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Show PAGES THE ZEPHYR MARCH 1991 THE ROAD BOARD Zephyr: What action did you take exactly regarding the conflict of Interest you perceived to exist with David selecting hla father. Ollle Knutson, and his cousin. Kent Dalton. :o serve on the Road Board? Sam: The code clearly states that If there Is remuneration for the position, that a commission cannot vote on family members. At that point, with David unable to vote, and Manuel and I with opposing votes, It canceled out Zephyr: So now It's being looked at bv the Attorney General's Office? Sam: That's right Zephyr: Where do you stand on the Book Cliffs Road Itself? Sam: I've driven every mile of the presently negotiable part of that road. I have some grave concerns that the cost will be that much additional benefit as a tourist road. It seems that many of the designated uses of that road are being carried out by pipelines. It would seem that future resources up there to be developed, like tar sands, are In a questionable enough status, that there Is no clear economic benefit at this time. If Its not fiscally responsible, I'm totally against the road. Zephyr: There are many who are concerned that a lot of money will be spent and hen the prelect will die on the vine. We could easily spend a million dollars to engineer the road, before the money well dries up. If we don't think Ifs a viable prelect how can we teep that money from being spent? Sam: You could make the same argument against even the salary expenditures to this point And Ive had that reservation. We're morally obligated to finish the EIS, because It will give us some Important Information. Im unclear as to what guarantees would be In place regarding the engineering contract I have grave reservations about that road. Zephyr: What's HB 219? Sam: Thats David Adams' bill. The original language of the bill gave the counties the option of using the mineral lease funds for projects other than roads. I don't care what the Intent was. We simply were not told the truth Initially. So HB 219 closes that loophole and takes away the option of using It for other roads. I think Jimmie Walker's efforts to Inventory all the roads In Grand County Is an excellent project ... money well spent DON & KAY SWASEY Scrimshaw Maps & Books kop Jewelry 57 North Main Moab, Utah 84532 Turquoise Dinosaur Bone Souvenirs Jewelry ReDairs Home Brewing Supplies Let us be your silversmith Custom Orders Welcome 01-259-5- 360 WestLight Photography 750 S. Main Moab, Utah 84532 259-794- 3 DEMOCRATIC PARTY LOYALTIES Zephyr: It must be difficult to be In vour position, where you fill the office of an elected official, but you are Instead appointed. You were selected essentially bv the Democratic Party, and I'd like to ask vou If you think you represent the views of the Democratic Party and what exactly are those views? Sam: What do you think the views of the Democratic Party are? Zephyr: Walt Im the Interviewer. But I guess to me the Democratic Party In Grand County Is much more conservative than the Party at a national level. Sam: Traditionally you think of the Democratic Party as concerned with the I would g. environment expanding social services, with the emphasis on guess this certainly wouldnt have been a Kennedy bastion In those days, so In that sense Im diametrically opposed to whats perceived as the thrust of the present commission. I have found Manuel and David to be relatively open on most Issues. And I think we take each Issue per se and have managed to come out with a pretty decent consensus, sometimes clearly leaning more to one side than the other. Zephyr: As far as reflecting the views of the Democratic Party. I get the feeling there are two streams of thought here In Grand County. Where do vou think vou stand? Sam: Well, Im sure that anybody who reads this Interview Is going to raise their over my environmental stands, but I dont find It at any particular eyebrows sky-hivariance with my beliefs on economic development Every Issue stands on Its own merits. I'm probably more liberal by half again than the other two commissioners. But Im open to what's being said, and I should say that my allegiance Is to Grand County primary, and to the Democratic Party secondary. And I would hope Democrats have their primary allegiance to Grand County. I don't see any of the stances as mutually conflicting, hopefully.... potentially even Dave's and Manuels conflicting with mine and die Democrats. Zephyr: I dont think youll get David to loin EARTH FIRSTI Sam: Thats probably true... a conflict of Interest CHftVPS0Pl$ VILLA A HISPIOA, people-orientin- gh Zephyr: Thanks Sam. STILES PAYS THE PRICE STORIES FOR HIS ANTI-BICYCL- E fCAu-- y lw(k LS41A , Art 3ICHU? And AstcJ And.. . XT hc 94 W. 259-533- 3 1st No. |