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Show Cost: Tooele, Utah Thursday, Jan. S, 1984 Volume Eighty Nine Twenty-fiv- e Number Thirty-on- Cents now Drives Deer To Starvation by David Bern Because of severe weather and inadequate winter feeding range indigenous to the Oquirrh Mountains, hundreds of elk and deer have lowerd to the valley floor in search of food. Jim Ekins, county conservation officer, says an estimated 800 to 1,000 deer and elk are on the valley floor between Stockton and - Lakepoint. That is not the case on the east side of Tooele Valley, and as the animals reach the valley floor, they are immediately placed into civilization. Mr. Ekins said this has caused numerous problems from elk and deer that are entering city bales. Resulting Damage "Every night, theres a report that someone has hit a deer in Tooele, said Mr. Ekins. "Having them within city limits causes all kinds of problems. They get hit by motorists, are chased by dogs and trample and eat vegetation. "Out in the farmers fields they are also causing damage, added Mr. Ekins. "They undermine the Oquirrhs poor winter range. Much of the land is privately owned. Theres also a lack of sagebrush, which most Utah deer rely on to get through the winter. The conservation officer added that having civilization right up to the Oquirrhs base makes it harder on the animals. He explained that elk and deer lowering from the Stansbury mountains find food easier because of unoccupied land numerous obstacles, such as the problem comes from the between the mountains and civilizatioa Southern Pacific is supportive of breaching its causeway which will reduce the level of the southern arm of the Great Salt Lake by approximately 18 inches, a railroad spokesman told Gov. Matheson Wednesday. Denman K. McNear, chairman of the Southern Pacific, said that his company hopes the large hay stacks by eating the Legislature will approve the measure to install a breach in thp causeway during the first days of the ground level bales, causing them to eventually tip over. Mr. Ekins further explained that having so many animals concentrated in one area results in wide- spread damage to farmers and homeowners property. In addition, the animals face fenc- ing, dogs, motorists and causing further stress on the animals and reduced physical rs snow-mobile- strength. , Least Prepared "Usually, this kind of problem doesnt develop until mid-Februar- after a harsh December and January, said Mr. Ekins. "But the weather turned bad early, with lots of snow and cold temperatures. "The problem were facing now is if we dont get a January thaw, or an early spring, the deer and elk will have to go a longer period than usual under starvatoin conditions, he added. "We could lose a lot of animals because of that. Mr. Ekins said the first of the deer to perish will be the older bucks, followed by the fawns and does. The bucks perish first because they go into winter the least prepared after a fall season of mating. Mr. Ekins said up to 80 percent of the bucks fat reserves are consumed during the mating season, making them vulnerable during a harsh winter. Another problem the deer face is that they cannot derive nourishment from hay. Mr. Ekins said that this late in the game, deer will starve to death even though their Citys prospects for industrial and commercial growth brightened last week after acquiring two large parcels of land free, with no strings attached. The two parcels, consisting of a plot west of the city airport and a tract of land 100 feet wide from Broadway to 7th Street, were "gifts to Tooele City from the Atlantic Richfield Corporation. In 1983, ARCO donated the land 73 acre and building which presently houses the Tooele County Museum. As for last weeks land donation, an assessed value of the two properties has yet to be made. According to Mayor George Diehl, Tooele Citys acquiring of the two land parcels increases the opportunity for industrial and com- mercial development. "ARCO gave us the land west of the city airport to develop into an industrial site, said the mayor. "The land is already serviceable with water and sewer lines. But more importantly, the land is located nearby a major transportation link the Union Pacific Railroad. Mayor Diehl added he believes the serviceable land offered at reasonable prices, will be considered a prime site for companies looking for a new location within a com- munity "anxious for industrial growth with a readily available workforce. But the land west of the city airport does not stand alone as the prime candidate for renewed growth around Tooele City. The 100 foot wide tract of land from Broaway to 7th Street is looked upon as an excellent site for commercial development. "We hope this tract of unoccupied land will serve as a spark to ig- nite development in Newtown, said Mayor Diehl. "With proper planning, development that is long overdue for Newtown can become a reality. As for planning out the future for Caldwell Takes Auditor Post Growth Forces Division In County Clerk Office brief ceremony in the county courthouse commission chambers. Mr. Caldwell is the first person to be auditor as a separate position from the county clerk since 1952 when the offices were separated. Dennis Ewing will continue as county clerk. Mr. Caldwell will serve less than one year before facing an election in November. If he is successful in that election, he will be on the 1986 county ballot Mr. Ewing suggested the separation of the two offices because of the overwhelming growth and re- sponsibility that the county, derkaudltor office has taken on during recent years. The auditor's office will be located on the main floor of the courthouse between the treasurer and assessor offices. That area currently houses the county's computer system which will be moved to the lower floor of the courthouse. Mr. Caldwell has been working as an accountant in the county derkaudltor since 1982. Prior to working at the county, he was the director of finance at Tooele City. He is a former deputy sheriff and also worked at Caldwell's Conoco service station in Tooele. He is a volunteer fireman for Tooele City. The county auditor is a 1964 graduate of the University of Utah where he received a bachelors degree in accounting. The Legislature opens its The unusually deep snow that set in early has already began taking its toll on local deer and elk herds. Between 800 to 1000 animals have descended to the valley floow between Lakepoint and Stockton, causing problems for homeowners and farmers alike. This doe perished in one of the fields in Erda. Many more are expected to follow if relief or an early thaw does not set in. Tooele The Tooele County Wildlife Federation Is joining forces with the state division of wildlife resources and Utah Wildlife Federation to feed deer in Tooele County. Gene Ekenstam, president of the local wildlife group, says because of the heavy winter, deer herds in the Oquirrh and Stansbury Mountain ranges are in serious condition. "The deep snow has covered their winter food supply and forced them down into town and surrounding fields, Mr. Ekenstam said. "There is not enough food for them to survive. He added, "This is a very expensive project and without public support, the winter kill will be very heavy. We will lose most of of the big bucks, 95 percent of the fawns and 20 percent of the does." Mr. Ekenstam continued, "On the Heaston Range alone we could lose up to 5,000 deer." The wildlife federation president challenges all sportsmen in Tooele County to donate to the "Save the Deer project. "Any donation will help, Mr. Ekenstam said, "but if each sportsman donated $20 per month for four months, it would feed the deer until April and save our deer herds. He pleaded, "Dont wait. Help us now." Donations can be mailed to: "Save The Deer," Division of Wildlife Resources, 1596 West North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116. Contributors should write on the memo section of the check: "For Deer and Elk Emergency Feed Fund. Glenn Caldwell was sworn in as Tooele County auditor Tuesday in a session. Winter Takes Toll stomachs are full of hay. The only way to save them is an early thaw, or pellets that are intended for deer consumption. As for the elk herds, they stand a better chance, because a diet of hay will see them through the winter. What Is Being Done? In accordance with a request made by the states Division of (Continued on page twelve) City Acquires Development Land Local Wildlife Group Urges 'Save The Deer Donations ews otes Railroad Supports Breaching limits and raiding farmers hay "Theyre hungry, and have basically lost all fear of man, said Mr. Ekins. "Normally, a healthy deer would run away and not return if confronted. But they keep coming back, and thats a sure sign they are in drastic shape. Poor Range Mr. Ekins added the hunger has erased the animals fear of man, is the result of deep snow and a lack of winter range on and below the Oquirrh Mountains. "We got an early severe winter that put a lot of snow in the mountains, said Mr. Ekins. "But a lot of the two land tracts, the mayor added the "best brains in the city will get together and maximize the utilization of the land donations for future development. State Faces Correction Problems While new facilities nearing completion will temporarily relieve overcrowding at the state prison, e Utah faces some serious in its corrections system. problems This was the conclusion reached by Utah Foundation, the private nonprofit research group, in its latest study. Utah had 1,069 In prisoners housed at its state prison in a facility designed to accommodate 900 inmates. This overcrowding has restricted prison officials from housing inmates in a security level comparable to the risk involved with individual prisoners. It has also increased tension among the inmates. The Foundation study notes that the state currently is completing a new 288-befacility for male priunit for women soners and a at a cost of $19.5 million, or about $56,000 a bed. Although these new facilities will alleviate the present overcrowding, Utah still will be faced with a steady growth in the prison populalong-rang- 20-da- will be Sen. Karl Swan, Rep. Beverly White and Rep. Lee Allen. Mr. McNear also told the Governor that Southern Pacific will make available to the state about 40,000 acres of desert land for excess water if the state approves a pumping plan that would hopefully solve the long-rang- e problem of the rising lake. Christmas Tree Pickup Slated A true sign that the holiday season is over is the countless Christnumber of brittle-browmas trees that lay outside awaiting garbage collection crews. For city residents, McBride n Disposal and city collection crews will be picking up the dead trees from Jan. 9 to Jan. 13. It has been requested that city residents place trees at their site, respective garbage pick-uand that trees over four feet in length be cut in half. Cutting the taller trees in half will permit McBride Disposal to most of the trees and pick-uprocess them through their p p equipment. Parenting Classes Offered The Tooele County Health Department will offer a series of parenting classes for eight r, consecutive Mondays beginning Jan. Luana Hutchins and Lillian courthouse north auditorium from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. They will be taught by Andrea Resnick, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, who special- izes in the young child. The series will deal specifically with parenting the child from birth to two years. There will also be guest speakers from various community agencies. Those interested in attending or have any questions can call ext. 251. The educational series is being offered at no charge. 882-555- through the rest of this century. Present projections indicate that the capacity of Utah's prison will have to be expanded to 2,400 by the year 2000 to accommodate the expected flow of additional prisoners. In addition to this steady growth pattern, new laws which specify mandatory sentences for certain crimes as well as restricting the granting of parole will tend to expand further the prison population. Moreover, Increased public concern about crime and pressure Committee. He was then appointed by the county commission. Commissioner Lee Bracken says that the separation of the clerkauditor post and the appoint-men- t of Mr. Caldwell will be an advantage to Tooele County. "I am sure that he will do an excellent job, Mr. Bracken said. "He certainly has the qualifications and he has proven that he Is knowledge- Governors Message On TV Gov. Scott M. Matheson will discuss his education package that he will submit to the Legislature in a televised report Monday at 6:30 p.m. The message will be broadcast live from his office and carried on most major television and radio stations. "Much of the future of the state of Utah will be decided In the 1984 session of the Utah Legislature, Gov. Mathson said. He added, "It Is essential for placed on law enforcement officials and the courts could add to the number of persons eventually assigned to the corrections system. Foundation analysts Indicate that the proposed solutions to the corrections problem Include: (1) constructing additional able about government auditing practices. Commissioner Bracken said that it was unnecessary to separate the two offices because of the increas- all Utah citizens to become knowledgeable about the Issues facing our education system, to understand the proposals which the Legislature will consider in its upcoming budget session and to register their sentiments on these Issue with their legislative representatives." long-rang- prison facilities, andor (2) providing for alternative sentencing and selective Incarceration of the most dangerous Inmates. Each of these possible solutions has a number of drawbacks and problems. of the ing responsibility clerkauditor. "Every county in the state that is larger than Tooele County has separate clerk and auditor offices, Commissioner Bracken pointed out. "In fact, there are two that are smaller that have separated the two t the county courthouse at tion that threatens to continue the Tooele County Democratic Construction of new prison taking hli oath of office as county auditor. , facilities Is very expensive and the state currently has serious financial problems. Moreover, this alternasolu- tive offers only a short-ter(Continued on page ten) 16. The classes will be held in the 60-be- d Tupper will move with Mr. Caldwell to the auditor's office from the clerkauditor office. As county auditor, Mr. Caldwell will be responsible for accounting, auditing other county offices, purchasing, preparing budgets, payroll and other financial matters that the county is involved in. Mr. Caldwell was nominated as auditor by the central committee of budget session Monday. y Representing Tooele County d offices. Mr. Caldwell Is the husband of Diane Barlow Caldwell and they are the parents of four children. e m 1 rwt issue. .. vtUf weekly! 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