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Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - Page To - 4 say canyon is closed is misleading ! r johansen Brent , D.D.S. FEB Dear Editor: The San Juan Record welcomes letters from our readers. Letters to the Editor must be: more than 350 words Signed Include the authors address and phone number The San Juan Record reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity and to eliminate libelous or tasteless No TAe Sart Juan Recori HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH SINCE 1915 AN AWARD WINNING NEWSPAPER Publisher - Editor BILL BOYLE Office Manager TERRY CRAMER - Ad p Design Office Assistant ANDREA MONTGOMERY Paste-u- Proofreader DAWN BOYLE I feel that it is necessary to comment on the front page article of closed. 1 feel February 11, 2004 entitled Black Hole of White Canyon that your title of the canyon being closed is misleading. This is a misrepresentation of the BLMs report and this fact is no where supported in your article or the BLM information page regarding this issue. The opinions of the BLM appear to be based solely on what they have read and not experienced. I would not have known about the inconsistencies of this article had it not stirred up a lot of arguing and questions within the canyoneering community. I Being that I am actually in both of the pictures that you printed, had a first hand look at the conditions of the Black Hole. The trip I through the Black Hole was one of the most spectacular treks have taken. The information the BLM is using for their report appears to have been taken from an article posted on the personal website of Tom Jones, who was also on the same trip through the Black Hole. The current conditions of the Black Hole are a result of the flash floods from September. These conditions have existed this way for five months. Why has the BLM waited until now to put out a warning? Have they been waiting for someone else to print something about the canyon? Do they personally know what the situation is? Or is this more behind the desk bureaucracy? If you look at the full notice from ), it posts a link the BLM website (http:www.ut.blm.govE-Brief- s straight to Toms website (http:canyoneeringusa.comutahcedai7 blackh.htm I searched through the website of the BLM and found no other article regarding the Black Hole. Neither the article from the BLM or Toms website states that the Black Hole is closed or should be closed. Both websites only give strong warnings to those interested in descending into the Black Hole that it is now more dangerous than before if not properly trained and equipped. This warning is valid with many documented cases of individuals drowning in the canyon when they were not properly prepared. We would not have made it out if we were not properly equipped and had experienced guides (Tom being one) to lead our group through the canyon. Jared Hillhouse Bluff . ) Call for shows & times & Family Dentistry Orthodontics 212 South 2nd baA Blanding, Utah (435) 678-344- Call for additional shows and time' Closed Sundays & Mondays mt C r. CANCER SCREENING m CLINIC Thursday, February 26 8:00 am to Noon Monticello Health Department San Juan County Courthouse Please call 435-587-20- to register 21 Presented by Southeastern Utah District Health Department GAS STOVES (Editors note: appreciate the feedback. The BLM has not closed the Black Hole by an administrative action, but rather it is a 70 foot pile of logs that has closed the canyon to all but the most daring, experienced or foolish. The BLM states, Anyone attempting the descent of the canyon in I Writers NELL DALTON MAXINE DEETER MARY LOU HOGGARD LEO PLATERO GARY TORRES TERRI WINDER News Writers ANNA THAYN SCOTT BOYLE Insert these conditions probably get stuck at the log jam unless they are extremely experienced and fully equipped for self rescue. It is their opinion that this route is virtually impassable and should not be attempted even by very experienced canyoneers. Safe retreat is very difficult and the likelihood of a safe rescue is doubtful. Local BLM managers strongly warn visitors not to attempt the Black Hole under these conditions. For more information, contact the BLM Field Office at will 435-587-1500- 18-2- 4 Models Available . .) SAN JUAN PHONE & FAX 435-5S7-22- 77 IL sjrnewsvS frontiernet net SUBSCRIPTION Newsstand Sr. Citizen Sr. Out of County 0 BUILDING SUPPLY fJast c 1050 S MAIN years ago Wilkin and Travest Johnson, committeemen, (Moment Johnson. are well pleased with the way people responded to the war loan bond sale south of the highway out east, (ash received was $1,987.50. R. L. RATES San Juan County Outside County - USA APO or FPO address jf rom 11 S18 $26 $26 50c $17.50 S25.50 To have a sample copy sent to a friend, send us his or her address. Write to PO Box 879, Monticello, UT 84535. Copyright, The San Juan Record, 2004. All rights reserved. Reproduction, reuse or transmittal of all matter herein is without prohibited prior written permission by the publisher. BLANDING 678 - 2000 50 years ago More than $3,000,000 is paid uranium miners in the form of a uranium production bonus. The bonus program was established to encourage private' industry to locate new deposits of uranium ore and to help defray the high initial cost of putting a mine into production. 40 years ago Acceptance of the additions to the Blanding and Monticello elementary schools is officially made by the San Juan Board of Education. E.J. Sonderegger is the contractor for both additions. 30 years ago Over 1,200 students in the San Juan schools will receive individual tutoring. Tutoring quietly slipped into the curriculum three years ago as a pilot program in the Monticello Elementary School. Since then its success has given impetus to the program. Superintendent Kenneth Maughan said, The tutoring program looks terrific. We have had some remarkable progress with some students. 20 years ago San Juan County Commissioners approve a resolution calling for public hearings and a referendum on the question of electing county commissioners by districts rather than by the method. According to Monticello Chief of Police Everett Johnson, the department handled 37 alcohol related violations, 11 traffic cases, picked up 33 dogs, sold 14 dog licenses and destroyed 27 animals that were not claimed. NEWUsed Gift Ewporiiiw Boofcs, Dewlery, Gifts, Imports, Vintage at-lar- ISSN Published 0894-327- 3 weekly at 49 South Main, Monticello, Utah. Periodical postage paid at Monticello, Utah (ISSN0894-3273)- . 84535 Postmaster: Send changes to P.O. Monticello, all address Box 879, Utah 84535. The San Juan Record is a member of the Utah Press Association National Newspaper Association. and 10 years ago The Monticello area is pounded by a major winter storm with over 8 inches of wet snow. Lions Club hosts members of the National Park Service to hear a draft proposal that would close Salt Creek to veonward. hicles, horses, and mountain bikes from Peek-A-Bo- o Bonnie Black is the new librarian at the Blanding Branch Library. dotting ... New Winter Hours 42-- 5 7 days a weel pm effective 19 Thursday, February 8 1 Soutfi Main IL006 Montiodlo for t fie Sun (435) 587-3- 21 & 1 Moon j |