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Show A4 The Emery County Review, Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Ferron couple recall long relationship Continued from Page 1A. Under 18, Betty’s father didn’t initially approve of their marriage, so the two ran off to Everett, Wash., to get married and Betty lied about her age. Arriving at the rendezvous with her girlfriend in tow, Betty said her friend quickly straightened Bill out. “She asked, ‘where are her flowers? Didn’t you get her any flowers?’ She marched him over to the flower shop. I got gardenias,” she said. The two were married on June 10, 1943 and marked their 65 wedding anniversary last week. Although Betty’s father hadn’t originally approved of their marriage, that soon changed with the young couple eventually living with Betty’s family for a time while Bill was stationed in Washington. Originally from the San Fernando Valley in California, Bill took his bride home after the war and the move from temperate Washington to the dry and sunny weather of California was a shock for Betty. “It was 117 degrees and I thought I had died and gone to hell,” Betty said. Eventually Bill took a job for the Clark County, Nev., sheriff’s department and when the department was absorbed into the Las Vegas Police Department he went to work for them as well, retiring in 1981. Betty also worked for Clark County in the juvenile system. Along the way the couple had four children and today three of the children call Emery County home. Steven Luce, Sharon Owens and Mark Luce live in Ferron. Another daughter, Michele Hanson, lives with her family in Athens, Texas. Bill and Betty came to Ferron after her daughter married and moved to town. They have never regretted moving to Emery County. “We love it here in Fer- ron,” Bill said. Throughout the span of years that link the couple together from their first moment on a bus in Washington to celebrating their 65th year together, the one thing that has remained constant has been their love for each other and a quiet commitment to never go to bed angry with one another. “Once or twice we may have gotten out of bed with the same argument we went to bed with, but not very often,” Bill said. And in the span of years that they have shared together, Bill said their favorite time may have been what many would have considered the most difficult. “I went back to school in Lancaster, California. We lived on my dad’s ranch in a little shack. It did have a little old stove and we had a skunk or two as friends. They would chase us out or we would chase them out. We both agree that was our best time. It was simple,” Bill said. “We lived on $200 a month,” Betty continued. “The closest town was Pearblossom. We would go into town and get a hamburger and Bill would have a beer, and at that time I drank coffee so I would have a cup of coffee and that was our excitement for the month.” After 65 years of marriage the two said one of the biggest challenges they see facing couples today is the fact that it is too easy not to be married. “For today’s generation it’s too easy for them. They say ‘we’re going to get married and if doesn’t work we’ll get divorced,’” Bill said. While it may not have always been easy, with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and a life spent happily together, the couple looks back fondly on that day long ago when a simple turn of the head changed both their lives forever. “She caught my eye,” Bill said smiling. Betty and Bill Luce at the beginning of their 65 year marriage. House candidates pay Green River residents a visit Annalee Thayn Candidates running for the open seat in the House of Representatives District 69 came to Green River on June 10, hoping to get your vote. The candidates are Jerry Anderson and Grady McEvoy. Both are hoping to fill the seat of Brad King, who is campaigning for the Senate. McEvoy spoke first. He has been employed at the College of Eastern Utah for the last 14 years as head of the Drama department. He is also a school board member. He is running for the democratic ticket in the June 24 primary against Christine Watkins. He plans to continue economic development through the extraction industries, including gas, coal, oil and uranium, in Carbon and Emery counties with mineral rights and leasing. The funds raised from these industries are a major factor in state funds, and he feels that those living on the Wasatch Front need to understand this as they make legislative decisions. He explained the funds could be used for education. Councilman Kent Johnson asked about making the San Rafael Swell a national monument. McEvoy said he wasn’t aware of the issue, but understood the concern from similar situations. He said that while he would need to study both sides of the issue, he didn’t see why it couldn’t continue to be used for multiple purposes: mineral extraction, recreation and range land for animals. Glenn Baxter asked what his position was on safety inspections for cars. Baxter said that all the states surrounding Utah no longer require safety inspections for cars; Baxter thought it was an old-fashioned requirement. McEvoy said he was not aware that this was a concern, but it was something he could look into. Conae Black asked about the possibility of having more technical colleges in Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan counties. McEvoy said that was a good idea. He also highlighted what CEU had to offer. McEvoy would like to be known for “Fair, Responsible and Balanced Legislation.” He stated that he would, if elected, set up regular meetings in Green River to dis- cuss issues at least quarterly if not more regularly. He would also be available by phone or e-mail at any time. The next candidate was Jerry B. Anderson. He says the B stands for Beekeeper. He has placed several beehives here in Green River. He is running for the Republican Party for the House of Representatives. He is also a member of CEU’s faculty. One concern of Anderson’s is the education system. “Our educational system is under attack by persons and organizations that would control us from a federal level, and stamp all of our children with the same mediocre level of learning. We need to bring control back to the family and local area. It would be good to eliminate the Federal Department of Education and the glutted spending that goes with it.” Anderson showed an antiquated map of Utah from 1836. He said that this type of map was used in the House of Representatives. He promised that if elected he would make sure that the members know where the citizens of these counties live. Anderson would also choose not to close off the San Rafael Swell entirely. He believes “There needs to be incentive and freedom to open our rich resources to relieve the energy crisis that has been forced upon us by short sighted or malicious actions of the past.” Anderson says his “measuring stick for any action, whether individual or legislative is to move from government control toward individual responsibility and encouragement of free enterprise.” He would “support private initiative as opposed to bureaucratic expansion (and that would apply when looking at health care as well as other issues).” And would “try to move away from favoritism and waste as well as runaway spending, toward the principles of volunteerism and the right to own and use property.” Both candidates would like to see SR-6 made into a four-lane highway, safety being the primary concern. Several in the audience noted that there was more traffic on Highway 6 than Interstate 70. The primary election will be held on June 24. CEU business office lauded for effort For Kelly Alton School BoArd Working with educators for your children. Staff from the Office of State Auditor praised the College of Eastern Utah for its work in restructuring the office to get financial statements completed. On May 21, Audit Manager Stan Godfrey told the CEU Board of Trustees that business office staff inherited a difficult situation and that staff “should be complemented for digging out of the hole.” In July of 2006 the College found that implementation of new accounting soft- ware, new accounting rules and key staff losses left the college two years behind in completing financial statements. A team of managers and accountants sent by the State Board of Regents began the process of re-organizing staff and working on FY 2005 financial statements. Twenty months later, the College is proud that the 2004 audit that found one material weakness and five reportable conditions is a distant memory. The 2006 and 2007 audits, completed by permanent CEU staff, had no material weaknesses or reportable conditions. “We arrived not sure of what we would find,” said Kevin Walthers, a Regent staff member who later signed on permanently as the Vice-President for Finance and Administration, “and now we are actually ahead of expected sched- ule – we couldn’t be more thrilled with the work of our staff.” “Commissioner Richard Kendell and Associate Commissioner Mark Spencer provided us with resources and we sought help from other institutions to get things straightened out – in the end I think all eight of the other schools helped in some way, either by loaning staff or by offering solutions,” added Walthers. CEU’s Interim President Mike King commended staff both on the Price Campus and at the San Juan Campus in Blanding. “This was an issue raised by our accrediting body in 2001 and again in 2005. We’re grateful for the work you’ve put in,” King told staff members at the Trustee Meeting. Trustees also expressed their thanks to those completing the work, noting Emery High and Carbon High Class of 2009 Seniors You have a choice to support local business. We’ll donate $5 for each photo package purchased back to your school. •Outdoor Classic• Studio Classic•Combo Session •Urban Decay-Outdoor•Editorial-Fashion •Pure Country- Outdoors•Your Own Location Bryner 435-637-9797 PhotograPhy 345 East Main, Price UT 84501 that they were pleased with timely reporting in all areas of finance over the past two years. CEU Board chairman Neal Peacock thanked each member individually as he passed out certificates noting the accomplishment. CEU Controller Gina Gagon, hired in March of 2007, noted the importance of teamwork in the effort, “We cross-trained and retrained several staff members and pushed a little bit, but every single staff member responded. Everyone contributed in some way to make this a reality.” DWR plans summer checkpoints The Division of Wildlife Resources is planning a number of administrative checkpoints this summer and fall. Checkpoints, once called roadblocks, provide a means to contact a lot of people along the state’s transportation arteries. Anglers and hunters can expect to encounter one or more of these checkpoints as they fish and hunt. Checkpoints provide the DWR with the opportunity to monitor compliance with hunting and fishing regulations. Biologists can collect data from anglers and sportsmen and harvested wildlife. Where necessary, conservation officers can issue citations, seize illegally taken game, and make arrests. Checkpoints will be conducted on a variety of highways and roads throughout the state. It is the responsibility of the DWR to protect and conserve the state’s wildlife. By curbing poaching, over-limits and other unlawful activity, the DWR is able to better fulfill its mission to the resources and general public. |