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Show CLhe (T tmrs -- Page A9 3 ubr pxnb rut Student defends quality of education Letters to the Editor Voice grievances to the To the Editor: How I do ao enjoy our weekly paper. A the gatekeeper of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), I am responsible for securing the Matheson Wetlands Preserve gates sunup and sundown daily, keeping the area free of debris, keeping brochure containers full, and replacing the visitor register with new comment sheets twice a week. Many people read these comment sheets between and friends from all over the world sign and make comments and read w hat others have to say about the Matheson Preserve. Sometimes, I find negative graffiti, expletives, and just plain disgusting comments scrawled across the register. What must others think of us? Scribbling on registers accomplishes nothing except to leave a lasting negative impression of our town. If you do have complaints about the Matheson preserve, call TNC and talk. My supervisor, Damian Fagan, and other TNC staff are trained and edu- - cated managers of the Matheson Preserve, and they five days a week. They can be reached at will gladly explain the Conservancys policies regarding the management of the preserve, including activities such as tree cutting and controlled burns. Moab is a great little town. Our elected officials and extending the naare working on a mini-mature paths in the area. Sure, we must expand our money and opportunities, and these can be managed nicely into the overall plan. If you have a complaint about the town, call our local representatives and talk. Voice your grievances to the right audience. In the visitors comment register if you cant say something constructive about the Matheson Preserve, Moab, or a person, dont say it. Be part of the solution, not the problem. First Sgt. R. Herrick, U.S. Army, retired Proud Moab resident 259-462- ll tax-maki- Desperate health care situation in town Dear Ms. Flanders: We have a desperate situation here in town. Two doctors have closed their practice, and their patients are left without medical care. WTe have three doctors left who are practicing family practice medicine, and they apparently aren't taking new patients. For our family personally, it means my husband, who is ill and needs urgent care almost daily, is placed in a very dangerous situation. Dr. Penn has given us marvelous care since last summer as soon as we met him, providing monitoring of medical treatments my husband has received from many specialists in Grand Junction and Salt Lake City. First Dr. Penn was forced out of the hospital, which crippled his practice, and now he has had to close his office doors for financial reasons. Apparently Dr. Scherer has struggled to keep afloat and has given up, moving his practice to Price. Having a loved one become ill is bad enough. How can we be expected to cope with also losing our family doctor. Our only lifeline when things suddenly go wrong? How many other people are in the same fix, this very day having nowhere to turn and with urgent medical needs that cannot be met. Would it ever be allowed that our children couldn't be taught because there werent enough teachers? Would it ever be allowed that you'd call the sheriffs office and theyd say, "Sorry, some of our police officers have quit and the rest are all busy, so you'll just have to fend for yourself?" There would be heads rolling if it ever did happen. And maybe thats what needs to happen here. This type of situation simply cannot be allowed to happen and yet somehow it has happened. There is a pat- tern here. Year after year, why do new doctors come and then leave? Could it be the individual doctors are not the problem? Who should be held accountable? I had already signed up for the Hospital Task Force as part of the General Plan process. Now, I will be turning to elected city and county council representatives to ask that they find a way to fix this problem hospital once and for all. Yours, S. Jones Moab A diatribe against the diatribe Dear Editor, Im a longtime visitor and fan of Moab and enjoy being able to follow the doings in Grand County through your paper. Theres nothing quite like smalltown news and politics! While in town last week I was intrigued, yet at the same time baffled by the meandering and unfocused diatribe of Rocky Borreson. (1,000 words, what happened to the limit?) One might suspect Rocky is in a snit because he didn't get his loan, but since I'd rather have a clear understanding of Moabs true point Tlue-coll- ar of view, Id like to ask Rocky a few things. In your first paragraph, who is being envious, and of what? Is there something inherently wrong in your opinion if some people chooses to live simply? Which would you rather have, a comfortable and d maneette? (I think I efficient box or an know, and I think that may be why you didn't get your loan.) ethic that one must Is it a tenet of the blue-collat all times be fully immersed in debt? Who is being deprived of a better lifestyle in Moab and what specifically do you believe is lacking? over-price- ar Dear Editor, In light of the recent articles concerning Grand County School District, I thought that it was time to share with the community what opportunities exist in science offerings at the high school. The following courses or opportunities exist: Biology with the possibility of Honors Biology, Integrated Earth Systems, Field Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry Lab (This is a separate course from Chemistry), Physics, Outdoor Education, Human Biology, and a afler-schoenrichment program that is a combined effort of the science and math departments. For the coursesopportunities that I am directly involved in or instruct, I will give a brief explanation of the expectationsrequirements. Integrated Earth Systems is a 9th10th grade general science course that emphasizes Earth's natural processes, introductory chemistry, resource use and quality, and laws of motion. This course fulfills one of the general requirements in science needed for graduation. The Biology course emphasizes biochemistry, cell structure and friction, genetics, evolution, taxonomy, bodily systems, and ecology. In this course, the students also have the opportunity, if they so choose, to go a step above and complete an Honors Component whereby they will have Honors Biology on their transcripts. This is recommended if the stuor wanting to go into a health-relatedent is college-boun- d will fulfill the other sciBiology profession. ence requirement towards graduation. If a student plans on going to college or further their education in the health or other science-relatefields, it is recommended that they take four years of science. The other courses that I teach are: Field Biology which is a rigorous college prep course which requires students to learn how to collect and analyze field data. They must then create a sound written field project proposal and then complete their field study. The d For example, as Governor of 'ftxas, George W. Bush signed a law to ensure that a certain percentage of electricity is produced by renewable resources. We need our senators to build on these positive steps by supporting an energy bill that secures our energy future in America while protecting our precious public lands, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. By using more renewable energy we will create new jobs, preserve our public lands for years to come and our air quality will be improved. Candee Pearson Moab Have you ever given any thought to why it now takes multiple wage earners with multiple jobs to support a family? Please share your theories in that regard. Do you know what dignity is? Why should you, or anyone else in Moab lack it? How should this fight for jobs and growth be conducted? Would it be like a war? How do we tell whos on our side, or for that matter, the other side? Will there be collateral damage? How in the world did the end of the Sagebrush Rebellion cause Moab to be transformed from a happy little berg with a good work ethic to an undignified, shameful backwater filled with uncaring slackers living in boxes? Do tell. Has Rocky Borreson ever been satisfied? Are you running for any elected office, or have you given up? And finally, have you ever heard the expression up in the night? Perhaps the problem in your Houston is precisely, as you say, that you are no rocket scientist. Philip M. Brooks Berkeley, Calif. We all share more Dear Sam, I have a few comments about the play, The Divorce, that I had the great good fortune to attend this past Thursday night. First, I want to thank everyone who participated in making this event happen. The locals who joined Patricia Limerick and her cast from Colorado were great. Particular thanks goes to Rob Hugie, Moabs planner who created the opportunity for the play. And David Everitt deserves huge credit for putting all the pieces together to make it happen. Second. Im sorry that many Moabites who find themselves constantly at odds with one another on different county issues were not in attendance. During the play I found myself questioning my own positions when presented with common western problems dealt with in such a creative manner. I real- - progress. When a the thumpers were not following even the most basic environmental safeguards, BLMs monitor told her he was not there to hear comments on the EA." When she persisted, he put in his earplugs. Truth is the first casualty of war. On the ground in red rock Utah, the Bush plan seems like a war of empire, with associated pillage, plunder and despoilment. The tragedy is that so few will benefit from the few weeks of national fuel consumption it might obtain, compared to the perpetual benefits of preserving the wild 26-to- n other agencies were taken into account." She laughed, The BLM's initial EA said the soil damage would last 3 years, a number they made up. 0 The USGS soil scientist said it would be years. So in the final EA, the BLM said it would be 5 years. Thats how they took it into account." BLM had monitors on the site primarily to make 1-- 50-30- 3-- y desert Just as Jesus went to the desert wilderness to perfect his wisdom, so can we. Moab area resident Terry Tbmpest Williams writes: "If the desert is holy, it is because it is a forgotten place that allows us to remember the sacred. Perhaps that is why every pilgrimage to the desert is a pilgrimage to self. There is no place to hide, and so we are found." To that I add: and as we are found, we will need less oil, and more wilderness. Bruce Hagen Petaluma, Calif. Manners? What's good for the goose... Dear editor. Dear Editor Isn't it ironic that the town of Castle Valley would want a battery that holds 125,000 gallons of electrolyte? What is good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander. Maybe we dont want to live down river from that much electrolyte. Some of the same people are complaining about hauling the waste through Moab to Bland mg, etc. Pete Doles Moab Letters to the editor are degenerating into a forum for namecalling and personal catharsis. I am all for freedom of speech, but whatever happened to manners? I submit it is possible to mske ones point without vindictiveness and snide comments shout other peoples lifestyles. Karen Robinson Moab See Castle Valley Comments on Page A8, and Guest Editorials on Page B7 d positions. In the Chemistry Lab course, students will learn what it is like to be in a college-levtype introducto keep a lab lab. are required They tory chemistry notebook and create their own lab experiment by the end of the course. In the enrichment program in math and science, students have worked on problem solving, DNA electrophoresis and DNA finger printing, the JETS program which is a state and nation wide program for math and engineering, and some of the students in this program will be traveling to CoBta Rica in May to work with the endangered Sea Turtle with a Project Ecology group which is now based here in Moab! In the Outdoor Education course, students learn about group dynamics and team building while at the same time learn about their own strengths and weaknesses. This is accomplished by utilizing such el vehicles as rock climbing, backpacking, and backcountry skiing. There is always room for improvement in our e educational system, but let us be rather Let us have all the correct facta in than order to improve the system in a positive way rather than just criticizing it by utilizing hearsay. Good teachers can motivate students to a certain degree, but the ultimate motivation comes from within and is intrinsic in nature. Students at Grand County High School have the opportunities for a good and competitive education if they so choose to partake in the necessary courses. Parents play a pivotal role in shaping their children's attitudes towards the educational process. What role are you playing in helping Bhape your childs attitude towards education? --Stephen Hren, Science TVacher, GCHS pro-activ- ized that the only time many of us are in the same room is when we're supporting either side of an argument over how to determine the future of Moab and Grand County. More evenings like Thursday where we can all sit together in a non political arena might make us realize that we all share more than we dont. Which brings up my third and most important point. Sam, you were great as judge. You were the hit of the evening. I appreciate how seriously you took your role and the energy you injected into the performance. While you and I dont always agree I appreciate each time Im reminded of the critical role you play in our community. That happened again last Thursday. Brooke Williams Castle Valley Dear Moab City, I wanted to write a note thanking you for putting a small playground on Ute Circle (see photo at right). Finally the kids in the Mountain View neighborhood have a safe, close place to play. And play they do. It has been wonderful this last week, to see almost every kid in the neighborhood running, laughing and playing together. You managed to turn a plain patch of grass into a real park. Thank you. Thanks also to former mayor Karla Hancock who never gave up on the idea and worked to make it happen. Heidi Wainer Moab SUWA didn't disturb the SUWA field rep pointed out that en-erg- science-relate- Thanks to city for playground equipment sure My daughter Laurel lives in one of the new national sacrifice areas the wild lands surrounding Moab. She describes the thumper trucks now used beasts that scour crude for oil exploration: roads, laying down a grid of wounds in the fragile desert soil which will persist for centuries. Laurel says the local BLM's Environmental Assessment (EA) of the first exploration project found no significant impact The latest project comes within a few miles of Delicate Arch, the red rock icon adorning Utah license plates. The BLM tried to launch this project without even notifying other agencies. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) had to do that. So awful was the BLMs behavior that the Interior Department put the project on hold. Laurel told me how the BLM argued the concerns from the students have the opportunity to work with local biologista and others who work in field than we don't Bush energy plan a war of empire Dear Editor: County are only being babysat." And although I appreciate his approval of the discipline here, these schools have much more to offer. Mr. Lindheim also talked about teachers readto us. When our teacher read his letter to aloud ing us he jokingly stated, Tm reading aloud to you, you must be in kindergarten. In addition to assigned reading books, we are also required to read 700 pages on our own. And no, our teacher will not be reading any of those aloud to us. I fear this is already too long, so I will stop here. I just wish that I could talk to Jim Lindheim and share with him how much I have learned in these past five years. I dont feel like it was appropriate for him to discredit our teachers and I wish that he had researched this topic a little more. Thank you. --Cari Arneson Moab Teacher defends quality of education d Jane Use more renewable energy sources Dear Editor, As the Senate considers energy legislation, there has never been a better time to break free from our dangerous dependence on a 19th century energy framework. Clean, renewable energy can improve our energy security More clean wind and solar power means fewer nuclear power plants, which are clear and obvious targets for terrorists. Also, increased reliance on wind and solar power would decrease our dependence on oil. Fortunately, many states have already proved that promoting renewable energy is easy am very disturbed with the letter that Jim Lindheim wrote to you last week. I am currently a student at GCHS and feel it my duty to defend the schools that 1 have attended for the past five years. Mr. Lindheim began his argument by talking about movies shown in class. I have two things to say to this. First, we are in the process of watching a musical in my college class to teach us about the American Revolution. Please note: This is a college USU class which in no way is associated with teachers at the high school. I am learning a lot from that movie. I think showing movies is a very effective way to teach because they are entertaining as well as informational. Secondly, Shrek does have music in it. Mr. Lindheim might want to research his information a little more before publishing it. I don.t know how a person can honestly feel like students in Grand I right audience Dear Adrien, Sam and Sena, Thursday, March 14, 2002 Frustrated by political leadership in Utah Dear Sam: h I recently returned from a project in eastern Africa as a volunteer business advisor. What I heard from the people that I met was how frustrated they were with their political leadership which has spent the last 30 years lining their own pockets rather than providing any support to the people. The results were obvious to even the most casual observer a deteriorating road system, an education system benefiting only those who could afford to pay tuition, absolutely NO public social services, and increasing crime and violence against visitors AND one another. I returned to learn that the State Legislature recently adjourned and were proud to report their What I heard as accomplishaccomplishments. ments included a less than one percent increase for educators and programs, a cut in social services, and the repeal of the gun registration fee for background checks. Meanwhile "the good old boys' in Salt one-mont- Lake have the gumption to blatantly redistrict the state to ensure their power base, and to continue to ignore the rural parts of the state women, non LDS members, and children. In both cases, the people are aware of what is being served to them, and while theywe grumble, nothing changes. In the case of eastern Africa (Kenya to be exact) presidential elections are scheduled to occur after a regime by the ruling party. Already one sees manipulations to reelect the existing power brokers. If they do get elected", what will be the outcome? More violence probably; a widening economic gap most certainly. In Utah, it is time for those not part of the power base (by choice or circumstance) to make our political wishes known through greater, not lesser, involvement. Who would have thought Utah is so similar to eastern Africa? M. Emily Miller Moab 30-ye- ar Sad to see what has happened to condition of town Dear Editor. I am writing in regard to your city We lived in Moab in the late 1960s. We were there working on the electrical lines that are located from Crescent Junction to Moab. At that time Moab was a nice clean town. We were there a couple of weeks ago, as we just retired, we were thinking of retiring in your town. We felt so bad to see the condition of the town. Granted the Main Street looks really nice, but you can go either direction from your downtown area and it looks like some people do not care about the condition of their yards, homes or much of anything. There doesn't seem to be any toning or planning going on. We are aware that your town has taken a huge growth spurt, but several of the people we talked to said it isn so much the new people moving in, but the Old Time Residents that have 1 have lived here all my life and do one is going to tell me what to do with my property" attitude. It is really sad to see what has happened. If anyone is trying to get some planning and zoning going, any property owner that is ever wanting to sell their property should support it. Janet A Wayne Christensen Arizona |