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Show iElic Page A8 & On Two Wheels A Vft 41 tliill llg I I I'm.. a. V 1 i .1 1 1 J !, ' I the editorial policy o! -- f Fortunately, newspapers, this one iniluded. to spond tu letters lu the editor 1'eople It in most -- -- nt might not w nte in at all if they knew i h- - newsnaner staff would challenge their anti social misinformation, so the policy keeps the forum lively. by Ron Georg Slopping at the trough iEunre-pintirprutif- I dont represent Times Independent Im a volunteer w ith an obvious agenda sort of like a letter writer with an assigned 7 he ( ne letter to the editor is hardly news, but Ive still been troubled since Narlene Mansons Feb. 10 complaint against cyclists. Actually, her problems are w ith "bike people," who may lie some type of genetic mutants Im not familiar with. Still, Ill assume she means cyclists. Manson starts from a solid premise, that there is no tax mechanism to ensure that cyclists pay for the roads they use. Since most road funding comes from registration fees and state and federal fuel taxes, a person could use a bicycle to get a free ride, to slop at the petro-dolla- r trough without getting a drop on them 00 0 SyQgQra(D2iSID33 mass ate ap GaxrocaEBffiB Thursday, March 9, 2000 think that applies to aUut two people. The rest of us hike people own cars, and we pay their annual registration fees and we put gasoline in their tanks. Then we ride our bicycles on the roads we helped In Moab, pay 1 for. But lets take a look at one of those freeloaders. I have a friend who could easily afford a car, but chooses She rides her bike to remain car-freof what strikes me as here out every a sort of New England practicality a car just isnt necessary in this small town. She also works hard and pays her taxes. She has a strong record as a volunteer in the community. If there is an equation out there that can determine w hether someone contributes to the community, she is truly an asset. No, she doesnt usually contribute to the tax base which supports road construction and maintenance. But she also doesn't use much of the road, and the portion she does use she doesnt abuse. Unlike cars and trucks, bicycles dont have much impact on asphalt. Cyclists would love to be able to stay out of traffic, as Manson would like, but we have to leave the house occasionally. We cant help it if our automotive culture has created car-patright past our front doors. Manson also suggests that our Emergency Medical Services system is straining under the load of all those cyclists out in the backcountry. Of course, this is a different element in the cycling community; most mountain bikers have paid for the roads (they drive to trailheads), and theyre looking to spend some time Ill ignore the fact that the Grand County Ambulance Association and Search and Rescue are equally challenged by visitors on foot, in jeeps, in boats, on ATVs, etc. Theres no doubt Only $300 per Month! that cyclists need rescuing Approx. 1054 sq. ft., 16x68, 2 Bedroom APR WAC 360 Mos. Down 8.50 10 Model 8441 LE Only $354 per Month! Approx. 1203 sq. ft., 28x44, 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath. 10 Down 8.50 APR WAC 360 Mos. fX w r w..",vr around cars. And automobiles kill tens of thousands of people every year; the National Safety Council estimates the cost of this carnage at $178.5 billion annually. Conversely, cyclists are not costing you money. Tourists bring money to Moab, and commuters are just quietly going about their business. So have the state stop maintaining the roads if you can 't stand the idea of sharing with someone who doesn't pay. Bicycle riders will do just fine hopping potholes on our mountain bikes. Go ahead, touch it-- lf your bike has been sitting out in the weather for the winter, and it just wont go, the College of Eastern Utah has a class for you. The Bike Maintenance course offered March 25 will lead you through the basics from flat tire repair to drive-trai- n Approx. 1530 sq. ft., 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath. Fully tape sjm 10 UUMl i- o - & I CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 8x16 Deck & 8x10 Shed Payments for 90 Oays Microwave Oven WasherDryer Furniture Allowance $3,000 Up to $5,000 Off All Homes No u:i t:r n 28x76 10 Down 0.5 APR WAC 360 Mos. Select Your Model Select Your Colors Over 150 floor Plans! att j &tavbw Pi! 24 3 - 800 -406 -4611 2507 Hhvsy 6&50 with highlights. HMR &5AFW?T 259-168- 9 E. 100 55-1- 2 So. nw to eligible, original owners of Orchard Villa Townhomes: Units 12A, B, C, D, 11 A, B, C, D, 10 C, D, 9B, C, D "One cruise will be awarded to an original purchaser; a second cruise will be awarded to that buyers agent. esae toll-fre- by Ron Drake mb4532T fax: 800-634-07- e: 435-259-59- ce: 435-259-56- 93 70 30 d age Grand junction Mayor Keeler met with federal and state agencies last week in Salt Lake City regarding our hydrology study. He reported a good meeting and will soon sign papers to begin the study process. The Mayor also attended a recent meeting of the county council and epoke with them about the annual The county agreed to spring clean-uthe pay tipping fees at the landfill provided the community pays for the p. dumpsters during the countys clean- up campaign. The Mayor said he will coordinate with the property owners association which has sponsored this annual event. I Says 'Goodbye' to Mike & Becky and extends a WARM WELCOME to the reorganized staff: gSG3uEEH33E cj35a3uEmiBS5 sacs.. lac MMnHiiTteinih d able. on Sit palm L M wilt award 2 cruises or 2 quirements in Castle Valley. Moabs affordable housing units were costing between $90,000 to $100,000 but somehow that doesnt sound afford- Immediate Delivery an Stack Homes No Payments far 90 Days $750 Dou?n On Any $ 1,500 down On DoubleWidet LandlHome Packages Singlewide Use your Land as your Down Payment Trade in your Old Home for your Down Payment Trade In your Old Mobile Home For your Down Payment No Closing Costs Lenders , Land Locators, Factory Reps 1 cotmujt Bmm Realty frehes Center Keeler. "We have done some." Several years ago, the town was working with a planner from the Southeast Association of Local Governments based in Price. About that time the legislature cut the funding for planning half way through the affordable housing planning process. The town has been trying to get a planner to work this out and the council and a planning commission member are currently working on the project. Castle Valleys situation may not be unique compared to other small communities but there are some problems associated with this mandate. We have a five-acr- e minimum lot size according to our covenants and zoning restrictions as well as a one dwelling per lot restriction. Depending on what is considered affordable housing, a family could buy mobile a lot and set a single-wid- e home on the land and meet the re- $1500 Down on all Doublewides per Month! can yi rea "Thats not quite accurate," stated Castle Valley Mayor Bruce Model 8762LE Only $501 You March Special!! Haircuts half off Jcvl n Comments one-thir- texture home. Down 8.50 APR WAC 360 Mos. I $750 down on All Singlewides 46 loch Dig Screen TV regarding this column. email me at ontwowheelslS'lasal.net. A recent article in the Sail Lake Tribune said that a state survey of 232 cities and towns shows less than have met the mandate of affordable housing. The 1996 state law requires all counties and municipalities to write and adopt affordable housing plans, the story said. Castle Valley is one of the municipalities listed, along with 14 others that have not begun work on affordable housing plans, according to the state survey. Only $457 per Month! uJV 259-305- Not only that, youll also get a dose of bike history and probably a bit of proselytizing into the Church of Rotating Mass. Thats because Castle The La Paz 1804 259-725- tuning. some- Valley be...) The $25 class will run from 9 a m. to noon, and from 1 p.m. to 3 will be inp m. The morning session sesafternoon the and structional, sion will offer an opportunity for people to work on their own bikes, with a focus on supervised troubleshooting To register, call the Center for For Higher Education at more information, it s probably best which is also to call me at where I can be reached with complaints, comments or information main responsibilities revolve times. When they are pulled off the trail, they're billed for their ambulance or helicopter rides. They are billed for their hospital stays. If there is a problem with payment from uninsured riders, thats a health-car- e issue next November we should all look for a candidate wholl ensure universal health care. A better way to approach the issue of rescue is to ask an Emergency Medical Technician. In fact, as a certified EMT, 111 offer my own opinion: Id much rather pull a cyclist with a broken collarbone off of the Slickrock Trail than visit the scene of a head- - 2s a ith an almost spintual attachment to tne iiiacnines (gee, wno could that couple of families who were iust hii c to ciijoy U.e scenery. The costs of automobiles cant be calculated using only road expenses. Police departments arent financed by fuel taxes, but their off-roa- Model 6682LE is a hopeless bike geek the instructor on automotive collision between a WITH THcSc DEALS: $14,995 37,000 origins! miles, good condition, $4,995 "96 Geo Trcckcr, convertible, dr, automatic, $8,995 1 E-d- oor, 259-543- 2 481 S. MAIN, MOAB |