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Show A2 Wednesday, June 1 Opinion and Commentary 8, 2003 PUBLIC FORUM LETTERS TO THE EDITOR What is your opinion? The Express welcomes letters from its readers concerning any subject pertinent to the Uintah Basin. There are no restrictions as to contents, if not libelous or vindictive and of reasonable length (two typewritten double spaced pages). Letters must be submitted exclusively to the Express and bear the writers full name, signature, phone number and address. Letters for the sole purpose of expressing thanks to individuals or groups will not be printed in the forum. 0 Letters may be mailed, faxed at or through at editorvernal.com. of those submitting or names name The letters must appear on all published letters. All letters are subject to condensation. Letters express the opinion of the writer and are not necessarily the opinion of the Express Editor. 789-869- i UBTA figures Dear I'.ditor, UIJ IA thinks everyone is happy with the judgment handed down hy the Public Service Commission. It sure was a lot better than the original stacked figures provided by UBTA. Now we find out that the figures used by UBTA were still rigged on the very high side. The accuracy of data was sadly misrepresented. As the Commi'tce of Consumer Services Roger Ball has stated, no case was able to be found to show the extreme stimulation factor used by UBTA. Roger Ball is a very concerned honest person who just wants the correct and fair rates to be used for determining the EAS factor to be used. UBTA wants to use the argument that no one has opposed the last decision. Well, duh, we thought the bugs were winked out, but instead there were more truths to be dug out. The public was not aware of the truth. UBTA shouldn't lose money, but they shouldn't make money either. They arc standing to make millions the way it is currently. Lets take UBTA's prompt and write the Public Service Commission, PO. Box 45585, SLC, UT 84145-058or call What is right and honest should be the way it is. UBTA's Todd slated that there will be a yearly review of the revenue generated by LAS. Well, lets start with the honest and fair three fold rate. The yearly review will then show how the program is functioning. There is no evidence to support the assumption of needing an eight fold factor. The Public Service Commission needs to agree to the review requested by the petition. Please consider writing the Public Service Commission so thallifThonesl and fair rate can be established. So much hard work has been done, lets not drop the ball now. It won't be done if enough of us don't individually express our opinions to the Public Service Commission. A lot of work has been done by a few to see that we all get a fair and honest rate. Lets not lose the battle after so much has been accomplished. Roger Ball, along with Jean Klein has done everyone a great service. These people should be appreciated and thanked. Lets not throw it all away. 11K Latham Vernal Vernals flower project Dear Editor, We just wanted to take a minute and thank all the people involved in the upgrading of Vemal's flower project this spring. So many people have contributed countless hours and cflort to this project. We would like to thank our city and county governments, our local nurseries, and all the wonderful volunteers who worked very hard to make it happen. A special thanks has to go to Teddie Evans, who when placed in charge ol planting the hanging planters and baskets in Cobble Stone Park and lamp posts, had no idea what she was getting herself into. It was not a simple matter of putting several thousand flowers into containers; they had to be placed in very specific ways to create some rather complicated designs. She had many willing hands to help but she also worked long hours by herself to make sure they were finished on time. Another special thanks has to go to Glade Allred and his crew for their early morning efforts that keep everything alive and flourishing. We would also like to thank the many businesses and individuals who have planted baskets and planters this year. We have said it before, but will say it again; with all of us working together. Vernal is becoming not only a beautiful jewel in Utah's crown, but a unique American treasure. Thanks again to everyone. The folks at Blwm Master Planter Corporation and Arrow J. Station Job lost To the person or persons who fueled up their tanks with fuel and chose not pay for your purchase, this is to inform you that as a clerk working for a store for five years to support my family of four young children, I lost my job because you chose not to pay. Because of your choice to steal, I was penal ized. Marge Wilson Jensen Matheson rural airport assist included in FAA Bill House-passe- d Washington D.C.-- - Congressman Jim Matheson said that a change he made that helps rural airports in Moab, Vernal and Cedar City, Utah is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill KX)- Flight Century of Aviation FAA that passed the House of Reauthorization Act Representatives today. Matheson sits on the House Transportation Committees Aviation Subcommittee. The issue involves the Essential Air Service program, which authorizes federal support for air service in small communities and isolated areas. Matheson helped draft language that exempts small airports from coming up with a local 10 match for the federal funding, if they are more than 170 miles away from a large or medium hub airport. During floor debate, members from Pennsylvania and New York offered an amendment that expands on Mathesons language, ensuring that small airports nationwide will not have to pay a local match to receive EAS funds. Utah's small airports are important to economic development in places such as Cedar City, Moab and Vernal. Those communities cant afford an additional financial burden as they cope with the down economy and the slump in air travel, said Matheson. Matheson said the legislation authorizes $58.9 billion over four years for the activities of the FAA. Among other things, it increases the number of flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which could open up slots for Delta Airlines, from its Salt Lake City hub operation. The bill also allows airports to use some of their federal grant money to install explosive detection systems for checked luggage. High speed pursuit ends in crash Last at Wednesday about 1:15 a.m. A Vernal man led law enforcement officers on a high speed pursuit across Ashley Valley which resulted in extensive property damage and the arrest of the Vernal Elk K.C. Kay retired properly. driver. Deputy Dustin Cheshire the observed vehicle parked in front of the Uintah County Jail with a single male driver. As the deputy pulled into the parking lot, the driver of Steven Hardinger the vehicle started the vehicle and left. Deputy an noticed Cheshire equipment violation on the vehicle and felt that his actions were suspicious given the early morning hours. Deputy Cheshire attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver started to pull over and then accelerated away from the deputy. The vehicle exceeded speeds of 100 mph and went across the valley with officers from Uintah County and Vernal City assi sting in the pursuit. The driver of the vehicle lost control at about 600 East 4000 South striking a parked camp trailer and fences causing the vehicle to roll and come to rest in the middle of the road. The driver of the vehicle fled from officers on foot and was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. Twenty-year-ol- d Vernal resident, Steven Hardinger, was transported to Ashley valley medical Center where he was later relaesed and incarcerated in the Uintah County Jail on charges of DUI, evading, resisting arrest and an outstanding warrant which is the alleged reason Harding ran from law enforcement. Sheriff Hawkins said the evading law enforcement is n a situation. Lives and property are put at risk, usually for only a minor violation or a warrant, which after you are caught you will still have to deal with no-wi- anyway. Dear Editor, Express (ISSN 0892-109- 1) Published every Wednesday tor $24 per year In shopping area and $36 per year out of shopping area within state and $39 per year out of state within USA by the Vernal Express Publishing Company, 54 North Vernal Avenue. Vernal, Utah 84078 Periodicals postage paid at Vernal, Utah 84078 POSTMASTER Send address changes to VERNAL EXPRESS, PO. Box 1000. Vernal Utah 84078 Steven R. Wallis Editor and Publisher Feature Writer Feature Witter Feature Writer Public Notices Virginia Harrington Maureen Spencer Mandi Oaks R Patnck Bostick Richard Harrington Tom Leverton Advertising Advertising Tern Black Circulation Tasha J Robinson Mindy Morgan Phone Website www vernal com & Classified Ads and Layout and Layout Advertising Advertising FAX editor 0 vernal com NEW DEADLINES ffnws Monday 12 noon Monday 2 pm. Monday 2 pm. Display Advertising Classified Advertising Public Notices Monday 2pm assists children Last week's "Know a flag into three pieces so it could be Vernal Elks participate In flag retirement ceremony Vernal Elks participate retirement ceremony Vernal Elks Ken and Marty Kay assisted their son, K.C. Kay, member of the Vernal Elks and volunteer fire department captain in Indian Hills, Colo., as well as the other firemen with a community Flag Day flag retirement ceremony. Local Boy Scout Troops 497 and 888, Cub Scout Den 4 Pack 497, Blue Spruce Unit, Mile Hi Council, Brownie Troop 804 and Junior Girl Scout Troops 1790 and 1656 also took part in the ceremony. After explaining the significance of Flag Day, K.C. pointed out that worn and tattered flags should be retired honorably. As burning a whole flag insults our country, its servicemen and w'omen, and our principles, K.C. said, the flag is converted to its basic cloth elements. The 13th stripe were cut from the flags by the children who then removed the blue fields. The pieces were then incinerated ensuring that this great country shall continue to rise like the mythical Phoenix, reborn and strong. Vtfestt Jumioir High Do weirs pDamifts group Staff from West Junior High, Utah State University, and Uintah School District assisted WJH students Cletis Mart and Michael Renss in planting flowers at West Jr. High. Michael and Cletis had planned the service project as part of the Great Self Mystery Project, a program that utilizes Utah State Know your community Community" in Indian Hills, Colo., in cutting University students paired with secondary students to help students recognize their gifts how they can be utilized to help their families and district. The flower planting group consisted of West Jr. High students Anderson, Dorothy Benjamin Anderson, Cletis Mart, Michael Reuss, Ernesto Perez, Spring Accawanna, Shine Accawanna, Alee Accawanna, Aileen Accawanna, Aaron Daniels and West Jr. High staff members Larry Cesspooch and Christine Farnsworth. Students from Utah State University consisted of Marsha Curtis and program coordinator Frances Lewis. USU Assistant Professor Dr. Susan Talley and ASPIRE grant facilitator Sharon Weyland were also among the flower planting group. Uintah District Maintenance Supervisor Lisa McCatrel and USU Extension Specialist Boyd Kitchen assisted in the planning. The flowers were donated by Allreds Yard and Garden, Split Mountain Garden t. and Center, Wal-Mar- Your picture was of an old cabin located on the comer of 500 South Vernal. identified and Those 1500 West in who correctly the cabin are: Mary Vigil, Bill Hall, Sharon Vieyra, Ginger Borges, Enid Cook, Jacinda Parslow, Kevin Kuhr and Pete Sokolosky. You too can have your name listed with those who know their community if you recognize the location of this donkey. If you can identify Express at it call the Vernal 789-351- 1 before p m. on Monday, June 23. 2 11 you 1 recognize this donkey can the Vernal Express at before 2 p.m. on Monday. June 23, and prove that you know your 789-351- community. r West Junior High School students planned new flower beds for the school and gathered last week for planting. The program is part of the Great Self . , Mystery Project at the school. i .'MftjjilfeMMMMif POOf |