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Show SSL 4 : tp a yB jkf pf fr . yfii i1 S' .ft! hometown Newspaper VoLfiJNo 22 I, zys '":r f - . ' fflt , r MC t for san juan county, utah -- t. since 1915 March 8, 2000 .50 cents f M Public sentiment against power system purchase by Monticello City Approximately 200 Monticello residents attended two public meetings regarding the City of Monticellos proposed purchase However, the arguments were not strong enough for most residents at the meetings, who fear of its electrical system. The large majority of residents at the meeting sent a strong message to the Monticello City Council regarding the purchase: stay with Empire Electric. The City sold the system to Empire Electric in 1979. The contract gave the City a one time option to buy back this year or the contract renews for another 20 years. Anton Tbnc, a private consultant hired by the City, stated that the City of Monticello could generate more than $200,000 a year from the system. Mayor Dale Black stated that the money could be used for city projects. and emergency response would be compromised if the City owned the system and if main- THISWEEKl Letters regarding electrical system- - that reliability, maintenance, tenance was through Utah Power and Light. A number of residents clamored for a special election on the subject. According to city officials, it is not likely that the Council will initiate an election. Members of the City Council will continue to consider the purchase of the system, which would be financed through a $2.8 million revenue bond. It is expected that the Council will make a final decision at the March 22 council meeting. See page 6 Students at solo, ensemble See page O 8 New course record for triathlon - See sports, page 1 1 WEATHER! Monticello Blanding Feb Hi Lo Pr Hi Lo Pr 28 49 29 tr 53 31 .10 29 46 14 .02 49 25 .04 Mar 1 39 28 .08 41 32 .13 2 46 29 tr 55 28 3 52 24 58 30 4 65 35 59 26 5 52 29 .72 48 32.59 Monticello had a trace of snow on Feburary 28 and March 2, 1 inch of snow on February 29 and March 1 and 6 inches on March 5. Blanding received 1 trace of snow on February 29, 1 inch on February 28 and March 1, and 4 inches on March Ned Overend (I), shattered the course record at the Blue Mountain to Canyonlands Triathlon on March 4. He was followed by John Gilbert, (r), who has won the race six times. A growing number of local residents participated in the race. See details on pages 1 1 & 12. staff photo 5. Filing period opens for elected office There are a large number of opportunities currently available for local residents to serve, both in county Service Districts and in elected positions. The filing period for offices within the state opened March 7 and will close March 17. In iy Presidential is March 10 pri-ma- Voters in Utah will have the opportunity to participate in the Presidential Primary Friday, March 10. Voters will be able to vote for Democratic, Republican, or Independent candidates. Polling hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters from Cedar Point, Ucolo, La Sal, Spanish Valley and Halls Crossing will vote via absentee ballot. Voters in other precincts will vote primarily at Chapter Houses or City Offices. Republican candidates in- clude Gary Bauer, George W. Bush, Steve Forbes, Allen Keyes and John McCain. Democratic candidates are Bill Bradley and AlGore. Independent American candidates are Earl and Howard Phillips. F. Dodge QUOTABL'Ea a addition to federal presidential elections, Utahns will vote on the Senate seat currently held by Senator Orrin Hatch, and Congressional seats, including the third district seat held by Chris Cannon. In state government, the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney The council hasnt made up their minds. They would have to be stone stupid to not know what the people think. However, I hope that they base their decisions upon the facts and the figures, and not vote soley upon the emotions. General, State Auditor, and State Treasurer will be on the ballot, as will the Utah State Senate District 27, a seat currently held by Mike Dmitrich and the Utah House of Representatives District 71, a seat currently held by Keele Johnson. County elections include the Commission seat currently held by Ty Lewis, in addition to the ClerkAuditor, currently held by Norman Johnson. Three school board positions are open and there will be retention elections forjudges. If elected office may appear too much hassle, there also are a wide range of open positions on county service districts, including the Library Board, Historical Commission, Mental Health Substance Abuse District and service districts in La Sal Blanding, and Eastland. See the legal notices on page 16 for more David Bronson on the proposed purchase of the Monticello power system Jeff Wolin became the Cat in the Hat at a raucous reading night at Monticello Elementary School on February 29. staff photo |