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Show if to be disclosed soon Prison issues Letterstlo the Editor J Dear Editor: In recent months various opinions, view, and concepts on the Burr Tral issue have appeared on editorial pages and in public forum slots in most every newspaper in Utah. They have run the gammet from strongly supportive to strongly opposed. The majority of the public is so uninformed, and therefore so easily misled and decieved. The Burr Trail court case has probably done more to show the selfish, deceptive and yes, even treacherous and malicious tactics such groups resort to than any other issue in Utah. Dont let anyone fool you into believing that all Garfield County is doing is padding Del Webbs pockets. That is ridiculous! Who could be so naive and near sighted as to miss the whole point. Never has the issue been over a paved highway. Garfield county wanted only to upgrade and improve the access road in the only east-we- The great political game is being played to the fullest as the state Legislature is going into their final week of meetings and discussions, law making and money disspersments and so far nothing has been released in the way of news concerning the Gunnison prison. I think we have all watched in years past how politicians would wait until the last minute to pass something controversial so as to preserve them from having to answer to the public for more than a day or two before they went home. The prison decision seems to be a weighty one as the daily papers have not mentioned much about its funding or future. Maybe the decision that has to be made is more serious than we think if the level of secrecy that surrounds it represents the situation equitably. In any respect, not to be the one to pass rumor, as that is about all the information we can gather about the Gunnison Prison, the following is what have been able to put together about the fate of the prison. Number one they are looking at funding the whole 1 900 bed facility at once rather than build the first phase of 600 beds and then follow that bout with two more 700 bed building projects. There has also been mention that some of Governor Bangeters slush fund money could be used along with a bond. There are some merits to this idea as it would take four instead of three years to finish the 2000 bed facility. Figures show that when the 600 bed facility would be completed in three years from now that would take the pressure off from the point of the mountain facility using 1 988 prison population. In other words they will need many more beds for prisoners in four years. If this concept does not go through or is not discussed then we are back to the original plan of building a $27 to $30 million first phase building. Politicians seem to be confident that the building of the will be funded this year because of the needs. Several prison have commented that it is not a matter of if and when it is a matter of how much. Since this is the last week for making that decision I would expect some action both pro and con to take place soon. The suspense is killing me. Now we have a little feel for the frustrations experienced by many this time of the year as they wait for the politicians to make up their minds concerning the fate of bills and money allocations that will effect them. I dont know if this is good or bad but it is for sure real. I . st county to a safe and passable standard. No big deal, right? Thats not what four environmental groups thought when they took Garfield county to court, because underneath all the guises lies an extremely critical issue - County rights of way over public lands. Up to this point the pendulum has been swinging in favor of those who wish to lock up our lands, but due to increased effort and organization on the part of those favoring multiple use for the enjoyment of all, we are realizing some progress. Its time we unite if we plan on living out our lives in the area the environmentalists want us out of. Because Garfield county was a sparsely populated, economically depressed area, we seemed like the perfect victims of their warped ideas of justice and sabotage. But a federal judge ruled that Garfield county does indeed have a right of way over public lands and that it is not limited to the existing roadbed. That is a victory for every county in Utah and the whole western United States. Unfortunately, Garfield county is burdened with the court costs for that victory. Many counties and private entities have made contributions assistance available locally VITA to help offset those costs, some Many taxpayers can get free help with their basic income tax returns through the volunteer Income tax Assis- have complained publicly about those donations, but it doesnt take one long to see which side of the fence they are sitting on. Many of them dont even pay taxes. Ironic, isnt it that they should complain,, when in fact, Volunteers receive in IRS training course, but do not ' they actively oppose ways to brohandle complicated tax mataden out tax bases. Thats what ters. we are up against and its time we Tax and tance (VITA) program Ray Blackham, Salina realize whats at stake and what Counseling for the Elderly will be the VITA representative we stand to lose. (TCE) program, sponsored by for this area, and says he will be It has been said Beauty lies in the Internal Revenue. Locked the eyes of the beholder. happy to help. Seniors who may VITA is designed to pro- need assistance their up lands will swiftly lose their preparing vide free help to lower income, taxes. For more information pall beauty without eyes to behold them. W e are all entitled to share elderly, non English speaking, Mr. Blackham at in that legacy of the future. and handicapped taxpayers Louise Liston who use Form 1040EZ, Form Garfield County Commissioner 1040A, or a basic Form 1040 federal tax return. TCE is primarily for those over 60, however volunteers will also assist low income Continued from Page 1 and handicapped taxpayers. . 529-365- 4. Council be investigated. Councilman Roger Nielsen reported that the Salina library and Court telephones are on the same line and said he felt that the court should have Its own line. Investigation will be made to see how much it ill cost to put the Library on a separate line. One building permit was ap- location to water his horses He didnt feel tat he should have to will Natural Gas Your best energy value. NEW Energy Efficient Censible 5 Gas Water Heaters from State Superintendent The Utah Highway Patrol will soon be focusing enforcement efforts on drivers who disregard the state's child restraint law. The Highway patrol has begun a child safety seat campaign, with a motto If you love them, buckle them up". Troopers will be writing down license numbers and sending commendation letters to people1 they ob- -' serve using the safety seats. They will be writing traffic citations to those who dont. Research proves that child safety seats in passenger1 vehicles reduce deaths by 7 per- cent and reduce serious injuries by 67 percent. A common violation of the child restraint law involves parents riding as a front seat passenger while carrying a child on their laps. The forces of a crash increase geometrically to tear a child from the strongest adult arms, whether the adult is belted in or not. An unbelted adult can crush a child against the dashboard, further contributing to the childs injuries or Salina Sun 63 East Main Salina, Utah 84654 Phone T nrtSOf The SECD Hid w Service, Quality & Fair Value Hospital equipment r 30 100 Seat belts save lives death. Children depend on us for almost every aspect of their day to day living", Katz said. Repay sewer fees. However, he will member our responsibility to be told that the ordinance reads which is most imthat protect if water a there the that is meter, - their lives, he conportant sewer fees must be paid. Councilwoman Karren D. cluded. Glover thanked Superintendent proved. Holt for the fine job that Scott reCouncilman Ron Crane been done on snow removal has ported he had seen the roller on Salinas streets and sideThe talked machine previously walks. recommended that and it about, be purchased for $2,000 out of The next meeting of the Salina Class C Road funds. The Coun- City Council will be held March 7, 1988, beginning at 7:30 p.m. cil approved the purchase. with questions or conAnyone USPS 4780-800- 0 if One resident had asked he cerns is urged to attend. could have a water meter in a n Gas Mode's m 20 40 50. 75 and gallon capacities CLOGGERS: Some of the SunShine Cloggers participated in a winner clog camp at 49th Street Galleria.including, Alecia Christensen, Silver; Natalie Christensen, Brenda Coates, Coalette Coates, Danielle Nielson, Snauna Squiie, all gold; and Misty Stewart, Silver. A Central and Southern region competition will be held March 5 in Monroe. Winners from this competition will compete in the Freedom Festival held in Provo during 4th of July activities. 4780-800- 0 529-783- 9 Salina is Sun, pub- lished each Wednesday for $12.00 per year in Utah and $ 14.50 per year out of the state of Utah by the Salina Sun, 63 East Main, Salina, Utah 84654. Second class postage is paid at Salina, Utah 84654. ' RE-ME- INC D "Your Locally Owned & Operated Medical Supply Store" eBEDS WALKERS POSTMASTER: Please send, address changes to the Salina Sun, P.O. Box C, Salina, Utah 84654. e WHEELCHAIRS DIABETIC SUPPUES Single Copy $.35 e OXYGEN I RESPIRATORY 40 Gal 50 Gal, ; $100 $150 J.J.W.D. 425 South State Salina, Utah 529-748- 8 EQUIPMENT 140 N. MAIN I SUPPLIES RICHFIELD 896 - 8664 FEATURED ON YOUR WHITE & GREEN PHONE BOOK COVER Publisher: Kevin Ashby Editor: Carol Jensen Correspondents: Aurora: Kathleen Lloyd Redmond: Tammy Johnson Salina: Evelyn Kiesel teristics of the superintendent available to the public. Copies will be available in each attendance area. Details will be advertised through the news media. The Retirement of Supt. Tuft was moved to July 1, so that he "will be able to assist with wind- - . Ing up the fiscal year reports. j The new superintendent will be hired as of June 1 , and Tuft will remain on In a consultant capacity until July 1. Applications for the position are being accepted until March 15, and the final appointment will be made April 28. In other business: Richfield High School Advanced Place- ment teachers Janet Potter, Rick Pruitt, Steve Player and Phil Johnson received approval to attend an AP conference in Las Vegas. The ultimate goal is to have more students enrolled In the program. The workshop Is being held on a Saturday, so that the teachers iwll not have to miss school. The school district will provide their transporta- tion. $152,000 was approved for completion of the Richfield High School track and football complex. The appropriation will be limited to that amount. Timothy Smith, principal of North Sevier High will preprae a report concerning the amount of Continued from Page 1 money needed to complete the North Sevier High School track and football project, and will present it at the next meeting. Duane Breese, Special Services Director reported on the special ed program in the district. He noted there are 59 indi- io viduals, including : resource institutional teachers,' theraist, assistants and ohters who are part of the program. The special ed program is operating with a budget of $775,801, and he noted that under a public law preschool special education students may need t be served by the District during the 1988-8- 9 school year. Jack Burr, a consultant for the Central Utah Educational Services (CUES) regional center told the group that some students become bored with leraing. He said many great educational programs have been put in action in school throughout the region and they have helped students retain their itnerest in learing. He gave n information sheet to the Boatrd outlinging a proposal for consilidation of services (not a consilidation of school districts). He notd that all districts need not particiapte in all programs, but have the option to participate as the programs are needed. Grazing fees on BLM & Forest lands raised Livestock producers who use public lands will see their grazing fees increase from $1.35 to $1.54 per animal unit month (AUM), effective March 1, of this year, according to an official of the states largest farm organization. Under the formula, Johnson said Grazing fees move upward during periods of Improved economics in the livestock industry and downward with lagging prices, in much the same way that private leases react to economic conditions. During the past three sessions of Congress, Farm Bureau and other groups, with the help of key legislators, have fought back attempts to abolish the grazing fee formulas. Some proposals have called for Jerold Johnson, Aurora, chairman of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation Livestock, Natural Resources and Public Lands Committee, the federal grazing fee is the amount charged livestock producers who graze cattle and sheep on U.S. Forest Service or BLM rangelands. The 19 increases of as much as four cent increase is the result of new times the current fee. We have computations used in the graz- anticipated similar battles in ing fee formula, which automati- the 1989 session of Congress. cally adjusts the fee according to There have been legal challivestock prices, production lenges to the use of the formula, costs and forage values. as well," Johnson added. Johnson said the grazing fees Hopefully the fee increase will are reviewed annually, and take quiet critics who have charged into account economic condi- that the formula has not been tions in the livestock Industry. working," he said. This years increase is attributed The grazing fee formula supto Improved livestock prices and by Farm Bureau, was 7Ser overall production costs. ported authorized by legislation No one welcomes an increase passed in 1 978. It was adminisin the grazing fees, but the news tratively reauthorized by an isnt all bad," Johnson said. "We executive rder from President think this is a good indication Reagan in 1985. However, a that the formula is working as $ 1 .35 per AUM floor was placed intended." in effect at that time. |