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Show f SNOWPACK Continued from page I srSM' vvgw-yy.- the rammer water supply. Right now there are no guarantees, with unpredictable mother nature anythingcan j happen. I i j,i n s Western Park in Vernal I ,i r- - UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. January 15. 2002- - Page 3 i ! il- -r. .1 1 1 Annual Uintah Basin Water Conference set for Jan 29-3- 0 14th i CENSUS Continued from page 1 as a Smart Site. Smart Sites are technologically innovative locationswithin a county that allow companies to outsource work for national and international companies in areas such as software testing, technical call centers, database management, data entry and web site development. However, until the solutions significantly help lower the poverty rate, childrens advocates worry about proposed further cuts in programs poor. Last month Republican lawmakers voted against tapping the states rainy day hind to balance the budget in favor of cuttinggovem-men- t programs and laying off more state employees. Some fear these decisions will significantly affect the upcoming legislative budget session and adversely affect programs helping the state's poor children. In addition to the children livingat or below poverty levels, it is estimated that 176,000 Utah children live in working-poo- r families, or about 26 percent, compared to the national rate of 23 percent. Working poor is defined as a family having an income less than twice the federal poverty level, with a least one parent working 50 or more weeks per year. The poverty rates are calculated using food stamp recipient records, federal individual income tax returns, and results from the March 1999 Current Population Survey in which respondents answered questions about 1998 income. serv-ingUta- ROBISON Continued from page 1 staying in Salt Lake to be with Larry. Its this attitude of caring that the Robison family says has been wonderful. Larrys surgeon came to visit him on Christma Day, bringinghima CD and a CD player. A Good Samaritan, someone Larry didn't even know, brought him a plush stuffed moose. Mark Robison ia overwhelmed with the kindness shown his son. I cant say enough. I dont know what to say about it, he said. Every person here is fantastic. And, happily, Larry agreed. THE OATH OF OFFICE Newly elecfed Duchesne City Council member elecfed Nancy Wager is sworn in by Duchesne City Recorder Joan Foy. Newly looks on. Clint Park . mayor Legislature seeks public input in budget process Following a decade of revenue surpluses, the Utah Legislature is faced with the difficult challenge of turning a projected $200 million revenue shortfall into a balanced budget. This years budget process will be significantly different,'' said Senate Executive Appropriations Chair BeLeonard Blackham, cause we dont want budget adjustments to harm Utahns physical or we are asking economic for even greater participation from state agency directors, interested parties and the public. Blackham stressed the importance of informed individuals participating in the budget process and pointing out areas where savings are possible. Senate President A1 Mansell, said the Legislature doesnt want to reduce agency budgets to the point where public safety is compromised or educator effectiveness is jeopardized. However, when 87 percent of Utahs tax revenues ire committed to four areas education, health and human services, law enand forcement and transportation the state ia anticipating receiving $300 million less in tax revenues, some difficult decisions will have to be made. To make those necessary adjustments, Blackham said legislators will gather six days over the next two weeks in meetings to thoroughly review budget concerns and discuss legislative issues. The General Session starts Jan. 21 and n k was schedtiie k uled to compensate for the period the Legislature adjourns for the Olympics. well-bein- g, Pre-Sessi- two-wee- Pre-Sessio- two-wee- Thinldng Out Loud Blackham said, Legislators want to fully understand the economic impact of proposed budget adjustments from the governor and Legislative Fiscal Analysts Office. Our hope is that state agencies, interested parties and thepublic will work closely with these Appropriation Subcommittees to effectuate reasonable adjustments, resulting in s balanced budget, without dramatically impacting Utahns lives. Blackham said, Despite a national economic slowdown compounded by the events of 911, Utah's economy is projected to keep going and keep growing. Blackham said Utah is not even close to suffering the financial pain some other states are experiencing. Some of the recently released budget shortfalls for other states include Arizona at $1.5 billion, Minnesota at $2 billion, Virginia at $1 billion, Washington at $1.2 billion and Wisconsin at $1.3 billion. Utah still has projected new revenue growth, said Blackham. However, it is just not as largess revenue projections prior to the national economic slowdown and 911 attacks. Blackham said our current economic slowdown is the ideal opportunity to review the state budget and see how efficiently our state government is functioning. said legislative leaders have agreed with several of the governors budget recommendations. However, some of the governor's proposed budget remedies including savuse of the Rainy Day Fund, ings and cash from the Capital budget are just temporary fixes. Mansell added, The Legislature, just like a family cutting back during tough times, will first look to reduce costa before dipping into its savings or other fending sources. The Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 14 Annual Uintah Basin Water Conference on Jan. 29 30 at the Western Park. Aicne Bently, District Director for Congressman Jim Matheson has been invited to address the opening day noon luncheon. The conference has had full cooperation and support ofthe Division of Water Resources, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, various other federal and state agencies, the Ute Indian Tribe, communities ofthe Uintah Basin, water companies and districts. Tuesday, Jan. 29 starts at 1 1 a.m. with registration. Lunch will be served at noon with Alene Bentley as the guest speaker. The general session starts at 1:30 p.m. with the keynote address by Russ Donoghue. At 2: 15 p.m. workshops begin and will include: Highline and Upper Canals; Island Ditch Pumping'By-pass- ; Green River Project; Ashley Creek Stabilization ; Westside Canals Salinity Program and Burns Bench Project. After the break, more workshops will ensue at 3:35 p.m. These will include: Duchesne County Salinity Control Projects Phases 1 and 2; 203 Project; and DuchesneStrawberry River Diversion. At 4:30 p.m. will be a presentation on Conservation Governors Initiative. The evening session will start at 6:30p.m. withdinner.entertainment and a special awards presentation. On Wednesday, Jan. 30, the conference starts at 8:15 a.m. with a Thisycarseonferenee will address some ofthe challenges, concerns and needs facing the residents of the Uintah Basin as we enter the new century. Discussions and presentations will include progress reports on projects already underway or being planned in the Basin. Each discussion will allow for input by participants. continental breakfast. Following breakfast, workshops begin at 8:45 a.m. These include: Water Forecast-ingSoMoisture Monitoring2002 Water Supply Forecast Randy Julander; Safe Drinking Water Rules Bridge needs to be repaired il Patt i Fauver; Water Audit Update Earl Jackson; and Irrigation Consumptive Use Application Rates Brent Draper. Workshops will get underway at 9:30 a.m. and include: Safe Drinking Water Rules Update (Continuation) Don Patti Fauver; CUP Update Christiansen; Salinity Forum Funding Dave Truman, Dbvc Webster; 101 Water Law Gayle McKeachnie. The closing session will begin at 1 1 a.m. with a panel discussion and conclude at noon. Of UUfrMTEfl. ..feeze, now that's a lot of toys. It sounds like your family had quite a Christmas. guess you need a loan for a new addition? I No... just batteries. mini-mounta- in thqrdry?" In the world ofkid-do- waitingfor play was excruciating. The dryer tumbled, the zippers dackingso loud mom had to turn up the volume on the TV to hear her "soaps. We tried to watch, but quickly tired of the adult world and started to pester the dog. Leave Penny alone or there will be no more goingoutside foryou two, Mother warned, not even taking her eyes from the set. How did she do that? I wondered. Maybe it was true that mothers have a second set of eyes, L COPY m visual inspection revealed that thecar lockout orient' the beams that was ult ached to the guard rail and was hent. Signs on the west edge of t lie bridge were also destroyed and t he soul hwesi abut iwnl was damaged. The southwest wing wall needs to he repaired to stabilize the abutment along with the replacement of guard rails on both sides of the bridge. C'itv and county officials are going to ask UDOT to pul the bridge on its list ot bridge needing to he replaced. The engineers also suggested I lint when the bridge is replaced Ballard City and Uintah County should move the alignment of the road to eiimi.iute some ortho sharp curves to improve the safety issues. The rciirs to get the bridge back in service should be done soon. 2001 big game drawing odds available this year Ttlai-.kba- Hunters applying for u 2002 Utah higgame permit can learn t he odds of drawing one in 2001 by visiting a Division of Wildlife Resources office or hunter education center, or the Divisions Internet Web site. The Divisions 2001 Buck and Bulls Bonus Point Results and Drawing Success publication is available for viewing' a't Division ofTiees in Ogden, Salt Luke City, Springville, Vernal, Price and Cedar City, and hunter education centers in Uigan andSalt Lake City. II mill i may purchase copier for $15. plus sales tax, at each locution. Those with access to the Internet may view Hnd download t he publication by visiting the Division's Wet) site at www.wildlife.utnh.gov. The publication can he found by clicking on the Hunting section of the homepage and then clicking on Big Game. After arriving at the Big Game section, scroll down to Big Game Slat dick on 2(H) Big Game Odds Report. Hunters are reminded that applications for 2(K)2 1 Itaii hig gain" hunting permits must he received no Inter than 5 p.m. on Jun. 31 to Is- included in the draw for permits. I love conversations that begin with a question, such as, Mom when you were little were cars invented? No, eon. They were just coming out with the wheel about then ... anything else youd like to know? What about' snow? Grandpa said it used to snow ao much when he was a kid that he could walk over the top offence postal I couldnt imagine snow that deep. But I do remember snow days in New England. Heck, ifit snowed enough to make a footprint wed turn on the old Channel Master radio kept atop the refrigerator, listening keenly fbr news that our school district had closed up. Wed cheer ifit was, moan if it wasnt. But, most ofthe time those old storms would cover the Catskills with a few good indies - our ticket to freedom. After chores, dad got to plowingout the barn yard and lane with his old bulldozer. Hed push the snow into a range along aide the house. Wed be inside scrambling to pull on bulky snow suits and boots in anticipation ofour first Everest expedition. Wed fun at mother who insisted we step our double stockinged feet in Wonder Bread hags, then she'd roll a rubber band up our legs before we could push our feet down inside the boots. There would be no wet feet today, if she could help it. By the time wed make it outside Dad was far down the lane. It seemed nothing stirred except for the distant chugging and clan kingof the machine whose noises seemed softened by the downy stuff insulating the earth and rooflines. We whooped and hollered and toddled upone side ofthe snow mountains and down aide the other. We built a snow man, then a snow family and ran into the nearby woods to snap twisted branches from the bare trees for their arms. I dont know how we got started, but finally we ended up tunneling through the snow mountain following its length to the other end. Midway through we had toquit. Our snow suits weresoahsd through and mothercallad us in for lunch. After she stripped ofT our sodden coats andsnow suits down to our thermal underwear, she collected the wet things and threw them sized dryer, inside our trailer-hous-e and pointed to the table where Bteam-in- g bowls ofcanned soup waited for us. It only took a few minutes to syphon outthemushy modles anddrink down the salty broth. Where areour anow suits? Arent A report by Uintah Engineering recommended several repairs to Rallard Oily to get i he Dry Gulch Bridge i hat was thcsccneofn fatal accident hack in use with a five ton weight limit and a speed limit of 25 miles per hour. A and Land Surveying has "-fd- starring out somewhere among the fringes oftheir careful hairdos. We relented, and took out the Monopoly board. After buying up a few hotels we begged her to check again. Not quite, "she announced returning to her place on the couch. I dont know how long we had to wait, time is different now. But on the second go round we didn't fuss over the bread bags and elastics, we had digging to do. It took more than one anow day, maybe more than two, but finally we broke through to the end. There were places where two kids could ait in place, but all in all, it was just one long tunnel. Our anow tunnel was widened somewhat, its floor a hardened crust by the time neighboring friends saw it. Wed invented a few adventures by then, built little alcoves and spent numerous happy hours inside and out. We fortified it, built castle walls by the entrance and hunga banner from a stick proclaiming it Snowtopia or something. Such snow days are all but nonexistent in the Basin. As far as I can recollect theres been only one and it made front page news . It seems that if bus drivers can dig out their buses theyre willing to run them. And theres hardly been any reason to dig out snow buses since I've lived here ( 1 1 years). Snow days may have frustrated the daily routine of mothers in the past, but they surely built a few (pod memories for the children who lived them. side-by-si- - iiyr ihTiTny&wgsi ROOSEVELT de Livestock slaughter for Utah & U.S. Utah commercial red meat production totaled 44.9 million pounds in November 2001, up from the 43.6 million pounds in November of last year. Cattle slaughter in Utah for November 2001 totaled 56,000 head, 0.2 percent above a year ago. The average live weight was 1,257 pounds compared with 1,213 in November 2000. There were 5,600 hogs slaughtered in November 2001, a 3.7 percent increase from November of last year. The average live weight of 184 pounds compared with 261 pounds last year. Sheep and lamb slaughter during November 2001 totaled 2,800 head, an increase of 300 heed from a year ago. Average live weight at 124 pounds was down 18 pounds from a year ago. lasties See 200 1 Bull ADMISSION: of the Year BAD BOY $8 Adults Under 4 -- $5 Kids is free. -- Friday: Senior Citizen Night $3 for Seniors 65 and older ' BuDGEfe&lDa) S' FLOYED? Also One Show Su nday 7:30 Tickets on Sale now it: The Bull Ring, IFA and all Jubilee outlets see Double Trouble JANUARY 18TH 6 19TH, Unridden in 325 attempts 2002 The Other Side of Heaven "IXi 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. There's Mutton Busting for the little cowpokes, and the hottest event going down the road... THERIN6 ' See 2001 j Clown of the Year , Black Hawk JOHN OF FEAR Down s BECK Totally insane people stand in the ring and mexican fighting bulls are turned loose! The last one standing wins the money. HR, One ShoH' Only 7:3 0p.m. mI mm THUllUlt The Majestic "PC The Battle of the Bulls Championship Series January 8th & 9th at the Western Parklndoor Arena. Action starts at 8:00 p.m. nightly 1 InfoSf 1 or 1 - 801 -525 - 6672 EOT J Jim Carrey One Show Only 7:30p.m. |