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Show Davis Legislators Discuss Strategy On Vocational Ed By TOM BUSSELBERG KAYSVILLE Davis County legislators and vocational voca-tional center board members have their work cut out for them to override the governor's gov-ernor's opposition to expansion expan-sion if one legislartor's feelings are correct. MEETING IN a strategy session as part of the regular monthly board meeting last week Rep. Franklin Knowlton said, "From every indication I've got the governor is going to do everything to stop these schools (Davis and Bridger-land Bridger-land in Logan, from expanding). ex-panding). "The only way we can get around it is to override it. We do have that opportunity if we felt we had the people and we're close. If we do that, we've got to have a bill written and it's got to run independent," indepen-dent," he said, noting action must be started now in preparation prepa-ration for the next 20-day session ses-sion come January. IF AN override could gain sufficient support a bill should be ready for early submittal and if the governor vetoes preparations pre-parations it should be in line for a legislative vote. Sen. Knowlton continued. And if that fails, the bill could be packed with the appropriations appropria-tions measure. "I think you've got it so you can do it both ways but I don't think you can afford to wait." That means some fast action ranging from inviting key legislators legis-lators to visit the Kaysville campus to getting influential business and other personnel to meet with Gov. Matheson. THE GOVERNOR vetoed a bill that would have provided funding to start an $8 million addition to the center although every indication had hinted he would approve the measure. Plans have been prepared and the board committed to expansion expan-sion of the center. "It was money that was the problem nothing but sheer dollars," said Sen. Jack Ban-gerter. Ban-gerter. "Now you've got a new priority list on your building program. There's got to be somebody who gets along with the governor who can go down and see if that's what he's going to do (veto)." ON TOP of that, a large federal fed-eral cutback could see the light of day in September or October, Octo-ber, when the federal fiscal year goes into affect, he said, at the same time adding positive posi-tive feedback on potential for a severence tax passage. "Salt Lake and Weber counties see us as a threat. They don't see us as in need. There's a little feeling that we're getting along fine. It might require some money not be spent in their area. We need to get the legislators up here to indicate it's not just a Jack Shell (center director) or Dee Forbes (board president) effort, but it's a united effort." Rep. Knowlton said. IN ADDITION, those engineering en-gineering the Intermountain Power Project (1PP) need to be made aware of services DA VC can provide. Sen. Bangerter said. "There's a lot of interest there to keep this program going in the forefront and the feeling is to push for it because they recognize, realize they need vocational students from facilities like yours and they are certainly 100 percent behind be-hind it. "As long as you've got this kind of impetus going 1 think you can get your job done. Apparently they're working with the local school district in Delta but they really should come into this area too." he added. "The impact certainly is going to be statewide and we don't want to shift employment employ-ment to California, etc. "WE WANT to use our own people. If we've got to contact (PP. tell them we're here, we know you want us. Let's have your (IPP) input and help. Everyone wants it (vocational facilities) in their own area. The truth is they can't handle it and should have input from both Bridgerland, Davis County Coun-ty and all the rest. "I think the project is that big there's no way we can supply all the jobs. At least let's get our fair share. Let's start with IPP, get with their political lobbies that would be one great step," Sen. Bangerter Ban-gerter said. SUGGESTING the center go after a SI. 5 million or similar appropriation vs. $8 million was Sen. Haven Barlow. "If it's $1.5 million (request) complete com-plete I think the governor would go along." And anv request from the school district for the $800,000 state funds to pay the district for the vocational buildings it supplied would probably see no problem with a $1.5 million request, he added. "IF WE can get on top of the priority list that will be a big part of the battle." Sen. Bangerter Ban-gerter said. The State Building Board compiles a list of requested re-quested projects each year and DAVC was near the bottom at the start of the last legislative session but was moved to w ith-in ith-in the top four near the end. Generally, projects are then funded based on that listing with those on the bottom moving mov-ing slowly up. "I THINK an official approach would certainly be in order," Sen. Bangerter said, referring to board action, "lf you would send a letter to (he (legislative) committee at least that would get the job started." Director Jack Shell and others have fell the governor's opposition to current expansion expan-sion hinged on creation of a separate vocational board. At present, members from the board of regents (higher education) educa-tion) and state school board (elementary, secondary) consider con-sider vocational matters. BUT REP. Knowlton replied. re-plied. "As far as I'm concerned con-cerned that's no real problem, just an excuse (for the governor)." gov-ernor)." He said there has been some problem seen between be-tween buildings Gov. Matheson Mathe-son wants purchased for state facilities vs. other buildings requested. re-quested. In the meantime, local officials offi-cials indicate a pressing need for additional space and funding fund-ing for the vocational center. Vocational Board Member Sheryl Allen said the unwed mothers' program is currently housed in the center although it is run by the school district. But until the district receives its $800,000 it is hard-pressed to move it. AND SUPT. Lawrence Welling confirmed that saying, "We're being pressed for it now. There's a need for some kind of placement (for unwed program)." |