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Show Letters from Our Readers . . . Dear Sam, On behalf of the members of the Community Baptist Church I would like to request that the person, or persons, who removed our American Flag (which was dedicated during our Bicentennial Celebration Cele-bration on the 4th of July) to return the same. This flag, along with the Christian Flag, was flown every day since the 4th, and was appreciated by all the passers-by. If the person or persons are not willing to return the flag, it is requested that they fly the "borrowed" flag, so that it will continue to serve the purpose to which it was dedicated. Thank you. Sincerely, Emil M. Balla, Pastor Dear Sam: The good people of Bluff are at it again. They have been over one thing or another for the past 20 years that I know of. The juvenile antics could be amusing except when one considers how many people can be hurt. I'm sure that I can also speak some other people's thoughts when I say that I think Bluff needs neither sheriff, nor deputy sheriff, but instead a veterinarian to care for the monkeys and jackasses in that particular zoo! Norah Eubanks Dear Sam and my many friends of Moab, Most of you know my wife and myself as the family owners of Ray's Taxi. Well, this is not a plug for business -not that we all couldn't use one in our rough winters - but this is a letter of proufound gratitude grati-tude to you, the people of Moab as individuals, businesses business-es and organizations and my many newly found friends and neighbors. I write this letter in the wee hours of a Sunday morning after shortly being discharged from Grand Junction's Junc-tion's Veteran's Hospital, where I spent a couple weeks as I suffered from a back problem. And this letter is not about my troubles and tribulations, tribula-tions, but rather to point out what the Moab community, the State of Utah, and several individuals have done for my family while I was temporarily laid up. First, allow me to briefly explain that I am from one of those big smoggy cities back East. I was a free lance writer, advertiser and public relations man. I also published and edited a community magazine for my area which went over very well as the whole community participated with photographs, cartoons, poetry, prose, short stories, letters and various editorials. All I did was give them a place 'To let it out'. And they did. However, after a mere year the magazine began to fold from lack of public support. Indeed, my wife and I, whom had put so much into this venture, soon became weary of the big city apathy and frequent insincerity and hypocrisy hypo-crisy that seems to hover and overcome cities the larger they grow, and we came from a very large one. We have a five year old daughter who now attends kindergarten here in Moab and she is as happy with the valley and the children, as we were to see her leave very difficult and different surroundings. sur-roundings. Thus, after a vacation upon folding our magazine, we began a search, which lasted for many months, for a place called Home! And then we found Moab. I secured a job with Mitch and Mary Williams at Tag-A-Long tours where I worked in their office. Mitch and Mary Williams. Two grand people who have helped myself and family on many levels and whom have our life long gratitude. Well, after securing my job with Mitch last year, I hurried my family away from apathy, indifference, lack of understanding, downcast eyes between neighbors, and what I just plain call unnecessary selfishness and non-excusable ignorance. Yes, I was glad to bring my child away from those surroundings but never did I expect such a change! From our first day of arrival, neighbors, even from miles away, welcomed us warmly and by God with True Sincerity. That will always be a day myself and my family will always remember and cherish. After working with Mitch and Mary for a few months, my back began acting up quite a bit. We do receive a Veteran's Pension for when this happens, thank the Lord, but sitting at the desk at Tag-A-Long constantly, along with a minor accident put me in the hospital. I was now faced with a dilemma. I didn't want to live off the Veteran's Pension, or with the aid of State assistance. assis-tance. Since my free lance writing has yet to make me a millionaire, I struck upon another brainstorm. Having worked for a local touring agency, I knew there was no 24 hour Taxi Service in Moab. I applied for a city license and state exempt permit, received both, and painted Ray's Taxi on the sides of my Pinto after getting all other legal matters out of the way, insurance, etc. I pawned almost everything I owned to good old Burton Square, whom more than treated me fairly and helped me get a start. I then opened a few small accounts to maintain the business, and with no collateral, Spencer's, Times Independent, Family Drug, numerous individuals,- and when I traded by car, First Security was of invaluable help in obtaining a down payment for a business which I felt and feel as it grows. Soon, our name will be in the phone book, tourist season will be here before we know it and thanks to those whom I have thus mentioned, Moab will have a Taxi Service I intend, with the invaluable aid of my wife, to give the valley great service in a beautiful station wagon. My main point is this: Thank You all of Moab, for giving a family a new gift of life. We came to your valley as strangers, you treated us as true friends and neighbors. Moab, be proud! And than! you for allowing us to share that pride with you. Ray Smitl |