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Show VOLUME 62, NUMBER SALINA, UTAH, THURSDAY, MARCH 9 1, 1984 PRICE 25 Is Rail Line Abandoned by Rio Grande? Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad may be in violation of its common carrier status, which could open the door to legal action against the railroad and restoration of rail service to southern Utah. That possibility is being explored r TranSanpete-Seviethe sportation Task Force and state officials working to get the in Branch back Marysvale operation. by Middle is ready for opening night Thursday (tonight) as the North Sevier Middle School presents its second annual musical at the new school. The play starts at 7 Bye Bye School Musical Birdies cast Doctors At OddsWith School Insurance MONROE Richfield doctors and Sevier School Districts medical insurance company have agreed to meet and try to resolve their differences, since they werent able to Thursday. Educators Mutual Insurance Association and two local physicians met with the Sevier School Board Thursday in Monroe to discuss the doctors concerns with some of the insurance companys policies. havent had many complaints about their medical insurance. percent of the people we polled are very happy with it, he told the board. Overall, were pleased with our insurance and see no reason to change it right now. Ninety-fiv- e From our side of it with EMIA, weve had very good cooperation, said district clerk Samuel Ware. But the doctors in the region say they havent. This is a universal Most of their objections center around EMIAs cost containment program, designed to offset rising jnedical costs. feeling among doctors here, said Dr. Mark Greenwood. Weve had just poor dialogue. Were spending too much money said what were getting, The doctors mentioned four specific EMIA policies they dont like. for EMIAs L.C. Miles of the reason for starting the cost reform program. Theres overutilization of the (medical) system. Miles said the new program saves the company $3.5 million a year, and that the patients are happy with it. He cited a Dan Jones poll of EMIA members that showed 80 percent support the cost containment measures. But cost containment means loss said Dr. of some quality care, William R. Worley, Jr. I Miles. dont think so, countered Rick Pruitt, Sevier Education Association president, said teachers 1. required for 2. Some surgery must be done on basis. Second opinions some surgery. Same day admittance for some surgery. 3. 4. Monetary incentives for early hospital release. Miles said second opinions are required for some elective surgery. But he said second opinions do not have to done at the Salt Lake Clinic. Brent Crane of EMIA said patients are sometimes referred to the Salt Lake Clinic if they request the name of a doctor who can do a second opinion. EMIA has a contract with the Salt Lake Clinic designating it as a preferred provider. We certainly dont request a second opinion on every medical procedure, said Miles. But theres no question that some surgery is being done that probably doesnt need to be. Miles said any physician, outside the original doctors own clinic, may give a second opinion. We would like all medical services that can be performed in Richield done here, he said. We have never mandated anyone to go to the Salt Lake Clinic. We recognize there has to be cost containment, Greenwood told the board. Medical costs have gotten out of hand. But we think some of the policies EMIA has are not in the best interest of the patient. Miles said same day admission for elective surgery and decreasing the length of hospital stays have been endorsed by the Utah State Medical Association. Theres a chance at this point that D&RGWs stalling is actually an explained illegal abandonment, Allen Fawcett, Six County planning director. The railroad has yet to say whether it intends to repair the line, even though Thistle Lake has been drained, he said. The task force met Friday in Richfield with Caine Alder of the Utah Dept, of Transportation to decide its next step, which will be a meeting with state support personnel in Salt Lake City next Friday (if it can be arranged). Governor Scott Matheson has appointed Public Safety Commissioner Larry Lunnen and Assistant Attorney General Don Coleman to assist the local force. task Alder said he has been consulting with Michael McBride, a renowned railroad attorney in Washington, D C., about the situation. He said UDOT will likely retain McBride for any legal action against D&RGW, if its necessary. Fawcett said the task force is trying to find out exactly what legal obligations bind D&RGW and whether the railroad is liable for financial losses experienced by companies that had relied on rail service in the past. Mark Fuhriman of the Six County office in Nephi said area businesses are losing a combined total of about $5,000 a day because of the absence of rail service. And he said that may be a conservative estimate. Sevier County Commissioner T. Merlin Ashman asked Alder why UDOT doesnt just petition the Interstate Commerce Commission for help in settling the issue. But Alder said it would take too long, at least a year, to get any results. However, he said there is no question the ICC would not allow the line to be abandoned. Miles said if complications arise after surgery intended to be per- formed on an basis requires a longer hospital stay, a note from the doctor is all thats needed for full coverage. nt Same day surgery had become a burden for those living great distances from the hospital, Miles. So, EMIA acknowledged began paying for a motel room the night before. He said thats cheaper than a days hospital bill. But Greenwood said he prefers to admit patients the night before for some surgeries so they can finish the lab work and moniter what the patient eats. He said this is good medical practice in some cases and does not raise the doctors bill. NSHS Player Named To State A Team Kelly Nielsen, a senior forward on the North Sevier High School Varsity Boy s Basketball Team, has been named to the Utah Academic All State Basketball Team. Only about 40 boys are chosen for this honor each year, according to Kellys coach, Bruce Hoggard. Each boy must have a 3.5 grade point average or better to qualify; must be involved in community and school activities; be a starter on his respective team, and be a leader. Kelly Nielsen Kelly qualifies in all of these areas, and competed with about 100 other young men for the state honor. The Senior is Student Body President at NSHS, active in his Church, in IDS Seminary, and other activities. His parents are Ked Nielsen and Vicki Nielsen, Aurora. Kelly is one of those kinds of kids who is a good example, and gives everything hes got in no matter what the situation, lauded Coach Hoggard. Were proud of him, and it is an honor to have him in our program. Georgia Pacific in Sigurd Gets New Plant Manager From Atlanta David Corkill, a native of Michigan, has been appointed plant manager at the Georgia Pacific Corporation in Sigurd. SIGURD Corkill, who was transferred from Atlanta, replaces Shar Jorganson, who has been transferred to Virginia. The new plant manager attended college at Michigan State, was in the Army and has been involved with Georgia Pacific the past 16 years, he said. While in Atlanta, he was product manager in the Gypsum Division. When he was offered the chance to move to Utah he said he had no trouble making the decision to move because of the beautiful country and Weather 50th Cookieversary These three girl scouts (from left, Canisha Gurr, Cassidi Hansen and Rachel Mason) want to tell all of the North Seier area that the GSA is selling girl scout cookies again for the 50th ear in a row! Scouts to Note Cookieversary When the Girl Scouts begin their annual cookie sale Friday, March 2nd, it will mark the 50th anniversary of this American Tradition. The idea for the cookie sale was bom back in the twenties, when individual troops held cookie sales as fund raisers. Word of the sales success spread, and soon the number of participating troops grew. The first sale of commercially baked cookies was held 50 years ago. Shortbread Trefoil, Peanut Butter Patty, Chocolate Chunk, and Peanut Butter Creme. The annual cookie sale is still the main fund raiser for the organization for Girls between the ages of 6 and 17. The girls will be taking orders March 2 through 12. Money will be collected in April upon delivery. Money raised helps support troop activities and resident camp programs and maintenance. A sweet note.. 50 percent of your cookie order is tax deductible! Boys State June 3-- 9 The Salina American Legion Post again sponsoring young men for Utah Boys State. 36 is the fine people. Corkill said it also gives him the chance to work back in a plant as opposed to out of the office. He and his wife Diane have three children and three grandchildren. The current precipitation since Oct. 1 is 4.75. Last year at this same time it was 4.02. versary cookie has been created. It will be sold along with six other favorites: the Thin Mint, Samoa, If a Girl Scout misses taking your order call: Connie Hansen, 5297692, or Dana Andreason, 529-762- I Boys State should get in touch with Legion Commander Ronnie |