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Show jov. supports deweloprsierift fjitfh propesr smcirieigersieiit , v V . v ' , K , ... I I , It , it? GOVERNOR SCOTT MATHESON (right) talks over county pro- blems with commissioner Roland Merkley. Also Corey Grua, left, welcomed the governor. On the campaign trail for re-election, Gov. Scott Matheson drove to Vernal last Friday and vowed his support of energy development in Uintah County with proper management. "Growth is inevitable," Matheson said, "I can't stop it. No one can stop it. Management of the growth will have to be done on a regional basis." Matheson said the state's role in energy development is two-fold: to manage the social-economic impact and keep the Federal Government from running over us. "Housing will be the biggest problem," pro-blem," Matheson said. "With land prices escalating, no one will be able to afford it. A solution would be to pick some BLM land for future housing." Since Matheson's visit with the Secretary of Energy Clifford Duncan, last April, at Asphalt Ridge in Uintah County, he has tried to educate government govern-ment officials about the importance of tar sands. "Every time a synthetic fuel appropriation ap-propriation is approved, Matheson said, "tar sand seems to fall through the cracks." Recently $9 million was allocated to the state for oil shale development, but none was for development of tar sands. Matheson said he asked Duncan why he left out tar sands, and Duncan promised pro-mised funds from a future $300 million synthetic fuel appropriation would go to tar sands this fall. On political issues Matheson said he was supportive of the ERA, but didn't push the issue because the essentials of ERA were already in the Utah Constitution Constitu-tion ; put there by Brigham Young. As a democrat Matheson said he is supportive of Carter for president. From the town meetings held last month by the governor, Matheson said the people of Utah want proper management of growth. He said the state should manage as a partner with other governments. "Anything that can, should be pushed down to the lowest level of government if possible, but there are some things that local governments cannot handle." Following a morning of talking with Vernal officials and media, Matheson spoke at a luncheon at the Aspen Cove Restaurant. He then went to Roosevelt to participate in the UBIC. For persons having problems or questions ques-tions about state government, the Governor's hotline number is 1-800-662-3700. |