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Show r"lL7 r JIT 1 I " O j0 PnuUT PRESS 307 EDITION AN YOUR TOWN, YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR NEWSPAPER SALT LAKE 2attt) OF THE W CAR'RT L0TiC-oo- 7 ASSOCIATION 200 S STE 4006 CITY, THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2004, VOLUME 1TZ, UT 84101-12- nuividc .J '3 77 w Proposed private school spurs public opposition by Jill Hansen The Sanpete County Planning Commission held a public hearing Wednesday, March 17, regarding a conditional use permit for the proposed purchase and building of an academic facility east of Spring City. Zoning Administrator Lee Holmstead reports that the turnout was so large, the meeting had to move into a courtroom, with several extra chairs brought in, and several more observers could not be accommodated except to sit out in the hallway. Commission Chair Judy e Zumwalt held speakers to speeches, which kept control of the crowd. It is estimated that 160 or more people attended the hearing, and that 80 to 90 percent of them are opposed to this plan. The main concerns appear to be over water, (rights and possible contamination), and security issues. One person felt that people would be afraid to visit neighbors on properties adjacent to the school, and another vowed to "fight this with all it tivity will have to drop in order to attract students, as the tuition is extremely high. The 14 to 18 month stay Birch predicts per student will cost each one over $80,000. Referrals will be made by primary independent educational consultants throughout the United States, of which there are an estimated 360. Birch also reports that Pretty Shield believes this program will benefit Sanpete County economically. Food, fuel, entertainment, veterinary services and similar needs will be purchased in this county. In a subsequent telephone interview, Birch stated that, "there is not one local business that will not be positively impacted." He feels that it could be situation for everya "win-win- " one involved. This view was not shared by the majority of those attending the hearing. Several warned Birch of problems the program may face, such as extreme weather and cougars, and others expressed a belief that the school will decrease the property value takes." of its neighbors. Again, the isGordon Birch, the Pretty sue of safety is a great concern, Shields Foundation representaand the environmental impact tive who presented the proposof the large number of horses al, stated that the foundation on water and erosion was not wants to build a "state of the felt to have been adequately adart" program for private-pa- y dressed. students who are not adjudicatA telephone interview with ed, court ordered youth. Shields was Whipp, secretary to the originally Wendy Pretty Pine Mountain Landowners Asestablished to offer academic services to Native American sociation, revealed other issues. There is concern about noise youth, and have branched out and light pollution, and the into the private pay sector for installation of blacktop. teens who do not function well in a normal academic environWhipp stated that a lot of ment. These would include people use that area for recrethose with learning disabilities, ation, for retirement homes, for rest and relaxation. She pointed and with emotional issues such out that there are several sumas abandonment. Many of the youth have expe- mer homes that are unoccupied in the colder months, which rienced the loss of parents may prove attractive to potenthrough death or divorce. The tial runaways. There would be proposal includes 530 acres, of which only 10 would be used for access to guns, alcohol and food as well as prolonged shelter. the youth facilities. The remainAt an invitation only meeting, ing property would be prescribed "green belt," which Monday, March 22, a discussion was held on the removal of mawould prevent more building nure. from occurring in the foreseeAlso expressed was a conable future. cern on what the school intends The ranch-styl- e compound would include ten homes or dor- to do if the two artisan wells that will supply its needs run mitories and a gymnasium, as out of water, as well as what well as indoor and outdoor ridwill happen if not enough stuing rings that will also house dents attend to keep the prosome classrooms. "Equine theragram running. Birch assured py" will be used with the students, so much of the green belt the audience that the program "will never accept adjudicated property would be designated for riding. kids," and that the other problems are being dealt with. The curriculum will be colWithAfter the meeting on the 17th, lege preparation-oriented- . Birch admitted to Chair in the next four years, Pretty Zumwalt that this is a proposed Shield projects to serve 120 students with 131 professional private school. She had earlier warned the audience that as a staff. youth home, the county could Although Birch stated that not prevent its construction. there would be a careful However, this is not true of a screening of potential school, as Zoning Commissioner students, and that the well-pai- d staff should be highly motivated Holmstead concurs. For the next week, the comto provide a safe and secure enmission will accept written comvironment, many in the audience recalled the recent murder ments. These can be mailed to the Sanpete County Courthouse of a youth home counselor in at Box 100 in Manti. The next Cedar City by the scheduled public hearing is to troubled youth in his care. be on April 21st in the courtAnother person stated he behouse building on Main Street. lieved eventually that the selec two-minut- The North Sanpete Spiriteers Drill Team will present the Spirit Review at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, in the high school gymnasium. Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase rolling mirrors for the group. Other groups scheduled to perform are Total Expressions, Jazz Attraction and Lori Farr's School of Dance. Spirit Review to showcase talent MT. PLEASANT- - The North Sanpete Spiriteers Drill Team for the 2003-0- 4 school year will hold the annual Spirit Review at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, in the high school gym. In addition to the Spiriteers, other local dance groups will also perform including Total Expression, Jazz Attraction and Lori Farrs School of Dance. The review is open to the public .and all proceeds will be used to purchase new rolling mirrors for the Spiriteers. The Spiriteers had a great season taking first place in region competition in the Novelty Division. They also did well at state. Officers for this year were Whitney Clawson, drill mistress; Jenna Sunderland, secretary and wardrobe mistress, Lindsay Larsen, historian, Katie Vandenhazel, team manager; and Nicole Bradley. The group would also like to welcome the new assistant advisor, Stacey Gardner. She Moroni woman killed in car accident MT. PLEASANT Two dri- vers were killed in a car accident last Sunday, March 21, in Huntington Canyon. Jesse M. Getsinger, 47, Provo, was traveling west about 11 a.m., on State Road 31 when for reasons unknown, her car went across the center line. She apparently overcorrected the vehicle, which was then broadsided by LaRae C. Dyches, 75, Moroni. Both women, who were wearing seat belts, were killed. An s' unidentified passenger in car suffered minor injuries. Dy-che- great addition to the team and staff. school year are Officers for the 2004-0Lindsay Larsen, drill captain; Emily Valentine, Ashley Bowman, secretary; Jayce Christensen, wardrobe mistress; Ashley Cheney, historian. The Spiriteers express their deep gratitude to their parents and communities for all of the support they received during the season. will be a 5 Sports center burglarized MT. PLEASAN- T- Ron Greene Sports Center, Mt. Pleasant, became the latest victim of burglary sometime last Thursday night, March 18. Two sets of tires, rims and a tail light were stolen from two four- - wheelers off the back lot of the business. The thieves entered the premises by climbing over the fence, stealing the items and throwing them back over the fence and then retracing their steps. Sanpete Starz turn in stellar performance with Special Olympics Bowling Tourney by Mitch Peterson The Sanpete Starz turned in a stellar performance at a Special Olympics Utah bowling tournament last week, with each team member bringing home either a gold or a silver medal. Many family and friends showed up to cheer on their favorite athlete. The competition took place at the Sno Cap Lanes in Ephraim, with teams from Beaver and Millard counties joining the Starz in the regional qualifying event. About 20 athletes from the Sanpete squad are now eligible for the Special Olympics Utah Spring Sports Classic, which will be this weekend, March 26th and 27th, in Salt Lake City. Kenna Sidwell, Fairview; and Eva Barney, Manti, celebrate victory at the Special Olympics bowling tourney recently held in Ephraim. Each of the Sanpete Starz participants brought home a gold or silver medal. Sanpete Starz turned in a stellar performance at the Special Olympics Utah Bowling Tournament this past week at Sno Cap Lanes in Ephraim. Here, John Johansen stands in a fabulous bowling pose, making ready for a grand take- Local candidates file for , Bowling, continued on page 4 down of pins. MANTI Several residents have filed by the March 17 deadline for election in several Sanpete County offices. Offices include one county commissioner, two seats on the board of South Sanpete School District and three seats on the board of North Sanpete School District. Local athletes, Chris Barrett, Ephraim; and R.L. Taylor, Mt. Pleasant; with Darwin and Kaysen, Millard, were division winners at the recent Utah Special Olympics Bowling Tournament recently held at the Sno Cap Lanes in Ephraim. flWTWf November elections County commissioner Manti residents Greg (R) incumbent have filed for re- - election along with Mark K. Anderson (R), R. Kent Larsen, (D), and Grant L. Petersen, Constitution. SSSD Two seats on the South Sanpete School Board are open for election. Nancy Rees Jensen, Incumbent, District 2, Center- Det-ting- er uVk it j ft ft r rtft&rer jAi rut pVfcAMlhm field, Sterling and Mayfield; is running unopposed; Eiwight H. Inouye, Incumbent, Gunnison; and Kim Reid Pickett, Gunnison, District 3, that includes Gunnison Fayette and Axtel. NSSD Three seats on the North Sanpete School District Board are up for election. In District 1, that covers Spring City and part of Mt. Pleasant, Kathryn Parnell, Spring City, is running unopposed. In District 2, Moroni; Bruce Irons, who is currently seated is not Scott B. Dyches, Merwin K. Kjar and Lynn B. Cook, all of Moroni. In District 3, Mt. Pleasant; John McKay, Incumbent, is being challenged by Dale Barker, Mt. Pleasant. |