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Show THE ZEPHYRAPRIL 1991 never seen anyone put up any money In all the time Ive heard weve turned down qualified developers. A qualified developer Is the man with the money, and the track record to prove he can make It work. Zephyr: Then why are people saving the city has turned away developers. If It Isnt true? Tom: Because they don't know what they are talking about The developers who have been sent home with the papers to bring back certified financial statements and track records to prove their point have never returned. A developer with the money and the track record, we haven't seen. There was one doing a development In Saint George, but he said no. We would have loved to have him. Id like to have Sierra Delta. Id like to have anyone else who has the finances to do It But the city of Moab Is not Involved In development at the Golf Course. We own land, like anyone else out there. We'll sell It, in a manner where the county can capitalize on the development Zephyr: Any other Information on businesses coming In? Tom: No. But look at Main Street Look at It 5 years ago. It's been cleaned up, weve got people taking out old places, service stations have been tested for leaks, and some have been sold off. So Im encouraged by that Zephyr: Is the city still Involved In the discussions of a downtown visitors center? Tom: Ive had no contact over that In the last few months. Zephyr: It's now spring. But winter will come back, and even though the Inversions weren't as bad this year, some time again we'll have a problem with smoke In the valley. Is the city going to do anything about controlling stoves and other emissions? Tom: It's up to the council If they want to have an ordinance. Right now we dont, so were doing nothing toward that But the federal government has made more restrictions on new stoves being Installed. And youve had consciousness on the part of people, Is the reason you see emissions cut by, Id say, 60 or 80 percent from what they were 2 years ago. So people have become conscious of the fact that they can burn without creating a lot of smoke. Some are buying wood pellet stoves, and airtight stoves, and catalytic converters, you're getting more of those In Moab. I see the people controlling that more than you have the government controlling the people to do that. And I expect It to get better every year. Zephyr: Here's a question you might like. In the past ten years, the city budget not has gone up much, while the county has almost tripled. What has the city done that the county hasn't? Tom: The county government has changed, and we need to support the county commissioners, and the controlling ones are Manuel Torres and David Knutson. The responsibility lies with them to control the spending. I dont think they created the problem. But when you Increase spending, you have to look at the other side, and sometimes reduce the number of people. The county Increased the property tax 44 percent The city council has Just not done those kind of things. Whenever It comes to Increases like that the council has said, "lets see what we can cut Sometimes It's easier to say, "raise the taxes and give everyone what they want And It Is work to provide the same service for less money. One of the things that has hit us both Is the lawsuit on some commercial land that will dump more tax back on local businesses and homes. So not will we have a 44 percent Increase here In the county, well may see another 50 percent only state-assess- ed Increase. Zephyr: City elections are In 8 months, with 3 council seats up. Christy Robbins has said she wont run again... Tom: That doesnt eliminate her totally. Zephyr: Do you think she might change her mind? Tom: That's always the prerogative of a council member, Isnt It? And times change. With Christy, her life has been uprooted a bit, but the problems may be resolved at that time. Zephyr: Would you encourage her to run again? Has she done a good lob. Tom: She has, an excellent Job In some areas. Zephyr: Are you generally thinking that you will support or oppose Terry Warner and Bill McDouqald? Tom: I dont oppose anyone running for council. Diversity Is the spice of life, and we have variety and diversity on the council. I would not go against anyone running. Zephyr: Who would you vote for? Tom: I would not answer that Certainly I like to see people with diverse thoughts, and I really feel you now have a council that comes from all the areas of the community. You couldnt get a better mix of people right now. Zephyr: When will the city have Its own building Inspector? Tom: March 26 Is the last day to put In an application, for the code compliance and officer building Inspector Job. Zephyr: The war, the continuing recession, what Impact will that have on the local economy? How will this year be? Tom: Moab will have a better year than we had last year. Here we are before the PAGE 7 end of March, and everything Is full. The community was turning people away the last few weekends. We didnt anticipate that Zephyr: Do you see any economic clouds on the horizon? Tom: There always will be. It works both ways. When there Is a positive, there will be a negative. 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