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Show Wednesday, September 28, 1983 Vernal Express 1 3 nSSn) The man behind! f he governor By Ruth Ann Brinkerhoff Express Society Editor He has callouses on his hands; there is also a bit of paint. The man comes across as concerned and sincere. He seems intense in what he is saying and maintains good eye contact. The man took time to personally greet each of the junior high student government members and ask them their names. In the speeches he made at both the high school and junior high school he did not use notes. The speech was not repeated for both schools, even though the concept was similar and it would have been easy. While at the junior high Governor Scott Matheson was presented with gifts from Vernal Middle School and Vernal Junior High. He received a carved alabaster pen set made by art teacher, Floyd Griffiths, and a large "bone" made by art teacher, Merlene Lake. He also was presented with a desk plaque that said "The Gov," a belt and a poster. The poster was a portrait of a "Mathesaurus," inscribed inscrib-ed on the back by students "To Gov. Matheson: a very rare thighbone from the very rare 'Mathesaurus' found recently (very recently) in beautiful downtown Vernal (that is in Utah) from the Matheson Middle School Machos (sometimes... of ten, known as Vernal Middle School)." , The governor is a physical man, which explains the callouses. He was up at his cabin last weekend with his family and is in the process of painting it himself. Governor Matheson was a house painter in law school which helped pay his way through. "Being a governor is no different than anyone else; I still carry out the garbage," he said. The pressures of being a prominent i f (jSS''' ' , lTttMai1ff r-(Mi-i in n ! , '"jf m -jaifiiiftiitftiiii r-wuiii mini imt&e&attmmtitoKttit'- --j' 1 11 "' "'aa8 jfaBttB cn I ': ; "il k- I . I t:: GOV. MATHESON accepts with surprise the gifts given by the Vernal Junior High, presented here with a 'key to the school' in the form of school mascot, a panther. The second oldest of his children is a daughter who is a second grade politician are intense. The governor--teacher in Salt take City. The third has cut down his hours from 14-15 hour days to 12-13 hour days since his heart attack and tries not to work as many nights as he once did. "I have a wonderful family and four children," said the governor. "Being governor has in my opinion brought the family closer together." His wife works full time for the state with no pay. She is nationally recognized recogniz-ed for her ability. Matheson said it is a partnership being in office for he and his wife. "She's (his wife) the best deal the state has," he said. His oldest son is a lawyer in Washington and was a Rhoades Scholar graduating Phi Beta Kappa. "All the things you want for your children, he did," said the governor. son just graduated from Harvard and is now working for an environmental organization in Washington. "He fights me just a little bit on some issues," said Matheson, "but all is in the spirit of good will." The fourth child is a 16 year-old junior in high school. "He is very much a part of everything that goes on. He is the only one left at home and so he makes our life special," Matheson said. He travels quite a bit with his father, but is still left at home. The governor said many times he has to schedule time to be with his family, but he considers con-siders it quality time. His youngest son has had some problems pro-blems adjusting to being a son of the governor. Matheson said, "The other . three children were older when I -became governor so they were not as"' affected. The youngest was only nine." "My opponent's daughter was in the very same grade as my son in junior high. The election was very competitive com-petitive in the schools, and he got lacerated verbally. The night of the election returns, I remember he stayed up until 2:30 a.m. I told him he did not have to go to school the next day, he could sleep in. "I am going to school," he said. "He has overcome the problem and is very used to it now. Though he does stay out of it a lot, he is very competent compe-tent in handling the pressure." "I like to play tennis, a lot. I used to play golf, but haven't since becoming governor because of the time factor. I play tennis every single chance I get. I think the next time I come to Vernal I will schedule the events around a ten nis match instead of being rained out." The governor also jogs to stay in shape. He reads around 200 pages of material a day just to keep up with the job. The job itself takes up most of the free time he does have. "I have a lot of impact on what happens hap-pens in the state in terms of decisions," deci-sions," said the governor on what he likes about the job. "There is unbelievable satisfaction in being in a position where you can impact the direction of issues. I really real-ly feel that it is worth the investment. "Whatever I do I really get into it. Being governor is time consuming, but I love being governor." The responsibilities of the decisions he makes daily carries no light weight. "Particularly in the case of the basing of the MX missile in Utah. I studied that for a year before making a decision. deci-sion. I read everything and met with all of the experts. It is important in some cases to delay important legislative issues to look at all the alternatives and weigh your decision. You cannot second guess yourself and lacerate your emotions, or you will absolutely ab-solutely destroy yourself." "I have made decisions that I regretted later, but you cannot worry about it. You cannot change the decision deci-sion you have made, so once it is done, go to the next one. If you are not careful, things will stack up. I like to make the decision and go on to the next one." "I never as a child wanted to be governor or run for public office. I did not go into it with the theory that this was destined. I do like doing something unique and special." Running for office proved for the governor "once you win and the reality of it is there, things are different. I am now responsible for everything I say and do. The opportunity to serve in this : kind of a role is so gratifying. You can't believe what that means to me , as an individual to be able to make this " valuable kind of a contribution." The governor sees himself as "a total fan of the state of Utah, and as a provincial governor. I look to the good of Utah at the expense of other things. A chance to be in this job with no apologies; and I look on it as a challenge." The governor is well prepared for the job. He himself admits that he has "been around the 'track' and bloodied some noses. Makes you wonder why anyone even supports me anymore...I've stepped on the toes of every special interest group In the state. But I don't owe anyone anything. I do not owe any group or political committment to a group or organization." "I just do the job in that there is an exhilaration." .ntfim x . ...... , . if iliWftWl rib . rr. J -ML rrrk- Jm Photo by Steve Chriitensen Governor Scott M. Matheson W i GOVERNOR MATHESON speaks with student government before assembly at Vernal Junior High. Dick Nourse and friends' . cancer drive raises $2,000 "You never know bow you ill face a situation until you facp it," Mid Noun. Dirk Nmirm?, of Chanwl 3 KSL hracWI the alk for the fund raiinji alk 4 thon hrld last Saturday, Jwrpl. U Thrrr Tan ago laM AuguM. Noun rwivrd his faM trratmrnl far l)tr phoma caneff. Thf tancrf attack If lymph gland and twdrs of the body, "Tfwt i no ign of ! canof Idl. though tfwy af still tailing il rftnit' inn." Nwre Treatment frnffl ctwwotbpf flpy killed kill-ed off all pI IN- canct tawing rrlls. bit if pnieon did have a Might effect m hi hart fn his in eek oft television lot treatment, Nme M fmm 2no Ri lo 143 lb in three ert. a ell as his hair. Haif and eigM fesainei Nfurse rarr wp hi yearly fund campaign until afet the first of the year ith the mXk a fhn and d'nner dance in Vernal fcnurop ; the nonnmry state chairman chair-man U the Vah American ranter Society. He hat traveled alt over the state this year from St. George. Heber end Park City lo Vernal, appearing for concert in the larger communities and walks in the smaller. The total amount raised for the American Cancer Society a I2.ooo by the fund raiser, The walk took In ks?M with the pledges obtained, and the remainder came from tickets sold at the dinner dance held at the Elks Lodge. At the Vernal fclks tfldge, the band as supplemented by a lew singing selections from Nourse. Nmirse also visited with three cancer patients her in Vernal before leaving The ptire for the most collected pledges was awarded lo Heidi flard ner. first place with il?l raised. She received a bryclp donated by Ashf ons. Second place was awarded lo tJnnna Workman She received a satin Jacket donated by the Pro Shop Third place had 9 lie between Desree Shiner and Kimherly Oldham, both raisini Its each The prire for third place was donated by tVppernril Palace, each winner recenitig a pi?? and a pitcher Of pop. The money received is used sity percent for the National American Cancer Society, and forty percent stays in Clah. National research received Ihitly nine percent of IN funds; Iwmty-nne percent is for puM information, thirteen percent is u-d for professoinal education; seentcn percent on patients (local people hae received I2W a year for medication gas expenses for treatments ); and only on-ly len percent Is earmarked for administrative ad-ministrative purposes. tl year in t'tah Uwt.MI was raised rais-ed by the American Cancer Society. The set goal for the Cintah County t'nit of the organitation is 11" I- Ihe fiscal year which is l Ihe American Cancer Society frem September -September. The guide fr the setting of the goal is baed ofl the percentage nf population lot the area having cancer. Memorial envelopes are uw!ly stntked at the mnrluaries for contr-tions. contr-tions. or loral cimtrirMions can be s In Anna Oldham, the President of the Cintah Vnit of the American Caet Snriety Par more informa' tH Tswirsi s -- X, OlCH NOUf?Se Of Channel 5 KU News heads Ihe waM fhot drive fo- u"dng the Aneritari Cacet Socely D s a former tacer victim. ad s-erves as !Ke y?3h t-.c-,zf s3S tharrnan If the |