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Show Page A7 fre Thursday, April 9, 1998 nt tmeg-nhepgn&e- Letters to the Editors Community Calendar Events and activities for residents and visitors 'It sucks,' says it all Thursday, April 9 authors Gail Tierney and Bill Dunmire present lecture and slide show on their new book, Wild Plants and Native peoples of The Four Comers, 7 p.m. Open mike music at the Moab Brewery, 7 p.m., offering a venue for local performing artists and free entertainment for diners. Every ThursAward-winnin- 1 Sam, I ve been intending to write for a few weeks now concerning a certain phrase concluding one of your recent editorials. At this point I cant remember what the column was about, save for the fact that you thought its subject matter sucked. Now I am stirred to pick up a pen by a current Comment column in the New Yorker which touches on the present usage of such phraseology. Ive sent it along as I thought you might find it interesting reading. My neighbor was laughing as she read the article, for she had gotten an earful from me a few weeks prior about the Beavis and Buttheadization of America. How I couldnt believe that Sam Taylor, conscience of the people and one of the more stable pillars of our community, was employing such juvenilia to express himself. My neighbor, a member of the Generation X, couldnt understand my agitated state. She didnt think suck was a bad word. I told her that when I was growing up the usage of suck as an adjective was deemed unfit for proper conversation. I was compelled to lecture her on the derivation of the phrase. (Does anyone remember the object it takes to complete the phrase it sucks...? There are many variations.) And yet, there it was. Right there in the pages of a respectable family publication. And, just as amazing and puzzling was the publics'indifference. There was no ensuing hue and cry; no staunch and upright moralists lamenting the erosion of fundamentalist values; no commentary on the dumbing down of the nation by the media; not even any little old ladies seemed shocked at such tasteless vulgarity. When I realized the source for this phrases recent appearance in print I was dumbfounded. For even one as ignorant of popular culture as I (no TV) could not escape the wide embrace of those lovable cartoon characters, Beavis and Butthead. Of course, the duos trademark phrase is This Sucks. Naturally, the image of Sam as Beavis and the rest of us readers along as Butthead comes to mind. Its all neatly summed up in one sentence in the New Yorker article: Were all Beavis and Butthead now. Its no wonder no one raised any eyebrows when a small-townewspaper editor said sucks. Sam, youre in good company! CEOs, media personalities, respected publications are presently saying it. So Im getting down off my high horse. Besides, Ive been using the phrase myself since adolescence. And what are we but a nation of perpetual adolescents as especially typified by the Not to single out any particular demographic, for e there couldnt be a better for the American people and the American way. From the Revolution to westward expansion to the ongoing quest for more bigger, better and shinier consumer goods, dissatisfaction lies at the core of the American character and experience. It Sucks, says it all. David Steward n baby-boomer- s. catch-phras- Moab Thanks to a group that helps kids Letter to the Editor: A while back I was at a meeting with the first grade block at Red Rock Elementary. We were discussing a Prevention Dimension project we will be presenting in conjunction with Deputy Walker and the conversation got around to business and community people who support youth. Mrs. McGann told us about a business in town who had done wonders with kids in the community by sponsoring BMX races for a season and offering hours of their time and great prizes at the end of the season. According to her, Poison Spider Bike Shop did a terrific job with the kids spending time to help and advise kids about their bikes, racing, etc. We (belatedly) would like to thank them for their interest and support of our local kids! One of our State Board of Education trainers, Verne Larsen, often quotes: "Kids dont need more things to do, but more adults to do them with." I think this often holds true. Again, thanks to a group of people that see our kids as a little more than just customers. Glee Parriott Safe and Drug-Fre- e Schools Director street mail box accessible to vandals and those who would seek to have residents credit card and bank account numbers by theft. I have resided in nine other communities across the United States before choosing Moab as my home. None of these nine communities have problems with uncontrolled dogs because they have laws laying out specific penalties for irresponsible dog owners and they are enforced. Whats wrong with Moab? I dont buy the whining about our law enforcement people not having personnel nor time to handle the problem. Just one concerted effort backed by sizable fines would bring it under manageable control once and for all, and I n dont mean after warnings, as now seems to be the practice. If our dog law is inadequate, change it. Then enforce it. Hit irresponsible dog owners in the Thats apparently the only way to get their half-a-doze- pock-etboo- k. attention. Ronald L. Greene, Moab A request to fund Canyonlands Community Recycling Open Letter to our Elected Officials, I would like to thank all the City and County Council members for taking the time to make informed, responsible fiscal decisions. I know your position is not an easy one. I am writing to voice my strong support for Canyonlands Community Recycling. Our landfill is filling at a much faster rate than anticipated. If you factor in the very real cost of developing another landfill to replace it when its full, youll find that recycling can save Grand County money by drastically reducing the amount of material being disposed of. I foresee the day when recycling will be mandatory as well as just the intelligent, conservative decision it is today. My taxes pay for many services I neither need nor use; no doubt yours do too. Now I would like our local government to act on the wishes of the community and fund Canyonlands Community Recycling. Thank you. -- Alice M. Drogin, Castle Valley Letters to the editor policy . its readers concerning any subject pertinent to Southeastern Utah. Letters should be to the point and must include the writers name, address and telephone number. Letters may not be used to replace advertisements, cards of thanks, or to list and thank sponsors or participants to a particular The welcomes opinions from Times-Independe- event. Letters to the editor will be not be accepted from any candidate who has filed for political office or from anyone writing in support of a filed candidate. Anything unsigned, of a libelous nature, or containing defamatory statements will not be considered for publication. All letters must be typed or legibly written, and be 800 words or less. Letters are subject to editing. Mail to Letter to the Editor, P.O. Box 129, Moab, Utah, 84532. Deadline is Tuesday before 12 noon. "' , " ' -- i Ip . :V ' (UPS) Office at Utah of Act at Post Matter the March 3, 1897. under the Moab, Entered as Second class 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 P.O. Box 1 29, Moab, UT 84532 Postmaster: Send changes of address to: The 6309-200- : , 0) Times-Independe- Samuel J. and Adrien F. Taylor Publishers and Editors Associate Editor News Writer ...Circulation Mgr., T--l Maps ........Advertising, Staff Writer ....Production Manager SenaT. Flanders Carrie Switzer. ; Tom Taylor............ Franklin Seal......;. Dorothy Anderson v ... ' ... : .. . Ron Drake Production ; Ken Davey. ...........Contributing News Writer : Betty Bailey,, .........,.Green River Correspondent v Steve Cooper, Jed Taylor, , ; Kelly Ericson ' Friday, April 10 Opening of the quilt exhibit at Dan OLaurie Canyon Country Museum, with a tea from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. The exhibit runs through May. Saturday, April .Backshop Food Handlers Class on Outdoor Food Protection at Moab Civic Center, 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Moab Archaeological Society meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Dan OLaurie Museum. Public is welcome. Friday, April 17 Canyonlands Field Institute Desert Waters Guide weekend. Continues through Sunday, April 19. Call 259-775- 0 to register. Saturday, April 18 Mayhem in Moab Rugby Classic, Park City vs. Santa Fe. Call for more information. Bureau of Land Management wild horse 11 Annual Moab City Easter Egg Hunt at tary Park, 9 a.m. Ro- Sunday, April 12 Food Handlers Class on Outdoor Food Protection at Moab Civic Center, 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Live music at Knave of Hearts Bakery with Annette and Friends, 1 to 4 p.m. 13 Monday, April Utah Hunter Education Course begins at Moab Fire Station, 6 p.m. Classes continue April 14, 16, 20, 21 and 23, with a shoot on April 25. Call for more information. Food Handlers Class at Moab Civic Center, 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Canyonlands Fields Institute American Red Cross Emergency Response, full course begins and continues through April 17. Call 0 for more information and registration. Tuesday, April 14 Elk Ridge Livestock Demonstration' Area meeting at Blanding City Hall, 7 p.m. Open to the public. Discussion topics include consensus, ground mission statement and working rules, plan. For more information call Heather Musclow 259-766- 5 adoption at Spanish Trail Arena. Call for more information. Friday, April 24 Tributary Theatre presents The Wizard of Oz, 7 p.m. at Star hall. Tickets available at the box office Tuesdays and Thursday, 4:30 to 6 p.m., or call 259-619Moab Rod Benders Car Show. Call 2 for schedule of events. Saturday, April 25 5. 259-894- Tributary Theatre presents The Wizard of and 7 p.m. at Star hall. Tickets available at the box office Tuesdays and Thursday, 4:30 to 6 1 Oz, p.m., or call Moab Rod Benders Car Show. Call for schedule of events. Sunday, April 26 259-619- at Live music at Knave of Hearts bakery with Dave Stewart, 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 16 259-894- 2 Canyonlands Film Society screening of 259-775- by-law- s, 5. Kolya at the Slickrock Cinema, 7 and 9 p.m. $6. Moab Rod Benders Car Show. Call 259-894- 2 for schedule of events. The encourages readers to use this column to announce upcoming events and newsworthy items of interest which are open to the community. The deadline each week is Tuesday morning. Mail notices to 35 E. Center St., Moab, 84532, or drop them by the office, or call 259- - 7525. lb schedule major special events call the Moab Area Chafnber of Commerce Times-Independe- Times-Independe- nt at 259-781- Castle Valley Comments by Ron Drake April 1, the board agreed to transfer some unused town money to be used for fencing materials. At the March Castle Valley Town Council meeting, the council voted to physically close Shafer Lane to through traffic to the loop road if money and permits could be made available to erect a fence and install gates from the end of Shafer Lane to the fire station. Hertha Wakefield of the planning commission indicated at the POA meeting that the state agreed to expedite the permitting process, enabling work to proceed to close the road in the near future. Historically, Shafer Lane has been a bone of contention for many years among Castle Valley residents. The road has been open to through traffic long before the River Ranchos was established on the old Pace Ranch. When the valley was subdivided by the developers, a was created at the end of the lane that adjoins the state land, and two building lots were placed there. The lots havent been developed, allowing people to access the loop road through private lots and state land. At public hearings on the matter, the majority of Shafer Lane residents including the owners of the two lots strongly urged the council to close the road, citing an increase of traffic on their street. The road was officially closed to all except emergency traffic several times over the years and a gate was placed over the road to block traffic. Residents and other travelers easily found a way to traverse the blocked area, necessitating the need to physically closing the road at the urging of residents on the road. In other action, the board turned about twelve delinquent property owners over to an attorney for collection of past dues. We havent heard from some of them for several years, stated Board Chairman Jack Campbell. They didnt want to be hard nosed cul-de-s- about collecting on the past due accounts but felt they have been way too lenient with these property owners. The board is exploring the possibility of help-- , ing with a spring cleanup project agaifrthis year. During the last cleanup effort in the valley, lafgfe dumpsters were placed on the community lot and rotated to the land fill when filled. Personally, stated the board chairman, I think it would be nice if we could do that again. Some people have been complaining about junk in our community and the board felt this was a way to do something about it. last week, 290 POA covenants revision have been returned. To the question of resurveys taining the five acre minimum lot size, 278 said yes and 9 said no. Regarding the question of remaining a rural agricultural residential area, 261 yes and 22 no. About covenants to limit development to one dwelling per platted lot, yes 214, no As of 69. Scenic Resources: (a) Electric utility lines be installed underground? Yes 251, no 36. (b) Outdoor lights be shielded so that glare does not impact neighbors? Yes 258, no 24. (c) Inoperable vehicles be stored out of sight? Yes 221, no 57. Building restriction that would limit, for example: (a) Maximum house height, Yes 201, no 80v (b) Maximum house size? Yes 105, no 174. (c) Mini- mum house size? Yes 100, no 178. (d) Building set-backs from property lines? Yes 228, no 5 1 . (e) Fence heights be limited? Yes i67, no 103. Including an amendment process so that the property owners can amend the covenants more often than at ten year intervals? Yes 139, no 135. Would you be in favor of increasing enforcement of the covenants? Yes 212, no 62. Do you want to retain the CVRR POA as a vehicle to guide the future of the CVRR? Yes 255, no 28. New health care enrollment plan offered to veterans A new health care enrollment system is being offered to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs, a system columnist Roger Hagerty says is indicative of an expanding and improving health-car- e system for the nations veterans. On Feb. 27, the VA announced it would establish 42 more community-based outpatient clinics across the country, bringing the total number of these clinics to grams, pharmacy and specialty clinics, and access to research facilities for transplants, spinal cord injury and visually impaired reha- bilitation. In Grand Junction, the Medical Center signed an agreement with St. Marys Hospital, effective march 1, 1998, giving local veterans the option of receiving cardiac treatment at St. Marys. Enrollment for these services will be continuous; local veterans may sign up through the Medical Center in Grand Junction by callextension 2117. ing 1, 574. or FAX NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION Member day. At the last meeting of the Castle Valley Propheld Wednesday, erty Owners Association - Hit irresponsible dog owners in the pocket book J" Dear Editor,' Friday, I (and apparently 'iriahy of my fellow Moab homeowners) received a memo from the Postmaster requesting relocation of my mailbox to curbside in order to protect his carriers from uncontrolled dogs roaming the streets of our city. I sympathize. But what about the rest of us? Last October, a companion and I were confronted by two uncontrolled hostile dogs in Rotary Park, resulting in an altercation with the owner. Last week that man was convicted of assault in Justice Court on my complaint and faces sentencing on April 16. About every second day that we walk we are confronted by hostile dogs roaming free on the streets without supervision. Some irresponsible dog owners seem to think their dogs have more rights on the streets (which I pay taxes to maintain) than I do. Postmaster Noordas problem is not location of mail boxes, but what he refers to as hundreds of dogs roaming the streets. Of the hundreds of houses in my neighborhood, not one has an on- - g J The VA Medical Center in Grand Junction announced that an outpatient clinic will be established in Montrose, Colorado during the summer of 1998. The new center will offer services for diabetes management, hypertension and coronary artery disease, pharmacy services or preventative care, including vision and cholesterol screening. New or expanded services for veterans primary care, inpatient and outpatient care, wellness pro The Sunset Celebration is the 1998 AARS Rose of the Year celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Sunset Magazine! This is a beautiful, 1 grade hybrid tea Weeks Rose and will be a lovely addition to your garden! Available in Moab ONLY at: ft . r il tji 4 |