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Show UTAH 467 PRLS ASSXIATICN EAST 3C0 SOUTH. ;.l: city it p,in Vtali Volume 51 No. 8 Thun., Sept. 24, 1981 Kanab, Utah 84741 &? r ewb Single Copy 25c 3fcr Something Everyone Watt Wants to Reconsider ining of Alton Coal Field Interior Secretary James Watt has indicated that he would like to reconsider a ban on surface mining near Alton, which was imposed by former Secretary Cecil Andrus. The former secretary had placed a ban on coal strip mining in the Alton field because it was close to portions of Bryce Canyon and because he believed mining in that area would ruin the panorama and also cause noise and air pollution. The matter of the coal has been the focus of suits by environmental groups and also mining companies. The environmentalists are suing to stop mining in a wider area and mining and power inter ests are contending that the entire field should be open to mining. Coal from the Alton field was originally planned to provide fuel for two power plants, one near Las Vegas and one near St. George. Plans for the plant near St. George have been dropped by two of its sponsors, but a third sponsor, Nevada Power, is still interested. In response Watt's to Secretary request from the Justice Department that the case be returned to the Interior Department, Utah International, the mining company interested in the Alton coal said. We are pleased with the recent Department of Interior request that the Alton unsuitability question be remanded to the Department for review. We believe that the decision by the former secretary involved both substantive and procedural errors and we are hopeful that, upon proper examination, the Department will correctly recognize that all of the Alton coal field can be mined and reclaimed in an environmentally acceptable manner. Alton coal is an excellent low cost source of domestic energy that can be used to replace billions of dollars worth of expensive foreign oil. When combined with the environmental safeguards al- did not make his decision in ready in place, we think it is their interest. Marriott feels that support one of the most attractive sources available to meet our in Washington will be in Watts favor if he decides to country's energy needs. Utah Representative Dan change the ban. He also feels Marriott sided with the that the power companies who dropped out of the proposed secretary, stating that environmentalists had gotten out of projects may well be interesthand in the area, suggesting ed again if a new stance is that they "want to hold the taken on the coal. The final decision on the land for a chosen few. We want to develop a balance in Alton coal fields could be very the area. significant inasmuch as the Andrus decision prohibiting Watt said he had reviewed strip mining near the park was the first such action taken the concerns of environmentalists and their lawsuits and is since the Surface Mining Act inclined to agree that proper came into effect in 1977. procedures were not followed, Whichever way the decision although some of those groups goes will set an important have indicated they fear Watt precedent. Fire Destroys Kaibab Home Fire completely destroyed a in Kaibab Village Thursday night, September home 17, and two occupants at the time received minor bums to hands and arms. It was reported that the fire started when leather tanning chemicals being heated on a wood stove exploded. The two occupants, Angie Savala and Julia Lomahquahu suffered burns to the hands and arms. They drove a truck to a friend's home, who took them further to Miss Savalas mother, Mrs. Gevene Savala, who drove them to Kanab where they were treated at the living with the other two girls Kane County Hospital and but was not at home at the released. They have received time of the fire. continued treatment for the burns. in the immedMurphys Law states, iate area is lacking and "When things start to go because of a number of wrong, they all go at once. That was certainly true in problems (discussed in another article in this paper) Fredonia last Thursday night. assistance from Fredonia did Because firemen living in the not come, and assistance from south part of town can't hear Kanab was late and fire the fire siren located on the fighters were unable to save firehouse, a second siren was the home, which was cominstalled atop Judd Auto. The final wiring was completed pletely destroyed. The home was owned by last week. Unfortunately, the Ethels n Garfield, who was telephone company had an g ' incorrect relay wired into the system. That meant that anytime the fire phone was dialed the south siren was set off. Several wrong numbers (a common occurance on the fire phone) caused some false alarms. Fire Chief Lee Dalton spent some time Thursday working on the south siren and thought he had the problem solved. Then, at about 1Q:0 minutes. But Murphys Law was at work. The siren was blowing because people in Kaibab Village were trying to call to report a house on fire and that was what was setting off the siren. Apparently, when the telephone company was working on the siren hook-up- , something else happened that caused the fire phones to ring Thursday flight, the siren only one short ring, or no ring started and wouldnt stop. at all. The main fire phone has Dalton and Arden Judd, been moved to the Arizona owner of Judd Auto, finally Fuels control room and the disconnected the siren and all operator there didn't hear the was quiet in town for a few short ring, if it did indeed ring. Unable to reach the Fredonia fire number, the people at Kaibab called the Utah Highway Patrol in Kanab for help. The patrol, also unable to reach Fredonias fire department, called the telephone operator for assistance. Ed Sullivan, a Fredonia fireman who had been unable to attend Thursdays drill responded to the firehouse when he heard the south siren because he was unaware of the siren problem and the instructions that had been given to the firemen to ignore the south siren unless the north one was blowing too. When he reached the firehouse and picked up the phone, Ed found himself talking to an operator in Salt Lake City who was still trying to determine the exact location of the fire. In the meantime, the Utah Highway Patrol had dispatched Kanabs Fire Department. While all this was going on, ttVWr' Daltons eleven-year-ol- d daughter was receiving an abusive and obscene phone call from an anonymous man who was calling the fire chiefs home to object to the noise of the siren. A few minutes later, a woman, who sounded frightened, called and asked for the fire department. The Chiefs daughter, badly shaken from the first caller's foul language, replied that it was not the fire department and the woman, who may have been trying to get help for the fire in Kaibab, hung up. By this time, Ed Sullivan had determined that the fire was at Kaibab Village. Knowing that the city council had issued orders that the big fire truck is not to respond more than a mile outside the city limits except on mutual aid calls to Kanab, Sullivan decided to check with a council member before taking any action. In addition. Sullivan knew that the Kaibab Tribe had failed to respond to several attempts by the charred shell is all that is left of this home owned by Ethelyn Garfield at Kaibab Village near Mcicasin. The roof and inside were completely destroyed Thursday when tanning chemica's on a wood stove apparently A Fredonia Fire Department to enter into a service agreement and had also failed to repond to several attempts by the Department to collect an exploded. Problems In getting firefighting equipment outstanding bill for services to the scene allowed the structure to be burned almost rendered on the reservation last spring. unchecked. (Con tinned on page two) (ana County Commission Chairman Bob Russell presents certificate of to Commissioner Esther Heaton. The recognition was from the recognition Utah Republican Party recognizing Mrs. Heaton for being the first woman elected to a County Commission in the State of Utah. Jim Kropf, Kane County GOP Chairman, was unable to be present so Commissioner Russell stood In for him. Leighty, McCormick Targets of Lawsuit A S204.000 complaint has been filed in Coconino County Superior Court against Thomas and Lori Leighty and Dennis Morgan McCormick as the result of an arson fire of in the Golden Arrow Drive-IFredonia. n The Maryland Casualty Company, insurer of the property, contends it is entitled to general damages malicious, stemming from intentional and willful acts and acts of civil racketeering" on the part of the defendants. Leighty, former Fredonia town marshal, was convicted of the arson destruction of the property on Aug. 25 and is awaiting sentencing. McCormick is completing a jail sentence for his admission that he was the one who actually started the fire. He was also fined $5,000 and faces four years of probation. The insurance company claims the defendants, Leigh- h High School PTSA Plans 1st Meeting Parents of all junior high school and high school age students should circle Wednesday, Sept. 30, as a date to remember. the year, according to Mrs. Kay Reher, president of the PTSA. PTSA has some exciting and interesting events planschool ned for the 1981-8year and we need the support of all parents, Mrs. Reher Come and join the said. PTSA. Membership is only $2 per person this year. Memberships can be taken out at the door by both parents and guardians. 2 Kanab High School PTSA will hold their first meeting at 7:15 p.m. that day. It will be Back to School Night. It is important that all parents come and meet the teachers of their children and hear a brief review of the curriculum for ty and McCormick, "conspir ed, plotted and schemed to destroy arson. As the property bv a result, the company says it paid $88,000 to the insured mortgagees and therefore has a right to in ticblc recover its losses amount. Key witness against Leighty at the trial was McCormick who was allowed to plead no contest to the reduced charge of a single count of arson in return for his testimony against Leighty. During the course of the fin an adjacent house received considerable damage. No claim has been filed against the defendants in that case to date. The Golden Arrow Drive In was owned by Leighty's and the insurance money was paid to him. During the trial, there was an exhibit showing the disperse-men- t father-in-la- of the funds. maintained his innocence throughout the trial and was visibly shaken when the guilty verdict was return ed. As the result of the conviction, he faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Sentencing date has been set for Sept. 28 Leighty Several Citations Given During Paria Party Several arrests were made last week in Kane County in connection with an apparent alcohol and drugs party at the old Paris Townsite, about 40 miles east of Kanab. Saturday, September 19, Sgt. Jim Giles of the Arizona Department of Public Safety contacted Kane County Deputy Sheriff Benny Riddle advising him that there was a party at the Paria townsite. He advised Riddle that there were juveniles involved and that alcohol and drugs were being used. Deputy Riddle requested backup man power from the Utah Highway Patrol, Kanab City Police, Coconino County Sheriff s Dept, and the Arizona DPS. First report suggested there were 30 to 40 people at the townsite, but after arriving at the Paria turnoff it was confirmed that more than 60 people were involved and that many weapons including an automatic rifle, shot guns and hand guns were being fired at the party. At this point Deputy Riddle requested more officers including Park Service officials from Lake Powell. Because of weapons involved the ambulance was also on alert in Kanab. A road block was establish-eda- t the junction of Highway 89 and the Paria trunoff and a total of 64 nations were issued on the following charges: open container of alcohol in a vehicle, loaded firearms in a vehicle, concealed weapons. possession of a controlled substance, contributing to the delinquency of minors. Drugs from mariinvolvedranged juana to LSD, Riddle said. Over 104 persons were involved in the party and 24 law enforcement personnel assisted including Kane County Commissioner Calvin John son. After serveral hours 1 persons were transported t Kane County Jail. They wer taken before Judge Mar Brown where they paid $3.90 in bail money and wer released. Further action in the arrest is pending Arts Council Sets Up Cultural Programs Kane County Arts Council held their monthly meeting the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 16. in the Community room at Zions Bank. Vice Pres. Mae Cram presided over the meeting The main item on the agenda was the upcoming concert programs The Arts Council, in conjunction with the Utah Rural Arts Consortium will be sponsoring a series of seven programs These will not only be evening concerts and programs, but will include workshops in music and drama in local secondary schools The Kane County Arts Council will be selling season tickets for the seven programs "We are offering an individual season ticket for $15 and a famm s ason ticket for $50 Admission at the dxr will be $2 50 for each program. said Mrs 'ram The 1981 82 season opener be Noel Coward s plav Blithe Spirit", prcs r ted bv Dixie College 1 heat'sIh s will production will ht- prcsrtcd Nov ember 5 "Blithe Spirit" is a debgV-fullwittv Bmadwav hit. weaving the tale of a rove -t - s at his country home and " : antics that occur when an eccentric medium l instruct him in the language . the occult The other programs chu'en Jensen Woodbury Du C lumber 1 nsemhlt Lou Rouner's Srria l Big Band. Sounding Brass the Magic of , Christopher Fail-- and the Brush Coohion Sage Tickets wil go nn sale at Derrv's WigOctober are . Salt Lake 1 The Arts Conned wi.l also be selling tide's The schedule of contf ns at d da'c s will be out wphm the i v; wam w eeks |