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Show 2 Yamal Express Wednesday, December 18, 1985 Stress goes up during holidays A 'lighting' community effort This year the Vernal Christmas spirit received an extra twinkle in the form of two new Christmas projects. Over 35,000 Christmas lights have been arranged in the Dinosaur Gardens state museum and along Main Street. About $7,000 was collected in voluntary donations to finance this ambitious project. The results of this project, that have been a year in the planning, were that 3,200 visits were made for the first lights on celebration. This event was televised live by satellite over KUTV Channel 2 6 oclock news and shown again on the 10 oclock news. This project is one of the largest and most widely participated in by local citizens that we can remember. Last week A Special Thank You was published in the Vernal Express sponsored by an anonymous donor thanking those who had knowingly assisted in the Community Christmas lighting project. The list included 15 groups or clubs, 14 businesses, 6 schools and 75 individuals. This list was just a few of Santas helpers we know about, the thank you advertisement said. The problem with listing individuals that help in volunteer projects is that someone is always left out. Two obvious persons who have spearheaded this project were not mentioned in the public thank you. We would like to reveal their identity in this column and give them a public tribute for all the time and effort they have contributed to the Christmas lighting project. They are Irvin Haws, chairman of the Dinosaur Gardens Committee and Dwight Wetenkamp, chairman of the Community Christmas Committee. Both of these men have given untold hours of their time in calling meetings, organizing the projects and making contacts with individuals and groups explaining their plans for the Christmas lighting projects. They have lit up the whole community with their enthusiasm and desire to do something special. As a result, the community cooperation has surpassed anyones expectation. Everyone seemed willing to pitch in and be part of these special projects even when the business economy has been lower than for many years. The response was electrifying. Everyone wanted to get in on the action to make Vernal someplace special for the holidays. As a result, many outside people also shared in the lighting enthusiasm. But the main object was to make local residents proud. As a result, it seems that this years home Christmas decorations have been outstanding even though there is no home decorating contest. The community lighting efforts have rubbed off onto home residents who have gone all out to decorate for the Christmas holidays. Dwight and Irvin had a long history of community service. Both have worked through most of the offices in the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce and served as president. Irvin has faithfully served as the announcer for 13 years at the annual Turkey Days drawings when every year over 300 turkeys are given away. Dwight has also worked with most of these turkey drawings. We salute Irvin and Dwight for their tireless voluntary work in behalf of the Vernal area. They are unsung heros in public service. But especially this year they have added two community projects to our area. We thank you and want the public to know who is behind the scenes directing the show besides all the others who have so generously given of their time, money, talents and equipment to make Christmas in Vernal this year really someting to be proud of and to put a little more meaning into the holi- day season. Thanks to everyone who helped, but especially to Irvin and Dwight, we say: Great job. Well done. We appreciate your efforts. PUBLIC FORUM LETTERS TO THE EDITOR What is your opinion? The Express welcomes letters trom its readers concerning any subiect pertinent to the Uintah Basin. While there are no restrictions as to contents or reasonable length, letters must be sumitted exclusively to the Express and bear the writers full name, signature, phone number and address. Names must be printed on political letters but may be withheld for good reasons if requested on others. All letters are subiect to condensation. Toad-fla- cress x Dear Editor: Recently there has been considerable discussion about a little known plant, called Toad-flacress, both in your paper and at a meeting held in the Uintah County Courthouse. Well, in your issue on Dec. 11, 1985, on the front page with bold headlines it told that this plant was to receive more input. Well Id like to give it some further input of mine. To begin with, the Websters Collegiate Dictionary says It is a Eifro-pea- n perennial herb and here in North America it is just a naturalized weed. This was brought out in the meeting at x Vernal Express (USPS 6580-8000- ) Published every Wednesday ond Friday for $14.00 per year in area and $20.00 per year out of area by the Vernal Express Publishing Company, 54 North Vernal Avenue, Vernal, Utah 84078. Second class postage paid at Vernal, Utah 84078. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VERNAL EXPRESS, P.O. Box 1010, Vernal, Utah the court house. The long gauntlet of a name which someone attached to it ( Glaucocarpum Suffrutesceus) must of been done so to make it sound important or something. Since few people can properly pronounce the word, and being its not in the dictionary, it might very well be of foreign extraction. Regardless of what name its given, to me its still as Webster says, a weed and money spent on it or prohibiting use of land or its resources because of it, I think its ridiculous and a waste as well. You know we have farmers, dairymen, mining operations and various kinds of businesses going broke and a lot of which are due to management back in Washington D.C., of our tax dollars. Yet we can spend money right and left for something like this and never bat an eye. Somethings wrong. As a couple of people mentioned at the meeting, if they want to really do something worth while then use the funds and work involved to help eradicate some of the weeds we have that are in danger of taking over this county. Such as the white top, morning glory, Canadian thistle and, oh yes, the russian olive. I could write a letter alone on this. Anyway in closing, Ive got this to say. If the bureaucracy over the research and expenditure of funds for Toad-flacress insist on further exploration and spending of our tax dollars, I offer this suggestion. Take away those comfortable four wheel drive units that the field personnel are using and give them a saddle horse and a pack mule, then cut their wages in half. Oh yes, and do away with their expense acounts and paper they print all this stuff on and give the proceeds to care centers and nursing homes, there it would be well spent. x Thank You GEORGE E. LONG County. Because the $693,484 bid exceeded the official Utah Department of Transportation engineers estimate of $610,160 by more ficials will review than 10 percent, ofthe project to decide whether to accept the bid or advertise BUT IT'S OU During the holiday season stress often increases, but help is available to combat it. Stress can be caused by any number of reasons and tends to be higher during Christmas and New Years. According to Dr. James Allen one of the first steps in reducing stress is to define the problem and ways to eliminate it. In many cases defining what causes stress can turn the situation around. The most common causes for increased stress during a holiday cited by staff and personnel at Ashley Valley Medical Center (AVMC), include not enough money, lack of time, expectations falling short of reality and overeating. Factors that contribute to an increase in stress also tend to increase feelings of depression and loneliness for many people. Suicides increase among the homeless as well as the affluent during the holidays. Allen says one of the best ways to keep stress down is through prevention, stay out of trouble, instead of having to get out of trouble. By mentally preparing for stress, the problem can be reduced before it is R POLICY HERE AT A.V.M.C. NOT TO XRAY. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS: out of control. There are two basic formulas in fighting stress; changing the situation that is causing the stress or changing reactions to stress. Allen said in some cases it is impossible to change a situation, so human reactions to the situation must be changed. Concentrating on the positive aspects of the holidays instead of the negative will help reduce feelings of stress. He encouraged staff members to make a list of everything they thought was positive about the holidays. Exercising and personal contact with others will reduce feelings of stress. Dr. Allen said that the form of exercise does not have to elaborate and it (exercise) can be as simple as a walk around the block. Getting outside and temporarily away from a stressful situation will be helpful. Allen cited a personal incident where contact with another person would have reduced the stress he was experiencing after he had an operation. He said he had a strong need for human contact while he was coming out of the anesthetic, but was unable to convey his feelings to doctors and nurses in the hospital. Allen said the experience has made him more aware of his own patients needs. Getting enough rest and eating properly will also reduce the changes of, increased stress. Good sportsmen To the Vernal Area Sportsman: As manager of the Chevron Resources Vernal Phosphate Mining Operation, and as a sportsman myself, I would like to thank and give my appreciation to the local sportsmen for observing and respecting the no hunting and no trespassing laws surrounding the mine property. The mine property encompasses approximately 25 square miles of land which is posted against 'trespass. During the last deer and elk season, 4 individuals from out of the Vernal area did not observe the posting and were prosecuted in accordance with Wildlife Statutes. I was extremely pleased to see that no local sportsmen were involved. Chevrons policy is to utilize the mineral resources that have been provided and preserve those that all can enjoy. I fully agree with and support this policy. I believe that within a few years all of the sportsmen in this area will benefit because of the policy. I have seen the deer and elk herd grow in number and size over the past 4 years. This fall several 4 and 5 point bucks traversed the property during the deer season Many of them have been observed since the season and appear in good shape. Each year elk herds winter in the lower areas of the mine. For the first time since I have been here are there more than one bull or spike per herd. During the next few seasons these spikes will leave the property and provide more breeding stock for the area, and larger bulls for sportsmen and photographers. I think that all true sportsmen would agree that in an area hunted as heavily as the Vernal and entire three corners area, any form of sanctuary for the wildlife helps. With this in mind its a little easier to appreciate the trespass policy surrounding the mine property. Again, thank you sportsmen for your cooperation. R.D. HADDENHAM Mine Manager Browns Park road bridge overestimate Build Inc. of Bountiful has submitted the apparent low bid on aproject to replace the bridge over Red Creek on the Browns Park road in Daggett I'M 50RRY MAM again. The Browns Park road is a dirt road that cuts across a remote corner of Utah and connects with paved roads in Wyoming and Colorado. It is used for mining and ranching access and access into Browns Park. The old bridge at the Red Creek was by destroyed flood waters. crossing THE VOICE OF BUSINESS Abuse... Continued from page 1 Brown pleaded guilty to the second degree felony charges before Judge Davidson Nov. 19. Prior to imposing the 90 day evaluation for Brown, Judge Davidson reviewed a report compiled by Adult Probation and Parole (AP&P). Brown faces a maximum penalty of one to 15 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. He will report for the diagnostic evaluation after Christmas. Lloyd J. Larsen pleaded guilty to a second degree felony charges of sexual abuse of a child before Judge Davidson Tuesday, Dec. 17. The charges against Larsen stem from an incident that occurred in the fall. His case has been referred to AP&P for a presentencing report. Judge Davidson tentatively set Jan. 29 as a sentencing date. Will taxpayers pay premium price for pension protection? By Richard L. Lesher, President Chamber of Commerce of the United States Pop quiz time again. Question 1. (multiple choice): The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is: A. A company that makes personal loans. B. A rock group. C. The parent company of a nursing home chain. D. A Efficient pool Dear Editor: In answer to an article in last weeks paper about the Vernal Swimming Pool. The article stated that the pool is losing money. One suggestion for making it more cost effective would be to open it on Sundays. For a lot of people, especially people who work all week and children going to school all week, the only day they have for recreation is on Sunday. If youve ever been to Steinaker or Red Fleet on a Sunday in the summer, you see how many people go swimming on Sunday. Also, it is probably too late now to do anything about it, but if in the original plans for the pool the roof could have been built on tracks to roll off in the summer, Im sure the business would increase. Delta, Colo., has a pool in which the roof is rolled back for the summer swimming and on for the winter. Who wants to swim in an enclosed pool in the summer? The old Vernal swimming pool was always packed to capacity in the summer months, and also the outdoor Roosevelt Swimming Pool is always packed in the summer. Another suggestion that I and a lot of other people I have talked to is in regards to the Uintah County Library expanding their hours in the evening and also opening on Sunday, possibly for 4 hours in the afternoon or evening. Thanks to the Vernal Express for the opportunity to let people express their views. JUDY M. KRAFT Still room on ski bus for Parkwest There are still openings available persons interested in participating in the Parkwest Ski Program. The program begins Jan. 4 and will continue through the Feb. 8. It will include recreational as well as instructional skiing. Skiers of all levels from the beginner to the advanced will enjoy participating in the program. Reduced rates will be available on ski rentals and lift tickets. If purchased on the bus with the correct change, lift tickets will cost $11. The regular cost at the slope is $20. School buses will be available for youths and two Wilkins Transportation buses will provide transportation for adults and youths under the age of 10. For more information on the program contact the Vernal City Office for at 789-225- I X, pension in- surance agency. Question 2. Who cares? The answer to question one is And the answer to question two is and if rethousands of companies cent developments continue, you as a taxpayer may come to care as well. d. The PBGC was established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to place a safety net under the nations private pension plans. The idea was simple: Companies which sponsored plans would pay a premium to PBGC for each plan participant. Then, if the corporation went out of business or was forced to terminate the plan, PBGC would pay the benefits when the plans participants retired. But then, even the best-lai- d plans of mice and men.. .well, you know. Far more plan terminations occurred than Congress anticipated in part because three recessions sent many companies down for the third time, with their pension plans. By the start of 1985, the PBGC had taken on the liabilities of more than 1,000 plans and run up a staggering $400 million deficit. Then came a $600 million straw that threatens to break the PBGCs back. This year alone, two nearly bankrupt corporations have terminated plans with $165 million and $425 million dollars in liabilities, respectively doubling PBGCs liabilities. To reduce the flow of red ink, PBGC wants to triple the premium from $2.60 per participating employee to more than $8. Many businesses, however, fear that the deficit may be pushed even higher if other hobbled companies are forced to terminate plans. This uncertainty could start a series of panic withdrawals similar to a run on a bank drying up PBGCs contributions. And if that happens, you can picture who the contributor of last resort will be. Legislation now before Congress could staunch the bleeding at PBGC and reduce the sting of future premium hikes by making it tougher for corporations to terminate pension plans. That would be a welcome move for the business community, which would be more than willing to trade a reasonable premium increase and reduced flexibility in getting out of plans for heightened security. It would be good news for employees, who would have greater assurance that their pensions would be there when they are needed. And the rest of us? We can go back to blissful ignorance of the PBGC and its operations. Oversized classes rob students, says UEA pres. Uintah School District has 36 elementary classes with 30 or more students, a Utah Education Association survey disclosed. The study also showed that Uintah Districts middlejunior high schools have 51 English, foreign language, mathematics, science and social studies classes with 30 or more students. In the districts high schools 46 or those five classes are above the 30 student level. The districts average elementary class size this year is 27.50 students. Last years students. average was 26.09 Averages arent the real problem, said UEA President Betty Condie. Averages dont show all the extremely large classes, which are the real problem. Oversized classes rob students of many opportunities to ask questions of their teachers. Kids feel lost in an ocean of faces. Some cant get enough individual help from their teachers because of all the competition. Teachers can have more discipline problems in large classes. Mrs. Condie said UEA is calling on the Utah State Legislature to increase by $5 million its appropriation for reducing class size for the coming school year That program is receiving $8 million this year. Statewide, the UEA class size survey showed a substantial increase in the number of classes with 30 or more students at all levels of public . schools. The situation may be likened to pouring water in the soup when extra guests show up for dinner, Mrs. Condie said. Nobody may notice it when you add a bowl or two or water, but if you add much more, the soup gets pretty thin. Utah simply cannot continue to dilute its educational programs by crowding more and more students in the classrooms. Looking for a good buy? Check our classified ads 789-351- 1 |
