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Show Page Two - The Pyramid - February 10, 1999 New seeds will take over crops rn j Merrill Ogden Utahns respond to national crisis Dear Editor: Y2K Are you worried? toward the 1 remember Orwells George reading futuristic novel entitled "1984" when 1 was in high school in the late '60s. The year 1984 seemed so far distant in the future that 1 couldnt imagine it other than in science fiction terms. maker music Rock i "Prince," now known as "the natural Artist" made a song a few years back which had the refrain. "Were gonna party like it's 1999." At the time, 1999 seemed far in the future. Now were living in 1999 and we wonder how we got here and if there is going to be a party. A lot of people are getting wound up about the new millennium changeover. Its a hot topic of becoming conversation even here in Sanpete. Im not quite sure how serious to get about it. There seems to be three major factors in the mix on this issue. Let me make a simple outline for those of you who havent studied the subject yet. 1 . The computer deal: The apprehension here is that many computers which are a little older will not recognize the year 2000 when the internal clocks turn over at midnight on New Years Eve. computers will interpret the double zero in 2000 at 1900 and consequently will (please excuse the technical language) "become immensely confused, embarrassed and overheated. Gaskets will blow and rods will be thrown." (i.e. phenomenon Changes of centuries) and has to some attach cosmic significance to it. (Remember those folks who thought theyd hook up with the comet a year or two ago by putting on their new sneakers and committing suicide.) The fear: A. The "nuts" will outnumber the "non-nutsThe hope: A. The "non-nuts- ", will outnumber the "nuts". So you may ask, what is a person to do to prepare for Y2K? (Like I know). If youre worried about it, my advice is to seek advice from someone who really (I emphasize really) knows something about the issue. If you have a business which relies on computers, youd better get with your computer expert. If youre worried from a religious point of view, consult your clergy person. If youre worried from a "nut case" perspective; get a life. Most large companies are on schedule for being "Y2K compliant." For example, a few months ago, Don Norton, chief of Far West Bank, told an audience of Sanpeters that the bank had already "test run" new systems. At a seminar in St. George on the subject, I heard an expert speak whose general message was that we may see some minor disruptions when 1999 comes to a close but that within 72 hours commerce and life in general will be as normal as ever. Meanwhile, back at the dry canneries and food pack storage stores, its a brisk, brisk business. Its great that were getting prepared. I just hope that I dont have to open those cans in my basement. As I think about it, I believe Ill do a little shopping New Eve. Cocoa Years Pebbles, bottled water, and powdered milk ought to do it... Merrill responded. Every regularly scheduled blood drive was well attended and donor centers were full. Hundreds of people called to Volunschedule appointments. teers answered phones and greeted donors. Donors were advised that waiting time was inevitable, and were patient. They understood that Utah blood supplies were sufficient and that donations would replenish supplies for the rest of the country. In one week, Utah Blood ". Many The fear: A, Bank records B. will be obliterated. Elevators will get stuck. The hope: A. My mortgage records will be forever lost and will not be repayment required. B. I will become stuck in the service elevator at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas for 24 hours with a stocked buffet fully ters of the American Red Cross issued an alert advising the nation of critically low blood supply and appealed for donors across the country to give blood. Even though the blood supply in Utah was sufficient to meet needs of Utah patients, the local American Red Cross Blood Service Division stepped forward to assist the rest of the country. In a localized efforts, the Red Cross Utah Blood Service division formulated a plan to respond to the national appeal. Needs of Utah patients would be met first, but by collecting more blood than was needed locally, additional blood could be redistributed around the country. Utah blood donor centers were opened for extended hours and additional days, media publicized local efforts, and residents famine and pestilence will precede the event making life less than fun for earths inhabitants. B. The wicked will be destroyed. The hope: A. My chocolate chips, pudding and granola are still good in those cans piled in the basement. B. Leniency. 3. The "Nut Case" deal: Theres a certain segment of society that latches onto any Were speeding end of the century. Last week, national headquar- scriptures and a whole hearted belief in our modem calendar. The fear: A. Destruction, replenishment cart and several members of the cast of Folies Bergere. 2. The religion deal: There are those who believe that the "second coming" will occur on New Years Eve this year to usher in the biblical millennial period as prophesied. This is based on a quite literal interpretation of the New, spacious duplex unit for rent, 1,300 square feet, plus enclosed garage, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, large family room, extra large kitchen, extremely low utility bills. Ages 1 8 and over, $595 per month, 68B West 300 South, Mt. Pleasant, J2E $5,535 $1 6,285 SaHpit'! Ltadlii Nwpapr THE PyRRmm 365-50- 0) Pleasant Cnwtv&mgy t modfcatons Toll 465-030- v.ctary building.com mjundnsorm areas Local budOng Pkuo shorn not pneedn ad code axtm. f sanpete 34 Visit 462-245- 9 Cheryl Brewer Managing Editor Sheila Washburn Office forward Office SUBSCRIPTION Looking for an r The lpvramid article in CORRESPONDENTS Mt. Pleasont, Murphy Martin Moroni, Barbara Gordon Jessie Oidroyd Light Bookkeeping Available No car? No stamps? No time? 462-366- 5 436-87- 445-342- 2 Dean O'Driscoll 445-332- 6 Send change of address to The Pyrmrd,47West Man Street, Mt. Pleasant, UT 4647 Periodical postage paid at Mt. Pleasant, UT led edditionol mailing offices. PUSTMASltR: a ads, sub- scriptions, and even letters to the editor from the convenience of your home. IZI Check it our at www.sanpete.compyramid Interestsd in getting your business at 462-300- on-line- 436-881- auto GLASS No problem! Submit your classified ? Contact Gay email Kelly at lauritzenksanpete.com, or visit our business page at www.sanpete.comsales heirloom seeds that have been handed down from generation to generation. Just think about it for a moment. We know that bees can travel up to a 30- - mile radius, maybe further. Once they come into contact with a plant that has been genetically-altere- d by this terminator technology, they will carry the pollen to other plants. The bees will not know which and plants are genetically-altere- d which are heirloom (organic). Once they cross pollinate from one plant to the other, all the plants they come into contact with will become sterile producers, producing sterile, seeds. All heirloom seeds will eventually be lost forever. Remember, our plants sustain our lives. They are natures creations, not ours. ve 9 CLEARLY THE BEST IN AUTO GLASS If you need replacement pleat hr fear eehih make the clear chela. See Us! -- Windshields -- Side, Back A Van! Gian Rock chip repair CHRISTIANSEN GLASS & PAINT 1 S State. (801) 801) Pteassit Mt. 462-243- 834-243- an associate of implemented science degree with an emergency management emphasis to help train people in disaster response. To successfully fulfill that role, institutions need DCEM to be funded at least at its current level. More importantly the entire state needs an adequately funded emergency management program that will provide services necessary for disasters to come. Disasters will occur, it is only a question of when, where, and How can we just sit back and let one company claim ownership of them, and take charge of our very existence? If we do this, we will be putting profits before . people. We as a people believe in free enterprise, but how free are we when its citizens are forced to depend on a few multinational corporations for their daily food? And how much sense does it make to subsidize their profits with our tax dollars, not to men: tion jeopardize our health and well being, and the health and well being of future generations to come? I am a concerned citizen who is very much into the Organic Gardening Movement. We do not know at this point if this neV terminator technology will be opening Pandoras box, or not.; What if it destroys our bee population? What if the bees carry the sterile properties', through the pollen, into our fruit trees, nut trees, etc.? How will any of us survive for very long on a sterile planet? Theres definitely much food for thought but what about enough food for our future, and the quality of that food. I urge everyone reading this article to write their congressmen and demand a ban on terminator technology, and a moratorium on further patenting of plant genes. I am also available for further comment and discussion at (435)-462-133- 0. : Misty Vance, Mt. Pleasant v 6 IVW how serious. Communities throughout Utah have come tpj expect that trained people and equipment will be on call to de;fl-wit1 disasters that arise. h 4 Let us hope that will continue to be true, that hope is predicate on adequately funded programs tp deal with disasters. Richard G. Robinson Dean, Applied Technology Education CoUege of Eastern Utah ; Small town charm gets lost in growth Dear Editor: According to the 1996 county profile by the Bureau of the Census the per capita dollars spent in the retail market by Sanpete residents was $3,478. If in fact Wal Mart must make $30 million per year to support such a large capital venture, the 20,000 residents in the county (each man, woman and child) would have to spend $1500 at Wal Mart to keep it afloat. Thats $6,000 for a family of four. Nearly half the total money we spend in retail stores. If it succeeds in drawing in half the money we have to spend, ' Wal Mart will devastate many local businesses. The profits that used to go to local business owners who rear their families here, spend their money locally on houses, groceries, etc., and care about local culture, will instead flow out of the county to enrich s, corporate Wal Mart who will probably spend it in New York, Atlanta and the Ca ribbean. Once lost, Sanpetes small town charm, now rare in Utah, will never be recaptured. If Wal Mart profits dont meet expectations (remember, thats half of local money spent on retail big-wig- loyal- ties to it), leaving the blight of a Taxes, Sales, Tax, etc. articles at The Pyramid web site!! human history. If these seeds ever arrive on the market, and are planted, they will eventually wipe out all of the the area (having no natural EmployerEmployee Now you can search through past 0( Reporter, Roy Truitt Internet connection areas. Through recent studies conducted at University of Chicago, there are indications that genetically-altered plants are 20 times more likely to "outcross" than naturally-grow- n plants. If this is allowed to happen, we could see famine on a scale never seen in goods) it will naturally abandon PROFESSIONAL INCOME TAX PREPARATION In Your Home Kevin Washburn $20 per year-5per copy $23 per yeor outside Sanpete County SrrotCoflefe 's RATES (In Advance) Ftir. Green, Pi com Publisher Craig Conover Chris www.sanpete.com-Sanpete- 5, 5. Free 49 West Main Street FAX: weekly action 2, 0 Utah, 84647 Telephone: With an increasing population and approach of the 2002 Olympic games, need for emergency management training and services ute through the national Ameriin Utah has never been greater. can Red Cross system to places The Division of Comprehenwith low blood supplies. sive Emergency Management is Red Cross headquarters (DCEM), under the Department encouraging eligible donors to of Public Safety, provides serviccontinue supporting local blood es and for response to all training centers. While the national supply of disasters. types has improved, the need for blood Utah, after Los Angles and continues. San Francisco, ranks third in the It will take several more days nation for potential danger from of concentrated giving before earthquakes. Mexico City, which national blood supply is at adehas a similar situaschedule ., an. tion to Salt Lake quate levels. To lost City, appointment to donate blood call 14,000 lives and had many more 1 injuries. The Utah spirit of caring and The Hazardous Materials community commitment made it Institute has conducted commodipossible for the Utah Blood ty flow studies showing 10 billion Services division to assist in a pounds of hazardous materials go time of national crisis. through Utah each year. It would The American Red Cross be a rare month that multiple Utah Blood Services would like spills and wrecks are not reported to tell the people and media of throughout the state. Utah that they have made a difTraining to respond to the ference in lives of critically ill above emergencies is provided by and injured people across the the DCEM. Each dollar placed in Comprehensive Emergency Mancountry. agement (CEM) by the state is Gary J. Ouellette matched by nine from federal and Chief Operating Officer other sources. Three-on-thr- ee CEM is a valued economic contributor as well as a life protector. The Utah Legislature is currently meeting and will review MT. PLEASAN- T- In three and act on the proposed Emeron three action this week, it was Management budget. Nike Attack defeating Young gency The CEM budget will most 53-4Guns Ison Drywall beat likely face reduction pressures, Brothersons even Thompsons 41-3though Governor Leavitt has won over the Brood 49-3with recommended full funding. If the Troy Reese as the leading scorer legislature does not support the with 26 points. DCEM, it will lose $223,000 in Ison Drywall fell to Nike federal money matches. Attack 54-2Thompsons beat A reduction that size has the The Hooners Young Guns 29-2potential of being a crisis. The defeated Lee DentalMain Street need has never been and Inn 67-6with Dave Stevens has occurred at a timegreater when the leading scorer with Brood state can financially provide the The hooners also beat The resources needed to meet antici86-4Brothers won over San- pated emergencies. To help address the emergenpete Steel. cy concerns that face everyone, the College of Eastern Utah has 1. Payson (801) 462-21- Dear Editor: 7. 54 x 72 x 14 $19,675 ogy for several reasons. First oi all, it is dangerous. There is a serious risk that in the open crops field, terminator-grow- n could infect other crops, creating crop sterilization across enormous Utah needs emergency funding 6. 36x48xir Mt. . 0. 24x32x9 Published Weekly at This technique is currently being used on such staple crops as wheat, rice, and cotton, but it can and eventually will be used on food crops of all kinds. Nine weeks after the announcement of this technology, Delta and Pine Land Company was purchased by Monsanto, the same company that brought us the Bovine Growth Hormone impact-resistan- t, and (BGH) pesticide-soake- d tomatoes. Monsanto intends to completely control crop production in Asia, Mexico, and South America, areas where food shortages and growing populations represent huge potential profits. The USDA will also profit despite being a taxpayer-funde- d agency, it plans to collect a five percent royalty on the sale of all terminator seeds sold. Gardeners and growers everywhere should oppose this technol al 462-303- (USPS structure of a plant so the seeds produced from these plants would be sterile. This "terminator technology" will prevent farmers and gardeners from saving seeds year after year, forcing diem to purchase new seeds every year, thus giving seed companies complete control over our food supply. collected Services Division Utah fill blood needs to enough and enough left over to redistrib- Laminated Structures Financing Available! FOR RENT Dear Editor: In March 1998, the U.S. of Agriculture Department (USDA) and the Delta and Pine Land Company announced that they had jointly developed a technique for altering the genetic i monstrous building on the local character, aesthetics and psyche. City and county officials e should be working on a plan to develop tourist and other industries that resource (growing more valuable as it becomes more rare). Instead we have a quick fix. long-rang- short-sighte- d, We may save a few dollars shopping Wal Mart's discounts. Local government may enjoy greater tax revenues until those from failing local business drop off. A few people will get lower rung jobs. But in the long run. Im afraid that whether Wal Mart succeeds or eventually fails, it will leave the county less interesting, less diverse, uglier, and ultimately poorer. Someone should slap the Ephraim City Council. - Gay Appleberry, Round Rock, TX Water for Sale for Well Permits 462-214- 1 Math Tutor High School - SAT References available 462-386- 2 The annual meeting for Horseshoe Irrigation Company will be held February 10, 7:30 p.m. at Spring City Hall, 150 East Center. Election of officers and voting on converting water shares for well permits will take place. a |