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Show Opinion and Commentary 2 Vernal ExpreS Wednesday, September 5, 20C1 JACK-STRAWS - - - ' - by Jack Walli MAM LOADER PACKED ErA NIGH ON TO THAT'S A BI& Ol DEER. Ice cream trivia FIVE NUWC What doe ice cream have to do with stress? It is ctwsidereJ the top 'comfort food. Comfort foods are those foods, which connect people with memories of pleasant times and events, special people, and simple pleasures. And what could be more comforting than choosing between 60 different flavors of ice cream and novelties while relaxing, unwinding, and remembering remem-bering simpler, quieter times? The Dairy Farmers of Utah will be doing their part to reduce stress in Utah by dishing up thousands of bowls of kc cream at the 20th annual Ice Cream Festival at the Utah State Fair next Monday. New York Psychiatrist Jack Leedy claims a person! pervmality is revealed by the manner in which he or she eats an ice cream cone. The BiteMone who nibbles ice cream teeth-first) is aggressive, opinionated, career-oriented, and knows what heshe wants and how to get it. The NibhleMone who operates around the cone's outside rim) is a cautious soul who refrains from commitment com-mitment until thoroughly convinced. The LickeMone who attacks the cone with enthusiasm) enthusi-asm) is i fun-loving, and extroverted person. The CruncheMone who bites the cone first and works up to the ice cream) is unconventional and unpredictable, and entertains visions of wealth and travel. Other ice cream tnv ia includes: Americans three most popular flavors of ice cream are: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. The average person consumes 17 pounds of ice cream per year. Ice cream is consumed in over 98 percent of American households. Men eat more ice cream than women. The 55 plus, age group is the biggest consumer of ice cream. Ice cream is considered a top "comfort food." The most ice cream is consumed on Sunday. Chocolate is the most popular topping for ice cream. Another name for root beer float is a Black Cow. Half a scoop of ice cream contains less than half the calories of a slice of apple pie. Ice cream restaurants are ranked as the third most popular eating establishment, after pizza and hamburger ham-burger restaurants. Former President Nixon had his favorite ice cream, macadamia nut-flown to the mainland from Hawaii. The first ice cream cone was called the "Worlds Fair Cornucopia." A waffle distributor and an ice cream vendor invented it in 1904 at the St Louis Exposition. If all the ice cream consumed in one year were put in cones and stacked on top of each other, the chair of cones would reach over 4,182.500 miles into the sky. If you put all the ice cream in the world into half-gallon half-gallon containers, there would be enough to encircle the equator 1 1 times. 'Dolly Madison created a sensation when she served ice cream at the inaugural ball in 1 8 1 2. Nancy Johnson invented the first hand-cranked ice cream freezer in 1846. She failed to patent it, but a man named Mr. Young did. 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 full 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 a! 789-8690 or through e-mail at editordvernal.com. The name or names of those submitting letters must appear on all 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. Council or commission Dear (Alitor, Under the present outdated and dangerously inefficient ineffi-cient commission form of county government only two people often pass laws and ordinances of the county. It's even more dangerous realizing the two commissioners commis-sioners can and often do come from the same localized area of the county bringing into serious question the value and integrity of those decisions affecting the people peo-ple of the entire county. Thus opening the door very wide to selfish special interest groups. The council form of county government requires double the number of votes to pass proposals plus the various district representatives rep-resentatives are there to protect against localized or individualized selfishness. Additionally, in the present complex and difficult world of liability law, labor laws, contractual laws, environmental laws, health and safety laws, budget and financial laws, transportation laws, etc. Can we afford to continue paying for the costly mistakes of a two person per-son decision. Under the proposed council form of county coun-ty government we make it possible for more persons experienced, qualified, trained, even professionals, in the business world of today, plus we have a professionally profession-ally trained county manager, all combining to avoid those costly mistakes and litigations. Under the present commission form of county government, gov-ernment, everyone complains when the commission votes themselves hefty pay raises. Under the new program, pro-gram, no increase of pay will take effect for any council member until after heshe has faced and has been successfully suc-cessfully re-elected (see section 2:07 of the new plan). Heshe does not receive even one month of pay increase if not re-elected. We are finding most opposition is cpming from those who have not bothered to read the new plan. A copy can be obtained at the county clerk's office. STANLEY A. ANDERSON Vernal Change in government Dear Editor, As a former Venial resident, I've been watching the push for a change of Uintah County government with great interest. I live in Grand County now (Moab) and feel so lucky to have the 7 Council MemberAdministrator form of government in place here. Having seen both sides, let me assure your readers that this (7 memberadministrator form of government is effective, efficient, and fair. The larger council is able to effectively represent the wide variety of view points of the residents. The administrator can take care of the day-to-day running of the "business" end of things, freeing your council members up to actually spend more time doing their jobs! I hope the residents of Uintah County take the time to really look into this issue. I'd like to encourage people to contact our Council members, and residents here. Ask questions, get informed, get involved - its YOUR government! SUE HUSCH Moab, Utah Pamphlet... Continued from page 1 Chairman of the committee, Rep. Jack A. Seitz, will present the pamphlet to the county commissioners Monday. Once the pamphlet has been approved by the commissioners, it will be published and distributed to county voters. Other items on the agenda for the Monday, Sept 10 commission meeting are the opening of bids for a patch machine, an ordinance and resolution to amend the Animal Control Animal Shelter fees. Care center approval of a construction project and Myton City expansion of Housing Authority into Uintah County. Two car accident totals vehicle A two-car collision on 2500 West and 500 North Saturday totalled one vehicle and did $3,000 in damages dam-ages to another. No one was hurt in the accident and both drivers were wearing seatbelts. The accident occurred at 4:20 p.m. when Thelma Merkley of Vernal was stopped at a stop sign and was traveling south on 2500 West She entered the intersection intersec-tion when another vehicle, driven by Maximillion Larson, 18 of Vernal turned out of the north exit of the Maeser 7-11 parking lot and headed east The two vehicles vehi-cles collided in the middle of the intersection. The Larson vehicle was totalled, a 1977 Datson. Merkley was cited for failure to yield right of way and Larson was cited for improper lookout said Trooper Daniel Fredette, Utah Highway Patrol. Gas wells... "" VEPMAL express (ISSN 0892-1091) Published very Wednesday tor $24 per year in shopping area and X per year out of shoppng area art state and S39 per year out of state withm USA by fhe Vernal Express Pubbhing Company, 54 North Vernal Avenue. Vernal. Utah 84078. PertorJcats postage paid at Vernal, Utah 84078. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VERNAL EXPRESS, P.O. Box 1000, Vernal Utah 84078. Jack R. Warts Steven R. Wafts Virginia Harrington.. Veld Fetdl Richard Harrington . Sara Moon Jody Smum Pubssher -Edrtor and co-publisher .Feature writer PuNe feottoas .Advertising .-Advertising -Ccuibon L Classified Ads Phone: 436-789-3511 FAX 435-788690 Website: www.vemal.corn e-mat: edtorwvemal.com DEADLINES Display AdverMng.-Qassiftsd AdverMng.-Qassiftsd AdverttsKig Pubic Notices ..Monday 12 noon ... Monday 5 p.m. Monday S p.m. .Monday 3 p.m. WHERE'S YOUP-. -a PARTNER PA1MTPD DEfcD AWAY' BOUT TWO MILE WCK AND YOU JUST weawwaxawxawa"i"r YUP.... AIN'T MOBOOV GUHNA STEftL rtltA y VJH to hold Back to School! Night Sept. 12 The new school year has begun and so has a new attitude at Vernal . Jr. High. As you walk into the commons com-mons you are greeted with their anthem of "Respect Lives Here." Banners are displayed to remind the students that through out the coming com-ing school year they will be learning learn-ing how to become more productive and successful at school, at home, and in our community. Vernal Jr. High will be holding a Back to School Night on Sept 12 at 7 p.m. The focus of this meeting will be "The 7 Habits pf Highly Effective Teens." Jeanette Summer from the Franklin Covey Co. will speak to the students during the afternoon assemblies and return that evening to address the public. VJH is asking parents and community com-munity members to attend the Back' to School Night Here they will learn what the students will be taught this year about: being proactive; proac-tive; beginning with the end in mind; putting first things first; thinking win-win; seeking first to understand, then be understood; ' how to synergize; and sharpening the saw. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" is a major component of this years Character Education Plan for VJH. These habits will be reinforced rein-forced with the Community of Caring format that encourages basic core values of respect, responsibility, responsibili-ty, trust caring and family. . It is the goal of Vernal Jr. High that "Respect Lives Here" will also be reflected outside of our school by our students. ! - p. r. ' . I .TV .. . y Vernal man arrested for business burglaries A Vernal man was arrested last week for burglaries and theft from Vernal businesses. Christopher Scnff, 23, on parol from North Dakota, was charged by Vernal City Police for the November 2000 Showalter Ford burglary, July 2001 theft from Financial Focus Ponderosa and August 2001 burglary bur-glary at Key Energy. On August 28 Vernal City Det Bob Taylor executed an arrest warrant war-rant at Senff 's residence. Items were found during the arrest that were connected to additional burglaries. Christopher Senff Prepare for disability -just in case Continued from page 1 Buttes fields to the west onto Gasco and Phillips acreage." "We are actively developing prospects and leads to drill as part of bur 2001 and 2002 program," added Erickscn. "Gasco has staked 13 Wasatch locations and is finalizing negotiations to secure a drilling rig. With BLM approval, Gasco could begin drilling early in the fourth quarter." California Seismic Option Signed Gasco recently reached agreement with Torch Nuevo Company to shoot and interpret more than five and one half miles of 120 fold seismic in its Willow Springs Prospect in the southern San Joaquin Basin of California. The agreement agree-ment also provides the option for Torch to drill a test well on the option lands. The company can give no assurance that it will be successful in developing any economically drillable prospect Gasco Energy is a Denver-based natural gas and oil exploration and development company that focuses on natural gas rich prospect's in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The Company currently holds interest in more man 1 35,000 gross acres in Utah Internet safety tour coming Sept. 25 Open doors are about to close for predators and pornographers who prey on Utah children over the Internet Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is coming to twelve Utah cities this fall to teach students and parents how to avoid online intruders. intrud-ers. The Vernal Internet Safety Tour has been set for Sept 25, and will include workshops with law enforcement officers, school officials, offi-cials, media representatives, community com-munity leaders, parents, and students. stu-dents. The tour will provide information from the Attorney General and members of the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. They will offer practical advice on how to keep kids safe on the Internet A recent survey indicated the one out of five teenagers has received an unwanted request on the Internet to engage in sexual activities or provide explicit personal information. informa-tion. Also, one in four children has been exposed to unwanted online pornography.' submitted by Steven S. Holt Edward Jones . If you have any dependents, you may already have life insurance. In fact you probably wouldn't think of going without it and you shouldn't But here's something you may not realize: When it comes to protecting your income, you might be ignoring a threat that's even greater than death. That threat is disability. During your working years, you are far more likely to become disabled for three months or longer than you are to die. Yet a great many people do not have the disability insurance protection they need. And going even a few months without a source of income can jeopardize many of your financial plans. What can you do to protect yourself your-self against potentially catastrophic disabilities? Start by reviewing your situation. Does your employer offer some type of group disability policy? If so, make sure you're taking tak-ing advantage of it even if you have to pay part of the premium. These policies are always more affordable man individual ones. Still, a group policy may be insufficient insuf-ficient If y our employer's coverage doesn't pay at least 60 percent of your income, doesn't pay benefits to age 65 and has a relatively long waiting period, you may want to explore some type of additional insurance. While private coverage is typically typical-ly expensive, you will find a great deal of variability among policies which makes it essential that you "shop around" before buying. When you're comparing disability disabili-ty policies, look for the following: Highest monthly benefits possi ble You can't get all the disability disabili-ty coverage you want no matter what you're willing to pay. Most policies limit you to a maximum of 50 percent to 60 percent of your monthly earned income before taxes. Try to get the highest amount possible. "Own occupation" coverage for life Many people don't realize that their disability policy provides coverage only until they can go back to any type of work. If you don't want to be forced to work outside your chosen area, took for a policy that offers what's known as "own occupation" benefits for life. Longest waiting period you can afford The length of your "waiting "wait-ing period" the time between the onset of your disability and the point you begin receiving benefits is a key factor in the amount of premiums you'll pay for your policy. poli-cy. If you opt for a longer waiting period, you can save a lot of money but you'll have to make sure you have enough in savings to tide you over until your benefits kick in. Longest benefit period for your individual needs You'll want your disability benefits to last at least until you're 65. You also can choose a policy that provides benefits bene-fits for life. This option will be more expensive, but it may be worth it particularly if you don't mink you'll have enough alternative alterna-tive sources of retirement income to meet your needs. Clearly, you must consider many issues in evaluating your disability income needs and the various ways you can address mem. If you're lucky, you'D never have to worry about a disability but it's always best to be prepared. |