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Show The Voice of Sanpete County Volume Ninety-thre- MT. PLEASANT, UTAH e 84647 - November 27, State appeals only delay railroads fate MT. PLEASAN- T- The Denver and Rio Grande Westerns Marysvale railroad may be lost to the people of Sanpete and Sevier Counties although a valiant effort by state officials to save the transportation link is still continuing. The state of Utahs latest move to file an appeal of an Interstate Commerce Commission pricing decision was described by a railroad spokesman as another step in protracted litigation that would probably go on for some time. Patrick J. OHara, attorney for Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad said Friday that the states appeal was one of two actions taken by the state after the purchase deadline, Nov. 18 passed. The other was a request for the Interstate Commerce Commission, to reopen the case. OHara said he couldnt fault the state for appealing to the D.C. Circuit, but that filing a petition to reopen the case was unnecessary. The Interstate Commerce Commission granted D&RGW the right to abandon its Marysvale branch, severed by a landslide in Spanish Fork Canyon April 1983, in a decision handed down earlier this year, the state appealed that decision and lost. The state was however, granted an option by the ICC to purchase the railroad. Based on testimony given at an oral hearing held earlier this year that price was determined by the ICC to be about $621,000, but the price was increased to $1.3 million based on additional information submitted by D&RGW during the appeal of the original decision. Salvage value obtained OHara said the states pricing appeal had to do with that additional information. But, he pointed out, both sides were given 30 days during State loses its option; D&RGW will still talk to Governor appeal proceedings to submit any additional evidence. The state chose not to submit any new evidence, he said, but D&RGW did, and obtained two affidavits from salvage companies on the worth of the branch line. State fails to act In addition, once the railroad submitted their additional in- formation, the state was given 40 days for rebuttal. But again, there was no action by the state, to object. The state did not object to that evidence, OHara said, until its time ran out last week. He also noted that the state allowed the deadline for purchasing the railroad to expire, 2.8 million Turkey producers grow record crop MORON- I- With Thanksgiving economically utilize the facilities of our growers and our own operations only a day away, the turkey industry is looking good for 1985 and into the and maintain both a stable market future. and labor force, Nielsen explained. He added that 1984 was a good Turkey prices in supermarkets are up about 10 cents a pound over year for most of Moroni Feeds 100 last year according to the Departmembers after having several poor ment of Agriculture. or marginal years profit-wisPrices vary, but two leading 1981 was a disaster for the turkey chains are selling turkeys from 79 Nielsen. 1982 and said growers, cents to $1.09 per pound, about 10 1983 were somewhat better with members being able to pay off their ' tents above where they were last' loans and having some left over. year. The current wholesale price for Nielsen said one reason turkey is about 92 cents, so most more show should turkeys profit growers stores are losing money, willing to this year is because production costs let the birds be the leader to bring in are down seven to eight percent holiday shoppers for other treats. mainly due to lower feed grain Sanpete turkey growers have prices. million pounds of raised 2.8 million turkeys this year, Forty-eigh- t The last of them will processed meat will be made out of a record crop. been have of processed by late the 2.8 million crop Sanpetes to Moroni according December, turkeys. General Feed Manager be will Company of the turkys Sixty percent Nielsen. Joe sizes whole. Consumer processed Nielsen added that already the range from 24 pounds or under. Commercial sizes range from 25 next years crop is being hatched in incubators at the Moroni Feed pounds or more which will, be used Hatchery. The poults from Company restaurants. and hotels by hatches will go into the the first be will of the turkey Forty percent brooder coops in late December and processed into parts such as turkey in April. steaks, smoked turkey, turkey be ready for the market year-roun- d for Were aiming weiners, baloney, and ham. production in order to most e. , News scene Spring City women injured in accident - Two Spring City women were hospitalized following a accident Nov. 20 near here. Nedra Jensen, 72, and Iris Irving, 77, passengers in a 1975 sedan driven by Ethel Ahlstrom, 82, also Spring City, were injured when their vehicle was struck by an oncoming vehicle at the Junction of SR 132 and 117, according to Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Dave Bailey who investigated the accident. A third passener, Sylvia Nielsen, 85, Spring City, and the driver were not injured. According to Trooper Bailey, the Ahlstrom vehicle was southbound on SR 132 and was making a left hand turn east onto SR 117 when it was struck broadside by a small compact car. The oncoming car, driven by a Snow College student, Jeana Lynn, 19, of Mona, was northbound on SR 132. Lynn, who was also injured, and the two Spring City women were Green Ambulance to Sanpete Valley transported by Moroni-Fountai- n Hospital. Lynn was treated for knee injuries and released. The two Spring City women were released Nov. 22. Both vehicles were totaled, according to Trooper Bailey. CHESTER- two-ca- Treasurer. Taxes can also be paid by mail, but must be postmarked before noon on Saturday, Nov. 30. Clark said that to date 37 percent of the taxpayers have paid their taxes, and he expects another 55 percent or so to file before the deadline. Clark added that about ten percent of the taxpayers file late and end up paying a $10 late fee or two percent of the tax due. If taxes are not paid by Jan. 15 the county can charge interest. County Auditor Jay Alder said taxpayers will be paying on an assessed valuation of $29,997,395 in South Sanpete and $33,732,936 in the North Sanpete School District. The total assessed valuation in Sanpete County is $63,730,331. railroad. Lost option state did not make the offer within the time frame and no longer has the option of purchasing the railroad, he said. The The state had 10 days to accept the price and that would have triggered a forced sale of the railroad. If it had made an offer, both the railroad and the ICC would have to have been notified of the proposed offer, he said, but no notification was received. Instead the petition was filed to reopen the case because the state felt the price was too high. It was an attempt to lower the price and at the Future negotiations Walker said he was waiting for the dust to settle before taking any further action. He said any future negotiations between the state and the railroad would be between Governor Bangerter and Mr. said Governor Bangerter told railroad officials he had the money but wanted to get the consensus of the state legislature before he paid the money out. He said he needed time, Walker said. we'll coThe railroad said, nsider, but an extension of time was never committed. Walker further reported the railroad would not sell the rail for $621,000. That figure came out of the Provo hearings, he said, and was the cost for the railroad to remove the tracks, but it claimed that the steel and ties werent worth anything. Steel and ties would cost another $750,000. In addition the railroad has hundreds of acres of land in the towns and counties, he said. O'Hara said the railroad would file an appropriate response to the states action. FAIRVIEW CANYO- N- Highway the Fairview Canyon Road, was closed to all traffic Monday, Nov. 25, because of drifts and poor road conditions. According to the Utah Highway Patrol, the road was closed around noon, because it was no longer possible for snow removal equipment to keep the road cleared. -31, - Santas coming Santa Claus MT. PLEASANT will come to town, Friday, Dec. 6 and all residents are invited to attend. The event, which will include Santas arrival, tree lighting, and refreshments begins at 5:30 p.m. It is being sponsored by Mt. Pleasant City and the Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce. False alarm A persistent MT. PLEASANT fire alarm that awakened residents in the early morning hours Monday, Nov. 25, was not a fire. It was a mechanical malfunction, according to fire department spokesman Chesley Christensen, that had something to do with the telephone line. Christensen said the siren was repeatedly triggered every time the fire phone was picked up. It went off a total of six times. The matter was referred to the telephone company Monday. Autos damaged MT. PLEASAN- T- A tow-ca- r accident at 300 East 600 South caused an estimated $700 damages to two vehicles around 8:15 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25. According to Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Lynn Shelley, Perry Cloward, Mt. Pleasant, was westbound on 600 S when his vehicle collided with a vehicle driven by Jimmy Bean, also Mt. Pleasant. The Bean vehicle was southbound on 300 East. There were no injuries according to Officer Shelley. Alma P. Burton, front, was set apart as the new presi- dent of the Manti Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Da- y Saints. Seated with President Burton is his wife and new temple matron, Clea Rich Burton. Counselors and their wives standing back are from left, first counselor, Wilbur Lund, Pearl Lund, Carol Schlappi and second counselor, Leonard Schlappi. President Burton replaces President Wilbur Cox. LDS name Alma Burton Manti Temple president SALT LAKE CIT- Y- Alma P. Burton, Orem, Utah, retired Brigham Young University teacher and administrator, has been called by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve as president of the Manti, Utah, Temple. President Burton will succeed Wilbur W. Cox, who has served as president of the temple since 1978. The First Presidency also announced the calling of President Burton's wife, Clea Rich Morgan Burton, as matron of the temple. The new temple president, 72, served BYU as Dean of Admissions and Records, and also as professor of Church History and Doctrine. He also is a former Assistant Administrator of Seminaries and In stitutes of Religion for the entire Church Educational System. President Burton is a native of Nephi, Utah, and a graduate of Utah State University. He earned a masters degree from BYU and a doctorate in education from the University of Utah. Early in his career, President Burton was a high school teacher, then executive secretary of the Utah State Extension Service and later superintendent of schools in the Alpine, Utah, District. He has served the Church in a variety of positions, include missionary, stake high councilor, stake president, member of the General Board of the Young Men, member of the Priesthood Home Teaching Committee, and director of the Churchs visitors center in Independence, Mo. He is the author of several church books. Mrs. Burton is a native of Liberty, Idaho. She holds a degree in child development from Utah State University and has taught at Utah State and in the public school system in Coalville, Utah. She has taken graduate courses at both Utah State and Brigham Young University. two books She has with her husband and has served in a invariety of Church positions, cluding stake Primary president, Temple ordinance worker, ward Relief Society presidency and of the Inteacher, and Center. dependence Visitors Santa subs bring smiles to needy MT. Sanpete County property taxpayers have until Friday at to pay their 1985 taxes according to Earl Clark, County time closing MANTI- - the Holtman. The railroad is still waiting on the state to make concrete negotiations. During a recent contact, Walker Heavy storms close road in canyon r Deadline nears for property taxpayers without submitting an offer to buy same time get more time, but the commission rule does not allow any more time, he said. Depends on court A spokesman from Governor Bangerter, Ruth Ann Storey, said whether the state gets any more time to buy the railroad depends on whether the courts grant a stay. Although OHara said the state no longer had the option to purchase the railroad, John S. Walker, chief attorney for D&RGW said if Governor Norman Bangerter wanted to call D&RGW President and Chairman William Holtman, Holtman would pick up the phone. Holtman refused to issue a statement on the matter. PLEASAN- T- For many elderly Christmas is just another day to be cold and hungry and lonely. For a Mt. Pleasant widow who must depend on a small Social Security check, it is devastating. Even with a family to help occasionally and church welfare, there is just not enough to keep ahead of rising costs. When the food runs out, before the church larder can be restocked, there are hungry days. When the meager measure of coal purchased with her Social Security check is gone, her home becomes bitterly cold. There are no extras when even the basic needs cannot be met. There is never enough for occasional pleasure, and Christmas is just out of the question. Out, she says, Ive made it until now and I ve got to just keep on. Because of a program, Sub for Santa, many area children who might never know the excitement of Christmas morning have been rewarded with toys, clothing, and holiday treats. That same program may also bring food and fuel to the areas aged. Sponsored by the Utah National Guard, Sub for Santa will again bring smiles to the faces of Sanpete Countys needy. Sergeant Robert Allred who coordinates the Guards efforts said a list is already being compiled and plans are underway to solicit donations for this years Sub for Santa efforts' Who is eligible for assistance? Sgt. Allred said he coordinates his efforts with LDS Church bishops and stake presidents, other churches, and any other agencies who might te assisting needy families to make sure his efforts are not duplicated. Once the families needing sponsors are determined, efforts are made to insure that each child gets one toy. Parents are contacted to determine sizes on clothing and food and fuel is also purchased. Where does the money come from? Each year a drawing is held. People donate money and each gets a ticket good for an opportunity to win a cash prize. After the cash Continued to page 2 |