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Show I I 1 HfQEXJSt 7-l-V M,( lit yulM'Xl 1 I I I I- '. t- 4S Single Copy 500 Vernal, Utah 84078 113th Year No. 6 1 fvl www.vernal.ci SPECIAL Wedding Planner. See C1-C12 SPORTS Utes take second at Region. See B10 Wad 29 1ST 210 WEATHER BY SeeA9 EXPRESSIONS The heart of the matter. See B1 V. 4026 3821 4126 pawn""' sto7b. VMMWWBM.'-f' w?f' mnmp'" 1 IHIopes dwindle for By Virginia Harrington Express Writer Paul Hacking, president of Uintah Basin Applied Technology College (UBATC), and Dr. Guy Denton, director of the Uintah Basin campus of Utah State University (USU), made an admirable presentation presenta-tion concerning the need for a new building to the Capital Facilities Committee in Salt Lake City Feb. 2 . In spite of the high quality of the presentation, hopes dwindled dwin-dled with the negative reaction of the committee members. The meeting was attended by Vernal City Mayor William Kremin; Uintah County Commissioners Dave Haslem, Water runoff outlook appears to be favorable this year. Water is limiting factor in growth of state economy By Steven R. Wallis Express Editor Those attending this week's 17th Annual Uintah Basin Water Conference have a lot to talk about. If snowfall in the Uinta's north of Ashley Valley continues contin-ues at its present rate, snow-pack snow-pack could be over 300 percent of normal on Trout Creek, the main SNOTEL site for projecting project-ing runoff for Ashley Creek. The potential for a good runoff this spring will fill reservoirs and provide enough water for farmers. Water is the one limiting factor fac-tor to Utah growth, said Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, keynote speaker during the noon session of the Water Conference. "Water is clearly a challenge," he said. "We need to conserve what we already have and develop added sources of water. "We need to recognize the unintentional consequences of government regulation," he stated. Herbert said that government regulations can sometimes have a negative effect. During the drought, it was required that all new toilets be a lower capacity. Because they use one gallon less water per flush, it was required to flush them twice. "So instead of the requirement saving water, it wasted more water," Herbert said. . Herbert suggested that "We Jim Abegglen and Mike McKee; Sen. Beverly Evans; Rep. John Mathis; Uintah County Vernal City Economic Developer Bill Johnson; Vernal Area and Duchesne County Chamber of Commerce Executive Directors Richard Harrington and Irene Hansen; Associate Director of USU Vernal campus Dr. Robert Behunin; Uintah School District Curriculum Director Leonard Sullivan and Deep Creek resident Raymond Murray. Most of those attending attend-ing expressed disappointment, but not surprise, at the committee's com-mittee's response. Hacking and Denton, who gave the second presentation, were scolded for taking too much of the committee's time with their 12 minute presenta need to work together, and not worry so much about whether we live on the Wasatch Front or in rural Utah. "We are all in this together. What is good for the Uintah Basin is good for the Wasatch Front." One of the ways Gov. Jon Huntsman is bring rural issues to the table is by appointing former for-mer Lt. Gov. Gayle McKeachnie as the rural affair coordinator for the state, Herbert said. To work together better, Herbert said there needs to be better communication. "Sometime we are so busy talking, we don't take the time to listen," Herbert said. "If all sides have all the facts on an issue, they will 95 percent of the time come up with the same solution." Herbert, who has been lieutenant lieu-tenant governor for just over 30 days, describes his experience as a "baptism by fire." "There is a lot to do and little time to do it," he said. Gov. Huntsman has put Herbert over public land issues, transportation and water. "There is a significant challenge chal-lenge in the state in education," he said. "In the next couple of years there is a wave of 40,000 to 45,000 students coming through the education system which will cost the state $1 billion. To solve the state's transportation concerns will cost $6 billion." Herbert said he foresees continued con-tinued development of domestic oil and gas. assistance with USUUBAYC tion. Moments before starting their presentation, the men were told to keep their comments com-ments to 10 minutes. Hacking later stated he had expected to have 20 minutes before the committee. "It's already 2:20 p.m. and we have lots to get through," was the comment of the committee commit-tee co-chairmen, Rep. D. Gregg Buxton and Sen. Bill Hickman when Hacking and Denton finished. fin-ished. This was seen as rude and undeserved by many of those present from the Uintah Basin as well as others who were waiting to make their presentations. pre-sentations. One presenter, who was standing in the back of the crowded room, began crossing out paragraphs in her notes as she stated, "We were told we J Hi' . " I .arry Murray and Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert talk about water issues during Water Conference at Western Park. 1 uazss T!f. - w e Ja s ?cr "3 ; ! 3 $ & 2 3 5 3 .3 3 Chart shows snow pack for Trout Creek at 300 percent of normal and it could go higher. "It is high time we started developing domestic oil, and we all have a role to play in that quest," Herbert stated. "It is a new day in Utah," Herbert said. "Hopefully it is a new and improved day." The water conference contin had 20 minutes.' Hacking and Denton did indeed finish at 2:20 p.m., but they had taken only 12 minutes min-utes of the committee's time. The meeting, which was scheduled sched-uled for 2 p.m., started several minutes late with only half the members present. Then approximately one minute was used while written materials were passed out to the committee com-mittee members. This was followed fol-lowed by a short presentation from the State Commissioner of Higher Education, Richard E. Kendell. Kendell explained the priority process used by the Board of Regents in determining determin-ing higher education needs in the state's universities and colleges. col-leges. When Kendell finished, the time was 2:08 p.m. J ues today with Wild and Scenic Rivers Panel at 8:30 a.m., Water Forecast at 9:15 a.m., Culinary Water Study, Canal Encroachment, Flushing Lines, Repairing Mains at 10:30 a.m. and concludes at 12 noon. Hacking and Denton were not only chastised for using too much time, they were also told the UCAT system did not properly prepare their priorities, priori-ties, as was done by the Board of Regents. They were told that having the Vernal building first on the list for three years in a row indicated that no reexamination re-examination of UCAT needs had been done over the past three years. The actual statement made by a panel member was, "UCAT just passes last year's projects forward. They should do an objective process like the Board of Regents does." Hacking said this was not true as the Board of Trustees had determined that the proposed Vernal building build-ing has been, and still is, the County to property Uintah County Commissioners don't like to use the "condemn" word when it comes to private property, but in the case of 10.5 acres adjacent to the airport, condemning it might be a good thing. The property, which is east of the Vernal Municipal Airport, on the west end of 1500 East, is in the flight clear zone. The property is part of 36-acre parcel par-cel which was once being developed devel-oped as an industrial park. . "There are over 27 individuals individu-als who have claim to the property," prop-erty," said Ed Peterson, Deputy Uintah County Attorney. "By putting into court, it will clear up the ownership question." By condemning the property, the county can take ownership by placing a "fair market value" in an escrow account. Committee makes recommendations for animal control By Steven R. Wallis Express Editor An Animal Services Advisory Board recommended to the Vernal City Council last week, that the city look at alternatives to "capture and extermination" in their animal control program. Board member Debra Perrigo said the Vernal City has the highest impound rate in state total, the highest cat intake and euthanasia state and the highest dog impound rate in northern county. Without the assistance of a rescue group, Vernal City would have the highest euthanasia eutha-nasia rate in norther counties and state of Utah. "Because of Vernal high statistics, sta-tistics, Petsamaritan will not be able to continue an adoption program as in the past," said Darlene Koerner, board member. mem-ber. Petsamaritan has been funding fund-ing the rescue group efforts which have rescued 363 dogs and 176 cats. "Without Petsamaritan, euthanasia eutha-nasia at the Animal Shelter would be 1307 last year or about 52 per 1000," Koerner said. "Here we thought we had one of the best animal shelter and personnel in the state, and now they are penalizing us for doing a good job," said Council woman JoAnn Cowan. Dr. Sheila Beckstead, Vernal veteranarian, said there are alternative method of animal control, other than capture and kill. With ferrel cats, she said some areas are having success with capturing the cats, neutering building top pnonty throughout the state. At this time, most of the Uintah Basin contingent stood up en masse and exited the room. Irene Hansen chose to stay for more of the presentations. presen-tations. She said that additional addi-tional members of the Capital Facilities Committee joined the panel for the next presentations. presen-tations. She also said the next two presentations took 13 and 14 minutes, respectively. The comment she heard from the co-chair following these presentations pre-sentations was a polite, "Thank you," rather than the rude scolding given to Hacking and Denton. condemn for airport "The individual who claims ownership can then workout work-out their share of the funds," Peterson said. The Vernal Airport Board unanimously supports the condemnation con-demnation of the property and Uintah County Commissioners agree to go ahead with the procedure. pro-cedure. Uintah County has already purchased property adjacent to the 10.5 acres. The property is next to the intersection intersec-tion of the east-west and north-south north-south runways which makes it particularly valuable to the operation of the airport. The property is currently covered with weeds and refuge. "The FAA has required that we purchase the property before we begin any other expansions of the airport," said Thorn Wardell, airport manager. them, clipping an ear to identi fy them and return them to the area where they were picked up. "By returning them to the same area, they keep other cat from coming into their terri tory," Beckstead said. The board recommended that the animal control officer with the advisory board and public safety committee during month ly public meeting "We need to refocus empha sis currently on impounds and euthanasia to a solutions that makes owners responsible,' said Garth Heaton, board chair man. Other recommendations include: Give and enforce citations as a means to make owners responsible for ordinance viola tions. Develop program to address perceived and real cat issues Work with public safety committee and animal control to develop a program to reduce impounds and euthanasia. Develop a non-lethal approach to cat issues. "The capture and kill is a vicious cycle which doesn't control con-trol animals problems," said Mark Foley, Board member r ii -3 x 1 l uruinanues neeu iu ue uianges to address other methods." The city council took the rec ommendations of the Animal Service Advisory Board under advisement Board members could be delayed in their effort as the city won't have a new chief of police until next month The city's animal control offices is supervises by the chief. |