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Show nm n muisuay, iiu. io, i. iiniM MitMirfcintfiw'wiMrmwimMiii'iiiMittrmiii 1991 Community Comments By Sam Taylor ; ; There are a lot of methodologies for formatting a community newspaper. We have one we believe in. Not all newspapers agree, and operate under other formats. For example, many community newspapers are "good news" sheets that refuse to publish court activities or other unpleasant stories, preferring to present a squeaky-clea- n image to the reader partown. of from out reader the ticularly We prefer to call it as it is. Although it hurts at times to print unpleasant things about people we genuinely care about, that is our policy. News, as it were, is news. We don't make it. We merely report it. Another policy we attempt to follow is to keep the Page 1 stories objective, leaving opinions to this page. I think we do a pretty good job of it, though readers sometimes disagree. For example, one Grand County Messiah recently accused us of Page 1 news story bias in favor of the oil and gas industry because we reported that the Utah Mountain Bike Association had initially joined an action with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance to block exploration activities in Grand County. I guess hes entitled to his opinion, but we here at The Times feel we were merely reporting the facts on Page 1. And a few years in this business has tended to thicken the skin a little against those kinds of charges. This week we are joining our colleague newspaper, The Vernal Express in publishing what we believe are some pertinent facts regarding the somewhat controversial Book Cliffs Road issue. The charge that we are editorializing on Page 1 will undoubtedly rear its head. That's fine. Anyone who responsibly disagrees with our method, or with the road itself is welcome to respond on this page in self-appoint- ed i subsequent issues. As a matter of fact, last week's guest editorial by City Councilman David Bierschied will, I hope, lead to subsequent like contributions from other public officials. We'll be happy to give them a shot as long as their editorials are free of slander and in good taste. Dave had genuine concerns, and we were glad to give him his forum. We'll do the same for others. sjt Horse race betting in Utah? You bet. An organization calling itself Put Utah First!" is calling for a bill to be introduced into the 1992 Utah Legislature lifting the current ban on Parimutuel horse race betting, claiming that it will be great news for Utah's economy. It's not a new idea. Every ten or fifteen years a similar bill comes to surface, and almost generally is soundly defeated. Maybe this year will be different. We'll see. My feeling is that it would be a lot of fun if it could be controlled. Actually, Utah once had legal horse race betting, although are unaware of the fact. The late Charles Redd of San Juan many while County, serving in the Utah Legislature in the first half of the century, fought back charges that corruption would occur if such a nefarious activity were allowed, and got the bill passed. In his arguments on the floor of the House, Charlie said that if such corruption occurred, he would be the first one to seek repeal of the measure. Well, it didnt take long for the crooks to take over, and in the very next session of the Legislature two years later, Charlie led the charge to repeal the bill. Maybe things are different today. The Times-Independe- nt (UPS 6309-200Entered as Second Class Matter at the Post Office at M 5ab, Utah under the act of March 3, 1897. Second class postage paid at Moab, Utah 84532. 0) Editor, I was in attendance at the recent meeting Official City and County Newspaper Times-Independe- 259-774- Many on religion differed from those of their neighbors. I think we should all remember that and not be so quick to harass and run out of town those who don't share all of our be- at Star Hall on the possibility of oil and gas exploration on the school trust lands. Even though I was for responsible use of the trust lands to generate much needed income for our schools, I was very disturbed by an incident that took place at the meeting. When a newcomer to Moab spoke out in opposition to the oil exploration, the audience began slinging catcalls at him and yelled out that he should go back to Texas if he didn't like it here. I agree that he didn't speak with much tact, but I was embarrassed and ashamed by the audience's response. I am a native, fourth generation Utahn as I'm sure much of the crowd was. I think with the heritage we native Utahns carry, we could exercise a little bit more tolerance for liefs. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and values, and we should respect anyone with the courage to get up and speak their mind in the face of opposition. Thank you, Randy Gam Dear Sam and Adrien, Last Saturday Friends of Moab and Canyonlands Community Recycling project. sponsored a We shredded dozens of truckloads of leaves for Moab citizens and civic a tiny fraction of projects-onl- y what's available in our valley every year for mulch, soil additive, or compost to help keep our valley green and fruitful. The response to this project from all quarters was absolutely positive and we were impressed with that. At leaf-shreddi- dissenting opinions. Our ancestors were harassed, tarred and feathered, and driven out of three states with only the clothes on their backs, and all because their opinions (continued on page A3) Cliffs Road creates misconceptions the ranches there by 1915. The Grazing Service (later to become Bureau of Land Management) and the During the past year and a half there has been considerable public discussion concerning a proposed road improvement between Ouray and There are many misconceptions, and incorrect information about the road. Some people have the idea that this would be a new road through an area that does not have any existing roads. The map shows existing roads in the area. Most people who have traveled the area will tell you that it is a long, rough, usually dusty or muddy trip. There are enough roads that it is easy to get lost if you don't have a good map and know where you are going. Feelings are mixed on whether the road should be improved or not and .there are many things to consider. Those things should be considered on an informed basis though rather than emotional and sometimes misinformed information. During the past 21 months there has been an Environmental Impact Statement being prepared to gather this information for evaluation. This EIS is being funded by the Uintah Special Service District and the Grand County Roads Special Service District. These costs so far have been approximately $500,000. The route traversed by this road has been a trade route since ancient times. Indians used this route for trade and traveling between summer and winter hunting grounds. Early fur traders such as Antoine who left an inscription at the confluence of East Canyon and Middle Canyon, and another near P.R. Springs, used the route in the early 1800s. There was a freight wagon road through Hay Canyon over the top of the divide and down Main Canyon to x, 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 1 5 or FAX (801) (801) Member of 259-752- Letters to the Editor CCCs (Civil Conservation Corps) constructed and improved roads in the area in the 1930s and 1940s. Mineral exploration began as early as 1914, according to Willis Stevens who has been a long time stockman in the area. There is still an old chimney which remains from a cabin at P.R. Springs. He was told the cabin was constructed by people improving asphalt claims at that time. Oil well exploration began with drilling three wells in the area. One near P.R. Springs, one in Hill Creek, and one on Flat Rock with the old cable tool rigs about 1921. Bureau of Land Management (GLO) Survey Plats made in 1921 show the road from Ouray to P.R. Springs, and a road from P.R. Springs to Watson, Utah were in existence then. Watson was a mining town for Gilsonite, a hydrocarbon, which is still mind and shipped world wide. The area along the existing road is the largest tar sands deposit in the continental United States. It is estimated that there are 26 billion barrels of oil in place in the tar sands in the State of Utah the large majority of which is in this area. It is also estimated that there are 120 billion barrels of oil in the Trails By Adrien Taylor We attended a transportation conference in San Diego last weekend at the fantastic Hotel Del Coronado ("Hotel Del" in the local vernacular), on what is referred to as Coronado Island, but which is actually a peninsula. Most of Southern California can be bequeathed to the rest of the birds, in our opinion, but San Diego is lovely, and the weather at this time of year is marvelous. Niece Ann Hornby Quinn, along with her husband John and daughter Katie, took us in tow, and since they weren't able to make n over the family reunion in Durango last summer, it was a the weekend. At some point, Katie either put two of her toy horses in my bag, or she handed them to me and I put them in by bag. At any rate, they made it back to Moab with us, and are now on their way back home (having enjoyed a vacation?). Downtown Coronado is a stark reflection of the depressed economy in California, and elsewhere, and it was sad to see the number of empty buildings in what was once a very beautiful and thriving downtown business area. The basement floor of the Hotel Del, however, is all specialty shops of various types, and I did a bit of Christmas shopping of things I don't readily see in either Moab of Salt Lake, such as the Heraldic Shop. I also found a one of a kind grapevine Christmas tree, which made it back to Moab via friends at UW Freight who drove their car to California. This will become a cookie tree for our grandchildren in Salt Lake. Our kids grew up with another cookie tree. The schedule here is that the family makes cookies in Christmas shapes, with holes cut in them, and they are then tied onto the tree, which goes to school with school season. It's a lot of each child once during the fun. We very much enjoyed the ocean during our several days in San Diego. It's a wonderful thing for inlanders such as ourselves to see. I even took a swig of sea water. And brought back some shells, e variety. although they are a It's been three years since we were last in San Diego. It's one place in California where we look forward to another future visit. mini-reunio- as man-mad- aft The cats let their displeasure about our trip known. Cleo sat down on my knitting before we left, and didn't want to move. There were signs about the house when we returned that also showed what they thought. They were glad to get out when we arrived home. This weekend, Zane has said he will install a cat door, so they'll be able to go in and out when we're away. That should help the situation immeasurably. This morning, I discovered a mouse in the dog food bin, and Clem thought that was quite exciting. As I left for work, he was having quite a time with his find out on the driveway. That's better than the time Cleo brought one in the house and lost it. She later found it, thank goodness. One nice thing about cats is no mice breeding in the house. Well, hopefully. THE HOGAN TRADING COMPANY Jewelry Pottery Rugs Kachinas Baskets Sand Paintings Sculpture oil shale within Utah, almost entirely within Uintah County. This road transects the tar sands and oil Grand Emporium 5 North Main Moab, Utah (801) shale areas. Extensive oil and gas exploration began in the 1940s in this area. The roads have been improved by Uintah and Grand Counties, BLM and several oil companies since then. Many roads have been constructed to service the numerous oil and gas wells in the area. 259-811- 8 Riverside Plumbing & Heating RICK HIRSCHFELD Licensed and Insured Plumbing Contractor Call: 259-832- 4 IfeP Utah PressAssociation ! P J I ftlt Samuel J. and Adrien F. Taylor and Editors Debra Gwinn Ron Drake Dorothy Anderson Paul Barks Assistant to Publishers Sales, Production Circulation Residential Backshop & Commercial - Sewer & Drain Service Senior Citizen Discounts Read All About your hometown in THANKSGIVING The Times-Independe- our American Heritage nt $16.50 Green River, Grand & San Juan $24 per year outside area $5 discount for persons 62 and older upon request for 52 news filled issues in your mail once a week local news TV guide special features lots of advertising Subscribe Now! r. to: The n P.O. Box 129, Moab, UT 84532 t, Times-Independen- Thanksgiving is a time when we att count our Blessings and send our Best zvishesfor heatth and happiness to friends and oved ones. Name Address . Phone enclose UP cash $1 6 or $24 for one year or $32 and $47 for two years Quality Realty, Inc. Desert Plaza Suite 7 Moab. Utah 84532 471 S. Main check Flflum Existing Secondary (Unpavad) Road Network In the Project Area (801) 259-502- 1 |