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Show PAGE 5 THE ZEPHYRMAY 1991 THE MEDIA Zephyr: There haw been some hard feelings lately between members of the media and the commission. And I'm sure both sides would like to And wavs to resolve It What do you think the media can do to be fairer and to do a better lob? And what do vou think were doing wrong? Manuel: I dont think youre doing anything wrong; Its Just that well, Ive worked my tall off these last four months and If I was to think about all the criticism Ive taken In the last six weeks, I'd probably quit But I committed my best for four years. After that, who knows? When I come home from work, change clothes, eat kiss the wife goodbye, drive all the way to Salt Lake, get up early and go to meetings and I come home and theres nothing reported about whats good -- - I'll tell you, weve saved this county a ton of money In the last three months. We're finding where funds are available, we're working with CIB to get the lowest Interest but the common Joe on the street doesn't see that They never talk about anything positive; Its always negative. To make the situation better; It's Just as much a responsibility of the county commission. Zephyr: Let's say a percentage of the community that bv no means constitutes a majority questions your ethics. Should the media not consider those questions valid? Manuel: No. Zephyr: So even If Ifs a small number of people who are complaining, vou think the media should still follow up on the question. Manuel: Well, they have so far. And I wouldnt want to change that Zephyr: Do vou think Ifs sometimes a case of sour grapes? Manuel: Well, sometimes I wonder. And that's too bad. Because you know I ran for mayor two years ago and I don't hold a grudge against Tom Stocks or Bill Meador. The people voted for what they wanted. Zephyr: Do vou ever feel that the people are more apathetic than anything else? Manuel: I don't think so. I get around a lot and people express their concern. In the last month, all this criticism Ive taken. Well the people I run around with, they Just kind of tease me about K. Which Is good. But I don't think so. And again, most people know where I stand on most Issues. If they don't agree, I dont mind that Take Jack Campbell. When I first met him, I was kind of set back... I wasn't sure what to expect But the more I got to know him, the more I respect him. And I can talk with him. Most of the time we dont agree with each other, but we walk away respecting each other. He wont bite you In the back. DEFINING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Zephyr: In a little town like this. Ifs hard to dve up vour business to serve In do vou define a conflict of Interest and when does It become a problem? Manuel: I dont know. I've stepped on myself many times already. And Im sure It wont be the last Ifs hard In a small town to avoid somebody out there saying thats a conflict of Interest Sometimes I dont know If It Is or Isn't Zephyr: Do vou have any guidelines for yourself where the red flag goes up? Manuel: If there was a conflict of Interest, first I would ask the county attorney. Is this a problem? Or If It Is, how can I do It without being a conflict of Interest? If Its Just a flat conflict of Interest theres no way I can get away with It Thafs plain stupidity. But If you honestly go In there not knowing Ifs a conflict of Interest I dont buy that We all make mistakes. Some people call It a mistake. I don't know that Ive made a mistake. I dont think I have. And Ifs not going to be the last As you go forward, you make mistakes. Ifs the guy who does nothing who never makes mistakes. Zephyr: So on the Lvle Palmer bid, vou felt that since this was on his general contractor license there was no conflict? Manuel: Absolutely. Now when this came up It bothered me for awhile. I know all these general contractors too well. So I asked Lyle, do I need to disclose every time I bid with these general contractors? What happens If a Job comes up for the county and five contractors bid on It? And I might have a part In four of those five. Do I have to disclose public office. How that? Zephyr: What did he sav? Manuel: He said, I don't know. Ifa something we have to think about before the bid came up. First I wouldn't want to hurt anybody's feelings If I didn't bid with one guy. I If I bid with four of the five, I dont want to do that to a person. Thafs not fair. So go line. beyond myself being unfair for somebody to say conflict of Interest? Ifs a real fine would Zephyr: Had Lvle Palmer been awarded the contract on the county shed, vou have done anv work on It? Manuel: There was no masonry Involved, so no I wouldnt have anything to do with It But I think most people understand. It hurt my feelings some. It hurt my pride a little. Im not going to lie to you. Zephyr: What the code savs Is that vou only have to declare vou have a conflict of Interest at those meetings. It doesn't keep vou from bidding. Manuel: Of course, let me tell you something. I cfldnt put one and one together. But when that came up that day and we thought Lyle was the low bidder, Jim Mattingly asked me what my Interests with Lyle were, and I said no, not on his general contractor license. I Just didnt think about It If I thought there was a conflict of Interest, I would've disclosed It But when do you do It? Do I say Lyle Palmer's a good friend of mine? Zephyr: I think Ifs an economic Interest Manuel: That might be. MEETING AGENDAS Zephyr: Citizens want to participate In commission meetings, but can rarely sit there all dav. Some of the Issues to be discussed are assigned a specific time, but other Issues are lumped Into catch-a- ll "discussion periods." What could the commission do to avoid that? Manuel: The only reason we do It that way Is so If we have time between the two we can start discussing matters so we're not there till midnight It so citizens a Zephyr: If Ifs an Item to be voted on. shouldnt be assigned time can give their Input? Manuel: That makes sense to me. I'll bring It up. RECYCLING Zephyr: Manuel: Zephyr: Manuel: How Important do vou consider recycling In Grand County? Real Important How la It moving along? We had a meeting last week and Usa Wolfsen had one member resign. But these grants are tough. All the red tape sometimes makes you wonder If Ifs worth It But Usa has worked her tall off. They've worked damned hard at this, and they get disgusted at the county commission. Ifs not that we dont think you can do the Job; Ifs that the liability falls back on the commission. We're Just being cautious. Zephyr: What do vou net for vour 30.000? What's the plan? Manuel: Fifteen thousand goes to a bulkflng and we gave them the old county shed on the way to the dump. A couple Items were donated from City Market Theyve hustled a lot of money which Is nice. We know If s a coming thing. If we put our heads In the sand, we're fools. Ifs so at time. the costly Zephyr: Is there anv plan to Integrate this plan with Bob Hawks ( Bob's Sanitation)? Manuel: Weve talked a little about It I think Ifs a good thing because Ifs the citizens wholl be running It Thafs the beauty of It And In a year and a half, after the grant runs out well know If Ifs going to work. TOURIST IMPACTS Zephyr: The commission recently moved to set aside 30 of transient room taxes to pay for this visitor center. Would vou ever consider taking some of that tax and using It to deal with tourist Impacts rather than promotion? Manuel: Probably. I think If the Impacts continue to grow, well have to. Zephyr: If the Impacts get much worse, were not going to have anything to promote. Manuel: Thats right And weve talked about that I would like to talk more about that visitor center. We are going to the CIB with the Travel Council, borrow the money, and the county will own the land and the building. $819,000 will be paid back by transient room tax. So the funding Is taken care of for the loan. Then well lease the building to the Canyonlands Natural History Association at a fee of about $24,000 - $27,000 a year. The city has been nice enough to say they will take care of the park area. And the county may help too. Then we'll take that revenue and use It for other things. After 10 years, we can sell the lot straight out to CNHA and put the money In the bank for the general fund. We go to CIB In July, we can get started by the end of the year and by next year, It could be In use. Zephyr: Anything else? Manuel: I don't think so. That was a fair Interview. Oh, I would like to say again that we're thrilled about the hospital. Ifs not often you get a good looking financial statement This Kim Hardmans doing a super Job for us, and also the hospital board should be together next month. Zephyr: Are vou accepting applications? Manuel: Im not positive. Zephyr: Will there be an announcement regarding the vacancies? Manuel: I dont know If were going to basically hand pick as a commission. Our concern Is that we get It going In the right direction. And by the way, I want to applaud all the people down at the hospital have supported us 100, and thafs doctors, nurses, patients. Weve been delighted. Zephyr: Aren't there guidelines on how vou select a board? Manuel: Thafs something well have to discuss with the attorney. Zephyr: Ok. thanks Manuel. --t- hey |
