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Show ElIIH Where Were They! Did you ever wonder why Milford often gets the short end of the stick, when decisions effecting the city are made? Ever wonder why Beaver, Minersville, and other neighboring communities, reap far more state and federal assistance than Milford? It's because their spokesmen spokes-men and civic leaders are willing to fight and speak for their community. These communities are seen and heard where the decisions are made. A few weeks ago in a meeting with Clem Church, Chairman of the Utah State Road Commission, the subject sub-ject of where to hold the public involvement meetings on Extension of 1-70, in Beaver and Millard County came up. A. meeting in each county was planned - the question was - Beaver or Milford? Fillmore or Delta? Facetiously we recommended Beaver in Beaver County, because we expected the greatest resistance to come from that city and suggested that the majority of those protestors would have less distance to travel. We surmised that few from Milford would attend this meeting , since there seems to be little that stirs the apathy of this community. We figured the Mayor, City Council and a few interested Businessmen would attend, and present their prosposal and give Milford token representation. On April 25 in Milford it was announced the meeting would be held in Beaver. At City Council May 6th, the Mayor requested all members of the Council attend. A plan was adopted by the city fathers (according to reports, continuelng 1-70 from Cove Fort west to Antelope Springs, swinging into Beaver County, intersecting U-257 a few miles north of Milford, and connecting to U-21 near Old Frisco, then following the U-21 route to Hiway 50-6) for presentation at this meeting. Last Thursday, the Milford Businessmen's Assn. adopted tliis same routing unamimously, so that Milford would speak with one voice, appointing Warren Johnson, their President, as their spokesman. Alas, when the chips were down, the cards on the table, where were those Milford Spokesmen? Not one was in attendance. Your editor found only two familiar faces in the crowd of 49 persons, those of County Commissioner Com-missioner Jefferson and Ronald Bailey. Are they the only ones who care what happens to Milford and Beaver County? As predicted, Beaver was there in force. I'm sure they would have been had the meeting been held in Salt Lake City, St. George, Ely, Nevada or Timbuktu. They presented their plan with unity, with many spokesman, presenting convincing arguments. St. George sent several representatives to oppose any route not channeling traffic through their community. Black Rock in the persons of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Kaufman made a plea to save their ranch, while admiting that route the most practical and cheapest. Minersville, though not vocal, was represented by local elected officials. Nevada and the HIway-50 Federation were represented. Only Milford and Cedar City were conspicuously absent. Finally, when no spokesmen were forthcoming, this editor attempted to convey the wishes of Milford Business Assn. There was no prepared presentation, as there should have been. No formal resolution such as the Beaver Council made. WHERE WERE OUR ELECTED AND APPOINTED LEADERS? While yours truly and Mr. Bailey did the best they could, with unprepared, spur-of-the-momentofferings -they were at a disadvantage. Our community leaders let us down. Will there be another chance. We doubt itl And if there is - likely it will be much farther than the 35 miles to Beaver, and Milford will not be represented again. The next time someone tells us how Beaver dictated county policy, they won't find a sumpathetic ear from this writer, only contempt. Those that plant the seeds -deserve to reap the grain! Spokesmen who fail to represent those who elect them to office, fail the trust that has been placed in them. They no longer deserve that trust. |