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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Opinion WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 1995 4 Dixie Speaks At Governor Leavitt's direction. County Commissioners throughout the state have been holding public wilderness hearings. The hearings encourage local input on the issue of how much government land should be set aside as wilderness. Kane County held their first of three meetings Friday night at the district courthouse. There was a good turn-ou- t, with diverse opinions on how much set aside land is enough. I have a couple of thoughts about what transpired. Many faces in the audience I didn't recognize. One environmental group made a concentrated effort to groups have an "get the numbers out." input is vitally important say in wilderness issues-the- ir important. Public lands belong to everyone, with diverse opinions about its use, and how much land should be set aside. The Commissioners will best be able to address wilderness issues, if they are more informed about how the entire public feels. But this hearing was alsoour turn. It was a time for locals to express how much land should be set aside. The hearing provided local users an opportunity to offer their two cents. Ranchers and miners, many of whose families have lived here for generations, offer unique issue insight. They probably know better than unanyone, which land truly is real wilderness-lan- d touched by human roads or animals. These ranchers, miners and loggers have had a different relationship with the government's natural resources. Environmentalists shouldn't turn up their nose at this statement. We are all users. You want to hike, camp and photograph wilderness. Some of the paper used for your myriad of brochures, pamphlets and appeals, quite possibly could have orignated courtesy of public lands. A friend of mine and I got into an interesting conversation recently. I told him I was frustrated over how far apart opinions seemed to be on government land issues. He told me that polar opinions were actually healthy, and not something to cause frustration. "Policy and use plans are formed by extremes," he said. "The answer lies somewhere in the middle where there is a compromise, and that is good." I found that to be an interesting analysis. We applaud the Governor's concept of allowing county input into the decision making process. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 10 in Orderville. Pro-wildern- ess set-asi- de Letters to the Editor What is your opinion? This newspaper welcomes opinions from its readers concerning any subject. Anything of a libelous nature or defamation of character will not be considered for publication. Letters must be signed and include your full name, address and telephone number. Thank you for your interest. Correction Dear Editor: In our editorial last vveek entitled, More on Fredonia School Board we stated that except for Wayne Anderson, no one on the past or present school board has reviewed Mr. Binghams File. This statement was incorrect. We have since been told that Benny Jordan reviewed Mr. DeBinghams file before the cember meeting. HOif hwwjieewwnwwiii We apologize for this misin- formation. It gave our statement unfair strength and advantage. We offer our sincerest apologies to all readers and especially to Mr. Jordan. Terry and Chris McMillan A salute to Kaibab Industries Dear Editor: Now that the last log has been to ask special permission of tHe medical trustees to pay for non: workingemployees. It must have been an act of greed. I also recall asking why Kaibab paid holiday benefits to seasonal employees in the off season. There was nothing in the contract requiring it, and they were plant closure. I am surprised that with so receiving unemployment benmany years as an employee of efits for those holidays. It must FRIDAY 1 PM Kaibab, Verl did not relate to his wife the reason outside contracSee LETTERS, Page 5 tors were used by Kaibab. Maybe Verl didnt tell LuElla that the wildlife restrictions prohibited logging for a large portion of the year, requiring Kaibab to log heavily during the unrestricted portion of the year in order to keep the mill operating. Maybe Verl didnt tell LuElla that the snow sometimes gets real nasty on that mountain making safety The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. is published every an issue. Maybe Kaibab failed to Wednesday at 26 N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 . The SUNews serves distribute wide enough the logKane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Address communications to 26 ging costs of contractors versus N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 , or telephone 801 Fax 801 company employees. If greed was Advertising rates available upon request Second Class involved the logging would have postage paid at Kanab, Utah 84741 . Newsstand price 500 per copy. been done completely by conYearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia and tractors years ago. Moccasin, Arizona, $22; others $30 (out of U.S. $50). The SUNews I have had the opportunity of reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. working fairly close with all aspects of the Fredonia operation and have many times been anDennis and Dixie Brunner Barbara Pyles at handouts the Publishers that and Editor Feature Writer gered Kaibab has unneedingly given Myrna Cox to their employees, and the lack Ruth Koontz Orderville News of gratitude reciprocated by the Dillon Cunningham employees. Production Staff Richard Negus I recall asking why Kaibab Kanab News was paying benefits year round Postmaster: Send change of for seasonal employees. There Barb Kimball address cards Main St, was nothing in the union conFredonia News Kanab, UT 84741 tract requiring it and they had cut, I (like LuElla Johnson) need to voice my opinion on Kaibab Industries. I have worked for Kaibab Industries for ten years and I can assure LuElla, and everyone else with comments such as hers, that greed had nothing to do with the Fredonia Southern Utah News AAA Deadlines AAA 0049-165- 9) 44-2900, 644-292- 6. to-26- N. |