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Show THE ZEPHYRJULY 1994. PAGE 16 . - - - THe Zephyr Interview Paul Menard Grand County Council Chairman Zephyr; First of all, how do you think foe Council is working together as a governing body? There have been criticisms from foe start that a seven member governing body is too large and unwieldy. Sometimes that appears to be a problem, that you have so many voices that you're not really accomplishing anything. Menard: To say we haven't accomplished anything is pretty ludicrous, but at times it may seem like there are too many voices, and even to us individually, on a particular issue. But the reality is, the more voices, the better result. As was stated during the change of government campaign, the most efficient form of government is a dictatorship, and indeed that's true. We have many opinions. But the truth is, we're in a process of evolution as for as how it works. It has some rough spots in it and we're in a learning process. It's a rough period of time for everybody. on foe council? Zephyr; Are you still satisfied with foe number-seve- n I I I Menard: am. could live with five, but don't have any problems with seven. Zephyr Within foe seven, there already seems to be foe emergence of factions and cliques, if you will. And it creates foe perception that you're all at loggerheads with each other. Menard: I think that's normal, part of the evolution. Zephyr Why do you think there is such a low level of participation in foe upcoming election? Menard: That's been a real disappointment to me. Of all the counties around us who have a lot of contested elections, amidst all the hullabaloo going on here and especially after the recall, I have to ask: Where the hell is everybody? Where are the organized parties? Why aren't they supporting candidates? Moab's Boom Zephyr Obviously we are in foe middle of some kind of boom here in Moab. When the Council was elected, one of its main concerns and plans for dealing with growth was the development of a comprehensive Master Plan. Where do you stand on that now? Menard: We've moved about as for as we can. We've had some public hearings on the Plan but it takes money beyond that. We did get a contract with Utah State University to do some of the basic data gathering. Then it makes it easier for a professional planner to come in without having to do so much of the footwork. The handicap is money. My personal perspective on the whole thing is that even if we came up with a plan, a good document with diagrams and charts, what does that really amount to? For the most part the plan covers this valley. What we are seeing right now is that money will control what happens in this valley. This council could at some point be replaced by another body that is more sympathetic to development. Not that we're which is what a lot of people in this county think. But that's what I think is going to happen. Money is going to control what this valley is going to look like in 20 years, and that's not necessarily bad. It may be bad for you and me because we won't be able to afford to live here. Zephyr. So you're really saying there isn't much county government can do to maintain foe small town values that some of us are clinging to. Menard: We can do a lot to try. Ideally, we can attack the windmills. Realistically, I know it's going to happen. We can stall Zephyr. Let's be specific. I was talking to realtor Randy Day. He's pretty angry that the Council stopped his proposed diffside development Ultimately, do you think that will be built? Menard: Yeah, 1 do. Even right now he could put in 5 acre lots. Zephyr: So basically, money talks, yesterday's Moab walks. Menard: I understand your views, and I think your opinion has changed some. When the big growth came on, you became one of the protective and I understand that. Zephyr I'm a progressive traditionalist Another speafic.Mthe recent sale of the Boulden Ranch. The plans for that property call for the construction of at least nine 5000 square foot homes, and the development of an equestrian center. Do those anti-developm- old-time- rs SUMMER HOURS: Monday- - Saturday: 9 AM--1 1 PM Sunday: Noon to Close for that ranch? AawgM fall within the cunent zoning Menard: He's going for a planned unit development on 10 acre lots. And that does fall within the present guidelines. There does seem to be a glitch in the subdivision ordinance that was recently discovered, however. It says that you can't subdivide for the 5 acre subdivision, you to agricultural or grazing land. Even if you want go have to come in and get a zoning change. But just being a grazing zone does not give them the right to subdivide. It's probably just another method of having some control, at least temporarily, because any ordinance can be changed once we get booted out of here. served any useful purpose? Zephyr Has this moratorium on subdivisions Menard: We've been able to review the ordinances and try to dean them up. Clarify them some and hopefully we can put some teeth in it in regards to impact fees and fees that make sure the subdivision is reviewed properly by an engineer in the first there now. place. Just dose up a lot of the loopholes that are in The Travd Council & TRT Money Zephyr There has been foe sentiment among same Moab businesses that your plan to divert TRT funds from promotion to impacts would be detrimental to business. The fact is, you failed to get those changes in the formula. But you do plan on using TRT surpluses. Is that money to be used for general fund items? Menard: The basis of that is that tourism is down and to me, it's because we had Geronimo here last year and it's ludicrous to think we can have that every year. We overbuilt on the motels and the investment risk was taken by the investors. Zephyr You're stealing my editoriaL Menard: As for the surplus, yes, we will be using that money. The guidelines on using Paul Metutrd that money are pretty loose and I think the state legislature would like us to make the interpretation. Zephyr So you'll make an interpretation of foe law and it would require someone else to challenge that interpretation. Menard: And being in Grand County, I'm sure there's people out there anxious to mess it up for everyone so to speak. We do need to have a meeting very soon where we prioritize how we're going to use that money. By the time this goes to press, we will have announced the mil levy for next year. Raising revenues by increasing property taxes is foe only option we have. Running for Zephyr What are your plans for Re-elect- ion Menard: I am not going to serve another term, and one of my biggest disappointments is not being able to get along with the city. I thought when this government changed and when the city changed its structure, we were really going to get some things going cooperatively. I do not understand their position or why they don't trust the county, or why we can't work together. They have options to raise money (City sales tax) that we don't have. The hospital, solid waste...somehow they think that's the county's problem. This is a community situation, 'common unity' but we don't work together on these problems. Zephyr What's foe problem? Menard: I don't know. We have sat in meeting after meeting with a facilitator and ROlWDER records SALS k be one ef 22 .ter,. naWonwUe chasm ' of this sail arerffmdfn: option magazine Mr I to August I Largest selection of Native American music In SE Utah. |