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Show 2 vemai Express wesda, 22. 20C1 Opinion and Commentary JACK-STRAWS by Jack Waffls Family-Friendly, companies The Depanment of Workforce Services, "Utah's Job Connection." and the Uuh Office of Child Care arc accepting nominations for Utah's Top 10 Most Family Friendly Companies beginning August 20. Utah's most "family-friendly' companies will be honored for their efforts in helping employees balance the demands of work and family in April 2002 at the fourth annua Utah Employer Conference. This innovative innov-ative award will recogniie successful businesses that have demonstrated commitment and leadership incorporating incor-porating worklife programs into their business strategics. strate-gics. "Businesses arc realizing the bottom-line benefits of incorporating worklife initiatives into their corporate culture and everyday operations and we want to recognize rec-ognize and honor the best programs," staled Robert Gross, the executive director of the Department of Workforce Services. "By addressing worklife issues directly, companies arc reaping the benefits of improved productivity, commitment, retention, recruitment and moral, while experiencing declines in absenteeism and turnover," Cross explained. Utah exceeds the national average in the number of working mothers. Sixty four percent of mothers with preschool age children and 76 percent of mothers with school age children are participating in the state workforce. work-force. According to the Families and Work Institutes, 85 percent of employees nationwide have daily family responsibilities at home, caring for either children or elder dependents. "We want to share worklife best practices. We are looking for companies with programs or policies addressing child care, elder care, flexible scheduling, community involvement or any other means of providing pro-viding support and resources to their employees to realize their full potential both at work and at home, explained Lynette Rasmussen, director of the Utah Office of Child Care. Persons can nominate their company or any company compa-ny that has exemplary worklife programs on-line by visiting the Department of Workforce Services web site at: dws.state.ut us or by calling the Utah Office of Child Care at 801-526-4340. Nominations will be taken from now until the Sept. 21 deadline. Companies of all sizes are encouraged to apply, the only requirement is that they operate or are located in the state of Utah. A select group of finalists will be chosen from initial applications and more extensive interviews will be conducted. Winners will be announced at the Employer Conference in April. PUBLIC FORUM LETTERS TO THE EDITOR What is your opinion? The Express welcomes letters let-ters from its readers concerning any subject pertinent perti-nent to the Uintah Basin. There are no restrictions as to contents, if not libelous or vindictive and of reasonable length (two typewritten double spaced pages). Letters must be submitted exclusively to the Express and bear the writer's fun name, signature, signa-ture, phone number and address. Letters for the sole purpose of expressing thanks to individuals or groups will not be printed in the forum. Letters may be mailed, faxed at 789-8690 or through e-mail at editorOvemal.com. The name or names of those submitting letters must appear on aH published letters. let-ters. All letters are subject to condensation. Letters express the opinion of the writer and are not necessarily nec-essarily the opinion of the Express Editor. County council Dear Editor. The committee for a Better Form of Government is working hard to educate the citizens of Uintah County on this very important issue on the Nov. 6, 2001 ballot. If you arc interested in joining the committee, join us Thursday. August 23, 2001 at 5:30 p.m. at Work Force Services. If you are not aware of the issue, please plan to attend one of our upcoming town meetings or debates. We fell our biggest opponent is ignorance and false information. Please take the time to study the facts. RODNEY S. ANDERSON. MD Chairman for a better Form of Government for Uintah County Diamond Mt. roads Dear Editor, I am writing to commend those people who have done such a great job with the roads on Diamond Mountain. The new culverts that have been put in to drain away water from the roads and the gravel and the grading that has been done, have made those roads in better condition than they have been in many years. I am hoping that those who use the roads, especially late in fall, or early in spring when everything is wet and muddy, will use a little common sense and not tear them up, by making deep ruts and going through when it would be better if they did not I am referring to those persons who have the idea that ihey wiil not get stuck, and when they find that they cannot make it on the road, then they cut the fences and go through someone's some-one's property. Those people surely do not show respect for other people or for the work that has been done to make travel easier for all of us. I also want to congratulate those persons who have done such a good job at taking care of our city parks this year. They look better than they have in several years and it makes the whole community look better. MILTON SEARLE Vernal Verbal Express (ISSN 0892-10911 PiAtened every Wednesday for $24 per year in (hopping vm and $36 par year ex of shopping area within ctaia and $39 per year out of tale within USA by the Vernal Expresa Publishing Company, 54 North vernal Avenue. Vernal. Utah 84078. PenodfcaJa pottage paid at Vernal Utah 84078. POSTMASTER; Send adores change to VERNAL EXPRESS. P.O. Box 1 000, Vernal Utah 84078. JaCk R.'WattlS PiMehar Steven ft Walla Virginia Harrington.. VWu Feldt Richard Harrington . Sara Moon Jody Smoin ..Ecfctor and co-putarwr .Feature writer .Pubc Notices 1 .Advertising .Advertising -Circulation a Classified Ads Phone; 435-789-3511 PAX- vt-7Butean Website: www vernal com e-mal: edrkxO vernal com DEADLINES Display Advertising, Classified AoVwtemg.. ... i Monday t2 noon ..Monday 5 p m. Monday 5 pm -Monday 3 pm. .... .. , Monosy a pm MADD Dear Editor. We are MADD. Mothers against drunk drivers. What dors it take for our courts to recognize that we have a problem with our young people as well as those who are of age to legally drink alcoholic beverages? A rollover roll-over occurred about a month ago where a young woman was driving under the influence. Not a teenager but a 25 year old. A young mother of two children. The only thing that saved her life was a seat belt. The only thing that saved her children from being motherless. This vehicle rolled six to eight times per the accident report. The vehicle was totalled. The vehicle did not even belong to her. Now this person is without a vehicle. vehi-cle. This is not the first incident This is the second offense for a DUI. She will now go to court this Thursday to argue that this should be dropped from a DUI to wreckless and careless driving. Is this allowable for our justice system? Will this person be allowed on the streets to maybe get a third chance to either kill herself her-self or an innocent victim? This young woman definitely needs the help of. this community. Our courts owe it to the community to find an answer for this escalating problem for our young people as well as those who fill ihey are responsible and feel they have everything under control when they arc drinking and then want to drive. When you have lost a child or a family member, no matter what the age, you will understand what Mothers Against Drunk Driving is all about , MADD JOAN HOWARD Gas Prices Dear Editor, Am I the only one or is somebody else wonder why these gas prices are the way they are in the Basin. I have been from Montana to Arkansas recently and can't quite figure out how we can be nearly 50 cents a gallon more than in Little Rock. Gas in Billings last month was selling everywhere for $1.33. Gas in California is even cheaper than Vernal. How about West Yellowstone? Now that's something when gas prices that are traditionally higher due to tourism, are the same price as Vernal. Could it be that we're caught up in tourism. I don't know who is getting rich but I know someone is. I don't have a problem with it but enough is enough. Let's spread it around for awhile. Are we subsidizing the metropolitan areas? If you look in our area, most of the gas stations are corporate owned. I'm not sure but gas prices are set at a higher level with little input at the local level. I don't believe the price to haul fuel can cost 20 to 30 cents per gallon. If someone has the answers let us know. One thing I do know, is we're getting get-ting ripped off. GREG WTTBECK 1 THOUGHT WHILE WAS WAITING FOR THAT STUPID UfrHT TO CHANGS, I'D . iROTATE MY TIRES HP County receives Smart Site designation Through efforts of the Economic Development Department Uintah County is now a Smart Site to provide pro-vide a location for high tech companies com-panies and jobs. The Smart Site designation becomes official this week and it will use a room on the upper floor of the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce Building until other sites become available. This designation will given us the same benefits as other Smart' Sites in Utah," said Lisa Ross, Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce Executive director. The Economic Development Department is operated by the Chamber under contract with Vernal City and Uintah County. Governor Mike Leavitt last week announced a $500,000 federal matching grant awarded to purchase pur-chase computer equipment and software for Utah's Smart Sites. The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded the grant to the Rural Partnership Office to support the Smart Sites initiative. This grant has allowed us to leverage the original legislative' appropriation in a significant way," said Leavitt. "Now, Smart Sites will offer businesses state-of-the-art computer equipment in addition to a facility, high-speed bandwidth, and trained workers." Smart Sites represent rural Utah's connection to the Utah Silicon Valley Alliance. Companies from throughout the world can electronically electroni-cally outsource with these sites for services such as software testing, technical call centers, database management data entry and website web-site development In the 2001 legislative leg-islative session, the legislature appropriated $725,000 for Smart Site development A portion of the appropriation will serve as a match to the EDA grant The Rural Partnership Office has been actively submitting applications for grants and soliciting private partners to leverage the money. "The application was very strong, and EDA felt positive about the potential economic impact Smart Sites can have in rural areas of the state," said Anthony Preite, EDA regional director. "The Smart Site initiative is an innovative and forward-looking project that has much to offer both businesses and communities." com-munities." The money will be distributed to Smart Sites on an as-needed basis, and equipment will be purchased based on companies' specific needs. "Equipment is a major expense for companies setting up an operation," opera-tion," said Wes Curtis, State Planning Coordinator and Rural Partnership Office director. "Now, businesses can start employing people peo-ple with a minimal investment" Smart Sites are currently located in Cache, Box Elder, Carbon. Emery, San Juan, Iron, Sanpete, Duchesne, Kane and Sevier counties. Animal shelter bid awarded! By Virginia Harrington Feature Writer At a joint City CouncilCounty Commission meeting that included Mayor Kremin of Vernal and Mayor Mathis of Naples, a decision was made to grant the bid for a new animal ani-mal shelter to Angus Construction. Ken B as sett recommended approVal of a 4500 square foot building plus a portion of the kennels ken-nels that would eventually be needed. need-ed. This was approved by Uintah County, Vernal City and Naples City. The City Council then approved awarding the bid to Angus Construction, which offered the lowest bid. Total cost would be $439,454 with $72,500 of that being for kennels. With a grant from the CTB of $157,855 and a no interest CIB loan, plus contributions from Vernal and Naples City, the amount needed in escrow is still nearly $16,000 short. This money is required before closure can take place. Bassett advised going to Cedar City and getting on the agenda of the CIB the first week in September to ask for a grant or a 0 percent loan of approximately $100,000 to provide pro-vide the additional escrow monies needed plus funds to furnish the facility with desks, filing cabinets and other necessities. He said it is necessary to move ahead with this as quickly as possible so the contract con-tract with Angus Construction can be closed. Bassett also said if the CIB turns them down the cities and the county will have to come up with the additional money for the escrow account with Naples City giving $800, Vernal City contributing contribut-ing $5,100 and Uintah County $10,000, based on population. Mayor Mathis said it isn't necessary neces-sary to include Outdoor corrals for impounding large animals at this time since there are ample places to contract for that. However, he said it is essential to get moving on the shelter and kennels for small animals ani-mals as the area will soon have no shelter for dogs and cats. Bassett said a title search will be done immediately on the property, which is located near 335 S. 1450 E There can be no restrictions or encumbrances in the deed and the title must be in the name of Vernal City municipality. Therefore, Uintah County will deed a full acre of property to the Vernal City Building Authority with a lease agreement to be drawn up after closing, that allows the county to continue to use the land for storage for about a year, so long as it doesn't interfere with construction of the building. Bull goes berserk Federa, workers are ln a credit fd An out of control bull kept law enforcement officers occupied for a couple of hours Saturday. The bull was initially located near Checker Auto Parts on west Highway 40 at about 8 a.m. Officers attempted to keep the bull away from Highway 40 but were unsuccessful. The bull crossed the highway and went into the old Wal Mart parking lot The bull, which was uncontrollable, uncontrol-lable, set off the alarm inside the old Wal Mart Store. He continued to a residential area at about 300 South, tearing down several fences and chasing some horses causing them to become caught in a fence. When the bull appeared to be headed toward the Mile High Park, 50 S. 1500 West officers determined that they had to shoot the bull before it went into the pat where there were small children. ' Officer Clarence Hamilton, Vernal City Police, shot the bull numerous times in the head and the body with his standard issue 9mm pistol. The shots just infuriated the bull. Deputy Anthoney Byron, Uintah County Sheriff Department shot the bull with a shotgun which finally put an end to its rampage. A veterinarian attended to the cuts the horses sustained. sus-tained. At about 5:30 p.m. it was determined from the bull's ear tag that he belonged to Dan Thomas of Vernal. The owner of the bull could face the cost of damages to the horses and fences. . ... - spending frenzy (and you're paying) Emergency Management Agency and the Securities and Exchange Commission - each have more than twice as many credit cards as empkry- WASHINGTON, DC Bad news for American taxpayers: Thousands of government employees have been going on credit-card shopping sprees, buying everything from pornography and vacations to jewelry and pet supplies sup-plies - and sending you the bill. "Who says government workers don't get any credit?" said libertarian Party National Director - Steve Dasbach. "Unfortunately, they get plenty of it - and they're sending us their credit card bills. "New revelations about the growing abuse of government credit cards proves mere may be nothing more . Mghtening than federal workers with the power to say, 'Charge it!" Last week, the General Accounting Office in Washington, DC acknowledged acknowl-edged there had been a "significant breakdown" in mentoring the abuse of credit cards by federal employees. The problem is especially significant signifi-cant said the G AO. because federal employees are canyfag'niore than 3.1 million government-issued charge cards and are using them to spend up to $ 19 billion a year. The cards, designed to give federal employees more flexibility when making official purchases, have been used for a staggering array of personal . expenses, according to the GAO and other government watchdog groups. Examples include: - ' ; Pornographic materials, purchased "over the Internet by credit-card wielding wield-ing Education rjepartrnent employees. The department's chief inspector, Lorraine Lewis, also admitted that employees had used the cards to buy personal computers. , Tickets to a Broadway show by an employee at the Department of Energy. Family vacations, charged . employees of the Corporation National and Comniunitv Service. One worker racked up $22,442 in bills . for family fun. - . . ' : Two agencies - the Federal by for ees. Even former employees at the Internal Revenue Service have access to credit cards, according to the Treasury inspector general. Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel person-nel hold a vAopping 1 . 6 million credit cards; while the Agriculture Department has 157,752 and the Transportation rjerjartment has 119,465. Given aH these problems, it's past time to take these credit cards out of the hands of financially out-of-control , federal workers, said Dasbach. - "We need to cut up these government govern-ment credit cards and put an end to these plastic-fueled shopping sprees by federal spendthrifts - before tax-' payers wind up ia the poorhouse," he ' saidJ- ' - -mm i |