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Show Vernal Express Wednesday, May 27, 1998 3 Vernal City to hold budget workshops by Bonnie Weaver Staff Writer During the May 20 city council meeting, Ken Bassett, Vernal City manager, presented the Vernal City proposed budget for the fiscal year July I, 1998 to June 30, 1999. Included in this proposed budget, is a memorandum from Ken Bassett to the mayor and city council which includes information regarding personnel, per-sonnel, the general fund, utility funds and a conclusion. Bassctt's explanation of personnel matters to be discussed in the budget bud-get workshops include a merit increase in-crease program which will impact the budget approximately 3.8 percent per-cent based upon performance evaluations. evalu-ations. Also, a cost-of-living increase in-crease and salary adjustments based on salary survey data were noted. Higher health insurance costs, along with increased coverage, burdened bur-dened employees with a slight increase in-crease in cost. Subsequent discussion discus-sion from the City Council gave way to the decision that the City would like to absorb that cost as part of the budget for the coming fiscal year. Bassett noted dissatis Math curriculum committee asks school board for new books by Bonnie Weaver Staff Writer At the school board meeting Tuesday, May 19, Dixie Allen, principal prin-cipal at Discovery and co-chair of the primary mathematics curriculum curricu-lum committee, reported that after some 856 combined hours of research, re-search, discussion and thought, the committee recommends that the Uintah School District adopt a new math textbook series. The mathematics curriculum committee com-mittee selected Hartcourt Brace Company textbooks for kindergarten kinder-garten through fifth grade for all schools in the District. Rationale for this proposal included four major points. First, the committee was to adopt a text from the instructional materials materi-als search list, Mathematics K-7, provided by the Utah State office of education, with a preference given to the comprehensive list, which encompasses en-compasses 75 to 100 percent of the State core. Such State recommended recommend-ed texts are said to have received expert evaluation by key math personnel per-sonnel from the entire State. Second, a kindergarten through City approves renewal of Narcotics Strike Force by Bonnie Weaver Staff Writer During the May 20, Vernal City Council meeting the Council unanimously unani-mously voted to renew the Uintah Basin Narcotics Strike Force Agreement. The original agreement was for 10 years and, since it was drafted in 1988, that means it expired ex-pired this year. Now, the newly passed renewal, is good for another 10 years. The Uintah Basin Narcotics Strike Force Agreement exists between be-tween Vernal City, Roosevelt City, Uintah County and Duchesne County. According to the Agreement, its purpose is, "...to create a joint task force in order to provide continuity of investigative effort and economical, efficient, and effective drug enforcement within Uintah and Duchesne counties." coun-ties." Furthermore, the agreement specifies spec-ifies that, "The terms of drug enforcement en-forcement and related activity shall include the investigation and enforcement en-forcement of all drug and liquor laws, organized crime and racke (wit PIZZA 2 Medium, 2 Topping PIZZAS dd l()c. Cheesy Bread wilh sauce to your order for only $2.90 faction with the current insurance carrier and said he was actively soliciting so-liciting health proposals from other companies. However, he warned, "...I do anticipate that health insurance insur-ance rates will go up substantially." Bassett reported that he and the City's financial director, Harley Hales, have determined that the administrative ad-ministrative red tape associated with the City's current retirement program is so substantial that it is in the City's best interest to look at other options for this retirement plan. Hales has solicited retirement packages from interested providers and will hopefully have them available avail-able prior to the adoption of the new budget. With regard to the general fund, Bassett showed sales tax receipts to be a healthy source of City income. He said, "...retail sales in Vernal continue to grow and grow at what should be considered a fairly rapid pace, between 18 and 25 percent." Included in the general fund is the street program, which has had the good fortune of receiving continued funding from the Community struction, which matches current curriculum in the State Core tests and Standford Achievement Test. Allen endorsed the merits of the Hartcourt Brace textbooks and explained, ex-plained, "There are real stories about real children, and that helps kids understand the concepts." In addition to new textbooks, Leon Hoyt, co-chair of the secondary sec-ondary mathematics curriculum, outlined the proposed revisions in the mathematics policies for the District. These include changing the requirement of having to pass a pre-algebra pre-algebra gate, to passing the fifth grade adoption across the District, of the same texts, provides consistency of instructional materials materi-als and teaching strategies from classroom to classroom, grade to grade and school to school. District wide assessment may be easier with expectations being. the same for all classrooms, including timelines. Third, specific supplemental material ma-terial needed to address grade level skills in numerous areas is available. avail-able. And, fourth, it holds teachers to the use of the newly adopted materials mate-rials as their primary source of in- teering laws as related to illegal drug trafficking, vice and gambling activities which are drug related, asset forfeitures as provided by law, and the investigation and enforcement enforce-ment of any other law which stems from or is related to unlawful drug activity. The term shall also include the investigation and enforcement of any other criminal activity assigned as-signed by the Management Board." The Management Board consists of four members from the cities and counties represented in the agreement. agree-ment. These members are: Chief of Police of Vernal City, Chief of Police of Roosevelt City, Sheriff of Uintah County and Sheriff of Duchesne County. This agreement's adoption was required re-quired in order for the City to receive re-ceive some of the available State funding. The agreement was reviewed re-viewed by Vernal City's attorney, Joe Boren, who asked for the Council's approval, which was given giv-en at this meeting. Grants for this program, which now may be applied for, are administrated admin-istrated by the City. MM $1 0991 1 4 Impact Board (CIB) for the on-going street improvement projects. Due to concerns previously discussed dis-cussed with the Council, Bassett is worried the CIB will not continue with funding in the amounts they have made available in the past. Therefore, Bassett suggests the Council discuss a one-quarter cent sales tax increase during the budget workshop meetings. He also informed in-formed the Council that the Utah League of Cities and Towns is providing pro-viding assistance to communities who are interested in pursuing this one-quarter of a cent sales tax by providing educational material for residents in order that this option can be understood prior to election time. Personnel requests by the Public Works committee has recommended ' increases in the seasonal employment employ-ment areas of both the Street and Motor pool departments. Utility funds, specifically the water wa-ter and solid waste funds are seeking seek-ing increases. The water fund is asking for a $4 a month increase in base water rate as well as a 10 cent increase per thousand gallon over- District's mathematics gate, which includes pre-algebra and other mathematics. Also, the math requirements re-quirements for high school graduation gradua-tion would change slightly to demand de-mand students take elementary algebra al-gebra and another unit of mathematics mathe-matics "higher than the District's Mathematics gate" (change noted in quotation marks). Hoyt also reported that Uintah High School's use of new programs and texts are seeing a reduction in failure rate from 30 percent to just 6 percent, as compared to the college program currently used. Input was given by several teachers teach-ers in the District who feel the changes are not productive and are not in the best interest of students, teachers or taxpayers. Board member, Robert Nelson, responded re-sponded to these teachers by asking them to discuss their concerns with the math curriculum committee instead in-stead of the school board. He explained, ex-plained, "...the Board has relied on this committee to research and work on behalf of the students of the District and then provide recommendations recom-mendations to the Board." Test could What if someone told you a simple, sim-ple, painless, 5-minute test could save your life? Would you take the time to schedule an appointment? What if they told you that even if test results were positive, a simple treatment program could effectively control the 'silent killer' which causes more preventable deaths than any other disease? In fact, 1 in 4 Americans carry this silent killer, the most common of all life-threatening diseases among Americans. And half don't know it. Whether you're young or old, fat or thin, easygoing or uptight, anyone any-one can have high blood pressure. And anyone with high blood pressure pres-sure runs 3 to 7 times more risk of developing heart attack, stroke, blindness, or kidney failure than people with normal blood pressure. The good news? A treatment plan of diet, exercise, and, if needed, medication can control high blood pressure. As high blood pressure is lowered, so are the risks. And the earlier in life you find high blood pressure, the better - before it can do damage. It all starts with a simple test. The only way to know if your blood, pressure is high is to have your doctor or clinic check it at least once a year. During your blood pressure check, your medical history will be taken. You'll be asked if any members of your family fami-ly have had high blood pressure or Vernal City SECRET WITNESS program call 789-8888 age fee. The solid waste fund has been operating op-erating free of debt, but, according to reports, will not remain so without with-out a 25 cent a month increase in garbage rates. This increase is requested re-quested in the proposed budget. The sewer fund is currently not recommending an increase but may need to do so at some point in the near future. Bassett concluded his memorandum memoran-dum to the mayor and City Council that his vision for continued growth and improvement of this community communi-ty will be the goal of all parties involved. in-volved. He said, "Dedicated employees, em-ployees, committed and responsible elected officials and our own community com-munity residents are the ones who will make the biggest difference in the shaping of Vernal's future." Budget workshops, which are open to the public, will be held on June 8, 9 and 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the Vernal City offices. There will be a public hearing on June 17, then the budget will be approved and goes into effect on July 1. Fatal car accident near Roosevelt According to Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Jack Peterson a crash near Roosevelt took the life of a 34-year-old Roosevelt man. Quinten Balek Wimmer, formerly former-ly of Moab, was killed when the 1995 Chevy pickup he was driving eastbound on the Pole Line Road went off the road onto the south side. It struck a garbage can, but the driver was able to pull his vehicle back onto the roadway. He then over corrected and the vehicle left the road on the north side. The pickup jumped a small ditch and took out several feet of fence before it rolled. Wimmer was ejected. eject-ed. He was not wearing a seat belt. He died from injuries sustained when he hit the ground. Other possible causes for the crash are currently under investigation. investiga-tion. There was alcohol in the vehicle vehi-cle and speed is also a possible factor fac-tor into the cause of the accident. The accident happened Monday night at about 10:45 p.m. and was the only fatal crash during the Memorial Day weekend in the Uintah Basin. save 1 in 4 To schedule your appointment call your family doctor or visit the Tri-County Health Department closest to you: Vernal (781-5475); Roosevelt (722-5085); Duchesne (738-2202). heart disease. You'll also be asked if you have any symptoms that may suggest you have high blood pressure. pres-sure. Then a blood pressure test will be given as a pressure cuff is wrapped around your arm to gauge the flow of blood through your vessels. ves-sels. If you learn you have high blood pressure, your health-care provider can determine a treatment plan to help you live a longer and healthier life. Five minutes well Wouldn't you agree? spent. COMPUTER DESK wPrinter Stand $, 41 Solid Wood DINETTE TABLE s 40 24" BARST00LS u J SA A, it irff I . V . I ft. I V5 Ellen Argyle assists with hospital Hospital holds clean-up The employees at Ashley Valley Medical Center held a clean-up day Friday, May 15. This clean-up was held in conjunction with their annual annu-al health month activities. All employees em-ployees were invited to wear their grubbics to work on Friday, and at 10 a.m. everyone met outside for their assignments. Pete Richardson, engineering supervisor, was in charge of the activity. All of the (lower beds around the front of the hospital were weeded and prepared for flower planting. One large (lower bed along the south side of the hospital was also Judge attends course Judge G. A. "Jody" Petry of the Ujntah County Justice Court in Vernal has completed the Traffic Court Proceedings course held May 4-8 at the National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada. The Traffic Court Proceedings course was designated for traffic court judges, presiding judges and related agency personnel as a practical prac-tical supplement to courses in state and local laws. TT ""tsfofr, SPOT IS AT V$ ABUSE May 28, 1998 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. AVMC Conference Center f Presented by i Victim Advocacy Program Speakers: Cindy Saccoinano Open To 1FTS VANITY with Stool 59 Matching SOFA & CHAIR s 293 ffl L0VESEAT 180 clean - up. weeded. Even though the weaii" was a bit cold, about 20 employ . spent two hours making the hosp.i look a little nicer. "We are gnit-! for the help from our employee--stated Richardson. "Keeping '. grounds up is a huge job, especial in the spring. It's nice that even will pitch in and help with an acii ty that is not just fun, but actua' requires a lot of work, time and , fort." The hospital will continue lo h activities throughout the month May in conjunction with he;', month. Participants learn how to imj -ment new procedures, study trehii; in traffic law, improve casetlow management and reduce costs, as well as taking a new look at sentencing sen-tencing and correction of juvenile, repeat violators and drunk driven Participants also appraise the validity va-lidity of sobriety tests, studied inadmissibility in-admissibility of scientific evidence and reviewed the latest scientih.' devices. SEMINAR I & Kristy Alwood 1 1 The Public DAYBEDS Starting at $1 Heavy Metal PLANT STAND t 6 BOOKCASES Starting at i 1 Si 9 P5 II V tfrjtfo:.,.tniffift - |