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Show Health Care District promises vigorous legal defense Officials at the San Juan Health Care District have out lined the steps they are taking to counter a number of lawsuits that the District is three areas. First, they will conduct thorough internal investigations to see if the allegations are true; second, they facing. A growing number of medical providers and previous em- Bradford. "However, we will have our day in court and feel confident that although we staff and management, in an cannot disclose them at this effort to avoid future lawsuits. time, there are sound reasons In a press conference with behind the actions that the Bradford and attorney Blaine District has taken. District officials expressed Bernard, who is representing dewith public percepfrustration officials the District, the clined to answer a number of tions and hoped that the Disquestions asking for clarifica- trict would be able to regain and retain public trust and tion on legal issues. Bradford said, Unfortu- confidence. where because of personal reasons, personnel reasons, and because the issues are involved in litigation, we are unable to respond, said will vigorously defend the District against false accusations and charges; and third, they will review policies and train ployees of the District have either filed suit or filed intent to sue the District, including Donna Singer, Fred Riggs, Alison Dickson, Nathaniel Penn, Robert Mena, Stephen MacArthur, Michele Lyman, and Mary Nielson. Health Care District CEO Cleal Bradford states that the District efforts are focused in nately, we face a situation THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, April 19, 2000 - Page 3 concerned about Grand Gulch road, asks county to help BLM by Anna Adair "I know that the county does not condone irresponsible off road use, but that is what is happening here," commented Kent Walter, BLM Area Direc- tor, while discussing the Collins Canyon Route on the west side of Grand Gulch. Walter approached the San Juan County Commission to ask that they revisit their decision to open the road. Walter told the commission that depredation was not a problem before the county opened the road, lb try and curb the problem, the BLM has put up signs along the side of the road which says that the area is closed to off road vehicle use and that those caught off road will be cited. Walter told the commission that to appropriately manage the area, which is considered a primitive area, there needs to be a road closure and a locked gate to enforce the closure. He asked the commission to support such a closure. He made it clear that the ap- propriate parties, including Emergency Services, County Sheriff and the Commission, would have keys to the gate to access as needed, but it would be closed to the general public. Commissioner Ty Lewis asked what would keep the BLM from using the depredation ofresources to close all the roads. Lewis stated that they THE WEEK OF APRIL 17TH, WE'RE were dealing with precedents that the county did not want to set, but understood the special nature of the case. Walter responded that he does not have a list of roads that he is interested in closing in the same manner, but that the BLM does not have the resources to patrol this area and is hoping that the county and the BLM can agree that in specific individual cases inappro- priate uses will not be THE PRIMARY REASON FOR OUR SUCCESS. tolerated. Commissioner Bill Redd told Walter that he is willing to look at the needs of the BLM "so long as we can agree that the countys economy will not be hurt." The commission told Walter they were pleased he came to discuss the issue with them and think this is the way that the integration of planning should work. The county agreed to do a site visit with the BLM in order to view the depredation and look at alternatives from their point of view. Redd 6 stated that "The county CUSTOMER APPRECIATION WEEK, APRIL 17 - 21 For an entire week, your local Zions Bank branch will be throwing a party that you simply cant miss. (After all, youre the reason for the party.) It all begins with a community celebration Monday through Thursday, where youll find local festivities and the chance to win great prizes including a trip for two to Mexico. Then on Friday, April 21, join us for the big party where well announce the trip winners. We hope youll stop by. It really wouldnt be much of a celebration without you. ZIONS BANK WE HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN WHO KEEPS US IN BUSINESS. Mm k II ar Mrr M tMar. j M L -r rti fir dmik Member FDIC doesn't support the digging up of other peoples land, but we do want to protect our rights." In addition to the discussion with the BLM, the county also asked representatives from the National Park Service to attend the weekly County Commission meeting. They wanted to inform the NPS that the road battle with the BLM may not stop there. They stated that there are roads on park service lands on which the county will claim ownership and they hope to be able to discuss the matters and come to agreements outside of court if possible. Commissioners told the NPS officials they den't wish to take an adversarial role, but just want to talk about who owns what and come to as many agreements as possible on the local level. The NPS representatives agreed that they wished to do as much as could be done in an amicable manner. |