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Show PAGE 5 THE ZEPHYRAPRIL 1991 David: Well, that means Its a Judgment call. I dont know where you draw the line. For example, I'm In construction. Ive had the county come to me several times and say, youre the only person who has this piece of equipment, and I'll say no.... thats too obvious a conflict of Interest Zephyr: How about the Keystone Pit? David: I derive some direct benefit from the pit Itself. Absolutely... Zephyr: Does that mean theres a conflict of Interest? David: Sure. Zephyr: Is It a conflict of Interest that vou think Is detrimental to the citizens of the county? we support Ideas that we oppose? Zephyr: But dont vou think that for all those rural counties to continue to oppose wilderness Is a lot like George Wallace, proclaiming In 1963: Segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever? It's unrealistic. And If wilderness Is going to happen. Isnt It better for us to be aware of what economic benefits can be derived? David: Yes. I agree. For some reason, that pushed my button. I didnt like tt. I I think Im decided, going to make some trouble here. I made my trouble, and I'm happy. That was the bottom line. As It happened, It never got that far. Another scenario was proposed to have a debate, and thought that was fine. So the bottom line was, David Knutson didnt like It, I made some trouble. I got In the paper, stirred up some smoke, so all In all, I was successful. David: No. Zephyr: Then Is that vour criteria? If Its not detrimental to the citizens and It benefits vou. Its not a problem? David: No, thats not exactly true either. It's pure and simply a ludgment call. Its I what perceive to be right and wrong. And when you elect someone, that's what you have to look for what are their moral stands? What do they say Is right and wrong? And It kind of fluctuates. I cant tell you Just where that line Is. Zephyr: Do vou think vour appointment of Ollle and Kent to the road board, or Amel on. or vour comments lust now about the Keystone can cause a loss of keeping In vou from the voters? confidence David: Sure, If you're not real careful. Zephyr: HAVE they caused a loss of confidence? David: No, not at this time. I certainly have no problem with people asking questions. Thats healthy. It's the misuse of power that constitutes a conflict of Interest So I ask myself, Is this a misuse or abuse, and what am I trying to accomplish by doing this? Zephyr: In all these examples, do vou feel youve misused the power of vour office? David: I do not I think It could be construed to be that way, but personally I do KEYSTONE PIT Zephyr: Another rumor. Does any of the money used to maintain the Keystone Pit come from Class B Road monies? David: No, we budget the pit Zephyr: It comes out of the general fund? David: Yeah. The road department maintains It It costs less than $6,000 a year to maintain It Zephyr: and hiss? I David: Primordial ooze. Let me say this, If we had another choice, the county would not be Involved In It But It Is a revenue generator as well as a liability and right now were strapped for revenue. Zephyr: What do vou pay to lease the pits? David: Thats part of the problem. We havent paid anything. Zephyr: Why not? David: Its really complicated. Briefly, the pits were owned by a mining corporation. Grand County leased the pits from them, but as far as I can tell, we never made any lease payments. Zephyr: For how Iona? David: Years ago. Zephyr: So In all this time, weve never made a lease payment? David: I dont think so. So basically we've Just been raking her In, and not putting any money out Now the land belongs to Jerry Holliday and hes saying, I want my back lease payments or buy the pit Zephyr: How much are the back lease payments? David: Considerably more than he wants to sell It for. So theres the dilemma. I dont know the answer but Im working on tt. not KNUTSONS VERSION OF THE TORRES "BRICK INCIDENT" Zephyr: Can vou give me vour version of this Incident with Manuel and the bricks from the Eguestrian Center? David: Sure. I have not looked deeply Into this because It doesnt concern me. The reason for that Is, nothing has been brought to me that would merit my looking Into It If someone asks me to bid on some plumbing work on an oil rig, they tell what they I want say heres my bid and It Includes all the materials. If they accept the bid and I order the materials and If there's anything left over, theyre mine. Zephyr: But the rec board actually purchased the bricks. David: Theres a little twist to the story, and Im not real sure what It Is. But the twist Is this: If a government entity purchases those materials, they can get them tax free. Ive done the same thing with private Industry. Zephyr: Does It matter that Manuel Is also a County Commissioner? David: Yeah, It does matter. Zephyr: Does THAT look like a conflict of Interest to vou? David: It's one more of those things that could be perceived that way. Let me say, Im not defending Manuel. Hes a commissioner, he was elected, hes a big boy. Hell have to work out his own problems on that My own opinion Is, nothing Illegal was done, but yes, there Is a perception problem. Heres another example. Mike Areharfs on the school board. He also owns the Taco Bender. When the school was replacing the parking lot, Mike had long ago said, If you ever have any extra fill, dump It In my lot So you have the school district paying to have a parking lot replaced, and the fill Is going to the Taco Bender, owned by Mike Arehart Bad perception. Illegal? No. Bad perception? Yeah. But I dont feel Ive done anything to abuse my authority, although I certainly plead guilty to perceptions. COURTHOUSE ANNEX Zephyr: Where do we stand on the courthouse annex? David: Manuel has shown me the error of my ways on this, and tt appears we can save a lot of money, but we may have to change architects. Thats where we stand. Zephyr: So we're scaling back? David: A little bit, but also being more practical. Instead of buying a Rolls, we'll get a Volvo. Zephyr: How much has been spent on the current architect? David: About $40,000. And we may lose that But If we can save Grand County nt a million dollars, then Its money well-spe- Zephyr: How well does this new commission work together? David: Real good. We really represent three different segments of Grand County. We seldom see on any given Issue, but the chemistry Is there to let us work tt out until were all comfortable. Im elated. Its tremendous. The difference Is tremendous. eye-to-e- WILDERNESS Zephyr: Tell me about this symposium on wilderness that the Travel Council wanted to attend, and from which vou proposed withholding travel expenses. David: The Governors Conference on Tourism and Recreation had as one of their events, a symposium on land ethics, and how great wilderness was going to be for tourism. d. It had three My opinion Is, people on the panel. It was really as wilderness all 29 the Utah Association of Counties, counties, opposed being detrimental. Two, the Travel Council Board exists for purely economic reasons. Therefore, If the commissioners have determined that wilderness Is not economically beneficial, why should pro-wlldem- ess 74 South Main one-side- Moab, Utah e 259-SUB- went out to the pit last month. What Is the stuff In It that makes It aurole S ye |
