OCR Text |
Show Messenger-Enterpris- Thursday, October 21, 1982 e, Page 3 4 UiTtl, in llit' mi mi year, with (la-- idea e uImi arc expected lo pul in a new sewer M.vKleni with projected costs of $500.00 for each hook-up- , plus piping into the house from the street hook-uplus an approximate cost of $12.00 per month for sewer maintenance and payment toward the debt incurred for said sewer system. These costs are in addition to the water charge of $10.00 per month. I am becoming more and more concerned as to the ability of being able to pay for all these improvements. Of course, I am In favor of progress, but I also am in favor of prudence. We need to consider all aspects of costs and being able to pay all costs connected with these projects. Another proposed project for Manti is also with us we are still expected to go Before we along with the get into that we need to check into the feasibility of converting the existing building that is now being used for the middle school. Other cities in Utah have done this and saved millions of dollars by converting existing buildings rather than building new ones for municipal use. Please make all the citizens of Manti aware of the obligations we are assuming when allowing these projects (attractive though they be) to overwhelm our good judgement. We need to carefully consider and then consider, again, before agreeing to the bonding needed to complete these improvements. (lull Letters . . . Need answers To the Editor: I rosy be branded part of the "vocal minority" but I need answers to my questions. How much would the proposed sewer system really cost? I've been told $500.00 initial hookup fee and $144.00 per year. But I've not been told what I would have to pay to go from my house to the street. Another $500.00? If the $144.00 per year is to pay back the loan when will it be paid off? Or will we continue to pay $144.00 per year after we pay for the sewer system? What will it cost to rebuild the city streets? In a recent letter I read it would cost $2,000,000 to install a septic system. I know people in the business who could install a complete septic system for $1,100.00 and if a person were willing and able, he could buy the materials, do most of the work himself and only spend about $400.00. Maybe someone could find an answer for this. Just how many "little old ladies" are there in Manti? Or better yet how many of the people of Manti live on fixed or low income? Wasn't it not long ago you published the census results? And didnt you tell us Sanpete was below the poverty level as far as income? Dont you find it interesting that the person who said there aren't any "little old ladies" has a nice government job with a good income? Isn't it also interesting that another member of the citizens advisory committee is a banker who offered to loan "the little old ladies" money at the going interest rate? Are the "little old ladies" represented on the advisory committee or the city council? Or have we all closed our eyes to them? Is it fair for households with one or two people to pay the same rate as a family of six or more? What about the people with new homes and new septic systems? Or people with old homes and new septic systems? Is it fair to them? Isnt it really only the people who can most afford the proposed sewer system who support it at the expense of those who can least afford it? If this is not the case, and the city council really believes the people of Manti support the proposed sewer system, then why are they afraid to let the people vote? It would seem. to me that they would have nothing to lose, unless of course they are wrong. Wouldn't you suggest we become informed and vote? Isnt this America? Let the majority speak. Steve B. McKinley x. Very truly yours, Edward R. Gilman Resent accusations To the Editor: Last week in "Letters to the Editor two letters appeared which question the wisdom of the Council in proceeding with installation of a sewer system for our city. Had either of these writers consented to become a member of the Citizen Advisory Committee which has studied this problem for nearly two years, most of their questions would have been answered. I agree with Roy Hatch that "Manti is blessed with excellent drainage" and it is also obvious that some of this drainage" is in our open ditches and creeks. We live on a slope fine for those of us who are on high ground! In spite of Board of Health regulations which make it illegal to install two 50 gallon drums filled with rocks, covered with chicken wire, and cemented over, this is being done in Manti even at present. Our underground water is showing signs of pollution and this condition will not be reversed. The State Board of Health has the authority to stop all building in a City. It also has the authority to force us into a sewer system and will not be particularly concerned about the cost of our hookups and monthly service charge. Several years ago Manti had an opportunity to install a sewer system on 100 grant money and the engineering had been completed. A group of "concerned citizens" made it known at the State Capitol that Manti did not want any such money. The grant money was withdrawn and the project stopped. Now we have an opportunity once again to install our system. There is, however, a price tag. It is the lowest price tag we could obtain: $92,000 interest free money and the balance of over a 25 year period. the loan at To repay this loan and maintain the system, we will have to pay a $500 hookup fee (compared with $1,500 to $2,000 in most cities in Utah) and a monthly service fee of about $12.00. Mr. Henretty, there are Yes, unanswered questions regarding the installation of the sewer system, but the Advisory Committee, the engineers and the Council have every right to resent your accusation that "this flimsy knowledge might turn into a financial nightmare." Most of the questions you voiced in the meetings seemed to be concerned with "who had to hook up to the system, how it could affect trailer park Too many at once To the Editor: Will you please alert the citizens of Manti to the potential dangers of too many projects being done at one time. Our city is a very special place to live and for people like me and my family, it was chosen for the rural lifestyle it offered. The slow pace and low taxes were the main reasons for a lot of people to move here. There are less than 850 property parcels in the City of Manti. These properties are owned by people who are and lots of them are alreadyover-taxe- d unable to meet these existing taxes. In the five years since I have lived here, my taxes on my home have increased almost four-folI know that other people in town are also feeling the squeeze of these necessary taxes. We have been informed that an increase of approximately 20 will be added to our electricity charges. We have the costs of the irrigation system currently being installed. Now we are 4i owners, and how people on limited incomes could effort his expense. The Council stated that the sewer ordinance has not yet been drawn up and they will work in the coming weeks to arrive at fair and reasonable solutions not only to the questions you asked, but to the many others which come with such a project. The Council has approved a design which is reasonable, fits our needs, and is low maintenance. The subsidized financial package cuts expense by $1,000 to $1,500 for each property owner, and we will solve a very real health hazard problem which exists in our City. Mr. Hatch refers to the cost of "upgrading our power system, installing a pressurized irrigation system, and many other projects." The power system is being upgraded and has been in this process for many years perhaps in some of the older homes which he has purchased, Mr. Hatch has noticed that even the lampcord wiring has to be upgraded at some time. The pressurized system is being done by the Manti Irrigation Company with the blessing of the Council. Water is a scarce item in our area and this method was chosen as the least expensive with the greatest use and annual payments can easily come from the savings realized in our lower culinary bills. When "concerned citizens" brought this issue to the polls at an added extra cost of about $5,000, the measure in received the support of the citizens as the same they roughly percentage had supported it in the survey taken in May 1981. The "many other projects which you refer to are just a part of the nebulous accusations and unfounded statements. In the May 1981 survey, the citizens also responded by a 67 majority that they felt installation of a sewer system is of primary importance and should be done. I do not believe there was any feeling from the taxpayers at any time that there would be a free ride on costs. Based on the recommendations of the Citizen Advisory Committee and on the results of the survey, it was the derision of the Council to avoid the added expense of putting this issue on the ballot. Revenue bonding does not need to be voted on by the citizens and does not increase taxes. I have heard that another survey is house-to-hou- being circulated by "concerned citizens", however, the copy I got hold all of the economy is effected. of has some very loaded questions including the one which says: "Do you need a sewer system now?" Unless you are in the process of replacing your septic tank, the answer would have to be "no. Question 5 says: "Do we have the right to vote on the Sewer System?" Think about that onel Of course, you have the right to vote that's one of our freedoms and it would be erroneous to say "no" on thisl 1 have also talked with people who were informed that they did not need to complete the survey when it became apparent that they favored the project. Come on, fellows, let's play fair! I congratulate the Mayor and Council for making the decision to proceed with this project. It would have been much easier to sit on their hands and wait for the next group to take over or to have the State Board of Health force them into action. Our city officials are responding in a manner and they are working in the interest of the citizens of Manti. If you ever doubt this, 1 would invite you to take a term of office and look at the problems from the other side of the table. If you have questions, make them known, so we can get answers, and let's all pull together to be part of the solution. Put away selfish motives and let's work for the good of the community. May Peterson I think these facts should be brought to the attention of the voters so people can see what is going on. Lower interest rates may not solve the problem as Friday Forum IDS Whothor you com ...car. by bus . . . train . . . plant ! . tK Wtwfl In Ml Uka . . . mate i ta Rancho Mata lada a- !. V . Sa Rancho haa vary racantly completed entemlve remodeling and raturhlahlng. Each graclooe room often room controlled haat and art conditioning, new color TV. radio, ahowan. himltura. carpate and drapat . . . plua auparb cleanllneaa And talk about convanlanca. Within walking dlatanca la Tampla Square . . . the Salt Palaee (Pro Baaketball. Hockey. Symphony, on. ate.) . . . State Capitol . . . downtown . . . and ao on and on and So. no matter how you arrive In Salt Lake, make a point to headMotel. quarter In Salt Late loweet coat. maor Flret Claea Our motto la: ta . Try Ue", M 12 Noon Dr. Jeffrey R. Holland and Intermountain Health Care, Inc., and the Polynesian Cultural Center in , Dr. Jeffrey R. Holland Will know thats what youre going to say if your candidate, doesnt win. Proposition One is bad idea, opponents say An increase of 2,500 more unemployed Utahns during September is further evidence that Proposition One is a bad idea, according to Citizens to Save Utah Jobs. The group has been organized to urge defeat of Proposition One. which will appear on the Utah ballot on election day. Proposition One would amend the tax article of the Utah Constitution. It would not lower residential property tax, but it would increase property taxes paid by Utah businesses by an immediate 25 percent and an additional 20 percent at some future date. It takes little imagination to realize what would happen to these already record unemployment figures if you add to business expenses an additional 25 percent in property taxes, said Dale Zabris-kiexecutive director of Citizens to Save Utah e, Jobs. "Not only would Proposition One hurt businesses already here, but it is an signal to those considering expansion into Utah. Many will think twice before coming to a state that penalizes business with higher tax levels than other property. This will impede our recovery by reducing the number of new jobs available. Zabriskie said 19 different groups and associa-taion- s are represented by Citizens to Save Utah Jobs, and all are concerned about the negative impact of Proposition One on jobs within the state. "However, one group particularly concerned is the Utah Council of Small Business because of the special impact Proposition One will have on small businesses. We urge our elected officials to concentrate more on cutting spending and less on how to raise taxes, Zabriskie said. fpfUl CHKN bln Sanpete County Attorney i u Institute Dr. Jeffrey R. Holland, President of Brigham Young University, will be the Friday Forum speaker on October 22, 1982. His subject matter will be Is There Life After College? President Holland is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Patricia Terry of St. George, Utah. They are the parents of three children, Matthew, Mary Alice and David. Dr. Holland obtained his bachelor's degree at BYU with highest honors in 1965, and his master's degree with distinction at the same school in 1966. In 1973, he obtained a Ph.D. in American Studies from Yale University where he was a Yale University Fellow. President Holland has had wide church service experience. For four years Dr. Holland served as Commissioner of Education for the Saint educational worldwide Latter-da- y he Prior to that served as Dean program. of Religious Instruction at Brigham Young University. He also fulfilled a mission for the Church in Great Britain 1960 to 1962. from To the Editor: Holland serves on the President Ten million out of work, nothing new of the Deseret News boards governing 1941 D. In after Franklin about that. the LDS Hospital Roosevelt had been in office of nine Publishing Company, years and had pumped millions of dollars into the economy we had ten million plus out of work. Tooling up for the second world war was all that got us out and I hope we wont have to go down that road again. Why cant we put the blame where it belongs, greed. The industries of America have priced themselves out of the world markets, the working person in an effort to keep up with inflation had demanded higher and higher wages You while General Motors, Ford, and American Motors have built bigger and bigger cars losing out to the more economical foreign cars. Steel, copper. Put blame on greed housing has priced itself off the market. Private homes are not selling when offered at 8 interest. What would you do if your were President? James Newville Manti, Utah Search continues for " A Proven missing elk hunter Prosecutor Trained Search and Rescue dogs and leads from a woman professing to possess psychic powers have failed to turn up any evidence of missing elk hunter Greg Montanyo, 38, of Sunset, Utah, who is believed to have disappeared in the Miller's Flat area above Fairview the day before the elk hunt opened. Sheriff Kennard Anderson said a woman who said she was a psychic telephoned directions to the spot where she said Montanyo's body could be found, but officers expressed doubt whether the place the woman described could be reached safely. Deputy Ross Nordell said he believed there were a couple of cabins in the area which no one had been able to reach, due to deep snows, but said it did not appear that anyone was living in them from the surveillance Search and Rescue had been able to conduct. Nordell said he had flown the area In which Montanyo disappeared In a helicopter at "treetop level" and had not sighted any signs of the missing man. Sheriff Kennard Anderson said search and rescue dogs had been brought in, in the hopes that the moist snow, which generally holds a scent better than dry ground, would reveal Montanyo's whereabouts, but nothing had surfaced yet. Saturday another dog was brought in based Search from the and Rescue Dog service, but no new developments were reported in the case. Forestry officers and Search and Rescue personnel are doubtful that the hunter could be alive In the mountains after all this time, they say, "if he is indeed up there at all." Davis-Count- y In an Economic Pinch, lot's pull togothor. Ckcp at CZcmol Have successfully prosecuted cases with over 90 conviction rate. Have recommended and pushed for stiff sentences and fines. Have recovered many thousands of dollars in restitution to victims of crimes and fines. Have the support of county and city law enfor- cement departments. Wfil M3. |