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Show Page A7 Thursday, April 1, 2004 'fflfie Castle Valley Comments Letters to the Editor What's with the poll on by Ron Drake ... Wal-Mar- t? Letter to the Editor: I must confess to a certain curiosity concerning the poll represented in the March 25th issue of T-- especially when I read it after returning home to Moab from a trip to Grand t, Junction to the a trip of 200 miles and fifteen dollars in fuel, by the way. What are the exact numbers on your responses? I find it hard to believe you had no to responses that advocated bringing I, Wal-Mar- Wal-Ma- rt Moab. Im reasonably sure I can come up with the same number of persons in my own extended family that would disagree with each of your published polled persons that are against the On second thought, opening of a local I can probably exceed those numbers. Do I like going 200 miles to buy a pair of shoes or pants that fit? No. Do I enjoy, with my health problems, a long, tiring, drive to find out that what I seek isnt in GJ either? No. Do I like hearing that our local Alco Duckwall store cant order items according to local buying trends, but is restricted to what ever some purchasing agent in another state decides what well be allowed to buy? No. Nor do I enjoy an attitude by some local stores that echoes Henry Fords attitude about color choices on the early Model T (Ill give them any color they want as long as its Black.) when theyre asked to special order items or increase the range of their stock. Add to that local pricing that is significantly high enough to make the trip to GJ economical even in a pickup truck with poor fuel economy, and you see why I find the poll results dubious. I am sure that someone will just pass this off with a, by rote, Order it over the Internet. They dont realize that people like my mother-in-ladont have Internet access, or are still not comfortable, because of all the identity theft Wal-Mar- t. w that been reported, giving out credit card info over the net.... assuming they even had a credit card. I know I am not comfortable with it, and I dont plan to be. Do we need a in Moab? Yesterday, March 27th, my wife, my oldest son and I spent about $400 in GJ including the fuel for the trip. We bought only one item there that is available locally and saved 10 on it by doing so. However, by the time we got home, I was exhausted to the point I slept for 45 minutes (those dam health problems!!!) before supper. From what Ive overheard around town, and I do not claim it to be an accurate representaWal-Ma- rt tion, but rather, as stated, just what Ive overheard, my expenditure of $400 appears to be below the average spent in GJ by Moab residents, per trip, including those on fixed incomes that can ill afford the expense of the trip. Gasoline diesel fuel prices are also higher here to compound the situation. I say its up to our local businesses to decide. Are they willing to consider the needs of the residents of Moab as well as the seasonal tourists? Are they willing to set prices so it is no longer cheaper to drive to GJ at 10 miles per gallon for a purchase of one hundred dollars or more? How many times have they overheard, I can ( find it, get it much cheaper, get it in my size color) in Grand Junction? Each time is, potentially, at least, lost profit. Or are they going to continue to do business as usual? As a three time small business owner, now retired due to poor health, I would rather be able to shop locally, but I do have to count pennies. No, I do not expect any local store to have but I believe the selection found at there is room for improvement. Charles Cochran Wal-Mar- t, Moab Let's be proud and celebrate our Sterling Scholars Letter to the Editor: This is a time to be Proud and Celebrate! During this time of accountability for public schools, we most often hear about how our schools are not meeting the educational needs of our students. However, this is a time to be Proud and Celebrate the accomplishments of some of Grand County School Districts finest scholars! Last week, 10 students participated in the annual Sterling Scholar competition. Of these IQ. students, five came home winners in their respective categories and four others were runneThis is an amazing accomplishment! rs-up. This accomplishment is mainly due to three areas: 1) These students have taken it upon themselves to place their academics as their top priority through out their years as students in Grand County schools. They have never .. . settled for mediocrity in any of their endeav- ors. 2) These students have had positive support and encouragement from their parents guardians in regards to their academic and life endeavors. 3) Numerous teachers have helped nurture their academic as well as life skills during their journey through the school system. Without these three sides of the triangle, this outstanding accomplishment would most likely not have occurred. I am writing this letter to encourage everyone to become part ofthis positive triangle of support. With this kind of support, our studentschildren will accomplish much. This is truly a time to be Proud and Celebrate the successes of all involved with these outstanding scholars. Congratulations! Stephen Hren Teacher and Parent of some hopeful Sterling Scholars of the future. There is no excuse for lousy rules . . . To the Editor, Remember that once special place you used to visit? The secluded pour off with the hanging gardens, the magical dunes, the idyllic picnic spot overlooking a palate of rainbow muds,., you know the place. Your last visit was a disaster. The noise, the dust, the smell of oil and scorched transmission fluid, a landscape of tire tracks, denuded of vegetation. No doubt you havent been back. Truth is, you dont go there anymore because of the heartsick feeling you get when you see the degradation, the pain you feel with the certainty you have that its only gotten worse. Weve all seen it. You know what happens to an area when it is targeted by self absorbed, free wheeling, four wheel drive enthusiasts. Look at any drilling or mining road from the fifties if you need to get a fix on recovery time. Even if you leave it alone it wont come back in our lifetime. Four wheel drive vehicles arent the problem, we all have them. Having a four wheel drive vehicle is a prerequisite for living here. Hikers, bikers, horseback riders, jeepsters and everyone of every persuasion use the roads and trails to access the spectacle and the solitude of this glorious land, and were trying to be responsible about it. But then, there are a few people with big toys, less imagination and very little love for A report on St. the land who come here to recreate because there are so few rules and no one to enforce them. We know that their numbers and their toys are growing. Dont get me wrong. People have a right to their toys, and to play with them, just not at everyones expense. This wild magnificent landscape that belongs to itself and to all of us, simply isnt the place. Unfortunately, with all the other demands for public funding, land management is a low priority in the federal budget. But for all our lack of funds, there is no excuse for lousy rules. The last .resource management plan update was in 1985, is currently under review, and is potentially under revision. Areas that are open to motorized mayhem are an anathema. Even the miscreants and despoilers lose interest in areas theyve degraded, and they seek out pristine areas as yet unchallenged and unconquered. I hate rules as much as the next guy, but what else can we do? We have to change the rules and limit motorized vehicles to designated routes. We need rules that will mitigate the damage to the land by private users who are unable or unwilling to use it without wrecking it. Please, add your voice. Write a letter to the local BLM field office. Go in and ask questions. This is your slice of heaven. -- Rob Kerchen Moab Patrick's day activities Dear Moab Community, Unity, Diversity People, Moab proudly hosted our fifth annual St. Patricks Day Parkway Parade on Wed., March 17 at 5:00 p.m. from Rotary Park to Swanny Park. The Irish flag was carried proudly by Red Grand Marshall Lima Fagan Rock third-grad- e along with parents Raven Tennyson and Damian Fagan and visiting Aunt Lalei.to lead balloon-carryin- g children, families, friends down parade route to potluck at St. Pius Church Hall. Music by Keltica. included many Irish jigs, food included popcorn, mint chocolate vanilla and rainbow sherbet ice cream cones, casse-- , roles, cakes, soda bread, com beef and cabbage., B.0-to lasagna and any other item to add our theme or Bit 0 Blarney. Lovely lily centerpieces adorned tables and B. Sixteen people from the valley assembled at the home of Otis and Zella Willoughby for the District 8 Precinct Republican Party 2004 Caucus meeting held last Tuesday, March 23. After reading the state Republican platform and the get out and vote platform along with other business, delegates and officers were elected. Jim Salmon was selected as the state delegate with Susan Anderson as an alternate. Mynoa Williams will serve as the county delegate. Otis Willoughby was selected to be the new precinct chairman, Tony Martineau will be the and Zella Willoughby is the new secretarytreasurer. vice-chairm- an The reorganized Castle Valley medical first responders were paged to their first call this week after receiving training and certification earlier this month. According to CVFR coordinator Rusty Salmon, two vehicles were involved in a collision near Hittle Bottom on Hwy 128 at about noon Monday, March 29. She said a westbound truck and an eastbound car collided at the crest of a hill causing the car to go off the road, rolling several times. The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene and had to be extricated from the vehicle by members of the Moab Fire Department. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment. Sherry Day, who lives at the Sorrel River Ranch, was the first at the scene followed by Frank Mendonca and Rusty Salmon of Castleton. Floyd Stoughton responded with the first response truck followed by Jennifer Mengel who also responded. Both vehicles were from Colorado. camAnother successful spring clean-u- p paign last Saturday resulted in nine or ten large container loads being hauled away by Bobs Sanitation of Moab. Four members of the town council took two-hoshifts to help unload trash from pickups and trailers into the dumpsters that were assembled at the town lot. Two men from Bobs Sanitation were also on hand to help unload and direct the sorting of trash to various containers. Mayor Bruce ur A suggestion for enriched sweet smells. Jayden Thomas won jar of 417 jelly beans. Raffle winners were Adora, Alies Keogh, Brennan Keogh, Corey Jones, Anita Lynner, and Evelyn Jones. of Moabs Head Start families, Twenty-tw- o for family togethemessdiversity participated night activity. Next years Grand Marshals are Evelyn and Jim Jones. See you next year - same time - 5.00 p.m., same date - Thursday, March 17, 2005, same place - Rotary Park Thanks a million Grand County and Moab for supporting our parade and potluck. Congratulations to successful Utah Symphony performance and St. Francis annual Jigs Dinner. Moabs Community, Unity, Diversity Committee Charlotte Mates t Jim Salmon and members of the local Boy Scout troop distributed over 200 sacks for the annual scout food drive last week. They stood at the entrance to the valley and passed out the sacks as residents returned home for the evening. Jim said it was a lot easier on Tony Martineau and himself to do it that way rather than drive the scouts up and down the streets and place the bags at the front door of every house. He said the residents were really receptive and the kids did a good job. Nearly 150 pounds of canned goods were returned to the LDS Church and other locations last Saturday, according to Jim. The food will remain in the valley for awhile to determine if there are local needs then will be transferred to the Moab Food Bank. Those who are aware of local needs should contact Otis Willoughby or Richard Williams. the cover of a new brochure Dear Adrien & Sam, Well, they cant say Moabs just a town anymore, thats for sure, as progress continues its inexorable march. If you think about it, a traffic light might serve as an apt and useful symbol for Moabs future. Weve got our STOP and GO camps of course, but what does the future do when it approaches town under the cautionary yellow? Meanwhile, we say so long to a pasture and hello to another gas station, and one senses that the build it and they will come school of economic development continues to hold sway. Well see. For now though, I have a sugges five-stoplig- ht Letter to the Editor: The Grand County Council is of opinion systematically removing diversity from county boards. County boards that represent only one sector of Grand County citizens do not have the ability to provide meaningful direction to the Grand County Council or the desire to meet the needs of the community. The Grand County Council nearly doubled the representation of the real estate and construction industry on the Planning Commission last year. They further weakened the Planning Commission by restricting the input from outside consultants. The Grand County Council has appointed a large majority of hotel and resort advisors to the Travel Council. Other segments of the . . . tion for the front cover of the new brochure that is to tout the glories of Grand County. How about a long pan shot depicting a bustling Sleep Inn, fronted by long lines of Hummers at the new station waiting to fill up in anticipation of a scenic tour, under the banner: Come to Moab and Get Gas! All we would need to complete the picture is to get that Fun Pigs billboard back. Heres wishing everyone a great Spring no matter how you measure it. Steve Russell Moab Grand County boards are losing diversity . . . tourist industry have little or no representation on the Board. The Grand County Council doubled the representation of the construction and real estate interests on the Spanish Valley Water Improvement District Board last year. The Grand County Council has picked the Community Development Board for future reorganization in the new master plan. The creation of boards that do not represent the diversity of Grand Countys citizens destroys the ability of the community to provide input to board decisions and destroys the ability of the Grand County Council to make informed decisions. --William The world lost a beautiful person last week E. Love Moab . . . Dear Editor, The world lost a beautiful person this last week in Ida Dalton. She changed many lives. She is loved by many and will be missed by all. Ida made Moab and all those who knew her better. I am privileged to have known her. -- Jon Raymond, Major, USAF Little Rock, AR Writer suggests new message to bring in tourists the Editor: I understand that the Moab business community is searching for a new message to persuade tourists to visit your fair city. May I sug Tb . .. Keeler said by 10 a.m. one container was being hauled away and another containing metal was nearly full. Bob Lippman, Robert Ryan and Dorr Hatch took the other shifts and Tom Henry was also seen there helping out. David Hawks said it is more efficient to sort the material out at the collection site rather than at the transfer station like they did the first year that Bobs Sanitation was involved with the cleanup. Mayor Keeler also stated that the contracts with contractor Craig Haren and architect Jim Dresslar have been signed for the construction phase of the new community center building. A special town council meeting will be scheduled this week for final approval of both contracts and a groundbreaking ceremony is planned for early next week, according to the mayor. It has been a long, difficult effort to get to this point of the construction for the town council. Last February 10, 2003, the council approved the final drawings and the project went out to bid February 20 and the architect said a contract could be awarded to a contractor in March. In April, the bids came back way over the architects estimate and they went back to the drawing board with the same result on the second bid. After the second bid, they were free to negotiate with Haren and trimmed even more from the building. . . . gest the following: Moab: Our rocks are red; our necks are not. -- Frank Musgrave Tooele, UT Letters to the editor policy The does not necessarily endorse the opinions published in letters to the editor and guest editorials. The I welcomes opinions from 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, or to list and thank sponsors or participants to a particular 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 400 words or less. Letters are subject to editing. Mail to Letter to the Editor, P.O. Box 1 29, Moab, to Utah, 84532. Deadline is Monday, 5 p.m. Letters may also be sent via not from editormoabtimes.com. The write letters who accept may persons more frequently than once every four weeks. 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