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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESD Y OCTOBER 11, 2000 Opinion Dixie Speaks Readers will note a letter in the SUN this week from Representative Tom Hatch, criticizing the Kane County Commission's roads agreement with the BLM. Several weeks ago two members of the People For The USA visited and asked why I hadn't printed Hatch's letter to the Commission. The answer was simple-- I hadn't received it. Obviously, a letter from a state rep on any subject would've been newsworthy-- I told them as such. Imagine my surprise when I read the front page of the Garfield County News last week concerning the issue, complete with two paragraphs indicating that the SUN had chosen not to publish Hatch's letter! It doesn't seem prudent to write something without first checking the facts. Is it because I have a different opinion on this subject, so it's easier to jump to the wrong conclusion and blame someone rather than to get the facts? I do believe the Commission must sign a roads agreement with the BLM! The management plan which is being put into effect as we speak, clearly indicates ' how things will be on the Monument. It's prudent to get on paper a clear understanding of the county's rights. Litigation costs taxpayers on both sides, bloodshed serves no one. Letters to the Editor Roads Agreement Dear Commissioners: It has come to my attention that you are considering entering into an agreement with the Department ofInterior which would convert some of the claimed RS2477 roadways in Kane County to Title V right of ways under FLMP A I have read the draft agreement and I am having difficulty in determining the reason for your wanting to sign this agreement at this time. My first concern is the timing of the issue. It appears to me that Kane County will never be offered less.than that which is on the table at the present time. I question why you would not be willing to wait a few months to determine the outcome of our national elections, which could greatly influence the management and policy as to public lands in the west. I also question the timing as to the litigation which has been filed by the state of Utah and the association of counties regarding the status of RS2477 roads across public lands in Utah. It seems to me that any agreement which you may enter into could potentially impact the ongoing litigation, possibly to the supports the use of seat belts and car seats, and supports the recent enforcement action as a means ofincreasingproper seatbelt and car seat usage. The maximum fine for a seatbelt or car seat violation is $45. There can be no jail time, and no points are assessed against thedriverslicense. The court must reduce the fine to $15 if the cited person shows that he has taken a two-hocourse approved by the Department of Public Safety. Currently, that requirement may be filled by attending the first two hours of defensive driving the four-hocourse offered by the Utah Safety Office 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. Please limit your letters to 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for clarity or length. Letters must be signed and include your full name, address and telephone number. Limited to one letter per person per month. Hatch against www.barryscartoons.com detriment of other counties and the state of Utah. My second concern is that the agreement seems to be an administrative nightmare which would require county road personnel to carry a measuring device at all times to determine specific widths at specific locations along the various roads covered by the agreement. It is my opinion that the county would be setting itself up for an onslaught of litigation anytime an over zealous activist wanted to report that the grader operator had exceeded a specific width as a specific location. I would be interested in knowing what is motivating you to consider signing the proposed agreement. I am sorry that I have been unable to contact you- personally over the past few days to discuss this important matter. I look forward to your reply. ur Positive impacts Dear Editor: I would like to thank everyone in the community for making Kanab a great place to five. I wish I could thank each one of you personally for your support, but I wouldnt even know where to start, and I would end up missing half of you. I have been influenced by so many coaches, See LETTERS, Page 5 Southern Utah News AAA Deadlines iA FRIDAY 1 PM ur Council. The course will be offered on October 14 at 1:00 p.m., November 18 at 8:00 a.m., and December 16 at 8:00 a.m. The course fee is $10. Courses are taught at the Washington County Library, and is required. You can by phone or by e, mail. you will need a credit card, as the $10 course fee must be paid at the time. The Safety Councils phone numberis You can by mail by the downloading registration Sincerely, form from the Safety Councils Thomas Hatch, website, www.usc.state.ut.us, State Representative and by sending the completed form, along with a $10 check, to the Safety Council. Belted buffers Copies ofUtahs seatbelt and car Dear Editor seat laws are available from the Recently, a fair number of local Kane County Attorneys Office. citizens received tickets for violat- Buckle Up! Colin Winchester ing Utahs seatbelt andor child car seat laws. The County Attorneys Kane County Attorney pre-registrati- on pre-regist- er Ifyoupre-registerbyphon- - pre-regist- The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. 0049-165is published every' N. Main at 26 St., Kanab, Utah 84741 . The SUNews serves Wednesday Kane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Address communications to 26 N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 , or telephone Fax Advertising rates available upon request. Second Class postage paid at Kanab, Utah 84741. Newsstand price is 50$ per .copy. Yearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredoriia and Moccasin, Arizona, $22; others $30 (out of U.S. $50). The SUNews reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. . 9) 0, 435-644-29- er Dennis Brunner Dixie Brunner Publishers and Editor Sharlotte Brewer Production Staff Michael Evangelista ProductionLayout Carol Sullivan Richard Negus Reporters Myrna Cox Valley News Barbara Pyles Feature Writer Postmaster Send change of address cards to 26 N. Main St., Kanab, UT 84741 -- |