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Show Thursday, August 12, 2004 THE by Ray LaFollette THE PYRAMID MT. PLEASAN- T- Sanpete District Boy Scouts of America (BSA) welcomes Eddie Cox as the new San- pete District Chairman, he was called to replace outgoing chairman, John Meade. There is sure to be exciting changes and improvements in the near future. Cox is a life long resident of Sanpete County. He is the and general manager of Central Utah Telephone. Active in the political arena, Cox has spent over 24 years in pub- THE lic office including Fairview City Mayor ana Councilman, Sanpete County Com- missioner and Economic Development Chairman. Over the years Cox has served in the Scouting organization as a merit badge counselor, assistant Scoutmaster, Blazer Leader, Varsity Scout Coach and in a bishopric over the Young Men and Young Women. He is married to the former Lesa Anderson. Together they have eight children, four girls and four boys. All four of their sons have achievedthe rank of eagle. He is incredibly proud of his six grandchildren and twins that are on the way. Utahns enjoy better protected and cleaner land SALT LAKE CITY- - Pro- and clean up of Utahs land resources have made great strides during the last three decades. Prior to the 1970s, open dumps and burning of trash were common. It was normal to dump hazardous waste on site and in some cases, homes were built on those sites. All that changed with the establishment of solid and hazardous waste regulations and cleanup programs to protect the environment and trict money, Board President Kathy Parnell told the audiMT. PLEASAN- T- The ence. Because of that, she North Sanpete School Dis- noted, the district has lost trict (NSSD) Board unani- about $2,000 dollars this past mously approved the tax year. Superintendent Courtney levy of .000121 to be added to the tax now in effect, in spite Syme stated that most of the of objections of members of money for education comes the communities, in the re- from the state income tax cent board meeting, Tues- and the property tax money goes for maintenance and day, Aug. 10. Gene Labooty told the operations. Morris told the board he board his families taxes have would like to see any ina for the $100 gone up year crease go to the teachers and past several years. I wonder who really owns us, me or the students and not to the the county. The $20 increase administration. I see a real is not a problem. We have an problem with our economy, inordinate taxation to sup- throwing money at is is not going to do it, Morris port our schools, he said. added. communianother Morris, How Raising taxes in the asked, member, ty of $55,000 will get amount betcan you make kids read ter by throwing money at the district $100,000 dollars it? Morris chided the schools from the state, Superintenobserved. by stating his son was behind dent Syme This in reading while attending money would go tothe ward Kindergarten to NSSD schools. He reported that he pulled his child out of third grade reading prothe schools for two years gram, according to Parnell. and by that time, he caught She said, three years ago, the readup to where he needed to be district looked at their and adopted the and, in fact, graduated from ing program Scott Foresmann curriculum, Snow College with honors. We are the poorest coun- which was approved by the teachers and community of the 29 counties, he PTA, said, I dont like to see wast- ty councils. She did admit ed tax dollars. I know that parents had not had an input in the books selection. theyre wasted. Scott Forsemann uses a Another community membalanced phonics and whole ber, Bishell, noted that their taxes keep going up, howev- language (see the word and er, their fixed income keeps say it) approach, according to Assistant Superintendent going down. The taxes will be $300 a George Bench. The CFO, Darin Johansen, year on a $100,000 house, acthat $72,000 was Fireported Chief to District cording nancial Officer Darin Jo- taken from Capital Funds hansen. The new levy will and placed into maintenance in the district give the district $55,000 and operations which will be matched with budget. Theoretically, youre not supposed to do that, $125,000 from the state. Member Robert Lost students cost the dis Board Hansen protested. However, Benton Petersen nt tection ther environmental contamination. Once cleaned up, many abandoned commercial and industrial sites are used for economic redevelopment. The progress is impressive. In Utah, under the Super- fund, Voluntary Cleanup and Brownfields programs, 5,075 acres or 1,343 properties and 467 million gallons of groundwater nave been cleaned up. In the underground storage tank program, 4,988 sites have been closed as health. clean. In the leaking underpublic For example, in 30 years, ground storage tank proUtah has gone from having gram, 3,622 total sites, inmore than 300 open dumps cluding 1,274 sites with to approximately 50 permit- groundwater contamination, ted landfills. Regulations totaling 2,718 acres, have now call for liners, ground-wate- r been cleaned up. We live in a totally differmonitoring, fencing, daily cover, clay caps, rodent ent world now, but it didnt ana litter control and water happen overnight, said Denrunoff control. nis Downs, director of the DiA recycling infrastructure vision of Solid and Hazhas been built that extends ardous Waste. Progress the life of our landfills and was gradual. To be sure, technology has provides beneficial reuse of material. definitely helped, but more Used oil, used tires, glass, than that, the attitude toaluminum cans, cardboard, ward proper management of newspaper and green waste waste has been the greater such as lawn clippings and impetus toward a healthier environment. trees are being recycled. The cultural change has Furthermore, programs such as Superfuna, Brown- been significant, Downs fields, Voluntary Cleanup said. People are more aware and Underground Storage of the environment and want Tanks investigate and clean to protect it. For instance, we up hazardous waste sites see more people implementthreatening public health ing and participating in recyand the environment and cling programs. Thats good eliminate and prevent fur news for the environment. PYRAMID Governor Walker encourages Utahns to protect watersheds SALT LAKE CITY- - In No- vember 2003, Governor Olene Walker unveiled an aggressive plan to improve water quality throughout the state bv introducing her Watershed Initiative. The comprehensive program is designed to improve both water quality and quantity over the coming years. The governor is focusing on segments of 25 key streams and reservoirs, including the upper San Pitch River. This project can affect every Utahn in a positive way, said Walker. In order to improve Utah, today and tomorrow, we need to ensure that our future prosperity has a clean and sustainable supply of water. A watershed is an area of land from which all water drains to the same location such as a stream, pond, lake, river, or wetland. Watersheds are dynamic natural branches from trees and systems that not only proplants and dead needles vide water, forage and habiand leaves from the ground tat for wildlife and livestock, on your property; replace they help clean our air and cedar shake roofs with a offer places to recreate and nonflammable class A al- find solitude. ternative. They also contain timber, To learn how you can energy and mineral remake your home more de- sources and are the headwafensible against wildfires, ters of our food supply. It is visit www.firewise.org. g Planting succulents and foliage around your home is a simFor well permits ple way you can make it more defensible against wildLowest price Protect against wildfires NAP- S- How firewise are you? It's not just an idle question. In just three years, fire devastated 17,000 square miles of wildlands throughout the United States. These fires consumed more than 2,500 homes and other structures, representing a total loss of more than $60 million in property. In 2000, America experienced one of the greatest losses of million acres-tfires since 1957. Firewise safety tips land-8.- 4 wild- o water-retainin- Remove dead or over- fires. hanging branches; store firewood away from your Water for sale house; create a perimeter free of fire fuel on all sides of your house; for well permits space trees and shrubs to lower wildfire potential; 462-214- 1 Remove dead leaves and 30-fo- 3 North Sanpete School District tax lew approved BSA calls new chairman vice-preside- PYRAMID Parnell responded that Hansen was correct, theoret- Superintendent Courtney Syme informed the board that the State Board of Eduically, but it does happen. Parnell then brought up the cation will be performing a subject of the North Sanpete curriculum audit. When the audit occurs, High School dress code and commented that several par- John Erickson, principal of ents have informed her that the high school, and Leslie they can not find modest Kiesel, middle school princiclothing in any mall up pal, will have the State Board North. Because of that, she of Education look at every suggested a school uniform course the schools use in oror have all students wear a der to either approve or not white lab coat over their approve them for graduation clothing while at school, be requirements. considered. No action was Syme also cautioned the taken on the recommenda- board that this process will involve differences in philosophy between people, tne distravel application from the trict and the state. He also FFA to attend their national recommended the that convention in Louisville, KY, school counselors also attend since it is a part of their cur- this audit. Final discussion concluded riculum requirements, according to Board President with a report from Syme Parnell. that he signed a contract Also approved, on second with Randy Goble Construcreading, were the policies of tion Company to build the placing information received high school science laboratofrom juvenile courts into a ry, and that Superior Water students permanent file; al- and Air will be donating two million dollars lowing a student to self medicate and one-hawith asthma medicine if to supply filters for all the a parent approves, and to water fountains in the diskeep a homeless student in trict. Syme explained that it will protect students from the school he or she last lead contamination. tion. The board approved the -- Sanpete Academy Esteem Team presented puppet show EPHRAIM- - Using the Kids on the Block puppets, students from Sanpete Academy (SA) and the YWEC presented a short program about bullying and solutions to that problem on Monday, Aug. 2. Ephraim Elementary students enjoyed the show, asking a variety of questions of the puppets during a question and answer interlude during the presentation. The SA Esteem Team are looking forward to the fall, when they will continue studying performance, and giving programs for other groups of kids. pup-peteerin- my goal to provide for cleaner rivers and lakes, enhance water yield and increase public awareness and wise use of Utahs watersheds, Walker said. To meet this goal, the governor established a Know Your Watershed campaign. Know Your Watershed means being able to answer these questions: What is a watershed? Where is my watershed? Is watershed my healthy? Where does the water go? What can I do? In addition to the campaign, the governor has issued a call to action and every lenged chal- to Utahn y. Aaopt-A-Waterbod- Adopt-A-Waterbod- is y a community involvement program that unites a variety of volunteer groups throughout the state to work toward one purpose; to protect and enhance the waters of the beautiful state of Utah. More information about Adopt-A-Waterbod- S - $ is avail- y gov. Persons can find their local watershed and possibly join an already existing program or start their own. Using the Kids on the Block' puppets, students from Sanpete Academy (SA) and the YWEC presented a short program about bullying and solutions to that problem to Ephraim Elementary students. The SA Esteem Team are looking forward to the fast when they will continue doing programs for other groups. . Foreclosure YUeposessions ''Garnishments ' ' Gordons Tours ' v ' . ... 4 Barbara Gordon, OwnerOperatoh Debt Collectors Call now to see If a FRESH FINANCIAL START la right for youl ot acre foot or Cliff (801) hy on the web at www.adoptawaterbody.utah 1500 Call Arley (435) a? able . 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