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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Opinion WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2, 1998 I read in the SUN last week that gas prices have gone down 18 cents a gallon since last Thanksgiving. The article also states the e average gasoline price in the state of Utah at the pumps is $1.12 per gallon. They apparently havent been through Kanab! In my travels, Ive noticed that gas prices in St. George and Hurricane are as low as 97 cents per gallon. Page was actually down to 88 cents per gallon, but they were having a gas war! Now isnt Page a lot farther for the distributors to travel to deliver gasoline? Isnt that the excuse our local gas station owners give us for the high price of gasoline in this town? And another thing, at our recent elections, Joe Judd was reelected as County Commissioner. I remember that part of his campaign platform was that he had gotten our county 1.5 million dollars from all his travels to Washington, D.C. I personally would like to know where it is, how much it cost us, and what the stipulations are attached to this big windfall? I also understand that our County Commissioners had to cut their budget to make it balance. Does this mean that certain commissioners wont be traveling to Washington, D.C. as often? Does this also mean that they wont be paying certain consultants as much as in the past? Just what have these certain consultants done for the county, for all the money that has been paid to them? If the Kane Plex is any example, I dont think we are getting our moneys worth. And what about our Sheriffs latest blowup? Is he Congressman going to the same school of charm as Merrill Cook? Regarding this campaign for Home Shopping, which I think is an excellent idea, the vast majority of merchants and their employees are very friendly and helpful when you walk into their place ofbusiness. However, there are a few merchants who wont even give you the time of day, a smile, or even a simple hello when you walk in. Come on guys at least smile and say hello or happy holidays! I also noticed in last weeks paper a letter to the editor stating that they miss the Highway Patrol report by Trooper Whitaker. Word has it, since quotes from his column appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune, his boss won't let him write it anymore. What gives? Well, these are just a few of the questionson my mind. If you feel the same, or have some questions of your own, write them to the SUN, and just maybe if enough of us ask, we just might get some answers. Have a safe and happy holiday! self-serv- re-elect- ed Letters to the Editor months turns out to be only back: Kane County: Paula fifteen and the law takes ex- Swapp, Kimberly Swapp, Shan- ception to that. Maybe you celebrated your recent promotion with one too many drinks and hit someone on the way home. In this case, it is manslaughter, whether it was an accident or not. Im not saying that all criminals are innocent, I am just saying the line between being a law abiding citizen and I a criminal can sometimes be very thin. A better solution to criminal What is your opinion? This newspaper welcomes opinions from its rehabilitation can begin with a readers concerning any subject. Anything of a libelous nature or fixed sentence, humane treatdefamation of character will not be considered for publication. ment during the period of punPlease limit your letters to 300 words or less. Letters must be signed ishment, and an active rehabiliand include your full name, address and telephone number. Thank tation program during and after release. you for your interest. A better solution? Dear Editor: A short time ago there was a letter in the paper concerning prisoners in the local jail. This person took exception to the Jail Commanders concern for prisoners sleeping on the floor because oflack of space. The writer stated that the treatment is exactly what they deserved, considering they were criminals. This writer has a right to his opinion and to a certain point he is correct. I can understand his frustration with the escalating crime rate and a desire for more severe punishment as a detriment to crime. A question arises of what is appropriate punishment for crimes. The lowest level of pun ishment is reprimands and fines. Next is incarceration and finally, in severe cases, death. We consider ourselves, collectively as human beings, to be a compassionate and humane people. Incarceration in itself can be a crushing experience and can never be fully appreciated until experienced. Being caged is so devastating that many have claimed to prefer death to being in jail. We might look at the criminal and say, There but for the grace of God go I. Here are a few scenarios worth thinking about. Your neighbors young daughter tells her father that you fondled her and suddenly you are in jail, guilty or not. Or perhaps the lovely girl you have gone with for the last three non Walker, Dr. Howard Ro- berts, Larry Jackson, Anna Nielsen, Brandi Serafin, Lisa Reddick, Neidra Welch, Janice Esplin, and Judy Vachen. Garfield County Jema Mitchell, Chris Gilbert, Coleen Comp, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sharon Sawyer, and Donald Mangum. Clint Nielsen Kanab Southern Utah News AAA Deadlines AAA FRIDAY 1 PM Floyd D. Norskog Kanab The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. 0049-165is published every N. at Main 26 Utah . SUNews serves 84741 The St., Kanab, Wednesday Kane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Address communications to 26 N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 . ortelephone Fax rates available Second Class Advertising upon request. at Utah 84741 . Newsstand price is 50$ per copy. postage paid Kanab, Yearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia and 9) Census 2000 Dear Editor: A couple of months ago, I was asked to be Crew Leader for the Census 2000 for Garfield and Kane Counties. I hired 17 listers at random from a list of scorers and scores off a list provided me by the regional office in Denver, Colorado...a risky business at best, hiring people sight unseen over the phone. At a meeting on November 18th in St. George, bringing this phase of the census to a close, Kane and Garfield Counties were thanked for the speed and accuracy of their work. I would like to give the following listers a public pat on the 435-644-290- 0, 435-644-292- 6. Moccasin, Arizona, $22; others $30 (out of U.S. $50). The SUNews reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. Carol SuilivanLaurali Noteman Dennis and Dixie Brunner Kanab News Publishers and Editor Myrna Cox Sharlotte Brewer Production Staff Dillcn Cunningham AdvertisingProduction Postmaster. Send change of address cards to - 26 N. Main St, Kanab, UT 84741 Glendale News Barb KimbailLori S. Mohr Corrigan Fredonia News Margaret Sorensen Orderviile News Barbara Pyles Feature Writer |