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Show UDOT Continued from pg. 10 Spencer Wheatley said he revered the UDOT for their ability to make tough judgment calls during and after storms. : “There could be better equipment in LCC, but they just hired two new forecasters who know the canyon well,” he said. “What people have to remember is that (avalanche forecasting) is not a perfect science.” Another Forest Service, employee, Mike Sieg, the Salt Lake Ranger, was previously quoted as saying, “I want the UDOT to know there’s a safety problem in the canyon. We’ ve been darn lucky people haven’t gotten hurt.” While some _ Forest Service employees agree with Sieg, another employee, Al Soucie, a Forest Service ranger, said Siegs statements were a bit harsh. ““We’re pushing for a little smoother, more efficient fore- casting in the canyons. In a sal rab liable | sila Pet addition, we’d like to see more autonomy for the forecasters,” he said. “We think there is a problem and we think we a to deal with it as a group.” Overall, Soucie said the supports Forest Service UDOT’s efforts in the canyon. Although Service has the Forest made some -. immediate changes in their approach to canyon safety, Wyatt said he sees some of 22 March the changes as surface ones that will do nothing to make travel safer for the 8,000 vehi- cles that travel the LCC daily each winter. ? “T hope they’re making real changes, not just surface ones like adjusting pay scales and benefits,” he said. - 4 April 1995 addition to keeping the two | seasonal forecasters each year that UDOT hire an additional full-time forecaster. In response to the repiners, Wyatt said he hoped his quitting put the UDOT in a position of public scrutiny where they were forced to Wyatt said issues that make positive substantial deserved attention included changes to the current proautonomy for the forecasters gram. and hiring eS new “Recently, they’ ve been | employees. _ operating really conservative“T was being given lip ly and there have been a lot of service while I was at UDOT. people involved in the deciThey told me the forecasters sions,” Wyatt said. “(Canyon would have more time to do travel) is probably pretty safe their jobs, but instead, I was right now and they’re probacalled into meetings or going bly making reasonable deci- sions.” downtown,” he said. “The vehicles broke down, literally you felt like Fred Sanford waiting to break down. I felt when I quit (canyon travel) was not going to be safe.” To counter Wyatt’s allegations that LCC travel was made unsafe because canyon foremen refused to listen to the forecasters, McMinimee said the forecasters were questioned about the alleged problem. “In our last meeting we asked if the allegations of no communication between fore- UDOT officials and McMinimee were reluctant to release many of the proposed ‘suggestions until Wednesday when the local organizations would again come together to talk about the solid solutions. McMinimee said all the suggestions would be considered, but those implemented would have to fall within a certain budget. For Wyatt, he will continue to serve as a guide in the Wasatch and in addition, serve as a consultant to avalanche forecasting stations men and forecasters held out of the state. ) ‘Whether the changes in true,” he said. “We asked that question and found out that it~ the UDOT program were caused by Wyatt, or if they was not the case. There are had just reached their prime, two sides to every story.” canyon inhabitants can rest Currently the Forest Service employs four full-. assured that UDOT is currently under heavy scrutiny and time avalanche forecasters changes ©; aré.« in. {the and two seasonal ones. McMinimee predicted that in works.*#WCR e: 14-Wasatch Canyon Reporter, Al? Se anetentocaabee deere ctnananss oper seat Page AS THE BULL WHEEL TURNS.... Good things are happening in the Wasatch. Big storms are on the way, lift lines are getting shorter and Meg Leferriere came to the Wasatch after finally abandoning her “Rotweiller” hair do. (Hair do named by Tommy Hotrocks of Vail Daily fame.) The Leferriere clan stayed at the Alta Lodge, where the food was “fantastic” according to Lynne. A new restaurant has opened in Sandy finally offering the kind of pizza we all crave. Papa Joe’s at 8256 South and 700 East serves some of the finest Chicago style pizza available in Utah. Look in this paper for a bargain coupon. Joseph Bromley Holland III was horribly over served at a local Snowbird night spot. He neéded help crossing highway 210 and ate it hard in the Superior parking lot. Glad you don’t have a license J.B. Dave Peck lasted four weeks in the Wasatch before giving up the ghost and heading for Vail...and true love. Courtney Bierwirth called him “The Boy Who Cried Soulmate.” Dave we will give you a little clue: She’s got a boyfriend...actually she is living with him. Mary Beth Badgley returns to the room service kitchen to reprise her one woman culi- nary show. She is known for her tempestuous cooking style. Welcome back. Stacey Blumer comes to the Wasatch to compete in all three events of the Freestyle Nationals. “I haven’t competed in bumps or ballet in years, but the prize money is so tempting.” Good luck Stacey, throw a triple jump. Marcy Nisenholtz and family made a quick trip through the Wasatch, pausing only long enough to end a five year romantic liaison with the publisher. Best of luck finding Mr. Right. Speaking of the publisher-guy, the WCR’s favorite investor did indeed make it to town (see Letters to the Editor) to examine Mr. Bresee’s new Karl Malden nose. She thought it lovely. Dave Doherty cemented his position as “King of Big Emma.” Those regular readers of this space will remember he had his pass suspended for making fig- ¢ Chicage ?Pig aededietrenset deedEee reer Necro 118256 S. 700 E. ure eleven’s down Big Emma. Recently he cut a rope...okay not a real avalanche rope or anything. Just the little rope that blocks off the Marlboro cancer cup races. He was in a hurry, and the race course had been taken down for the day. The gradient of the slope is six degrees and it is groomed; it probably won’t slide in our lifetime. The punishment for this one? His boss witnessed the faux pas and relieved him of his position at a local retail shop. Probably a stern talking-to would have done the trick. Dave you rebel! turns card. punk The AM King, Charles Philip Von Lingle XI 40 on 30 March. Don’t forget to get him a nice John Denver, Oprah, Heather Locklear, the kid “Steve” from 90210, and Steve Young were all in the Cottonwoods recently. *eWCR |