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Show A2 Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Vernal Express 2500 West Continued from Al Chip sealingprojects were also impacted by the oil shortages in the area. Some of these projects were eliminated because of lack of product. Crews will finish with all the projects by weeks end. They started with about 120 miles of chip sealing projects in the county at the beginning of the season and will complete about 100 miles this year. Streets in Vernal City were part of the jobs cut this year and the board discussed the need to make this a priority for next year to get these streets done first. 2008 Hot Mix Asphalt report (Salt Lake City, Utah) The combination of several market forces will Impact the price and availability of liquid asphalt used in the production of hot-mixed asphalt during the remainder of the 2008 paving season. Liquid asphalt is produced in the oil refining process. It is an essential component of asphalt roads It is estimated that over 95 percent of all roads in Utah have asphalt as its driving surface. sur-face. Supplies of liquid asphalt are low due to the market dynamics associated with the increased of crude oil, With crude oil setting record highs pricing globally, regional refiners have scaled back production of the liquid asphalt in order to produce more lucrative fuels and oils. Refiners determine which types of crude oils to refine; heavier crude oils which produce greater yields of liquid asphalts, or lighter crude oilswithyieldsricherinfuelsand oils. Until crude price futures make It economical for refiners to produce liquid asphalt, it is expected that short supply will continue. Regionally, and nationally, many of the refineries which historically his-torically produced liquid asphalt to supply the asphalt industry are no longer producing liquid asphalt. In Utah no refinery is currently producing liquid asphalt as-phalt New supply systems need to be implemented to increase the amount of liquid asphalt available in Utah. Liquid asphalt suppliers are encouraged to take measures locally lo-cally to increase capacity to serve our local asphalt and construction construc-tion industry. Liquid asphalt will continue to be a volatile commodity with respect to price and supply for the remainder of the year. In addition to limited regional supply of liquid asphalt," a global shortage is currently in effect for polymers used in the production of specialty liquid asphalts, such as those used by Utah Department of Transportation, Transporta-tion, It is conceivable that up to 40 of UDOTs asphalt projects will be affected by the limited supplies of liquid asphalt and polymers. Additionally, residential, residen-tial, commercial and municipal asphalt projects will be subject to significant price increases and possible delays compared past construction industry experience. 771 VERNAL tlxst (USPS 0892-1091) Periodical postage paid at Vernal, Utah Published weekly at 54 N. Vernal Ave., Vernal, UT 84078 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Vernal Express at 54 N. Vernal Ave., Vernal, UT 84078 OFFICE HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Phone: 435-789-3511, Fax: 435-789-8690 DEADLINES: News, legal notices, classified ads and display ads must be received by 5 p.m. the Friday prior to publication PUBLISH ER: Kevin Ashby - kashbyvernal.com ADVERTISING MANAGER: Byran Marshall - bmarshallvernal.com ADVERTISING: Jacque Hobbs jhobbsvernal.com CLASSIFIED: Tonya Muse classifiedsvernal.com OFFICE: Harriet Harding WRITERS: Mary Bernard mbernardvernal.com Ryan Allen - sports(2vernal.com PRODUCTION: Heather Crosby Michele Roper On the Web: http:www.vernal.com Email: editorvernal.com I Subscription Rates: I Clin and Rpnd tn- In the Uintah Basin Vernal Express 54 in. vernal Ave Vernal, Utah 84078 Name Address City Cash or Check only, 3EASSJ5TEPSTO QUALIFY FOR UOlffl OWN H0I1S GET PRE-APPROVED O LOCATION O HOME Clayton Homes 3768 So Redwood Rd West Valley Utah Fax; 801-975-7782 Phone: 801-975-7781 Delays in the bid process in efforts ef-forts to stabilize bid price versus actual prices will likely increase price volatility and supply. Until Un-til the market volatility of the oil industry stabilizes, it is the opinion of the Utah Chapter of the AGC and its asphalt industry members that price escalators be instituted on hot mix asphalt con-tracts con-tracts in lieu of delayed bidding practices. All parties involved in the construction process should work together to find equitable solutions. It is fully anticipated that over time new supply systems sys-tems will be implemented and the price increases will not be as severe and local availability with increase. (The Associated General Contractors of Utah (AGC), with offices in Salt Lake City and St. George, is the states oldest and largest commercial construction trade association. TheAGC was established in 1922 and represents more than 500 of the states leading commercial, highway, municipal utility and Industrial general contractors, specialty contractors and suppliers suppli-ers of materials or services, AGC members perform the majority of all non-residential construction in Utah. Resistration Continued from Al changing their schedules. Packets were sent to all possible pos-sible high school students that included information on school demographics, health forms, contact con-tact lists, bell schedules, fees and parkingpermits. These had to be returned in person and almost everyone came in last weekend to complete this process. There will be some changes in the bell schedule this year. Monday's will accommodate a late start at 8: 10 rather than the regular 7:45 start time for the rest of the week. There will be no parent teacher conferences this year. Rather, school is dismissed early on Mondays and time is being be-ing allotted from 2:15 to 3:15 for parents to come to the school and talk with any of the teachers. "Fridays schedule will also change as students are being offered of-fered an advisory class from 9:59 to 10:24 a.m. Students will be randomly assigned to these grade specific advisory classes to be instructed on any issue the staff feels important to address. Topics Top-ics could include careers, grades, graduation, college preparation, and how to make wise choices. "This gives the students another an-other opportunity for an adult to check on their progress through the system," said Lamoreaux. "This will be a good program. Another new activity this year will be a sophomore orientation night set for Thursday, Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m. This will be for sophomores and their parents. The Cheerleaders and drill team will teach the school song and cheers. The student council will conduct tours of the school. Counselors will answer questions about classes and graduation and the administration will discuss school rules. There will be pizza for those in attendance. 1 Yr. $26 - 2 Yr. $48 Out of the Uintah Basin 1 Yr. $42 - 2 Yrs. $70 Out of State -1 Yr. $46 2 Yrs. $80 Zip4 Sorry No Charges 4 '. s a n jam EWES1 Vernal Six-plex for sale by owner. 435-503-8428 t T7r f : ' A V4 !2 1 '"'V s '3 i Vernal Police Chief Gary Jensen displays just some of the alcohol that was purchased by underage buyers during a store check last week. Out of the 22 stores checked, 11 sold to the minors. New water treatment plant coming to Uintah County The Utah Permanent Community Com-munity Impact Board on Thursday Thurs-day approved $7 million in water upgrades, street repairs and other improvements in Uintah County. Most of the money - a $3 million grant and a $590,000 zero-percent interest loan to be repaid over 20 years - will go to the Tridell-Lapoint Water Improvement District. It will cover the cost of building a new water treatment facility serving 445 residents in Tridell, Lapoint and surrounding areas. "We're grateful for the funding. fund-ing. It means no more water rationing, and we can lift the moratorium on new water connections, which has slowed Officers introduced to council by Kevin Ashby Express Publisher L j City council members welcome wel-come new Vernal City police department de-partment officers Michael Kester and Dustin Gray. Cassie Gledhill was also introduced at the new victims advocate representative for the department. Kester worked in Las Vegas prior to being hired by Uintah County Sheriff's department three years ago. Gray originally came from Green River, Wyo. police department before working work-ing for Uintah County Sheriffs department. Gledhill worked in Helper, UT in their victim advocacy advo-cacy program and will continue those efforts in Vernal. Police chief Gary Jensen explained that the city does pay more than the county plus there are other employee "perks" that the city has identified and now offers to officers to attract more applicants. Jensen explained that the city employees pay less in out of pocket insurance premiums that is attractive to new employees. Also, they pay a graveyard differential dif-ferential for officers working between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Vernal City officers are also paid for two hours of of court preparation. Much of this preparation prepa-ration takes place when the officer offi-cer is off duty, but is still required, plus they are still paid for the time they are in court whether they are clocked in or not. Pay is also a consideration that thecity has addressed. According to Jensen, Vernal City does pay $ 1 to $2 an hour more than neighboring neigh-boring departments, depending on the experience and time on the job of the employee. "The city officers are also well represented with equipment," said Jensen. "We don't offer a whole lot more, but every little bit helps." The city needs 22 sworn police officers to be fully staffed. Currently Cur-rently they are at 19. "Twenty years ago we always had 20 to 30 applicants per job advertised," explained Jensen. "Now we have six applicants for two jobs and not all of the applicants are qualified." a i i don - x I 4 V . . ''Ur-'- - - construction," said CIB member and Uintah County Commissioner Mike McKee. "The money frees the water wa-ter district to act quickly without an excessive hike in fees." The new plant is part of a larger effort to meet the growing grow-ing and future demands for safe, drinking water, including construction of a reservoir. The CIB also approved: A $1.6 million grant and $1.1 million zero-interest loan for Vernal City for storm drain tveats yen Like, family UT 5top in 1570 Please join us for conversation on energy efficiency, renewable energy, service and safety matters here in Vernal. Date: Time: Place: Did we lf'1 upgrades. The money will pay to install thousands of feet of corrugated cor-rugated pipe, reducing the risk of flooding in severe weather. A $33,632 grant and $98,000 loan at zero-percent interest for Naples City for street improvements. improve-ments. The money will help pay to rebuild and repave 1000 South Street from U.S. Highway 40 to 2000 East. A $580,000 zero-interest loan for new lighting and wiring at five Uintah County softball and baseball fields. Get Ready For YouFFaII;FuhC J Lj O U A J iJ.J 1 ISaioyhauler! and see our new line. D Sales & Service W.Hwy 40, Vernal 789 - President RichWalje and Vice President of Customer Service Karen Gilmore will be on hand to discuss the future of the energy industry, along with Rich Buelte, Head of Operations at the Vernal office.They are looking forward to fielding your questions about these issues. All Rocky Mountain Power customers in Uintah County are welcome. Wednesday, August 13, 2008 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Weston Plaza Hotel The Grizzly Room 1684 West Highway 40 Vernal, Utah mention refreshments will be served? ROCKY POWER Alcohol Check Continued from Al Sales to Youth or EASY program and the stores who sold to minors this go-around will be tracked by the state. Stores run the risk of losing their license to sell alcohol. "Selling alcohol legitimately " is a lot of bread and butter to a lot of stores in the area," Jensen said. "They need to be more cau- t tious of what they do. They were ' warned and then tested and they need to know that we are coming ' again. "If this was a report card day then we failed," the chief added. ' "Not selling to any youth would ! be the success." Vernal's craft fair a success Organizer Merlene Hall' reported to the Uintah County commissioners on Monday, Aug. , 4 that this year's craft fair was a ,' resounding success. There were 89 booths representing vendors , from Arizona, Colorado, Wyo-' ming and, of course, Utah. The number of vendors is up from ' the 71 booths of last year. "Wecouldhavehad20more," says Hall, "but I had to cut it off. 1 Everywhere I went I heard sellers saying that the people of Vernal , the friendliest of all the places ' they travel." The only problem craft sell- ers had this year amounted to ' the flooding of five booth-areas overnight. Apparently, someone ", illegally opened and left running a water faucet. The incident was reported to the police. ' 7 .rr? . f r,::i en -!., 1970 MOUNTAIN immmmmm J |