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Show Page Two - The Pyramid - March 31, 1993 Investigation underway into burglary ei NITAIRY Try again? The defeat of a $5.8 million bond proposal by area voters last week should not deter North Sanpete School District officials efforts to address critical building needs. On the contrary, the 726 voters who supported the plan deserve to have their voices heard. The 748 voters opposing the plan also need to be heard, and the message most of them were sending seemed to be that the districts plan to solve students needs was not acceptable. Try again. Should either proponents or opponents have had a decisive victory in the bond election, the message would have been clear. The district was so evenly divided, however, that the 21 critical votes cannot clearly be an unequivocal "no." Its time for a new plan. Prior to the election, opponents expressed concern that the district wasnt being entirely honest about how the bonds would be paid. The average $11 tax increase reported by the district didnt create the projected revenues. When opponents realized that the annual average tax was $144 and not $11 (taxpayers are already paying an average $133 for bonds which will be paid off in five years) they were outraged. The district, which was following guidelines established by the Truth in Taxation Law however, was within legal parameters. But it might have been more beneficial in this case to be totally candid and address the concerns. Opponents also opposed the "blank check" approach of the district bonding its legal limit without a priority list (after the obvious need to rebuild Moroni Elementary), and the long-terneeds, like textbooks, and maintenance items funding for short-terwhich should be covered in the districts maintenance and operation (M&O) budget. Even the sample ballot appeared to be a ploy to get a new district office even though early opposition of this plan reportedly nixed the idea. Opponents also found some hardliners comments about newcomers adding to the problem and people having too many kids offensive. Neither comment should have been used as an argument for the bond even if some district officials and patrons felt that way. Most people favor quality education for area children. In these days of high taxes and unemployment, cost overruns on public projects, and general uncertainty, some individuals will make thorough investigations of every government proposal. To meet these concerns, the district needs to do its homework and then present a more realistic plan. m m Letters Bond election manifested mistrust on both sides Dear Editor: In every good relationship there exists trust and communication. In the four and a half years Ive lived here, it has become quite plain to me that our school district, employees and patrons, all of whom are taxpayers, have no relationship. There is an invisible wall between "us" and "them." Last week in our special bond election, what we saw was not a vote against meeting the needs of our children, but rather a manifestation of mistrust and a high level of ignorance on both sides of the issue. The school district and its employees are apparently out of touch with the opinions and values of its patrons. At the same time, there is an apparent lack of understanding by the patrons as to what direction our school district would like to take. Its obvious to me, and many others, that there should be a single and united purpose in what all parties are doing. This is rural America, not the inner city or a busy suburb. Sanpete's Leading Newspaper the pyRiimiD (USPS 365-58- 0) Published Weekly at Ml. Pleasant Utah. 84647 49 West Main Street Telephone: FAX: 462-213- 4 462-24- 59 Martin Conover Koleen Peterson Penny Hamilton Publisher Managing Editor Editor Lynda Grover SUBSCRIPTION Office $21 Your children may be grown soon, but what about your grandchildren? Parents and concerned others: to go your school board meetings and make your presence known. It may seem like an inconvenience but it will make a big difference. I attended the meeting at North Sanpete High School concerning the bond election. There were 30 teachers and board members and only four parents. Teachers and school district staff: the values and opinions of area patrons are what makes us who we are. There are possible changes we would like to see discussed. by Lynda Grover MT. PLEASAN- T- The proposed construction of a gazebo-typ- e information center at the cemetery, which will include a plot map, as an Eagle project for two scouts was tentatively approved by the city council at the March 24 meeting. No action was taken on a proposal presented by Global Services, Inc., to replace the current system for demineralizing culinary water to reduce scaling. Outright purchase of their system would run $25,900, with an additional $6,480 per year for a service contract. The company is offering the city one year of free service and a money back guarantee. The GSI system treats the water electronically as opposed to the Aqua Mag system which uses $8,760 per year in chemicals, freezes in the winter and is not doing the job. GSI has no potable water installations in the state, though their system is being used in other applications. A list of GSI customers will be provided so the city can make a determination of feasibility. Further testing will, also, be done on the Aqua Mag system for the councils evaluation. Sunrise Engineering reported that power house unit three should be ready for startup this week. The procedure will take about a week to work out the bugs before it actually goes on line. Unit four is still awaiting the master control board which has been shipped and they are hoping to have all testing done by the end of April. The well has been finished at a depth of 450 feet and is pumping 225 gallons per minute. Five bids for the pump were submitted. Sunrise Engineering advised the council to accept the proposal of $14,080 from John Rogers Environmental Products. About $2,000 can be deducted from this price if the city decides to go with a pitless system. The cost overrun for the asphalt on the culinary water project was debated. The contractor, Johnston and Phillips, has y extension in requested a addition to the already approved y extension, in return for a $30,000 reduction in cost. They also request that future construction be paid by the square yard maximum instead of the four-fopay width as stipulated in the contract. The citys counter proposal y will be to grant a extension and that payment will remain based on the four-fopay width and any necessary width increases must be authorized in writing at the site. Also, daily reporting will be required to curtail any future "surprises." 90-da- are important could make or break a childs life. A mother has more understanding of her individual childs needs than the administration or school board. Please make yourselves available with an open mind. If we cannot work together towards achieving an acceptable atmosphere for education, perhaps parents would be well advised to seek alternatives to the public system. Shelly Simms Mt. Pleasant ot 60-da- ot per copy I for one felt sorry the school bond issue did not pass. Our greatest assets are our childrens future and many people are looking for a good place to raise their children. Correspondents 427-33Fairview, Ginnie Richins Gordon Barbara 4 Moroni, ... Ftn. Green. Jessie Oldroyd . 445-34436-88Wales, Colleen Lamb Dean O'Driscoll Snow College 75 462-213- Send change of address to The Pyramid. 49 West Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, lit 84647. Second class postage paidf at Mt. Pleasant, UT and additional mailing offices. One of the first things they consider is the kind of school and environment their children would have. Passing the bond election would have been a boost to the economy of our city as well. My mother, husband, myself, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have all been i privileged to Pleasant. in Mt. All of us enjoyed the best facilities of our day, and I hope we can always provide the best for future generations. Maybe we will have a chance to cast our vote again and be in favor of improving the facilities for our students. The school may grandchildren attend in Arizona has beautiful buildings and the money has to come from someones pocket. Pioneering will never come to and end as long as we are willing to sacrifice. Louise Johansen Mt. Pleasant I SEE IT by William W. Way, MT. PLEASAN- T- An investigation is being conducted of an alleged burglary at Backroads Restaurant sometime during the night on March 19. Investigating Officer Chris Larsen said only money was ' taken but declined to disclose the amount or the means the alleged burglar used to gain entrance to the restaurant, except that it was a "forced entry." He also declined to comment if the cash was taken from the business cash register or had been kept in another secured location within the restaurant. The burglary was discovered and reported by employees who had arrived for work and were preparing to open for the day. Jr. No pride in victory According to the information Ive got, the North SanDistrict bond pete School election was rejected by the Twen-ty-tw- o voters 748 to 726. votes is awfully close to describe this issue as "clearly" issues with ballots not bullets. The school has received great support from many good people. I believe there are 748 good people who just found one or two things too difficult to accept about the bond proresolved. but who would cheerfulThe Way I See It, 1474 posal, ly support some alternative. voters saw this as a very imThese peoples opinions portant issue. Further, about should be cultivated and nurhalf of these people saw signif-icatured. enough educational needs The Way I See It the board in the valley to say they were could and should call upon willing to take a tax increase. to of these The other half, plus 22, many them arriveopponents the best at help were saying, "lets give this for all residents in a another look and see if there option future bond election. are better ways to meet our Why? Because everybody needs." knows there are needs that Some of the strongest oppomust be met. Everybody wants nents to the bond election have our children to get a quality spoken with me about the education. Everybody wants result. There was no gloating. low taxes. And finally, every-- 1 There was no pride in victory. working together will body As one opponent said, "I arrive at the best working came to a new recognition results. about the school board. They As my dad would always are very weary people, they remind me about chores, feel the weight of this situa"Many hands make light tion. They have worked hard work." on this problem. I respect The Way I See It we now them." have the opportunity for a secThe day after the election I ondary look at a primary conheard a school official talking cern. A thousand people may about this issue and he was exsee different beauty in the hausted. Had I not been in the same sunset, but, if they share room emotion may have govtheir viewpoint, everyone can erned him momentarily. enjoy it that much more. Everyone sees the needs of Expressed opposition is the the district and is impacted by fastest way to see the common those needs.' ' ground. We should begin Fortunately, unlike other working together on this issue areas of the world, we live now to get the best for the where we can resolve social future. nt Mt. Pleasant council approves information center at cemetery Be willing to sacrifice attend school Dear Editor: RATES per year outside Sanpete County POSTMASTER: MT. PLEASAN- T"The Fremont Indian Culture" will be the subject of a lecture given Monday, April 5, at 7 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Library. Gordon Topham, director of the Fremont Indian State Park and Museum, will be the guest speaker. He will compare the Fremont and Anasazi cultures. A slide presentation of rock art will be included. 40-da- Things that you may not feel Manager (In Advance) $18peryear-50- ( When I speak with teachers, I can see where their ideas lie. However, I hear my friends speak their minds and find their thoughts to be fairly universal with other parents. there is common Surely ground upon which we may begin building a relationship to meet as many needs as possible. It would be easiest to sit at home and watch TV, or go shopping and let the chips fall where they may. Can you live with that? Indian culture to be featured at lecture THE WAY will Sunrise Engineering continue inspection services for the extended period for an additional $7,000. Mayor Chesley Christensen reported that arrangements have been made to borrow an additional $250,000 to finish the water project. Loans of $125,000 each will be made by the Safe Drinking Water Committee and the Board of Water Resources at 0 percent interest for 15 years. The latest engineers estimate is that $236,000 will be needed to finish the project. Any funds left over must be returned. There is a possibility that water rates will increase by about $1.50 per month. Skyline Mountain Resort has accepted the citys payment terms for electrical installations, past and future, according to city manager William Way. Remaining, unpaid hookup fees for sections A, B and C are to be brought up to date by April 1. About 97 hookups have been fully paid and another 19 are partially paid. Thus far, it has cost the city $103,600 to furnish power to the first three sectipps. Four transformers have- been ordered for Section D at a cost of about $14,000. Fourteen have already paid the full $850 hookup fee, with another 14 having paid only a deposit of $250. v Dance Saturday to benefit cancer victim FAIRVIE- W- "Intense Country," a benefit dance for Mrs. Jerry (Sueann) Stulce, will be held Saturday, April 3, at 9 p.m. at the Fairview Dance Hall. Admission will be by dona- - home-owne- rs Sheriffs report MANTI-Arre- sts made by the Sanpete County Sheriffs Department from March 20 through March 26 included: Amby Ross Livingston was arrested in Moroni by Officer Emil Cluff on March 24 for intoxication. He was referred to Judge Mickelsen, Moroni City Justice Court. He was also arrested for violation of a protective order, and charges were dropped. John William Westlund, was arrested by Deputy Sheriff Gary Larson west of Gunnison on March 20 on suspicion of theft under $100. He was released on bail the next day. Kynico Ed Walters, was arrested on a Fairview City warrant on March 25. He was released the same day. Joseph Donell Otteson, was arrested March 25 on a warrant out of Mt. Pleasant City by Chief Kay Larsen and was released on bail the same day. He is assigned to Judge Ron Ivorys Justice court. Michael D. Bell was arrested March 23 by Sheriff Wallace Buchanan on a hold for AP &P and will appear in district court. He is to be booked back in jail to finish his original sentence. On March 24 Edwardo Carrillo was released after 30 days from the Sixth District Court for DUI with accident and driving on a revoked drivers license. Antonio A. Lemus, was arrested in Ephraim by Officer Paul Bailey on March 21 for DUI, no valid drivers license and an open container. He was referred to Judge Ned Jensen and released by order of Judge Jensen on March 22. Jeffery Lane Street was committed to jail until he could be placed in the Odyssey House Program. He was picked up on March 23 for the Salt Lake City Police by Sanpete County on some charges in SLC. He will be returned after court until Odyssey House Opens. Michael Kay Hermansen, was booked in and out for Sixth District Court on March 23. He was charged with theft. I tion. A quilt, donated by Bonnie Simons and Lois Tucker, will be given away during the dance. Tickets for the quilt drawing are available at Tuckers Emporium. Mrs. Stulce, a lifetime Mt. Pleasant resident, was diagnosed as having cancer two years ago. All dance and ticket proceeds will be given to Sueann to help in her courageous fight against the disease. Fellow employees at Far West Bank urge everyone to give from their heart and lend a hand to a friend by participating in the benefit dance and drawing. Pyramid Poll What do district patrons want? MT. PLEASANT Since the defeat of last weeks $5.8 million school district bond election left a lot of unanswered questions, The Pyramid is conducting a poll to see which projects, based on estimated costs, district patrons could support should the district decide to pursue another bond. It is also designed to more clearly define patron concerns. Please check the projects you support and then send your poll to: The Pyramid, 49 West Main, Mt. Pleasant, Utah 84647, by April 9. Results may also be called in at 462-213- 4 before April 9. Poll results will be published in the April 14 edition and will be available for school district review. 1. Reconstructing Moroni Elementary School is estimated to cost $1,441,000. After the $790,000 for the insurance reimbursement, the amount requiring bonding is $652,000. b. against a. for 2. A new elementary school in Fountain Green is expected to cost, $1,725,000. b. against a. for 3. Additional classrooms and a physical education facility for the high school carries a $1,859,000 price tag. b. against a. for 4. Additional classrooms and a area for the middle school would cost $1,016,000. b. against a. for 5. A new boiler at Mt. Pleasant Elementary school will cost $40,000. b. against a. for 6. Roof replacements on the high school and middle school should cost about $250,000. b. against a. for 7. The cost to asphalt most school parking lots is $100,000. b. against a. for 8. About $200,000 in new textbooks were included in the bond, I b. against a. for 9. Could you support building a new district office, b. no a. yes 10. Was the average $144.30 in annual property taxes a deciding factor in your opinion of the project? b. no a. yes 11. What other concerns do you have? multi-purpo- se , I participated in the bond election b. no a. yes Age (circle one) City (name city or unincorporated area) (circle one) 18-2- 4, Male-Fema- le 25-3- 4, 35-4- 4, 45-5- 4, 55-6- 5, over 65 |