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Show Cyan Magenta Yellow Black A2 Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition Aquifer Walkway (Continued from A1) (Continued from A1) county. The meeting opened with a computer slide presentation by Nay. She said the walkway, which will run along the Sanpitch River from 200 East to 200 West, including passing under the U.S. 89 bridge, would be a distinguishing feature of Gunnison, helping to create “a sense of place.” The project will make the town more economically viable, she said, by showing “we’re progressive, we’re purposeful and [we] value our quality of life.” Nay said the current lack of a safe way to cross U.S. 89 “is an accident waiting to happen.” The river walk will solve the problem by embedding a pedestrian walkway into the side of the bridge structure under the road. “It’s as needed a part of our transportation system as roads,” she said. She emphasized community involvement in the project, saying she wanted people to feel “it’s their trail.” She said children’s handprints and footprints, and even animal prints, could be built into the trail décor. She suggested that elementary children could create a mural under the bridge. And children using the trail as part of the school “Fit Kids” program could pick up litter. During the hearing, one of the strongest statements of support came from longtime Gunnison resident Phyllis Greener. “I’ve never known Gunnison to turn down a bond issue,” she said. “I’ve never known Gunnison to turn down a tax increase. We stand together for progress.” Curtis Anderson, a member of the river walk committee, said he had talked with a consultant who has been involved in numerous trail projects. Anderson said the consultant told him that the Gunnison project “is perfect because it ties the four quadrants of your community together.“ The consultant told Anderson that when a walkway goes in, property values around the COURTESY UTAH GEOLOGIC SURVEY Map of the Sanpete Valley aquifer as classified by the Utah Geologic Survey. The third is Class III, which contains 3,000-10,000 mg/L of TDS and has limited use, mostly in manufacturing or watering the land. The fourth is Class IV, which has greater than 10,000 mg/L TDS and is considered saline. Janae Wallace and Mike Lowe gave a presentation on the proposed aquifer classification for the Sanpete Valley. They explained the objectives of the study were to determine water quality, produce a classification map and make a potential contaminant inventory. The conclusions drawn from the study were that groundwater quality is good: 84.9 percent was found to be Class IA and IB (pristine), Class II (drinking-water quality) is 14.9 percent, and Class III (limited use) is only 0.2 percent. The study also found that the overall nitrate concentration is low, which means that the turkey farms, dairy farms, and sheep and cattle ranches are not causing higher rates of contamination. This also includes the crop farmers who use fertilizers. Representatives from the Utah Geological Survey and the Water Quality Board commented that from this study it seems that people in the county are using good land and water management. After the presentation, the people of Sanpete County had the opportunity to voice their concerns or support, or ask questions. Only three people attended the hearing who were not presenters, commissioners, or with the Sanpete Watershed Stewardship Group. Jonathan Benson, representing Fairview City Council, was one of the three. He presented a con- cern that groundwater classification could be used to regulate local areas. He explained that much of the local economy is based on tourism and outdoor sports around Fairview, and the people don’t want state or federal departments coming in and limiting access to the mountains. Benson was assured that this classification does not mandate actions for local planning and zoning, nor obligate local government to perform any technical assessments, nor restrict existing or future land use. The classification is to help the county and municipalities to better plan for the future. Commissioner Mark Anderson asked what impact drilling for oil (and having oil wells in the area of this aquifer) would have on the quality of the water. Rob Herbert, section manager in the Division of Water Quality, explained that the oil well must be completely encased. Furthermore, the saline that comes out with the oil is to be put into a lined pond for evaporation, thereby keeping the saline from contaminating the aquifer. After the Aug.19 meeting, the executive secretary of the Utah Water Quality Board made a preliminary determination that classification is in the best interest of the beneficial users. If there are no dissenting opinions from the people of Sanpete County, the classification will go through. The Water Quality Board will accept written comments for the record if they are received by 5 p.m. Oct. 21. Mail comments to Mark Novak at the Utah Division of Water Quality, P.O. Box 144870, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84114-4870. Sanpete News Company, Inc., publishing the GUNNISON VALLEY EDITION Member Utah Press Association trail rise. Anderson added that the walkway would appeal to people who may not use the indoor swimming pool the town constructed several years ago. Referring to the grant, he added, “If we don’t take advantage of this federal money, we’re kind of foolish.” Andrea Johansen said she formerly lived in California where urban walkways are commonplace. “It brings people out of their homes. It’s a wonderful tool for families,” she said. “I’ve watched Scouts play a game of chicken crossing the road,” said Steve Burr of Axtell. “… If it costs money to save one child’s life, it’s worth it.” But Sandy Shours, who moved from Missoula, Mont. to Gunnison, said her experience with in-town river walkways had been negative. She said a river walk in Missoula has been the scene of rapes and has attracted transients. “At first, a lot of people used it,” she said. “…Now not many people use it. Now they have to raise money to maintain it.” Evelyn Wagstaff, a school crossing guard, said she would support the walkway if she believed school children would use it. But she didn’t think they would. “It’s a lot of money,” she said. “I use the track [at the high school. I can’t see why we can’t use it.” Some residents expressed fear the walkway could be washed out in a flood. “During the flood of ’83, utility poles that were more than 200 feet from the river went into the river,” Karen Prisbrey said. Guy Coates predicted the culvert bridge over the river at 200 East would “wash down the river and dam it, and Curtis Anderson’s store (Ace Hardware) will get flooded out.” While saying she didn’t see any obstacle that couldn’t be overcome, Cindy Judd said leaders needed to pay attention to farmers who have had long experience with flooding along the river. Wednesday, October 12, 2005 She also expressed concerns about security. People could hide in the shrubs and attack walkers, and drug abusers could discard needles along the walkway. “We’ve got to have good lighting and good education. …We’ve got to have good law enforcement,” she said. Following the vote, the council discussed how to work about $20,000 that has already been spent for planning and land acquisition into the current city budget. Eric Johnson, the city’s bond attorney, noted that if the city has any money left from a project contingency fund that has been built into the project, some of the Rollover (Continued from A1) None of the passengers were wearing seatbelts, and all were thrown from the vehicle. The fiberglass hardtop and the back passenger seat were torn from the jeep as it rolled multiple times. All of the teens sustained se- Centerfield $20,000 could be reimbursed. He added that the city would have to start paying back the bond Jan. 1, 2007. Payments will be $10,000 per year for 20 years. Officials have said the city will be able to absorb the payments in its regular budget without a tax increase. “We’re really excited,” Nay said Tuesday. “The more people who get involved, the more incredible ideas we come up with. It’s a lot of fun.” Nay said bids would be opened toward the end of November and construction would start as soon as possible after that. “We hope to have it finished a year from now,” she said. rious injuries, but none of the injuries were life threatening. Roberts was released from the hospital that night following medical treatment. Rico, Newman and Childs remain hospitalized, but are expected to make full recoveries. The investigating officer from the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office was Ron Rasmussen. (Continued from A1) ors that were available when the church was built. The council also approved new business licenses to Rohn Jensen for a business manufacturing and selling log furniture, to Eric Christensen for a craft store that he is moving from the swap meet to building in town, and to Tanae Childs will run a hair salon out of her home. CHEF WANTED HELP WANTED: Full-time Correctional Chef. Preference for two years experience in the food service industry with emphasis on meal production and receip development. Supervisory experience preferred. Must be 21 or older and able to pass the Correctional POST Academy. Apply online at statejobs.utah.gov, recruitment #6439; or call CUCF HRM 435-528-6156 for more information. 10/12,19GM Gunnison Valley Hospital, Home Health and Hospice Awareness and Health Fair Gunnison Valley High School Date: October 29, 2005 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. FREE: Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Cholesterol, Oxygen Saturation, Eye Test, Massage, and Dental Check-Up. Discount testing will be available for the following Blood Work: Complete Metabolic Profile............... $10.00 Complete Blood Count ........................ $5.00 Lipid Profile ....................................... $10.00 Prostate Specific Antigen .................. $10.00 Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ........... $10.00 Hemoglobin A,1,C ............................. $10.00 Deadlines, Post Office & Contact Information UPS# 232-020 Copyright, Sanpete News Company, Inc.©2004. All rights reserved. Reproduction, re-use, or transmittal of all matter herein is prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher. Published each Wednesday for 75¢ each, $24.00 inside Sanpete County, $27.00 outside Sanpete County, by Sanpete News Company, Inc., 35 S. Main, Manti, Utah 84642 Phone 1-866-620-1935, 435-835-4241, fax 435-835-1493 E-mail publisher at: suzanne@sanpetemessenger.com sports@sanpetemessenger.com E-mail sports to: school@sanpetemessenger.com E-mail school items to: E-mail news to: news@sanpetemessenger.com ads@sanpetemessenger.com E-mail ads to: Deadline: Thursday, 5 p.m. Manti: 35 S. Main, Hours: M-F, 9 am to 6 pm Periodicals Postage Paid at Manti, Utah 84642, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Sanpete Messenger, 35 S. Main, Manti, Utah 84642 Editor & Publisher ......................................................................... Suzanne Dean Associate Publisher .............................................................................. Lloyd Call Associate Editor .................................................................................. Sean Hales Copy Editor ........................................................................................... Lori Smith Senior Reporters .................................................... John Hales, Kathy Eggleston Office Manager ............................................................................... Jacque Marsh Administrative Assistant ........................................................... Lindsay Kogianes Webmaster ................................................................................. Dave Armstrong Gunnison Distribution ................................................... Jodi Anderson, 528-3072 Ombudswoman ........................................................ Karen Buchanan (835-5711) Staff Political correspondent ..................................................... C. R. Truitt (445-3326) Manti ............................................................................. Judy Chantry (835-8010) Gunnison ................................................................... Karen Prisbrey (528-7710) Centerfield ...................................................................... Elva Jensen (528-3382) Axtell ............................................................................ Audrey Boore (528-3309) Sports Writers ...................................................... Doug Johnson, Mitch Peterson Photographers ........................................... Bruce Van Der Riet, Vern Buchanan, Gene Chantry, Peter Goss, Russ Beck Columnists ........................................................ Roger Baker, Corrie Lynn Player The above laboratory tests will be offered Wednesday, Oct. 26th through Friday, Oct. 28th at the Gunnison Valley Hospital at 64 E. 100 N. Results will be available at the Health Fair. Food Handlers Class from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. ........................................................................................ $10.00 Other services provided are Medicare Help and Information, along with information regarding Home Care, Hospice, Physical Therapy, Mental Health, Arthritis and 72-Hour Kits. A Financial Advisor will be available to answer your questions about Living Wills and Trusts. You may also bring your medication for an evaluation by our Pharmacist. Special Presentations by Utah Highway Patrol, Gunnison Hospital Ambulance, Search and Rescue, Gunnison Fire Department, Life Flight, Earthquake Preparedness and S.W.A.T. Team. Stress testing and Al-anon training also available. PLUS! Jeana’s Dance students and the Middle School cheer team will be performing at the Health Fair. DOOR PRIZES GIVEN AWAY EVERY HOUR, DONATED by LOCAL BUSINESSES Gunnison Valley Hospital |