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Show Sanpete Nlrf&Bnger-Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition A4 Wednesday, September 20, 2006 Messenger now features editorial cartoonist By Ben Fox Staff writer Beginning this month, the Sanpete Messenger will be running "Rizzo," a political cartoon written by Chris Riseley, a Spring City resident, and drawn by Sean Simmon, a Canadian, regularly on its editorial page. Risely is a novelist and writing professor at Snow College. He moved to Spring City from California, in 2003 with his wife, Corey, and his son, Madoc. He and Simmons developed Rizzo to loosely reflect Riseley's life in Sanpete County as a big-city man living in rural Utah. "Rizzo started out as kind of a fish-outof-water thing,*1 Risely said. "It's about a guy from California learning to adjust to living in Utah." Created in April of 2005, the strip has gained a significant following since its conception. It now appears in 21 newspapers "from coast to coast," Riseley says. The Messenger is proud to be the 21 rst paper to run Rizzo, although it took the paper a bit of time to recognize Ris,eley's talent. "It only took me a year to get into the Sanpete Messenger even thoug'h I live in Sanpete," Risely said. One of the more notable Rizzo characters, Bill, is a former mascot for the Raptors, the baseball team from his hometown. Although he was fired from the team, he still wears a dinosaur costume as a symbol of his distaste of change. Countering Bill's aversion to change and dinosaur attitude is the progressive Rizzo character. Interestingly, Riseley and Simmons have never met in person. Simmons started drawing art for Riseley's web site: theliespeopletell.com. "The relationship took off from there," Riseley said. The two are currently working together on seven different comic strips, a number of screenplays and a science fiction novel. Objects to Wal-Martsupport of gay and lesbian Chamber TD THE EDITOR- FDR LETTERS-TD-THE-EDITDR POLICY ED TD WWW.SANPETEMESSENGER.CDM, CLICK ON ' D P I N I D N 5 ' THEN 'LETTERS TD THE EDITOR' Pigeon Hollow location is better choice for fairgrounds Sanpete's population is 24,044 (source: U.S. Census, 2005). Of those, approximately ,65.9 percent,(15,838) or almost two-thirds of the county population, live north of Manti, significantly closer to fairgrounds at Pigeon Hollow, compared to the approximately 34.1 percent (8,206) living from Manti south. Further, 15,049 people (62.6 percent) live within an 11-mile radius of Pigeon Hollow, and 8,843 (36.8 percent) live within an 11-mile radius of Manti. In other words, the Pigeon Hollow area has a nearly 2 to 1 population advantage over Manti. In addition, people living in Indianola, which is three times the popula- tion of Axtell to the south, have to travel 41.06 miles to Manti, whereas Axtell residents have to travel 23.45 miles. The bottom line is that geodemographically, a fairgrounds complex at Pigeon Hollow makes far more sense than continuing to have the fairgrounds in Manti. But those are only a few of the overwhelming number of facts that strongly favor the Pigeon Hollow fairground location over Manti. Unfortunately for many, facts, no matter how persuasive or true, tend to inconveniently get in the way of how people feel. The fairground issue meetings in Gunnison and Manti brought this phenomenon sharply into focus. Interestingly, the arguments for or against moving the fairgrounds ended up being divided almost exactly down the same lines as the population. Those living north of Manti overwhelmingly in favor, those living from Manti south opposed. Caught squarely in the middle, in a no-win situation, are our three county commissioners. Imagine their dilemma. If commissioners Anderson and Blackham, both of whom live in the south, vote to move the fairgrounds, they will be crucified in their home constituencies by the third of county voters who live there. If Commissioner Jarrett, who resides in the north and is up for re-election in November, votes to leave the fairgrounds in Manti, she will face the wrath of the two-thirds of voters in the north who will certainly take commissioners Anderson and Blackham to task in two years if they don't vote to move the fairgrounds. It doesn't take much of a stretch to conclude that this is not a comfortable time in which to be a county commissioner. It appears to me there is only one safe path out of this dispute that will satisfy the people, get our good commissioners off the hook, and maybe put a bancbaid on the political rift that threatens to permanently divide the county over this issue. I call on the county commissioners to place this matter on the ballot as a referendum at the earliest possible time and let the citizens of Sanpete County decide this issue for themselves. The referendum should place the following three options before the voters: 1. Keep the Fairgrounds in its current location in the City of Manti. 2. Place the Fairgrounds at Pigeon Hollow. 3. Place it at a third alternative location designated by the commissioners. Once the issue over location is settled, then we can address the issue of what kind of fairground facilities to build, such as an indoor arena, an auto racetrack, horse training and boarding facilities, and so on. By placing the issue on the ballot, the commissioners completely defuse any argument of geopolitical favoritism. Placing the issue on the ballot is the only fair, politically unbiased and balanced way to keep the issue from growing into a more contentious, corrosive issue that inevitably will alienate a large segment of the population from the respective commissioners and sharply deepen the divide between north and south. Steven J. Clark Chester Editors note: This tetter cial values? By the corporate support of from Rick Lutes ofEphraim was sent to Main Hardy, Manager of and membership in the National Wal-Mart in Ephraim. Lutes Gay and Lesbian Chamber of asked the Messenger to publish Commerce, your leadership increases the divisive agenda of the letter. In light of your employer's such groups. If we were to ask need to oppose a culture based your company to join up and doupon family values and morality, nate huge sums to the Heteroour family will no longer patron- sexual Chamber of Commerce, ize your company or its affiliate we would make national headoperations. While this may only lines due to our insensitivity and mean the loss of SI0,000 per "homophobic" worldviews. We year, do you suppose that there would face ridicule for trying to might be 100 families or more in divide the nation. I clearly believe that their Sanpete County who might take a similar action upon learning of life choices are wrong. However, your corporation's support of that is not at issue here. We are sexual deviance over strong so- all Americans... ."one nation un- derGod" Yes, these people have a right to conduct business, earn a livelihood and enjoy "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and all. However, I am required under God's laws to teach my children fhe difference between right and wrong. In real life, choices have consequences, even for multi-national giant retailers. Please encourage your corporate leadership to revisit the wisdom of this abandonment of the values, which made our nation great. Rick Lutes Ephraim Whether you're starting out with your first car, or moving up, we can help you with your car loans. - Sanpete s low wages and high taxes need to be considered In the Sept. 6 issue of the Sanpete Messenger, Vern Fisher lists a process that needs to proceed regarding moving the fairgrounds to the Pigeon Hollow . Junction. I would like to list other items that need consideration before a decision is made. Through the years Sanpete . County workers have received . some of the lowest wages in the .state. What will happen during the next 10 years? The unemployment rate has always been high. In the year 2000 there were 14 pages of names of people who f could not pay their property taxes. How many will there be this year? The county has all ready bonded the people for a new jail. What will be the increase in property taxes? People on fixed incomes are opposed to a county wide tollfree telephone calling system because it jvill increase their telephone bill and they do not need to call Axtell or Fairview.. Michael Benson, President of Snow College, is concerned about a hike in college tuition and the burden it would place on tax payers. The high price of gasoline has increased the prices on other necessities. How much will the income of people raise to meet the demands? I think Sanpete should be a progressive county, but is this the time to tax people more? Another question: What percentage of Sanpete residents are involved in raising horses or care to attend the events that would take place at the proposed Pigeon Hollow fair site? Let those who are interested build their own facilities. Donna G Brunger Mt. Pleasant Reliable transportation is important. Let us help you move down the road with confidence. Thanks Manti City crews for great job Wejust want to thank the city . a ll look. They do a great job. 'crew for the great way that main We would also like to thank street, the park, and the cemetery them and the county crew for the work they do on the county fair. Thanks again. Bruce Bone Family, Manti Check out _the Messenger online News Opinion lifestyle School Bunincai Sports • sanpetemessenger.com Gunnison Valley Bank Your Locally Owned Bank Member FDIC - Gunnison, Utah 528-7221 We are here to serve you! |