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Show Construction on Johnson Road Begins Feb. 15th Subgrade construction on 4.1 miles of Johnson Canyon Road begins Monday, Feb. 15, said Project Manager Steve Platt of Platt and Platt Engineers, a Cedar City consulting firm. The project is one step toward paving the remaining 10 miles of the long Johnson Canyon Road, said Platt. Kane County Commissioners signed the notice to proceed for the $ 1 1 8 ,000 road improvement project commisat their regular sion meeting Monday, Feb. 8. According to Platt, the 4.1 miles of road work is being financed through county class B road funds. The project includes culvert clearing and installment, dirt work, building up the road grade, clearing the right of way, and widening the road. Stratton Brothers, a Hurricane construction company, won the county contract for the road grading and drainage project on Dec. 7. Platt said they could have started construction then but for frost Now that temperatures have 20-mi- le Fire Dept. Asks For Increased Budget Five Kanab volunteer fire fighters met with Kane County Commissioners at their regular meeting Monday, Feb. 8, to lobby for an increased budget Kanab Fire Chief Mike Noteman told the three commissoners that the fire department needs additional funding in order to continue financ- ing department training and operations. We cant start providing service in one area. Well be expected to provide service in other areas of the county. Its physically impossible, said Commissioner Vince Underwood. He added that a tight budget has tied the commissioners hands when appropriating money for county services. Underwood said that fire protection has long been a concern of the commission but theres nothing we can do since providing countywide protection is financially out of the question. He said he fears that by allotting money to one area in the county, the commission is discriminating against other areas. However, he felt no qualms about matching funds any area or city of the county puts up for fire protection. Noteman suggested one way to distribute money equally to Kane County cities is to offer a sum of money to go toward fire protection services. To recieve the set amount, cities must meet volunteer training requirements set by the county. Noteman also suggested organizing special services districts to help towns and cities raise money for fire departments and fire protection. Fire Fighter Fred Brueck told die commissioners that the Kanab Fire Department should not be penalized monetarily for serving the Kanab area. He explained that by budgeting more money to the department the commission wouldnt be discriminating against other areas since 30 to 50 percent of the fire departments runs are out of the city. He also said the highest dollar loss rate due to fires occurs outside the city limits. We cant go on as matters are now, pleaded Brueck. He said the commissioners must squeeze a little more money into the fire department budget so the department can meet the growing demand for fire protection. You should be coming to us," said Brueck. You should be asking us what you can do to help us. We arc trying to provide protection for every citizen in the county. Its in our interest to serve everybody. Commission Assistant Zachary Bums told the fire fighters, at Underwoods request, that the county commission is not legally required to provide fire protection to county residents. Bums said the ordinance states a county may provide services. Its not mandated, said Bums. Brueck told the commissioners that fire protection is one issue county officials should not hassle over. We have nowhere to go but grow. And, one of the things we look for is fire protection, Brueck said. Underwood said he agreed with Brueck but he hesitated to open Pandoras box. Weve got to treat everybody the same and I dontknow how to do it, he said. Underwood added, Because of the density of population in the county, Ive always known were vulnerable to a lawsuit for double taxation. Were not providing a service for the other people in the county. We cant afford to put a fire department in every city in the county. He added that Kane County consists of 4,000 square feet with 4,800 residents. I know we need to start somewhere, but.." Kane County Attorney Jim S earth suggested that Bums, Brueck and Noteman form a committee to contact county leaders and discuss the fire protection problem. The three agreed to form the committee and the commissioners gave it their go ahead. Come up with a program and some figures and well see how it works into the budget, said Underwood. In other business, the commissioners approved a business license for B.A. Judd Upholstery, located north of Kanab and owned by Brent Judd. The commissioners also ordered Doug and Lucille Ence, owners of Loose Wheels Services, a snowmobile sales, service and rental business in Duck Creek, to purchase a second business licen se for the laundry mat they operate out of their snowmobile business. In their investigation of the Mt. Carmel Motel and Trailer Park, owned by Cleve Esplin, however, the commissioners decided the two businesses were compatible and only one business license was necessary. In final business, the commissioners met with John Strauss of the Utah Parks and Recreation Department from Glen Canyon Recreation Area and Drew Robinson, Kane County assessor. According to Robinson and Strauss, more than 300 boaters d docked at Lake Powell are not purchasing their Utah stickers or paying the required property tax on their boats. boatRobinson said ers who keep their boat docked in Utah for more than 14 days at a time are required to pay property tax on the boat and have a Utah decal. To enforce the tax and sticker law, Strauss and Robinson will send out a joint letter to a list of more than 300 boaters anchored year-roun- d at Wahweap informing them of the Utah law. year-roun- te F investigate adding to the elementarys multipurpose room and add a classroom to the south of the existing building. The board sympathized as Spencer reported how overcrowding was having a negative impact on the elementarys educational plan and success of the school. One course of action open to the Kane School District to battle the growing student population is year-roun- d schools. With this in mind, the board approved installing air conditioning in the Kanab Elementary School and the addition under construction. The board approved the $71,161 expenditure anticipating that year-roun- d schools may be in effect in the Kane District within the next five years, said Kane School District Business ManagerTom Willardson. The board also approved adding painting and carpeting of the Kanab Elementary School corridors at a cost of $7 ,943 and reinstating the down sizing of cabinets that removed $850 from the original bid. The motion was made by Jim Rasmussen, seconded by Robert Ramsay and passed unanimously. In other business, the board heard d, Portland Man Convicted of Robbery A Portland, Oregon man was convicted of aggravated robbery Thursday, Feb.4, by a two-majury in Tenth Circuit Court in Kanab. Anthony Melius, 21, was found guilty of the first degree felony of robbing a convenience store at the junction of U.S. Highway 89 and State Road 1 4 at gunpoint on Dec. 2, 1987. g At the trial, Web Adair, the convenience store attendant ai the time of the robbery, testified that Melius stole a tank of gas, a can of pop, a candy bar and a sandw hich from Tods Junction. Melius used a small handgun in the 4 p.m. robbery, the former Kane County recorder said. Immediately after the robtiery Adair said he contacted the Utah Highway Patrol who picked up Melius nearly an hour later on Cedar Mountain near the Navajo Lake n, day-lon- Farmers and ranchers from this area took part in a Farmer-RanchSeminar sponsored by the Future Farmers of America, Valley Chapter. Grant Esplin of Beaver is shown here making a presentation to the seminar attendees. er New Hours at Post Office turn-of- f. The Kanab Post Office will open each morning one hour later each week day as part of the Postal Services contribution toward reducing the Federal deficit. Effective Feb. 16, hours will be: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. According to Kanab Postmaster Theo McAllister, legislation was passed just before Christmas that mandates the Postal Service cut billion from its budget $1.25 nationwide during fiscal years 1988 and 1989. We were also mandated in what areas we would have to cut, said Postmaster McAllister. Some mon Kane Schools Continue To Struggle With Classroom Overcrowding Lack of classroom space continues to menace the Kane School District. At the school boards regular monthly meeting Thursday, Feb. 4, school teacher Shirl Spencer was present to apprise the board of the space shortage at Valley Elementary School. According to the meeting minutes, Spencer suggested the board Strauss and Robinson hope the boat owners notified will comply with the law. Those jvho dont and are caught without the proper boat stickers while boating on Lake Powell will be ticketed by Strauss. At Scarths request, Strauss will send a copy of the citation to him. Scarth will check to see if the ticketed boater has paid his property tax on the boat against Robinsons records. If not, Scarth will bring charges against the boater. Hopefully, we wont miss anybody this way," said Scarth. warmed, Platt said the moisture condition is conducive to dirt work and construction is underway. According to the terms of their contract, Stratton Brothers have 90 days to complete the 4.1 miles of subgrade work on the Johnson Canyon Road from the end of the pavement to Black Rock Crossing. When the subgrade work is completed, the county hopes to pave the 4.1 miles in August Platt said the paving project will depend on whether or not Kane County receives $400,000 in federal aid secondary road funds to finance the project. If the county gets the the gravel and surfacing contract will be bidded out to contractors. One hitch in the road project still remains. Platt said Kane County has not yet received an official right of way for Johnson Canyon Road. Platt said the county commissioners consider the right of way is in place regardless of the fact that it has never been recorded. They figure its been a public road for so long its theirs anyway. a presentation from Paul Haumont Member Rasmussen for the school ami Roger Carver who are planning to open a restaurant in the now Pietros Italian Restaurant on Center Street in downtown Kanab. The new restaurant, the Hub, will serve liquor. Haumont and Carver said they wished to discuss the ramifications of a liquor license in a restaurant situated within 60 feet of a school. The two restaurannteers told the board a public hearing will be held on the issuing of the license. They also reviewed the Utah liquor regulations with the board. Kanab High School student Tammy Hinote was present to request an early release from school. The board approved her request since shes completed all the requirements and obtained Principal John Alands recommendation. An irrigation system fo the Kanab High School was also studied by the board. The possibile necessity of using a water pump to boost pressure and eliminate some of the risers was discussed. The item was then tabled until further information can be gathered. Asbestos abatement was considered. Board Member Ramsay made a motion to invite Dick Hamblin to attend training sessions in Salt Lake City next week on asbestos abatement and management Superintendent Nils Bayles was given authority by the board to appoint an alternate to attend the Salt Lake meetings in Hamblin s piace if he choose not to go. A motion was made by Board district to sponsor a drug awareness program administered by Southwest Utah Mental Health. The program will involve teacher and community training. A matching $2,000 payment will be made to Southwest Utah Menial service Health for the drug and other services throughout the year. The board approved Rasmussens motion. In final business, the board decided programs in media, for gifted and talented students, management training and travel may be toe best way to use block grant funds. Lastly, toe board scheduled a special work meeting for Thursday, Feb. 25, to tackle a reduction in force policy and goals. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. and will be held in toe district offices. The next school board meeting is scheduled for March 3. pre-gra- ey must come from capital expen ses, which will postpone the contruction of many new post offices and will eliminate a great deal of our equipment purchases. "We are also to make cuts in our operating expenses. Weve worked to minimize the effects these cuts will have on our customers, and in fact, two thirds of the cuts will be absorbed in ways that will not affect service. "But many offices, including ours, have to adjust our window hours by about 10 percent." according to the postmaster. "In lad. hat is a good idea. But we receive no tax dollars, and feel that since postal operating funds come from the ratepayers, the Postal Service must be able to use those funds to the full benefit of the I ratepayer." The postmaster during December the proposed to be taken Federal budget, as it added that Postal Service off the unified was from 1974 be Postmaster McAllister added that while he had to cut window hours, he hopes cutting back early will be the least disruptive to customers. "We have no problem with toward making a contribution reducing the Federal deficit, No Grand Jury To Be Called in Kane to 198(. "Because of differences in ac counting methods, organizations on lie unified federal budget do not have the flexibility to meet changing business needs, and as a business, it's important for us to be able to do so. It's our hope that Congress will once again take us off the budget. Well still be accountable because wed still be subject to the same oversight committees, but il would make better business sense." I Delivery of mail will not affected, said the postmaster. Sentencing for Melius was set for March 4. He faces a prison term of five years to life. The District Court, alter statu lory Grand Jury hearing on January 8, 1988, is of the opinion that a Grand Jury should not be called in Kane County. No evidence was received that law enforcement has failed or that there is any malfeasance in public office in Kane County. Dated this 1st day of February, 1988. s Don V. Tibbs, District Judge. Fire Protection Discussed; 'Jaws of Life' to be Purchased For Fredonia Rescuers Fire protection and the Jaws of Life were discussed by the Fredonia Town Council when they met at their regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2. According to the meeting minutes, Councilman Mark Baron said there are 1 1 active members of the Fredonia Fire Department. New officers were elected by toe department members in January. Baron said the council needs to approve the new appointments at their next town meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 16. Baron said the eight new fire officials are Kenny Burch, chief; Mark Baron, assistant chief; Steve McLemore, first captain; Bruce Grange, second captain and training officer; Tom Newell, first lieutenant; Darrell Anderson, second lieutenant; and Andy Ceballos, secretary-treasurer. A banquet for the Fredonia Fire Department is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 26, at the Travelers Inn Restaurant just off U.S. Highway 89 A. Former Fredonia fire chiefs will be honored at toe banquet. The Jaws of Life, an extricating tool used rescue passengers from wrecked vehicles, will be purchased by the Arizona Department of Public Safety for use on the Fredonia Fire Departments brush truck and by the Fredonia and Coconino County police departments. Fire Department T raining Officer Bruce Grange will help coordinate fire fighters and police training on toe new tool. Before closing his remarks to the council, Baron also reported the Emergency Medical Technician class now in progress needs four sets of EMT textbooks paid for by the town. He said the check must be dated Feb. 2. The town council turned its attention to the question of bonding to finance a municpal building, the medical center and a fire house. A financial advisor and attorney were present to distribute bonding information materials to the council. The council scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, Feb. 9, to discuss and set up a bond election to finance the three proposed buildings. The meeting was scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Fredonia Library. The results of the bond election meeting were not available at press time Tuesday morning. Another meeting was scheduled by the town council to discuss zoning completion and a town map update. The special meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 17 in the town offices. At toe meeting a zoning board and commission will be appointed. The town council also scheduled Monday, Feb. 22 as the date lor Councilman Dean Heaton and Mayor Dixie Judd to meet with Smithy Covey concerning Hood control. In other business, the council met with Jim Willis, superintendent of the Kanab Power Company. Willis presented the council with a draft of an agreement between Fredonia and Kanab. The town council told Willis they were concerned about overloading the substation. They requested that not more than two mega watts be promised to Kanab unless a great emergency arises. Both Willis and the council agreed that the border meter is okay as is. In final business, the council ordered letters to Mohave Community College be sent requesting information about Town Liability Insurance and Stale Health Department regulations. The council said EMT and a Certificate of Necessity need to be prepared in order to organize a Fredonia ambulance serv ice. by-la- |