. Big stuff Indeed. He should now make a journey to Aneth. In 4 around !) the bend by Ken Sleight The people have spoken. Some candidates are exalting, others are licking their wounds and others are preparing for next time. Some winners are probably wishing they hadn't won, while some losers may be glad they didnt win: I applaud the victors and losers. I My race for the State House was challenging to me. dont regret having entered. The Issues should have been the most Important thing in this campaign, but they werent Somehow it got off track. I wasnt surprised that my departed dear friend, Ed Abbey, was I pulled Into the fray. Immediately after filed for office, newsman Rod Decker interviewed me on camera. We talked Issues. But when the evening news came on, there was my opponent, good old Dave Adams, of postorally pitching hay at his ranch saying a few chosen words wisdom. Then there followed a showing of me, a picture of Abbey, and a reminded his picture of the book, The Monkey Wrench Gang. Decker viewers that this book was about a bunch of saboteurs bent on destroying the Glen Canyon Dam and that I was one of the perceived characters. I did. What a glorious way to start a Abbey would have liked It. campaign, with Abbey at my side. During the fray, phony handbills were scattered over many name camping areas: BAN THE JEEP SAFARI! STOP THE RAPISTS!. My and that of my wife, Tom Till and the Back of Beyond Bookstore were printed on it as contact persons. So too were our addresses and phone numbers. It caused a stir. Many good people came to our defense, but and motorcycle gang In some still ascribed It to us. A radical four-whCalifornia threatened us In their newsletter, "Now you know who they are. 'just do the right thing and let your conscience by your guide." in. Threatening phone calls during the day and late at night came pouring was sent to the Moab A phony It castigating my trail ride operations in Courthouse Wash. was innocently published, but It did its damage. And the San Juan County Commission, excepting Commissioner Maryboy, got into it. In the heat of battle, they wrote the Forest Service requesting that I complete a number of federal environmental and economic studies regarding my pack trip business in the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area. Strange that they never In the past demanded this of to any other outfitter; they had never petitioned the federal government have ARA Services, the large conglomerate on Lake Powell, complete similar studies. For obvious and political purposes, they singled me out and used a federal agency to pressure me. PAGE 13 1991 B San Juan County, I eel Times-Independ- ent letter-to-the-ed- itor Castle Valley inn Hoping for Peace in 1991 from Tom and Marcy Till Relax in sophisticated comfort amidst some of the Canyonlands most splendid scenery. Seven rooms, most with fine indoor and private bath ($35-60outdoor dining for registered guests, six acres of orchard, lawns and fields ... full breakfast included in room ), rates. ., ft'ff. " V v - Innkeepers: Eric and Lynn Forbes Thomson. CVSRBox 2602, Moab, Utah 84532. 801-259-601- 2 r .V, ' f. rft . 0 : f't t tff 0 n t '" st' ! ' . '' ' '"" |