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Show WATCHING MOAB 'INSTITUTIONS' DIE After years of being caught in the middle of local political controversies, I have been grateful to be able to watch Moab's latest embroglio from the sidelines. It's a lot safer over here. Of course I'm talking about the garbage contract controversy (For Bob's Sanitation recently lost its Moab Gty contract after 27 years to a company that supposedly underbid him by seven dollars a month). I've never seen such a tangled mess. After listening to articulate spokespersons from both sides of the fence 0 avoided hysteria whenever possible), I am just as confused as I ever was about who is right and who is wrong. It appears to me that both sides made some serious blunders, creating the beginnings of a small fire, and then a lot of hot air from all directions fanned that little flame into a conflagration. I've watched Moab get pretty ugly over the last ten years (let's not forget the toxic waste incinerator and the Book Cliffs Highway), but for good old hyperbole and hate, this is right up there with than. On a personal level and putting the gruesome aftermath of all this aside for a moment...I prefer Bob. He's been picking up Moab's garbage for almost 30 years, he always waves to me when we pass on the street, bis employees work their butts off and I feel comfortable with the service. It did seem to me that the price was getting a little high, but I really didn't care. His bid was seven bucks more a month. Or was it $1.75 a month? I have no idea. In today's New Moab, the worst case scenario increase is two iced mocha cappudnnos every 30 days. You know? But getting away from the haze and maze of minutia, and looking at the bigger picture, this almost seemed inevitable. Bob is actually the third "Moab Institution" to go by the wayside this year. Last winter, the Westerner Grill dosed its doors for foe last time after serving this community for four decades. And last month, after 37 years, Moab Lanes, our bowling alley also went out of business. This is what happens when a small town relinquishes its right to control its own destiny. That's what Moab did about eight or nine years ago when it welcomed any and all growth and development, no matter who it might impact. The money just looked too good and the argument for that kind of change was always: Growth is good. Growth expands the tax base. Growth reduces the individual tax burden. Growth makes Life better. Unfortunately it's all a lie. If you want to get mad and scream at Moab's governing bodies, take a look at who was cm the City Council and the County Commission back in 1988. How many of those guys expressed concern about changing Moab? How many of diem practically gave Corporate America the keys to the city? And how many of those elected officials saw the risk but sat cm their hands and kept their mouths shut tight? Check it out And I'd be curious to know how many of the most outspoken Bob Supporters were also fens of the Kg Boom in Moab that started in the early 90s and continues to this day. Moab isn't die same town and its citizens are different too. Many of Moab's new citizens have no recollection of die Westerner Grill and the great stories told around the counter for years and years. It was my entertainment It was a joy to be a part of it But it's gone. My old neighbor Toots McDougald could call up Bob at three in the afternoon and ask him to pick up a dead cat she found in her back yard, and ten minutes later. Bob would be there. I'm not sure if New Moab cares about such gestures. And I'm not trying to denigrate Moab's new arrivals either. They're just accustomed to something different The town has changed and it's going to change a lot more. As I've said before, Moab is becoming someone rise's dream. Some people call that SUBSCRIBE TO THE ZEPHYR Progress. Six issues a year for only $15.00 do think some of the 'Old Timers' did Bob a disservice when they put such an ugly spin on the controversy. Beyond the attacks on Mechain, same blamed the 'newcomers' (Moabites who have only lived here ten or twenty years) and made a lot of inflammatory I Twelve issues (2 ycars)..$28.00 Eighteen issues (3 years)M.$40.00 statements. Like... "Well you got what you wanted! You drove Bob out of business! You newcomers have ruined our town!" You'd be amazed who said that. Such vitriol was not very effective in solidifying public opinion. I'd bet half of Moab's citizens have been here less than 20 years. And some of Moab's oldest Old timers have supported, and benefited from, the Boom that helped contribute to the demise of these 'Moab Institutions.' I mean, really, guys...give me a break. Finally, I have to come to the defense of Ken Davey, foe Channel 6 News Editor and reprater. Sure, Ken can be a I he's given Moab's elected in and know the butt at times pain But I've always observed that; officials fits fra almost a decade. whatever he might say at a public meeting, what he puts in print or cm the air is as fair and balanced as any reporting I've ever seen. I cannot believe that he's being blamed for Bob losing his contract. It's incredible. It's ridiculous. And I realize that I'm stepping on some of what Peter Haney has to say on page 4. 1 don't agree with all of Frier's Nutshell column that follows this one. But I don't hate him for it either. City....................... State 6 Zip.. (INCLUDE 9 DIGIT ZIP) PLEASE READ THIS: The P.O. will not forward 3rd Class maiL If you do not send us a change of address, Times-Indepmd- mt we cannot be responsible for issues you did not receive. Subscriptions must begin with the next issucback issues are available for $250 each. Those readers who choose to take discounts do advantage of the multi-yea- r so at their own risk. There is no guarantee that the world will be here in three years, CORRECTIONS Ac CLARIFICATIONS A couple of last month's contributors are ready to wring my neck. First, I failed to give Owen Severance a photo credit fra foe great picture of his good friend, pilot Dick Smith. And Edie Eilender has written to ask me why I changed the spelling of Ranger John Riffey's last name. Fra some reason, I consistently and inexplicably spelled it Riffee. I'm flummoxed. Next, I'm running an ad in the Zephyr this issue from the American Lung Association, and then I realized, there I am cm page 2, looking like a fallen ranger with a butt hanging out of my mouth. Fra the record, it's not lit. Never have smoked cigarettes. Disgusting much less this publication. The Zephyr may still make you its still not the ink. WE USE NON-TOXI- C SOY INK Send Subscriptions to: P.O. BOX 327. MOAB. UT 84532 habit word from several people, including J. Jaran And of Moab, that Rush Umbaugh can indeed be picked up cm the radio in Moab. It really is time for me to move to Australia. Hey John Wringe, can I sleep in the stable? I have received The OctoberNovember Issue will be on newstands September 26th And CONGRATULATIONS! Regular contributor Bany Scholl and his wife Ilf recently had a baby girl her name is Wallis and I hear she's a beauty. PACE! MOAB IN A NUTSHELL with Peter Haney. "Lets take the V out of Moab." The Trash Controversy. Late night Nate Knight phone alls. PACE 6 NUTSHELL-fA- e photographic evidence A Texan Dog of the Month? Is that "Aarchway Inn? As in Aarvark? Farewell to the Bowling AUcy. PAGE 8 CANYONCOUNTRY TCHDOG Crocne. Lupton Vncw national monument. Plunder in Dixie. The WA UAC with its pants down. Conoco drills Esalante. Utah politicos still whining over the Dad Goose on Elk Ridge. Frightening photo of Kevin NO. he s not a serial killer. 6 Walker. PAGE 10 Dana of San Juan county businesses. PAGE 30 HERB RINGERS TRIP ACROSS THE AMERICAN WEST: Bryce Canyon in the late PAGE 3d AROUND THE BEND AGAIN IN SAN JUAN COUNTY with Ken Steighb Ken utehes PACE 38 FEEDBACK: More admonishments for the publisher. Shame on your from a Rush Limbaugh Dittohad 1940s. up on a variety of San Juan issues 6 the Senior ill but Editor of the Sierra Clubs magazine. |