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Show 99th Year - No. 50 December 14, 1999 TUesday Elementary students open a bookstore, San Rafael Junior will present some plays, Travis Bunderson wins the Geography Bee and the Museum of the San Rafael hosts A Twisted Christ- mas. BBK See page 2A-3- A Clark Collins of the Blue Ribbon Coalition tells of another Dec. 7 sneak attack, Paula Wellnitz has tips for building Dennis Worwood tells you how to care for your live Christmas tree and Paul Jacob self-estee- says that the federal government is a classic monopoly. See page 6A-7- A ISportsl&lOutdoorsM The Spartan wrestling team lost despite some outstanding performances. See page 3B Castle Dale, Utah 500 Judge sentences Wesley Tanner to prison mother be allowed to address the court. The mother tearfully told the judge Tanner was someone who was It was an emotional morning on part of the family, and they had Dec. 7 as Wesley Tanner appeared In trusted him. She went on to say afSeventh District Court for sentencter what had happened to their ing. Tanner had previously plead daughter; they would never be able guilty to two Second Degree Felony to trust anyone again. We dont know whats going to charges: Attempted Sodomy of a Child and Attempted Rape of a happen in the future, but we have Child, as well as one First Degree been warned we are going to have Felony charge: Aggravated Sex problems... We feel he should be senAbuse of a Child. tenced for life because he has imThe charges stem from contacts posed a life sentence on our family. Tanner had with his victim, now age He should go to prison for life and 12, which had occurred over the should never get out, the mother course of at least two years, with told the judge. more than 50 contacts. The victim, She went on to request that he a relative of Tanner; had stated at immediately be sent to prison, and the preliminary hearing she had fi- not allowed to begin his sentence afnally come forward because she was ter Christmas. Please sentence him afraid he would do what he had been immediately. Its to hard to see him doing to her with other family mem- on the streets after what hes done bers. to our family," she pleaded. The new deputy county attorney, Langston remarked to the judge Brent Langston, began his opening the state would also request Tanner remarks by requesting the victims be sent to prison immediately. Tan By DORIS QUINN Progress editor Visitors from ner has had the benefit of being out... He has been convicted of the crimes and we believe the victim deserves a nice Christmas present, he should be taken into custody today, he said. Michael Harrison, attorney for Tanner; told the judge he didnt disagree with the victims mother; but he did disagree somewhat with the presentence report. Mr. Tanner feels remorse for what has happened. Letters attached to the report written by acquaintances of Mr. Tanners for many years all agree Mr. Tanner is extremely remorseful for what he has done to this girL He knows he has affected her and her family for their whole lives. He has also affected his family as well He is extremely remorseful and knows he is going to prison and will be there for some time. We would like to make an additional request that Mr. Tanner be allowed to report Dec. 26, if not for his benefit, but his familys, to spend Christmas with his wife and divorced daughter and her four children," Harrison said. Langston then addressed the court again. He (Tanner) was not someone who came forward because he did something wrong, but denied It when first confronted by the law before admitting he did it. We dont think he deserves to be out any longer and think he should be taken into custody immediately." It was at this point in the sentencing Harrison asked the court if Tanner could address the court on his own behalf. I was told to have no contact with the victim or her family. I have been told I have a smug attitude, but I wanted real bad to tell them how sorry I am for tins. I know what I did was extremely wrong and I want the victim to know how bad I feel I expect a penalty for my actions, and all I can do is ask the judge to have compassion and let me spend Christmas with my family, Tanner said. (Continued on page 2A) Christmas Village' warm despite freezing weather the North By JAMES L. DAVIS Special for the Progress despite the chilly night. "Last year we held the Christmas village over two nights, and last year was much colder than this year So we scaled it back to only one night this year. With the cold I was afraid we would, have only a few people ar- rive. We were delighted with Lie turnout." said Ware. The planning for the event, which began in late August, took on a fevered pitch the week of Dec. 4 as city workers Jack Davis and Kim Heiniger and a number of volunteers went about the task of stringing the lights which would announce the beginning of the holiday season in Orangeville, according to Mayor Thayne Cox. Ruth Whimpey. chairperson of lights, more than 20,000 of them, were Orangeville beautification projects, turned on with little fanfare, letting oversaw the creation of the Christthe visitors to the park experience mas village, and with the help of 37 them with their family and friends, volunteers, made sure the night was each perhaps recalling their fondest a success, according to Ware. of Christmas memories. The event, one of many the city of We were trying for something that Orangeville holds throughout the looked elegant, something beautiful year is more than just an opportuand serene, said Carol Ware, nity for people to gather at the park, Orangeville City Councilwoman. who it is a time for people to feel a sense oversees city parks and beautifica- of community, according to Warp. The warm glow of the Christmas spirit eased the chill of below freezing temperatures as young and old . alike gathered at.the Christmas Village In Orangeville City Park Dec. 4. More than 350 people converged on the park for the second annual event which celebrated the arrival of the holiday season with lights, music, the telling of the Christmas story and the arrival of a certain Jolly old elf from way up North. With a bonfire throwing sparks into the evening sky, onlookers slowly took in the sights as the Christmas lights were turned on at 6 pzn. The tion. June Maxwell, organizer of the dinner, took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to pose with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. PCIFB hands Nine communities and special districts in rural Utah will receive financial help for local improvement out community grants The Community Impact Board helps state and local agencies and entities that are, or may be, directly or Indirectly impacted by mineral reprojects. The Permanent Community Im- source development on nearby fedpact Fluid Board In the Utah Division eral lands. The board provides assisof Community Development tance for the planning, construction, awarded nearly $7.1 million and maintenance of public facilities, ($7,093,100) in grants and loans to and providing public services. help fund projects such as a nursing Among the projects approved for home expansion, new bridges, and funding during the boards December the construction of a museum and meeting were: Castle Valley Special Services Dis visitors center on Dec. 2. Town meeting will Open spaces may not seem to be a pressing issue in Emery County. However. most residents want to maintain the rural quality of life, and how open spaces are managed can Impact the rural character of Emery County. To determine what county residents want to happen with open lands, Carlton Christenson, a member of the Governors Quality Growth Commission will hold a town meeting Dec. 16. at 7 p m. in the Emery County Courthouse.. We want this park to be something our kids can be proud of and want to take care of," said Ware, who hopes that young and old alike see the park as a place for family, a place for unity. But on this night the park wall perhaps even more than that. With wishes safely whispered in Santas ear children went with their parents to gather around a makeshift manger and listen as Cynthia Grant's fifth and sixth grade classes, as well as singers from the second grade of Cottonwood Elementary, told the Christmas story in words and song. trict $550,000 grant and $1 million loan for street, curb, and gutter Improvements In Cleveland, Elmo. Perron, and Orangeville, storm drainage improvements in Castle Dale, Cleveland, Emery, and Orangeville; sewer improvements in Huntington; water Improvements in Emery, Huntington. and Clawson. Elmo (Emery County) - $70,000 grant for construction of a new town park and purchase of playground equipment. focus on open land During the meeting Christenson residents what they think about whether current agricultural land should be preserved or protected. Is there a need to restore agricultural land? Should open land be will ask ment decisions, but with state leadership and coordination." Questions regarding municipal development will be discussed, as well as local ordinances that may im- preserved or protected? pact growth and development. will also control means to Emery County residents, and what state leadership and coordination mean. He will ask will be asked to complete a short sur- Housing Christenson will ask what local cussed. whether residents support local control over land use and develop (Hrvnvl With the lights casting the park in a gentle glow children ran and parents chased, sipping hot cocoa and visiting with friends and neighbors until the arrival of Santa Claus himself, who on this night, traded in his reindeer and sleigh for a fire truck. As Santa laughed and jingled his way to his "workshop" in one of the parks pavilions, children rushed to farm a line behind him, while parents hurried to keep up. With the Christmas village underway, city organizers could look back on months of planning as a success. , be an Issue dis- Residents attending the meeting vey regarding growth issues. The Information will be relayed to the governor and legislature. Orangeville City park became the temporary home of the North Pole on Dec, 4, including the freezing temperatures. |