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Show PAGE 4 THE ZEPHYRJULY 1991 an interview with ms. sam Cunningham commissioner county Jim Stiles conducted an Interview with Commissioner Sam Cunningham. interview has been edited for clarity and length. The I have no Idea. All those figures would have to be here in front of us. Oil Development THE DUMP Zephyr: First, lets talk about the dump. The city says It's the county's responsibility; the county says It's the city's. How do you see it. and what do you see as the end result? Sam: the last figures I heard quoted by Manuel, seems to me was that 75 to 80 of the trash being generated was by the city. So by sheer bulk itself, the city has a part In the dump. I have no idea how it's going to end up. Their point Is. the Zephyr: We've talked about the city's claim of double-taxatioa tax. to operation From that contribute residents tax, pay county property county city they of the dump. The city says why should they pay more than residents outside the city? Sam: Why is that double taxation? Zephyr: The city residents are paying once through county taxes; and now you're saying only city residents should pay more. The city by its percentage of the Grand County population is paying a lion's share. They say. If the county wants to raise its taxes countywide. then do it. But don't throw it all on the city. Sam: I appreciate what you're saying, but I'd feel more comfortable hearing that from a city councflperson; possibly there's a filter between what was said, and what you're telling me. Before I comment on that double taxation, I'd like to talk one on one with a city councilperson. Zephyr: I've tried to research the recent history of the dump, and apparently there was an agreement between the city & county, that the county would operate the dump. Is there a written agreement? Sam: I have no idea if theres a written agreement. As far back as I took my own research, there was a gentlemen's shake hands agreement that the county would run it, although the city owns the property and the fee would be cut in half. Zephyr: When decisions are made regarding the operation of the dump, such as accepting asbestos or contaminated soil, the city has no say in that, does it? Sam: That's an excellent question. I've been in office for seven months, and we've one had meeting with the city that wasn't rescheduled after that initial meeting. I think only when you contract out, the day to day decisions are made by the entity doing the work, it's like the hospital board; it hired Kim Hardman as administrator and he handles the n. day-to-d- Sam: ay operations. Zephyr: You said that Merv had mentioned to you that the dump operation cost $30,000 a year. Now It's $240,000 a year. What caused the Increase? Sam: I have not seen those figures and I'd be very curious to see them. My own figuring indicates it should cost $140,000 to run the dump. Zephyr: Do you understand where they come up with the figures to run the ' Sam: That is the going rate if you went into a farm rental store in Grand Jet. and say you want to rent a Zephyr: How can you use that figure ($110hr) to calculate the cost of running the Zeohvr: The Commission supports oil development on Dead Horse Mesa. Are there limits to how much development you'd like to see? Sam: The limitations are not ours. Ifs BLM land- - totally out of our hands. Zeohvr: Knutson says that one well could generate $100,000 a year for schools and X $40.000 for the county. Is there a point where you have number of weils generating so much revenue for the county on one side, and environmental concerns on the other. Where you say, we really didn't need anymore. Sam: That sounds like a philosophical question. Zephyr: It Is. Sam: You tied It into a physical question at the beginning, and to address that, we've had aome further Information and, in fact, the entire lump of funding that goes to the school does not go the way David first said. So, in fact, we need to meet the amount that is set for us the county to contribute, and then exceed it if were to get a proportionate return. So that question obviates the philosophical question to a certain point, because if we really wanted $100,00 we'd have to increase the production beyond what our obligatory chunk is. So more is better in that case. Zephyr: Would there ever be a time in your mind, where you say- here are social environmental concerns, and here are quality of life, education, Sam: I've already reached that point Zephyr: What? Sam: The Coon Well. I've reached that point I am less satisfied with the company image of Coors as an energy exploration company in Grand Co. than I am with Columbia. I have not had a problem with the one well that is operating now. Columbia Is a very responsible company; I'm satisfied that they're doing as good a Job as can be done, As far as I'm concerned, they could do 15 wells. I do have given our fragile reservations about Coors. They have an incredibly poor environmental record. It'a not disputed, it's not speculative. They have a poor environmental record. They have been fined numerous times. I find it personally threatening to have a company like that having a well OK'd In Grand County. Zephyr: What do you know about U.S. Borax and their plans in Grand County? Sam: Only what everyone else In the Westerner Grill and Mi Vida knows. Zephyr: Which is what? Sam: That potentially there is a development that Is tied In to the same area that we're looking at in oil and gas. That's about as much as I know. eco-syste- m. Drug Task Force D-- 9? D-- 9. dump? Sam: That'a an excellent question for you to ask whoever derived that figure. Zephyr: Manuei said the dozer cost $250.00 and that It has a lifetime of 10 years. So you could deduct 10 of that cost per year (or with Interest even 20). But $11Qhr. using it five hours a day, all year, you're talking about a cost In excess of $100.00. And vet, not that much money Is actually changing hands or coming our of the county till. Sam: I figured the cost on a weekly or monthly basis. The monthly rental is of the replacement cost, or about $9,200 a month. Plus operator's wages, and 4 usually miscellaneous costs adding up to $12,00month. Zephyr: You're still talking about $140.00year just for the equipment Sam: But that would be split in half with the city. But on an 8020 split with he city, based on who's filling up the dump, you come up with $110,000 for the city and $30,000 for the county. Up to two years ago, we were splitting the costs and then they stopped. That's something that needs to be revisited. Zephyr: If push came to shove, i can see where the city could say, OK. we'H pay half of the $30,000 again. But now, two years later the cost of the dump has Increased eightfold. Sam: It sounds like an Issue that needs some collective bargaining on. I'd be very comfortable chatting with all the principals about it Zephyr: As far as the dramatic Increase in cost of operating the dump. Is it tied to the cost of the heavy equipment? Moab City, this week, withdrew from the Drug Strike Force, as has Blanding, Montlceilo, and San Juan County. That leaves Grand County as the last participant In SE Utah. Is the county going to stay In? And will It cost more? Sam: I wish I had the answer to that So much else has been going on; It was reprehensible of me not to participate in this, but philosophically I support It I support the concept But I haven't done my homework on it and I won't comment on It now. the pursuit and Zephyr: The Drug Task Force deals with enforcement In of Do the drug trade. you think enough money Is spent on apprehension participants drug education and rehabilitation? Is drug abuse an illness or a crime? Sam: Oh my goodness. That's the subject of a whole other interview. That has been debated by health care professionals, the Judiciary for time immemorial. I wouldn't dream of getting into that Zephyr: What about expenditures for education? Sam: I wouldn't know; that's certainly another lacking that I need to address. Now if in fact the concept or actuality of the strike force needs to be revisited, I would certainly think we need to take the opportunity to look at the whole drug program. What Is and Isn't being done. What needs to be done. Zephyr: MALATHION Zephyr: What are your thoughts on the Malathion issue and speciffcslly the Incident on Power House La. where residents protesting the use of Malathlon were sprayed. Sam: I had a request when this first came down that someone from the general CEDfiR BREfiKS CONDOS Center & 4th East Moab. Utah 84532 AAA RATED With Self Serve Full Breakfast 801-259-78- 30 |
