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Show Page A7 She S tiues-- 3 ttirpetibfui A tribute to Ralph Miller, Letters to the Editor Thank you Moab, your help is appreciated As you probably know, thin year Moab Cen- ter fur Higher Education has faced a 62 percent budget cut of its state funding, and next year doesn't promise to be any better. As a result, Moab Center as we know it may be forced to close unless enrollments can be increased dramatically. What you may not realize is that as soon as the announcement was made about the financial danger to the Center, Moab rallied. Fundraising began. People donated everything from beautiful artwork to entire evenings in restaurants. Students dropped what money they could afford (and some they couldnt afford) into donation jars. Citizens who might normally disagree about a number of issues came together to work toward keeping the Center, donating hours of time, services, and creative thought One senior citizen refused to accept the senior citizen discount rate for tuition (it only costs $10 for a person over the age of 62 to take a class) because she wanted the money to go to the Center. We were able to persuade her that by taking the class, she helped our enrollments. A considerable amount of money almost $45,000 has been raised or promised, the scholarship committee is working to distribute money to deserving students, and that work continues as more funds are donated to the scholarship account. Although more scholarship money is desperately needed, the accomplishment so far is impressive. Agencies like the Moab Area Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Services, Economic Development, Rotary, and many, many private citizens all have worked together to develop higher education in Moab. Will we succeed in keeping the Center open in Moab? If you asked the Board of Regents, theyd probably say no, Moab is too small to be in the state system of education. If you asked the presidents of CEU and USU, theyd probably say that they could afford Moab only as classes taught by a satellite site, with no some of our truly wonderful local instructors. If you ask our landlord, hed tell you that the lease runs out in August If you ask me, my answer would be different Ive come to know this community with all its determination and creativity, and my belief is that if anv community could keep and develop their college, its Moab. As director, Im so very grateful for the involvement of all the people, from those who drop a dollar in one of the collection jars to those w hose have worked hours on projects to raise money and enrollments. Im very proud to live in this community, and though I don't know what form the Higher Ed. Center will take or where it will physically be located, Fm confident that the people of Grand County will manage to keep higher education in Moab. In fact. Id even bet that determined people with creative minds will not only keep higher education, theyll find ways to make it better than ever. This is a wonderful community, and my thanks go to all of you w ho have helped so much. --Sharon Northrop, Director cost-effecti- ve te World peace is an economy World Peace If I miss Breakfast today I will pray that 1 receive help in getting Breakfast tomorrow. If 1 miss Breakfast tomorrow, I will pray w hile I scavenge the land high and low. If I miss Breakfast on day three my prayer will become very still and I will see if there is something I can steal. World Peace is an economy. It does little to preach of love if there is no Breakfast. New technology and farming technique is now available to bring electricity and practice to every village in the world, if it could only happen. One of the problems with Institutionalized Education is it carries so much history and like a river it is so hard to move into a different canyon once its course is set. It is fortunate that there are still many scientists willing to leave the river bed and explore other canyons of thought and science. When Scientists do discover other great canyons that could sustain the river and life better it is Difficult to get everyone to want to shift. People have built up their businesses on the banks of the present river course. In Mechanical Science the knowledge is now here for sustainable energy and only needs implementing. In Biomimic farming the study has advanced to returning to sustainable prairie, with high yields leaving each year with more top soil and less pests. No plowing needed. In both these new avenues of study the important aspect has been to look at the needs of the individual at home while sustaining the very environment that gives back to the industry needed to create ongoing sustainable life. Both sciences are looking to create this sustainable life close to home. (Electricity and Hydrogen bio-farmi- made in the garage) Plants for food or textile that are native or when introduced blend with the native I hope it is easily clear that government has been taken over by energies that are dependent on the course of the present river" of technology and economy and even if it means poverty for most of the world it is of no concern to the them. 360 billion used for defense" would sure go a long way in bringing technology for World Peace. We in our little town cant directly change the big world much. So what will we do to save our town. With newly elected officials wanting economic improvement or sustainability what will be our wisest choices? I would hope that we would invite the Industry of Solar Energy to our town and Manufacture and sell Solar Panels right here . I wish some wealthy community members would pull the shriveling dollar from Wall Street and invest it in a couple of students and start a Solar Hot Water heater factory. We here in Moab own some of the most amazing sunlight in the world. Its ours for free. Another idea would be to start a Rural Electric p where we could buy hydrogen fuel cells at cost and begin setting up homes with them, paying for them over a year period. The list goes on and on. ( Two of many sources- - HydroRifkin, Biomimicry- - Janine gen Economy-Jerem- y Benyus) My space is up.... Heres a Holiday toast ( still fresh, clean, local, spring water) to your Breakfast. May we help each other maintain its continued presence. Bruce Harrison Moab eco-syste- Co-o- 10-2- 0 Reject the concept of a 'just Tb the Editor, war11 Society of Friends affirms our historic Peace by respectfully asking Americans to be clear-eyeabout the effects of war which include tragic loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, environmental devastation, and economic chaos. We advocate pursuit of peaceful and civil means to resolve issues with Iraq. We urge our fellow Americana to address the root causes of war including poverty, injustice, and suffering. Respectfully, The Moab Quaker Meeting Tbs-timon- The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) d has a spiritual conviction against war, and rejects the concept of a just war even when there is evidence that seems to be in its favor. In 1660, Friends wrote: ...we certainly know, and testify to the world, that the Spirit of Christ, which leads us into all troth, will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world The Moab Monthly Meeting of the Religious deep-roote- y d A tough place to make a living Dear Sam & Adrien, The paper looks good. Sena has done a great job and you all continue to do so. My best wishes go out to all of you Times staffers this holiday season. Thought I'd address the wintry Moab economic reality that for those of us who dont work issue. in hotels and restaurants is a Maybe its my age, but is it ambitious" to want to live in decent housing without fear and loathing every time the rent is due? Is it ambitious to want health insurance from a full time job? Is it ambitious" to want to earn three times your housing expenses from 50 hours a week of work, professional work? I heard the comment the other day that Moabs a tough place to make it for anyone who is ambitious. Now, especially for women, ambition has a negative connotation, especially in Moab. Employers complain bitterly about the lack thereof in the workforce, yet offer no incentive to those who have it." It is far more socially acceptable in this town to be happy to be poor for the quality of life we have here. If you note a hint of bitterness in my tone, trust it. Its there. The nature of this community seems to be that if you blow it once professionally or personally you never get another chance year-roun- d COPY Dear Adrien and Sam: We were traveling overseas when Ralph J. Miller, Jr. died. It w aint until this week that I finally caught up with reading the I issues that arrived during our absence. Thats when I learned this great friend had died. 1 felt such a pain of sorrow as I read the sad new s. Ralph never sought recognition or honor, but there are two stories I tell about him that reveal his great character. I would like to share them. During the later days of the 1960s as it beT-- scholarships and programs. Our staff at the Center has donated countless hours of their own time to work on fundraising efforts. The entire com- m unity has focused on the benefit of having on-si- Thursday, December 12L2002 at anything except trailer living, and not very clean, safe or desirable trailer living at that. Unless you want to spend more than half of your paycheck on rent, live forever with roommates when youre trying to raise a family or work two fulltime jobs. Even teachers and cops in this town make less than $10 an hour and this is a fact. So, decent housing, health care, ambitious? Or reasonable? Im stumped. I too love small town living. I have no secret longing to fight traffic and breath the emissions of Geneva Steel. But without a trust fund, Utah Bar credentials, already paid for or inherited property, or rich sponsors, I am finding it less and less possible, let alone fulfilling, to live here. If I thought I was the only person in town who felt this way I would never write this letter. These sentiments are widespread. Many good people live here in poverty; others fight endlessly to find their way out. You may say, as Ive heard many other Moabites say, Hallelujah - keep era out, let 'em leave." I guess that's the Moab way. I'm very sad about this. Thanks for letting me vent. Carrie M. Switzer self-impose- d Moab came increasingly obvious that Texas gulf s Potash mine was in trouble. It was not succeeding in achiev ing a production goal that might make the mine profitable. experts were hired in hopes of solving the problem. One of these was a new General Manager who was quickly very unpopular for his management style. The two of us managed to not lock horns too seriously until this General Manager decided the thing Tg should do was start a company store to protect our employees and their families from the techniques of various Moab merchants. Millers Super Market was specifically mentioned by name. This idea was pretty well sold to the Vice President in charge, Van Donohoo, before 1 got So-call- ed high-hande- d price-gougin-g wind of it. One afternoon, near the end of that dark workday, I was summoned to Van's office and in the presence of this General Manager 1 was told that, since such an endeavor would fall under my jurisdiction, 1 was to proceed with plans to start a company store. The smug smile on this General Managers face clearly conveyed to me that Id been aced." The decision had been made before Id even had time to de-- -- bate against it. This General Manger knew very well I would fight it. Not for one moment did I believe Moab merchants were gouging anyone. They were all working as hard as they could to make their business a success, but they were not in collusion to charge anyone more than a fair price. I remember returning to my office, and as my employees bid me good night and left for town, I stared out the window wondering what 1 could do. Tomorrow, Van Donohoo planned to be back at to idea the the that propose powers the New York headquarters. 1 knew I had to act that very evening, if I hoped to stop this idea before it spread further up the chain of command. Van Donohoo usually lingered in his office for a while after the staff had left. I knew this was a good time to speak privately with him so 1 planned to wait a few moments and then go back and speak with him again on the matter without the General Manager being present. But, on this evening, Van left promptly and I was denied my moment of private conversation. As Van Donohoo drove to town, I followed, all the while trying to decide what I should do next. When he drove in his driveway, I was close behind him, and asked if 1 might have a word with him. The two of us had a cordial relationship, and he warmly invited me in. Mrs. Donohoo sat on a couch in their family room. She was genuinely pleased to see me. The two of us always enjoyed a warm and supportive relationship. Around Norma sat their three Corgi dogs, and she was busy knitting. Norma asked if she should leave the room w hile Van and I spoke but I was counting on her to be an ally so I encouraged her to stay. After a few preliminary words, I slowly launched into why I felt a company store was a not a good idea, stating one reason after another why I was opposed to the idea. I could tell by the intermittent clatter of the knitting needles that Norma was listening carefully. Likewise, I knew Van to be a man of conscience, and a man with a good heart. I said, "Van, the merchants in Moab have always supported Tgs endeavors here. The ones I know personally are not people out to take advantage of our employees or anyone else. Yes, they have to make their businesses succeed to stay in business, etc., but I assure you they are good people. To start a company store would be a Blap in their face. They dont deserve that kind of treatment. I was as persuasive as I could be. 1 even reminded Van that he had once told me, everyone has to make a little profit, you can't do business with a man who is losing money." Jr. Then, I said, Van, during the terrible days of the mine explosion, this to n supported us every way they could. One night, well past midnight I was told that one of the Mine Rescue teams that had come to our assistance needed a certain kind of battery for their lamps, and we had none in our warehouse. Could 1 call someone in Moab and try to obtain an additional supply?" It was about two oclock in the morning. 1 phoned Ralph J. Miller and got him out of bed. Yes, J.G.," he said, I happen to know we have a supply of those batteries in our store. Tbll you w hat, if youll send someone in. I'll meet them at the store. I dispatched Art Redd, and, in about an hour, Art w as back at the minesite w ith a generous supply of the much needed batteries, and a story that brought tears to my eyes w hen Art told m. Art said, J. G-- , when I drove up in front of Millers Supermarket, there were a half dozen cars there, and men with batteries in their hands standing in the headlight beams. Ralph Miller had called every store owner in Moab that carried those kind of batteries, and they had all rushed to their stores, grabbed up their supply, and met Art Redd w hen he drove up. And, another thing, Van, I said, from that day to this, I have never seen an invoice for any or those batteries from any of those merchants. By then, 1 knew Van Donohoo w as listening, and so was Norma. 1 said, Van, I'd like your permission to go talk with Ralph Miller, Jr. this very evening, and ask him to come and meet with you and our General Manager, and give Ralph an opportunity to speak for himself about the impact a company store might have on his business. There was a long silence. The knitting needles had long since ceased to click. Then, 1 heard Norma say, Van, 1 think you should listen to J.G. So, Van asked if Id be willing to do what I proposed. I Baid I would, and drove to Miller's Super Market hoping that Ralph would be there, and that he'd be willing to go along with my plan. In those days, Ralph's office was high up in the back, above the meat department, with a window so the office personnel could keep an eye on what was happening in the store. I climbed the steps to the office with heavy feet and knocked at the frame of the door that was standing open. Ralph cordially invited me in and offered me a chair. Now, Ralph Miller and I knew each other pretty well, we were both in the Rotary Club in those days, but we were not close. That is, we didnt often socialize together. 1 soon ran out of trivial chitchat, and, after a long silence, during w hich Ralph and 1 stared eyeball without words, Ralph said to me, J. G., I think youve come to say something, but are having a hard time getting it out, right? I confessed such was the case, and Ralph said, Well, spit it out, then well figure out what to do about it. I told him of the General Manager's plans to start a Company Store. Can you get me an audience with Mr. Donohoo and the General Manager tomorrow at 1 p.m?" was Ralph's only question. lb bring this to a close, Ill share that Ralph and his accountant (and for the life of me, I cannot remember his name) were at the general office the next day. We met in the conference room, just the two of them, Van kinohoo, the General Manager, and myself. Ralphs accountant laid a huge ledger book on the table, and Ralph opened it and, one page after another, the details of the financial situation of Miller's Super Market was laid bare for us to see. When the meeting was finished. Van Donohoo thanked Ralph and his accountant for coming, and said he would make a decision on the matter and they would hear from me. After I'd showed Ralph and his accountant out, and thanked them for coming, 1 returned to the conference room where Van Donohoo and the General Manager sat in stony silence. I wondered what they had Baid to one another but I was never to know. 1 Van Donohoo said to me, We w ill forget any plans for a company store and you may tell Ralph Miller of my decision." From that time on, Ralph J Miller and 1 were more than friends. AH the best to both of you, JG. Paw-paw- " Pinkerton, Storyteller Stamford, CT Letters to the editor poucy The TtmeS'lndependent does not necessarily endorse the opinions published in letters to the editor and guest editorials, The T--i welcomes opinions from its readers concerning arty 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 partici- pants to a particular event Letters to the editor will be not be accepted from ary candidate who has Wed for political office or from anyone wilting In support of a filed candidate. Anything unsigned, of a libelous nature, or containing defamatory statements will not be considered for publication. AS 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 also be sent via to editor 3 moabtimes.com. The may not accept letters from persons who write more frequency than once every four weeks. ail TTmes-lrKtepoocte- nt |