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Show Tired of being pushed around Dear Editor: We've all talked about Watergate, Abscam and other such juicy conspiracies con-spiracies involving senators, congressmen even presidents. It's no wonder we've got troubles right here in little old Peyton Place. With fraudy examples of leadership, we've endured at the top levels, no wonder our local chiefs think nothing of scalping any Indian that stands in his way. Well, I think it's time the Indians go on the war path. I'm one American who's damn tired of being pushed around, held up, held down, crossed and double crossed by the very people who's bread and butter comes off my back. I'm for the boys that walked off their jobs from the Vernal City crew. It takes guts to stand up for what you know to be right. After all, the consequences are devastating. And my hand and heart goes out to those braves at home. Those housewives that voiced their opinions and backed up their husbands. They too suffer from the conspiracy. Oops, did I say something that might sting somebody? Oh, gee whiz I'm sure-glad. Listen, the problem has nothing to do with coffee breaks. The city toughies know it, and it's time everyone else knows it, and anyone with an ounce between his ears and a speck of leadership wouldn't risk using such a feeble excuse for a cover-up. Twelve and fifteen-year veterans didn't sacrifice their jobs and their families lives for a coffee break. Any public citizen that thinks so, had better get out of bed and into the shower. We've all known these guys and their families a good many years. Some of these families are our neighbors. Hard working, honest people. It's our duty to see they get a fare shake. If we've made a mistake by putting the wrong people in leadership positions, we can remove them. And it appears quite clear instead of us having control of them, they have control of us. It also appears they will stop at nothing to keep it that way. But let's not stop now! ! While we've got the team hooked up, let's get a load of hay. I can relate to our boys at the city crew because we share a similar experience. ex-perience. 1. Both worked for a government. .2. Both sought fairness, truth and honesty. 3. Both experienced small-time gangsters at work. 4. Both have suffered mental and physical anguish to themselves and their families because of these power hungry agressors. 5. Both suffered the guillotine because their choice was, "Put up or get out." In the fall of Sept. 1979, I returned from college and hired on for the State of Utah, Dept. of Transportation, North Vernal Ave., Vernal, Utah. As the employees put it when I hired on, and I quote, "The honeymoon will last less than six months. It lasted much less, about three days to be exact. The job lasted ten months, until I too walked out as did over twenty men before me. In those ten months I was to recognize the poorest management, worse leadership and methodsof controlling people through the use of fear and totalitarian puppeteering I have ever encountered. But for the next ten months I did my homework keeping track of situations, date end outcomes. In all, my count on paper is over forty serious and questionable events. Now, inasmuch as I would like to .share each event and its content with each of you, for the moment it would be untimely. But be patient. This brave is on a hunt for much bigger game than a few berries. However, let me share some food for thought to give strength for the kill. I spoke personaly to Governor Matheson about the situation in July of 1980. He promptly arranged and assigned the man over DOT to investigate in-vestigate the matter. A meeting was arranged at the state capitol and I took a day off from my new job, at my own expense. After presenting only the evidence I deemed necessary to protect myself and that was impertinent to the circumstances, cir-cumstances, the man in charge admitted ad-mitted these problems existed. He stated there would be a complete investigation at the' Governor's request. This was to take place in two or three weeks. He also stated that I would be contacted con-tacted and advised of the outcome and I quote "if any" he addefi-.. No contact was ever rhade. - Patiently I waited for nine months for the Governor's request to be complied with. Nothing happened. Nor do I feel there was ever any intent for anything to happen. Why was nothing done? Whose responsible for this bureaucratic vendictive slothfulness? Whose involved in-volved and for what purpose? Why was I forbidden to ask certain questions with the threat of being fired while I still worked for the State? Why has the 1 -whole issue-been avoided.' Rest assured after nine months, I have the answers. Around the first of February, 1981, I decided to call the state capitol and speak to the man who had been, by Governor Matheson, appointed to look into this matter. I wanted to know why I hadn't been contacted and why nothing had been done. He appeared somewhat surprised and a little embarrassed. He gained his composure and made a half hearted excuse that they were still planning to look into the situation, in an unstated time. When I suggested something had better be done, he stated perhaps he himself should come to Vernal right away. A month has passed and nothing. Well, I've spit out the pacifier and it's time to get down to business and quit playing games. I haven't forgetten, nor will I. Nor should you. It's time for the sleeping giant to get out of bed while we still can. I was under the impression that tyrannous situations happend only in the mob behind the iron curtain. Why should our boys on the city crew and their families be whipped out by the people, we, in good faith, appointed to the administrative positions, while we sit by passively watching? We may be next. Why did my family and myself have to suffer at the hands of such tyrants an their puppets in government positions.? "Together we stand, divided we fall." These problems are not just in city government, they're in county, state and federal levels. Anywhere, anytime, any place where people are not willing to stand up and fight together, for the principles of freedem and fairness. I'm with President Ronald Reagan when he stated, "It's time the people run government, instead of government govern-ment running the people." Where do you stand? LONNIE TRAVIS |
