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Show The Garfield County Insider Page 2 October 29, 2009 ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS MEET JERRY TAYLOR— A CANDIDATE FOR ESCALANTE CITY’S MAYOR On Tuesday, November 3, 2009, each of us will have another opportunity to exercise one of our most priceless gifts. On that day we can go to the polls and vote for the Escalante Mayoral candidate of our choice. Even though my name (JERRY TAYLOR) will be on that ballot as a candidate, and I could state that the most important thing you could do is to vote for me, instead, I have to say that the most important thing you can do (that any of us can do) is to VOTE! Steven R. Covey states in his book The Eighth Habit, “Next to life itself, the power to choose is your greatest gift.” On that Tuesday in November you’ll have two action choices: (1) To go to the polls and vote, and (2) to place an X by the name(s) of the various candidate(s) you believe will represent you best. Shortly after I had registered as a candidate for Escalante’s next mayor, a citizen approached me and said, “Jerry, why in the world would you willingly agree to become the target for so much criticism as a mayor deals with!?” I was still a little numb from having heard it stated just that way and I don’t recall exactly what I said; but I do know what I have thought a lot about since. One of my favorite politically related quotes is the famous one made by the late President John F. Kennedy. He said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what can you do for your country.” As one response to the question referred to above, I state that even though I am currently serving my city as a council member, I believe I can do more . . . and I’d like to do more. Escalante has a history of good leaders and we have good leaders now. I believe I have strengths that when added to the existing ones could meet the demands of current as well as future needs of our community. I believe that the many op- portunities I’ve had for varied levels of leadership experiences heads my list of qualifications for that role. Following are three of the more significant: 1. The knowledge I’ve gained from serving on the Escalante City Council for the past two years is strong and current. I have an “inside track” on what’s happening in our city government and the focus of our efforts. I know where we are in the progress of projects as well as what’s on the “drawing board” for the future. 2. As the owner/manager of an existing successful business, I believe I have mastered crucial management/leadership skills and experience that would support our city government’s existing level of achievement PLUS would motivate and encourage increased effectiveness. I believe that the expectations and responsibilities of a city mayor are synonymous with those of a manager. If appropriately applied, the results will be increased effectiveness, more concrete accountability to citizens, and improved public relations. 3. In addition to my experience as a business owner, I have also had opportunities to participate in community and church leadership/service projects and positions and believe those to be significant— not only in the realm of the leadership aspect but also ability to work with people. Probably my very strongest qualification is that I sincerely care about Escalante. She’s my HOMEtown--I was born and raised and educated here. AND I’ve chosen to return and make my HOME here again, to raise my family USDA Announces 2010 DCP and ACRE Signup Begins Enrollment for the 2010 Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) and the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program has begun and will continue through June 1, 2010. “We at FSA urge producers to make use of the eDCP automated website to sign up,” said Arthur Douglas. “The electronic service saves producers’ time, reduces paperwork and speeds up contract processing at their local FSA offices.” Douglas adds eDCP is available to all producers who are eligible to participate in the DCP and ACRE Programs and can be accessed at www.fsa.usda.gov/dcp. To access the service, producers must have an active USDA eAuthentication Level 2 account, which requires filling out an online registration form at www.eauth.egov.usda.gov followed by a visit to the local USDA Service Center for identity verification. For those without internet access or if they prefer, producers can also visit any USDA Service Center to complete their 2010 DCP or ACRE contract. USDA computes DCP Program payments using base acres and payment yields established for each farm. Eligible producers receive direct payments at rates established by statute regardless of market prices. For 2010, eligible producers may request to receive advance direct payments based on 22 percent of the direct payment. USDA will issue advance direct payments beginning Dec. 1, 2009. Counter-cyclical payment rates vary depending on market prices. Counter-cyclical payments are issued only when the effective price for a commodity is below its target price. The effective price is the higher of the national average market price received during the 12-month marketing year for each covered commodity and the national average loan rate for a marketing assistance loan for the covered commodity. here, and to enjoy being in the “land of my heritage” and among people who value the same lifestyle that I do. Doing so, I believe, is my strong statement of loyalty and commitment to our city. If I’m elected as Escalante’s next mayor, I will exercise informed judgment on all decisions I’m involved in; I will utilize and build on the strengths of our current council members and employees; I will commit to the maintenance of our existing assets (buildings, infra-structure items, investments, etc.); I will encourage and support continued efforts towards achievement/completion of projects in progress; I will practice an “Open-Door” policy with employee’s as well as citizen’s concerns; AND I will maintain “an eye on the future” in every aspect that concerns Escalante and her citizens! My objective for sharing is for each of you to get to know me—JERRY TAYLOR, the man and candidate for potential mayor. I desire for you to know what you can count on from me should I have an opportunity to serve you in that role. Advertise in the Insider Call 676-2621 Free Concert Oct. 30th Symphony of the Canyons will be performing a free concert Friday, October 30, 2009 at the Garfield County Fairgrounds Building. Sponsored by the Panguitch Lions Club, the musical evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will feature musicians from Kane and Garfield counties. Concert organizers have indicated Halloween costumes are welcome, and prizes will be awarded as part of a costume judging contest. Symphony of the Canyons has performed frequently in the area and has supported cultural values at various levels. It has become somewhat of a tradition to host the orchestra close enough to Halloween that many of the musicians join in the costume portion of the event. There is no cost for the concert, and additional information can be obtained by contacting Karran Harris at (435) 6768032. Panguitch Lake Supports Scouting Panguitch Lake property owners and businesses have risen to the occasion - again - in support of local units of the Boy Scouts of America. For the third consecutive year, Boy Scout supporters at Panguitch Lake have raised more than $1,000. Last year’s donations earned the group the final “Golden Eagle Award” presented by the Utah National Parks Council. Spearheaded by Greg and Carletta Johnson, donors expanded efforts to include material contributions for community yard sales, in addition to their normal financial support. All contributions are greatly appreciated, but special thanks is extended to Owens Bros. General Store, Panguitch Lake Resort, the Christensen family and the Marshall family for their generous efforts. siDE lines ... Pat Dix A FEW WORDS OF APPRECIATION Since this is probably my last column for a while, due to health problems, I would like to seize this opportunity to a recognize and express my appreciation to a group of individuals in our communities, who volunteer and labor, throughout the various athletic seasons, with little or no recognition or appreciation. I speak of those volunteers who give of their time, talent, finances, and, most importantly, themselves, to coach Bantam Wrestling, Bantam Basketball, and all those summer Baseball programs. As an individual who has been affiliated with Panguitch High School athletics for 40 plus years, I am acutely aware how much the efforts of these volunteers strengthen the high school programs. So to all you men and women, who give of yourselves so freely to the youth of our various communities, so that they can enjoy the joys of participation and friendly competition, I voice my sincerest appreciation for jobs well done, and I offer this suggestion to the parents out there. The next time you meet one of these dedicated folks, offer your hand and give them a heartfelt thank you!!!! ANY EFFORT THAT BENEFITS KIDS, IS AN EFFORT THAT IS WORTHWHILE!!! Apply for a 2010 sportsman permit Applications for Utah’s most prized hunting permits accepted soon Only Utah residents may apply for sportsman permits. One sportsman permit is offered for each of the following species: Desert bighorn ram, Rocky Mountain bighorn ram, buck deer, buck pronghorn, bull elk, bull moose, hunter’s choice bison, hunter’s choice Rocky Mountain goat, black bear, cougar, sandhill crane and wild turkey. If you draw a sportsman permit, the dates you can hunt vary. But in most cases, they’re longer than the regular season dates. these permits,” Tutorow Guidebook (wildlife.utah. You can also hunt on almost says. “If you receive a letter gov/guidebooks) or call the any unit in Utah that’s open in the mail, it wouldn’t sur- nearest Division of Wildlife to hunting the species you prise me if you frame it!” Resources office. You can drew a permit for. For more information, also call the DWR’s Salt Highly prized see pages 23 and 24 of Lake City office at (801) “Sportsman permits are the 2009 Utah Big Game 538-4700. highly prized,” says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “If you’re one of the lucky hunters who draw one, you’ll have plenty of days and plenty of areas to hunt.” You can apply for a sportsman permit starting Nov. 2 at wildlife.utah.gov. Applications must be submitted no later than 11 p.m. on Nov. 19 to be entered in the draw for permits. Draw results will be posted by Dec. 10. If you draw a permit, you’ll also receive a letter in the mail. “Not many hunters draw |