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Show PAGES THE ZEPHYRNOVEMBER 89 opposed to other kinds of development, because we desperately need payrolls that provide medical insurance. So I think we need payrolls as well as tourism, and blend those things together In a meaningful way. Zephyr: Regarding payroll lobs. KUTV has recently run a series of special reports on economic development In rural Utah. Southwestern Utah has a lot of success In bringing In small, clean Industries Into their area. Can this area hope to attract similar Industries? Meador: I think we need to pull out all the Information thats been compiled about Moab, and find out what we are. Robin Wilson gave me this Idea a couple of days ago to bring In Individuals from other communities that have been successful In doing that Lefs listen and learn from those people. We don't have to the wheel Lefs find out what we can do to copy their success. But lefs try to avoid the pitfalls and mistakes. I think we have to be active listeners we and activo learners. Then we have to look at whafs already here. Tourism dont have to go searching for that It's In place and lefs do it well We have a film commission that brings money Into this community every month. Lefs not starve those people. Lefs make that the best film commission It can possibly be. Lefs work with what we have. Then lefs examine what else we want to bring In, and go for It And lefs look for a consensus. If were going to disagree, lefs do It before we contact the executive officer of this company that wants to spend seven million re-inv- ent dollars In Moab. Zephyr: In Moab. there are a variety of definitions for "success." Sometimes small communities want growth, and then when they get it. they cant stop It or slow it down. How do vou regulate that? Meador: Again we need consensus. We have to do our homework first What win the various beHef systems or our community support? It's fine to say we don't want any more people, but Ifs not fine to say we cant provide jobs to people who cant feed their kids. It would be nice If we could say our kids have a future at Ford Motor who are making parts downtown, for Instance. Thats not the case, and It may not be for a long time. So we need to talk to others who have had success. How did SL George grow? I remember when SL George was a very colloquial closed society. All of the sudden, ifs a cosmopolitan small town. Somewhere someone was willing to listen, somebody was willing to make some concessions, and were going to have to learn to do that Ifs going to be tough, but you do that through process skills and bringing people together. Ifs more difficult to dislike the tree hugger when you're having lunch with him. Of course, on a given day I'm the tree hugger. Zephyr: You keen anticipating mv next question. How do vou Improve communication with the citizens? Meador: You have to prove to them over a period of time that you are willing to Isten and learn and that you will bring people In to brainstorm and to prioritize needs of the people. You keep doing that process until you have a consensus. And you say when you sit down, nothing Is sacred to you and L We have to put what we believe on the Ine and say, yes I believe that, but Ifs not sacred and we can negotiate those positions. If we cant move people at both ends of the pole, then we have to move beyond them. .That might sound crass and crude, but we cant allow people to be blockers. I really believe that one of the great assets In our community Is the variety of belief systems. Were not a community with blinders on. We have an opportunity to share Ideas. If we can build up the tourist level we can use that diversity. But ifs going to take time. Zephyr: As a former superintendent, what are vour views on education In Grand County and all that's happening statewide with the schools and strikes? Meador: As far as the level of education in Grand County at the present, our children continue to score well In standardized national tests. That In many ways Is col a good way to rate the educational system. Ifs the one that most people want to hear about We have real problems and theyre caused by a lack of money to hire the different types of people they need the additional services like counselors, the support systems that need to be In place. Fortunately, statistics show that kids from rural America generally receive a pretty good education, In spite of a lack of the facilities that large city schools offer. Kids from small high schools sometimes have the perception that they can't compete at the University to of Utah for Instance, when In fact, academically theyre very in But compete those areas. they havent had the guidance skills that they need. As superlntendenl I always said I'd like to have a starting teaching salary of $25,000.00 I'd have the best educators In the country standing at our door wanting a Job, and we could be very selective. Wed find people with not Just the academic skills, but the humanistic skills as well. Zephyr: Any closing thoughts? Meador: I hope that the campaign can continue now to be one of positive choices for people. That Tom and I are viewed for our expertise that we may have, what we want to do for the community. The people that have strong feelings should express them at the ballot box. And Id appreciate the support of the community. 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