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Show A3 The Emery County Review, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Criminal inquiry sought on Crandall mine tragedy Continued from Page A1. ed. The committee expressed concern that the mine operator may have “willfully misled” MSHA about the mine “bump” which occurred earlier in the year, and that this “could have affected” MSHA’s decisions to approve operations. Miller clarified, “The fact that UtahAmerican Energy may have misled MSHA in no way absolves the agency of its decision to approve the deadly retreat mining plan amendments. MSHA officials must not sit on their hands and wait for mine operators to bring information to them.” He said that their findings demonstrated that the incident may have been avoided, that the mine operator “did not act in the interests of the safety of its employees” and that MSHA “failed these miners and their families.” Huntington Mayor Hilary Gordon said that while she understood that in such situations there are people who may need to be blamed, that she “would hate to have to judge who is at fault,” and conveyed her continued hope that the community would continue to see positive things come out of the tragedy, such as better training for miners, the new office of mine safety, and the monuments which are now being constructed. The Justice Department is taking the referral seriously. The Salt Lake Tribune reported the U.S. Attorney for Utah, Brett Tolman, will take the request “very seriously” and will review the materials submitted by House Education and Labor Committee Chairman. They also reported that a spokesman for Tolman said, “As with other referrals that come to our office, we will carefully screen the material provided to us, work with agents to conduct further investigation as needed, and consider whether criminal charges are appropriate based on evidence in the case.” Attorneys for Genwal Resources released a statement reacting to Miller’s report, saying, “As with many of his prior statements, there is no credible basis for Mr. Miller’s reckless allegations. They are merely political grandstanding as he continues to play to his constituents. “We are confident that any impartial investigator will reject Mr. Miller’s allegations. Laine Adair [the mine operator] is an honest and plain-speaking man whose integrity and professionalism are well-established in the Utah mining community where he has worked for over thirty years. Genwal Resources stands behind Mr. Adair, and we believe Mr. Miller’s efforts to impugn Mr. Adair and other individuals through today’s announcement is deplorable.” Gregory L. Poe, legal counsel for Adair, also reacted to the report. “The House Education and Labor Committee’s referral of Laine Adair to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation is deeply disappointing and utterly unjustified. Mr. Adair has earned an impeccable reputation through decades of service in the Utah mining industry. “The facts will show that Mr. Adair’s conduct was entirely proper. We are confident that the Justice Department will agree that prosecution is wholly unwarranted.” he said. Congressman Jim Matheson released a statement expressing his opinion on the report soon after. “The committee staff has spent nine months reviewing evidence about what occurred leading up to the tragedy that killed six coal miners and three mine rescuers at Crandall Canyon last year. The families, whose loved ones lie entombed in the mountain, deserve answers. “Miners who go underground every day deserve to work under the safest possible conditions. We should all want to get to the bottom of what happened, so that we can learn what can be done to prevent future tragedies. I think it’s appropriate for the U.S. attorney to review this case, and if the evidence warrants, take action to hold people accountable,” he said. Pressurized irrigation starts to go on line Continued from Page A1. that will replace more than 300 miles of open irrigation canals and ditches, was slowly pressurized and in the process only one leak was discovered, according to Ted Curtis, vice president of the irrigation company. The leak was caused by a bullet hole in the line and the fact that it was the only hole found spoke of the remarkable job being done in the lines creation, with thousands of welds and miles of pipe being placed. The more than $60 million project has required almost a Herculean effort to develop. Just the process to keep it moving has proved frustrating for many HCIC stockholders. The fact that the water is now flowing through part of the pressurized system goes a long way toward calming nervousness about the system. “Its been a long time coming, but it’s coming together,” Curtis said. We’re going to have a lot of people that will be sprinkling this summer. Now that we’re over some of the paperwork obstacles, things are running right along.” As the first lines came to life, Curtis said that there was a learning curve to be dealt with as users learned technology that was new to them. “I’ve never done this before. It’s like somebody handing you the keys to something you’ve never driven before. You have to figure it out,” Curtis said, explaining his first experience turning the water on to his property as an audience of those invested in the project looked on. “It was almost embarrassing because I wasn’t sure what I was doing.” Volunteers sought to help victims of abuse, neglect Josie Luke Many residents of Emery County feel sympathy for abused and neglected children, but few know there is a way they can help. The Court Appointed Special Advocate program, which is continually looking for volunteers, gives citizens just such an opportunity. In Utah, in cases where there are allegations that a child has been abused, neglected or abandoned, a Guardian ad Litem is appointed to represent the child or children involved. Each year over 1,800 such cases are filed. This amounts to each guardian representing children in 60 to 290 cases, sometimes with 300 or more children. Because there are such a large number of children who need representation, CASA volunteers are vital. “CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as appointed members of the court. In an overburdened social welfare system, abused and neglected children often slip through the cracks among hundreds of current cases. CASA volunteers change that. “Appointed by judges, CASA volunteers typically handle just one case at a time-- and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. While others may come and go, CASA volunteers provide that one constant that children need in order to thrive,” states the National CASA website. CASA volunteers assist the GAL in working with abused and neglected children in Emery and Carbon counties to help find the children a safe, permanent home. Each advocate is usually assigned to one case at a time, assisting in gathering information, meeting with and being a support to the child or children and making a recommendation on each child’s “best interests.” According to local CASA Coordinator Kerrie Larsen, the Seventh District Office of the Guardian ad Litem and CASA currently has seven CASA volunteers for the 173 children represented by Connie Mower, the Seventh District Guardian ad Litem. The volunteers are assigned to children in cases needing the most attention. For Larsen, what would seem a depressing job, serves as a way for her to help children who have been through such horrific circumstances. “While a lot of people would think it would be an awful job to hear about the abuse and neglect every day and hear the stories, I actually feel like I’m part of the solution,” she related. CASA volunteers come from many backgrounds. Becoming an advocate does not require any special education or professional experience. Volunteers must be 21 or over, pass a background check and participate in approximately 32 hours of training before they are assigned to their first case. After being assigned to a case, volunteers meet with teachers, therapists, caseworkers, parents and others Castle Dale approves antiviral medication purchase The Castle Dale City Council met for its regular meeting May 8. The land where the old sheriff’s office is located was discussed and Mayor Neal Peacock reported that when the building is demolished it would be illegal to sell the city property. He also said there are also many sewer problems with the system and it would need a lot of repair. A request was made by two citizens to have road improvements or a new road on the street leading to their property, Councilman Brad Giles agreed there needed to be improvement, but explained the funding wouldn’t be available for several years Also discussed was an antiviral medication available for emergency workers. There is a $20 charge for each injection, and it would only be used if there was a pandemic declared by the board of health. The city determined to have 20 injections available for city emergency workers. Silver Deli 36 West Main Street • Price UT • (435)637-9446 Menu Sandwiches Salads Bar Snacks Pizza Desserts Ask About Our Famous Private Club For Members Silver Sandwiches Monday - Saturday from 11 AM to 1 AM Catering Self Pick-Up All Items Are Available To Go involved in the child’s case. They also attend court hearings, reviews and staffings, and through the GAL, advocate for what is in the best interest of the child, working to promptly and safely return the child home, or to find them another permanent home. Those who volunteer need to be willing to continue their work with a child’s case for an average of one year, and are requested to put in eight to 10 hours each month, remembering that they may be one of the few stable influences in the child’s life. Throughout the case, advocates are supervised every step of the way and always have resources readily available. Those who are interested in advocating for children, or who have questions about the program can contact Larsen at (435)381-5595. Emery County’s New Newspaper 685 South Main Street P.O. Box 487 Orangeville, UT. 84537 www.theemerycountyreview.com Phone: 435-748-2541 Fax: 435-748-2543 Established January 2, 2007 Published Every Tuesday Publisher / Editor James L. Davis jldavis@theemerycountyreview.com Co-Publisher / Office / Advertising Manager Colleen A. Davis cdavis@theemerycountyreview.com Assistant Editor Josie Luke Advertising Design / Office Lyndsay Reid Advertising Sales Charlotte Williams Editorial Staff Kathy P. Ockey Judi Bishop Webmaster Casey Wood Postmaster: Send change of address to The Emery County Review, 685 South Main Street, P.O. Box 487, Orangeville, UT. 84537 Subscription Rates 1 Year (52 Issues) In-State $23.00 1 Year (52 Issues) Out-of-State $26.00 Copyright 2008 The Emery County Review Star Fun Center Grill & Arcade Monday - Saturday 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. The Spot In Emery & Carbon Counties Great Family Fun, Food and Entertainment Fresh Limes-Shakes and More See You Soon ! Movie & Meal Special $20.00 Star Theatre 155 N Main Huntington Phone for information 435-687-(STAR)7827 Open Friday & Saturday Matinee Saturday 4 P.M. Night show at 7 P.M. |