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Show Page A7 Thursday, February 24, 2000 nhgpmftfnt -- A' Letters to the Editors UZ Unfair tax burden Dear Sam and Adrien, We would like to respond to Narlene Mansons let- ter in last week $ paper He re inclined to agree with her, our recent experience. We bought a townhouse in Moab and were in the process of moving in some furniture. We also ordered more furniture and eppliances ($4,200) locally from Knowles Furniture, to be delivered at a later date. We stopped by the County Assessor's office at the after courthouse to inquire about the taxes. We were informed, instead of the $600 a year, our taxes were now going to be $1,100 because they considered this to be our second home. But our future plans were for it to be our primary residence. We Du Times don't understand why our taxes should be Against highway From the Mayor's Office doubled. If Grand County needs money that badly, let them go after the visiting bikers for some of the expenses they incur, instead of always socking it to the taxpayers. We have a business in the area, have owned property and lived in Moab, and contributed to the support of Moab for 25 years. And double taxes are the payback we get for wanting to eventually move back here. So weve listed the property for sale. And when we do decide to move back, we will purchase land and build our home in San Juan County. That way, we will still be close to our children and grandchildren in our later years without paying double for it. Thanks for letting us sound off and maybe giving others something to think about. Hub and Fran Davis Mesquite, Nev. by Moab Mayor Karla Hancock Brent Williams, Public Works Director, has asked me to mention that an individual has been making a concentrated effort to run over many Stop and Yield signs on City streets Tire tracks left by the individual are distinctive and will aid in identification. In the event of a serious accident or death caused these actions, that person will be held responsible It's hard to understand what sort of satisfaction anyone would get out of doing that, isn't it? Brent also said that a person or persons are still removing City barn-cade- s set up in areas of street construction This, too, could have sen-ou- s by consequences. by-pa- ss Dear Sam, In the UDOTs Mike Miles stated that the current alignment for truck traffic down Main Street is not an option. Sounds to me like the words of a fellow who: 1) has too much of Uncle Sams money to spend, 2) loves to build roads with Uncles money, and 3) doesnt live here. What is quite apparent, particularly in light of the other options that would destroy the west side of the valley, is that Main Street is the only reasonable option available. Lets face it. Moat blew its chance to make Main Street a bucolic pedestrian friendly zone long ago - it exists primarily as a flowing monument to tacky, unimaginative commerce, same as trucks. The real Moab lies off Main Street in the parks, wetlands and neighT-- I, borhoods where people live free from having to watch the loud, dirty work of making a buck in a tourist town. Mr. Miles doesnt think the businesses want to keep Main Street as Moab's thoroughfare. Well, tough. Who actually believes it would be better to run giant trucks through existing neighborhoods, Swanny Park, the Matheson wetlands or under the west nm of the valley where well really be able to appreciate the noise? What should be wrecked next, the portal? Why should we worry about merchants, Main Street rent gougers and shops that close up for the night so people can get off Main for some peace and quiet? This is dangerous thinking, folks, and its driven by one thing only - the availability of a surfeit of federal non-reside- nt Letters to the editor policy: pork that UDOT would rather spend on some lamebrained project than something sensible or, god forbid, opt not to go face down in federal trough. Miles says your needs are now. What he means is, We need to spend this tax money before it goes away. So heads up all you west side citizens. If the idea of a gains any momentum or a big influx of money there will be no stopping it. Theyre going to spend $120,000 or more just to think about it. Do you think any FOM (friend of Mike) consultant is going to pocket that kind of cash and recommend the status quo? Not in this Millennium. If the idea of a highway bypass anywhere in this valley bothers you, I strongly suggest getting in on the process from day one and being very vocal about your feelings. To UDOT and Moab City - heres another alternative for you. Restrict truck traffic to the two center lanes of Main Street within the City, reduce the truck speed limit to 15 or 20 mph, get the traffic lights synchronized and then enforce the rules like you mean it. Or, if you prefer UDOT-styl- e thinking, we could build n dollar rest stops north and south a couple of of town, make the trucks wait there and then send them through en masse every three hours. If we make them put Christmas lights on the trucks and require flashing UDOT escorts, it would be like a continual parade. The tourists will love it, and just imagine the potential ... another boom for Main Street in Moab. Steve Russell Moab -- by-pa- ss multi-millio- The 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. Ail 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 Monday, 5 p.m. Letters may also be sent via to editormoabtimes.com. The may not accept letters from persons who write more frequently than once every four weeks. Times-Independe- Times-Independe- nt I have com- mented on this before, but this vandalism continues I actually found one of the barricades during one of my efforts on 300 South. If you come across any of these, please let folks at the City shop know, at Aside from the safety issue, these are expensive to replace and ultimately we all pay for their replacement. Mike NaVarre, Acting Chief of Police, wanted me to let you know of the new direction the Police Department is taking This includes an open-doo- r policy and an increased effort toward the Department's accountability and ownership in our community Mike will be sharing notes about Department directions in my columns from time to time. He suggests that residents stop by the Police Department to see what is going on, or call that office with any weed-pullin- 259-748- 5. questions That number is 259 8938 Mike can also be reached at home at 259 9485 Speaking of the Police Department, as you alt know, several weeks ago, Council Member Kyle Bailey suggested at a Council meeting that the City look into the possibility of either contracting with the Sheriff s Department to provide law enforcement services for our community, or consolidating the City and County law enforcement agencies The City has begun to look into the issue, realizing that a change of that magnitude should not be undertaken lightly, and would take some real planning to achieve Since that time, I have visited with a number of you about this issue Most who have spoken in support of consolidation give as your reasons the possible savings in administrative costs and the opportunity for reducing duplication of services and equip- ment Those who have expressed to me a real opposition to such a merger have had, for the most part, a firsthand experience with one or both departments and have said it would be mixing apples and oranges I have received information about several communities in which this blending was accomplished successfully, even after a lot of opposition by members of both agencies I certainly intend to communicate with the people instrumental in those changes to ask how the process worked. But I also want to talk to leaders in communities Legislative Report by Sen, Mike Dmitrich The 2000 General Session is now in its fifth week, and I have helped pass three more bills that will greatly help rural Utah House Bills 40 and 41 are two simple bills that are related to the problem of hunters trespassing on private land. HB 40, sponsored by Rep. Michael Styler, makes it a class B misdemeanor for taking wildlife while trespassing on someones property. HB 41, sponsored by Rep. Craig Buttars, clarifies the definition of private land. Under HB 41, pnvate land is defined as land that is clearly posted as pnvate land or readings by Sonja Plummer Library Director Recently I have been asked, Why have Friends of the Library?" Our Friends group helps in two important ways. Friends provide dedicated volunteers for projects or services. They also organize fundraisers to purchase equipment, services, or materials that are outside of our regular library budget. The Friends money is earned from book sales, memberships, donations, and Western Implement's Spring Consignment Auction Space is limited consign early C) 8:00-53- 0 Weekdays and Saiifday tt00'4.00 Sunday 2013 North Av& Grand Jtact!on,CO 242-736- 1'; 0 259-5121- computer This new service for patrons makes it possible to tyje documents such as resumes, term papers and letters at the library The second decision is a plan for a paservice for ill or shut-itrons. A Friend of the Library volunteer will deliver to patrons who are unable to visit the library Patrons may request titles by phone The volunteers who comprise our Friends of the Library are invaluable for reaching beyond our regular budget and services. The volunteers help us reach our goals and enhance library service for Grand County To be part of this growing organization or for more information, please call the library book-deliver- y v book bag sales. At the Friends group meeting, a list is submitted by the Board of Directors and the Library Director. In addition, projects that need volunteers are discussed and generally, a plan is made among the members to provide volunteers. At the most recent Friends meeting, two decisions were made that directly benefit our library patrons. First, the Friends decided to donate money for a g at 259-542- Castle Valley Comments by Ron Drake Work on the community lot is progressing faster now that the work on the well is complete. It announced at the town council meeting last week that the water is high in iron content and is quite hard, probably like most of the water here. Everything else about the water is low and is good for drinking. With the present pump in the well, it is pumping about 15 gallons per minute. Dave Cozzens Construction has the contract for the septic system. He was staking out the area last week in preparation for the work to begin soon. The planning commission, durtheir ing report to the council, stated they are working on a noise ordinance. The proposed ordinance was prompted by complaints of generator noise by people with lots that have no electric power. The group is also making progress on master plan revisions and should have them by next meeting. Hertha Wakefield will assume duties as the years chairperson. Carl Anderson is the new vice chair and Catherine Howell joins the commission as a new member. The road committee, during its last meeting, prioritized areas of concern based on traffic and population. They looked at more gravel where the school bus travels at the lower end of the valley, improvements to the fire vehicle access and large culverts in certain areas, esConpecially Shafer Lane. struction will probably be here this week to fix the flooded areas around Shafer Lane. Road Supervisor Damian Bollerman asked that property owners not in '.tall their own culverts. He -- 3 BIG DAYS I n Ranch Em Hardware 242-79- 60 I 6 at Grand County Library Western Implement's I land that is clearly being used for cultivation or farming The combination of these two bills gives a clearer definition ol private lands and the penalties to persons who trespass to hunt HB 49, sponsored by Rep Bradley Johnson, deals directly with some concerns about county borders HB 49 would allow the residents of an incorporated city or town on the border of two cojnties to annex themselves to one of the two counties This bill would be of benefit to cities and counties where a city is spirt on the border of two counties where one county hears the burden of providing services and the other only gams the tax revenue In order to annex themselves, the people of the affected city must vote and pass the annexation by a super majority with 51 percent of the registered voters HB 49 is in response to the conflict between Grand and Emery counties To address concerns to Senator Dmitrich, call ut.us pr email him at ffidTItncle-Slat- e Comer Library and new materials Featured pa, where the merger was unsuccessful, to get a realistic picture of what might lie ahead for us When visited with Sheriff Jim Nyland and Chief Deputy Sheriff Doug Squire, both were willing to work with the City m our examination of this idea However, both have stated that the cooperation between the two agencies is the best now it has been tor a long time and we are thankful for that City Manager Donna Metzler has outlined the steps the City needs to take for a thoughtful analysis of the process certainly welcome all perspectives, pro and con, from community members We are in no rush to make a change I also am in no rush to replace former Chief Alan West, who retired early this month realize that Acting Chief Mike NaVarre has assumed quite a burden with his new role, and know that, though he is equal to it, it does mean a lot of ex tra commitment of time and focus for him I have gathered names of several people who I feel would represent the community well on a board to help with the selection of a new chief Virtually all of you who have talked to me about this have expressed strong reservations about the wisdom of hiring a stranger from elsewhere, and I will keep that in mind Please do take time to let me know your feelings on this and other , matters I can be reached at 115 West 200 South, or by email, at mayor moab state ut us K-S- the community lot came in at between $2,500 and $3,000. The structure will be 20 by 40 feet in size and will be similar to one at Big Bend Campground The town has $3,295 set aside for the project from grant money previously received Labor will come from volunteers A public hearing will be held next month to on bring that money forward and amend the current budget. The council is putting together a proposed ordinance to not close any town roads for any kind of construction. Recently, residents have been left stranded because of an open Dennis Godwin of Castle Valley is the construction superintendent on the new Kona Temple project on the island of Hawaii. Here, Godwin, background center, is shown with LDS President Gordon B. Hinkley, foreground left, during the cornerstone ceremony prior to the dedication of the sacred structure. Photo courtesy Desert News. trench across the road. Violators would face a fine. Castle Valley people are once again using the Big Bend dumpster to deposit their household trash. BLM enforcement officers will probably write citations to the offenders, about six households are involved It wasnt hard to figure out who they were since they left their bank statements, phone bills and other incriminating evidence. needs to be contacted so he can inspect the site and make a recommendation. Many culverts are too small. The town policy is that the property owner buy the culvert and the town install it. An estimated $500 to $600 would be needed to build a kiosk on the site near the mail boxes. The construction would be an attractive covered area to post news items, meeting times, etc., for the town, POA and general public. The posted notices will be protected from rain and wind by hinged plexiglass. The council approved up the $600 for the project. A cost estimate for the pavilion See "On Two Wheel" and Rep. Keele Johnson Legislative Update on following page. Dont mbs a single letter to the editor. 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