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Show SERVING SOUTHEASTERN AND MOAB UTAH SINCE ; 1896 Moab, Grand County, Utah 84532, Number 39 Volume 97 Thursday, Sept. 27, 1990 5(K Voters to decide on $4.5 million bond in special election called for October 23 by Ken Davey By a 2-- 1 vote, the Grand County Commission voted Monday to hold a special election October 23 to decide whether to spend up to $4-1- 2 million to renovate the courthouse building. Commissioner David Knutson, assigned by the body to spearhead the courthouse project, made the motion, and was supported by Merv Lawton. '4 ? t sL z rW , 5 y y$'i r; X Ny-lan- d, --. f X t 7:.'ZZk ,.. ., , . ... ? V rr Moabs grape juice plant, idled by a number of problems for some time, is now a beehive of activity as this year's grape crop is being processed into new wines for sale in Utah liquor outlets. Following p collapse and winter freeze problems, Moab grape industry looking up co-o- efforts and tenacity of Anita Bradford, Spanish Fork, who had a vision several years ago that is now turning into reality. For the third year, locally Vernal Dino Mites set visit here this week On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28 and 29, a delegation of nearly 40 people from1 the Vernal Chamber of Commerce will visit Moab. The Dino Mites will arrive about 5 p.m. Friday at the Green-we- ll Motel, and travel to Pack Creek Ranch for dinner at 7 p.m. They invite interested local people to join them either Friday or Saturday to get acquainted and share a meal, dutch treat. Prior reservations should be made either night. Saturday they will take a bus tour to Dead Horse Point in the morning, and another of Arches in the afternoon. That evening they will have dinner at Mi Vida restaurant, and again extend an invitation for local folks to join them. Feme courtrooms, and that if these improvements are not made, they may move out of the building. And according to Sheriff Jim the jail facilities are crowded and unsafe, and could pose future li- P4 Wlr. Moab's grape arid wine industry, hard hit by winter freezing, is now back on its feet due to the Commissioner Mullen voted no. The courthouse roof leaks, and the electrical and ventilation systems are inadequate. Some officials fear they may not be able to obtain insurance on the building in the future. In addition, the state court officials have said they need expanded facilities and handicapped access to the grown grapes Tire being harvested and made into fine wines under the Arches Vineyards label. The grapes for this year's releases, for the first time, also have been crushed, fermented and bottled in the old juice plant, now turned winery, south of Moab. With an abundant harvest of several grape varieties this year, on the heels of a critical freeze last winter, Ms. Bradford is optimistic about the future of the wine industry in Grand County. Utahs Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control purchased all wine bottled by Arches Vineyards both this year and last. If a crop of three tons of chardonnay grapes is realized, it will make into some 192 cases of wine, said Ms. Bradford. With all of the grapes, she figures Arches Vineyards will be making close to 7,000 gallons of 1990 vintage wines, compared to 2,500 gallons of the 1989 vintages. Ms. Bradford became interested in Moab's wine possibilities in the early 1980s, after the Fruit Growers Canyonlands Cooperative was established in response to a study of the Four Comers Commission is assess the viability of grape production in the area. The study was conducted bv Seth Schick, of Schick Inter- - the special election at the last commission meeting 2 weeks ago, dis- meeting. Knutson added that he believes a special election is the best way to get the measure passed, rather than place the quesuon on the general election ballot two weeks later. "It's a very important issue we are facing," said Knutson. "And before they approve it or turn it down, they need to know the ramifications of both actions. It would help greatly to have a special election on it." He said he favored a special election to differentiate the question from a board of education proposal to increase its tax rate by 2 mills. "I want to separate it from the school mill levy," said Knutson. "These issues need to stand and fall on their own merits." "The things I've heard sway me towards having it on a separate election," said Lawton, "separating the attention of the county into 2 separate votes on completely different issues. With 2 increased m taxes coming up together, it could have a negative effect. "I think the county building is more of a priority for county officers than the school mill levy, as much as I want the levy to pass," he added. "We must push for the county project, and the way to do that is on a special election and educating the voters." But Feme Mullen, who opposed agreed. Final section of will be opened Friday in Emery ceremonies 1-- 70 national. Salt Lake City, in conjunction with the University of Arizona. The cooperative went broke in the leaving growers with plots of from one half acre to 15 acres of vineyards, and no stable market for grapes. So, in 1988 Ms. Bradford contracted with the local growers to buy their grapes and transported the crop to two wineries in Colorado for processing. The first wines, a petit zinfan-dea Riesling and a chenin blanc, went on the market last year and were completely sold out. And the profits helped to establish the Moab winery in time for the 1989 crush. mid-'80- s, 4-t- l, Last winters extended freeze killed many of the Moab vines. Because of this some grapes for this year's wine had to be purchased from Weston Vineyards in Marsing, Idaho. The label on the petit zinfandel reads: "14 percent Idaho grapes," as required by state law. One Moab vineyard of merlot grapes, located on a south-facin- g slope in one o the valley's unique areas, was spared the freeze, the grapes are now aging in oak barrels. micro-clima- ability problem for the county. All three commissioners agreed the renovation is needed. Earlier this year, they were leaning toward making that decision themselves. But according to Knutson, informal discussions with members of the Community Impact Board led him to believe the CIB would be willing to help finance the project, if it is approved through an election. "They want to see real strong support on the part of voters of Grand County," Knutson told the te The final section of Interstate 70 in Utah will be opened September 28 with a dedication ceremony featuring Governor Norman H . Bangerter, Emery, County officials and officials from the Utah Department of Transportation. The dedication will be at 11 a.m. on the Eagle way for the new road, and nearly 1,000 tons of steel were used in building the Eagle Canyon Bridge. Following the dedication there will be a light lunch at the Hidden Mesa Shed hosted by UDOT's District 4 and Emery County. 'Tve had a lot of conversations, and all I've gotten is, 'stick to your guns, we don't want a special election,"' said Mullen. "They could see no reason having an election 2 weeks before another one." According to Knutson, a special election will draw a more concerned electorate that the general election. He said he hopes voters turning out will have studied the issue carefully. "Come out, make an educated vote, all we're asking the people to do is come out 2 weeks early," he said. "Make the effort to get out of your homes, and tell us, do you want to spend $4-1- 2 million, or don't you?" In the past, Mullen has argued that holding a special election will make the school mill levy less likely to pass. But Lawton said his major responsibility is toward the courthouse. "It's not as if were not helping the schools. We've already committed (continued on Page A3) Blue Ribbon Committee seeks public comments The Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee is seeking public comment through October 22 on a preliminary concept for limiting camping on public lands near Moab to designated sites, in response to health and safety concerns. A public meeting is being held Wednesday, October 10, in the County Commission Chamber, Courthouse. It will begin at 7 p.m. with a description of the preliminary concept. Copies of the Preliminary Concept Paper are available at County Clerk's Office in the Court- house, or by writing to Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee, co P.O. Box 970, Moab, Utah 84532. Canyon Bridge, approximately 42 miles west of Green River and 62 miles east of Salina. The new construction involved building 48 miles of new road to carry westbound traffic. Eastbound lanes had been carrying traffic in both directions. Some of the new road is already open and carrying HerelNeGro- J- traffic. Five separate projects covered the construction of the additional lanes: From the Fremont Junction to Muddy Creek, from Muddy Creek to Ghost Rock, from Ghost Rock to Rattlesnake Bench, and the Eagle Canyon Bridge. Work began in July 1988 and was completed at a cost of more than $78 million. More than 7 million cubic yards of dirt were moved to make i.iitswaf. Golden arches coming . . . at the corner of Kane Creek in earnest Ground clearing began Tuesday Blvd. and Main Street for a new McDonalds restaurant which will be located at the site of a former Chevron service station. The comer lot has been vacant for several years since the station closed and underground tanks removed. League meeting Sept. 27 to discuss local election issues What are the issues in the 1990 Grand County election? The League of Women Voters of Grand County win be discussing this question at a meeting on Thursday, September 27, at 7 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Courthouse, and anyone interested is encouraged to attend. According to League President Mary Plumb, "The 1990 ballot Inside the plant, workers are busily, and happily, doing the fine handwork involved in producing wine. The state of Utah will purchase all of the product of the local plant for resale. Arches vineyards wines have been a popular product when available. promises an interesting election season and the League of Women Voters will be playing its part in the process. We believe that in order for democracy to work, it requires the informed action of its citizens, and we work to facilitate that process. "On September 27 we will' be brainstorming about local issues and what questions to include in the League's Candidates Forum, as well as planning our other voter services. It is always an informative and stimulating meeting, and we'd encourage anyone interested to participate." Also on the agenda is a report from League Action Director Lisa Wolfson on the status of the Community Task Force on Recycling, and anyone interested in this exciting program is encouraged to participate. The League of Women Voters of Grand County is a political organization that encourages active citizen involvement in government. Anyone interested is welcome to join andor to attend the meetings, which are held the last Thursday evening of every month. n, For more information contact LWV, P.O. Box 205, Moab, Utah 84532 or one of the members of the Board of Directors: President, Mary Plumb; Vice President Sam Cun- ningham; Sec. Hattie Schetzsle; Treas. Marsha Modine; Action Director, Lisa Wolfson; Vfer-erDir., Cynthia SmithCf Rais ing Dir. Fannie Phillips'. v. ;tr' |