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Show k Vv- t 'y - - tW' I A;'V; X ' X' i ' 1 i - Home of the Mormon Miracle Pageant 1987 July 9, 10, 11, 14-1- USPS publnhd wnUy for $ 03264-000- 5 00yof in Sonpl 16 00ai ouliide 5onpl by IIwm ngftnl.rpri,. Inc. 35 S Mom Mami UT84AA3 Snd clou poilag paid ol Moon Uiah POSTMASTER Send addreu chanqei lo Mont, Meuenqer 35 S tA.. 8, Mam Mann Water leaks plague cities UTfuneJ (See Page 5) fears qmell 'Hearing prison impact BY PAT MELL0R be met by the staff and resources already in place, the Sanpete County Commission was informed on Friday The construction of a prison would have virtually no impact on agencies expected to be most involved with the prison's attendant administrative needs, and those needs could easily night. The Sanpete County Commission had called a special executive meeting to hear testimony from several agencies, including Snow r . f'- V .a r' - , ; ; ; - V ? V- - V - x 1 ',U ,. . - 5r 'i' - rr S ' &, C .W' T'.- u- - V , ' S t - VV. , I x r - 'i - p j-- : r f. W J ' . , , ''X t:L . XV ''''y,V' K'?r to - '" v. Water ca knows? Springtime in Sanpete BY BRUCE JENNINGS The signs of spring are all about: Sprinklers whirling about in greening fields. New lambs tugging at their mothers. Apple and plum trees in bloom. especially plum trees The snow line slowly receding beyond the foothills. And the spring runoff underway brown water splashing under the Swinging Bridge in Ephraim Canyon and bouncing along, brown flecked with foam, through the Narrows in Manti Canyon. Watermasters say the streamflow is around 40 second feet. That, of course, is far below their usual peak of around 300 second feet. Will the runoff down Ephraim and Manti Canyons reach that level this spring? Irrigators doubt it, because the that water content in the snow-pacfeeds the streams is only 70 percent of normal. Irrigators began drawing down Gunnison Reservoir and Nine-MilReservoir about three weeks ago. The season arrived two weeks earlier than usual, according to Ned Madsen, Manti Irrigation Co. president. e That means, of course, that the runoff, whatever there is because of the diminished snow banks, could be short lived. I dont think well have high water," one discouraged farmer commented. Although water for irrigating may be in short supply, there are a couple of developments that help to extend its benefits. One of those factors is channels which the cement-linedeliver much more of the available water supply to the farms than the ditches and another is the pressurized irrigation systems which distribute the water much more efficiently than the pioneer furrow method. d old-tim- e Unemployed could staff prison in Sanpete could staff a the at present County regional corrections facility to capacity as well as several other industries, says Ephraim Job Service Manager Bruce K. Barton. The unemployed Barton presented testimony to the Sanpete County Commission last Friday night that showed just how deeply the county has been affected by unemployment. The Job Service manager, whose coordinates efforts to place workers with employers in the ket Information section show that Sanpete has a labor force of S.030 people. "With an unemployment rate for March 1987 of 20.9 percent, that means there are 1 ,260 people who are actively seeking work at this time. There are an estimated 900 additional people who are discouraged job seekers who would be looking for work if they thought they could find work," Barton told the commission. "There are another 750 workers who are underemployed as to skill level, or who are working part time, because full time work is not available." Even after the Moroni processing plant starts up again, hiring an anticipated 400 people, Barton pointed out this will still leave 2,510 people looking for work in Sanpete County. "This number, Barton observed, "is sufficient to make up a prison work force. It would be possible to staff the prison to capacity, and several other businesses as well, before anyone from another area would need to move here." Training requirements for positions at the proposed regional corrections facility, Barton pointed statistics current said out, range from a short demonstracounty, tion, to accreditation from Police compiled by the Utah Department of Officers Training Academy, to a Employment Securitys Labor Mar- college degree: "At Job Service, we have 550 registered applicants who have a high school diploma or better. Our labor force baa adequate akllla for over 85 of the Joba at the proposed prison. Barton said there are other considerations for the county when looking at the possibility of trying to bring the prison into this area: "We are paying out 2.5 million dollars in unemployment insurance benefits per year. We are already dealing with a large number of (unemployed) people. Placing them on jobs is no more difficult (for Job Service) than processing their claims for benefits. The boost to the economy will also create more jobs in the service sector. More jobs in the service sector will enable more discouraged workers and secondary wage earners to find TRUCK vs. TREE. Th tr In Waldo Garbos lot in Manti lost most of jobs. The result will be a flourishing Its bark and Norm Donsloy of Starling lost his truck to tho collision. economy. Tho accldont occurred Friday, Apr. 24. Mr. Donsloy was driving and "Our emphasis will change from was tho only parson lnured. Ho was transported by Ephratm-Mant- l paying benefits to filling job Ambulance to Gunnison Valley Hospital with chest and Internal openings. This is a change I look forward to," Barton concluded. and lacerations. office Truck hits tree injuries i both lose Health. of the verbal and written testimony presented to the commission indicated that the agencies felt that Sanpete County could not only absorb the impact of a prisons construction, both during the construction phase and during its subsequent operation, but would actually welcome the impact and the favorable effect it would have on facilities and staff utilization within the county. A member of the citizens committee seeking to bring the prison to Sanpete County said the hearing would hopefully answer questions concerning various agencies desires toward seeking the prison as a boost to economic development. "The quickest way to find out what the projected impact would do to the established agencies already located within the county, observed a committee member, was to send out copies of the States Request for Proposals, give the agency heads the names of people to contact, and let them figure out for themselves what impact the prison would have on their facilities and their work, and then let them tell us." Snow offers assist One of the statements most indicative of the general response offered to the Commissions request for information was that read at the meeting by Dr. Gene Hansen, who brought with him the prepared statement of Dr. Steve Bennion, president of Snow College. Dr. Bennion, asked for the official response from Snow College to concerns that the college might suffer in enrollment because of prison development, or might not desire to assist with education of prison employees or internees, responded, "Economic development is one of the most crucial needs of Sanpete County. The infusion of new jobs and population growth is needed, to improve the local employment and economic picture. Snow College . . . has worked and will continue to work for economic development in Sanpete County and the other counties of Central Utah. Unemployment and population trends in Sanpete and All Vjv;V-cMs- 2 ; projected impact of the project. Those who appeared to testify at the invitation of the commission were Sanpete County Sheriff Charles Ramsey, Dr. Scott W. Bean of the South Sanpete School District, Dr. Gene Hansen, officially representing Dr. Steven Bennion of Snow College; Therald Wernz, Director of the Department of Social Services, District IV; Rodney L. Mellor, Ambulance AssociaEphraim-Mantion; Dr. Leon D. Nielson of the North Sanpete School District; and Bruce Barton, Job Service. Written testimony was also furnished by Allen P. Hall of Central Utah Mental ti J , : . - . K I '. A College and North and South Sanpete school districts, concerning their ability to handle the development of a regional prison. In his opening statements. Commission Chairman Wendell McGarry said the purpose of the hearing was to receive testimony to cope with the neighboring counties clearly demonstrate the need for new and expanded industry in Central Utah. "It is Snow College's understanding that the Six County Association of Governments has recently taken a position in support of locating the proposed prison in Sanpete County," Dr. Bennion continued. "County, city and business leaders have continued to give strong endorsement to this proposed new industry in our area. Snow College recognizes and supports the work of these leaders, and is committed to assist in providing vitally needed employment opportunities and educational programs for our citizens. "If Sanpete County's bid for the prison is successful, promised Dr. the College will work Bennion, wholeheartedly with local and state officials to provide needed education and training for both prison employees and inmates. The spirit of cooperation that exists among city, county and business leaders in this planning effort is admirable, and has clarified how important collaborative efforts are for economic growth in the county, Dr. Bennion pointed out. "We are anxious to be a part of this united effort. Should the County or Citizens' Committee desire as- sistance from Snow College, we stand Dr. Bennion ready to help, concluded. Some of the most telling testimony at the meeting was that presented by Bruce Barton of Job Service, who pointed out to the commission that there are 1,260 people seeking work in Sanpete County. In March, the unemployment rate within the county reached 20.9 percent, (see related article). The impact (of the prison) will not overload our system in the county. predicted Allan P. Hall, executive director of the Central Utah Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Center. "Speaking both for Mental Health Alcohol and Drugs and as an individual, I support the Sanpete County (bid) for a new regional corrections facility." School districts respond Every school in Sanpete County is operating below capacity, enrollment-wise at present, both school superintendents advised the Commission. Ephraim Elementary has 375 students with a capacity of 425; Gunnison Elementary 560 with a capacity of 625; and Manti Elementary has 405 students with a capacity of 450. Ephraim Middle School has 310 students and a capacity of 350; Gunnison High has 325 students w ith a capacity of 375; and Manti High has 360 and a capacity of 425. If the schools were to go to a year-aroun- d program, capacity would increase 30 percent, Clerk Paul Gottfredson pointed out. On the north end of the county, where the economic situation is even more desperate, if possible, some schools are operating with enrollments only a fraction of their total capacities. North Sanpete High could serve 700 students but has only 519; the middle school is constructed to serve 600 students but has 466; Fountain Green Elementary, which could hold 250 students, is down to 119, and Spring City, which boomed for awhile with miners families, now serves 154 students in a new school capable of holding 250. "We feel without reservation that we can meet the impact of a prison development in Sanpete County without additional programs or the hiring of additional staff." Social Services Director Therald Wernz told the commission. Wernz participated in the Central Utah Development Committee which headed the response of the Delta area to the impact from the IPP construction phase, one of the most successful social service impact forecasts in the country. Sheriff Charles Ramsey and Emergency Medical Technician Rod Mellor testified that fears that local law enforcement protection and emergency medical care would be hazarded by the needs of the prison appeared to be groundless, and Mr. Mellor noted that in other areas the State has apparently contracted locally for ambulance service, which could in Sanpete, help to defray costs of local medical care and help to emergency purchase medical equipment to benefit all of Sanpetes citizens. All written testimony and verbal statements made at the meeting were recorded by court reporter Joe Liddell, and will be prepared for the perusal of the public as soon as transcription is completed. much-neede- d Dr. McGarry expressed the thanks of the commission to those agencies represented and noted that the many hours of research done by these people in order to determine their role in the communitys decision to seek the prison and other sources of economic development would be appreciated by all the county's residents. The commission will also provide transcripts of the hearing and the commissions findings to the State Department of Corrections. The next step, McGarry noted, is the meetings at the local level set to discuss the prison development and to determine whether the public can support the idea of building a corrections facility in the county. Manti's meeting on this issue is set for May 5. Miss Manti names Pageant MC Jackie Davis, Miss Manti 1986 and of the 1987 Miss Manti Pageant, has announced that Donald R. Zimmerman will be Master of Ceremonies for this years Miss Manti Pageant, which ;s scheduled for June 13, 1987. Mr. Zimmerman has a Master of Arts in Professional Dance from BYU and is presently three semester hours away ffom having his B. A. in Musical Theatre. Don currently teaches dance at the "Dance Factory in Orem where he has developed a curriculum including tap, jazz, ballet, tumbling, clogging, aerobics and social dance for students ranging in age from three through adult. He also directs a group of 40 young people in "The Dance Factory Entertainment Showcase. They have toured southern California with performances at Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Sea World and Maineland with a variety show showcase. Not only does Mr. Zimmerman have a vast teaching experience, but also performs himself. He was selected as a dancer for the movie "Footloose which was filmed in Utah County. He was one of the 21 dancers selected from a field of approximately 800 dancers who auditioned, 300 of whom were male dancers. In addition he has acted as M.C. at many scholarship pageants in Utah County and has performed in several stage productions with BYU Theater Dept, as a dancer and actor including holding a leading role in a BYU production of Shenendoah". He also was selected as a dancer for the Jimmy and Kristi McNichol television special which aired on national television and was filmed at Osmond Studios. He is the of the new General Church Dance and Activities manual. "Don is a man and he w ill be a great addition to the pageant," Jackie said. He is from Provo and he and his wife have five children. "This Miss Manti Pageant w ill be a very worthwhile experience for all participants and will be especially entertaining for those in attendance," Miss Davis commented. Again, all girls who are interested in participating, please contact Jackie no later than May 1, 1987. multi-talente- Jackie Davit, Mitt Manti 1986, and Don Zimmerman, who will eir cee this year't Mitt Manti Pageant. 1 |