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Show 7-1-F CR UT PRESORT "5 H Plllo fSOCIM10H 1S21 E 3900 o SLC, ui Single Copy 504 Vernal, Utah 84078 114th Year No. 31 Wednesday, August 9, 2006 . - DALLY FOR DIN0S I I warnal rrrr 1 f I f WEATHER BY PHOTO WINNERS SeeC7 Locals win roping event ASPEN mOOK REALTY, INC. SeeC6 See B8 3 I tit w 911 9150 Rep. Chris Cannon, Commissioner Mike Legislators get By Steven R. Wallis Express Editor Utah legislators were in Uintah and Duchesne counties Monday and Tuesday. During the public hearing portion of the legislators visit in Vernal, they were asked some questions by the public. Top on the question list was, With the surplus why doesn't the legislature pave Nine Mile Canyon? m44 By Steven R. Wallis Express Editor It will take between $6.3 and $7.3 million to correct the problems prob-lems with Dinsoaur Quarry which was shut down last month after a survey of the facility showed it to be unstable. unsta-ble. Dinosaur Quarry in Dinosaur National Monument was closed July 12 because of structural concerns. Dinosaur Monument Superintendent Mary Risser, who made the decision to close the facility, told Vernal Chamber members Tuesday that the closure will definitely decrease the number of visitors visi-tors to the monument, but tourism tour-ism has been down since July because they are unable to find a hotel room in Vernal. "Our first priority is visitor safety and our second is the protection of the fossils," she said. The engineering survey suggested sug-gested a pancaking of the facility facil-ity in a major seismic event. There are over 1500 bones left in place on the quarry wall which is covered by the quarry building. The bones deposited at the site 145 million years ago, during the late Jurassic period, she said. The quarry building protects the most unique dinosaur dino-saur collection ever found. Dinosaur National Monument was established in 1915 because of the 1909 discovery of Earl Douglass at the Quarry site. The quarry building was constructed con-structed in 1957, but even before it was complete, prob- so w McKee and Dan Elcan, OSEC principle, "There are a lot of roads across the state that need repair," said Sen. John' Valentine, president of the Senate. "Local needs are typically typi-cally not funded by the legislature, legisla-ture, but standard formulas are adhered to, removing politics." "About 80 percent of the surplus sur-plus came from income tax, which by law is required to be spent on education," said Rep. Lyle Hillyard. "It would be better to increase B and C ftfepirirv v v XVV Beam to Quarry building is slipping off port. lems began to arise. Cracks in the parking lot were noted. "Because it was built on expansive soils, there have been lots of challenges," Rissen said. Because of the significance of the fossils and because the building in on the National Historic List, the repair of the facility is in the top three projects proj-ects for' funding regionally, Rissen said. The repair of the facility was in the Park Service budget for 2007, but because of other priorities, pri-orities, it had been pushed back to 2010. Because of its closure and accelerated deterioration, Rissen hopes the project will be fast tracked. Options for Dinosaur Quarry tour Whiteriver Oil Shale Site with feel for road funds and let local leaders decide rather than fund a specific spe-cific road." Health Care funding was a hot topic among the questions. "We have fallen behind the curve when it comes to health care," said Rep. Rosalind McGee. "The Federal Government provides a big share of the funding, but recently they have been cutting back." An interim committee is include: Retain the structure struc-ture as its National Historic List status. Repair the facility facil-ity without National Historic List status. Keep the exhibit hall and fossil protection protec-tion and move everything every-thing else off the hill where the fossils are located. Move everything off the hill except a structure to protect the fossils. Demolish the entire structure. Risser said she prefers pre-fers moving everything off the hill because it will be easier to find funding for a building its sup- that isn't sliding off. She said she hopes to go to Washington, D.C. in November to make a proposal pro-posal and request the funding. An Environmental Assessment will be written with a perferred alternative and will be open to the public for comments. Once a record of decision is given, Rissen said she hopes to move quickly forward on the proposal. propos-al. "What can we do as a community commu-nity to say that this is important impor-tant to us?" asked tlhamber member JoJo Gale. Risser said it would be important impor-tant for the public to become involved during the public hearings on the Environmental Assessment. Reopening of the quarry will likely not occur for at least a year or two. mihm n Photo by Genevieve Bruno Utah legislators. Basin studying the issue and it is hoped that they will make some recommendations that are fair and right, she said. "We can all choose more healthy lifestyles which will help cut insurance rates and cost of public health." "There a number of state health programs that are expensive expen-sive for all of us," said Rep. Merlynn T. Newbold. "We need to find the least costly that will still provide the most assistance." assis-tance." Concerning health care for illegal aliens, Sen. Sheldon Killpack, head of Health and Human Services, said much of the reason why is because of federal statutes which the state follows. "About 25 percent of the elderly elder-ly are receiving assistance, but they represent 60 percent of the cost," Sen. Killpack said. "We are going to be in trouble as a state as the population becomes older." On sales tax on food, Speaker Craig Curtis wanted the cuts to continue, while Senate president presi-dent Valentine, wanted to wait and see. X County Fair to open By Jennifer Petty Express Writer The annual county fair is here once again. The fair opens Thursday with a concert in the Outdoor Arena by Hinder. On Saturday, August 12, the open horse show will be held starting at 9 a.m. and the Miss Uintah County Pageant, featuring fea-turing 10 outstanding young women from the area, will be held at 7 p.m. at Uintah High School. 4-H and Home Arts Exhibits can be checked in on Monday from 4-6 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Wednesday produce and flower exhibits will be checked-in and on display. dis-play. Enjoy the county fair parade Wednesday starting at 6 p.m., then take your dog to the Strut Your Mutt dog show which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. The Camp Read-a-Lot open house will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and will be held Thursday, 4-8 p.m., Friday, 4-8 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Literacy activities activi-ties for children will be held UNTAH 2006 Which Tiring Vbtt-I Cfrv ixiniii m smucuct in nirii.ii n0" wT W1 0w 1 Chart shows how the tax dollar is divided for Vernal City residents. Increased property values alarm taxpayers Since tax notices went out two weeks ago the Uintah County Clerk-Auditor's office has been swamped with telephone calls concerning con-cerning the increases. Property taxes are up this year because assessed property values are up, said Clerk-Auditor Mike Wilkins. Value of homes and private property are up 90 to 110 percent and commercial property, because of a recent re-appraisal, went up 80 to 150 percent. Taxes are also up because of a voted increase in the Uintah School District tax rate to construct new school. The rate increase is $79.44 on property valued at $150,000 and $105 a year on property valued at $200,000. For commercial property the rate increase was $144 on property valued at $150,000 and $192 on commercial property prop-erty valued at $200,000. The Uintah County tax rate went down this year, Wilkins said. "Without a Truth In Taxation hearing we cannot collect more tax revenue than last year plus growth," said Commissioner Mike McKee. Ballard residents will see their tax rates more than double as the city seeks to raise $73,000 for fire and police protection. Carla White, deputy clerk-auditor, noted that commercial property prop-erty in Uintah County has not been appraised in 8 to 9 years. "Because the Ashley Valley Water and Sewer Improvement District paid off a general obligation bond last year they are no longer lon-ger collecting to pay for the bond so their tax rate has gone down," Wilkins said. "We have had a lot of reaction to the tax notices, but if people understand where the percentage of their tax goes, they would understand it better," said Commissioner McKee. Residents have until Sept. 15 to appeal the values on the tax notices. To make an appeal contact the Clerk-Auditor's office for an appeal application. Appeal can be granted if recent sales of similar sim-ilar property are below the appraised value. The notice went out July 20 and 21 and show market value of the property and estimated taxes due. The Uintah County Assessor's Office is required by law to physically physi-cally inspect and reappraise property once every five years. On the years where no physical inspection is made, an appraisal is completed based on a sales ratio study. For 2006, inspection and appraisal was made of all commercially improved as well as commercial com-mercial vacant land; approximately 2,080 residentially improved property and 1,620 vacant land parcels. In additional, an appraisal based on a sales ratio study was completed in all other areas of the county. In almost every instance property values increased from last year. In all cases taxpayers have the burden of proof if they consider the value to be in error. Value issues should be discussed with an appraiser in the Assessor's office. Any requested change in value must be proven and supported with appraisal reports, sales of "like" property and equalization issue. for ages 5-12 including: singing, games, readers' theater, recipes for crafts and food, and prize giveaways. Wednesday and, Thursday nights will feature the team sorting competition. Also, check out the Carnival which will be held Wednesday through Friday. All 4-H and Home Arts exhibits will be open from Wednesday at 7 p.m. until Saturday at 4 p.m. Come see a variety of talented work including: includ-ing: arts, crafts, decoration, quilts, reunion crafts, paintings, paint-ings, photography, flowers, garden produce, needlework, painting, western wear, pictures, pic-tures, and handmade outdoor items, or enter your own for a chance to win a prize. Don't miss the 4-H exhibits, featuring talented young people from around the area and their projects. Thursday will feature the Fireman's Expo and Challenge from 4 until 9 p.m., then again on Friday from 4 until 9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Farm Bureau Talent COUNTY Entity gad your Dotarj Tre r"rict 4 August 10 Find, where people can compete in a variety of talents including dance, drama, singing, instrumental, instru-mental, poetry, juggling, magic, and more will be held at 6 p.m. On Thursday night, at 8 p.m. the Phil Vassar Concert will be held. "For years we have been hoping for a way to give something to the community; this year we have succeeded by presenting a free concert. Phil Vassar, a country star, will be holding a concert in the Western Park ice rink free of charge," said County Fair Chairman, Derk Hatch. On Friday at 6 p.m. the Basin Youth Rodeo will be held and a Battle of the Bands will start at 9 p.m. See the car show in the ice rink building Saturday starting at 8 a.m. and catch the last of the exhibits, then tune into the demolition derby at 7 p.m. for some action and excitement. "We are expecting this fair to be the third or fourth biggest County Fair in the State. We hope everyone will bring their family and friends and enjoy all the County Fair has to offer," said Hatch. |