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Show A2 VtiuI Express Wednesday, March 17, 2004 , ( Opinion and Commentary 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 at 789-8690 or through e-mail at editorvemal.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. X Kids in cars Dear Editor, I am writing with concern for the children and the safety we as parents, grandparents, babysitters, etc. are entitled to give them. The concerns I am writing about first caught my eye last summer. One day, my husband and I were driving when we passed another car that had a toddler sitting on the lap of a passenger. This winter, my husband and I were having lunch at a local sandwichgas store and watched a mother pull into a parking stall, leave her car running and her three children in the back seat, to come into the store for a drink. Only a week later, I was shopping in another store and a cute couple came in to browse around. As I was leaving, the woman of the couple was right behind me. Next to my car was another car that was running. I saw the woman walk to the rear passenger window and . peak inside the vehicle. At a second glance, I saw a car seat with a baby in it sitting in the car. A few weeks after that, my husband stopped on his lunch hour to grab a snack at a grocery store. He walked by a mini van that was running with a boy about six or seven in the front seat. He was playing with the windows and attempting to move the gear shift. Of course, I have saved the best for last. About a month ago, my husband was again driving and watched a little car pull out of a business, fie noticed that the driver of the car had a snuggle (a front-pack baby carrier) carri-er) on and a baby inside of it! Now I know people can say it has been a cold winter and I don't want to get my children out of the warm car, or it's too much work to get three kids out to run in for a drink. But people here in the Basin aren't oblivious oblivi-ous to the events that are always occurring where strangers are hijacking cars with children in them. Or where kids accidently put the car into gear while the parents are gone. n Those iof youwho are guilty, of 'leaving your children in the car, please stop and think what would be racing ' through your mind if it was your children who were in the hijacked car. Are your children ever going to forget the events of a day like that? Won't it always affect them in one way or another? Isn't it worth the extra effort and minutes to give your children the safety you are more than entitled to give them, and to also save yourself from such events. Here's an example of an event that could have been prevented. I moved here from the small town of Payson. Last winter, a mother stopped in at a tack and feed store just down from my house. She was just running run-ning in for a minute and saw no harm in leaving her children. Her oldest was able to get out of the seat belt and began to play with the gear shift, suddenly, the car began to roll backwards, across the small street and right into the gas meter of the employment building. Luckily, the mother saw the car gone and ran outside. She and a passerby got her children out just before an explosion occurred and started the car and building on fire. The building burnt to the ground. Please, I beg you to take the extra time and effort to buckle your children in properly, and don't leave them in the car alone whether it is running or not. I have a child myself and I know how much work it is. But I have also lost a child and I know the pain, the agony that goes along with that also. I don't want anyone to experience this pain if it can be prevented, and it can be in some cases, by a little time and effort on the adult's part. Sincerely, WENDY GIROT Vernal Protect rural life Dear Editor, This year, I have worked with the Uintah County Commissioners on projects with a series of events like equal justice for rural communities, potential rural property taking both private and public, civil rights, environmental justice, community social well being and cultural stability. These concerns of rural people are plagued with self- VERNAL Express (ISSN 0892-1091) Published every Wednesday lor $24 per year in shopping area and $36 per year out of shopping area within state and $39 per year out of state within USA by the Vernal Express Publishing Company, 54 North Vernal Avenue, Vernal, Utah 84078. Periodicals postage paid at Vernal, Utah 84078. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VERNAL EXPRESS, P.O. Box 1000, Vernal Utah 84078. Steven R. Wallis Editor and Publisher Virginia Harrington Guest Writer Maureen Spencer Feature Writer Mandi Oaks Feature Writer Courtney Millecam Public Notices Jacque Hobbs Advertising Vanessa Grimshaw Advertising Terri Black Circulation & Classified Ads Tasha J. Robinson... Advertising and Layout Phone: 435-789-3511 FAX: 435-789-8690 Website: www.vemal.com e-mail: editor6vemal.com MEW DEADLINES News... Monday 12 noon Display Advertising. ..... Monday 2 p.m. Classified Advertising Monday 2 p.m. PuWic Notices... Monday 2 p.m. r ish interest of state and federal governments. The human dimension of rural communities is seldom analyzed ana-lyzed and if it is done improperly. It has been a constant effort by the Uintah County Commissioners to make sure that rural representation on such matters is always at the committee tables to guard with expertise the rural people's issues that impact our community. It is rare when out-of-the-area state and federal personnel per-sonnel can solve these problems for us successfully. Outside personnel don't understand the data concerning taxation, demographics, economic figures and makeup of the rural community. To understand these, one must work in rural communities out side of state and federal government officials, raise families here, enjoy the rural life style, own property in the rural counties and respect business and industry that bring jobs to local communities. Many of these problems should have been solved a long time ago by our elected officials and are now almost irreversible. I wish to express my thanks to the Uintah County Commissioners for protecting the interests inter-ests of our rural people. GLEN J. MECHAM Dry Fork Tribal leadership Dear Editor, Five months ago, Luke Duncan and I were expelled from the Tribal Business Committee by Maxine Natchees, Smiley Arrowchis, Roland McCook, Sr., and Richard Jenks, Jr., when they claimed that Luke and I violated the Tribe's financial plan. They claimed that we violated the financial plan by filing a lawsuit in federal fed-eral court in which we allege that the BIA breached its trust responsibility by failing to monitor the business activities of the Tribe's financial advisors. In the five months since, and even before, Luke and I were expelled, Maxine & Co. have violated the financial finan-cial plan in the following ways: 1. The financial plan says that "Monthly retirement benefits of $1,500 per member . . . will be paid to members mem-bers who have reached 65 years of age, beginning on May 1, 2002." Seniors did not start receiving their "retirement" dividend until nearly a year later, in March 2003. 2. The financial plan says that tribal members age 26 to 64 WILL receive an annual dividend, beginning on Oct. 1, 2002, and "quarterly payments during fiscal year 2003." It's mid-March 2004 and Maxine & Co., did not pay the Oct. 1, 2002, dividend or the quarterly dividends that they were obligated to pay, under the financial plan, in fiscal year 2003 (which expired on Sept. 30, 2003). 3. The financial plan says that members who are 26 to 64 will receive a monthly payment, in addition to regular regu-lar dividends, "in fiscal year 2004 and later years." We are six months into fiscal year 2004. Maxine & Co., haven't made those monthly payments to any tribal members. 4. The financial plan says that the Venture Fund Board will have nine members, three from each Band. Since Jan. 12, the Venture Board Fund has had only six members "- one from the Uintah Band, two from the Whiteri ver Band and three from the ' Uncorrrpahgre Band. The Uintahs and Whiterivers should be demanding demand-ing equal representation, or at least their elected "leaders" "lead-ers" should be demanding equal representation. 5. The financial plan says that the payments funded by the Venture Fund will come from profits generated by investments recommended by the Tribe's financial advisor. The $1,500 that the seniors are receiving isn't coming from profits: it is coming from a $7.1 million mortgage that John Junius took out on the mall that the Tribe supposedly owns in Cheyenne, Wyo. When Mr. Junius bought the mall "for the Tribe," the mall had an appraised value of $7.1 million; he paid $11.1 million of the Tribe's money for it; then turned around and mortgaged it for $7.1 million. According to the loan payoff documents, the Tribe has to make 119 payments of $45,587.98 each, with a balloon payment of $5,560,989.88 due on Feb. 1, 2013. All totaled, the $7.1 million mall will end up costing the Tribe $22,135,959.50 - more than THREE TIMES its appraised value. I am writing this letter because the real reason that Luke and I were expelled is that we dared to question Mr. Junius. But questioning Mr. Junius is what all tribal members, and especially elected tribal leaders, have to do in order to protect the Tribe from financial ruin. Unlike Mr. Junius or Maxine & Co., I have the documents docu-ments to prove the statements that I've made and I'm willing to share those documents with anyone who wants a copy. RONALD J. WOPSOCK Upset Dear Editor, I was quite upset when I read the article last week on the meth bust. When the truth finally came out about the meth bust and the jar contained "Bath Salts," it goes to show what underhanded lengths local law enforcement will go to, to get an arrest and publicity. While I'm not condoning meth use; people have a right not to be treated like this. I have been involved with the county prosecutors office before and know these people will stop at nothing to get a conviction and will not work or deal with people after the fact., If a lawsuit in not in order I at least believe local law enforcement and maybe even the Vernal Express, owe the girls an apology. I think it was responsible and just of you to print the article giving the true outcome of the arrest. JIM MORRISON Vernal 'Donated' land Dear Editor, I'm writing in regards to the March 3 Uintah Recreation District story. To purchase 78 acres of undeveloped un-developed land for $1.5 million dollars calculates to $19,230 per acre. The Kay family has agreed to "donate" half of the land. That's a great tax dodge that brings the cost per acre to $38,460. This sounds suspiciously of a few wealthy locals scratching each other's back. I've got an equally good deal for the Recreation Board. I'll sell them my 2000 Ford pick-up for $60,000. I'll even "donate" the tires and steering wheel. Sincerely, SCOTT HARBISON Vernal 4rR I OK ofou could invent some Sen.ear rm$s ..-but quite painfull. And it; a sure, cinch that there ain't nrthfaa . U lUal - - - - oljl wu.ejw green. BLM to release draft Resource Management Plan More than three years after announcing that they were starting a Resource Management Plan (RMP) update, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Office in Vernal, has announced their plans to release their draft RMP to the public next month. The plan, combines the existing Diamond Mountain and Book Cliffs RMPs into a single plan, covering cov-ering about 1.8 million acres in northeastern Utah, including Uintah; ' Duchesne, Daggett ahd the northern portion of Grand counties. "The plan will be the guide for BLM activities on public lands, surface and subsurface in the tri-county tri-county area, said David Moore, Supervisory Planning Coordinator Bureau of Land Management. The Vernal RMP was one of five basins identified by the administration administra-tion as a "fast track" RMP because of the oil and gas reserves in the area. Along with a 90-day public comment com-ment period, the BLM will be hosting host-ing five separate public information meetings in Vernal, Duchesne, Manila, Green River and Salt Lake City. "They will be public meetings to explain the alternatives, talk about them in small groups and to take some public comment," Moore said. The plan takes into consideration, Wild and Scenic Rivers, endangered endan-gered species, criticial environmen tal concerns and oil and gas leasing. "It is a very far reaching document docu-ment and could change the way we do things, particularly with off-highway off-highway vehicle use," Moore said. Wolves... Continued from A1 overview of the status of wolves in North America and in the Intermountain West was presented c, by Craig Mclaughlin',. TJWR mam- , mals program, coordinator. Mclaughlin assured the crowd that there are no plans to introduce wolves into Utah. Once the crowd had identified issues, they were given the chance to vote and prioritize those that they felt were most important. Gasson said that the consulting firm would consolidate the issues and advice provided by the public throughout the state and present it to the wolf working group for their consideration. While the issue list was fairly broad and included over 250 entries, the majority opinion, as witnessed by how votes were expended, was not really an issue but a statement. The nutshell statement state-ment "no wolves in Utah" received the most votes. However, the issues of livestock and big game predation as well as how wolf management" efforts -were to- be funded were also identified as two of the leading issues and concerns of the meeting participants. At the conclusion of the meeting, Gasson explained that the working group has a spring 2005 deadline for providing a final wolf management manage-ment plan for Utah. Prior to the final product, the working group will provide drafts that will be available to the public for review and comment later this year. When public comment on the draft plan is received and considered for inclusion, inclu-sion, the group will complete the final document. The final product will help provide direction on how DWR officials will manage wolves when they show up in Utah. Caucuses to be next week Tuesday, March 23, Democrat and Republican party caucuses will be held as grassroot politics in Utah begins. Democrat Party Caucus will be from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Precincts Davis 2, 3, 24, Naples 4 and Jensen 1 will meet at 1680 East 400 South, Marvin Jackson, chairman, 789-0089; 789-0089; Glines 5, 17, 23, 26 Ashley Water and Sewer District office, 1344 West U.S. Highway 40, Donna Godina, chairman, 789 4314; Lapoint 21, Whiterocks 20, Alan Oleen residence, 1610 Sundance Avenue, Marsha Oleen, 353-4314; Ashley 15, 22, Maeser 6, 7, 25 at the Uintah High School Library, 1880 West 500 North, use the east door, Ann Elder, chairman, 789-3336; and Vernal 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West, Leonard Heeney, chairman, 789-3147. Republican caucuses will also be Tuesday, March 23, at 7 p.m. Contact precinct chairman to find out the locations: 1- Marilyn Wallis, 789-0628; 2- Steve Stephenson, 789-4308; 3 - Mike Wilkins, 789-6606; 4- Jim Richards, 789-7700; 5 - Craig Blunt, 789-4949; 6 - Rita Barker, 789-4410; 7- Donna Richens, 789-4361; 789-4361; 8- Troy Ostler, 789-8529; 9-Jim 9-Jim Abegglen, 789-6423; 10- Bert Clark, 789-5376; 11- Boyd Casper, 789-8846; 12 - Leon Hoyt, 789 5925; Shelia Swain, 789-2640; 14-Bud 14-Bud Hacking, 789-1527; 15-Milton 15-Milton Billings, 789-4491; 16-Pete 16-Pete Pickup, 545-2466; 17- Paul Sylvesater, 781 2310; 18- John Fausett, 722-4858; 19- Tammy Meacham, 722-4486; 20- Ron Morrill, 353-4179; 21- Gene Nyberg, 247-2305; 22- Joe Evans, 789 3425; 23- Celette Kremin, Foundation to recognize outstanding teachers The Uintah Schools Foundation will honor two outstanding teachers at its annual recognition banquet, Thursday, April 22. A nominee needs to be currently employed by the Uintah School District and will be selected from nominations made by a current or former student or student's family. Nominees will be judged on instructional and motivational motiva-tional skills, interaction with students, stu-dents, the student's family and the community. Forms to nominate an outstanding teacher for the Uintah Schools FoundationShowalter Endowment Award For Excellence in teaching are available at any school office in the Uintah School District Nominations must be submitted by March 31 and delivered to the Uintah School District Office at 635 West 200 South. Fifteen Uintah School District teachers have been recognized since 1997 when the award for excellence in teaching was first initiated. ini-tiated. Teachers who have previously previous-ly been honored are Hollis Dixon, Laura Ahmsbrak, Janice Dickson, Rosa Eaton, Jeanne Tollefson, Rose Nelson, Linda Kurtenback, Kevin Dickson, Penelope Hanberg, Mark Dawkins, Shannon Deets, Wayne Dittmore, Stephen Borton, Kay Baker and Jean Klein. The theme for the evening is "Life is a Gift Weather it Well." The evening is planned to begin at 6:30 with soft music followed by food, a guest speaker and celebration celebra-tion is planned. 789-1248; 24- David Hatch, 789-2851; 789-2851; 25- Larry Allred, 789-4443 and 26- Todd Massey, 789-8504. Contact the Uintah County Clerk Auditor's Office, 781-0770, to determine your precinct or call Keith Foley, 789-4746, 789-3070, if you have questions. A caucus is a neighborhood meeting meet-ing of registered voters for all organized political parties. It ' is held to provide an opportunity at the grassroots level for involvement involve-ment in the process of choosing party candidates, platform , and rules. Caucuses are usually held in a neighbor's home, a public library, any community rooms, or at public school buildings. ' American is governed by those who show up. Caucus attenders have the opportunity to elect delegates dele-gates to their sate conventions where they will vote for the candidates candi-dates they feel will best represent their parties in this fall's general election. They also elect county delegates for their county conventions conven-tions where they will vote for local candidates. Usually a state delegate who will attend the state convention will be elected at the caucuses. i U.S. Senate and Congress, governor, gover-nor, attorney general, state auditor and treasurer, State Senate and House 1 National - Committee womanman, delegates to the National Convention are candidates, candi-dates, state' delegates will vote for in 2004. It is this vote that determines deter-mines who will appear in the Primaries after is is narrowed to two candidates. Both major political parties are holding their state convention on May 8 in Salt Lake City. |