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Show J& n SHMmU MfiBM aWriSSM Ml I a & V f -- Jm&w 00 j v HOMETOWNtJEWSPAPER FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH 50 cents Volume 85 Number 24 March 13, 2002 Filing deadline nears for Nov. 5 general election Filing deadline nears for ribbon cutting ceremony was held March 11 at 9 am for the new visitor center in Blanding located on the site of the historic Albert R. Lyman home. The Beautiful 6,000 square foot building was made possible by funds donated by UDOT, San Juan County and Blanding City. The visitors center will act as a rest area as well as a musuem of local history. The Clarence Rogers family has allowed a portion of their collection to be displayed at the museum. Representatives from the City of Blanding, San Juan County, Utah Department of .Transportation and members of the Lyman Family were present at the ceremony. The Lymans were among the first to settle in the Blanding Staff Photo area. A County Recorder, County Sher- elected office iff and County TVeasurer. Candidates for a number of elected offices have until Monday, March 18 to signal their intent to run for office. There will be a number of state cording and county races in the November 5 General Election, including two new members of the San Juan County Commission. The current commission of TV Lewis, Bill Redd and Mark Maryboy have served together longer than any other sitting commission in Utah. However; Commissioners Redd and Maryboy have both signaled that they do not intend to run for an additional term. Blanding residents Lynn Stevens and Jim Shumway have filed for office. In addition, Wallace Saltclaw has already filed his intent to seek Maryboys position on the San Juan County SINCE 1915 Ac- Clerk Norman Johnson, all of the incumbents in those positions to County have filed for except for County Attorney Craig Halls. Currently, the County Assessor is Bruce Bunker, County Attor- Spanish Trail may receive designation - See page 2 Opportunities at Dugout Ranch - See page 3 on ney is Craig Halls, County ClerkAuditor is Norman Johnson, County Recorder is Louise Jones, County Sheriff is Mike Lacy, and County TVeasurer is Paul Barr. Tvo positions on the San Juan School Board are also open in Districts 4 and 5 with Walter D. ATene filing for District 5. As of press deadline on March 10, a number of candidates have signaled their intent to run for the U.S. House of Representatives representing the Second Congressional District. They in- Commission. clude Mark Crockett, Jay T. A number of additional county Jorgensen, David R. Smith II, Shop at Home pro- files Blue Mountain Meats - See page 4 Blue Mountain Shadows ready - See page 5 Kigalia presents drummers - See page 8 Whitehorse High at basketball tournament - See page 10 Triathlon results - See page 1 1 elected positions are open, in- and Winston A. Wilkinson. The cluding County Assessor, County District boundaries have been Attorney, County ClerkAuditor, reset and still not set in concrete (please turn to page 11) Economic Development initiatives attempt to revive local economy On most measures, 2001 was not a banner year for the economy in San Juan County. Visitation was down to area tourist attractions, ongoing drought was a concern for area farmers and ranchers, and a number of local businesses suffered However, there are several initiatives that give hope for increased economic development in San Juan County in 2002. In Monticello, work is expected to begin soon on an extensive expansion project on the lay-off- s. Monticello Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. External groundwork is scheduled to begin this month and the Temple will be closed from April to October for the expansion:, which will roughly double the floorspace of the facility. In addition, the Hideout Golf Course, a new golf course in Monticello, is expected to open this spring. In recent months, the Monticello Golf Committee has hired a greens keeper, hired a golf pro, and even authorized a few rainstorms, all in an attempt to get the course ready for its opening this spring. It is hoped that the new course will help bring new 18-ho- le visitors and golfers to the area. In addition, the Monticello uranium millsite restoration is complete. Now, instead of piles of uranium mill tailings, a trail system and wetlands are ready for opening. As a signal of community in- terest in economic development, approximately 80 community members met at the Monticello High School cafeteria on March 7 to discuss what Monticello could become. Under the tutelage of facilitator Les Prall, the community members outlined the strengths and weaknesses of the Monticello economy and identified some of the opportu- cility at the site of the historic Albert R. Lyman home. Albert R. Lyman was one of the earliest settlers in Blanding and his home site is now the site of a large, new visitors center and rest area. The total project exceeded $700,000, with $500,000 provided by the Utah Department of Transportation. The facility, which totals more than 6,000 square feet, includes a visitors centersales area, restrooms, water fountains, and a display of local items of historic interest. San Juan County and the City of Blanding each contributed $100,000 to the project. The nities and threats that the City utilized some very creative economy faces. The City of Monticello has created an Economic Development leveraging in order to maximize the grants which paid for the project. For example, the committee, with the intent of Rogers family has allowed a porfostering growth and commerce tion of their impressive collecin the City. In addition, a newly tion ofhistorical materials to be revitalized Monticello Chamber displayed in the center. Tbhelp, of Commerce is involved in a the Rogers family donated three number of projects. building lots to the City. The deeconomic There have been City brought utilities to the lots and sold the improved lots to the in initiatives velopment Blanding, with local, state and Association of Local Governfederal governments involved in ment, which put affordable a number of projects. housing on the lots. The result is new homes for needy families March 11 was the grand opening of the new Blanding visitor and proceeds from the lot sales center. The new visitors center which helped the Visitor Center is housed in a beautiful new fa project. In addition, a new headquarters for Eagle Air Med recently opened at the Blanding Airport. The $850,000 project helps create a new headquarters for Eagle Air Med, which employs 35 people throughout the Southwest. It also helps establish the Blanding Airport as a significant local airport. The City is progressing on a little league baseball complex south of town. Eventually the 21 acre complex will include baseball fields and a Centennial Park, which the City hopes will be able to host the annual 4th of July celebration. The State of Utah is releasing bids for a new d detention center to be built in Blanding. Sam Cantrell, Kathy Carson and Gene Gruett members of the Bluff Service Area Board of Trustees resigned Monday. March 1 1 in protest of Judge Mary Manley's ruling on the November election results. -- Seepage 6 boy George Ryan Cassie Jo & George Marian February 28 boy Delaney Joe Tara Benally & Joseph After Buffalo March 4 32-be- According to Blanding City Manager Chris Webb, construction is expected to begin on the detention center before July. A number of private initia- Monticello had 5 of snow and Blanding had 2" March 8. tives are also underway in Blanding. Ground clearing is underway for a new Alco Store south of Clarks Market. In addition, Utah Navajo Health Systems is framing a new clinic near Clarks Market. Blanding area residents are hopeful that Blue Mountain Medical will finalize financing for the proposed private hospital. News Roundup.... Letters Society Sports 2 6 8 10 Community News ... 12 16 Legals Real Estate 16 Classified 17 |