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Show It would take a citizens' group similar to the one put together four years ago to referendum. But it couldn't be a group that holds support the change of government itself together for a short period of time and then disbands when interest and support of people who want to make start to wane. It would require the dedication of a lot sure all voices are heard in this valley. I have my doubts but I Is anyone prepared to make that kind of commitment? wish someone would prove me wrong. Life is like a dicleor is it? The '96 Grand County Election In 1992, 3304 Grand County residents went to the polls to elect Peter Haney in a three-wa- y county commission race. The vote represented a 72 turnout of the 4688 citizens registered at the time. In 1996, Haney was defeated by his opponent Harvey Merrcll; this year 3063 Grand County citizens cast votes out of a registered voter pool of 5209. That's 58, down 14 points from four years ago, and one of the lowest turnouts for a presidential election in Grand County in memory. And the composition of this county council could not be more strikingly different from the first governing body elected four years ago. This council is What difference government, pro development and will it make in the life of Grand County? Consider a vote taken by the current council just a couple of weeks ago. The council voted 3 to delay the development of county land on the Sand Flats Road until further studies are made to determine the impacts such development would have on the county infrastructure and ultimately on the taxpayer. Heddcn, Haney, Ballantine, and Leavitt voted to delay; Mosher, Pene, and Nelson voted to proceed. Now this is an assumption and an opinion, based on past statements, but 1 would Merrcll will vote with the Mosher minority next time and will guess councilman-elec- t become the swing vote that changes the direction the council takes on future development projects. I cannot imagine a project that this council, or at least the majority of it, will not embrace and support. And how did the balance of power get so completely lopsided again? Because the conservative, constituency got out the vote and the other side didn't. It takes organization and hard work to win an election and many of the progressive citizens in this county just didn't take the time to get involved. There arc 500 more registered voters in this county than there were in 1992; yet the number of votes actually cast was down 250. There were 2140 registered voters who just didn't show up at the polls. When you consider that Morrell's margin of victory was less than 80 votes, the impact of the cannot be underestimated. What does the future hold? More of the same unless "the other side" gets organized. About My Cat efforts of Pet Friends to track down my feline buddy Herf heroic the Despite (shown below) the little guy has vanished without a trace. He was last seen in early October in the Locust Lane area. But one of my neighbor's cats disappeared at exactly the same time and was located three weeks later on Rocky Road, two and a half miles away. So he could be anywhere. There If anyone has a clue to his whereabouts or fate, please call me at Thanks. is a reward for his return. A Personal Note anti-feder- al anti-wilderne- ss, -- 279-777- 3. anti-regulatio- n. 4-- ed WOULD YOU LIKE TO AUTHOR THE NUTSHELL COLUMN IN 1997? non-vote- rs The Zephyr is looking for a writer with an interest in local politics, development face of MoabGrand County. issues, environmental problems, and the ever-changi- sometimes sarcastic and humorous perspective. Requires about 10 hours of research 6 writing every two months. If interested, send me a sample of BEFORE JAN. 1. your writing to PO Box 327. Moab, and call me at BUT...with a 259-777- 3. management! . m ADC Director from Don tarry KilgojNewMexko'rjcurrent Schueerjs Incident at Eagle RancK'wWc tTOwojmed thelnvestlgailor trial arid p iff .Involved. In theiHootina of bald eagles from ADC helicopterslriffxc 3 No one hire a bug boy to do brain surgery, yet each year Congress hands over :fAti million ro an program called Animal Damage Control so that it can kill the remaining bit of wild we have left in this our-ot-da- te land. It's a mockery of wildlife management. Wildlife Damage Review is working to change the underlying philosophy, the roots, that support the AIX' mentality: that predators are a threat and danger to humans, and that wildlife must always be 'controlled" for the profit of a few. For more info: Wildlife Damage Review POB 85218Tucson AZ 85754J520-884-088- I A new advertiser from Grand Junction n Wayne Smith, chefowner of Grits, recently was named "Premier Chef of America.1996" by the AmericaiuJry Association. Wayne was awarded an all expenses paid trip to the American Culinary Federation's national convention in San Antonio, Texas. , VVyne entered his Queso Fundido ("cheese fo which is melted Asadero cheese, filled with cfioilzo sausage, green chiles, onion, and cinnamon. It is garnished with cilantro, and served with tortilla chips and habaflemsalsa. 3 nture south on Hwy; 50 to Delta, Fundido. "We have the cheese to please Open Tues. - Fri., 1 2, S-- 9; Sat., 8-- 2, 5-- 9 2704 Hwy. SO . . . and tVayne, too!" Grand Junction, CO BOOK CLIFFS HOMESTEADS Thompson Springs, Utah We still have 63 lots available at the base of the scenic Book Cliffs, where the sounds of silence are broken only by the lonesome whistle of a freight fast-movi- i.Ji iAm Call Janie Tuft at Paradise Realty: ng (801) . JJ! 259-265- 0 FAX: 259-269- 9 (970) 243-88- 71 |