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Show PYRAMID THE 4 Thursday, August 5, 2004, 2004 Senator Bennett holds town meeting runs into Sanpete attitude Jill Hansen THE PYRAMID MANT- I- Republican Senator Bob Bennett held one of a series of town meetings Tuesday evening, designed to allow him to visit every county in Utah before the November elections. In true Sanpete pioneer form, residents showed up in patches, eventually almost filling Founder's Hall in the Snow College Noyes Building, and asking the senator some tough questions. A couple of audience members were tenacious in pinning Bennett down to a definite answer. Snow College President Michael Benson introduced Senator Bennett opened with a few comments before taking questions. He explained that he is on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and was assigned to chair the Agriculture subcommittee before the first meeting. Since nobody in Washington really knew who he was, he suddenly found himself with several new "best friends" who were eager to tell him what he needed to know. Bennett decided to find out how things worked for himself, so he made a trip to Tyson Foods in Arkansas. He shared that he discovered "free range" chickens, which Senator Bennett, who has cost so much at a restaurant, served the Utah senate for 12 are not the poultry roaming over years. Benson stated that af- wild ter a meeting of a communi- hill and dale we imagine. Inthere are holes in the ty college association last stead, sides of the chicken coops week, two college presidents from Wyoming, who drove which allow access to a wired enclosure that the furthest, told Benson free-runnin- g, six-foo- t, ing to be as important as the Industrial Age, except it will happen at a faster rate. With new technology, we are also learning how to cope with issues such as the War on Terror and a borderless economy. He assured the audience that "our economy is very strong" and that a recovery has recently taken hold. After those statements, Bennett accepted es questions. The first question dealt with the issue of oil prices, and how that affects the economy in a multitude of ways. Asked for his assessment, the senator fully agreed that this is having a profound affect. The price of oil is at its record highest, although he stated that adjusted for inflation, it really isn't quite as high as in the 1980's. Since then, the economy has changed dramatically, and oil represents a smaller percent of energy than it used to. Bennett said the price is now fluctuating based on uncertainty in Iraq, but the Saudis are saying that they will be increasing levels of production, which should eventually help to lower tive source. We are building facilities at various seaports to allow for exportation of this resource. The senator also stated that he feels we should be accessing other sources, such as Alaska, but that we can't get senate votes for this. However, he feels "the market will take care" of alternative energy resources as people's habits begin to change with higher prices. He stated that, "the Stone Age didn't end because we ran out of stones," and drew a parallel with the oil age. This led to a question about whether or not we will be seeing the growth of more nuclear power plants. His answer was short, that science says "yes" but politics say that the deficit is due to the "no." effects of 911, such as the reAnother question was di- building of New York City rected towards Bennett's ap- - and the Pentagon. revenues in balancing tne have Tax Earent shift votes. The question dropped off from the hospiwas, with the deficit higher tality trade and from airlines. than ever, why has his em- Even though the spending phasis changed towards budget line stayed even, unsupport of foreign aid? expected war costs skyrockSenator Bennett responded eted expenses. with a somewhat complicatBennett stated that "money ed answer. He said that as a comes from the economy, percent of the GDP, (Gross not the budget," and that tne Domestic Product), the deficit is now actually lower deficit is not as high as after than the projected $550 bilWorld War II, when it was lion at the beginning of the 150 percent. year. He feels that we need In comparison, today it to run a surplus to have a would be 60 percent, because strong economy. That monas the economy grows big- ey should come from taxpayd ger, it reduces the percent- ers who are doing well 5 on Bennett feels page age. Mostly, thems-Continue- most birds ignore, because "all the food is inside the coop." That experience reinforced his belief that he would go places personally to get information and not shirt as momentos of his visit rely on information fed him to the campus. Bennett ac- by someone else. Senator Bennett stated cepted these with the comment that he is a Snow Col- that America is at an inter- costs. Bennett also believes that of lege alumnus, having been section of a whole series since that natural and 911, gas should be more changes an granted honorary degree the Information is as an alterna- exploited go fully Age from here several years ago. they would have driven twice as far to hear they keynote speaker, Bennett. Benson then gave the senator a Snow College football "coaching shirt" and a sweat- Commission approves Homeland Security grant Rhodes says he can find no Mitch Peterson THE PYRAMID MANT- I- Tuesday's Sanpete County g mission meeting featured a Com- agenda, including grant approvals, public hearings, and a couple of executive sessions. Commissioners Claudia Jarrett, Greg and Bruce Blackham were present, along with County Attorney Ross Blackham Det-ting- er and County Clerk Kristine Frischknecht. Grants approved The meeting began with the commission approving two grants brought by county Emergency Management Director Kevin Holman. Tne Homeland Security Grant provides the county with about $320,000 for training and equipment for emergency purposes, with about $120,000 of that allocated to upgrading aspects of the 911 emergency number system. The grant will also be used for such things as a mobile command post, provid- ing medical and decontamination equipment, plus search and rescue and first responder gear. The commission also approved a Citizens Core Grant. It provides $6,000 to the county for volunteerism training for emergency situations, and Holman says he's already organized a committee to oversee the effort. Holman then asked the commission if he should license a technician-leve- l trailer that contains a chemical identification machine. The trailer would also be used by other area agencies. The commission gave approval on licensing, but asked Holman to take a look at available insurance options. If those options are all expensive, then other agencies may be asked to help pay the insurance of the six-coun- ty trailer. Mote from is- right-of-wa- y sues that would prevent the change. But commissioners want to make sure there are no water or legal issues, and gave their approval without prejudice. Conditional use permits The commission issued a conditional use permit to Wolverine Gas And Oil Company of Utah. That company will soon begin seismic exploration in the Southern enaof Sanpete County, searching for gas and oil pockrights-of-wa- wide-rangin- Senator Bob Bennett met with community members durring a town meeting Tuesday, August 3 at Founder's Hall at Snow College. Bennet fielded questions from audience members concerning perscription durgs. Gooseberry Project and jobs. y ets. Wolverine representative Shaun Bird says the company has a 90 percent confidence level in finding something productive in the county, and says that testing in Sevier County has already yielded pockets of oil. Bird says "we're enthusiastic about where we're going" with the project, and adds that they've received support from local "We want to be good neighbors, and do it right the first time." He also says that Wolverine will keep local leaders and media up to date on their plans. Ephraim Canyon road In a conference call, Brian Jones updated commissioners on the Ephraim Canyon Road Project. He says $90,000 of additional funding came through recently, leaving the project with just a $70,000 shortfall. He also says that there needs to be a research design proposal on about 1400 feet of the road near Skyline Drive, due to a supposed prehistoric quarry there. Jones also reported that county Road Department Supervisor Steve Keller prefers to run the full depth of gravel as far as possible and says that the county could stockpile the gravel and lay it when needed. In other good news about the project, Jones says the timber crews should be finished in two or three weeks, meaning less closures for travelers. Other news In other action, the commission approved a subrequest by Richard E. Vonk for a one-ldivision east of Ft. Green, on Big Hollow land-owner- s. Amendments a During public hearing, the commission approved a request by Jim Rhodes to amend three parcels of land he owns north of Wal-Main Ephraim, from Residential Agricultural to Business Commercial use. Road; ratified a contract with the state DeRhodes intends to build storage units partment of Corrections, and approved a there. G. Stanley Black owns land adjacent conditional use permit to Shirley Cox, for an to Rhodes property, and in a letter, says he alternate power source at a cabin located in opposes the change, citing concerns about Fairview Canyon. The commission also appointed Ken water, access, fire, theft, and damage. Rhodes says he'll pipe water on the whole Palmer to serve on the Sanpete Water Conwidth of his property and plans to build a ce- servancy District Board, and allowed a priment wall against Black's fence to prevent vate group to use the fairgrounds picnic area Aug. 16. damage. rt ot Ephraim Family Dental Practice Welcomes the addition of Dr. Wesley Thompson The family dental practice, with clinics in Ephraim and Moroni, will now be offering extended hours with Weekend and Evening Appointments! The practice mil continue to offer comprehensive dental care, includ- ing preventive care, nitrous oxide sedation, fillings, crown and bridge, dentures, implants For and cosmetic care for an appointment, please call the whole family. 283-408- 1 the North Sanpete School District tax rate referred to below the same The property represents .0062425 tax rate from the 2004 tax year plus the .000121 Reading Achievement levy opportunity that Governor Walker and the state legislature made available in the last legislative session to achieve the states goal of having third graders reading at or above grade level. The resulting .006546 tax rate should once again be below the state average for school districts. Please also remember that the North Sanpete School District has no control over the assessed value of property, and that an increase in that valuation would increase property tax paid. NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASE The North Sanpete School District is proposing to increase its property tax revenue. As a result of the proposed increase, the tax on a $100,000 residence will be $360.03, and the tax on a business having the same value as the average value of a residence in the taxing entity will be $654.60. Without the proposed increased the tax on a $100,000 residence would be $344.69, and the tax on a business having the same value as the average rate of a residence in the taxing entity would be $626.70. The 2004 proposed tax rate is .006546. Without the proposed increase the rate would be .006267. This would be an increase of is $15.35 per year ($1.28 per 4.5, which month) on a $100,000 residence or $27.90 per year on a business having the same value as the average value of a residence in the taxing entity. With NEW GROWTH, this property tax increase and other factors, the North Sanpete School District will increase its prop- erty tax revenue from $2,294,129 collected last year to $2,425,453 COLLECTED THIS YEAR WHICH IS A REVENUE INCREASE Of 5.7. concerned citizens are invited to a public hearing on the tax increase to be held on August 10, 2004 at 7 p.m. at the North Sanpete School District office, 220 East 700 All South, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647. 4 . |