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TrrfrT’rTT'rT ‘"rf ttt jvfrnliTj ij I4 ' ' uu is (g) Gunnison r ' r I Vol82 No December 53 0 Utah 84634 2003 Gunnison 31 Qna 'J £i sCdqDD by Jim Olsen Publisher What issue of a newspaper would be complete without a review of what has happened during the past year I have compiled some of the top stories from the Gunnison Valley News These stories are not listed in any particular order However the very fact that I have put them in some order would mean that there is some bias as to the importance of the story 1) Highway 89Main Street Construction The 1 7 kilometer project started April 14 2003 and was nally completed in October 2003 The project disrupted traffic from 400 South in Gunnison to the Centerfield's southern town limit From dust in the homes several potholes that wouldn't disappear it was the talk of the town all year long In fact it still is as it The road which was e to have been a upgrade was stripped for two lanes at the request of the mayor of Centerfield UDOT will determine the whether it will road for four lanes in the spring when they return to coat put a 2) Gunnison Secondary Water Project The City of Gunnison was able to add a few more homes and more water pressure to areas of town with a $11 million dollar secondary water project The project included the construction of a new reservoir at the north east comer of the valley and miles of pipe The city came under fire from a couple of farmers in the community but all in all the project will allow nearly 100 new prop- erties onto the system The city has yet to decide the actual costs as there hasn’t been a meeting to discuss project since the No-vember 30 2003 deadline 3) Chief Christensen Fired The unceremonious dismissal of veteran Police ChiefJoeL Christensen ere- ated quite a stir A rally held in his favor a large crowd wishing to voice their opin- ion was left virtually un- - Watch For heard and a city council that would only state that the city was going a different direction Christensen was fired after 27 years of service to the community He was embroiled in his own legal difficulties He has appealed a recent district court misdemeanor charge This story will continue to make news in the future months 4) Mayfield Gets New City Hall More than $250000 was spent to build a beautiful new facility for Mayfield The building will be more than just a city hall as plans for providing other resources come to fruition The project was built by local contractor Scott Reid Construction 5) Municipal Elections Officers This message may have double meaning this time of year but Utah Highway Patrol SgtThayne Carlisle urges drivers to watch for officers as they patrol the highways and freeways in the state of Utah “We have about seven officers hit each month by careless drivers” he said Carlisle said that motorists are supposed to slow down and give a wide berth when they see their patrol lights flashing He added that officers are being trained to approach a vehicle on the passenger side as a precaution “There has been a dramatic crease in officers being hit over the past year" he added He urged drivers to slow down during the bad weather and use defensive driving A large body of candidates skills sought public office as GunCarlisle said that there has also nison City held a primary election to pare down three been a dramatic increase in accidents caused by people falling mayoral candidates and seven council candidates asleep at the wheel He urges drivers to stop and take a break A quick The mayor's race was about the earlier nap in a rest stop could mean the by brought difference between showing up a resignation of Mayor Mark few minutes late and not showing Henline Scott Hermansen was appointed mayor and up at all On one final note he said that the beat Brian eventually UHP throughout Jensen for the position The the state as well as local and county agencies will be city council wHTTake on a new look as newcomer using overtime pay to patrol for drivers operating a vehicle while intoxLarry Jensen will learn the icated He said the DUI Patrols as ropes and former mayor and city council member they are known give the various Steve Buchanan will return police and sheriff forces extra to leadership Rod Taylor a money for to spend time watching for unusual driving behavior during perennial favorite of the the New Year's Eve hours voters will begin his 16th year of city leadership 6) Gunnison and CUCF Reach An Accord After was the make over that took were shared for the nearly months of legal positioning place at the local grocery project The new the Gunnison City Council store The Gunnison Market facility will allow the hos- finally got the Utah Depart- - went through some "much pital to provide additional ment of Corrections to sign needed overhauling" as services to the patients that off on a document that will shelves were moved new come from all over the cen- help the two entities plan registers brought in and tral part of the state for the future Without the new paint Not only did the hospital sprayed on the help of Utah State Rep Bra- - walls The project has been dedicate a new wing but it dley Johnson the city could hailed a success as the store helped to build a new clinic e very easily be in the same braces for the opening of for three doctors and in the ing specialists The facility position of negotiations another CUCF has agreed to give Richfield area located at the comer of 100 Gunnison $900000 towards 8) Gunnison Valley Hos-- East and Center Street is a new sewer project that pital Growth Hospital Ad- - partially owned by Drs' would ease the problems ministrator Greg Rosenvall John and Christine Jackson being experienced by the oversaw the dedication of 9) Probably one of the eastside of the community the $2 million addition most ambitious Eagle Scout 7) Gunnison Market Gets project at the hospital Df Service Projects the valley New Look Almost as diffi- - Von Pratt offered the dedi- - has seen was completed as cult as the road construction catory prayer as accolades the Gunnison Skate Park :i —M SE5S5 More Than Change S'srt After 40 years Lunds Inn has changed hands as changed its name m 3U3 Drive as well nights A delivery J window In also in said that Melba Lund former owner should be recognized for her service over the m as m o rmit ‘’raVf I s ft- - mi will IS service to local homes and businesses" said Rene She' added that some of the pld favorites meals will return to the menu board and that the drive inn will feature some new “adult specials' on Friday and Saturday the works Renee IV’ si a 0 5 1 11 Rene and Monica Hyatt mother and daughter have taken over ownership of the popular drive inn They have some big plans for the future “We have introduced jig ItMuf Name 1W” m I U' past years “It is remarkable that four women who worked for her now own their own business" she said mace s debut on a rainy The project was culmination of nearly 18 monlsworkand planning as proven to be very popular with the local 10) Hansen's honored for 77 Years of Togetherness Lester and Alice Hansen were honored as Utah's longest marriage in Febru- ary 2003 The couple had sate)oar ridere as well as spent a lifetime of service in their parents who enjoy Mayfield and were honored watcn8by the Utah State Gover- a nors' Commission on riage Lester passed away later this year but not until after celebrating his 100th birthday 11) Longtime resident Blaine Jensen was picked as the Police Chief of Gunni- - sonCity DPuirHflTl flf SpVIPf 1C1 VIIpV VailCJ VClUCi Will Will roll'mmic UUlltlCdl llUUrcS failure ICllglUUj ltdlUrC ° Stephens to use Gunnison as campaign stop Dedication plans are set for the new Sevier Valley Center The dedication celebration will be on Tuesday January 6 2004 The ceremony will be in the Sevier Valley Center Theater an will begin at 6:30 pm Prior to the ceremony there will be an informal reception that will begin at 6:00 pm Senator Robert Bennett will give the dedication speech with Elder David E Sorensen of the First Quorum of Seventy giving the dedicatory prayer House Speaker Marty Stephens will be in attendance to represent the state of Utah with many other dignitaries to be in attendance If you ar interested in obtaining tickets for the dedication you are encouraged to call House Speaker Marty Stephens will be in the area the whole day to hold some town meetings and get input from local citizens concerning the upcoming legislative session Speaker Stephens will be in Gunnison at 8:30 am on January 6 2004 at the home of Lori Nay for breakfast Those interested in attending are encourage to RSVP to Mrs Nay as soon as possible After his visit in Gunnison Speaker Stephens will attend a noon lunch meeting in Richfield If you are interested in attending this meeting please contact Rep Brad Johnson at or Commissioner Ralph Okerlund at be a great opportunity to make some of your concerns and opinions heard concerning the upcoming legislative session This will iifiiu COPY L‘ House Speaker Marty Stephens I |