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Show 3;.7 SALT ul 200 5 LAI E r HcbOu I AT I ON Fhtbb tjjsH - SUITE UT CUT V, 4006 S4U While lMn kV we slept Page 21 Eagle Scouts honored Page VOLUME 72 NUMBER 28 12 WEDNESDAY MARCH 3, 2004 COLOR COUNTRY'S HOME TOWN NEWSPAPER 60tf Tempers soar over airport runway By Rachel Tueller Members of the local airport board addressed concerns about the recent $1.6 million runway renovation with the Kanab City Council during the F ebruary 24, 2004 meeting. Several airport board members expressed concerns including bumps or high and low spots at the north end of the runway, and problems with water percolating up through the new strip. Airport board members present at the council Gov. Olene Walker proclaimed August 24-22004 as Western Legends Roundup Week for the state of Utah. Kanab residents driving to Salt Lake City for the ceremony are pictured above Brad Hainsworth, Renee Jackson, Sam Jackson, Lynette Jones, Robert Houston, Jackie Hainsworth, State Senator Tom Hatch, Abbey Daley, Gov. Walker, J.R. Jones, Bonnie Riding and State Rep. Mike Noel. 9, (l-r- ): "v- Lawmakers, governor Western Legends Round-u- p Week is now official. With legislative sponsors standing by, Gov. Olene Walker signed a resolution last Wednesday declaring 2004 as Western August Legends Roundup Week. The resolution, sponsored by not Rep. Michael Noel, only encourages the states involvement in honoring its western culture, but also recognizes the tremendous efforts of southern Utah residents and volunteers involved in the week-lon- g Legends festivities. This Kane County signature event, now in its sixth year of existence, continues to be a tremendous statewide asset. Utah has culture and heritage which deserves to be recognized. With the signing of this resolution, the states commitment to honor them is solidified, stated Rep. 24-2- 9, Noel. Commenting on the days events, Gov. Walker said, This resolution is an important step in recognizing and promoting the states western culture. I commend Rep. Noel for his efforts on this resolution and also the ongoing contributions of Kanab residents and volunteers to the Utah heritage round-u- p Western Legends Roundup. Senator Tom Hatch, the Senate sponsor of the resolution added, There is no better example of innovative economic development than Kanabs Western their western heritage to attend the Roundup. Legislative citations signed by House Speaker Marty Stephens, West, and Senate President A1 Mansell, were Legend presented to members of the R-Fa- rr meeting included Chairman Gene Peters, Ron Parker, Ken Wanless and Airport Manager Dick Brewer. FAA representatives who asde- sessed the runway made a termination that the new runway, including the problems indicated, did in fact meet FAA guidelines and requirements. Some of the airport board members, however, do not believe that the FAAs assessment is correct, or that the current condition of the runway is acceptable by most standards. During the meeting, board member Ron Western Legends executive Parker stated that FAA reps only once onsite for a final appeared floors Wednesday morning. inspection. But Parker doubted Later, at the ceremonial resolu- that the assessment was accution signing, executive board rate, and questioned the FAAs member Robert D. Houston pre- method for making the current sented Gov. Walker with a West- determination. and craftsmanship to be enjoyed. ern Legends cowboy hat and tickParker directed questions reI encourage all who appreciate ets to this years event in Kanab. garding the Roundup. further the local economy, dedicated volunteers work hard and make the most of the cultural and historic assets of Kanab and Kane County. There is much of western music, art To board on the House and Senate inspection process Kane County Hospital Board praises Noel By Dixie Brunner The Kane County Hospital board expressed appreciation at its February 27 meeting to Representative Mike Noel, for the leadership role he has taken in the 2004 Legislature to improve reimbursement the hospital receives. We are grateful for Mikes efforts on our behalf, commented Hospital Administrator Mike Sinclair. Through efforts by Representative Noel to bring all parties to the same table, Sinclair said the falls under both categories. hospital was able to negotiate an agreement with the Department of Health to increase its Disportionate Share Hospital payment (DoH). This special procedure (DSH) was created to reimburse hospitals that have higher than normal Medicare or Medicaid utilization. There is also a special provision in the last Medicare legislation that targets increasing reimbursement to rural hospitals. Kane County Hospital The Medicare program makes DSH payments available to the Utah DoH. Local government hospital seeds ( pays the DoH to provide hospital services) and the DoH then pays the hospitals to treat the patient. For every dollar the hospital puts up, explained Sinclair, the DoH pays three more dollars to the hospital to provide services. While Kane County Hospital See HOSPITAL, Page 10 to City Manager Keith McCallister, repeatedly asking McCallister Were you there?" McCallister said he was present during the FAAs inspection. Parker began raising his tone as he continued to present the same question to McCallister. McCallister said he wras not present during daily inspections, but that the citys engineering firm, St. George-base- d Kramer and Noble, was onsite for that very purpose, to inspect the daily operations of the airport project. Kramer and Noble assigned two inspectors, Lamar Sullivan of Kanab and Russ Sorensen of St. George, to oversee daily operations. The inspectors duties were to ensure work completed by the contractor met FAA regulations. The primary recommendation to repair the runway flaws is to pour another topcoat on the current surface, but many are skeptical as to whether the overlay would truly resolve the issues with seepage and bumps. But repairs would come again at a cost to the city. The $1.6 million-projewas funded by the FAA absorbing 92 of cost, the state 4 and Kanab City contributing 4 of the total costs. Estimates for the needed repairs will total approximately ct See AIRPORT, Page 10 KANAB WEATHER FebruaryMarch February Precip. - 2.59 Courtesy: Frank Swapp Family |