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Show ‘TheSalt Lake Tribune UTAH/THE WEST Sunday, October 12, 2003 8 Alcoholin fire halls debated after DUI charges . STATE OF THE STATE Counties making news One teen killed: Firefighters accused ofbeing underthe influence while drivingto a blaze is at the heart ofthe issue By Ropert BLAcK The Associated Press againstfirefighters answeringa call after drinking, and fire Chief Dennis Estes said the fire marshal was outof line. “T want to e-maii the guy back and say ... Why don’t you e-mail me something on recruitment and retention? That’s. our problem,” Estes said. “The alcohol is not the problem.” Estes noted that in both of the DUI cas- SEVIER The traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibit, “Key Ingredients: America by Food,” is at the Sevier Valley Centerin Richfield and will continue Mondaythrough Friday until Nov. 29 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. It will be available for viewing on Saturdays by special request. Kevin Arrington, Sevier County Tourism and Events director, said the exhibit will explore many modern words and phrases that originated in medieval food customs. The presentation will explore many expressions through a description of a medieval banquet, from preparation to serving. In addition to the free exhibit, a children’s coloring contest, a high school poetry contest and a tractor show will be part of the program. Hal Edwards WASHINGTON The Virgin Fire Departmentis looking for more volunteers. The crew now has about a dozen volunteers, but Assistant Chief Sandra Grow said more are needed. Fire Chief Gary Brattonis a retired 37-year veteran from the San Bernardino County, Calif., department, and has conducted training sessions for recruits every Mondaynight. The department is housed at the old pump station on Kolob Road and has a brush truck and a pumperengine on loan. Grow said the departmenthas hoses, nozzles and shovels but is still short of turn-out gear, wild-land gear and manuals. The Spectrum DAGGETT The town of Manila hasreceived a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grantfor $160,000 and loan for $160,000 to updateits drinking waterdistribution system. The project will address the water system pressure and fire flow needs. Twelve new fire hydrants will be installed as well as gate-valve @ Continued from B1 and U.S. Congress. @ What if the GOP’s support of Pignanelli backfires? What if the former Democratic leaderin the House of Representatives becomes the de facto Republican candidate? Anderson has suggested as much, though the mayor has big-name Republicans behind him, too. “Frank can only win if he gets a substantial numberof the Republican voters whilestill being true to whoheis,” says Dave Buhler, a city councilman and former Republican candidate for mayor. “He’s not a Republican.” The race is officially nonpartisan. But to suggest that party affiliation doesn’t matter is like saying the Olympics are about sport. Voters in Salt Lake City didn’t help elect Republicans Gov. Mike Leavitt, Sen. Bob Bennett or even President Bush. And the last time they elected a Republican mayor, Hola was in the first grade. From the soundofit, the GOP, which controls virtually every political arena in the state, has punted on taking backits capital city. “It’s not too likely that we'll ever have a Republican mayorof Salt Lake City,” says Joe Cannon, chairman of the Utah Republican Party. “You'd be betting against that if you were a betting person.” So when Hola, a 38-year-old businessman with noties to the party’s innercircle, entered the race, Republican supporters weren't overly enthusiastic. Some were downright combative. Richard Snelgrove, former Utah Republican Party chairman, sent out a postcard with Pignanelli’s campaign logo that suggested Hola couldn't win: “Rocky Anderson must be defeated! The only candidate who can beat him is Frank Pignanelli. ... Please use wisdom in casting your vote.” The message that a vote for Hola was a wasted ballot — offended the Hola campaign. But their anger was aimed at Pignanelli, not Snelgrove or the Republican establishment. “I don’t have any bad Nearly a third of the town’s 3,000 peo- personal vehicle July 9 while under the ple turned out for Huber’s funeral. Her death angered many in the community. “It put the whole community in shock,” said Mayor Ed Wagoner, himself a volunteerfirefighter. “Losing one of our own,and then finding out the charges being filed, there was a lot of anger I had to deal with personally.” In Thermopolis, fire Chief Mark Collins is accused of driving to a blaze in his influence of alcohol. He has pleaded innocent, but a change of plea hearing is scheduled Oct.31. feelings,” says Hola. “The Republican Party treated me with respect and [gave] as much support as they could. Republicans supported Frank because they wanted Rocky out.” Toward the end of the campaign, the GOP donated $1,000 to Hola on Sept. 22 and held a fundraiser on Sept. 23 that generated $5,000. Former Congressman Jim Hansen donated to Hola. So did Fred Lampropoulos, a possible GOP candidate for governor. Tim Bridgewater, who will try again to represent the 2nd Congressional District, worked the phones and cheered Hola to the end. And Cannonlent his voice to a taped phone message that was sent out the day before the primary. But by then, several GOP heavyweights were firmly in Pignanelli’s corner, including: @ Doug Foxley, a GOP insider and Pignanelli’s lobbyist part- ner; Chief Drakein Riverton said the Newcastle and Thermopolis incidents unfairly gave every volunteer firefighter in the state a black eye. “Half my department doesn’t even drink,” he said of his 49-memberforce. Hank Coe, a fireman for 23 years and goes to advertise his GOP ties and how well Andersonis able to capitalize on any liberal-voter backlash. Cannon acknowledges that some Democrats are boundto be upset. On the other hand, he says, Pignanelli can’t beat Anderson without significant Republican support. “Rocky’s good. Rocky’s done some good things,” Cannon adds. “Most people will admit {he has] certain limitations in dealing with certain parts of those constituencies in the state.” He’s referring to conservatives who wanted to build the Legacy Highway, a_ project Anderson opposed, and Republican-leaning members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whoare still angry that the mayor initially refused to give the church a public easement on the Main Street Plaza. @ Jake Garn, former U.S. senator and the last Republican mayorthecity elected; @Steve Mecham, former campaign aide to Gov. Norm Bangerter; @¥Former U.S. Rep. David Monson; @Former U.S. Attorney for Utah Brent Ward; @ And City Councilmen Carlton Christensen and_ Eric Jergensen. Even Republican state Sen. James Evans,an advocate for the city’s west side, attended a Pignanelli news conference. Hola, who once lived in Rose Park, got his strongest support from those neighborhoods. Mike Clement, Hola’s campaign manager, rejects the idea that the GOPblew it with Hola, but says he doesn’t blame the partyfor hedging. “I bleed GOP and I'm not sure I want my party throwing my money at just any candidate. The city, notes Cannon, is surrounded a “sea of “These two incidences — though very, very sad cases —are still very isolated cases,” he said.“It’s just a very, very small part of what goes onout there.” Coe said the Cody Fire Department’s alcohol is only brought out for social oc- casions, then strictly controlled. He agreed with Drake that a ban on alcohol would hurt morale. lot of Republicans criticized him for supporting Hola. “Their point was we need to coalesce our efforts around the guy we actually think can win this race,” Cannon says. This is not to say everyoneis happy. Ben Demke is a veteran of becoming more and more a de facto Republican while no one doubts that I’ve always been a good, solid Democrat.” Counters Pignanelli: “I really resist this attempt [by Anderson] to makethis a partisan race. The only way you can get things done in the Legislature or any other several GOP campaigns, includ- governmentbodyis to work with ing those of former California Gov. Pete Wilson and U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch. He also served as moderates on both sides.” Yet the mayor has Republi- the party’s southern Utah field coordinator. These days, he’s in charge of the “grounds crew”for Pignanelli’s team. Demke says he received several warnings about workingfor a Democrat. “TI was told it would hurt my credibility within the Republican Party,” Demke says. “I was very upset with that. I’ve been a Ronald Reagan Republican my wholelife.” Pignanelli also has big-time Democrats on his side, including: @ Dave Jones, who was also a former House minority leader; @ Former U.S. Congressman Bill Orton; @County Councilman Jim Bradley; @ State Sens. Patrice Arent, Karen Hale and Paula Julander; @And state Reps. Ralph Becker, Duane Bourdeaux and Scott Daniels. That list should be enough to dissuade those who believe Pignanelli is just pandering to Re- publicans, says Demke. Anderson says Pignanelli is too cozy with the GOP. The mayor has criticized Pignanelli in the past for being part of a move to make the Democratic Party more moderate. can support, too. There’s Mitt Romneyof 2002 Winter Olympic fame whostarred in one of the mayor's T'V spots. In a radio ad, former City Councilman Keith Christensen notes he is a Republican and supports Anderson, Stan Parrish, the former chair- man of the Utah Republican Party, also endorses the mayor. Donald Dunn, chairman of the Utah Democratic Party, says he is remaining neutral. Dunn isn’t concerned about how — or how much — the GOPwill influence the general election, or about any lingering divisions within his party. “T'm pleased that we’re going to have a Democrat as mayor,” he adds. win in the city. He plans to recruit more GOPcounty andstate Senate. “We've opened the GOP's ‘eyes that we can’t give up on our own candidates,” says Clement, who would jumpat the chance to work with Hola again. “When it comes to the Salt Lake City mayoral race, we've written ourselves offfor way too long.” hmay@sltrib.com lfantin@sltrib.com Disability BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS ALL GRAVES $700.00 CALL FOR A BROCHURE Been Denied? ge Attorney at Law (Orem) 225-6925 1-800-652-9626 \ 801-582-2552 CREMATIONS Start at $610 +Very high success rate + 1060's ofclients successfully 363-7065 www.garnerfuneral.com *Wegnarantce uccemeormefce races. Whether this hurts or helps Pignanelli depends on how far he assemblies and meters along the new line. UINTAH Work has begun on the new Memory Grove pocket park at 750 W. 1100 South in Vernal. The park has been a dream of resident Kathy Mashburn who several years ago walked by the vacant, weed-covered area and thought something should be done about it. About a year ago she presented a plan to the City Council, and it agreed to put up $75,000 from the Green Spaces Fund. The park will contain a path, vinyl fencing, lighting, fences and trees. ~ Vernal Express SLC police open precinct Salt Lake City police on Saturdayheld a dedication ceremony for the department's new Pioneer Police Precinct, aimed at consolidating operations on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley. The precinct, 1040 W. 700 South, is now home to the Pioneer Patrol Division, the Police Training Division and the de partment’s Community Action Teams. It contains classrooms, an indoor shooting range, a firearms training simulator system and a gymnasium for officerfitness programs, according to the department. Administrative offices and interview rooms also are conopen to the public. The building is designed to be available for residents to walk in and make a police report or find the answer to a law enforcement question, police said. Saturday's event included the dedication of a monument to fallen police officers. An open house was held for the public, along with a safety fair featuring demonstrations from groups including the department's motor squad, bicycle squad and the tactical operations center for the SWATteam. Ashley Broughton 1) $31.40helps 20People= 11 $47.10helps 30Pope 0) 542.80heps People 1 187.00helps100People “ll $a ToServe'as A eS * delegates from within Salt Lake City who will help pick a candidate for governor, Congress and MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY Call BRAD MYLER .- As for Hola, he wants to make Republicans believe they can Social Security And when Molonai jumped into the race back in March, even I wasn’t on board,” says Clement. “They had to find out who Molonai was. ... Molonai’s future goals include being more involved in GOPcircles. And next time it will be very clear he’s a guy we need to support whole-heartedly.” Cannon says he promised Pignanelli a year ago that if he made it to the general election, the party chairman would do whathe could to help. His offer is unusual. The party doesn’t typically get involved in municipal by Republicans.” “We need someone who can work with Republicans. ... Between Frank and Rocky, Frank is the guy whois better able to do that effectively.” Cannon says Republican lawmakers are comfortable with Pignanelli, who has lobbied the Legislature for the past several years, which mayexplain why there hasn’t been a huge backlash within the Republican Party, certainly nothing like last year’s dust-up involving Democrat Randy Horiuchi. Republicans who endorsed the County Council candidate in his partisan race were temporarily dumped from their party positions. In fact, Cannon says, a former Codyfire chief, as well as a state senator, agreed. : Republicans still eyeing mayoral race Firefighters carry the casket of Anndee Huber during services, May 27, in Newcastle, Wyo. Huber, a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter, was killed when the truck she was riding in rolled over after the driver lost control. The driver pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide. ’ achieve a Tree City USA recognition. Grantsville City will pay the additional cost for the trees. Applicationsfor the trees can be picked up at City Hall, 429 E. MainSt. “These trees are for planting in parkingstrips or in front of houses,” said Gary Fawson, president of Grantsville’s Shade Tree Commission “Weare hoping by planting trees, we can bring back some of the beauty of Grantsville’s past when trees lined every street in the city.” Trees must be ordered by Wednesday. For more information,call 435-884-3411. Transcript-Bulletin Prosecutors allege Caillier’s bloodalcohollevel was 0.16 percent after having several drinks in a downtown bar before heading to a grass fire with Huber. “AssociatedPressfilephoto aR part of the city’s drive to agers to becomefirefighters. SFI aaa. ‘ JF Grantsville residents may ordertrees at half price as HY TOOELE partment voted to remove alcohol after one of its own, Anndee Huber, was killed May22. Firefighter Ronald Caillier is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide. Huber, a bubbly high school sophomore and honors student, was a member of a Scout program that encourages teen- EEE Contact at statedesk@sltrib. com es, the drinking is described as occurring awayfrom thefire hall. Still, the Newcastle Volunteer Fire De- WS ASSAAASAN OP z TORRINGTON, Wyo. For decades, the local fire hall has been the social center of many small towns, where volunteer firefighters could lean against a bar and down a cold one with their buddies. But two incidents this year in which Wyomingfirefighters were charged with driving drunk while racing to fires have brewed a debate over whether the spigot at firehouse bars should be shutoff. In one case, a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter was killed when the truck in which she was riding rolled overafter the driver lost control. “Whatis the rationale for having alcohol ina fire hall?” Gov. Dave Freudenthal asked. He has joined state Fire Marshal Jim Narva in asking departments to voluntarily dump their stashes. But somelocalfire chiefs say liquor is an important tool for recruitment and builds firehouse camaraderie. “When yourisk yourlife for somebody every day, you need to have an association, a bond with them,” said Riverton fire Chief Bruce Drake. Here in Torrington, the 27-member volunteer departmenthas a strict policy |
