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Show .Vernal Express. u Public Forum Letters to the Editor What is your opinion? The Vernal Express welcomes letters from its readers concerning any subject pertinent to the Uintah Basin. There are no restrictions on contents, if not libelous, vindictive vin-dictive and in good taste. The letters need to be a reasonable length, two typewritten double spaced pages. Letters must be submitted exclusively to the Vernal Express and bear the writer's writ-er's full name, signature, phone number and address. Letters for the sole purpose of expressing express-ing thanks to individuals or groups will not be printed in the forum. Letters may be mailed to P.O. Box 1000, Vernal Utah 84078, faxed at 789-8690 or through email at editorvernal.com. The name or names of the persons submitting letters must appear on all published letters. All letters let-ters are subject to condensation. Letters express the opinion of the writer and are not necessarily necessar-ily the opinion of the Vernal Express Editor. . . I TOLD UIM IT (AAC w W W 1 mm1 TO EAfcLY TO PLANT r s A10 Wednesday, April 12, 2006 'f Apology Dear Editor, I must apologize to your readers, especially to those well-meaning Republicans, for abrasive statements I made in my letter of March 29 with reference ref-erence to the political parties. As I discussed this matter with my youngest brother, a student of political history since age ten, he reminded me that our Father and many of his ancestors ances-tors were known for boldly and publicly confronting purveyors of evil, deception and robbery of the public purse while at the same time, supporting courageously coura-geously honorable people who would protect the public weal. Some ancestors, for example, had to flee Ireland for Scotland about 300 year ago, "because their political ideals were too advanced for the day." Rex thinks that by now such traits are a genetic characteristic of our clan, but I think that it could be a learned behavior. A well-know attorney in Utah County told me, "your father is a man who will fight a buzz saw on principle." That is quite true, as we observed in his actions throughout our lives when he publicly confronted hypocrites, evil doers and challenged such people to debates. He was quick to help the poor individually and collectively during the Great Depression that I remember remem-ber so well. Dad was a scholar, oriented to reality rather than myth, had a degree in law and published several books arising from his curiosity about intellectual intel-lectual matters. Anticipating that the USA would be drawn into a war with Japan well over a year before it happened, Dad took our family fam-ily by train in April to Detroit to get a new Hudson care from the factory, telling us that it had to last until the war with Japan had ended. He, of course, did not know then and where the war would start but President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew in advance accounting to his son-in-law and other military officers. offi-cers. The attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 was a surprise to the majority of Americans but not to our Father who relied not on "news" controlled by the industrial-military-banking cartel. car-tel. Now, we are faced with a potentially serious affair in Iran that merits much public discussion. Some would have us believe that the Zionists for years have had on their agenda the subjugation of Iran through a contrived war now that Iraq has fallen. There are Biblical explanations. I am ignorant about both but would like to learn more of this unfolding drama. I am hoping that patriots IT HAPIPER!IIEE3 Z1 H MITMUt MMM Kmf UAOAITU By T.G. SCARECROW MOLDS THAT BIRDS HAVE THE QlGHT OF WAY ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS serious about their citizenship in the new Constitution Party can help us with all such mat- ters. I was awe-struck with the spirit of love, goodwill and unity that prevailed in their well-attended caucus meeting last month. Beautiful opening and closing prayers were given that enhanced the humanity of purpose so clearly evident These people know what they want to achieve in a spirit of harmony for the nation based uppn Constitutional principles. I also apologize to you for having hav-ing been a negative distraction to your otherwise totally positive posi-tive and constructive approach. This part certainly is one to be watched and supported in the only spirit of ultimate worth love. Garth Harrison Vernal Correction The prices of "Split Mountain Village" homes were incorrectly incorrect-ly stated in the March 22, 2006 issue of the Vernal Express. The article should have stated stat-ed that the cost to purchase a home ranges from $150,000 for a 1,300 square foot town home, to $180,000 for an 1,800 square foot single home. TriCounty Health Department takes Public Health Week, April 3-6, in stride Joseph Shaffer, Health Officer and Director, TriCounty Health Department spent the week designated as Public Health Week developing plans with Health Department Management to promote healthier health-ier communities. Shaffer s'tates, "You can be healthier by adding add-ing exercise such as walking to your day," said Joseph Shaller, Health Officer and director, TriCounty Health Department. Public Health Week, April 3-6, is a good time to start a walking program. To illustrate that point, Legacy Gold Medal Miles are being coordinated in Daggett, Duchesne and Uintah counties. TriCounty Health employees employ-ees will be joined by their colleagues col-leagues and community partners part-ners in taking walks for their own good health and to promote physical activity." Shaffer continues, con-tinues, "Sometimes the simplest things give the greatest pleasure plea-sure and benefit, and that's the truth for walking. More of our health district residents are discovering dis-covering the active lifestyle as a Weather plooopo r Vp UdoOCo LKJ UC CC. ... ..1 U11C1CU As a free service to anyone who has an interest in severe weather, as well as to those who would like to enhance their education in volunteer weather weath-er spotting for the National Weather Service training in spotting weather is being offered. The classes will be: April 26, 2006 - ADVANCED Spotter Training 1:30-3:30 p.m. Advanced Weather Spotter Training Note: Basic Spotter Training class is a prerequisite Daggett County Courthouse County Commissioners Room Manila, UT April 26, 2006 6:30-8:30 PM Basic Weather Spotter Training Dinosaur tracks can be seen on a Red great way to get healthier and feel better." Greater physical activity also supports the goals of the TriCounty Health Department in cutting medical costs through improving the health of employees. Employees and their spouses or domestic partners part-ners are committing to exercise more, eat better and manage chronic diseases, which are all pillars of our TriCounty Health Department's mission. Bringing healthy lifestyles within the reach of more people peo-ple and local communities, the TriCounty. Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program is advancing an action plan that includes the promotion of physical phys-ical activity, such as walking, as well as promoting nutrition and designing communities for active living. "Our nation faces an obesity obe-sity epidemic, and regular exercise is part of the solution," solu-tion," said Shaffer, who will host a walk with the community com-munity on Monday, May 1, 2006, starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Freestone Legacy Park in Vernal. Additional walks are being planned and will be announced shortly. "Walking helps control weight and stress levels and it really does make a healthy difference." Additional plans are in progress to develop Walk able Communities. f HW,W4M4J0INW N&t MPlANTRlfl fr'SCAiUP TH TlHTANOGOS NATION, TRlUtf SUlBHBAP, tmUlBANP. t&umsruiAi TRBATMbtr AUP MAkt 1 KPPjs I I -M m I mm mrtrwrn h- PtpfrL "FIT iwr If Z4 Uintah School District Building 635 West 200 South Vernal Contact Jim Pringle at 970- 243-7007 ext. 726, or james. pringlenoaa.gov before April 21. Fleet Reservoir trail. J;. "People want places close to work, home and school where they can walk safely," said Toni Bolton, Public Information Officer, TriCounty Health Department. Locally, we're seeing exciting progress among planners, developers and community leaders to increase opportunities for active living. While walking is an easy and enjoyable way to exercise, it is important to remember to do it safely. Walkers should walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, side-walk, walk facing traffic. Only cross at crosswalks, and consider consid-er wearing reflective clothing if walking at night. Pedestrian advocates have tips for drivers, including: Give priority to pedestrians, pedestri-ans, even at unmarked crosswalks cross-walks Always stop at least 30 feet before the crosswalk Enforce the speed limit by setting the pace for other cars Walk the short trips between destinations Park properly and don't block crosswalks For additional information please contact Toni Bolton at TriCounty Health Department, Toll Free -866-275-0246, (435) 781-5475-Vernal, (435)722-5085-Roosevelt, (435)738- 2202,-Duchesne. HUCH SHAffiX. tyU'XIZ NOT GOHNA MiUtew. T&sr M MILLION. Notes from the Uintah Mountain Club Trail for a Rainy Day With the recent wet and blustery spring weather, many of our favorite walking trails turned into gumbo. If the rock that a trail crosses is shale, as in the blue and red Morrison Formation of dinosaur bone fame, it becomes nearly impossible impos-sible to walk. So, it is good to have a handful of trails that are, instead, on sandstone, which remains firm and walkable even in the rain. Like the Dinosaur Trackway Trail. For almost its entire length, it remains on the Navajo Formation, a sandstone that dates back to the Age of Reptiles. At one time, in order to view the dinosaur tracks, a person would need to run a boat across Red Fleet Reservoir from the boat ramp. Since then, a non-motorized non-motorized trailhead has been developed north of the reservoir, reser-voir, and the trail has been flagged, and finally carsonite posts were installed. (You can get a road guide to it at the Chamber of Commerce). The posts are supposed to show visitors visi-tors the path, but it can still be confusing for people on their first trip. On a hot summer day, walkers should always bring water, and not underestimate underes-timate the difficulty of the trip (it seems to be about 2-miles round-trip, which is quite a distance dis-tance under a broiling summer sun). Safety is becoming important, impor-tant, because more and more people are showing up from out of town, or out of state, or even from foreign countries. This year, we personally have twice talked to English tourists who found out about it somehow. The trail register is becoming more and more crowded with names and comments, from all over. Reading the visitor comments, some serious, some funny, some profane, is always worthwhile. The supply of trail guides is often completely WILL mx? depleted. In wet weather, these crowds thin out. Wet sandstone and damp sand is a pleasure to walk on, and not slippery at all. After crossing a small wash, the trail ascends through a recent "lop and scatter" fuels reduction project, courtesy of the BLM. In the 70s, the juniper wood-, landsaround the Red Fleet were chained" to increase the number num-ber of herbs, grasses, and sagebrush sage-brush available as browse. The area has since become important impor-tant winter range for mule deer especially, but the junipers juni-pers were slowly returning. In 2005, BLM fire crews cut down the invading junipers again, to rejuvenate the slowly declining browse. On the other side of" the "lop and scatter," we re-enter the old growth juniper forest. The moss is bright green, taking advantage advan-tage of the rare moisture to carry out photosynthesis. When the sun appears again, and as the sandy soil dries out, it will revert to a drab blackish-brown again. But for a few days, it is bright green. We walk underneath under-neath various sandstone crevices crev-ices that have the dark stain of packrat dung drooling out of them. The rodents themselves are virtually never seen by the light of day, but we imagine them listening to our footsteps and conversation from deep inside the rock. A short distance further is the first view of Red Fleet Reservoir below us. The trail winds around, descends down into ravines, rises up over hills, follows sandy washes ... It is important to pay attention, not just to prevent getting lost, but to concentrate the impact on the narrow zone of active tread. Sandy soils are very easily eas-ily broken up and eroded away. At last, we approach the shore of the reservoir, where (unfortunately) (unfor-tunately) the high water levels have covered the best tracks. There are a few interpretive signs, which identify the tracks as Dilophosaurus, an obscure meat eating dinosaur with some entertaining headgear. Even in Utah, the weatherman weather-man describes bright sunny days as "good weather", and dark, rainy days like this one as "dismal," or "lousy." Are they serious? It makes you wonder how long they have lived in the Intermountain West Any day where water falls from the sky is automatically a good day. As confirmed desert rats, Vernalites shouldn't let a bout of rainy weather keep them inside; we go walk the Dinosaur Trackway trail instead. |
