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Show AUTO5-DiGfr 841 4 " C-01 to,-. -saws: --ex- . f k , , UTAH PRESS ASSOCIATION Wednesd i1 e 3900 s SALT LAKE CITY UT 841 24-1 SOI p. i.- i.'c. EG8 Single Copy 504 Vernal, Utah 84078 115th Year No. 2 JL I . A 9 - :. :' -:-. ' - . , 11 -'T ' y- 1 , y 1 www. j7nri l I HEALTH ' 1. w - , ; -.jr ' : BUS DRIVERS ' M 1 I ; ;- Avoiding a cold IN short SUPPIY L&J- 3 SseBI - err a a 317 JffiML -"X-J --X iwH fU Snow Snowtfmnn. ' c 111 - I , - - time. HWttinttwmM dCB All By Mary Bernard Express Writer Out of sight amid the economic eco-nomic upswing of Vernal's oil boom is the 'big city' problem prob-lem of homelessness. Typical social ills like unemployment and poverty have seemingly evaporated, but not everyone is benefiting from the Basin's economic eco-nomic growth. Disenfranchised is a new underclass or the rural homeless home-less of Uintah, Duchesne, and Daggett counties. Some are lifelong residents of the Uintah Basin forced onto the streets because of rate increases. Most were at risk financially before rental rates went up. They lacked the wellbeing to sustain increase costs, which forced them to abandon their shelter. Heather Hoyt, grants administrator admin-istrator for Uintah County, says, "Many of Vernal's homeless home-less were the most vulnerable residents. They were persons on fixed incomes with lean finances, perhaps those on social security or disability. Or people who could not sustain rental increases that went from around $300 to as much as $700 a month." This is the "downside of prosperity," pros-perity," according to Hoyt. The Uintah Basin is already facing fac-ing a housing deficit for low-income low-income persons. "This growth is here to stay," she said, underlining under-lining the severity of the situation. situa-tion. The counties do not keep a census of homeless people. However, the number of people seeking shelter from the street is increasing. The Basin's affordable housing stock is at a premium as evidenced by waiting wait-ing lists with 50 to 60 names. In most cases, each name represents repre-sents a family in need. County code authorizes support sup-port for the homeless and ultimately, ulti-mately, it is the community's responsibility to look after the least capable of its residents. In partial response to a rise in the Basin's homeless problem, prob-lem, Uintah County opened an emergency shelter called the Turning Point Shelter. Located at 145 West 100 North in Vernal, it is just the first effort of its kind. Additional apartments will open at Unity Place some City and county to change name By Mary Bernard Express Writer A joint meeting of the Vernal City council and the Uintah County commissioners met in the Vernal City chambers Friday, Jan. 5 to discuss several pressing agenda items. Airport manager, Phillip Oviatt, presented a status report on terminal operations. The first item on the agenda included a report from the Vernal airport manager Oviatt He opened by saying that the airport was working with FAA planners "to formulate a right response to the 2003 meeting." Friday was the final day for consultants' proposals to the airport, which will be presented present-ed to the joint councils for final selection in the near future. The selected consultant will help the airport board maneuver maneu-ver through FAA regulations and assist in needed land acquisition acqui-sition for airport expansion. As of Friday afternoon, the airport had four proposals for evaluation. evalua-tion. Oviatt went on to say that the airport has hired new airport maintenance manager, Fred Spencer, of Vernal. Because of this is a time of transition at the Vernal airport, Oviatt requested that future briefings take place on a monthly basis. All members present agreed upon monthly updates. "That way everyone stays in the loop steOta t PS f. , II ) r Sandy Sather gives key to homeless time in the coming year. Finding a location for an emergency shelter has not been easy. Hoyt said, "Some residents resi-dents of the community object to having a shelter next door, as though ;jt encourages the problem." Nevertheless, she adds, "The problem is already here." Emergency shelters like Turning Point provide only temporary shelter. "The first 24 hours are free but after that, residents must sign a contract in order to stay," said Hoyt. The shelter requires that individuals accept a portion of personal responsibility for their condition and agree to change. If, for example, individuals indi-viduals engage in destructive behaviors, such as drug or alcohol alco-hol abuse, then access to the shelter means that they enter treatment. The goal is make tax paying citizens and not a dependent depen-dent class of county residents. Turning Point Shelter offers programs to help residents re-enter the community with productive life skills. An average aver-age stay may be between 3 to 4 months. Counseling is available avail-able to address the shortfall in a person's life, such as poor while there's a lot of change going on at the airport," said Oviatt Part of those changes includes improved service through Mesa Air, the current carrier at Vernal Airport. Passenger use has risen to as many as 100 riders per month. "We are doing exceptionally well," said Oviatt, "however, there is some frustration with numerous cancellations, can-cellations, delays, and lack of corporate contact." All of that changed Friday morning when McKee and Oviatt spoke by phone with Mesa Air regional president, Greg Stevens, to express then-concerns. then-concerns. McKee said, "We talked about the problems serving serv-ing the many oil and gas industry indus-try people in our area. We need competent service." Friday's conference call was encouraging encourag-ing as Stevens promised Mesa Air wants "to become a part of our community." McKee told the group that the airport board is scheduled to meet with Stevens perhaps mid-week this week in order to iron out any remaining problems prob-lems and demonstrate support for the carrier. Executives from the oil and gas industry dominate domi-nate Vernal's airport usership and many prefer greater access to Denver flights. Their interest complements a market survey prepared for the Vernal airport board according to McKee. He said, "We need to bring our passenger pas-senger numbers up a little bit," SIMMS TO z; rrn shelter to Commissioner Mike McKee. education and a lack of skills or experience to get a job. High school equivalency courses along with programs that teach job skills will be made available to shelter residents. Some people come to the shelter shel-ter needing to rebuild their lives after being on the streets. Curves for . Women,., owner, Delores Simmons, said: "We will allow women in the shelter to come to Curves while they are enrolled at Turning Point. It will help to build self-esteem and promote confidence for the job seeker." It is important that shelter graduates return to society fully prepared for the economy they will face. Growth in the Basin's communities com-munities is liable to continue. Finding satisfactory housing without being priced out of the market is essential. The persistent persis-tent problem of a lack of low-income low-income housing has affected assistance efforts for the poorer residents of the Basin. , Recently, Norma Jurado, community coordinator for the Uintah Basin Association of Governments, said the lack of housing forced the organization organiza-tion to use hotel rooms as tran and suggested that a show of support include a contingent of oil and gas executives for their meeting with Mesa Air, Council members discussed the need to turn away from blaming Mesa Air and instead look to results that are more positive. Vernal council member mem-ber Norton reminded attendees that "basically what we're saying say-ing is that their Mesa Air service ser-vice is better service than what we had, but we want more of it." Oviatt closed the airport agenda agen-da with a final item regarding advertising the airport; specifically, specifi-cally, the new terminal name "Vernal Regional Airport." He said, "We serve' Uintah, Duchesne, Daggett, and Rio Newly elected school board members night During the business of the board I hi I if sitional shelter space. In a two-month two-month period AOG spent over $15,000 to house families in hotels in Vernal and Roosevelt This is not a sustainable alternative alter-native to low-income housing. Even if the cost was not prohibitive, prohib-itive, hotel room availability in the Basin is at its lowest capacity. capac-ity. Given the economic boom, competition for hotel rooms has placed this option out of reach for homeless support organizations. organiza-tions. Uintah Basin Homeless Coordinating . Committee (UBHCC) has contracted with consultants Bill Walsh and Shirley Weathers of Research and Policy Studies. They are tasked with assessing community com-munity housing needs and compile information on the 'human impact of the oil boom.' Their work included assembling assem-bling information on affordable housing in Duchesne, Myton, Roosevelt, Ft. Duchesne, and Vernal. Walsh and Weathers contacted contact-ed property owners and builders build-ers in each community looking for rehab-homes, idle trailers, or other locations potentially usable for rural home development. devel-opment. Out of 85 letters sent, they received 12 letters of interest. inter-est. Weathers said, "We were not just taking account of the existing units, but looking ahead by counting rehabilitation rehabilita-tion properties." On Sept. 2&, 2006 they presented a partial , draft, of thehv findings -With UBHCC, state officials, 'rural development officers, builders, and other interested parties in a public meeting. That meeting initiated the second part of their project by bringing builders and communities com-munities together. "Builders agreed to rehabilitate structures struc-tures using public funds, making mak-ing them affordable in rent or purchase to the low-income family," said Walsh. A summary of their findings find-ings indicates that Vernal City manages 124 apartment units and 4 CROWN homes; whereas, where-as, Roosevelt City Housing Authority manages Section 8 vouchers to 91 households, 19 apartment units, and 2 additional addi-tional rental units. Both cities have plans for additional hous- See Shelter on A2 of airport Blanco counties, in fact, a population popu-lation of about 48,000 people." This name will attract regional businesses. Oviatt requesteoVa letter drafted by the council for the FAA with the name change. Consent to make the appropriate appropri-ate name change was motioned and seconded by the council. The second item on the agenda concerned the Victim Advocate and Homeless Shelter program. The issue of funding fund-ing both entities opened the discussion. Ken Bassett said, "We just had a meeting with Gordon Walker who indicated that CIB was not the best place to go" to look for funding for the Women's Shelter. The larg- See Airport on A8 JoAnn Cowan, Rodney Anderson. Perry Taylor, and Scott Ruppe were sworn in by Jut Larry Steele Tuesday meeting, Dr. Anderson was elected President and Perry Taylor, Vict President, of the Uintah School Board.. Pharmacist John Shumway reeived a cut on his hand when challenged for drugs. Louise Wilson phoned 911 for assistance. Pharmacist injured by customer demanding Smith's pharmacist foils rob bery attempt An attempted robbery occurred on Wednesday evening, eve-ning, Jan. 3, at Smith's pharmacy pharma-cy in Vernal. Police say Pharmacist John Shumway was grabbed by a man whotook out a knife and demanded, oxycontin. Shumway struck the assailant and the robber fled without getting get-ting any drugs. Shumway was Woman found guilty on drug charges A jury issued a guilty verdict Friday for Melinda Roper, 30, who was arrested a little less than a year ago for two counts illegal possession or use of controlled con-trolled substance and possession posses-sion of drug paraphernalia. Uintah County prosecutors later filed additional charges for possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and destruction . of protected wildlife. This last charge, possession pos-session of a bear claw, was dismissed. dis-missed. '. The charges stem from a Accident ser injures Vernal A multi-vehicle accident closed U.S. Highway 40 near milepost 133 at 7:14 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 3rd. Dustin Bishop, 31 of Tooele, was headed east when his vehicle drifted into the west bound lane, colliding with a tractor trailer truck. Bishop told the Utah Highway Patrol he just passed the disposal ponds when he fell asleep at the wheel : Bishop's 2000 Ford 1-ton utility truck struck a 2007 Peterbuilt tractor trailer owned by' Hun' Trucking and driven by Lance Klun of drugs slightly cut in the altercation. Police are left with few leads to investigate. Chief Steven C. Guibord is personally offering a $1,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of "the coward or cowards that were involved." He asks, "if you have any information infor-mation call the Vernal Police Department at 789-4222 or your local Police Department. You will remain anonymous.". , vehicle search conducted by Utah State Division of Wildlife Resources officers on Jan. 28 last year, which led to the recovery of a pipe containing burnt marijuana and a metal container with psilocybin mushrooms and a bear claw inside. The container had the name "Melinda". inscribed in the metal. A jury trial in September ended with Judge Lynn Payne granting a motion for mistrial made by the counsel for the See Drugs on A7 VernaL Bishop's Ford collided with the back axle of the semi and then veered into the path of a 2001 Toyota SUV. ' . Heather Jolley, 19 of Vernal, driver of the Toyota was injured in the accident She was transported to AVMC and then lifeflighted to the University Hospital in Salt Lake City in critical condition, where she underwent several hours of surgery. All drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident The cause of the accident acci-dent appears to be fatigue and charges are pending. iously sirl 4. - y. - - l t It. (i fv |