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Show Cm Rout 0 HnjyI B HA BAiU PMMil NO lATfON yi ah Boa (L'SIS 544-913- - 3 " g" NUMBER THIRTY-NIN- E 6000) 5 Voice Of Davis County 25c VOLUME EIGHTY 546-473- 14V2 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985 Apartment Owners Blame Government By TOM BUSSELBERG Editor Reflex-Journ- FARMINGTON Claiming conditions have changed markedly in the past year, several apartment owners complained that government shouldn't interfere in private enterprise, Monday afternoon. ADDRESSING the Davis County Commission as part of a community block grant public hearing, several south county apartment owners claimed economic conditions are now leaving vacancies where previously, in them with several months-lonthe carpet the words of one, there was hardly time to steam-deabefore another tenant moved in. Terri Stark of Bountiful, acting as a spokesperson for about a dozen apartment ow ners, said "1 don't think any of us have taken taxpayer dollars to fix up our apartments. Since October I've noticed vacancies not filling. I strongly resent tav money (being used) for substandard property bought as such." SHE WAS referring to the Davis Housing Authority 's request for $100,000 from community block monies that would go toward repair loans on major structural deficiencies, such as roofs or heating, explained Authority Director Rosemary Davis. She emphasized those funds aren't used for rental property although noted other programs are available that even those apartment owners in attendance might utilize. Claiming the market has seen a vast increase in rental unit construction, especially in Salt Lake County, but having impact on Davis County, Mrs. Stark said a 1983 housing study "does not reflect todays market and cited data from the University of Utah Bureau of Economic Research. That data showed 2.500 apartment units built in both 1983 and 1984 in Salt Lake County vs, a projected 8,000 "on the drawing boards" or in various stages there now. LAST AUGUST we had a 5 percent vacancy rate but by the second quarter of 1985 well be in deep trouble. she continued, asking for a "current study. Mrs. Davis indicated plans are in the works for a new study although those cost upwards of SO. 000 with County Planning Director Rick Mayfield noting possible a community block grant could be sought covering those expenses. Although the commissioners stressed they alone don't decide block grant funding and would not control other federal or government funds earmarked for projects, the three gave the landlords time to air feelings. FURTHER pursuing government funding for housing-relatematters, Mrs. Davis answered rental assistance concerns bv explaining that a project to repair 10 units countv wide "doesn't have great affect, adding, "they are occupied" units now. But Mrs. Savage questioned a three percent financing break that could be offered through a pending bond sale that would pave the way for hundreds of new apartment units across the county. She called it negative to have attractive $400 townhouses being built when the private can't do that. THE HOUSING Authority has been formulating plans for at least one bond sale where it could sponsor a three percent deduction on a portion of the financing, with hundreds of units envisioned by interested property developers. A Woods Cross owner, Marvin Snarr, questioned funds used for rental unit rehabilitation, claiming a new roof, iisd need fences and other improvements wcie made, lie .u;c-'for the new roof, w ith that unit built the same t. e - a '. datively recently. MRS. DANIS said the Housing Authority had purchased the unit and made improvements only as outlined by a building inspector and added, We've targeted those have to target some money to you. Eleven are on the same street, all built simultaneously. "They've tried to keep a very close eye on this sort of thing," Com. Chairman Glen Saunders said, referring to vacancy levels, emphasizing, "traditionally, there have been waiting lines (for units). If that has changed, them the Housing Authority will have to take a good look." THERE ARE times the private sector hasn't addressed the need, he added, such as providing adequate housing for the handicapped or In other action, the commissioners voted a third year chairmanship for Mr. Saunders, following swearing-i- of Com. Harold Tippetts a four year term and Com. Harry Gerlach a along with the county attorney, clerk, assessor and auditor. matters were also approved, inSEVERAL planning-relatecondominium Plum Tree the project at about 3400 S. cluding t subdivision in Orchard Drive in Val Verda along with a W. 2700 S. west Syracuse between In addition, the county's new zoning ordinance and map was approved as revised, some changes being made following the Dec. 2 public hearing. g n owner-occupie- d Mountain and lake search and rescue operations by the Davis County Search and Rescue team could be very costly if it weren't for the manpower, equipment and resources of volunteer groups and individuals - something we need more of, according to Capt. K.D. Simpson, commander of the Seaich and Rescue team. MOUNTAIN SEARCH -- rental-relate- d d Needed: More Manpower, Equipment Search, Rescue Volunteers Perform Hazardous Duty How much cost, manpower, equipment and other resources go into a routine search and rescue operation in Davis County? More than you would think, according to Capt. K.D. Simpson, commander of the Davis County Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue team. all of the resources are - forces with the jeep posses and other volunteer groups to upgrade the search and rescue operations. BLODGETT Clipper News Editor By GARY R. FORTUNATELY, NEARLY four-ple- x volun- tary, or the cost to the taxpayers would be prohibitive, said Capt. Simpson. "Nearly every search and rescue mission con- HE SAID joint training sessi ns are being planned for as early as February for search techniques to be used on the Great Salt Lake. "Well take the posse members out and teach them use of the intricate radar systems on the boats, communications, search procedures to follow, dangers of searches on the lake and anything else connected with lake survival and search and rescue operations," said Capt. Simpson. ducted is extremely costly--anvery, very dangerous. He estimated the cost for a recent search for two lost hunters on the Great Salt Lake at more than $50,000. WE WANT them to be more a part of our operations - and we want to make the search and rescue missions as safe as possible. Its not worth losing a searcher's life while trying to find someone OF COURSE that was the largest single search ever conducted in Davis County and because of the weather, the search lasted longer than most searches, he said. "But without ques- He emphasized that by expanding the manpower and expertise of additional personnel it will make search and rescue missions even more effective. d tion. it was one of the most expensive. He said more than 100 volunteers participated, four private helicopters were used, two fully equipped boats were utilized, and two airplanes were also put into operation. IF THE county would have had to foot the bill for payment of all those men, equipment, support services, etc., the cost would have exceeded $50,000, he said. "I'm certain that would be a conservative figure. And that was only about one of about 30 search and rescue operations Davis County participated in for persons lost, stranded or overdue on the Great Salt Lake during the past year. AN ADDITIONAL else." according to Capt. Simpson. All ended happily. DAVIS COUNTY'S Search and Rescue Team is technically trained in all types of lake and mountain rescue operations - but we can still use the manpower and expertise of additional posse members who are already trained in many aspects of search and rescue," commended Sheriff Brant Johnson. "Even the least difficult search on the lake or in the mountains is extremely dangerous. The better trained these personnel are, the better chance of avoiding serious injury or death while on a search. We have the best equipment and leadership available an excellent safety record to accompany these qualifications," he added. er -- lost-tim- CAPT. SIMPSON noted that the number of emergency calls for persons lost in the mountains or on the lake is increasing steadily over the years - and will continue to increase as more recreation vehicles become available and because the lake is such an easily accessible body of water for hunters, boaters, water skiers, kite flyers, etc. When an emergency call is received, it usually is five to eight hours after someone is reportedly "overdue and their whereabouts are not known. AS MUCH information as possible is obtained over the is lost (late returning); a description of the vehicle they were driving; what were the men wearing; did they have adequate clothing, food and water; where were they going; what were they doing; and when were they scheduled to return? The Search and Rescue Team is called and members will be sent out on patrol to "probe" the areas the missing persons would most likely be found. QUITE OFTEN, if our informationis accurate, we will find the missing persons within the first hour, said Capt. Simpson. "Usually they have had vehicle trouble and are found walking -- THERE WERE a couple of tragic endings to other searches in Salt Lake County, however. A boy died in a boating mishap with his father just off the south shore of the Great Salt Lake and hikers and skiers were killed in the mountains east of Salt Lake City. We have been so fortunate that it is almost unbelievable," said Capt Simpson, noting that Davis County searches the past few years have all ended with victims being brought out safely. serious accident among the "And cant recall a single hundreds of volunteers who have assisted in our searches." e, CAPT. SIMPSON praised all the volunteer groups and individuals who have supported search and rescue missions in Davis County for the past several years. But he emphasized a need for more help - and closer cooperation between volunteers and the countys Search and Rescue Team. -- out." He said if there is considerable daylight left, an search mission will be called. If it is night, however, the search would not be launched until daylight. all-o- THIS IS not to say that the cooperation hasn't been just great in the past," said the commander. "In fact, it has been so good that 1 would like to incorporate the county's two jeep posses and the Search and Rescue Team for even better efficiency." Capt. Simpson said plans arc being formulated to combine ll four-ple.x- low-incom- e. n two-yea- ut six-lo- 2000-300- 0 GSL JELeaches Same Level As May 1 984 By GARY R. BLODGETT - GREAT SALT LAKE The lake level of the Great Salt Lake reached 4.208.65 feet (above sea level) on Jan. 2 - five months earlier than a year ago when this level was not reached until the third week of May. (lake) level in early October the lake level has climbed slightly less than 10 inches at the south shore (Saltair Beach) recording station. OBSERVERS also believe that during February the lake will continue to rise at a slightly higher rate, or about seven inches during the month. If this happens, the lake level IN REACHING the 4,208.65 peak, the lake level rove two and will exceed 4.209,25 feet by the end one-hainches during the last two of February the same level as the weeks of December, according to 1984 peak, or the highest level of the recent report of the U.S. the lake in all of 1984, which was Geologieal Survey which makes reached last July I. THE LAKES high was readings of the lake 4.211.5 in the summer of 1873 -level. The report also noted that since and most predictors say the Great the water year began - and since Salt Lake level will exceed that fievaporation stopped lowering its gure during the spring runoff. -- - lf twice-monthl- all-ti- y -- Continued on page 2 fBBB X r, d 20 to 25 searches were carried out for lost hunters, skiers, snowmobilers or hikers in the mountains, 1 -- i u- I |