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Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, April 28, 2004 - Page Job shadowing We the People program called a success seventh and eighth grade students at Albert In a representative form of government, we the people elect menwomen that are Throughout the school year R. Lyman, able, interested, and with the aptitude, integrity and energy to make decisions for us on a Monument Valley, Whitehorse, routine basis. and Navajo Mountain Schools Indeed, we expect have been engaged in an them to study and important activity brought to understand the isthem by the GEAR UP prosues before them gram of the San Juan School and make an inDistrict: job shadowing. formed decision reby Gary Job shadowing challenges our students to think about the garding The majority of busifuture, which is one of the ness should be conducted in goals of the GEAR UP prothis manner and we the people for UP GEAR stands gram. should support these decisions Gaining Early Awareness and and decision makers and be Readiness for Undergraduate grateful that they spend their Programs. The program recogtime serving us. nizes that if students are to From ime to time, issues think about undergraduate come up and we the people bemust first programs, they come interested enough that begin by connecting their we want more involvement in current school work to their tin1 decision making process. future career possibilities. When we the people show an They must also be aware of interest and express our opinthe different career options for ions and there is difference of them and what it will take to opinion with confusion and be successful. This isn't an controversy, tin elected offeasy goal and job shadowing is icials should quit trying to exessential to help to achieve it. the decision making Job shadowing would be pedite and open the decision making nothing without local businesprocess up so that we the ses and government agencies. people can understand what is Job shadowing can be very going on and In involved to the demanding of these groups. we want to be At least twice a these degree public-interest- the people should be given an honest open chance to understand the complicated issues before them and come to understand why a particular decision is in our best interest. If I recall, the Monticello City electrical system issue was stalled the last time because a group of people were not satisfied that their position was being honestly evaluated. So a lawsuit was brought forWe 12 generally dont believe that we I . year, allow students organizations to of hour their time answer an should solve all our problems with litigation. I don't think the public voice should be handed down by lawyers and judges. An open public process is more likely to reflect the voice of we the people than social engineering handed down from a well intended judge. Recently, a group of people have come to public meetings, gathered signatures and vigorously requested that the public process be open to all. They ask that all relevant information be brought out to the light of day so we the people can inspect it and vote on it. I suppose if this group of people had deep pockets to stuff a hand into, they could bring a law suit to stall the electrical issue again. questions, provide tours of faci t ies, a n d e on guide students 0Oc 0& 1 ? groups provide cross-sectio- n ally, business can and should be conducted by our elected public officials, but whenever the public is concerned enough, the Council should slow things down and show us that you have our public interest foremost in your minds. The public decision making process standard has been raised. I don't advocate a particular position and I would only state that is not necessary that public officials make a good decision; only an informed decision. We the people should be given that same courtesy. We the people should be kept involved to the degree we want to be. The public interest may not always be the best decision financially. For example, I would guess that the City rec- reation department loses money for the most part. But sometimes, we the people think it important enough that we want certain services. We want our kids to be able to swim or play ball in the summer and soccer in the fall. I also understand that the City needs to take a hard look MOAB if r v- - 686-259- 1 EMAIL: crafjachotmail.com realistic company would be hard pressed to run fiber so far and at such expense for so few new customers. However, a City might elect to put in such a system and then lease out the lines to internet service providers and eventually get their money back. Sometimes, public involvement can be time consuming and frustrating and leaves people disillusioned with our form of government. Instead of plowing ahead with the decisions made, the council should give serious consideration to allowing the public back into the public office they hold. Bring the public along and show them the facts, so that they come to the conclusion that it is in their interest. as Thomas Jefferson is credited with saying, Democracy is cumbersome, slow and inefficient, but in due time, the voice of the people will be heard and their latent wisdom will prevail. or 435-459-34- 88 Remember, & 435-587-28- 20 Bryan Adams Certified Trained Professionals & for all your heating, cooling & electrical needs Q of the Utah and the greater American Electrical R.L. Wilcox LA SAL & (435) five year schedule. The investment may be for a basic service such as water, sewer, and garbage pick up. For example, one reason we dont get fiber optic internet service is because a private your hometown professionals 260-104- 3 MONTICELLO at the financial implications of their decisions, since it is we the people that pay the taxes. Sometimes, the return on the investment has to be looked at on a 20 year, not a Heating, Cooling &TAXI (435) S Participating businesses and agencies provide a wonderful service to their communities. The number and variety of a making process. The public has the right to know. Gener- MM I i in actual work. for job shadowing Support within San Juan County has been tremendous throughout School Year. the 2003-200Over 100 visits were made to 40 locations in Blanding, Monticello, Moab, Kaventa. Montezuma Creek, Monument Valley, Shiprock, and Cortez. ward. Torres However, I commend them for trying to become involved in the public process and not litigate common sense. Litigation should be a last resort. The public has grown accustom to an open public decision work- force. Individually, businesses and agencies provided great patience and precious time, as well as valuable information about career fields. The businesses ought to be admired. Certainly, they will be paid back in full when this generation of students choose and excel in careers that will keep San Juan County healthy for generations. Take Care Of Your Calf Crop! Prevent scours u " jwdC m u 3fc1ib Jfc Calf guard wli - Your Connection to the World 800-448-34- 13 WILLIAM L. SCHULTZ Attorney At Law Criminal law DU I Drug Possession DomesticDivorce Custody Call for Appointment 587-280- 8 Scour boluses www.salmonair.com We look forward to serving your tlying needs. Service Schedule: Calf nutrition and health ... Colostrx Calf manna Vaccines Suckle milk replenisher Summer Hours' Open Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 8:oo a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CARHART FEED & SEED 281 N. Guyrene Dove Creek For our Utah customers, our e number toll-fre- 677-223- is 3 |