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Show Page Two - The Pyramid - December 11, 2003 Merrill Ogden Illusive Christmas Besides Spirit unless The "Christmas Spirit" an illusive concept. People have asked me if I have the Christmas Spirit yet. Depending on my mood, my answer varies. might say, "I ALWAYS have the Christmas Spirit." Or my reply might be, "Bah Humbug"! Its peculiar how some of us (me being one of the "us") are affected differently by the Christmas season in different years. Im trying to figure it out. Some years I feel like Kris Kringle himself. I cant wait to shop and I love it. I cant get enough Christmas music. I watch Christmas "specials" on is 1 television. In these years. Ill watch the movie "Miracle on 34th Street" at least once. (I love Natalie Wood in movies even when she was a little girl.) Then Ill watch "Its a Wonderful Life two or three times. Stewart, Donna (Jimmy Reed and Lionel Barrymore are hard to beat.) Then, there are years when I seem to be immune to the "Christmas Spirit" or at least less affected by the "contagion". These are the years when I avoid the approach of Christmas and endure the season otherwise as best I can. some enjoyment, but to a degree, I just go through the motions. Those are the ends of Yuletide spectrum. my Fortunately for me and those around me, most Christmases are somewhere in the middle. I was thinking about all of this while up on the roof Saturday doing my annual I find battle with the Christmas lights. I didnt have any help with me so I didnt have to be as careful with my language as usual. My kids conveniently all had other commitments - if you call snowboarding, service projects, and National Guard drill, commitments. Okay, okay, two out of the three could be called commitments. And, actually, I was happy to let Kent go up Fairview to ride his board since another parent offered to drive that endless shuttle loop. The Pyramid 49 West Main Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647 the fact Commissioner explains proposed county tax hike that shes shingling, shes not real keen on being on the roof anyway, especially when youre working close to the edge. (She does have some shingling experience.) Shes not as nearly afraid of heights as she was when I first met her, but looking over the edge of Hoover Dam still takes a fair amount of will power. A few hours earlier in the day, my neighbor was putting up her lights. She called to me and with what I suppose was a rhetorical question, "Is this worth it?" My reply was, "I dont know." (Ive personally decided that "I dont know" is the correct and honest answer to a good share of the questions that are put to me.) Surprisingly the lights went up rather easily. The tangles I had been expecting were minimal. Even more surprisingly, my rather old strands of lights actually worked after the manhandling of getting them in place. It was a miracle. (My belief in God but my was renewed, still are crossed.) fingers By the end of the day, I was feeling the Christmas Spirit kindle within me. I even grabbed my wife and we went out and bought our Christmas tree after dark which has become a tradition with us. Its too easy in the daylight. We like a chal- lenge. Im happy to report that by Sunday night, I was able to officially say I was feeling Kris Kringley. I heard an announcement in church Sunday about a community project. I want to Sub-for-S- anta participate. I want it to snow -- hard. (Now that my lights are up.) Im trying to decide whether to watch "Its a Wonderful Life" in black and white or in the colorized version. (Black and white is better, believe me.) Im ALMOST looking forward to shopping. Good luck Sanpete in your quest for the "Christmas Spirit." Open yourself to a little miracle in your life and it may help. It may not be as large as untangled AND working Christmas lights like I experienced. But if its just a "minor" thing like an old business partner returning from the dead giving you visions of Christmases past, present and future, take it... Merrill it an edition of The Daily Herald a Pulitzer, Inc. Newspaper Subscriptions and Delivery Service News' and 375-510- 462-213- Advertising Fax Men will find that they can prepare with mutual aid far more easily what they need, and avoid far more easily the perils which beset them on all sides, by united forces. Spinoza 462-245- pyramidavpro.com USPS HIS My wife was concentrating on indoor Christmas sniff so she had a good excuse. 365-58- Published Thursdays by Pulitzer Newspapers, Incl., 49 West Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Utah 84647. Periodicals postage paid at Mt. Pleasant, Utah 84647. He that knows himself, knows how to strengthen his weakness, and the wise man conquers everything, even the stars in their courses. -- Baltasar Gracian Dear Editor: The last minor tax increase was in 1988. During that time, the population of begin to fight these lems, if circumstances rant it. Sanpete County has increased significantly. We are trying to provide services for twice the people at the same income level of 16 years ago. It would be like trying to raise our present family on our paychecks from 16 years In ago. Sanpete county has made wonderful use of state and federal grants, but many of those areas have disappeared. Sanpete County continues to increase in population, but unlike our neighboring coun- 3. a Library-Bookmobil- probwar- e: meeting with Snow College and eight of the countys mayors in attendance, it was agreed that in the January meeting a chairman would be assigned to "investigate" the possibility of a county-wid- e library system in conjunction with Snow College. If that investigation comes out negative, then any proposed increase for that project will not be needed. However, the fact is that our Bookmobile is severely due to cutbacks from some of our communities and the School Districts. A proposed tax increase of about $65,000 is proposed to finance the shortfall of the Bookmobile budget, and to continue this service. 4. Capital Improvements Project: As most people are aware we currently have a grant working on a long term Master Plan to improve the Sanpete County Fairground facilities which desperately need renovation and imMayor-Commissione- rs under- ties, we do not have a "coal mine" or a "power plant" to feed the revenue streams needed to supply a burgeoning population. We feel obligated to tell you the whole truth. Nothing hidden. The current trend is obvious and we continue to work tirelessly of ways to increase revenues, be more efficient and wisely allocate expenses. Our reserves current could possibly carry us for another three or four years before real financial disaster hits. Just long enough to be out of office and let someone else worry about it. That isnt the way we operate. This needs to be a decision made by the people, with eyes wide open. We want you to help us make the important decisions of sacrifice and efficiency that we need to make. The present proposed tax increases would increase the average ($100,000 of taxable property) yearly tax bill from the county, by approximately $56. There are five areas of PROPOSED tax increases: 1. Indigent Defense Fund: Some years ago the State of Utah enacted legislation that to counties required put into a "savings" fund money to pay for possible court expenses of very expensive, 'high profile lawsuits stemming from the Department of Corrections. Sanpete County pays about $65,000 per year into that fund. The fund has reached $500,000 and it is felt that these reserves are adequate to pay for such a catastrophic lawsuit. Senator Leonard Black-hahas agreed to look into the possibility of capping that fund by enacting State legislation. Until that happens, Sanpete is required to pay into the fund. 2. Mosquito Abatement: With the increase of grasshopper, cricket and mosquito problems, and with the possibility of cases of "West Nile Virus" coming ever closer to Sanpete Countys borders, an increase of $30,000 was included in the budget as a precaution to be able to just m -funded, provements. The county has teamed up with Manti City, the South Sanpete School District, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints, Utah Sthe 4H tates Extension, program and several other partners to move ahead with this project which will need to funded be partially through a capital improvements fund. Also our jail is outdated and in the very near future we need to either conduct some major renovations or build a new facility just in order to remain in compliance with laws, safety and civil rights. This project will need to begin in the very near future and so this account will begin a savings towards a match to other funds and grants. Finally, our beautiful and historic courthouse needs a major facelift both on its interior and exterior. This building has such significant historical and cultural value that it has to be saved and thus this fund will also be utilized to generate funds for matching grants and loans. 5. General Fund purposes: We should break this down into two major areas-Ro- ads and Law Enforcement. Roads: During the past few years, we have spent a lot of money on road improvement projects. Although greatly needed, we now find ourselves in a position of needing to maintain the roads that we have without the huge expense of paving new roads. The Class B road funds have diminished while other areas of funding have remained relatively flat, al- - of the past unless additional though costs continue to increase. We hope to continue to gravel, grade and maintain our present road system next year, but new paving will not be anticipated. Also, the cost of a new gravel pit site and the repairs to the generator that runs the crusher will cost us together with. One example is the heating-csystem in a very old court house. Two independent estimations have indicated that to fix this system we can expect to pay from about $95,000 to $300,-00- 0 in trying to just fix the system so that it operates in all parts of the building. Tens of thousands of dollars have been spent in the last two years just to get the boiler repaired and operating. The walls in some of the vaults downstairs are "sluf-fin- g off" and some renovations and remodeling has ooling Our to increase. jail has been out of State Inspection compliance for the past two years. The sheriff has been working diligently to bring all issues related to jail safety into compliance. The loss of state inmates into our jail costs the county about $100,-00- 0 per year. A major source taken place there. While property taxes and sales tax are up slightly, the of income that still has not been New security systems, adequate manpower, etc. continue to be a constant drain on our financial ability to provide jail services. At present, all of our female prisoners are incarcerated at $25 per day at Juab County Jail. We are assured that in the near future that cost will increase to about $43 per day, which is the same rate as the Sevier County Jail. Our costs to the cities has remained at $25 per day for many years. Some of the communities question whether they have an obligation to pay for their incarcerations. Our dispatch office is presently handling calls for all the communities in the county and the county itself. Other counties charge the other entities that they dispatch for. Our Communications Department costs the county about $240,000 per year. The sheriff is currently working on proposals to help bring these things into line with current costs with all entities using both the jail and the dispatch office. The resource officer in North Sanpete High School was once funded by federal grants and contributions from cities the county and the School District. Those grants have now "dried up" and the other entities are now unable to continue funding. This position may soon be a thing received. In addition to the things mentioned here, there are other unexpected expenses that we are trying to deal $100,000. approximately These are essential items to do any road work at all. Law Enforcement: The cost of Law Enforcement continues is funding state assessingcollecting revenue is projected to move the downward, negating slight gains. So what are some possible solutions? The "wages and salaries package" of our employees together will be reduced. Road work will be kept to maintenance responsibilities only. Jail and dispatch revenues will be pursued by the e sheriff. Temporary, minihelp will be kept to a mum. Every office will continue at the same or reduced levand els. The employees elected officials will be to work long hours.. Sanpete officials' welcome the frank and open discussion of productive cuts, changes, ( part-tim- xpected or whatever will help us the we need services provide and expect while also wisely our revenues budgeting versus costs. Greg Dettinger, Sanpete County Commission Boardmember say the first civilizaEuropean important tion, the Minoan culture, began on the Greek island of Crete about 5,000 years ago. Historians Stars on flags usually stand for unity. The number of stars may show how many states are united in that Market news Prices for the Salina Producers Livestock Auction for Dec. 2 are as follows: Receipts: 2,313; last week: 1,547; last year: 2,346. Feeder steers: mixed but mostly 2.00-3.0- 0 higher, except 400-60- 0 lbs steady. Feeder Heifers: mixed, but mostly 3.00-4.0- 0 higher. Holstein steers: mixed but mostly steady; slaughter cows: firm to 1.00 higher; slaughter bulls: steady on similar offerings. Feeder steers: medium and large frame 1 : 200-25- 0 lbs 108.00-144.0250-30- 0 300-35- 0 lbs 127.00-156.0lbs 110.50-129.7350-40- 0 lbs 111.00-133.2lbs 375 pkg lbs 106.00-112.5- 0 138.75; 400-45- 0 pkg 407 lbs 123.75; 450-50- 0 lbs 99.00-113.0lbs pkg 459 lbs 117.50; 500-55- 0 98.50-106.5550-60- 0 600-65- 0 lbs 92.00-106.2- 5 lbs ; 96.50-103.2650-70- 0 700-75- 0 lbs 89.75-101.2lbs 88.50-97.7750-80- 0 800-85- 0 lbs 91.50-99.7lbs 94.00-9-6.8850-90- 0 900-95- 0 lbs 86.50-88.5lbs 93.00-93.5950-100- 0 lbs 89.00-90.50; 0; 5; 5; 0, 0; Postmaster: Send address 5; changes to 49 West Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Utah 84647. 5; 5; 5; 5; 0; 0; 0. BONLS'SBONES Membar: Audit Bureau of Circulations NEWSTANDPRICES 500 1 year - $36.50 (in 0 73.75-85.-5- 0; 0; 0; 0; preV year $45.40 (out of county) 300-50- 700-90- 0 lbs 75.75-82.5lbs 61.00-77.0900-110- 0 lbs scarce. Feeder heifers: medium and large frame 1: 200-25- 0 lbs 120.00-131.0250-30- 0 lbs 109.00-125.0pkg 287 lbs 350-40- 0 lbs 107.00-127.0129.50; 300-35- 0 lbs 95.50-- 1 18.-0400-45- 0 lbs. 98.50-- 1 12.00; 450-50- 0 lbs. 96.50-108.0500-55- 0 550-60- 0 lbs. 93.50-106.0lbs. 91.00-102.5600-65- 0 650-70- 0 lbs 86.50-98.5700-75- 0 lbs 85.00-94.2750-80- 0 lbs 85.50-93.2800-85- 0 lbs 87.50-94.7lbs 900-95- 0 lbs 78.50-88.5scarce; 850-90- 0 lbs scarce; 950-100- 0 lbs 73.75-85.5Heiferettes: 42.50-82.2Stock cows: medium and large frame 1: good lots of pregnant cows of all ages 480. 00hd. 45.50-55.5Slaughter cows: boning utility breaking commercial: scarce; cutter and low utility 53.25-56.0dressing utility 37.50-46.0Slaughter bulls: yield grade 1: 1000-150- 0 lbs 55.00-6-0.71500-215- 5 lbs 56.00-65.0Yield grade 2: 1000-150- 0 1500-196- 0 lbs 40.00-53.5lbs 51.00-54.7Feeder bulls: 1110-116- 5 lbs 52.00-62.0500-70- Voufnus4 4W;ak county) Thursday Only 1 200-30- Holstein steers: large frame 2 baby bulls: scarce; 0 lbs pkg 5 hd 280 lbs 93.00; 0 lbs 0, 0; 0; 0; 0; NEWS 0; 0; We welcome news tips. Call 462-213to report a news tip, or if 5; 5; 5; 0; 0. you have a comment or a question. We welcome letters to 5. 00-97- 5. the editor. All letters must include the author's name 1- -3 0; 0; AND signed) and a (printed phone number. We reserve the right to 0. 5; letters for clarity, and length. taste punctuation, letters are welcome on any topic. edit 0. 0; 5. 0; i i |