OCR Text |
Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 1999 Opinion Dixie Speaks "The Kane County Commission is selling us down the river," those say opposed to the BLM roads agreement. At stake is relinquishing obscure RS2477 road rights, in favor of a clear, updated roads agreement, one the County Commission, roads supervisor and BLM, have worked on for months. After public hearings, marathon negotiating sessions, Kane County has requested title to 50 monument roads, and the BLM has agreed upon 49. Good odds, when you're bargaining with something you aren't sure you own. Rights are precious, and protected by the Constitution. But we must remember when professing our rights, ours aren't the only ones at stake. We are but the people nearest the public land. While we may feel more ownership than other shareholders.Jegally, it's not true. A out deal is on the table. People we've elected as representatives, are confident it'll be good for the county. Many believe this may be our last opportunity to play ball over the roads issue. We must protect that which is most important! Litigation is the recourse to proving RS2477 ownership. The Garfield Commissioners clarified in the SUN that while the Burr Trail legal battle has been expensive, costs have been borne by state rather than county taxpayers. We are all state taxpayers, we're all paying for the Burr Trail also the Federal government. fight. But here's the absurdity-we'r- e Our tax dollars are being used to sue the government, and prosecute the county. There are no winners in this battle-we'r- e footing the bill on both sides to the tune of millions of dollars a road! No matter how you side on the agreement, (and quite frankly. I'm not even sure how I feel), is it fair to strap future generations of Americans with our legal bills? We support the BLM Commission roads agreement. If we do not sign the agreement securing clear rights to necessary county roads, we may well look back and say by not doing so, "we sold ourselves down the river." well-thoug- ht benefits and other expenses of Gary Taits Benefit County Officials and staff are Huge Success not included in the above figWhen I arrived things were What is your opinion? This newspaper welcomes opinions from its ures. We appreciate the opportunity under way. Big huge Dutch ovreaders concerning any subject. Anything of a libelous nature or to clarify this misrepresentation ens were going. Tent canopies defamation of character will not be considered for publication. of facts to your readers. were being set up, tables were Please limit your letters to 300 words or less. Letters must be signed . Sincerely, ready for all the food. Tables and and include your full name, address and telephone number. Thank Louise Liston, Garfield chairs were being set up for eatyou for your interest. Commission Chair ing, and all the donations for the Garfield County did hard surfacing more than 50 County D. Maloy Dodds, Garfield auction were coming in. I stood of Burr Trail Road. miles not spend $11 million FRIDAY 1 PM County Commission there and watched everyone, Following is a breakdown of Clare M. Ramsay, Garfield Dear Editor: See LETTERS, Page 5 expenditures connected with the County Commission In the June 23, 1999 edition of Burr Trail Road. Litigation valTo the citizens of the Southern Utah News, you ues also include all other road Kanab & surrounding published an article entitled litigation issues. Roads Monument Agreement Expenditures 1987 to June communities 1999: With BLM Delayed. Dear Editor: In that article it stated, Jim Engineering and Design In December of 1997, my famMatson said that Garfield $1,395,881.98 1 1 so Road million Construction has $ ily and I had the opportunity to County spent move to Kanab, due to some far on their RS2477 lawsuit on $5,224,363.18 the Burr Trail, and Kane County Legal & Environmental Expense unforeseen circumstances beThe Southern Utah News (ISSN No. will have to spend tens of milis published every $1,066,390.42 yond our control, we have to move back to Salt Lake City. lions of dollars to accomplish Wednesday at 26 N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 . The SUNews serves Kane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Address communications to 26 I just want to say thank you to what the proposed agreement Total Expenditures N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 , or all of our friends and the people can do. Fax tt $7,686,635.58 telephone who rates to have so we that been available wish to Advertising clarify good us since First, upon request. Second Class at The following has been or will we have been here. postage paid Kanab, Utah 84741. Newsstand price is 50$ per copy. the citizens of Garfield County Yearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia and have never borne the burden of be reimbursed to Garfield Kanab is a very unique town Moccasin, Arizona, $22; others $30 (out of U.S. $50). The SUNews the Burr Trail RS2477 legal County to offset the above ex- and we will truly miss livinghere. reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. We love the beautiful red hills battle. That money has come penses: from the Utah State Legislature Permanent Community Impact and beauty that surrounds the whole area. It is so peaceful and funnelled through the Perma- Board $7,565,120.89 Dennis end Dixie Brunner Carol SullivanLauraii Noteman Acto Protect Coalition Board. Public nent Community Impact you have made us feel welcome. I Publishers and Editor Kanab News $ 118,614.69 will miss going down to the conThe Coalition to Protect Public cess Sharlotte Brewer venience store for all the latest Access, and various donations Myrna Cox Production Staff have also helped, realizing that Total Reimbursement scoops. I will miss the one stop Glendale News ' and one movie $7,683,735.58 this is an issue that will directly week. a Most ight Jeremy Brunner Barb KimbaHLorl S. Mohr Corrigan of all I will miss the people here. affect all public lands throughLayoutProduction A total of $2,900 of legal ex- Thanks again for all of the good Fredonia News out the State of Utah and the reimbursed not in was that there is in this area. We will West. pense Barbara Pyles Postmaster: Send change of Those funds were paid truly miss the lifestyle and we It should be noted that more 1997-9Feature Writer address cards to - 26 N. Main St., than $5.2 million dollars have from the Garfield County Gen- hope to come back someday. UT Kanab, 84741 been spent on improving and eral Fund. In addition; salaries, Trooper Doufe McCleve Letters to the Editor SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS AAA Deadlines AAA 0049-165- 9) 435-644-290- 0, 1 8. 435-644-292- 6. |