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Show Taxation bid alarms coal executives County jobless trend erratic By SCOTT LLOYD Staff Writer SALT LAKE CITY Mining Subject as it is to ups and downs in energy industries, Carbon Countys unemployment rate has exhibited widely varying trends month by month, bearing little relationship to state or national patterns. That is the indication of data compiled for the Sun Advocate this month by the - industry leaders dont exactly know how badly a proposed tax assessment procedural change would affect their industry, although they are certain the results would be devastating. Nearly a score of industry representatives addressed the Utah Tax Commission at a public hearing Monday, some of whom asked that the commission wait at least 90 days before making a decision. They said they need time to analyze the potential impacts of the proposed policy under which mines tar sands and coal including would be taxed on the mines same basis as metalliferous mines. The change was unanimously recommended last month by the Utah of Employment Department Security (Job Service). The statistics, compiled since January 1974 and terminating with a rate forecast for November of this year, show a trend generally decreasing from averages of 7 and 8 percent in 1974 and 1975, leveling out to levels of 4 and 5 percent in the late 1970s and early 1980s, until this year, when layoffs in the coal industry shot it back up to around 9 percent. However, the month-bymont- rate shows us h some Legislative dramatic leaps and plunges. In August of 1974, for example, it shot from 5.6 to 12.1 percent. Similarly, the unemployment rate jumped from 8 percent to 10.4 percent in October of 1975. Likewise, an erratic pattern was shown this year when the rate jumped from 7.4 to 10.4 percent in July. It leveled off at 8.7 and 8.8 percent through the months of August, September and October, but Job Service officials in Salt Lake City forecast it to be 12 percent at the end of November. Although she could not pinpoint any specific cause for the peaks and valleys, Athena Vignetto at the Price office of Job Service said they are probably related to temporary layoffs in the steel, railroad or other industries. Although coal strikes would eventually affect the unem-- ( A Christmas wish locally-assesse- is aimed Operation Santa Claus is under way. Little Alexis Williams, 2, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Art Williams of Price, chats with Santa after giving a donation to the cause. The program, sponsored by the Southeastern Utah Community Action at acquiring gifts for Program, area needy. Santa had his work cut out for him Friday as he visited with children most of the day. Mrs. Claus was also on hand to take Christmas list notes so Santa would not forget what the children wanted. Photo by Rick Egan Continued on Page 2A) and Revenue Taxation Interim Study Committee and endorsed by the Tax Commission. A preliminary analysis of three Utah coal mines by the Tax Commission indicated that such a change in assessment formula could quadruple the assessed value of some coal mines in the state. of The Utah Association Counties, led by Carbon County Commissioner Lee Semken, has heralded the proposal, saying it is a step toward achieving fairness in the taxation of property as d to opposed and railroads property (mines, utilities). Semken has said if the change were instituted, the resulting windfall might enable Carbon County to reduce its property tax levy, which is currently at the legal limit of 16 mills. But mine operators say it would adversely impact the average taxpayer through in- creased in the already unemployment floundering mining industry. Besides coal, Managing Editor Community leaders gathered Price Monday to tell Utahs jwest congressman how he can sip Carbon County when he ikes office in Washington next lonth. Politicians, school officials United Mine Workers of nd merica ongressman-elec- t leaders met Howard C. new Third ielson of the ongressional District at a former Price Mayor William Welsh Jr. and Mayor Art Lee Martines. In welcoming Nielson, Martines said he special meeting and luncheon in Price City Hall. Officials voiced their hopes and fears on subjects ranging from unemployment and the depressed economy to rising crime statistics and poor road conditions. I think youre a great county, Nielson told the group. You contribute a lot to the state. Im going to try my best to represent your needs. The gathering was organized by wanted the new congressman to become familiar with the problems and needs of Carbon County before heading to the nations capital. I feel that in the past weve been neglected because were the only Democratic county in Martines said. the state, Price just isnt a dot on the map. We feel proud of our contributions to the state. Welsh said he found Nielson to be one who listened to community concerns during his four terms in the Utah Legislature. The purpose of this meeting today is to help him understand us and what goes on here, Welsh said. We want to get to know him better and he needs to get to know us. Carbon County Commissioner Guido Rachiele told Nielson he hoped to maintain a good line of communication with the new congressman. We will be calling on you and hope you receive us with an Rachiele said. open mind, Were noted for our progressive attitude. We dont take things lightly and we wont be asking for something we feel were not entitled to. Rachiele said county officials are excited about the opportunities for growth and the prospects of new industry coming to Carbon County, citing the V '" 'f I -- rr W S Congressman elect Howard C. Nielson, shakes hands with William J. Welsh II during a visit to Price Monday. William I J. Welsh Jr., left, looks on, as Nielson aide William background. Arseneau stands in the Photo by Rich Egan proposed tar sands development in Sunnyside as an example. He expressed confidence about being able to handle the increased population that comes with new industry. We want to assure everyone that we are capable of handling any growth or industry that might want to come here," he said. UMWA District 22 President Mike Dalpiaz said Carbon County miners are concerned about coal production, energy and safety in area mines. The coal industry has been on the roller coaster before," Dalpiaz said. Now were on the downhill again, but it looks us mines in Utah produce gilsonite, phosphate, sand, grave, cement, limestone, magnesium, salts, potash, ballast, tar sands and oil shale. Companies in the mining industry have not been afforded adequate time or opportunity to analyze the regulation or its relationship to fair cash value, said Jack President E. Christensen of the Utah Mining Association in affirming the groups motion for a continuance of the hearing. Christensen said neither the association nor its 34 member mining firms were given the opportunity to provide input on the proposal and charged that the Tax Commission may have 90-d- ay violated Utah Open the Meetings Law by not providing adequate notice of the hearing. Christensen said there has not been adequate opportunity to assess the economic impacts of the proposed regulation, but (Continued on Page 6A) INSIDE: d state-assesse- N Community leaders give Nielson an earful By DAVID LONG rates and utility favorable for the near future. Fred Lupo, District 22 vice president, said the number of unemployed coal miners is increasing every day and any way Nielson could help get men back to work would be appreciated. Thomas Grames, chairman of District 22s Coal Miners Political Action Committee and f a miner himself, ento do his part Nielson couraged to encourage the formation of a federal energy policy that would promote the use of domestic coal rather than oil. We need to get our unemployed miners back to work, All these Grames said. power plants should be converted to coal. Why should we be subject to an Arab sheik? Nielson told the UMWA officials that he hopes to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee where he could encourage the exporting of coal to Pacific Rim countries and the increased use of domestic coal. Charles Davis, a member of Price Citys Planning and Zoning Commission, said the city is keeping a close watch on its water supply and is concerned about a possible shortage in the future. "We want any support you can give us so we can provide adequate services to our residents, Davis said. Sberril D. Burge, executive director of the Carbon-EmerHousing Authority, asked for Nielsons support in preventing further budget cuts so her agency can meet the needs of those who depend on laid-of- oil-fir- y e (Continued on Page 3A I Always a cowboy Jim Bob Eardley has always been a cowboy, even when he was 4 years old. After 14 years, he is nationally recognized as a cowboy after winning a $5,000 scholarship at the National Finals Rodeo Association contest in Oklahoma City. See page IB. Dear Santa... The Sun Advocate managed to intercept letters to Santa Claus this week and found a wide variety of things on childrens Christmas lists. Some items were a bit out of the ordinary for first through third graders to include things like jobs for parents, permanent parents for a foster child and peace in the world. See page 1C. Business Castle Valley Watch Green River News LegalPublic Notices Letters to the Editor Market Bazaar News Scene Obituaries Opinion Shopping Mart Sports 10A 12C 6C .... 10C 5A 4B 2A 4C 4A ID IB |