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Show r raytyignyi Page A2 - Dte Thursday, April 3, 1997 imtg-3nheptnht- Community Comments Many Trails . . . . . . by Adrien Taylor by Sam Taylor appreciated the letter this week from former Congressman Wayne Owens, written In response to a recent column of mine. Wayne, as the letter says, is still officially a resident of Utah, even though most of his work is in the nations capitol, where he is the president of the Center for Middle East Peace & Economic Cooperation. He also takes time to serve as chairman of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, although I suppose that could be done Just as easily in Washington as in his native Utah. The former Congressman and I have rarely agreed on matters concerning the public lands, and 1 suppose we never will. He is a person, though, with whom I have been able to disagree in an agreeable manner, and I have enjoyed my contacts with the Panguitch native over the course of our careers in Utah. Thanks for the letter, Wayne. I Just wish that when you brought the delegation of easterners and midwestemers here for that river trip that sold them on Utah wilderness, you would have exposed them to some of us who live here primarily because there isn't any other place in the world we would rather live. After a weekend of glorious Easter sunshine, the drippy gloom has decended on the valley, surely an April Fool s joke, and I am We have been prehoping it doesnt continue into this weekend. e spinners from Idaho, northparing for the arrival of twenty-soma for Mexico ern Utah and New spinning retreat, Friday aftermid-daAll those folks have been looking noon through Sunday to put a little Moab sunshine on their faces! If there are those among the local fiber arts community who would like to join us Saturday, you are cordially invited to do so. Please give me a call so we can plan adequately for lunch (unless were stormed in). I jt has abandoned plans to finish chaining a large The 25,000 acre parcel of pinyon- juniper forest in central Utah. The action came after concerns were raised by Paiute Indians that hundreds of archaeological sites would be damaged as underbrush was dragged out of the ground. Chaining has never been one of my favorite outdoor activities. As a matter of fact. I first editorialized against the practice over thirty years ago when chaining was running at fever pitch on Utah public lands. I can't argue with the fact that getting rid of pinyon and juniper trees makes the crested wheat grass grow better, but too much of it has been done over the years without adequate study. One area in particular that raised my dander was Cathedral Mesa, south of Canyonlands National Park. The soil on that mesa was only deep enough to support the hardy Utah evergreens, that were forced to tie their roots to slabs of bedrock close to the surface. When the chains pulled up the roots, it also pulled up the rocks, exposing what soil that was left to the ravages of wind and rain. One scientist estimated that erod in that particular area. Nobody sion was increased knows how much archaeology was destroyed in that project. sjt As is usually the case, the dust mostly settled in Moab country the day after Easter. But it was some weekend. Im not surprised that the numbers were up in the annual Jeep Safari. But Safari participants were only part of the visitor crush this year, as increasing numbers of bikers, rock climbers and sun seekers found their way here from the more populated environs. , ... Aside from the annual traditional Jaunt out into tlHTted rocks , to hide and hunt for eggs', we spent most of the holiday week-- 1 end down on the farm, drawing straws to see who would undertake the task of going to the store for the few items we needed to complete our Easter Sunday family dinner. sjt Moab City Councilman Dee Tranter has spent a lot of time the past few weeks talking to folks around town about garbage and how we handle it. His conclusions are right on target, in my opinion, and appreciate the additional time he took to outline them in this week's guest editorial. I hope our readers will take the time to read it carefully. BLM - ten-fol- . 1 Clje Cimrs - 3!tthepettitent (UPS) 6309-200- 0) Entered as Second class Matter at the Post Office at Moab, Utah under the Act of March 3, 1 897. Second class postage paid at Moab, Utah 84532. Official City and County Newspaper. Published each Thursday at: 35 East Center Street, Moab, Grand County, Utah 84532 Postmaster: Send changes of address to: The Times-lndependen- t, P.O. Box 129, Moab, UT 84532 or FAX NATIONAL NEWSPAPER Member ASSOCIATION rajrn Samuel J. and Adrien F. Taylor Publishers and Editors The nt $18.00 Green River, Grand & San $26 per year outside area Juan $3 discount for persons 62 and older upon request for 52 issues news-fille- d Subscribe Now! Mail The to: 1 P.O. Box 129, Moab UT 84532 Times-lndepende- A Guest Editorial What About Garbage Service? by Dee Tranter, City Councilman A question before the city presently is should we cut our garbage collection service in order to cut costs to residents? Will cutting our service in half (to once per week curb side) cut costs? The answer is yes. But will the few dollars we save be worth the inconvenience? I think not. After considerable study and discussion I have come to the conclusion that the city should stay with the same service we now have. My reasoning is as follows: 1. Once per week curb side service will be feasible only by going to automated side arm pick up vehicles. Home owners must have a regulation trash container (normally provided by the city or the contractor). Collection trucks have only one driveroperator who stays inside the truck at all times. Automated service would put several Moab residents out of work. 2. Reduction in Cost will be minimal. Cutting service in half will not cut costs in half. The service contractor will have the same volume of trash to move each week plus his hauling costs, equipment costs, tipping fees, administration fees, etc. will all remain the same. 3. We have been concerned for many years about the beauty of our city. Curb side trash collection will mean a less attractive community. Moab is the only city in Utah where you will not see garbage containers out on city streets, no turned over trash containers and no scattered trash. 4. Curb-sid- e service may be inconvenient especially for elderly, handicapped, and shut ins who have to move containers back and forth from their yards to the street. 5. Containers in an automated system are usually 90 gallon cans. These containers have a non removable lid and wheels. Currently the sanitation contract calls for picking up as many as three 20 gallon containers twice per week. Curb side service will cut volume for each home from 120 gallons per week to 90 gallons per week. 6. Many residents feel twice per week service is especially important during hot summer months when odors become a serious problem. 7. Most residents tell me they are willing to pay a little extra for the convenience of back door service. Sr If you are out of town on pick up day and can not get your container out on the street it may be two weeks before your garbage is picked up, or you may be forced to leave your trash container out on the street for several days. 9. Under the automated system If your trash container is placed where the truck can not reach it or if a vehicle parks where it blocks access to your container your trash will probably not be picked up. 10. Many Moab homes do not have curb and sidewalks. This is a more serious problem in the county where the same contractor will likely provide service. My home is a good example. Where do I put my trash container so it can be picked up by the contractor but where it will also be out of the way of traffic in and out of my yard? 11. The present garbage collection system is the most inefficient system possible but it is the most convenient for residents. Nearly everyone likes the service and most residents seem content to pay a few dollars extra for that extra service and convenience. 12. The issue of recycling needs also to be addressed. Of the few letters I have received urging a change to once per week curb service each one has also urged that the city subsidize recycling. Everyone agrees we need to recycle but we must address the cost to benefit ratio. We need to rethink and rework our recycling program so that it is a beneficial as well as a cost efficient program. Dear Sam: n Phone. enclose $18.00 or $26 for one year or $35 and $51 for two years L Jt politician, once said, "Don't worry if the press says bad things about you when you are out of office. Just hope they will mention your name." In that spirit, I was interested in your column of March 20, and want to mention two points. First of all, Congressman Bruce Vento and Chris Shays, Democrat and Republican, respectively, do not have any prior commitments to me to continue to support the Utah Wilderness Coalition's bill which I originally introduced as HR 1500. Both are motivated by more proper instincts, their own judgment about what the national interest requires. It was my pleasure, while in office to take Bruce ... Vento, along with a number of other Congressmen, Republicans and Democrats, down through the Colorado country on a river trip. Every one of whom has remained steadfast in their support of the wilderness. Secondly, I do not reside in the District of Columbia. Although I spend most of the work week here, I continue to live in Utah where, you may remember, I serve as Chairman of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, a group with which you may be somewhat familiar. I trust you are well. Your paper remains a continuing source of information, interest and occasionally, concern to me, but it is always vital. With every good wish. Sincerely, Owens Welcome . . . and Address. Check 1 . . . "Mention your name" An old friend of mine, also a has-bee- Name Cash aft . . . Letters to the editors Production Manager Dorothy Anderson Ron Drake Sales, Production Ken Davey Contributing News Writer Janice Hubbard Contributing News Writer Tom Taylor Circulation Manager, T--l Maps Jed Taylor, Steve Cooper, Kelly Ericson Backshop Nicholas Brown Assistant to the Publishers Times-lndepende- y. Dear Sam, Driving down the smoking, mechanized third world of recreation, also known as the River Road, I was nagged by the question, Is this really what were shooting for? Granted this is a busier time than most, but gosh Sam, are the Winters getting shorter, or what? No one seems take care! For the special occasion of the retreat, no doubt, a lamb put in her appearance Monday morning. And from the looks of the older ewe, we may have twins coming in the next several weeks. The spring season, with new babies of all kinds, is joyous. Our senior citizen hens have been laying up a storm (oh, no don't say that!). It's brown eggs on the menu for breakfast, and some of the biddies are looking downright broody. aft last Taking photographs at the mock disaster (see page I reaare know there good week was less than joyous. Graphic. sons for it, but it seemed like an awful lot of effort put forth for the very small audience which comprises the high school juniors and seniors. But one life saved justifies all of the effort. It is for those reasons that we have included the photo feature in this issue. This is a PG feature. aft I closed my eyes, pretending to be prehistoric woman whose only light after sundown came from a fire and the heavenly bodies. Shooting stars are one thing, and common enough to evoke I thoughts of the departed spirits of others. But what might have p this last year, thought of comets, such as Hyakutake moon? of the a total winter spring, and then eclipse A-- Hale-Bop- Arrest made after shooting incident at Moab motel A Moab motel employee was arrested by Moab City Police on March 30 after an argument, al- An argument and altercation was reported, at which time the youths fled. They went to their van in the parking lot. The motel employee then allegedly came out of the motel carrying a .22 caliber rifle, and ordered them out of the van. When they refused to exit the van, it appears that four shots were fired, according to Police Chief Alan West. One round went into the air, one into the right front passenger tire, and two into the rear passenger doors. West said that it appeared that one round had passed through a sweatshirt worn by one of the occupants. The motel employee was arrested on attempted homicide charges, and formal charges were being screened with the county attorney. As of Wednesday midday, the arrested person had not been arraigned in district court. that goes away like those others. Well see, I guess, but it would sure be enlightening to have more people stepping up to share their preference, if they have one, or their vision for what Moab should be like five, ten or twenty years down the road. Meanwhile, to all you visitors - Welcome. We who are fortunate to call Moab home cant be greedy now, can we? Though we may be guilty of exploitation on some levels, one surely cant blame yall for wanting to come here. And come back. And tell your friends all about it. Paradise is tough to resist. But please visitors try to keep in mind that some people actually do live here, just like you live wherever you came from. Waitrons and bed makers and grocery checkers and shopkeepers have mothers. Heck, some are mothers. Most real estate agents are human. Were still here when youre gone. Respect the area, thats all. Remember why you came in the first place. Dont do anything you wouldnt want others to do in your backyard. If you come across a special place thats clean and quiet, theres a much better chance it will stay that way if you keep it to yourself. You can even help us out. There are too many of you recreating all over the landscape for our beleaguered cops, rangers and volunteers to keep track of. You shouldnt require g Most of anyway. you are fine, responsible people. Prove it. Take care of yourselves, and always keep in mind: FRIENDS DONT LET FRIENDS (OR ADJACENT CAMPERS) ACT LIKE SLOBS. If you find a mess, you might think about cleaning it up even if it isnt yours. Youll find that it sets a good example and generates a warm, fuzzy feeling that may actually approach some sense of belonging. Most of you will want to come back. Wed hate for you to be disappointed at what you find. Steve Russell tercation and shooting incident. Police were dispatched to the Rodeway Inn when it was reported that a motel employee had caught five youths in a room which had previously been vacated by friends occupying the room. When you The Hon. Chris Cannon Write your Legislators . . . ongoing convulsion into resort-tow- n U.S.A., so maybe all this progress" is good. There are jobs and money floating around, for sure. In fact, dollars do seem to be dominating the discourse in deze parts. I wonder about the long haul though, when folks realize this is not the kind of boom U.S. House of Representatives 118 Cannon House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20515 or 51 S. University 317 Provo UT 84601 The Hon. Orrin Hatch U.S. Senator 135 Russell Senate Off. Bldg. Washington, DC. 20510 Fax or 8402 Federal Office Bldg. 125 South State, SLC UT 84138 Fax The Hon. Robert F. Bennett 0 Dirksen Bldg. Suite The Hon. Mike Dmitrich Utah State Senate 319 State Capitol, SLC UT 84114 566 North Dover Circle Price UT 84501 (H) ; 2 Fax to be saying much about Moabs baby-sittin- need to Washington, D.C. 20510 ... or 4225 Fedegal Office Bldg. 125 S. South, SLC UT 84138 Fax (0) The Hon. Keele Johnson Utah House of Representatives District 71 318 State Capitol, SLC UT 84114 Desk Phone: 8 House of Rep. 9 538-121- 538-102- The Hon. James Hansen U.S. House of Representatives 2466 Rayburn H.O.B. Washington DC 20515 INTERNET.kjohnsarile.state.utus 300 W. 732 North, Blanding UT 84511 Fax 678-207- h wiUm 6) Hi ffii jTn I 7 |