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Show Volume Ninety Cost: Twentyflve Cents Tooele, Utah Thursday, June 7, 1984 j Water System Stalls Again The Settlement Canyon Reser- voir siphon has stopped and irrigation company officials are scram- bling to get water back into the system. The impromptu siphon project, put into operation Sunday morning, stopped drawing water from the reservoir early Wednesday. For three days the system worked, removing silt and rocks from some 20 miles of irrigation lines. But Wednesday morning brought a halt to the flow. "Were not exactly sure what caused the system to stop, said Howard Clegg, president of Settlement Canyon Irrigation Company. "Weve either got debris over the pipes screen or air came back through the system, stopping the siphon." Mr. Clegg added that Thursday . divers would check the pipes screen for debris, which is lcoated 20 feet below the reservoir surface. Silt is not suspected because of the pipes distant position from the bottom and shoreline. If debris is the cause, Mr. Clegg said divers would clear the screen and the city fire department would again be asked to prime the pipe to start the siphon. . through the system, stopping the siphoa Mr. Clegg added that if for irrigation water is to blame for the siphons problems, once the system is back in operation, the water will be released into the flood control system. This effort would maintain siphon pressure and when the demand for irrigation water develops, the water would be turned back into the system for use. "We hope we can get the system working again by tonight, said Mr. Clegg. Meanwhile, as workers attempt to get the siphon back in operation, Mr. Clegg says another try will be made to clear silt away from a main line at the reservoirs bottom. The pipe, obstructed since May 14, has been the subject of several rescue missions, all failed. e "Well use an pump to air-typ- blow silt away from the pipes screen, said Mr. Clegg. "Well be doing that along with trying to get the siphon back in order. Former Tooele resident Joe Elich was named Utah State University professor of the year last day frosty snowflakes may reach valley floors, predicts local forecaster Steve Hatch. A deep low pressure system carrying unseasonably cold air will strike Utah early Sunday morning, says Mr. Hatch, bringing heavy rains to valley floors and a lowering snow level. The forecaster said that current weather conditions are typical of Tooele volunteer firemen prepare to enter a Tooele home which caught fire Wednesday afternoon. The fire was started in the home at Utah Avenue and 7th Street by a boy who removed his brothers clothes from the closet and let them with a cigarette lighter. Fire Chief Tom Tate said that structure damage to the basement bedrooms and smoke damage to the main four-year-o- ld floor is about $10,000. Tooele City Council Considers Survey Of Wage Comparisons A public hearing regarding approval of Tooele Citys operating budget for the next fiscal year went no local as expected Wednesday citizen participation. But all was not lost as week. Professor Elich was presented the Robins Professor of the Year council-membe- rs discussed possible wage for city employees. survey award at USU commencement exercises Saturday. Dr. Elich, a professor of mathematics, contributes national recognition to Utah State through his innovative teaching in applied mathematics. He is also recognized for use of calculation and computer for algebra and trigonometry instruction. "He (Dr. Elich) is considered by Dr. Fance Tingey as one of the worlds top mathematicians, said Tooele High School, Dr. Elich completed a distinguished undergraduate program at USU. He earned his master's degree at the University of California at Berkeley and continued advanced study It sounds crazy and is beyond the unexpected, but by this Sun- d Former Resident Honored Sterl Harris, former superintendent of Tooele schools. Following his graduation from More Snow? Surely You Must Jest? "But it could be debris is not the cause, said Mr. Clegg. "Because of the wet weather, there has been little demand for water. This would reduce the flow and air could back low-deman- Dr. Elich there and at UCLA and University of Oregoa Dr. Elich and his wife, Carletta, have written three textbooks which are used throughout the United States. The council and city officials brought to light that over five years has passed since a survey has been taken. Such a wage survey classifies job descriptions and sets salary schedules based on those descriptions and comparisons made of similar sized cities in Utah. Mayor George Diehl told the council that a professional wage survey needs to be taken, either of all employees or various departments. Councilman Don Peterson said all employees should be surveyed because of hidden or obvious inequities in the pay raises and current wage rate system. Mayor Diehl said a complete survey would cost just over $4000 and could not be finalized until However, the need for such a survey is great, emphasized the mid-Jul- mayor, and it would be a wise investment, ridding of questions surrounding job descriptions and pay scale increases due to cost of living. However, the council decided to wait before making a decision to go ahead with the survey. However, Chairman Colleen DeLaMare said that money had been budgeted for such a survey. As for the citys operating budget for the next fiscal year which begins July 1, the council must approve the nearly $3 million budget by June 15. Wednesday has been cited for the next city council meet- ing where the budget faces approval. In other business, the council approved a resolution authorizing ex penditures of revenue sharing funds earmarked for public safety programs. The funds, provided by the federal government, are some $190,000 in worth and will be used for police protection, etc. Because of a growing problem regarding renters defaulting water bills, the council approved a resolution raising the water meter depot for tenants to $50. The increase may counter losses resulting from tenants who leave the area without paying their water bills. Landlords who are paying the water bill for a rental facility will not have to pay the new water deposit fee. Flag Day Ceremony Set A Flag Day ceremony will be held June 14 in front of Tooele City Hall at 6 p.m. The annual ceremony will be sponsored by the Tooele Elks Lodge and will feature Mayor George Diehl as the guest speaker. Carlos Valdez, organizer of the event, said that a patriotic program has been prepared and the public is invited to attend. y. Pet Euthanasia Fact Of Life In Tooele by David Bern Editors Note: This Is the second in a two part series regarding Tooeles growing animal control problem. "All you have to do is take one look at the statistics and that says it all, admits George Winkler, city animal control supervisor. "What were running down here is nothing but a slaughterhouse ... a modern day Auschwitz." "There isnt a better word for it," he adds, without a sense of pride, or guilt. "They call it Euthanasia to cover it up, make it sound better. But what it really is, is just killing . . . and unfortunately it has to be done." Mr. Winkler is talking about the hundreds of dogs and cats that are returned, the amount takes on a staggering proportion. Forgotten Place "This is a forgotten place, says Mrs. Chadwick referring to the shelter. "Very few people really know what goes on here . . . and many wouldnt be able to stomach it. "The majority of people have a misconception of what this place really is," she added. "People think that when they drop off their pet, well find a nice new home for it. But we cant find homes for the 100 dogs and cats that come in here monthly. But what does happen to most is a meeting with two needles that end life quickly. For an impounded dog or cat, the state requires a "You can step back from all this and look at me and say that Im a killer, an executioner, said Mr. Winkler. "But Vm not the killer . . . everyone who does not properly take care of their pet is the real executioner George Winkler, city animal control supervisor, lays to rest garbage bags filled with euthanized dogs and cats at the county landfill. Mr. Winkler says Tooele has a serious dog and cat overpopulation problem because of Irresponsible pet owners. Number One yearly destroyed at the citys animal control shelter. According to Mr. Winkler and his assistant officer Katherine Chadwick, the killing is a waste and the responsibility rests on public officials and the community. "Last year it averaged out that only two out of 16 dogs or cats captured were returned to their owners, said Mr. Winkler. "The rest had to be destroyed because they were unlicensed and the owner couldnt be contacted. That ratio may not be alarming, but after learning that last year alone over 1600 animals were impounded and only a little over 200 minimum three day stay of execution if the animal is unlicensed. After that, they are destroyed and at the city animal shelter, over 1000 met a fast fate last year. A licensed animal has five days, but still meets a wasteful end It the owner doesnt make a claim for the . pet. . "People have told me that Im heartless for what I do, said Mrs. Chadwick. "But its just the opposite . . . its hard to work here and see all the killing. I love dogs and cats, which makes it even harder. Mrs. Chadwick added that destroying animals, even after all the years, still makes her cry. It is the ironic contrast of senseless but necessity, that bothers her most. The calluses may be there, but the sadness runs deep and memorable. Guilty Community "You can step back from all this and look at me and say that Tm a killer, an executioner," said Mr. Winkler. "But Im not the killer. The community is the killer . . . everyone who does not properly take care of their pet is the real executioner." With looking at last year's statistics, Mr. Winklers belief makes sense. And so far this year, the numbers havent changed course. But why so many? Why do so many dogs and cats in Tooele and their life at the shelter? "To give you an idea, we have about 500 dogs and cats licensed in the city right now," said Mr. Winkler. "Everyone knows there are hundreds more that go unlicensed. In addition, few comply with the leash law and have their pet neutered." "So what we have are too many animals that shouldnt have been born in the first place, he added. "Ive done some comparisons with other towns in the state and Tooele isn't innocent. We have one of the highest volumes of impounded and euthanized animals in the state. Both Mr. Winkler and Mrs. Chadwick tell stories of coming to work in the morning and finding a box filled with puppies or kittens at the shelter's door. In the winter people still drop them off, letting them freeze to death. "Thats what really gets me about people, said Mrs. Chadwick. "That has to be one of the most Inhumane things to do to an animal . . (Continued on page eight) mid-Apri- l. Three consecutive days oi rain has boosted the valleys precipitation total to 1.22 inches for June, reports weather observer Burdett Bevan. That already tops the monthly average of 1.06 and boosts the weather year precipation level to 23.67 inches, eight inches above the normal. The normal high for this time of year is 80 degrees. For tonight, periods of some clearing, with Friday promising to be the best day with only a few lingering showers. By late Saturday, heavy south winds will begin, coaxing Sundays storm into the area. Tonights low will be chilly, says Mr. Hatch, especially if clouds clear, permitting any warm air to rise and escape the valley floor. However, a frost warning has not been issued at press time. Fridays high should hit around 65, with evening lows throughout the weekend staying the lower to mid 40s. Saturdays high could hit the high 60s, with a drastic change coming on Sunday, the expected high no more than 50 degrees. Open Season On Sandbags Tooele Mayor George Diehl has declared Monday as the sea- son opener for removal. sandbag Local residents in need of bags of sand for home or commercial use are encouraged to take "as many sandbags as they want, the mayor said. However, sandbags on Tule Circle, Pioneer Avenue and 425 West must remain and will not be permitted for removal. A larger removal project will start next Thursday. Residents who want to take sandbags are asked to take from the top and go downward. Mayor Diehl asks residents to please keep the streets clean while taking bags. Motorists are advised to watch for pedestrians on the streets next week. Fire Season Approaches The Salt Lake District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), along with other state and federal wildland fire agencies reminds the public that the range and forest fire season is here. In recent meetings with Goshen and Rush Valley Fire De- partments, District Fire Management Officer Bob Mitchell said that we have had a great deal of spring runoff and this has produced lush growth in grasses and brush, the primary fuels. This fire season has the potential to be as bad as 1983 when the Springfield fire in west cen- tral Tooele County burned 157,000 acres. Mitchell went on to say that our first line of defense against range and forest fires has always been the people who use the public lands. This year, the BLM is relying on these people to be extra fire conscious. . In Todays Transcript Reflections |