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Show Page A9 - tEfre -- Thursday, May Uimeg-lgpgnhc- nt 19, 2005 Letters from the People Oncoming attack on the Senate Rules . . . There is a frightening thing about to take place in our Congress sometime this month, and Im not hearing enough rational discussion about it. It is an attempt by the far right element of the Republican Party to overturn the longstanding Senate Rules in order to eliminate the filibuster. The filibuster is one of the principle checks and balances built into the congressional arm of our government. Some extreme Republicans want to eliminate it in order to push through the last 5 percent of (President) Bushs judicial nominees; nominees that are considered so extreme in their thinking and philosophy as to be unsuitable for the seats to which they are being nominated. Each of these nine has already been rejected previously. The extremists say the Democrats are being obstructionist in their attitude towards these candidates. And they are correct, but only in the case of these nine nominees. The Democrats have already approved all but nine of 215 presidential judicial nominees. No rational person can call that obstructionist. Republicans rejected a far higher percentage of Clintons nominees. The filibuster is, by definition, obstructionist, and is included in the checks and balances system of our government for one purpose only: to prevent the tyranny of the Miner hassled over leash laws A disturbing thing happened to me on my way to my mining camp. My horses, mule and dog are well trained to travel through town in a safe and orderly manner. Skyla (my dog) knows right where to walk so she is out of traffics way and where the pack animals know she is in the comfort zone. She is well trained on a verbal leash (Skyla is a hard working, intelligent stock dog). I dont put her on a visible leash because anyone smarter than a stump would know just how dangerous that would be to me, my string, and the general safety of others. Anyway, the dog catcher pulls me over on a side street and starts haranguing me about my dog not being on a leash. This is not the first time and it went over the edge into harassment. This time he told me he was going to dig up some obscure law that would get me off the streets once and for all (I dont remember the ; exact words, but that was the gist of it). I tried to present my side but it was like talking to a brick wall and all I did was talk myself into a ticket. Which means that now everybody who rides a horse in town with, or without, dog is subject to harassment and a ticket. ' Im going to fight my ticket, so maybe all is not lost. majority, an old historical concept in this country which goes back to its very core values. It moderates by preventing the majority from riding roughshod over everyone else. In the big picture, it serves as the keel in our Ship of State, a moderating influence that serves as the stabilizing element which prevents the Ships capsizing from radical extremes. Tb me, this issue isnt about Democrats or Republicans. It is about pirates attempting to literally seize control of the legislative arm of the United States. This political move is considered so extreme that the media and analysts have dubbed it the solve the problem of overcrowding by dispers- ing large groups among several sites. When all campgrounds in the Moab area are full, we are put in the position of either telling errant campers to pack up and go home, or stay put and be respectful to their neighbors. In fairness to all, we prefer the latter. Contrary to what Ms. Bolyard suggests, we guest editorial Answers to questions about new hospital Inform each of them, Republicans and by Moab Valley Health Care, Inc., dba; Allen Memorial Hospital Jerome Bidinger, Chairman of the Board and Marla Shelby-DrabneAdministrator and CEO Democrats alike, that we wont support irresponsible, short sighted behavior: that we insist that the checks and balances which protect us all from extremism should remain firmly in place. r, -- Dave Lyle In an editorial column published on May Adrien 5, Taylor raised a series of questions Moab concerning will fight ticket .. . independent housing project and hospital. All of these matters have required time to resolve. We are sure other issues will arise as the planning and construction processes continue and we will work to resolve them as they occur. -- Nik Hougen, Lost Crater Mine Somewhere in the (Moab) Wilderness kudos . . . A big thank you is extended to Marie Andrews and her cadre of volunteers for preparing nutritious snacks for breaks between tests. Looking back on this busy year with its many events and accomplishments we are grateful, indeed, for the parents, grandparents and community volunteers who help us provide so many additional opportunities for our students to groto and succeed. Sincerely, -- The Staff of Red Rock Elementary Submitted by Linda Warren ... state-of-the-a- do not have the attitude that: BLM land is essentially a free for all. The Sand Flats Recreation Area was created to protect and provide sustainable recre- ation opportunities consistent with the character and capabilities of the area. The Moab community has worked hard over the years to prevent Sand Flats froqi becoming a neglected trash heap and to preserve a place for thousands of people to enjoy the beauty, thrills, and (hopefully) a bit of the serenity that makes us all love the place. Thank You, -- Staff Sand Flats Recreation Area required for the new hospital complex. The December 2004 issue of Me "to Healthcare reported that the average operating margin for a small hospital in the United States was 5.12 percent. Allen Memorials operating margin in 2004 was over 7 percent and in 2005 is running over 8 percent. Further evidence of the hospitals financial strength is derived from Housing and Urban Developments own review. HUD requires that the hospital have a Debt Service Ratio of 1.25 or higher. This Debt Service Ratio is calculated from the hospitals receipts, expenses and net income. Across 2003 and 2004, the hospital had a Debt Service Ratio of 5.17. On every financial measure used to determine whether a small hospital is able to repay a loan, our hospital exceeds by far the basic financial requirements and is, in fact, an excellent candidate for a HUD guaranteed loan. What guarantees do we have? As to guarantees, there really are none. However, just look around you, progress equals more people, and more people equal more patients. (See Youth Center, Lisbon Valley " Mine, DOE, etc.) What will we do to entice Moab residents? As our medical services have expanded, many Moab residents have responded by using services here rather than traveling to Grand Junction or Salt rt -- does not necessarily endorse the opinions published in The letters to the editor and guest editorials. The T--l welcomes opinions from its readers concerning any subject pertinent to Southeastern Utah. Letters should be to the point and must include the writer's 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 129, Moab, Utah, 84532. Deadline is Monday, 5 p.m. Letters may to editormoabtimes.com or submitted on the website: also be sent via www.moabtimes.com. The may not accept letters from persons who write more frequently than once every four weeks. Changes to letters to the editor after submission will be accepted only in the most extreme circumstances. . . . Lake City. Moab residents are beginning to see the quality of the physicians and diversity of the medical services available. Once the new hospital is constructed, people will look past the naysayers and What's in a SemanticsIGrandiose, name ? The name Moab Regional Medical misconceptions and will realize that they no Center accurately reflects reality. Our longer have to deplete the economy of Moab hospital serves not only the city of Moab but to seek healthcare out of town. also all of Grand County and parts of San What is the HUD funding? HUD Juan County, as well as surrounding areas. funding is a government guaranteed loan Patients from locations such as Green River, program where a project is thoroughly Monticello and Blanding are regularly reviewed by financial, architectural, and treated at our hospital. The fact that our project development specialists before loan hospital attracts patients from such a broad approval. Other funding sources were geographical area makes it a regional considered and rejected due to extended loan medical center. processing that could result in potential We are already part of a medical delays and higher interest rates. network. Moab Regional Medical Center will Surplus property. The only property always be a rural hospital, and as a result will the hospital owns is the property on which always be part of other medical networks. we intend to build the new hospital. The land There is no intention to provide all the medical the hospital currently occupies belongs to services available at St Marys or the the Grand County Hospital Service District. University of Utah. There is however a huge It is theirs to do with, as they will. However, need to supply quality medical services in a if they would like to sell it and make a medical facility in Moab. As an financial gift to help us build a nursing example, orthopedic surgery is a new medical home, it would be gladly accepted. What do local residents think about service that has been utilized by our residents to the point of one physicians capacity in just a new hospital? Based on responses to our one years time. fundraising effort and increased patient Do we have enough patients ? Allen usage of the hospital, it is apparent most Memorial Hospital served 17,191 patients in people welcome the new hospital, and think 3003 and 22,967 patients in 2004 (an it is long overdue. How are the nursing-hom- e needs increase of 33 percent in one year), of The of to met? Board Directors be five of times the going population approximately Moab. In addition to our existing population Moab Valley Healthcare Inc., a 501(cX3) not base, which is growing, the National Park for Profit Corporation (dba: Allen Memorial Service and BLM state that we have Hospital) accepted the obligation to approximately 2 million visitors per year construct a nursing home as part of our medical center because no one else accepted some of whom utilize our medical services we need? that What size hospital do really responsibility when it was being discussed at the many MAPS meetings. In Built during the mining boom, Allen seemed little interest in a nursing there Memorial Hospital originally had 38 beds. fact, of the limited business home to because Over the years, that number was reduced d an 11 bed hospital with a nursing opportunity. 100-yehome. Because of its reduced size our floodplain? Colin Fryer sold hospital is regularly forced to turn away the property to the Grand County Hospital potential patients. Even when patients were Service District, which together with MAPS, accepted, the hospital had more patients intended this property to house a campus than beds 11 percent ofthe time during 2004, that would include a senior center, assisted forcing those patients to be diverted to living facility, independent housing projects, and the hospital. The Hospital District then another hospital. sold the hospitals property to Moab Valley with Combining todays usage tomorrows projected growth in southeastern Healthcare, Inc. Once the land use changed Utah, the best estimates are that we will from orchard to hospital, the land was flood plain. The city need at least 25 hospital beds and 24 nursing declared in a home beds. For future growth (if needed), of Moab has approached FEMA to rethe hospital and nursing home are both designate the entire area of Moab out of a flood plain due to the engineering designed for additional expansion (as solutions they have installed over the years. required). board of MVHC, Inc. is the . How will the hospital pay for itself? Plus, The hospital has a very strong financial base independently seeking an engineering and should be able to repay the size of loan solution for the hospital with FEMA my opinion. Sincerely, 14-be- ar Ttmes-lndepende- nt 100-ye- 100-ye- e-m- ail Times-lndapende- nt 4 and the senior center, assisted living, an Letters Policy t development welcome these questions as evidence of interest in the hospital and the community it serves, and we are pleased to answer her questions as part of our continuing effort to provide to the entire Grand County community information about the hospital and its plans and potential future. Why is the construction progress so slow? Progress has been slow, however, it has been deliberate and carefully planned. After being retained in 2003 and before beginning design, the architect thoroughly interviewed hospital employees including administrators, maintenance personnel and medical staff to ensure optimal design for patient care. In addition, as part of the MAPS (Moab Area Partnership for Seniors) group, we worked for several years on the coordination of a campus that will include fully-loade- well-earne- d the construction of the new hospital in Moab. We Some of you are asking why not just keep my string out of town. These are the reasons: 1. Horses and working stock dogs have been using the streets of Moab long before automobiles and mountain bikes. Its a tradition that has been unbroken for 120 years. Ive been doing it myself for 30 years. I believe its called Priority Rights. 2, My hematite mine is 18 miles in a wilderness with no access roads. The last four miles are primitive trail that can be difficult d on foot let alone a pack train. When I come to town I pack in gem quality hematite crystals. After I do my town commerce I pack 200 punds of provisions that 18 miles back up to my mining camp. I need my outfit to keep my mine operating on a profitable basis, money which I spend in Moab. 3. This situation violates my most basic civil , t liberties: the freedom to choose my own legal form of transportation, the right to engage in commerce, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Thank you for giving me this space to voice Sand Flats staff responds to unhappy campers The Sand Flats Recreation Area staff offers sincere apologies to Sandy Bolyard of Fort Collins, CO for any inconvenience she experienced at our campground. (Visitors crowded out of Sand Flats, Tl, May 12, letters.) On busy weekends, Sand Flats provides camping for 500 to 1,000 people each night. We Times-Independe- nt Rules. Teacher Appreciation Week gives During Teacher Appreciation Week the faculty room at Red Rock Elementary hosted a smorgasbord of delicious treats. We want to thank the many families that made us feel so appreciated each day during the week. The goodies were quickly eaten and the Thank you banner is hanging in our workroom. ( We also wish to express our appreciation to the families of Red Rock students for supporting their students during State Core Testing week. Students came to school well rested and ready to do their best. " Nuclear Option. The name pretty much says it all. I would encourage every citizen who considers (himself or herself) a real patriot to stand up and protect our form of government from frivolous, biased tampering. Contact your representatives and senators and insist that they dont allow this change to the Senate V ar ar . |