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Show WEEKLY REFLEX, DAVIS NEWS JOURNAL, MAY 2, 1984 Grants Tine Block Stop By TOM BUSSF.LBERG North County Editor FARMINGTON - Federal community block grants should be abolished, one mayor believes, while another contends the projects are approved on a highly subjective basis in a very political arena and should be changed. MAYORS GRANT Secrist of West Bountiful and Neldon Hamblin of Clearfield both drafted letters to the county council of govern- ments, recently, expressing concerns at the way grant applicants were awarded while Mr. Secrist strongly questioned having the program at all. I am opposed to most federal government grant programs." he wrote, because it makes no sense for the federal government to tax the citizens, run it through the inefficient bureaucracy, then let a small percentage trickle back to our citizens in block grants, revenue sharing and others. IT WOULD be far better, and save a high percentage of tax dollars. to cut the federal tax and leav e that money home in the first place." he went on. While Mr. Secrist has questioned the validity of the annual process where mayors hear oral and written bids from cities and other agencies for block grant monies and then score their tally sheets ending in a list of approved grant projects. Mayor Hamblin is upset about this years outcome that left Clearfield in the cold on several projects. HIS PRIMARY complaint standing dislike for the program. "At a time when the national debt seems to be running out of control, which most experts agree is fueling inflation, 1 cant in good conscience look to the federal government for handouts" and called it somewhat hypocritical the National Governors Conference would support federal budget balances when I strongly suspect most of them have their hand out and would protest loudly at any attempt at cutting revenuesharing or any grant program. HE LOOKED back on the three year history of the block grant program under its current setup where the county council of governments receives requests and makes a determination for review by the Wasatch Front Regional Council and the state vs. strong federal involvement. The first year, a committee of the COG reviewed proposals and decided on recipients, to substantial criticism. Last year the whole lower-incom- Drive) where he said about 80 percent of residents fall into the low to moderate income category, a major federal stipulation for obtaining grants. Furthermore, improvements of this nature are in the category of eliminating or stopping the spread of blight in a neighborhood, he continued, noting the project met two of the national objectives and exceeded qualifying criteria in the income area. te THIS YEAR, with "slightly changed criteria" he called the situation "even worse by requiring prioritization be done in the meeting atmosphere in crowded conditions without prior opportunity to study and become familiar with the official tally and work sheets. He added an obvious substantial conflict of interest and in some cases prejudice in making decisions indicating his belief criticism will continue until the entire process is changed." "I strongly feel its impossible to objectively and fairly prioritize applications using the present procedure under these circumstances adding a wide variance of opinion exists between mayors about what priority should be given to different sorts of community projects. IN ACKNOWLEDGING the let national objectives that certain proposed projects were rated higher. He said the real dilema comes from the highly subjective basis in a very political arena where projects were approved, indicating there should be a better way to distribute funds. MAYOR SECRIST indicated judges must be completely disinterested and willing to take the time necessary to thoroughly evaluate and in some cases investigate each application. Beyond that, he said all identification should be removed from applications by using a code system and went further to support funds distribution on a population or percentage basis, an idea thats been previously raised. WHILE MAYOR Hamblin asked that the COG review the method by which funds are allocated and allow Clearfield officials an opportunity to present an alternative method of disbursement using more objective criteria and decrease political and subjective aspects. his West Bountiful counterpart reiterates a long further study the process before next winters fourth grant program gets under way. In a related move, they formally approved block grant allocations to Layton and Bountiful for downtown rehabilitation projects, the Davis County Housing Authority for housing improvement projects and split the remaining $87,000 between kuysville for a downtown building renovation and the South Davis Fire District for improvements to its main West Bountiful facility. THE FIRE district and Kaysville agreed to split the funds, rather than flip a coin when a tie exists, as was set down in the bylaws, in what Mayor Gerald Purdy said was a "spirit of cooperation. If additional funds do materialize, with that final figure to be determined in early summer, those will be split equally while any beyond the original grant proposal would be given to the next candidate. By GARY R. BLODGETT Clipper News Editor - Executive Vice President back in his bank office leaned Thomock Wayne I feel like dropping chair and commented: back 10 yards and punting. CLEARFIELD -- THATS WHAT many football quarterbacks do when they are uncertain of the play to call. Mr. Thomock, a Clearfield City Councilman, puts himself in a similar position. Im caught between a rock and a hard spot, said Mr. Thornock, as he referred to his stand about the proposed Davis County garbage bum plant. waste-to-ener- IRONICALLY, Councilman Thornock is caught in the middle - because his vote could be the decisive vote that would determine whether or not the proposed garbage facility is approved for construction. Heres how it all boils down: CLEARFIELD is the last city to cast its vote to approve the bum plant - and in more ways than one, the councils vote could determine the fate of that facility. If the council votes against the plant, that just about spells The End to the plant being considered for construction on property owned by the Utah Department of Transportation in Clearfield. -- FIRST, CLEARFIELD Council insisted of the plant being proposed in their that city they have the last vote. A negative vote of the council would void the citys conditional use permit needed by the developers to build the plant. Second, if Clearfield Council opposes the plant, it would join with Bountiful, Layton and Centerville in opposition of the bum plant. These four cities combined would just about unit. quash any plans for a COUNCILMAN Thomock is in the unique position of being odd man out - or in this case, he holds the trump card. Heres why: Two council members strongly oppose the burn plant and have made their feelings known publicly. They are Councilwoman Shirley Reed and Councilman Ivan Anderson. -- -- other disaster-relate- d preparations, as well, he indicated, calling By TOM BUSSELBERG how sevFARMINGTON eral hundred medical personnel fit into the picture during a disaster will be explored during meetings Thursday, May 10. TO BE held at Bountiful High Schools auditorium at 7 p.m., emergency medical technicians, paramedics and physicians, along with other medical personnel, will be given a glimpse of how their could be utilized in an emergency, explains Dr. David L. Scott, Bountiful physician whos been helping spearhead emergency preparedness activities. ser-vic- es I dont think (many) physicians have the faintest idea how theyd fit into the program," he told the county emergency medical ser- vices committee, last week, emphasizing hospitals, though are already pretty well organized as to their procedures. That includes not only Humana Hospital Davis North and Lakeview but also HAFB Hospital. THOSE TO be involved include 24 south county physicians who practice at hospitals outside the county, for instance, Dr, Scott in- dicated. Efforts are moving forward Garbage Plant -- WHEN COMPARED to other projects funded, it seems somewhat ironical and inconsistent with ters, COG members agreed to Wayne Thomock Holds Key To cen- ters on the citys $200, (XK) bid to replace curb, gutter and sidewalk e in a area (Ross COG prioritized applications resulting in even greater criticism and in a formal protest" from Layton. Emergency Medical Hole in the Council on Agings efforts "fantastic with transportation very well taken care of, largely tapping Davis School District buses. its not a pleasant said discussions Scott Dr. subject, with Milt Russon, director of the state morticians association, said facilities are in place to handle 200-30dead. In all cases, additional support could come from Salt Lake and Weber counties, he added. In related business, Chief Sheriffs Deputy Jan Cunningham, who AND WHILE 0 also oversees emergency preparedness activities countywide, said programs are being readied in all cities. JOHN ZIPPRO, veteran s official, indicated a $50,000 federal grant is being sought that would enable emergency-service- production of an video series covering various disaster situations. Many cities have already purchased the one existing module, "When the Lights Go Out, he said, as its been aired statewide. Many cities are adopting (similar programs) and were drawing national attention, he added. eight-modu- le TWO OTHER council members say they are but have publicly admitted uncommitted are considering the piant propseriously they osal. Thus, if the council comes to a showing of hands, the vote would probably be 2 - depending on which way Councilman Thornock casts his vote. 3-- IM -- NOT SO certain that I would cast the deciding vote, but thats the position a lot of people put me in, he said And right now. Im tom betwixt and between. I cant get the answers I want or the assurance I need to protect the taxpayers of this community, said Councilman Thornock. Ive gotten so many different answers to the questions that Im not convinced what is right or wrong. WHAT I NEED now - and what I insist on before I cast my vote - is information that will substantiate the answers I get. Either the plant is right or.its wrong and I havent been convinced one way or the other. Councilman Thomock said he is concerned about Senate Bill 302 and whether or not Davis County taxpayers will have to pick up the tab should the proposed plant not be a success. -- -- By GARY R. BLODGETT Clipper News Editor FARMINGTON - Tentative plans for construction of a new jail or expansion of the existing Davis County Jail complex within the next few years were unveiled this week. -- SEVERAL recommendations were made by Gary DeLand, con-- 1 suiting agent for Davis County on the jail facility. He gave several county officials, police chiefs and local judges an updated report of a study which he said is about 75 percent completed. Mr. DeLand emphasized that there are no definite proposals, only general recommendations being made at this time. ANY DECISIONS to expand or build new jail facilities should come much later when more information is available. And then the structure - whether an expansion should be very, or new facility flexible, he said. Just for the sake of figures to work with, Mr. DeLand suggested that Davis County could possibly d use a facility within 20 years - or by the year 2005. The present Davis County Jail has beds for about 100 inmates. fsix-mon- th HE SAID he is also concerned about possible pollution, impact of additional traffic into the of property because of the city, and promises made by the proponents plant, that have since been changed. They said this plant would be for Davis County residents, and now - because some cities within the county are not interested, developers are inviting outside cities to participate. I just dont understand this, he said. -- COUNCILMAN Thomock voted against the plant proposal last summer, but says that things are different now, even more complex. Ive had calls from many residents in Clearfield, but also as far south as Farmington, and they have strong convictions - mostly against the plant. He emphasized that no undue pressure has been put on the council by either proponents or opponents of the plant and work done by the Clearfield-LaytoOpposition Group has been very beneficial. -- n -- - 364-be- -- BUT HE doesn't suggest that the nor expansion be started now does he recommend constructing d the facility at one time. Mr. DeLand explained: Judges 364-be- will sentence prisoners based somewhat on jail conditions. If the jails are filled, they will be more lenient. If there is plenty of bed space, they will tend to pass down jail sentences rather than other alternatives such as probation. MR. DeLand suggested ' thatTHUS, any expansion be done with Plan for the of flexibility. plenty future, for example, by providing 200 cells that can accommodate two men per cell. Then only put in one bunk in half the cells and two bunks in the other half. This provides immediate space for 300 men but the potential for 400. The only additional cost later would be to add the additional bunks because all other facets of the jail dining room, kitchen, dc. room, recreation facilities, communications room, visiting rooms, - etc., would already be con- structed. HE EMPHASIZED that this type of arrangement would also provide for better security because of some n of the cells being cells that could be used for any reason of one-ma- segregation. Commissioner Harry Gerlach said no decision will be made in the near future and when a decision is made it will be based on (1) expansion of the present facility; (2) razing the existing building and building a new one; (3) build on a new site; or (4) work with the State on a proposed Regional Resource Center. Flooding Whither The Weather R. BLODGETT Clipper News Editor By GARY Is the prolonged spring runoff going to help or hinder flood preventive operations this spring? DAVIS COUNTY and most community officials believe the delayed runoff will be beneficial to the spring flood control - but only if the peak runoff, when it does begin, is considerably slower than the devestating flood water that poured out of the canyons and caused millions of dollars damage along the Wasatch Front a year ago. Cool weather a couple of weeks ago was just what the doctor ordered. Creek flows dropped to a trickle. BUT THEN it happened. Late spring storms - rain changing to snow - clobbered Davis County mountain ranges, leaving up to two feet of additional snow at the higher level. And the U.S. Weather Forecast for May is colder and wetter than normal. THIS prediction, if held up, would not only bring more threat to the spring runoff but it would also create a potentially more hazardous mud slide condition. Already, south Davis County communities of Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington and Fruit Heights have experiand there is evidence of larger enced small mud slides in slide potential every canyon along the Wasatch Front. A SLIDE near Mueller Park has apparently stopped slipping, but is being watched very carefully by crews. A couple of very small slides were reported near -- -- -- - flood-contr- ol Stone Creek, but did not enter the stream. A much larger slide occurred near Vineyard Street in southeast Bountiful, but this too has apparently stopped sliding and does not create an immediate danger, according to City Manager Tom Hardy. IN CENTERVILLE, Parrish Creek Canyon was the scene of a good sized slide a few weeks ago but is apparently not causing any more serious threat. Rudd Creek, which was the culprit of a huge slide last spring that entered the city and destroyed or seriously damaged a half dozen homes, had another smaller slide earlier this month but no property damage was reported. TWO SLIDES, termed very minor by city officials, occurred east of Fruit Heights. Again there was no reports of property damage. Meanwhile, the level of the Great Salt Lake continues to rise and should have surpassed 4,208 feet (above sea level) at the month-en- d reading yesterday (Tuesday). When last measured on Monday, April 16, the data station near the lakes southern shore was 4,207.75 - the highest since May , 879, when the lake level reached 4,208. 10 feet above sea level. -- 1 1 U.S. GEOLOGICAL Survey officials believe the lake will exceed 4,210.90 feet the second highest recorded level since record keeping began in 1847 within the next few weeks and likely will reach an e high in late May - - all-tim- or early June. The high lake level is 4,21 .6 feet above sea level, recorded on June 30, 1876. all-ti- 1 GREAT SALT Lake rose more than five feet during the peak runoff last May and June and since last September has raised uninterrupted from, 4,204.6 to the April 16 reading of 4,207.75. Geological Survey officials say this is phenominal because the constant rise has been during the winter months. In fact, the lakes most recent rise of .85 feet between March 15 and April 16 equalled the record high h increase which, ironically, was during the month of Decemone-mont- ber 1983. AS A RESULT, Saltairs famous resort is nearly under water - already extensively damaged by the high water and rampaging waves. Parts of the Union Pacific Railroad causeway were washed out last week and high waves washed ashore covering part of Interstate Highway 80 near the southbound Tooele Exit. The last bath house to survive the south shore resort area crumpled under heavy waves last week and the south shore marina and several boats left there were extensively damaged. CATTLEMEN on Antelope Island have suffered staggering losses as they have attempted to graze some ,500 cattle on the island while using barges and aircraft to haul feed to the starving animals. Cattlemen say they have lost more than 50 head of cattle and more than 200 calves have died in the past three months. The cost of winterizing the cattle on the island could exceed $500,000, they said. 1 1 |