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Show Page A9 'Stye Thursday, June 10, 2004 (Etmgg-131tthgPgnfog- rtt Letters from the People Times-Independe- nt guest editorial Jeep Safari will be discussed at meeting here . . . Dear Editor, Remember Jeep Safari? I do, but like a bad nightmare. Id prefer to forget it. Moabs Easter Week motor-fes- t may have faded a bit from our thoughts, but each passing week brings us closer to next years party. And if our community is ever going to do anything about this event, now is the time. As one of our chief law enforcement officers said immediately after Jeep Week, this things gotten out of hand. The good news is that other towns have successfully reined-i- n similar annual gatherings that threatened to overwhelm their town. Moab can too. But coming up with a plan cannot be done in secret, behind closed doors. The process must include all sectors of our varied community, all concerned voices. Led by Grand County, a group has begun meeting to grapple with Jeep Safari problems and to deal with public lands recreation issues county-widThe group includes all local law enforcement agencies, the Bureau of Land Management, State Trust Lands and three Grand County Council members. Curiously, if they had included just one more council member, laws would have forced them to allow the public in as well. Also, curiously, only the three most conservative council members were included. The more progressive members were left out in the cold. Thats no way to build public support for your plan. I urge the members of this closed-doo- r group to open its proceedings to the public and to include groups that represent a full spectrum of opinion about Jeep Week, its problems and potential solutions. I urge this community to work together to come up with a balanced recreation plan. county-wid- e one such plan already exists the Happily, Redrock Heritage Plan. It has already been endorsed by more than 1,700 citizens and 35 local businesses and was submitted to the BLM earlier this year. The Utah State BLM Resource Advisory Council (RAC) happens to be holding its quarterly meeting in Moab this week and it will also be investigating Moabs Jeep Week and the attendant problems. Unlike the countys closed-doo- r group, this meeting will be open to the public. It will be held Thursday, June 10 at the LaQuinta Inn conference room. The time to make public comments begins at 10:45 a.m. Now is the time to remember Jeep Safari. Now is the time to speak out. See you at the RAC meeting. -- Mike Binyon, Conservation Chair Glen Canyon Group, Sierra Club e. open-meetin- Account set up to benefit Christensen children . . . mation on the fund that is under the names of Debbie Gilmore Howell and Ken Howell in Las Vegas, NV or call one of us for the account numbers. Thank you in advance for your kindness, you have no idea how just a little can help when given from the heart. Leslie Ames, Dodie Butcher, -- Leslie Ames this isnt the typical letter to the editor, but we are trying to spread the word in every way we can think of to get help from the community for two children who were bom here. There has been an account set up to help the children of Cynamon Christensen in Las Vegas, NV. If you feel that you may want to send a donation to help Sylvan and Savana please contact any Wells Fargo bank for infor I know 260-801- 259-861- the staff of the Times-Independen- newspaper since graduating from Grand County High School in 1973. It was my junior year that I experienced my first journalism class, an evening affair taught by the gangly, mustachioed and captivating editor of our weekly newspaper. Ive never forgotten those classes, nor the ensuing passion for community journalism inculcated by those sessions. what has ..Thanks, Sam, for. a as been a journey journalist that has taken me from red rock country of Moab to Logan and the base of the Wellsvilles, a sojourn in Grand Junction and finally to Arizonas Sonoran Desert. As a journalist, a former web content manager, but most importantly, as a reader, I want to congratulate the staff on the launch of the new web site. I cant wait until you begin to populate your channels and subchannels with kick-startin- most-satisfyin- You . . . t: Ive followed my old home-tow- , 1. Moab Congratulations on launch of new web site To 0; text and photos. It will be an even more satisfying experience to stay updated on the goings-o- n in one of the most memorable places in my n g, g life. There remain in Moab and Grand County many of my good friends, acquaintances and even There are so many names I recso and ognize, many memories often rekindled when I have browsed the old web site or gotten my fingers black with ink when I have been fortunate to hold the Your site is easily navigated, appealing to the eye and certainly moves you into modern times. It wont be long before you will figure out how to make the site profitable, as well. Once again, congratulations and thank you for allowing me to keep a cyber eye on the Heart . ... T-- I. of the Canyonlands. -- Steve Stout Tribune Scottsdale Editor, City Scottsdale, Arizona gotta put up with the sourpusses of the world think it is mean for a person to attack a students essay. We need to encour- high school age our young folks instead of criticizing them. Beth I say, you go girl your writing is beau . . . tiful. Just remember you gotta put up with sourpusses of the world. -- Jean To Will the owner of the guilty dog please step forward Dear Sam and Adrien, Last Friday, June 4, we were hiking our dogs up Mill Creek about 7:00 pm. As we crossed the small beaver pond at the mouth of the Left Hand (North) fork, a pair of dogs came running down the trail at us. One ofthem resembled a pit bull mix (about lbs), stocky with a broad head, solid golden to reddish-brown short fur, and the other dog was smaller (perhaps 50 lbs) and mostly slightly black, with lighter feet, and some brown and white patches. It sort of resembled the color pattern of a Rottweiler but was smaller, perd mix. Before we had a haps a chance to get our one dog out of the way (she was on a leash), the pit bull mix brutally attacked and in a few seconds caused major injuries, clamping on her leg and chest and not letting go despite our dogs yelps and our yelling, screaming, and kicking. The black dog managed to get a few nips in here and there until we managed to pull it off. Our second dog stayed out of the fray. Later, the vet informed us that one of the wounds was millimeters from a largo vein that could have made it fatal. By the time the owner of these dogs came down the trail, the damage was done. He had a difficult time controlling his dogs while we tried to bandage the wounds and carry our dog back to the car. In the middle of the chaos, we failed to get owners the name; we were too concerned with rescuing our dog. We did exchange phone numbers verbally, but we have not heard from him. Apparently I did not correctly remember his, 60-pl- collie-shepher- Bickers, Moab . . . as my efforts to contact him so far have not succeeded. It was a new phone number with the 719 prefix and the last four digits I believe contained a 4,2,6, and a 1. 1 dont know in what order and Im not sure they are correct. The owner was a white male, crew cut or bald with a cap, about 200 lbs, 6 feet tall, and 0 years old. He didnt offer his name or any other information. He may have been hiking with an older gentlemen who was hiking with a cane and was at the scene at the same time as the owner and disappeared just as quickly. This letter is an effort to contact the owner and provide him an opportunity to step up and take responsibility. We are looking for an apology, confirmation that his dogs have had their shots, and reimbursement of our vet bill. We are reasonable people and these are reasonable things to ask. If anyone out there has any information about these individuals or dogs, a phone call would be greatly appreciated. I can be reached on my cell phone Finally, thanks so much to the people who offered to help us, including Zach, Miah (we hope we spelled that right!) and their female companion who offered to help carry the dog and loaned us their phone to call the vet. Last but certainly not least, thanks to Jim and Lou Gostlin who took several hours out of their Friday evening to fix up our dog. The good news is that she should recover to hike with us again, although it will not be soon. -- Nate Rydman 1 20-4- 8. 259-769- Moab Thanks for the traffic safety guards Dear Adrien, Thanks for the opportunity to thank Margaret Hopkin, Ron Ferguson and the maintenance staff for the installation of traffic safety guards at Helen M. Knight School. The HMK by August Brooks I think the Editors Note after my letter last week gave undeserved credit to Police Chief Mike Navarre. Although it referred to a valuable article, I believe we would have heard nothing, especially from Navarre, if the T--I hadnt taken the initiative. My letter pointed out that our Police Chief doesnt respect our community enough to keep us informed, so we need to do it ourselves. If an inquiry from a reporter was necessary to get Navarres statement, then that reporter and the I deserve credit for informing the community, not Navarre. The difference is subtle but important. I cant remember him ever being forthright about a crime or an increased danger of crime, until after we became aware it on our own, and he had to say something. Conversely, I would expect him to make an effort to have stories printed, because T--I articles have helped solve past crimes, and undoubtedly motivated people to protect themselves and their businesses. Fortunately, the I can still be a helpful resource, even when our Police Chief isnt. If we keep the paper informed, they can research a story and spread the word (maybe even with information from the police). Since the police chief isnt looking out for us, well have to do it ourselves. I wouldnt be so angry if this was something new, and otherwise our police department was being run well. However, as many readers are already aware, our police department has been plagued with problems for over a decade. It is top heavy and inefficient, with supervisors and a chief who not only ignore the needs of the public they serve, but also of their own officers who work on patrol. These internal problems and leadership issues are painfully evident to members of other agencies who work with the Moab Police Department. Four years ago, in early 2000, it seemed T-- T-- ... community council and parents appreciate all of your fine effort on behalf of our children. Sincerely, t -- Jayne Dillon HMK CC member and parent like vital changes would finally happen: the city had budgeted to have our police department evaluated; our last police chief quit under pressure, and then Mayor Karla Hancock planned a nationwide search for his successor; also City Manager Donna Metzler claimed to be researching how to merge the Police into the Sheriffs Office. The evaluation never materialized, even though it was a perfect time to find out what changes our police department needed and institute them. There was no search for a new chief, and the appointee (then Assistant Chief Mike Navarre) was a major part of the departments existing problems. As a matter of fact, both then Mayor Hancock and current mayor, Dave Sakrison, had both said he shouldnt be chief! Also, the city manager stalled and dissuaded the city council and mayor from seriously looking at combining law enforcement agencies. The idea was never seriously explored, even though the community (and Dave Sakrison, before he became mayor) strongly supported it. Nothing became of three strong opportunities to bring needed reform to our police department. So now we must get City Hall to pick up where they failed the community four years ago, starting with an independent expert evaluation of our police department (and also a study that seriously addresses merging it with the Sheriffs Office). The patrol officers are doing excellent work; the departments leadership is the problem, so change must come from outside. The longer this is delayed, the more chance that major problems will arise. We can use the studys recommendations to build a strong police department that supports and respects both the community it serves and also its own patrol officers working on the streets. We pay a lions share of our city budget for law enforcement, and we deserve better! top-hea- Castle Valley Comments s. Dear Editor: I City Hall needs to pick up where it failed community earlier by Ron Drake My good part-tim- e neighbor and friend Ric Fornelius is the owner of property across the street from me on Rim Shadow Lane. He retired a couple of years ago after serving 33 years as an elementary school teacher in the Granite School District. He was an excellent teacher and is somewhat of a legend in the district. His lovely wife, Jill, works as a pediatric intensive care nurse and contracts with hospitals around the west. They own a nice home at the base of one of the Cottonwood Canyons east of Salt Lake City. Ric bought his piece of property in Castle Valley over 25 years ago and had also been exploring the area for many years before that. Over the years he has slowly improved his piece of property with a water well, septic system, outbuildings and many fruit trees and shade trees of every description, all under a timed water system. He also has many native cacti and other plants and flowers strategically placed around the property with several small patches of lawn. Several years ago he placed a travel trailer on the premises to make his visits quite comfortable. He comes down from Salt Lake City about once a month and stays about a week during each visit. I think he is quite proud of his place and rightly so because it is a beautiful sight to behold. But it doesnt happen without a lot of work. Every visit during the summer, he will be found outside mowing, trimming and cutting to keep it beautiful as well as safe from the danger of fire. He estimates that during the last several visits he has put in the equivalent of ten eight-hou- r days to minimize the effects of fire should one get started in our neighborhood. I explained to Ric about the Firewise program that the town has embraced where all d labor will be matched by state and federal fire agencies with labor and equipment to help reduce fire fuels in the valley. Dianna Vaughn, who is labor, encourages recording all of the everyone to record their labor, gas, equipment and other expenses while they are cleaning up their property and fill out a form so we can more fully match. Dianna and Ron qualify for the d Mengel have the forms and can be reached by phone to get one and answer any questions about in-kin- in-ki- in-kin- the program. Dianna explained that the greenbelt lots are a good example ofwhere the valley could use some help in controlling the fuels that could threaten the valley in the event of a fire. Those who are not able to do the work themselves could also benefit from the match. It is a great and should submit their time program everyone and equipment used whether controlling the fire fuels on their own lot or helping or working for someone else. At the last town council meeting, Ron Mengel observed that many of the towns street signs are obscured from view by tall brush that has grown around the signs. Mengel offered to clear the signs of the brush but the road supervisor said it was the towns responsibility and would see that it was done. I went home that evening and was shocked to discover that our Rim Shadow Lane sign was one of those hidden from view and went to work on the problem myself. I know that others did the same thing on their own streets. It is amazing how fast these bushes grow without us realizing it. The obscured signs present a couple of problems. First is the fact that emergency personnel responding to situations in the valley have trouble finding the streets if they are covered over with vegetation. The other situation is, in the event of a fire, the brush acts as a fuel ladder and will travel up to the sign and destroy it. Emergency fire personnel not familiar with the valley will again have trouble finding the proper d streets. Another concern voiced at the council meeting last month was the lack of addresses posted at the entrances to homes in the valley. Our method of using our lot number and street name in describing our physical address is rather unique but works quite well but only if the property is marked with the lot number. Again, valuable time can be lost in an emergency situation when the responder has trouble finding a residence. Members of the town council urge everyone to mark the entrance to their property with their lot number. Several years ago, iny brother placed a large rock on his vacant piece of land and fastened his lot number to the rock. People can now easily find 116 Pace Lane even though there is nothing there. We used to decorate the rock with festive ornaments appropriate to a major holiday and take a picture of it. We sent the picture to him in California as a joke but it seems he recognized the need to identify his lot early on. Web site made a hit with Castle Valley Letter: I saw the article in the newspaper about your new web site while reading the newspaper a few minutes ago and had to rush to check it out. I live in Castle Valley. We dont get a radio station clearly and have to wait until Thursday for the newspaper to arrive in the mail. It has been impossible to stay up to date on local events. Now I can look at your web site a couple of times every day for an update and reader . .. still be able to get my fingers a bit smudged with newsprint on Thursday - the best of both worlds! I can see what the current Moab temperature is. And a bonus is youve now got Castle Valley Comments. Congratulations, the web site looks great. And you have filled a very real need. Thank You have made me you very happy! -- Vickie Kress Castle Valley Times-Independe- |