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Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - Page 4 Massive sawdust fire extinguished (continued from page 1) The sawdust was spread, no more than five inches deep, onto the ground, where trucks followed to spray water on the remains. The result is that an intimidating pile of fuel was quickly reduced to nothing more than a field of sawdust First to respond to the fire on October 6 was the La Sal Volunteer Fire Department. It soon became apparent that it was more than they could handle. Fire Departments from throughout San Juan County, as well as Grand County and State and Federal crews, have been on the scene. Equipment from the sawmill was moved from harms way and buildings were wet down to prevent their loss. Crews remained on duty around the clock watching the fire and protecting adjacent structures. Nearby residents have watched the fire through the next ten days with great interest, fascination and concern. Ron and Shannon Krist live just up the draw from the fire: a draw that could easily turn into a chimney sucking the fire their direction if conditions were right. Both Shannon and neighbor Darla Martin praise the efforts of the La Sal Volunteer Fire Department for their outstanding dedication and for staying on duty even when other crews were sent home. Fire Chief Ron Barnett is also a dose neighbor of the sawmill. One problem is that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations put sawmill owners in a frustrating predicament. The sawmills create, but are restricted from burning, an enormous amount of refuse. In fact, sawmills used to be marked by large, d buildings where the refuse was burned. Now, as a result of the EPA regulations, sawmills simply place the sawdust into enormous piles. There are few markets to sell the sawdust, so it simply sits and grows in size at the sawmill. Unless there are local ordinances mandating that the sawdust piles are cone-shape- com- Because the costs were mounting and local crews were exhausted after several days of intense efforts, San Juan County Commissioners declared a State of Emergency on October 11 and asked the state for help in fighting the fire. A Level Two Fire Team took over the fire fighting efforts on Friday and implemented the divide and conquer strategy by Friday evening. Bailey reports that the state has yet to respond to the request for financial assistance, leaving the county, at the cur-fire-fighti- ng cluding Monticello Plumbing, Sonderegger Construction, Knut Sons, and LaGrand jacent field. $500,000. However, officials report that the new molehills out of mountains strategy may have cut the cost estimate in half, to less than $250,000. Bailey reports that one of the' stipulations that was discussed before the fire was turned over to the multiagency crew is that loqal goods Talent show in Blanding Oct 24 Where can you go to find a better evening of local entertainment and talent than San Juan County? Wednesday fires, and thp massive search for three fugitives who killed a Cortez, Colorado police of- this wonderful part of the United States ofAmerica. Let us show our generosity and humanity to those who have been victims of such tragic circum- stances. Join with your friends, families and neighbors for a feel good evening of entertainment and sharing. For more information call Jackie or Debbie Christiansen, Donations of any amount will be accepted at the door with the proceeds to go directly to the New York City Survivors fund. All of us who live in San - our- selves fortunate that we live in piano. - effort.- Juan County must count evening, October 24, 7:30 p.m., at San Juan High School Auditorium will be a delightful evening of music, dance, poetry, comedy, live bands, and and services be used as much as possible. As a result, the fire fighting effort was a boon ofsorts to the local community. Local contractors,- caterers, stores, and Bed and Breakfasts were busy assisting the Bailey groused about the treated (San Juan County does large number of expensive not have these ordinances -- emergency response efforts the has faced in recent yet) the result is similar to a county the Willow including years, pile of freshly cut hay, a pile of and wild land other Basin organic matter that is prime for eventual spontaneous bustion. Johnson, have completed the enormous task of breaking up the mountains of sawdust and transporting them to the ad-- partment, along with a number of private contractors, in- rent time, with the task of paying the large bills that will accompany the fire fighting effort It was feared that costs would eventually exceed 678-334- 0. .. . at MES - Math Facts winners named The following students are October Math Facts winners ficer. at Monticello Elementary: A large number of private, First grade: Brittany Redd, city, county, state and federal Jessica Ewart, Micayla Tibbs, officials are involved in the fire Shaylyn Black, Zach Johnson, fighting effort. They include lyier Hughes, Jase Curtis. fire crews from La Sal, San Second grade: Paul Barton. Third grade: Skyler Higgins Juan County, Monticello, Fourth grade; Josh AnderBlanding, Montezuma Creek,. Moab and Fire Bluff, beyond. son, Janessa Bowring, Jason crews from state agencies have Andrews, Adam Martinez, joined in the effort, along with Mersadez Slade, Alexandra US. Forest Service and Bureau Aigyle, Holly Fellmeth, Claire of Land Management crews. Hart, Kara Rogers. In addition, crews from the Fifth grade: Linda Barton, San Juan County Road De Jager Lee, Alison Montgomery, Chase Randall, Shane Yuhas. Sixth grade: Ashley Dowell, Cory Eardley, Danielle Black, Kelly Argyle, Brantly Wright, Clara Alvarez, Marti Nielson, Rebecca Francom, Ivan Jim, Ryan Bailey, Craig Hughes, Janelle Jack, Kelly Meehan, Tfeina Hazleton, Kevin Ander- - son, Kelvin Curtis, James Musselman, Jeremy Grisham, Joshua Blanchard, Daniel Frost, Cassandra Scott, Ryle Ketron, Brandi. Woodward, Travis Tibbs, Randon Keyes, Annie Anderson, Aaron Butler. . CITY CORNER by Evan Lowry, Member, Monticello City Council kfter attending the Meet the Candidates Night, it seems dear that the City needs to do a better job of die citizens of what tKey are doing. We have wrongly assumed that the'published minutes of council meetings is adequate to do this. This "City Comer" column is an attempt to find a medium to let the citizens " ; know of activities going on in the tity. . ' A statement was made at the Meet the Candidates Night that many decisions are being made by the Council at late night houmand at times other than during regular City Council meetings. This' is simply not true. Hie Council is very careful that all required voting and necessary decisions are made and voted upon during publicized meetings. - - j " . ' Do we do anything at times other than regular council meetings? You bet we da I feel, and I think it ' is the feeling of the other Council members, that the citizens deserve more from their elected officials dun simply attending two meetings a month. Your Council spends many hours, both personal as well as time taken from their regular employment, researching issues, attending meetings and training. Working with citizens and dty employees, assisting andor implementing decisions, following up on die activities of the city, etc. - Anotto statement made was that the City is spending too much on recreation projects. It is true that a lot has been spent on these projects. What seems to be misunderstood is that a substantial portion of this .has come from sources other than die City. Some examples are Loyds Lake, where die County has contributed work by grading and realigning portioni of $30,000 for improvements. They havealso contributed equipment-ari- the trail. City employees have worked on this project after regular hours. This arrangement was nude so that regular City work would not be interrupted. It also allowed them to have the opportunity to earn, a little extra ConqxatliLaUom! 1 . , . - received for recreation projects indudes $50,000 f& new swimming pool roof and other pool improvements; $20,000 was received from the County to be used toward, the new rest rooms at die ball fields; the Department of Energy provided $35,000 for cement at die pavilion ice skating rink at the ball Most recently, another $40,000 was obtained from the County for playground equipment at the ball fields and to go toward the new pavilion ice skating rink. The pavilion has been ordered and bids have been tent out to erect ' it Hopefully, this can be completed before winter. . display . for Monticello citizens which comes bom sources than City funds. In addition, odier work siich as picnic tables and bridges for the Mill Site property, picnk tables at die ball fields, and other improvements at Loyds Lake; are currently being completed and planned by Eagle ' Scout projects and other volunteer efforts. Without these contributions of funds and work, it is unlikely that these recreation projects would be'poicfele Like many other citizens of Monticello, your City Council and City Employees have and will continue to work to make Monticello the beat that it can be. As part of this, we pledge to do a better, job of keeping involved and informed. Please watch for future City Comer columns in the San fuan Record. We 'appreciate your concerns and comments, your willingness to volunteer in the many needed areas, and your SAN JUAN BUILDING SUPPLY 1050 South Main St Blanding 678-214- 0 . This amounts to $175,000 spent on recreation '4 ton of pellets at the Quadra-Fir- e . ' Other money Russell Schafer Winner of ' income. .. 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