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Show Page Alt Sixties-- 3 Non-partisa- Letters to the Editor Halloween is a 'walking holiday' Greetings Modb: Last October hen I took my two daughters trick or treating I was disturbed to learn that for some. Hallow een had changed from a low stress w atking holiday, to a dangerous car cruising kind of Russian roulette candv chase! This new rendition of Halloween consisted of cars driving up and dow n the streets w hile kids are almost constantly crossing back and forth to call on all the houses w ah porch Lights on. We live above fourth east and walk th neighborhoods east of us around Tusher St. Last year I discovered that this area is one of the more popular areas for trick or treating. People apparently drive from other parts of Moab to these neighborhoods to see the creative Halloween decorations and enjoy the great trick In support oflnitiative 1 Var Editor, do not beheve that Initiative 1, known as the Radioactive Waste Restrictions Act, will have any effect on the decision to remove the Moab MU tailings pile and w ould not in any way stymie tailings removal The current tax that is imposed on radioac-ti- v e w aste applies to radioactive waste received at a radioactive waste facility The law (Title 59, Chapter 24, of the Utah Code defines a radioac-t- i e w aste facility as a radioactive w aste facility licensed by the State of Utah ox a uranium mill licensed under Nuclear Regulatory Commission iNRC) regulations. The former Atlas Mill is not licensed at all and is not subject to the radiuactive waste tax An offsite permanent disposal site (such as Klondike flats ) would not be a uranium mill or a State licensed radioactive waste facility. So, any materials removed from the Moab Mill to a disposal site owned and controlled by the Department of Energy would not be subject to the radioactive waste tax Federal law already permits the transfer of Bureau ofL&nd Management land in Grand County to the Secretary of Energy for the disposal of material such as the Moab 1 I Mill tailings. After the DOE completes the remedial action, the disposal site will be licensed by the NRC under a general license for the care and storage of the tailings. The Atomic Energy Act does not appear to long-ter- or treating. What concerns me is this. Take hundreds of kids, dress most of them up in dark costumes, send them out zig zagging back and forth across the roads, then ad 30 times as many cars as would normally travel those streets at night. That's a combination begging for a tragic accident. 1 feel the risk far outweighs any of the possible rewards such as getting less exercise, or covering more candy ground. I would like to encourage everyone planning to go out this year to please park your car and walk. Its a great way to spend tune with your kids, and help make Halloween safe for everyone. Thank you, Greg Kennedy Moab even permit the disposal of the Moab Mill tailings on privately owned and controlled property. So, the proposals to dispose of the tailings at some privately owned site would be out of the question. The Atomic Energy Act does authorize the processing of the Moab Mill tailings at a privately owned facility, but that has not been proposed. Apparently, under Initiative 1, the tax would not apply to the tailings if they were to be reprocessed at a uranium mill. Further, there would be a great deal of opposition to any proposal to transfer the Moab Mill tailings to San Juan County for either direct disposal, or reprocessing, from communities in Grand County and San Juan County. There just does not seem to be any circumstances w here the Radioactive Waste Restrictions Act would even apply to the Moab Mill tailings. Initiative 1 has numerous important provisions that would prevent Utah from becoming a dumping ground for radioactive waste, increase the taxes, put the tax monies to good use, and prevent State of Utah employees from improperly acting in the direct interest of the radioactive waste disposal industry the way former head ofthe Division of Radiation Control, Larry Anderson, did Initiative 1 should be supported. Sincerely, Sarah Fields Moab Love, literacy and the library Dear Editor, Big interest in helping patrons find what they need, be it a picture book, an Loan, obscure research topic materials, or a a genuine Fan of the Grand County Library. During my 20 yrs in the area have watched the Grand County Library grow from a wonderful place to borrow books, staffed by caring individuals, to the vital community center that it is today, where residents can access online services, kids gather to do homework, and anyone can relax and read their favorite newspaper or magazine. It just keeps getting better. The Library staff is unfailingly pleasant, with I Inter-Librar- y website. The Library offers our community a wide range of books, CDs and videos, they support story hours and reading clubs it is a big part of the heart and soul of literacy in Moab. Lets hear it for these professionals who do our town proud! Alice Drogin Castle Valley - hard-workin- g In defense of the "showcase" run Editor, It is sad that Ms. Shumway missed the intentions of the track team (actually it was the Team) at a recent football game. It was never intended to disrupt any activity. I, as coach, have tried to always display proper manners in all my endeavors. For the past eight years, I have had the privilege of coaching groups of fine young people. Because we get practically no media coverage from our local sources, I have tried to Cross-Countr- y find ways for me to introduce to the community a group of hard working dedicated young athletes. I have never received any negative response about this activity until now. The activity that Ms. Shumway is upset about is what our team has come to call the showcase" run. We ran this showcase event at the last home game prior to region competition. We began the run on the east side of the track and jogged around the track in front of the grand stands on the west side. The group then continued on out of the sports area by way of the south gate. We left the area completely and did not return until about 30 minutes later. When, at which, we retraced our steps on the track and finished in front of the home crowd. At half time after the little devilettes program, I had the team step out onto the track so they could be formally introduced. The young runners do appreciate any attention they can receive. Prior to the run, I approached the head cheerleader to inform her of what our intentions were. I explained to her that we would be coming through on the two outside lanes not Calling all candidates Dear Editor, Are Grand County voters informed? Some of the candidates for the upcoming election have urged us to call them with questions. I took a couple of them up on their offer Letters TO THE EDITOR POLICY once but a second time. She said that was fine. I also asked her to watch her girls equipment, as we Thursday, October 31, 2002 n&fpmbml didnt want to step on anything of theirs. her that we had a blind runner I also informed in our group and wanted to make sure she (the blind runner) got through safely. The young lady who was head cheerleader was most cooperative with our request. She did not seem annoyed and was happy to work with us. The amount of time we spent amidst the cheerleaders (both times) totaled maybe one minute. The time we were on the track was about 4 minutes at the most. Four minutes out of an entire football game that we were visible seems insignificant, but it was an important few minutes for the members of the Grand County Red Devil Cross Country Team. You see, it called building school aid team spirit. It is sad that Ms. Shumway missed the point of the activity. Ms. Shumway, did you know that years ago before lights were available for night games; often a football game and y a meet were conducted simultacross-countr- neously during the daylight hours. You see people got two activities for the price of one. I hope the next time Ms. Shumway discredits the intentions of honorable people she become better informed of the situation. Will I stop this activity? Let me think This is a positive activity for my young people and they deserve the recognition. RED DEVIL PRIDE! Bernard Radcliffe Head Coach Grand County High Moab and Im glad I did. I want to suggest to those voters who are on the fence to make the call! Your vote is important and should be an informed one! Jackie Johnson government: n self-educati- on the issues on competitors. Foxley has no problem at all with aste if he is making money from it. Also the byzantine language of the proposition virtually assures disasters of the type we tend to lock away from and politely call collateral damage." The bottom Une problem on Prop 1 is that there isnt a good side. Neither side tells the truth, the whole truth or anything like the truth. The teachers want more money without much concern as to its source or consequences. Prop 1 claims to address the hazardous w aste problem, but leaves more questions open tkan answered Passage of Prop 1 could, for example, provide the White Mill Mesa in Blanding with a license to print money by pretending to reprocess huge waste streams diverted from Envirocare without the tax. Our State Legislature opposes Prop 1 mainly because it fears the initiative power of Utah citizens, but also because the legislators really like the influence of Khosrow Semnani whose monopoly on low level waste across most of the nation puts him on level w ith your average mideast oil potentate. Then there is the chilling fact that the only thing certain to result from the passage of Prop I is a firestorm of litigation from every direction. The big Salt Lake law firms not already on somebodys retainer sit quietly with fingers crossed in anticipation. No, theres not a white hat in this crowd I'm afraid. As a result, though I favor the basic concept of Prop 1, its going to get a No vote from me on November 5th. As presently constituted, its more Pandoras Box than a sound solution for anything. It carries the distinct aroma of big money and influence disguised aa good intentions. Sort of like Homeland Security on a State level. I hope they try again next election season and come up with something simple, aimed at legitimate public interests and without hidden agendas. There is little doubt that Envirocare has one of the sweetest deals in the Country, and that wont change so long as Semnania cookie jar remains open to Utah lawmakers and regulators. Meanwhile, I think Ill start work on an initiative to require Khosrow Semnani and Doug Foxley to square off in one of the East Carbon ECDC garbage cells. The winner gets to wallow for time and eternity in the waste stream Dear Sam, I hope you'll permit some general comments on this years elections. We have some good races in Grand County this year. The various candidates are to be commended for their effort and w ilhngness to serve. Ho ei er, I ant to stress that hile a number of contested races between qualified candidates is good, it means nothing in the end without the equally vigorous, informed participation of all eligible votelectoral ers. The iadom of our fact is illustrated the best that, to by process vote effectively, Grand County residents have to take the time and effort to educate themselves on the issues and find out hat candidates actually stand for, rather than lazily resorting to party affiliation or some other w non-partisa- n irrel-evanc- y. -- the ballot rehazardous wastes that garding provides an lesson The in abject power politics. proponents claim to seek two things: First, to make sure Utah gets a fair return for accepting other States waste; and second, to ban the import of higher level hot nuclear waste. If the proposition results in increased tax revenues to the State, a large portion of the proceeds w ould go to public schools. Opponents of the proposition include Governor Mike, most of the legislature, all of Tooele County and big business, most notably Mr. Khosrow Semnani, sole shareholder of the oxymoronically named, We also have a proposition on Envirocare, Inc. understand that the worst direct im1 passes is that Envirocare w ould if Prop pact and Utah would cease to receive go belly-u- p dangerous wastes generated elsew here. However, it is impossible to gauge the potential impact of Prop 1 on Envirocare since it refuses to open its hooks. It is likely that the passage of Prop 1 would not result in decreased amounts of waste shipped to Utah because, under the present regulatory system, certain wastes must come to Envirocare and can only come to Envirocare. While it is true that the worlds largest polluter, the United States Government (DOE, Army Corps of Engineers, etc.), could choose to store its e waste in some instances - so what? Maybe Uncle Sam should stew in his own juices for a change. Unfortunately, the initiative proponents have made the issue far too complex, and have their own skeletons rattling in the closet. Doug Foxley, the main mover, is not known for anything but feathering his own interests and that of his clients, some of whom are Envirocare Now, on-sit- of his choice. Steve Russell Moab Envision year round swimming for the whole family Dear Editor, Kudos to the leadership of Moab in having the vision to want to build a new senior and reation in a physical, social, emotional and intellectual atmosphere. A survey completed and presented this summer indicated community-wid- e support of this project. How strong do voices and action community center. As a member of the year round swimming pool task force committee, I am concerned about whether our request for partial funding will be ignored. Moab needs to envision a realization for youth, family, as well as senior, year round recreation enjoyment. A year round swimming facility would fill the void. It would provide rec Its not need to be? Requesting advice on how to make this a reality from city and Grand County recreation. Cathy Birsfield Moab 1860 anymore lion, a 930 increase. The more people there are, the more you cants there will be. That is a fact of life. Oh no. Pioneer was a wonderful piece on the changes and restrictions a large population can cause. I think we all realize that there are too many people now to be able to do all the things they could do in 1860. Back Anne Urbanek Moab then the population was 31 million. Compare that with the current population of 288 mil Moab Medical Center Now offering after-hour- s services on Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call Flowers For All Occasions Balloon Bouquets Holidays Sympathy for Appointment 259-712- 1 260-217- 2 Special Occasions Tribute Weddings Kathy Knight or 259-708- 0 What is INITIATIVE 1 All About? the Good & the Bad Tune in Friday, November 1 at 6 p.m. Jim Salmon and Steve Russell will discuss the issue and take your calls on KZMU 89.7 & 106.1 FM This Week In Moab Bill Schultz & Happy Morgan, Nate Knight & Kim Schappert, County Council District 1 County Attorney with host Steve Russell Monday, Nov.4 Listen to the Candidates 1 5-- 7 p.m. on KZMU 89.7 FM 259-489- 7 Moab does not necessarily endorse Vie opinions published in tetters to the editor and guest editorials. The T- welcomes opinions from tts reader concerning any subject pertinent to Southeastern Tfta Utah Letters should be to the point and must include the writer's name, address and telephone number Letters mey net be used to replace advertisements, or to list and thank sponsors or participants to a particular event. Letters to the editor wi be not be accepted from any candidate who has fiied for political office or from anyone writing in support of a filed candidate Anything unsigned, of a Htetous nature, or containing defamatory statements will not be considered for publication. AS tetters must be typed or tegibty written, and be 400 words or less Letters are subject to editing Mai! to Tetter to toe Editor,' PO. Bo f 29, Moab, Utah, to eJUot 6 rrmfcL'omes.Cum. Tr,e Fires Independent mey not accept te" from persons who wrt more frequency than one every four be eetit 64532. Deadline is Monday, 5 p.m. Letters . -l eo e-- r. |