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Show Cyan Magenta Yellow Black A2 Sanpete Messenger-Gunnison Valley Edition Oil (Continued from A1) potential road maintenance costs. The permit will allow the company to move forward with the process of applying for a permanent conditional-use permit from the county’s planning and zoning commission, should the well become operational. In another matter before— and about—the commission, Manti resident and Concerned Citizens of Sanpete County leader Kay Crane asked the commissioners about the “gentlemen’s agreement” regarding the makeup of the commission. Under the unspoken, informal agreement, there is one commissioner from the north end of the county, one from the southern end, and one from the central portion. Sanpete County Attorney Ross Blackham said the “gentleman’s agreement” has never been legally binding. He referred to it as a “custom,” and said that there had been times when all of the three areas were not represented on the commis- sion. Crane said she had heard a rumor that some people wanted to change the commission from three members to five members. Blackham explained that to do that a group of citizens would have to petition the commission to study the issue, and it would take an election just to approve the study. If voters approved, an impartial group would be impaneled to study the matter and to submit a recommendation on which type of government the county should have, of those allowed under Utah statute. Then, to make the change, another election would have to be held. He said the process was specifically laid out in state law and he figured it would take about two years. Neither the commissioners nor Blackham said they had ever been approached with such a proposal. Crane also asked if the Sanpete County Fair was on for this year. Commissioner Mark Anderson gave an emphatic “yes,” and added that all major contracts had been signed. However, he explained that the county had lost its chairman of 20 years, Brad Bown, and hadn’t found a replacement. Crane asked if the county could use volunteers, and Anderson said volunteers are always needed. In other discussion, Brooke Bouwhuis, representing Wind Walker Learning Center, Wind Walker Guest Ranch and Heaven On Earth Festival, requested a “mass gathering” permit and a temporary special event permit to sell beer at a bluegrass festival at the Wind Walker ranch. She said her goal is to attract over 200 people for the event. She has arranged for a beer garden that would be in a controlled area. Bouwhuis said she has already arranged for security through the Sheriff’s Office. Organizers are also planning entertainment from a Native American group along with art workshops and art displays. In other commission busi- ness, Inouye asked if the Gunnison Valley Hospital property owned by some doctors is listed as tax exempt. The commissioners consulted with County Assessor Ken Bench, who showed them that most of property is tax exempt under the Gunnison Hospital Special Service District. Nonetheless, the commission had questions and authorized Inouye to investigate further. In another matter, a landowner requested help to close access to his property to ATVs. Keith Larsen said he owns land by the dumpsite in Mayfield, and this is a “sand box” for riders. He said he has closed off his land, but his fences get cut, knocked down and burned. He said he couldn’t keep livestock on his land because of the problem. The commissioners said the BLM is already considering closing off its land around the area to this type of activity, and Commissioner Claudia Jarrett referred him to the county’s access committee for help. Democrats hope to gain numbers from disillusioned Republicans By John Hales Managing editor Sanpete County Democratic Party leaders say they are hoping for a larger turnout when they hold their party convention next week than they had at recent caucus meetings. Attendance at both Republican and Democratic caucuses was low, but the already low numbers of Democrats in Sanpete made attendance at those caucuses appear dismal. “ We h a d a m u c h b e t ter turnout for the caucuses a couple years ago,” said Jill Hansen, Sanpete County Democratic Party chair. But then, she said, there was a lot of interest in local Democrats running in various races. Now, however, “there’s just not a whole lot going on locally for the Democrats,” Hansen said. The only local Democrat running at all is Claude Pickett, Ephraim, who is running for a seat on the Sanpete County Commis- sion. The low turnout at the caucuses gave rise to concerns that Sanpete’s Democratic Party might not have a full slate of delegates to go to the state convention next month. So, Hansen is trying to get out the message that there is still time for local Democrats to sign up to be state delegates. “Even if they didn’t go to the caucuses, they can still come to the county convention. The [state] delegates will be chosen there,” Hansen said. “If you aren’t a county delegate, you won’t be able to vote at the county convention,” she said. “But you can still attend the county convention and put your name in to be a state delegate.” The low caucus turnout notwithstanding, Hansen said there is a bit more interest in the Democratic Party itself this year from non-Democrats. “I’ve had Republicans talk to me about what Democrats believe in because there’s a lot of disillusionment with the current [Bush] administration. They’re just wondering what the options are,” Hansen said. Hansen says she hopes to draw such people, as well as standard Democrats, to the county’s Democratic convention on Tuesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at the Sanpete County Courthouse. She says one draw should be the keynote speaker at the convention, Billie Gay Larson. Larson is the chair of the Utah Democratic Women’s Caucus, and worked for 10 years as an aide to the late s p e a k e r o f t h e h o u s e , Ti p O’Neill. She will speak about her years in Washington, and about what Democrats can do in the next few years to make a difference for the better. Also attending the convention, Hansen said, will be Toby Dillon, Tooele, the only Democrat running for the Utah Senate’s District 24 seat currently held by Sen. Darrin Peterson (R-Nephi), who is not running for re-election. Hansen expects Dillon to speak about his views on issues important to Sanpete residents. A representative from the Democratic Party’s state office will address the convention about “the latest good news for our state in our party,” Hansen said. Others who may appear, though these have yet to be confirmed, are Ed Phillips, running for the Utah House of Representatives, District 68; Bennion Spencer, running for U.S. House of Representatives from the Third District; gubernatorial candidate Bob Springmeyer; and Jean Hill, candidate for Utah Attorney General. Hansen said persons interested in becoming a delegate to the state convention—to be held on May 10 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake—are welcome to call her and then attend next week’s county convention. Hansen can be reached at 835-4200. Important Public Notice Information Center for the Hard of Hearing Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Gunnison Good News By Karen Prisbrey 528-7710 GUNNISON—Did you happen to catch any of the shenanigans on April 1 as the Sanpete Search and Rescue took over the KMTI radio station? Those men always manage to inspire the best of Sanpete residents to contribute to this fine organization. Most of us don’t stop to think of all the hours these men dedicate to the organization away from their families, or their out of pocket expenses for equipment. We only seem to acknowledge their dedication when they are called on for assistance in an emergency. Today I’d like to say thanks to all of them for their extraordinary efforts in the behalf our communities. We have learned that Larry and Rolane Andreason and son Mitch were involved in an accident a couple of weeks ago out by Sigurd and totaled their car. It seems an elderly gentleman pulled out into the highway right in front of them. All of the Andreasons received minor injuries in the accident. We hope all of you are all feeling better. Congratulations to Mike Neal and Travis Roberts who took honors at the Alta High School Weight Lifting tournament a couple of weeks ago. Heston established a new state record in the power clean with 300 pounds, and went on too win his entire weight class. Travis won the 181 pound weight class bench press with 320 pounds. Travis took third place in the 181 weight class. The Learning Center at ACT sponsored a benefit dance for the Relay For Life Cancer Drive on Friday, April 4 at the High School Middle gym. A small group of people enjoyed dancing to the music played by KMTI personality J.D. Fox. A tasty selection of refreshments was served to those who attended the event. I understand ACT will host several additional activities in support of Cancer research, culminating on June 27-28 with the second annual Relay For Life Give Cancer the Boot activity. Be sure to watch for and support these events. Congratulations to Kathleen D. Bartholomew, who celebrated her 80th birthday on April 6 with her husband John and their six children, their spouses, most of their 33 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Kathleen helped her son Keith at the old K&J Department store for many years before it closed, and was especially helpful in obtaining quilting supplies for women of the valley. Birthday wishes are also extended to Elizabeth Jenkins who also celebrated her special day on April 6. Elizabeth had a busy weekend with her children and grandchildren randomly popping in to spend time with her. Elizabeth is a sweet little lady with beautiful grey hair and sparkling blue eyes who spends a few hours each week dusting and straightening shelves at Valley Builders. Blaine Prisbrey also celebrated his birthday on April 6 and enjoyed spending time with his sons Dennis and Devin, their wives and children. He also received many phone calls from family and friends. We hope you had a wonderful birthday, Blaine. Blaine has closed another chapter in his life by retiring from his job at Gunnison City, although he still maintains his crossing guard duties at the elementary school. Blaine feels good about the many things he accomplished while working for the city. He will miss his visits with people at the park and cemetery, but I’m going to keep him so busy with “honey do” projects he won’t have time to think about it too much. Happy Birthday wishes to everyone who celebrated their special day during the last week. If you have a special someone you’d like to have mentioned in my column on their special day, or other news, give me a call and let’s get the word out. Call me at 528-7710. Don’t miss the last concert in this years’ series of concerts presented by the Casino Star Theatre Foundation and the Utah Arts Council tonight Wednesday, April 9 at the Gunnison Valley High School auditorium at 7 p.m. with classical guitarist Michael Lucarelli. Don’t forget about the tree planting effort that will take place on the Sanpitch River Walk at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, in conjunction with the TreeUtah grant that was awarded to the city. Lots of help will be needed to complete this project. The annual “Spring Runoff Marathon” is this Saturday, April 12 beginning at 8 a.m. Join in the fun and comraderie of this special event by signing up at the park beginning at 7:30 a.m. For more information call Shannon Jensen at 528-3797. Fundraising If you have hearing loss due to working around loud noise, you may be entitled to FREE hearing aids. You owe it to yourself and family to find out if you qualify. Call the Information Center, toll free, 866-991-9398, or visit www.hearinghealth4u.com Do it today. www.SanpeteMessenger.com Sanpete news online! (Continued from A1) “Some years we’ve had some be slower. Several of them ran clear out of product, which is unusual.” The money raised, said Deuel, will go toward annual charges for pagers, maintenance on equipment, and some will be set aside for a planned expansion of the Search and Rescue building in Mt. Pleasant. Deuel said the Search and Rescue is busier than most people realize. For example, he said, the crew carried out three rescues in one day alone—at the same time, in fact—on the opening day of the deer hunt last year. Visitors from outside Sanpete account for most of the organization’s activity. “About 90 percent of actual rescues are people from out of the county,” he said, who are overzealous in 4-wheeling or snowmobiling and get themselves in situations they can’t get out of.” Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Jamee Wheelwright, 150 East College Ave. Box 1019, Ephraim, Utah 84627 or call (435) 283-7376. Idea + Innovation = Income … We can show you how! The FastTrac NewVenture training program will help turn your business idea into reality! Sponsored by the Utah Small Business Development Center at Snow College, Zions Bank and the Sanpete County Economic Development Office, this nationally recognized program shows how to assess, fine tune and implement your idea for business success. Register by April 10. |
