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Show Rumors Aired in Executive Session Kane County Commissioners met in an executive session for four hours Monday, Feb. 22, to address allegations of personnel upheavels in the Kane County Sheriff s Office. According to Commissioner Donald Fyfe, the executive session was called as a result of an article that appeared in the Sunday edition of the Sl Qeorge newspaper. The Daily Spectrum . In the article, reporter Rick Guldan reported that Sheriff Joseph Gonzales was conducting an investigation into the misconduct of jailer John Bettfreund and dispatcher Lynn Evans. Guldan reported that jail insid se ed Vol. 57, No. 18 - ers accused Bettfreund of sexually and mentally harassing female employees and Evans of sexually and mentally harassing Charles Ford, a state inmate who was housed in the Kane County Jail until January of this year. During the executive session, the three Kane County Commissioners interviewed Sheriff Gonzales, sheriffs office personnel, Kane County J ustice of the Peace Dennis Mosdell and several other Kane County officials and employees. It was all very confusing, said Commissioner Fyfe in a later interview with the Southern Utah News. He explained that the commissioners heard four hours of conflicting Thursday, February 25, 1988 testimony and it was difficult to seperate fact from rumor. He added that when rumors circulate it is nearly impossible to get to the source. However, at the end of the four hours, the three commissioners ordered Kane County Clerk Kathy Chamberlain to make an official entry into the meeting minutes Part of the entry reads that the commissioners met with various county individuals and thoroughly interviewed them. It is noted that some procedural discrepancies were discovered which the sheriff has addressed and corrected. When asked if the commissioners discovered Guldans article to be the result of personality conflicts ballooning into accusations, Fyfe replied, You could put that interpretation on it." Fyfe added that no one was on trial during the executive session. He said the commissioners simply did an awful lot of listening. Fyfe also said that in the executive session the commissioners tried to protect the rights of the individuals involved and above all the rights of the county. The matter has not been dropped, said Fyfe. However, with patience, the issue should be cleaned up. He also said the executive session did help to clear the air. - Kanab, Utah 84741 - Single Copy 25c SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS publisher, Marlin Brown (left), received the Master Editor and Publisher Award from Howard Stahlie, fellow publisher. The presentation was made at the opening breakfast of the Utah Press Association Annual Convention held in St George last weekend. The placque reads: Master Editor, Publisher Award of the Utah Press Association presented to Marlin B. Brown. He has worked hard, lived honorably, thought soundly, influenced unselfishly and is entitled to the highest honor in his profession." Brown has been publisher of the Southern Utah News since April 1966. He responded to the audience that anyone who can stay with a weekly newspaper for over 20 years and still keep a semblence of sanity deserves the award. He also expressed appreciation to his family and other workers at the business who have helped so much over the years. Council Adopts Richards Announces Candidacy New Zoning Map and Ordinances In special meeting called Wednesday, Feb. 17, the Fredonia Town Council met to adopt the towns new zoning map. According to the meeting minutes, the council reviewed the zoning map and passed a resolution adopting it with certain amendments. In the same resolution, the Mobile Park and Recreational Vehicle Park regulations were adopted into the towns new zoning ordinance. The council noted that residents need to know that from this point on they must have their plans for buildings and septic tanks approved by the building inspector before proceeding with construction.-- . If residerts do not comply with the new ordinance they may not be issued a permit The council also appointed a Board of Adjustments and a Planning and Zoning Commission to facilitate the new zoning ordinance. Penny Cluff, Gene Heaton, and Veldon Judd were appointed by the council to the new Board of Adjustments. A town councilman will also be appointed to serve on this board. Linda Guymon, Robin Button, Lawrence Michalsky, Ed Sullivan and Kim Judd were appointed to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission. A meeting will be scheduled soon to orientate the new board members on the function of the two boards and their duties as board members. John Willie, town planner, will instruct the board members. In other business, Mayor Dixie Judd ordered an investigation into the business permits uf the various wood sellers in Freuoma. Mont Griffiths received permission to use the Fredonia Softball Field for girls softball teams. Councilman Dean Heaton motioned to purchase a small refrigerator for the employees working in the Fredonia Library basement. The motion was seconded by Councilman Mark Baron. The council passed the motion unanimously. In final business, the council restop be installed quested a four-wa- y at the intersection of 100 East and Brown Streets. Flagstaff, Ariz., resident Joe conino Sheriffs office, under his direction, has diligently sought after state and federal grants to help finance and subsidize diversified law enforcement programs in the county. Of these grants, Richards press release mentioned the State Lake Improvement Fund that instituted a boating law enforcement program on Lake Powell. He said these funds provide salaries and operating expenses for an officer and patrol boat Richards recently announced his intention to seek as Coconino County Sheriff. It has been a privilege to serve the people of Coconino County as Sheriff, said Richards. He was quoted in a campaign press release saying, With the continuous population growth in northern Arizona, the demands for law enforcement services have in- creased dramatically. At the same time, reduced revenues have required us to do more with fewer dollars. We have utilized alternative funding sources as a way to help offset budget cutbacks and provide effective law enforcement Grants from the Criminal Justice Enhancement Fund have been used to subsidize county revenues in several areas. Richards, 51, added that the Co- - county Jail Division continue to increase and overcrowding makes jail operations much more diffi- Weed Sprayer Hired Weed spraying and financing for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center were discussed at the Kane County Commissioners regular meeting Monday, Feb. 22. Commissioner Jay Ramsay reported to the other two commissioners that Doug Heaton was hired by the county to spray white top and five-coun- ty cult scotch thistle weeds growing in the county. Ramsay said the noxious weeds growing on private and public lands across the county will be sprayed beginning in March. The weed spraying program will continue until August or whenever the job is complete. Well start spraying as soon as the weeds start growing, said Ramsay. He added that Heaton is committed to the spraying job up until the time of the timber harvast when he will be employeed cutting trees. In the case that Heaton will not be able to complete the spraying job, the commissioners agreed to request Virgil Anderson, also certified to spray weeds, to be on call to finish up the county spraying if need be. Ramsay also reported that Heaton will be employed by the county to also repair the lights on the spray truck, a hydrolic piston causing the spray pump to lose pressure and rebuild the spray trucks brakes. Ramsay noted that the spraying job is difficult to accomplish since white top and scotch thistle seeds have a two year germination period. One year (the spraying) seems to have really effective and the next year there is a big infestation, said Ramsay of the spraying program. Ramsay noted that the Bureau of Land Management subsidizes the county for spraying weeds on BLM land. Dr. Gene Chaffin, Neil Smith and Joan Kalpakoff of the Southwest Utah Mental Health (SWUMH) discussed financing a new alcohol rehabilitation center to be located in Cedar City. Chaffin, director of SWUMH, said the current facility is center This treatment inadequate. called Horizon House, also in Cedar City, can treat three women and eight men at a time. Chaffin said more women could be treated there for alcohol abuse if the facility were better equiped. In order to meet the demand for alcohol treatment, Chaffin said SWUMH must find a larger facility. Leasing or purchasing a building to house the new upgraded treatment center has been researched and abandoned said Chat-lifive-coun- ty 11-b- 15-b- ed players Allen Orton (No. 22), Richard Skaggs (No. 14) and Jim Lyons (No. 42) surround this Wayne Badger during their first game of the Round Robin wMch was held in Kanab last weekend and wi continue this weekend Kanab won this game to advance in the championship bracket while the Badger were sent to the consolation side. See a roundup of the last weekend on pagefve. KANAB COWBOY n. He explained that a h search for a new location has not been successful Potential locations four-mont- see Rehabilitation, page 2 program provides business security, homeowner protection and drug resistance. In the press release, Richards commends his officers for maintaining a positive working relationship with other Arizona law enforcement agencies. This team concept provides savings to all the participating agencies while providing a higher level of service to the community, he said. Richards also noted that the Criminal Investigation Divisions track record was exemplary. He said the divisions has successfully solved major felony cases while experiencing a significant increase in cases investegated by our detectives. He added, Joint agency operations have led to the arrests of several major burglary theft rings and the successful recovery of more than $3.5 million in property. Richards said the demands of the JOE RICHARDS in the Glen Canyon Recreational Area. Through monies from the Criminal Justice Enhancement Fund, Richards said a Crime Prevention Officer was hired. This officer works with businesses, homeowner groups, and public schools. His He did not state whether or not he could offer a solution to the overcrowding problem. He did say, however, that he intends to continue our efforts to comply with federal court directives in a facility that regularyl houses up to 190 inmates but was designed to house only 150. Patroling rural northern Arizona in another challenge facing the Sheriff s Department, according to Richards. He said his offices has made great strides to improve its patrol coverage and service in rural Coconino County. Richards, who has 27 years of law enforcement experience in Coconino County under his belt, served 12 years as Coconino Deputy Dixie Leavitt Throws Hat Into State Senate Ring Never has southern Utah needed experienced and proven representation in the Utah Senate more than it will during the next four years. The demand on limited government resources is at an high. Frankly, if our interests are to be protected, we must have proven, effective representation." Those were the words of Sidney Atkin, former Washington and Kane County legislator from St. George, in introducing former Utah Senator Dixie Leavitt who announced that he will seek election to the seat he left after three terms to seek the governorship. According to a press release from Leavitts campaign office, Leavitt was persuaded to enter the Senate race by a coalition of local elected officials and community leaders. I am moved by the peoples support and am very much enthused about the prospects of serving southern Utah again in the Utah legislature," Leavitt announced. Atkin said Leavitts experience as majority leader of the senate and the existing respect of legislators statewide should make him able to effectively represent all of southern Utah immediately. In addition to his 12 years as a State Senator, Leavitt spent two years in the Utah House of Representatives. Prior to being senate majority leader for four years Leavitt held the positions of leader and assistant minority majority leader. He served as a member of Legislative Management Commit e tee, Legislative Executive Commit- tee, and Executive Appropriations Committee. Leavitt was the sponsor of more than 100 successful bills including legislation creating Utah's present system of governance for higher education, a legislative package Sheriff and 15 years as Sheriff. In his Richards said he enjoys jogging and physical fitness. He oil paints, hikes, skis and rides horses. He and his wife, Marilyn, have four daughters. off-tim- e, Fredonia Cuts Power Rates 10 Fredonia electric power consumers can expect a 10 percent decrease in their monthly power bill. According to the minutes of the Fredonia Town Council meeting held Tuesday, Feb. 16, the council voted to cutrates across the board. The 10 percent rate decrease comes one year after the town condemed and California Pacific National began functioning as a muncipal power company in January of 1987. The rate decrease becomes effective Tuesday, March 1. Councilman Mark Baron made the motion to reduce the rates. Mayor Dixie Judd seconded the motion. All council members voted in favor of the rate reduction except for Dean Heaton who abstained. In other power business, Councilman Heaton reported on the Utility Board meeting held two weeks ago. According to the minutes, Heaton said the boards concerns centered around a line loss problem. He explained that Fredonia is being charged at the border. Other concerns w ere the w heeling and transformation rate contract with Kanab, the monies to be relumed by Deseret G&T, and home services that must be upgraded by property owners to meet code Heaton reported that the board also favored meters by the pallet to save and to divide meters with Kanab. Other upcoming board projects include establishing a route for the construction of new lines and compiling projections and plans for future projects. Mayor Judd announced the upcoming primary election for two council seats slated for March 15. The election will be held in the Fredonia Town-Count- y Building from 6 a.m to 7 p.m. Judd said she and Fredonia resi- dents Chester Cluff, Zelma Johnson, and C. Paul McCormick are candidates for the two vacancies. Judds and Charlie Glaspie council seats are up for election. Glaspie is not running for A bond election for money to complete the MedicalSocial Services Center and finance the addition of offices and council chambers to the Fredonia Library will also be held on March 15. The bond is equal to six percent of the assessed evaiutation of Fredonia 000. or Energy Fuels Nuclear, Inc. presented a check to the town of Fredonia for $1 ,400 to help finance the completion of the medical center. Mayor Judd presented the check to the council for Energy Fuels. The council gratefully accepted the donation and extended their gratitude and thanks to the mining company. After the presentation, Judd spoke for the council saying the town will be happy to accept any donation of money, materials or service to go toward the completion See Fredonia , pg. 7 $1, DIXIE LEAVITT Natural known as the Utah Resource Development Act which was needed as the forerunner of the Kaparowitz, Alton coal fields, and other natural resource development projects. see Leavitt, page 2 |
