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Show Volume 71 to decide on funding of CIB IT Events Center ..ITHUM Salmas Equestrian Center made the headlines of the Richfield Reaper as Mayor Jay C. Anderson of Richfield blasted the events center as a luxory and therefore unworthy of county support through a county wide restaurant food tax. These comments were heard during a meeting with the county commissioners where he said neither he nor the people of Richfield are opposed to the project. We just dont feel that the county has any busienss imposing a luxury tax on restaurant food for everyone in the county to help fund a luxury project. Commissioner Merlin Ashman commented after the story was published that the mayors discussion with them had not disuaded the county commissioners from their committment to the project. Rest assurd, the county commission is behind this project 100 percent, he said. He further commented that the more the mayor talked the more he was convinced that if this project were being considered for Richfield it wouldnt be considered a luxory. The commissioners agreed to provide $20,000 per year for several years to the Salina Municipal Building Authroity to help pay for costs related to the events center, contingent on the CIB awarding the authority a requested $500,000 grant and a $500,000 3 percent interest loan. Already there are $200,000 of local committments to get the project off and running. County Clerk Steve Wall said that if the county imposed the full - percent tax, which is allowable by Utah law, some $60,000 to $75,000 per year could be raised. We are still trying to find out if the entire 1 percnet would have to be imposed, or if only a portion could be put into place, said Wall. After much consideration the building authority sided with the food tax as a way of rasing the additional funds needed for the project. They felt that this would be a fund that v.ould tap the tourists going through the area more than it would impact loc tl residents. This way, outside money would be used to build and sustain local projects. The members of this committee also took offense with Mayor Anderson calling the project a luxory project. It has been quite some time since the North Sevier area has had an opportunity to complete a project that could bring in over a million do lars of economy a year to the area. This is not a luxory. It is a project built on economy, said Danna Shaw, building authority president. With the support of the county commissioners the project requests will be before the CIB again in October. The county leaders already have placed the project on a priority list ahead of such projects as the county jail and Applied Technology Center expansion desires. Both of which are supported stronly by Richfield City officials. The following is a letter prepared by the Building Authority president Danna Shaw to further explain the progress of the center and their upcoming meeting with the CIB the first week in October. Price 50 Cents Wednesday, September 123, 1992 Number 38 -- V- it V ' f. ! l tr kW k & 2 Jiof'Sj ' . 1- Dear Citizens of Sevier County, I am writing this letter to hopefully accomplish many things. First and utmost a big thank you to all people who are responsible in working together to obtain a goal for progress in the North Sevier area. The success of working hard and unselfishly to accomplish a $1.2 million dollar facility for a much needed struggling econ- Continued on page 9 People Helping People Last Saturday people from throughout the region flocked to an auction held in Aurora City Park in behalf of Kris McBride, who is in need of a liver transplant. The auction included items of every description, and Auctioneer Bob Bagley said that the final total raised through the event was more than $20,000. aessaoessascss eeesstseej Fee waivers, classroom equipment maintenance, funds on district agenda Will Jolley, principal of Ashman Elementary School, Richfield, told the Sevier District School Board that enrollment at the school is 504 students. He also spoke of staffing and summer projects of the school, as he addressed the September 10, board meeting. Jolley thanked his custodial staff, who in partnership with the District Maintenance Department had installed a sprinkling system and replaced damaged lawn at the school. He noted an Ashman Eagle project wherein the playground equipment was painted and new lines were painted on the playground. Another Eagle Scout project is in progress, and will include installation of asphalt walkways in the outdoor classroom. He also thanked District personnel for the projects completed including installation of new panic hardware. Jolley said Patti Lyman is PTA president, and said he was thankful for such a strong PTA organization. Jolley told of goals such as small, productive classes. He said reading groups have six to ten students, and said kindness and respect for others is emphasized in the classrooms. Principal Randy Brown, Cedar Ridge High School, told the Board that his school is off to a good start, and are on a trimester schedule this year. He added that the school offers increased curriculum to its students. Students at Cedar Ridge also have access to classes at Sevier Valley Applied Technology Center, and also make use of portable classrooms. Five Cedar Ridge students have returned to regular school programs.He noted that Cedar Ridge is more than a school - It is a community center of learning with a broad range of services. The program is working. The program is effective, he added. Superintendent Brent Thome discussed school enrollments. Total elementary enrollment is down 114 students. Student teacher ratios in grades Kindergarten - 3, ratios in grades 4 are excellent, but the student-teacher large. Middle school enrollment is down six; school enrollment is up 103 students. The Richfield high Dormitory as 120 students and is at capacity. Sam Ware, District Business Administrator, told the Board that mandates were taking their loll on the districts heartland budget. These required mandates and programs are important and good, he noted, but they are causing difficulues for the district financially. Some of the mandates include: fee waivers, American Disabilities Act, asbestos, radon, gas, and fuel tanks. He voiced appreciation and concern for grants such as the Educational Technology Initiative which gives grants to purchase equipment, however, there is no accompanying money for the expensive maintenance that is required. This is one reason the Districts heartland funding continues to shrink. Ware said. He told the Board of a guidebook entitled School-hous- e in the Red. As the book points out, schools are the sector of the economy that cannot automatically pay only higher energy costs or increased costs by charging more and 5 are Continued on page 9 Gunnison Prison investigates inmate suicide inmate of Central Utah Correctional Facility, Gunnison, apparently committed suicide in his cell Saturday, according to the Department of Corrections. Donald Runion, inmate of the Aspen Unit, was discovered by his roommate and a correctional officer dead in his cell. Initial reports indicate that Runion had used a sheet tied to the top bunk. He was last seen at about 9:30 a.m. by other inmates going into his cell. While preparing for the 11 a.m. count, he was discovered by his roommate and an officer. Medical staff attempted to administer treatment until 11:31 a.m. when he was pronounced dead by Dr. Richard Nay, a Gunnison physician. David Franchina, department spokesman, said Runion left an apparent suicide note addressed to Mom and Dad. Runion was committed to the Utah State Prison from SaltLake County on September 10, 1991 for Aggravated Robbery, a first degree felony, with a sentence from five years to life. He was set to be reheard by the Board of Pardons, Sept. 1, 1994. The next of kin have been notified. Staff of the Department of Corrections are investigating the incident. The Sanpete County Sheriff s Office and Sanpete County Attorney have been notified. The body will be turned over to the State Medical Examiner. A Fun at Gooseberry Campout Parents were invited to attend a Monday night dinner at Gooseberry Campground with their third graders. Each year the third grade classes of all schools in the District are invited to spend the night at Gooseberry. They attend workshops and do all sorts of fun things, and part of the annual event is a visit from the eerie Annie Bangs' who is said to make her home in the area. ld |
