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Show Volume Ninety Tooele, .Utah Thursday, January 31, 198S Cost: Twenty-fiv- e Slippery Mud In Reservoir Slows Project by David Bern Work to remove tons of mud around the Settlement Canyon Reservoirs outlet has been slowed by constant obstacles and the entire project is behind schedule, says an irrigation company official. Howard Clegg, president of Pictured Is the bottom of Settlement Canyon Reservoir and construction to remove mud from the reservoirs outlet for repairs. A wall of gravel Is being laid around the outlet (center and underwater) to keep mud from sliding back around the outlet. Continual problems have put the project behind schedule. v Geographical Isolation Behind Suicides, Says Dept . Note: This Is the second In a series of articles dealing with suicides and their impact on our communities. This article was authored by Gary Dalton, Director, Dept, of Health and Human Services. and old as well Young people across the USA are taking their lives in record numbers 5,239 persons aged 15 to 24 killed themselves in 1980, a 41 percent increase over 1971 and parents, human service officials and school officials are wondering why. In some parts of the USA, suicide rates have gone up as much as 250 percent since 1970. From a Statement of Health Policy, a planning document released by the State Dept, of Health, we learn that Utahs age specific rates for suicides are higher than the rates nationally for every age group except those 25-2- 9 years of age. It should be noted that Utahs suicide rates are lower than those for the balance of the Mountain States; i.e., Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, etc. Exceptions are persons years of age. Historically, suicide rates are higher in the western states than they are in the balance of the country. In fact, in 1979 all western states had suicide 30-4- 9 rates higher than the national average. Tooele Countys vital statistics show that in 1970 there were no suicides committed. Information concerning the number of is unavailable. Ten years later, the data shows that nine suicides were committed which by the way, is the highest number recorded in the County. Since 1980, the county has experienced a rather "stable suicide dilemma; averaging six per year. Some people would not find these numbers a problem to digest. Nevertheless, what becomes frightening is that the increased numbers of attempts and completed suicides are steadily age growing amongst the group and the age group. Said another way ". . . our youth are finding suicide more paiatible as an end to their problems than conventional choices such as working with family members or 35-4- 4 15-2- 4 seeking professional help. It is not clear why suicide rates are higher in Utah and the Mountain States. Recent reported mortality data shows a strong relationship between youthful suicide and population density. "The relationship between suicide and relative isolation appears plausible. The long distances between towns and homes in the West may result in less close family ties. The support of famiy and friends that can be so helpful at times of depression or other stressful occasions, may be much less available in the West, according to Richard H. Seiden writing in the Western Journal of Medicine. However, many other factors, such as the proportion of Indian population, aicoholdrug consumption rate, and poor economic conditions are a few of the stressful situations leading to this response pattern. But what ofTooele County's problems. Many do not see Tooeles environment as particularly hard hit by economic problems; nor do they see isolation factors. It would seem that we have such quaint and progressive communities that there would be no reasons for ending life. May I take a few lines and address local concomcerns which are munication isolation and depres- , ' 17-fo- -- two-fol- sion. Communication isolation: Tooele County is isolated geographically and many youths complain of little or no recreation outlets and a lack of pridecommit-men- t within their communities. Some would argue this. Most will not argue that families have become increasingly more separated and in many cases dysfunctional. As more and more families divorce and see a scattering of family our society is very members mobile it becomes important for good patterns of communication to develop. Even in the best of families, communication with teens is often strained, ever-mor- e almost always misunderstood. Family woes or communication isolation is a very real dilemma. In all of the recent suicide gestures there has been some variation on the theme of family problems whether it be loneliness, financial or the misunderstood expectations. Adults are quick to project their concerns for their child's "peculiar behavior on rock music, the occult, or even deviant gangs and there is no evidence to suggest that any of these factors were present in the recent suicides. (Continued on page five) Settlement Canyon Irrigation Com-- ; pany, says unstable mud around the damaged outlet at the reservoirs bottom is responsible for delaying the installation of a new outlet. "We have had just constant problems with the mud, said Mr. Clegg. "Well use the drag line around the outlet, and more mud will just slide in to take its place. To combat that problem, Mr. Clegg said solid material from the reservoirs head is being dumped around the outlet to keep mud from sliding back around it The irrigation company president added the outlet is plugged because of the mud, but that was expected once the water level was let down. "Weve been pumping water out of the reservoir because of the plugged outlet, said Mr. Clegg. "Last night, we had most of the water out. The long cason pipe that . was laid over the outlet last summer to keep mud out, has now been reduced to about eight feet. The re- mainder . w of the cason pipe envelopes the damaged outlet. VIThe drag line just makes every-- thing like thick gravy, said Mr. Clegg. "We even have slippage from over by the spillway coming down to, the outlet. Were going to lay material over there too to try to stabilize it. Mr. Clegg added the main objective right now is to get the entire outlet exposed and free from mud. After that, a concrete square pipe will be laid on the face of the dam down to the outlet. The concrete pipe will feature three separate outlet levels to keep the system operational even with more siltation. But before that new system can be installed, the old outlet has to be unplugged and clear of mud, "We are just planning as we go, trying to get around each problem as it appears, said Mr. Clegg. "Because of all the problems, were about two weeks behind where Id like to be. A drag line on a crane at the reservoirs bottom is dumping mud into two dump trucks. A rock material wall is also being set per vehicle instead of the usual two. She has introduced a bill into the legislature to make the neces- sary change and points out that she has observed that 25 percent of the vehicles on the the road have only one plate. Another legislator is introducing a bill that would place the name of the county in which the vehicle is registered on the front license plate. Some lawmakers want new auto license plates to advertise the state's ski industry. The House of Representatives was expected to use up most of Thursday in a debate on a propo- - The master plan for the Tooele ValleyBolinder Field airport in Erda got a frosty reception Wednesday during a public meeting attended mostly by resident living near the county facility. That frosty reception resulted after consultants presented the master plan which details the airport's potential growth over the next 20 years. That growth includes possibly acquiring more land, lengthening the runway and being base for over 150 airplanes. There are 10 airplanes housed at the Erda facility. In the county courthouse auditorium, Todd Wlrthlin of Rocky Science Engineering of Salt Lake City, began the meeting by explaining how his consulting firm collated data for the master plan. The page volume of the plan took 14 months to prepare, using a master plan advisory 200-plu- s committee consisting of local resi- dents. The plan, which cost $45,000, was over 90 percent paid for by the FAA. Using a slide presentation, Mr. Wlrthlin explained scenarios along Wasatch Front airports that would The Yukon Express blitzed Tooele Wednesday night and Thursday morning dropping g eight inches of snow and the Tooele low to two degrees. Eighteen below zero was recorded for the overnight low in Clover. plum-mettin- Weather observer Burdett Bevan reports that the snow storm however, contained rela- low precipitation amounts. The eight inches of snow only brought .48 inches tively of moisture. Januarys totals, according to Mr. Bevan, show that the valley received 1.42 inches of moisture for the month, above the normal aof 1.22 inches. This boosted the weather years total to 8.40 inches compared to the normal of 5.48 inches. Tooele residents also wit- outlet. Meanwhile, the ditch running alongside the reservoir's west bank continues to carry water from the canyon and pumped water from Wrench Springs. The water from for four week summer tour of Europe that-i- s being formed in the Tooele area. that ditch runs directly into the siphon pipe on top of the dam. sal to raise the states tax on cigarettes by eight cents per pack. Proponents say that it will discourage young people from taking up the smoking habit. Those opposing the bill say that the tax increase is not warranted until the state proves that added funds are necessary. A bill that would change the state's labor laws, which some le- gislators label a "union buster" and step backward in the states labor relations, is also under con- sideration. The state attorney generals office and the supreme court have told legislators that they need additional funds to increase staff sa- laries because they cannot compete with the private sector in holding on to trained legal help. (Continued on page five) working document for guidance in the future. Available Openings are still available The tour is directed by Tooele High history teacher Holger B.C. Tychsen and will run from June 18 through July 18. The group will visit Leningrad, Russia, the Palace of Ver- sailles, Vigeland Sculpture Park, Tivoli Gardens, sail the Baltic Sea and several other sites of hitorical interest. Those interested in more information on the tour may contact Mr. Tychsen at 882-477- More Snow And Cold For Weekend Weather forecaster Steve Hatch says last nights storm was a definite lake effect pat- tern, with extreme cold air passing over the Great Salt Lake and drawing moisture like a sponge. He said if the air aloft was not so cold, the amount of snow would have been far less. As for weather over the next three days, Mr. Hatch says count on temperatures to remain cold tonight through the weekend. There is a good chance of snow for Friday, with a large disturbance expected by Saturday. The weather forecster said a weak impulse will brush by Utah tonight, likely to produce one to two inches of snow by noon Friday. However, much deeper snow is predicted for Saturday and Sunday, as computer charts indicate Pacific mositure possibly mixing with the artic air. Mr. Hatch stressed if that scenario occurs, all the elements will be in place for a The consultant said that by 1988, 47 airplanes could be based units. Vethere with 20 hicle parking could be expected to reach 70 where presently there ma- jor winter storm. Mercury movement over the next three days will depend mostly on cloud cover, says Mr. Hatch. For tonight, three to five above zero is expected, with Friday's high around 18 are only 10. By the year 2003, 155 airplanes could be based there with 40 units. As for vehicle parking, the number could increase to 125. Mr. Wlrthlin said with the given scenario, the runawy would be degrees. For Saturday and Sunday, overnight lows may not go below zero if cloud cover exists. Highs for the weekend will stick to the low to middle lengthened from 5,500 feet to (Continued on page five) Yukon Expresses Valley Tour Openings He said the concrete pipe will only be handled once, laying it directly seven scenarios and chose one that would most likely occur. Mr. Wlrthlin emphasized that statistics covering the next five years are more realistic than those for 20 years away. He further stressed the master plan is only a Road. News on the dams face down to the away. Mr. Clegg said the concrete pipe effect the county airport. He said the advisory committee dealt with 6,900 feet, with the new pnorth end of the runway. With the 1,400 feet of additional runway, a portion of Highway 40 to Grantsville would need to be moved northward. Mr. Wlrthlin said the runway would not be expanded southward over Erda Way r has been made, but will not be shipped until the old outlet is required and ready for the new pipe. around the outlet to keep mud Airport Plan Gets Frosty Reception by David Bern Thirty-fou- nessed 20 inches of snow landing locally in the past month, also above the 14J4 inches average. The high in January was 42 degrees and the coldest day was recorded last night at two degrees. One License Plate Bill Introduced By White by Hugh Barnes Utah would save $300,000 annually, Rep. Beverly White says, if the state required only one plate Number Cents teens. In This Issue T.V. Several dozen people attended Wednesday night's master plan presentation on the Tooele ValleyBolinder Field Airport In Erda. Eugene Strickland of Erda asks a question about the airports expected expansion over the next 20 years. Weekly |
