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Show ouinern tun a--- . r w . taistttjfci -- v tsrysa Vol. 57, No. 24 - Thursday, April 7, 1988 - Kanab, Utah 84741 - Single Copy 25c SLC Investigators Report on KANAB Two Salt Lake City private investigators met with Kane County Commissioners Monday morning, April 4, to submit their preliminary report concerning allegations of misconduct and policy violations of Kane County Sheriffs Office empolyees. The investigation was instigated immediately after an article written by Rick Gulden appeared Feb. 24 in the Sl George newspaper. The Daily Spectrum . In the article. Gulden reported allegations of sexual and mental harassment by Corrections Officer John Bettfreund and Dispatcher Lynn Evans. Bcafrcund was accused of harassing female sheriffs employees and Evans was accused of harassing stale jail inmate Charles Ford. Guldens Feb. 24 article was soon followed by others alleging improper conjugal visits, and a theft of personal property from a car belonging to Sue Jones, who at the lime of the melt was a sherriff s employee. in a session that lasted into the evening hours, the commissioners sorted through evidence and rccom- - mendations submitted to them by investigators Bernie A. Rhodes and James A. Stewart reAccording to the three-pag- e port, several other allegations were tacked on to and expanded the commissioners list of worries. Illegal wire tapping and surveillance of sheriffs employees, the propriety of a policy statement issued in regard to media information, and the mishandling United States Department of Agriculture food commodities were three other allegations unearthed by the Salt Lake investigators. Other matters discovered by the investigators included accusations Morning Fire Destroys Old Abandoned Fred. House FREDONIA Investigation into the Saturday 4: 1 5 a.m. Fredonia house fire is being conducted by the Arizona State Fire Marshal, said Fredonia Fire Chief Kenneth Burch. Because no one was in the home, or witnessed the fires ignition, a routine fire investigation is required by the state fire marshall, siad Burch. Burch said no damages have been estimated to the demolished house located on Pondcrosa Street since the house is abandoned. He explained the value of the 20 to 25 home would have been year-ol- d difficult to estimate since its abandonment two years ago left it open to vandalism and ransacking. ''A A",' , sC ' 1 John Verkamp County Attorney John announced Tuesday, April Verkamp 5, that he intends to seek for a third term. See story on page 8. Coconino It was in preuy bad shape, said Burch. Burch said the fire was pretty much involved by the time we were called in. He said a portion of the roof caved in before the fire department arrived. Two Fredonia Fire Department units responded to the early morning fire. Three Kanab Fire Department units were on hand to assist with the fire. Burch said firefighters attacked the house fire with three lines and extinguished it before breakfast. Jackson Files For Two Year Sheriff Seat A KANAB sheriffs deputy, who works jointly for Kane and Garfield counties, recently filed in the Kane County Clerks office for the two year Kane County Sheriff s position being vacated by Ml. Carmel resident Joe Gonzales. d County Deputy Sheriff Maxwell Jackson, 32, filed for the two-yepost March 18. According to Kane County Clerk Kathy Chamberlain, the county sheriff position is, in general, a four year term. Dave Littles immediate resignation after the 1986 sheriffs election and Gonzales subsequent appointment by law reduced the until the next general election, w hich in this case is the upcoming Novem ber election. At that Ume, the election winner serves the remainterm. der of the original four-yea- r Jackson said he is running for the sheriff s job because Kanab has always been home and Id like to help make it a better enviromenu He added, I think I can use my experience in law enforcement and to law- enforcement administration help build a good force. Jackson said he has spent most of his lile in the Kane County area. He graduated from Kanab High School in 1974 and was employeed with Kaibab Industries prior to pursuing a carreer in law enfocemcnt. For the past eight years Jackson has been involved in law enforcement. While employed as a police oflicc-- by Utah State University in Salt Lake City, he attended the Utah Slate Police Academy. He graduated in 1982 and was voted the Outstanding Officer of his graduating class. In 1985, he assumed new respon-sibilue- s as Police Chief of Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. In Janu ary 1987, Jackson replaced Sheriff Robert Judd in Lake Powell. Jackson said he will bring his skills to the many police-relate- d noted that also He he teaches job. Jail Scandal of an attempt to sell or trade three weapons belonging to Kane County by sheriffs personnel, two incidents of calls for assistance to w hich an employee questioned the sheriffs response, a scheme by one sheriffs employee to discredit another and, finally, Jones car theft was examined. Much to everyones relief, Rhodes and Stewart found the allegations of sexual harassment beto be tween sheriffs personnel without substantial basis. The report said in an interview with the investigators, inmate Ford denied that he had been sexually harassed in any way. Neither did the investigators find evidence of w'irc lapping or dilcbcr-at- c surveillance of employees. In going down the list in the report, the commissioners concluded that Kane County Attorney Jim Scarth must review major policy or procedural changes in the Sheriff s Office in order to determ inc whether such changes might violate the civil rights of employees... Scarth was also ordered to investigate the allegations of personnel attempting to dispose of the three weapons. As to allegations of mishandling ar - MAXWELL JACKSON police training courses for the Utah Police Academy. Since taking the Lake Powell job, Jackson has alternatively lived between Lake Powell and Kanab. Jackson said he rents an apartment in Kanab. Because of his living arrang-ment- s, Jacksons county residency was challenged by the Kane County Clerk office. Judge Don V. Tibbs will rule tomorrow on Jacksons residence status. J Utah Rep. Jim KANAB Hansen told an audience packed into the Kane County Commission Chambers Monday, April 4, that there is a good chance a clause softening the effects of free trading uranium between Canada and the United Slates will be inserted into the proposed FairTradc Agreement. In my heart of hearts, I think were going to win this thing, said Hansen to an audience dominated by Energy Fuels Nuclear Inc., employees. The Fair Trade Agreement (FTA) proposes free trading between the two neighbors. Various Commodities and natural resource products, including uranium arc included in the FTA. However, since no provisions arc made for Canadian uranium subsidies, the United States uranium industry feels that the FTA is far from fair. Hansen, himself, said of the uranium section, Were not playing on on level field here. John Adams, president of Energy Fuels, wrote the uranium amendment to the FTA Hansen and other western congressmen are attempting pass. Hansen said he and his colleagues have counted noses and arc assured of 190 votes in favor of passing the uranium amendment. He ST. GEORGE Utah Rep. Jim Hansen will conduct hearings concerning legislation proposing atmospheric radiation compensation in SL George tomorrow, April 8. The meeting, to be held in the St. George City Council Chambers. 175 E. 200 North from 12 to 3 p.m., will examine a proposed legislative mandate that would set up a S 150 million trust fund that would disburse compensation to victims nuclear testing fallout According to a press release, Hansen is moving ahead with the bill as an alternative to a recent Supreme Court decision against atmoshperic radiation victims. The court ruled that regardless of sufferings from government-sanctione- d nuclear testing, the Federal Government may not be sued. By bypassing the court system, Hansens bill could satisfy all parties. Hansens St. George Field Representative Scott Hirschi said the bill is fashioned after a federal mandate that provides compensation to nuclear testing fallout claimants in Micronesia. Persons interested in the bill are invited to attend tomorrows meet ing. J, A' s Youngsters combed the lawns and hills at the Kanab City Park last Saturday at the Lions and Kiwanis Clubs sponsored Easter Egg Hunt and they were rewarded with plenty of goodies. Governor Hopeful Wilson In Kanab Tomorrow Ted Wilson, the curKANAB rent leader in opinion polls measuring Utahs gubernatorial race, will bring his campaign to Kanab tomorrow, April 8. Wilson, a former mayor of Salt Lake City, will meet with interested citizens in the basement of the Kanab Public Library from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Bemic Ripper, Kanab City Councilman and Kane County chairman of the Wilson for Governor campaign, coordinated Wilsons Kanab visit. Ripper said he hopes for a large turnout of citizens of all parlies at tomorrows informal meeting with Wilson. 1 know Ted expects to get some lems. The commissioners took the recommendations under advisement with the intention to pursue the application of these rccommcnda-uon- s with dilbcralc and thoughtful speed to the end... Hansen Assures E. F. Workers On FTA Uranium Clause Radiation Compensation Hearing Set Kane-Garficl- the U.S. Food commodities program, the commissioners are greatly concerned and continue to study the ramifications and lake appropriate action. Jones car theft was turned over the Kanab City police to investigate and charges ofShcriffJoc Gonzales misconducting two calls for assistance from Cedar Mountain proved unfounded. Finally, the report indicates that the scheme to discredit an employee by an employee was real and had the potential of endangering lives. The commissioners recommended that Sheriff Gonzales carefully consider imposing the most serious disciplinary saction against the employee. The name of the employee who perpetrated the plot was withheld. The report followed several suggestions from Rhodes and Stewart for the improvement of county law enforcement functions including jail security, conjugal visits, fraternization between personnel and inmates and expeditious response by the sheriff to personnel prob- said, however, that 218 votes arc needed to pass it. The last (votes) will come hard, he added. Eneigy Fuels Mine Engineer John Becsley asked Hansen if he would vote against the FTA if the amendment did not go through. Hansen replied that he might vole against the FTA in principal but will have to consider the decision carefully. Utah Rep. Jim Hansen speaks with Energy Fuels Nuclear, Inc., employees John Beesley, mine engineer, and Bob Hullett, contract engineer, after a public meeting held in the Kane County Courthouse Monday, April 4. A roomful of Energy Fuels employees attended the public meeting to express their States Fair Trade Agreement concerns over the proposed Canadian-United lough but laii questions lrom in. county voters just as he did in hid election tour through here in 1982," said Ripper referring to Wilson's unsuccessful bid for a United Slats s Senate scat in 1982. Ripper added that Wilson is prepared to tackle unpopular issues and tough questions. I am sure he would not want it any olher way if he is going to be governor of all the state, said Ripper. Ripper also said local voters may want to quiz. Wilson about such burning issues as taxes and tax rollbacks. I am looking lorward to Teds visit to our part of the state. We deserve the attention, concluded Ripper. Zone Change Approved Kane Count KANAB Commissioners met briefly Mo day, April 4, to approve a oi : change at Ml. Carmel Junction. The commissioners opened the public hearing on the proposed one change from agricultuial to commercial at 10 a.m. No one came lorward loconunem on the zone change requested by Stephen Carson and G regory Oar on properly located m Ml. Carmel JuncUon off U.S. Higitw:- 89 The change was recommended to the commissioners by the Kane County Planning Commission. Commissioner Jay Ramsay motioned to accept the zone change and it passed unanimously. At their March 28 meeting, the commissioners approved a business license for Carson and Oar to operate their United Stales Trail Riding Association, an trail riding adventure business. In association w ith their business, a license for Coraland Adventure.--, a campground, was also approved In the only olher business on the agenda, the commissioners ap proved a lease agreement between Daryl Encc, physical therapist, and the Karie County Hospital as represented by hospital Admini'ti j'a-Mark Toohcy. Before closing the meeting, Ramsay reported dial the county weed spraying project schedule to begin that day, was postponed until Monday, April 1, or until wealhci conditions improved. Leavitt Campaigns in Kanab Leavitt. candi clali' for the Utah Senate seat representing Kane, Garlield. Wash inert n. and Iron Counties reeentlv gathered with Kane Countv voters in a series of meet the candidate forums. Iaiav ill's first Kanab visit was held Tuesday. April 5, in the Kanab Cilv Library basement. Tom Lawson, host of Tuesdavs meetings, stressed the importance of electing Leavitt because of his as an effective proven abilitv legislator. Lawson said prior to completing a three year I,I)S Church assignment as President of the England, Leeds Mission, Leavitt served 14 years in the Utah House of Representatives and Senate. During that time he was elected to prominent leadership positions including senate majority leader. According to a press release, Leavitt believes the primary focus of the stale senator representing this area needs to be jobs and economic development. KANAB Dish- I be poicnliul lor growth in Kane ouniv i' promising and could billow a similar pattern to the ( unlv growth in Washington during the late 1970s,' Leaviu said. "Kane County s geographical pos ilion near three national parks and Lake Powell and its mild climate offer a development potential of great promise." Specifically, Leavitt was quoted in the release saving he lielieves the development of a qualilv marina on I he I tali side o! Lake Powell is lone ov erdue. Also, I he potential ol recovering an estimated 750 million tons ot Alton eoal deserves serious studv, as do efforts to protect livestock grazing on public lands. As a lounder of the Leavitt Group ol insurance agencies, and as a rancher and former public school teacher. Leavitt oilers a broad range of experience. "The citizens of Kane Countv deserve strong leadership in the Clah .Stale Senate. My concern for lulls and slrong economic develop ( ogi .nu- in ham 'uni I" Ill ll v I ollsld i it loll w n 1,, Wo! king ( i ol ii i. d- -. busine .slot i ii i ,u I. mil manage) s, i car. ill ion on 1, i in eds o! he I' work lo eii'Uic loi il .dm economic growth. Lcuv .in, I ii i KANAB WEATHER DATE MAX MIN PREC 24 20 33 31 49 28 1 27 62 71 29 2 31 3 72 37 4 71 5 33 74 - Dan Merrell Courtesy 28 29 30 64 58 55 '! |