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Show A2-Th- e nmes-IndojMnde- Thursday, Nov. 21, 1991 nt, Community Comments j By Sam Taylor 0 "Man, did you see how fast that old hospital building came down yesterday?" my friend Don said at coffee call Tuesday morning. "Hey, friend, I was bom in that building," I replied. He almost didn't know how to respond, but I laughed. Sure, I was bom there, but my memories of the old place aren't so great. I remember many trips there to see Dr. Sandy Ballinger, the town's dentist in those days, where he invariably gave me temporary fillings for some reason, instead of the real thing. I remember the smell of ether from an early bout with tonsils. I remember the smell even more from an appendectomy I received there some years later. I remember how hot it was during lengthy stays following surgery, with a small fan doing little to help. I fondly remember Doc Allen and the rough but comforting way he made it hurt a little less. The old structure served us well for a long time but it was long past its prime when the new hospital was built in the late 1950s. d old public building trying Its kind of sad seeing a to be something else. Like the home in the older section of town where I grew up, I tried to avoid looking at the old hospital the past few years. Like most Moabites, I can live with my memories, and look forward to a new facility built for a proud new purpose on that land bn West Center. once-prou- Sjt g methods of My recent editorial criticism of the served to the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance has get more funds I for the organization, learned this week. Executive Director Brant Calkin recently sent out yet another t, g he quoted my editorial. In this appeal. As a man who said, "Dear Mr. a from Denver a was letter mail morning's donation. a I in and mailed dues Thought you would my Taylor: just like to know. I hike 2 or 3 times a year in Canyon Country and have seen the other side of the coin. I don't like it!" OK, Brant. You can thank me for that latest donation. Use it fund-raisin- fund-raisin- post-scrip- wisely. sjt In the midst of writing the first part of this column, we received a call saying that friend, Gloria Carter, had died in Colorado. It was almost ironic. Gloria operated and owned the Canyonlands Motel for many, many years after the death of her husband who was the son of the original builder of Moab's first modem motel. She was a talented woman in many ways. And most of all, a tremendous mother. Most of us know of the long, painful fight she has waged against cancer for so many years. She maintained here cheerfulness through it all. Im glad the new hotel is going to stay in the family. Gloria of current owner, Mike Bynum, who is the was the mother-in-lathe new Best Western. of principal developer Funeral arrangements were still pending at press time, but will probably be held in Moab later in the week. w sjt Well be spending a few days in San Diego y I it. will involved in a to be and forward are soon, really looking conference of the National Highway Users Conference, and am "impressed withjhe agenda.Most of all, though, we'll be staying at the historic old Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Island. It's one of structures in the world, and a gracious place to the biggest visit. Southern California doesnt do much for me, but San Diego I can two-;.da- all-fra- always enjoy. The Times-Independe- nt (UPS 6309-200Entered as Second Class Matter at the Post Office at M jab, Utah under the act of March 3, 1897. Second class postage paid at Moab, Utah 84532. 0) Official City and County Newspaper Published Each Thursday at 35 East Center Street, Moab, Grand County, Utah 84532. Postmaster: Send change of address to: The P.O. Box 129, Moab, Utah 84532 5 1 or FAX (801) (801) Times-Independe- 259-752- 259-774- Member of Utah PressAssociation Samuel J. and Adrien F. Taylor and Editors Debra Gwinn Ron Drake Dorothy Anderson Paul Barks Assistant to Publishers Sales, Production Circulation Backshop Read All About your hometown in The Times-Independe- for 52 news filled issues local news TV guide Moab City Council. A former president of the Moab Chamber of Commerce, he is currently serving as Chairman of the Grand County Democratic Party. Dear Sam and Adrien, for your support of the I would like to thank The Friends of Moabs effort to turn leaves into mulch, instead of trash, in the local dump. I would also like to thank you for your support concerning the Moab Master Plan and the Mill Creek Flood Control and Parkway Project As a member of the Moab City Council, I can tell you that we are doing everything possible to see that these and other projects, concerning the long term economic and social welfare of Moab City, are being pursued with every resource available. With that said I would like to get to what's bothering me and prompted me to write this letter. On Monday, 18th of November I attended the Grand County Commission meeting, as I have done for the last 18 months. As usual it took a bit of effort to read between the lines on the agenda and to realize what was going to transpire during the meeting. Several items concerned me. Their outcome did nothing to reassure me that these items were being handled in a responsible manner. 1 . CoWest (owners of proposed toxic waste incinerator site in Cisco) haven't paid any property tax on land acquired from the county several years ago. It seems that there was no transfer of title to this property and without this transaction being done and recorded no taxes can be levied. Commission Chairman Knutsons answer to the problem was, "it must have slipped through the cracks," and the county should go ahead with the title transfer. My concern is, "Will back taxes be collected and who will pay for the transfer and recording of the necessary deeds?" 2. Several budget transfers from one department to another took place. When I asked about getting more detailed information, Fran Townsend responded that I could get the information from her office. I thank asked if it wouldn't be better if they read the actual transfers into the record. After some thought Chairman Knutson did read which departments were being effected but no money was mentioned. My question is why wasn't the commission more open with this information? Maybe because its action on Monday took $20,000 out of an already depicted courthouse maintenance department, it took $7,000 out of the Senior Citizens Department, $2,000 out of Parks and Recreation and finally it took $1,000 out of animal control. Where did this money go? $6,000 to Commissioners, $6,000 to Clerk, $3,000 to Treasure, $2,500 to Attorney, $2,000 to Assessor, $100 to Planning, $3,000 to Disposal Ponds, $2,000 to Museum and $2,000 to Airport. This isn't the first time the Commission has done such transfers. My question again is why aren't the Commissioners more open with these affairs? Their response might be because of lack of time, yet I have seen this same Commission spend and hour debating whether to support recycling or maybe spend taxpayer money on WALU studies and Oil Company legal defense. 3. Appointment of Housing Authority Board. Prior to addressing this item the Commission went into what seemed to be an illegal Executive Session to discuss a personnel problem. As of the present time the County has nothing to do with any personnel concerning the Grand County Housing Authority. They excluded Bill Howell from this session. Bill is the director of the AOG and supervises the Housing Authority, until such time as the county sets up a board and takes over operations. Why wasn't Mr. Howell included in this closed door session? After the closed session the Commission reconvened and addressed Bill Howell, Jan Barnett and Nancy Bentley all employees of the AOG. They sat before the commission and took what I considered to be excessive abuse from Sam Cunningham and Manual Torres. It is obvious from the proceeding that the Grand County Commission isn't concerned with the plight of low income families in Grand County. The commission is only concerned with manipulating this board as they have with every board in the past. Cunningham read part of a letter from an undisclosed source, which read "that there is a concern because the low income families tend to destroy property and are there any provisions to assure that property owners will be protected. This action was uncalled for and an affront to every citizen of Grand County! Finally the Commission insulted the AOG, its personnel and even mnnRed to drvc yet another between the Cifu County by voting to reverse a previous agreement and require their Commission's approval of the City's appointment to this board. Again I ask, what prompts this Commission to try and make every Board or group they work with be so one sided and self serving? In closing, I would like to ask the Citizens of Grand County, "Can we afford both economically and socially to let this group of Commissioners dictate to us? If the answer is no!, then I suggest that each and every concerned VOTER call the Commissioners and ask questions of your own. A friend asked me not to tell her such disheartening stories because they upset her. Well, they upset me too and hiding our heads in the sand won't solve the GRAVE problems we face with this County Commission. Please get involved! I would be glad to talk to any other concerned citizens. Times-Independe- nt ish Trail Arena is available lor open riding on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. special features lots of advertising JLuj9Scrjbe N o wl to: 1 P.O. Box 129, Moab, UT 84532 t, Name Address Guest Editorial by David Bierschied Editor's Note: David Bierschied is a veteran member of the allow me to use this means of communication to notify the people of Grand County that the Old Span- in your mail once a week Times-Independen- I've got concerns with Commission actions Dear Sam, I would appreciate it if you would $5 discount for persons 62 and older upon request The . . . Opinions from our Rea nt $16.50 Green River, Grand & San Juan $24 per year outside area Mail Mv Turn Also if a group would like to use the building at another time they can contact a member of the equestrian board for information on using the building. The equestrian board members are Mitch Kelling, Ron Dickerson, Dona Holder, Ethel Krist, Sandy Norton, Carl Dixon, Guyann Fosse, and Kathy Wilson. Thank you, Kathy Wilson . Dear Sam, Phone enclose jjpcash $1 check 6.50 or $24 for one year or $32 and $47 for two years Belated congratulations L' Eardley for wmi. to BJ i . Council award for Ik t me writmg. I really look forward to reading her "Moab Scrapbook" feature article each week in the TMbc brines our town's roots alive I ing detail. We're lucky to have such a lucid, conscientious historian AND a newspaper that values her work. Thanks y'all. Alice Drogin 1991, andthe theme It is American Education Week Nov. a for Strong America." This falls is "Schools & Communities, partners Commerce's of emphasis on this year's right in with the Chamber celebration. and "Magic of a Moab Christmas" parade The parade this year will be held Dec. 6 at 3:30 p.m. It may be a week after what is already a late Thanksgiving, but in order to involve the high school clubs and organizations, the decision was made to wait the week in order for students to be back in school. The thinking was that businesses don't really have time or mando not have the power to create floats, and that school organizations to do enthusiasm money resources, but have the time, creativity and if so, and that the community would be best served businesses and school organizations could be paired up for a really great parade. To that end, any business (person organization) which would like to participate in the parade is asked to call the Chamber of Commerce and talk to Jan, who will suggest a high school organization to help get a parade entry together. 17-2- 3, aft For the benefit of all of us, listed below are the National Education Goals, which also apply, of course, to our local schools. "1. By the year 2000, all children in America will start school ready to learn. "2. By the year 2000, the high school graduation rate will increase to at least 90 percent. "3. By the year 2000, American students will leave grades four, eight, and twelve having demonstrated competency in challenging and subject matter including English, mathematics, science, history, all students that geography; and every school in America will ensure learn to use their minds well, sot they may be prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment in our modem economy. "4. By the year 2000, U.S.Students will be first in the world ;in science and mathematics achievement. 5. By the year 2000, every adult American will be literate and will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. "6. By the year 2000, every school in America will be free of drugs and violence and will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning." The goals are great. I'm sorry to say that I don't think they're reasonably attainable, especially where adult literacy within the next nine years is concerned, given the fact that so many of our large population of functionally illiterate are well beyond the range of school years and current school reach. But goals are great. We wouldn't go far without them. aft Appropriate to the onslaught of the holidays, here again, for your humorous enjoyment only, is Miles Standish, John Alden and Pocohontas' Wild Cranberry Sauce Recipe: 1. Creep quietly into a wild Cranberry Bog, and crouch down on a cranberry path holding a stout open bag. 2. Have friend circle around and shoo the cranberries in your direction. i 3. Snap the bag shut when it is half full of wild cranberries. 4. Pour in a pint of gin, a pint of vodka, a pint of rum and a quart of champagne. 5. Wait until you hear the wild cranberries singing drinking songs. 6. Open the bag and let the cranberries go. Drink the sauce and have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! New staff members join Travel Council Jay C. Woolley, Director of the Utah Travel Council, has announced the appointments of Ms. Holly P. Robb and Mr. David S. Porter as new staff members at the Utah Travel Council. Holly and Dave have the experience and enthusiasm to help meet the goals of the Travel Council and improve upon the state's image not only outside of Utah but inside as well," according to Woolley. Ms. Robb has been appointed the Director of Cooperative Projects. "She oversees the SuperHost program which promotes community awareness of Utah visitors and is re- sponsible for encouraging marketing and promotional activities within the state. Her job also includes planning the Governor's Conference on Tourism and Recreation and maintaining the welcome centers located at Utah's five entry points," reports Woolley. "I look forward to being part of this dedicated team of Utahns promoting the beauties and diversities of the state," Robb says. "Utah is a d destination spot full of fun and recreation that I am excited to promote." Ms. Robb comes to the Travel Council having been an Assistant Director in the Utah Division of year-roun- Annual Messiah sing-iinvites the audience Each year the Deseret News sponwith the Sing-I- n Utah Symphony and the Utah Symphony Chorus. In the past, tickets have been pretty hard to come by. To keep up with the demand, this year, for the first time, there will be two nights of singing. On both December 1 and 2 at 7 p.ii "i Symphony Hall, w cs can join in to sing George Fridenc Handels magnum opus, "Messiah." Written in only 25 days, "Messiah" is considered one of the sors a Messiah n completed "Utah has plenty to write about and I am anxious to continue to work with my many friends in the Utah press and develop additional media contacts outside the state, says Porter. Earlier this year, Porter left the office of U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch where he had served as the Utah Press Secretary to begin a public re- lations and political consulting Milton Cross writes, "Never a rein the same sense as Bach, Handel became the man while writing 'Messiah."' he ders. business. ligious man "When Business and Economic Development where she directed the areas of public relations, the Asian, Black, Indian and Hispanic Affairs programs and directed the Governor's Conference on Economic Development and cr P n. V nun Education J and V V O " trepreneur program. Previously, she was the director of Protocol for the Salt Lake City Bid Committee for the Winter Olympic Games. Ms. Robb holds a B.S. degree from Utah State University and is currently working on a MBA degree at Westminster College. Mr. Porter is the Publicity Director of the Utah Travel Council with the charge of promoting the state as an attractive place to visit. Woolley says Dave is responsible for establishing and maintaining contact with members of the Utah news media as well as with travel writers and journalists throughout the world. He will be involved in escorting journalists around the state to show them the many Utah won- the 'Hallelujah Chorus' he exclaimed to his servant, 'I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God himself.' Handel's work has continued to w motivate and inspire others in the same way throughout the centuries. Scores will be available for purchase just before the concert in Frank Silvey Historical Booklet Topo maps Times-Independe- nt not have a copy of their own to bring along. Featured soloists will be soprano Karen Anderson, mezzo-sopran- o Doris Brunatti, tenor Michael Bal-land baritone Peter Van De Graaff. Tickets are $10 for reserved seating and $5 for seating. Call the Utah Symphony Box Office m non-reserv- |