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Show jt Vi f UDOT rfim r r f ifi WWr iii Tirnr r umiHiirtfiiiiiiiiiiitiiTiMirr wtmm to combine local districts' operations The Utah Department of Trans- portation has announced the consolidation of two of its southern Utah field operation units. Under the proposal, which will be presented to the Utah State Legislature when it meets in January, several unctions of UDOTs three southern Utah districts will be combined into one regional operation. Project development, highway construction management, materials labs and general administrative functions will be overseen by a newly created and yet to be named, regional director headquartered in Richfield. The existing UDOT districts will operate under the administration of the regional director. The districts will oversee highway maintenance operations, project management permits and encroachments and will be responsible for liaison with local officials. The environment we operate in requires us to constantly look for ways to streamline our operations and provide improved service, said Eugene Findlay, UDOT executive Director. When you look at our program for the next five to ten year,s our current staffing and operational structure simply is not going to do the job. We are top heavy in some areas, and have gaping holes in others. The consolidation calls for the highway design, materials testing and construction management functions which are now being overseen by three district offices in Price, Richfield and Cedar City - to be combined and managed out of the central region office. The combined units will provide better support and specialization for design and construction on a regional basis that can todays district support groups. According to Mr. Findlay, When we look to the future, an individual rural district will not have enough projects going at any one time to support its design and construction squads. However, if we combine our units, we can strengthen our squads by allowing those specialized abilities to be used throughout southern Utah. We can then provide the expertise needed, where and when we need it and at the same time keep the number of total employees at a bare minimum. While the long term effect of consolidation will be fewer em- - North Sevier area Toys for Tots program is great The Toys for Tots program was very successful this year, according to Nancy Frame, this years chair person. In addition, many other organizations, businesses, individuals, helped make Christ- mas a happier day for families throughout the area. The Elks Lodge helped 5 families with Christmas; The Toys for Tots program, helped 14 families The American Legion helped provide food for 3 families; LDS Wards also helped many families, as did several individuals who took care of the entire needs of control, blaming predators for the declining number of deer and pheasants in this area. Sportsmen, trappers, stockmen, and government biologists agree that expanding populations of predators and loss of habitat mean fewer deer and pheasants, so noted Paul Niemeyer, president of the Sevier Would you like a part-Cho- w puppy? Salina Animal Control Officer Lloyd Mullican says he has five cute part-chopuppies if anyone is looking for a pet The puppies were dumped at the Salina City Park on Christmas Day. Mullican says he hates to see the puppies put to sleep. He says the g little pups are friendly, and active. For more information, call Mullican at w Chow-lookin- 529-381- 9. Immunization Clinic Jan. 8 The Central Utah District Health Department will hold an immuni- , zation clinic in Salina, Wednesday, January 8, 1992 at the American Legion BUilding from 9 to 11:30 a.m. All personnel adjustments to this plan will be made through retire- ments, normal attrition, transfers and promotions. The plan will be presented to the legislative committees early in the 1992 general Legislature Session. at Gypsum plant Fire A fire broke out at the Georgia Pacific Gypsum plant on Friday afternoon, December 27, 1991. The fire was contained before massive damage occurred. The fire broke out in the edge banding building apparently as a space heater ignited glue fumes. The flames started in the floor joists and then moved to the walls and roof. Fire trucks from the Richfield Fire Department responded and contained the fire before the fire spread through the entire building. families including gifts, dinner, etc. The Salina Youth Council provided food and work hours, helping box items for delivery. where a suicide December 26th, was reported. Upon arrival, the investigating officer found Todd E. Neilson, 20, dead in his car. Death was report The generosity of the people in this area is overwhelming, said Mrs. Frame. There was lots of good will toward men - and the Christmas spirit was just wonderful, said Mrs. Frame. All who helped in any way with any of these projects are thanked for their part in making the Christmas season a happier one for many area residents. Wildlife Federation. Sevier County was once a center for some of the best pheasant hunting in the state, according to Niemeyer, but that story is no longer true. The wildlife federation is getting the support of state Rep. Brad who told Johnson, members at a recent meeting that they must unite to overcome the uneven influence animal rightists, anti hunting and other outside organizations are exerting in dictating the management of wildlife resources. About two years ago, the Sevier Wildlife Federation attempted a control program to decrease the number of predators in the Sevier Valley by paying youngsters for destroying them. But it was highly criticized by animal rights groups, and the program was abandoned. One report noted that more than 40 pheasant carcasses were found in one fox den in Sevier County. Johnson reports he will try to organized a coalition of land users that will include stockmen, trappers, sportsmen, loggers, miners, and others in an effort to get rational multiple use and conservation philosophies back into wildlife and wildland management. Those interested in keeping the predators under control, want to bring back the thousands of hunters who once flocked to Rooster Valley as Sevier County was called years ago due to its abundance of rooster pheasants. Firemen were called to the Georgia Pacific Gypsum Plant in Sigurd last Friday afternoon when fire broke out in the edge banding buildinq. Fumes from glue had apparently been ignited by a space heater. Fortunatley, fireman were able to contain the blaze before it spread to the rest of the Georgia Pacific buildings. Suicide victim found The Sevier County Sheriffs office was called to 100 West 100 North, Aurora, at 7 a.m. Thursday, Sevier Wildlife Federation calls for predator control The Sevier Wildlife Federation has called for increased predator ployees, Findlay said there are no plans for any type of reduction in force program. There will be no layoffs, he said. This will be a phased transition over several years. edly due to a single shot from a .22 rifle to the head. The body was taken to the medical examiners for autopsy, and investigation continues. Funeral arrangements had not been arranged at our press time. Sevier County employees will have 8 raise Sevier County employees will get an 8 percent pay raise and increased benefits on January 1, but commissioners say they wont levy any additional taxes even though there will be a slight budget increase over 1991. The 1992 Sevier County budget was adopted at $4,435,605 compared with $4,373,833 in 1991. About 50 people attended a public meeting on the budget, and urged the commission to curb spending by cutting services if necessary. It was suggested that fire contracts be consolidated;' that the number of personnel be reduced in the sheriffs department; and that employees be assigned to work in more than one department. The budget for the Sheriffs department increased by about $ 100,000 but Sheriff John Meacham said many of the expenditures are offset by pass through money from other government agencies. Some residents complained that the pay raise was too much considering the present economy, however the commissioners said that the employees had taken a cut in pay three years ago, and have not had an increase for two years. The added that medical insurance paid by the county costs about $400 per month fora family plan, $300 fora couple, and $200 per individual. Legion Post sets New Year's Eve dance Salina American Legion Post 36 will host a New Year's Eve Dance, tonight, December 31, at the Salina Legion Hall. Music will be by Bill Rolfe and his 'Harmony Serenaders.' Tickets are $15 purchased in advance, or $20 per couple at the door. County should soon have new grocery store If everything goes according to plan, Richfield will be getting a new grocery store in the near future. Plans are complete for Rogers Supermarket, and an architect is waiting for the final word to get started on the building, notes Roger Terry, who holds 75 of the stock in the supermarket enterprise, according to Reed L. Madsen, correspondent for the Deseret News. The corporation also owns stores in Morgan and Palisade, CO. Plans call for a 30,000 square foot store in Richfield that will Must Winter Wonderland. No matter where you looked last week you saw everything covered with dainty ice particles full-servi- e. in Classroom, Jan. 6 students get two extra days vacation NSHS School will get underway for most students on Thursday, Januhowever, students from ary 2 North Sevier High School will not return to school until Monday, January 6. Teachers at NSHS will be involved in a three day session with Sandy Hemmert, to make plans for the future of the high school. The teaching staff at NSHS was - Jt 1 be back employ 60 to 70 people. The cost of the building is estimated to be $2.7 million. Terry notes that financing plans are not yet complete, because financing is difficult with the economy the way it is - and this is a big project were undertaking. Terry adds that the store will include a n deli, bakery, and a pharmacy. Officials hope to break ground for the new market in the spring and have it open by mid-JunTerry says that having two major markets in the area will be good for everyone. Jm pared down on December 13, and the remaining teachers will meet with principals, and other staff to make decisions affecting subjects to be taught at NSHS; goals for students at NSHS to achieve; gradu- ation requirements; etc. Teachers at NSHS will make substitutions in leave days later on in the year to make up for the two extra days vacation being taken next week. tytfJ as the inversion kept frost on the valley floor. Not far from town as the elevation rose, was sunshine and blue skies. |