OCR Text |
Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - Page ETTJMnrniTni 6 Brent Constitution must be upheld ICOfS The San Juan Record wel- comes letters from our readers. Letters to the Editor must be: No 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 TAe Son Juan 'Recorl g435l678l78l8l Johansen D.D.S. Dear Editor: I As a citizen of this great country, Im concerned about its future. see a change in our culture that is detrimental to our freedoms. It doesnt matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican, our society is losing its moral strength which guarantees freedom. We have a Democrat (Matheson) and a Republican (Cannon) who represent Ltah. I find it interesting that on the conservative index, they both rate a 43 percent voting record (www.jbs.org). Check it out yourself. That means they both voted in favor of bigger government, more taxes, and less individual responsibilities. I believe very strongly that we as individuals have a right to own guns whether for sport, hunting, or self protection. I know that only our enemies want to disarm America. John Kerry voted 51 times out of 51 bills to disarm America. Check it out yourself. We need to watch how our representatives vote (its hard to trust them). It doesnt matter which party we belong to, first we are Americans and need to be united. When it comes to the Constitution, it must be upheld. One of our founding fathers, Ben Franklin, once stated, If you give up your liberties for security, you dont deserve either. We need to watch how our representatives vote and not worry about what party they belong to. AUGUST We'll Bourne Supremacy keep your bite bright (PG-11- Fri, Tues & Sat, Wed ) Thurs (5 7 (ri 9: S() The Village & Family Dentistry 1fl-9- R (PCI?) Orthodontics 1 ri, Tucs & Thurs (a (M(i Sat, Wed (a 7 212 South 2nd East Blanding, Utah (435) 678-344- 0 George E. Rice Monticello HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH SINCE 1915 Additional tax facts AN AWARD WINNING Dear Editor: NEWSPAPER As a Publisher - Editor BILL BOYLE TERRY CRAMER Paste-u- - p Ad Design Office Assistant ANDREA MONTGOMERY Proofreader DAWN BOYLE Writers NELL DALTON MAXINE DEETER MARY LOU HOGGARD LEO PLATERO GARY TORRES TERRI WINDER News Writers ANNA THAYN SCOTT BOYLE PHONE & FAX 435-587-22- 77 IL net sjrnewsfrontiemet to Mr. Phil Lymans letter published last week (Au- 2004), San Juan Countys elected officials, directly responsible for assessing taxes, publishing tax notices and approving how tax dollars will be budgeted and spent, would like to make the public aware of additional tax facts: Mr. Phil Lyman is a highly respected county citizen. We commend him for his letter. He should not be taken to task for its contents. Naturally, elected officials look at information available in statistical reports and interpret it differently from a Certified Public Accountants analysis. Phils letter begs a couple of questions, however, regarding specific subjective conclusions. First, in stating that San Juan County residents will have the most expensive government money can buy it is not clear if government includes just county government or all governing authorities in the county. The Utah Association of Counties 2004 publication of Utah Counties Fact Book, using 2002 data, shows that San Juan ranks 19th in the state in general fund revenue and 15th in the state in general fund expenditure per capita, not the highest. We are 17th in population of all counties, first in square miles of land area, 25th in persons per square miles, fourth in unemployment and number one in percent of population below the poverty level. Of Utahs 29 counties, the 2000 information (latest available) shows we are 29th in percent of high school graduates and 22nd in percent of bachelors degree or higher of people over age 15. We are dead last in median household income and per capita personal income. San Juan ranks 22nd in total revenue per capita in constant 1998 dollars, while less than 9 percent of our land is owned by local government or private citizens. This myriad of information focuses more light on our economic posture and on our ability to fund essential services through gust Office Manager follow-u- p 11, property taxes. SUBSCRIPTION RATES San Juan County Outside County - USA APO or FPO address Newsstand Sr Citizen Sr Out of County $18 $26 $26 50c $17.50 $25.50 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 prohibited without prior written permission by the publisher. ISSN 0894-327- 3 Published weekly at 49 South Mam, Monticello, Utah Periodical postage paid at Monticello, Utah (ISSN0894-3273- ) 84535 Postmaster: Send all address changes to P.O. Box 879, Utah 84535. The Monticello, San Juan Record is a member of the Utah Press Association and National Newspaper Association. Utah statutes require public approval of the way our taxes are distributed. If any tax rates are to be increased, the public is always invited to a tax hearing and have opportunity to express views. The public is notified and invited to specific meetings each year for county budget hearings. The two incorporated cities do the same. These meetings are rarely attended by more than three people, while meetings to discuss changes to animal control ordinances can draw overflow crowds. The county general fund operates from a tax rate lower than either of the two cities in our county. County employees are, by comparison, paid less than city employees, in similar jobs. County elected officials are paid less than the state average for the same positions in every case for counties of comparable population. Hence, the question about county residents having the most expensive government money can buy. The county can do better. We always want to do better. We invite your help with recommended improvements. The next question relates to the statement indicating that the property revaluation will put us at the top in the state with the percent of our income paid to property tax. It is much too early to know if that will actually be the case because all counties in the state must have their property values reassessed on a five year cycle. The information regarding incomes in other counties must be completed before we will know how we rank. Property value is perhaps the most emotional and controversial issue we deal with. If a homeowner wishes to sell, it is very important to have a high appraised value on the home. If the home is being apprised for taxation purposes a high appraisal is challenged. The periodic property appraisal in the Blanding area has taken place over the last two tax years. The reappraisals have attracted much attention and have caused concerns, understandably. One example: A home in Blanding was taxed for years at an appraised value of $22,000 or less. Last years tax on that home was (please turn to page 7) Need $$$ for a Vacation? 10 minute loan No service $100 to $700 Checking Account Needed We can help - Call or stop by today Jacklyn or Kristy Phone applicants welcome CALL TODAY! LOANS 435-678-78- 82 New Manager US? 2 S. Main St, Blanding, UT Blanding 678-278- 1 Office hours: 9 am - 6 pm Monticello 587-230- 2 jjj SAN JUAN PHARMACY |