OCR Text |
Show I 4 Thursday Sun JUvbgsSb June 20, 2002 $ , Stall eiltorial i That feeling of safety could be false . abduction. Terror has swept through the state and volunteer search crews are still gathering daily to look By KEN LARSON Sun Advocate Publisher When the tragic disappearance of a San Diego girl from her suburban home flooded the headlines back in February we were horrified. Many concluded that because it was far away, in a big southern California city where terrible tragedies often happen, that it was somehow different Then in early June we read about the Idaho Falls teenager that was abducted from her south Idaho home and escaped only to take police back to the place where they ultimately chased and shot the criminal. That was getting a little too close to home for many of us. later that week we were horrified innocent and loyal child disappeared at gun point from her affluent neighborhood home in Salt Lake City. It has been over two weeks and although there has been much speculation, auAnd then, when a quiet, thorities and the family still have no substantial clues on who may have been responsible for the for the Flyers showing a picture of Elizabeth began circulating the morning after the abduction throughout the state and one could see them hanging everywhere in Emery and Caibon counties. It's a startling reminder of how sick and troubled some people are and that many of these people are closer than we think. Having raised two sons and taught and mentored hundreds of.chijdren in classrooms and organizations, I can't imagine something like this happening to my family or friends. Vet I have lived and worked in small communities all of my life and these things do happen in areas where small towns and rural landscapes exist Often people live in these areas primarily because they feel they are safe and supposedly removed from the crime one comes to expect in larger cities. that bad things can and do happen anywhere and we don't have to live in a high crime area to see examples such as the one that has struck the Smart family in Salt Lake. I don't want to go through life paranoid, always looking over my shoulder or contemplating disaster or tragedy. But I am reminded one more time by this incident that I should be cautious and realize there are steps that can be taken to protect ourselves and our families. Be mindful that we are never totally safe and even if we take all the preventative measures in the world, we never know when something like this can strike. Here are some thoughts, tips and suggestions to help get you started on planning and discussing what can happen with your families and friends. Communication and dialogue are important think a big red flag in todays world has to do with the internet and chat rooms. More and more I These horrible acts are startling reminders (Continued on page 8A) Stall ciIuidd Letters to the editor Shouldnt the rules apply to everyone? By RICHARD her estranged husband she needed to get rid of and decided to bum them at a fire ring in an im- SHAW Staff reporter Ever since I was a kid, I was told that rules apply to everyone. If you chew gum in class you get taken down the principal's office. If you speed in your car and you get caught you get a ticket and pay a fine. If you steal from someone you go to jail. If you break the rules you pay. Everyone knows that or should. It seems simple and even a little naive for someone to not understand this (or maybe I am naive for thinking everyone should understand it). Yet something shocking happened this past week that deals with this very concept A forest service employee named Terry Barton admitted to accidentally starting the fire that has been raging near Denver, Colo, and burned over 120,000 acres. Seems she had a few letters from proved campground in the area she was supposed, to be patrolling to keep people from starting fires of any kind, anywhere. The fire got out of control before she knew it and poof went the Pike National Forest While she now languishes in jail facing not only up to 15 years in prison and a half a million dollar fine, everyone should take notice. She is responsible for the death of countless animals, the destruction of a beautiful forest and valuable watershed as well as the destruction of 55 homes. Here is a person who supposedly knew the danger of fire in the area and yet still broke the rules. I have to ask why she is any different than those in eastern Utah who I have seen burning leaves, branches and ditch banks in the last couple of weeks. In March and April that was accepted. It is an Guest annual ritual which agriculturally is needed. But once the fire season was closed on May 6, three weeks earlier than normal because of the high fire danger, what excuse do they have. The early closure alone should be a due, but appar- ently these people don't have one. As I drive around Carbon County covering vari- ous stories and taking photos I am shocked at how many people are burning stuff. The other day I was out for two hours ini saw three people with open fires. One, in Spring den, was burning leaves by his house. His hose was ready and he had a shovel. But I bet he didnt have a permit His wife was sitting in a lounge chair nearby reading a book. In another place I saw a farmer burning a ditch bank. All he had was a shovel nearby. But there' was also a lot of dry grass too. One slip up and it could have easily raced across the field toward the homes on the other side. (Continued on 5A) edltoria By RONALD PESTRITTO Americans today seem very much in the holiday spirit with Flag Day just past and the Fourth of July coming up. Since the attacks on our county last September, it has been wonderful to see the flag flying almost everywhere. This is certainly a welcome change from the condescension with which cultural elites and opinion leaders have frequently viewed flag waving" in modem America. . Officially created bn Jura 14, 1777 by an act of the Second Continental Congress, the American Flag underwent many modifications until 1912, when President Taft established standard proportions for it and ordered that the stars be displayed in rows. The Flag Day holiday was established formally by a proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, and cemented into law when President Truman signed an act of Con gress in 1949. To remind ourselves of the ideas represented in the flag, the proximity of Flag Day and the Fourth of July cannot be mere coincidence. It was the same Continental Congress, after all, that both signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th and subsequently created the flag The Declaration clearly laid out the principles to which the new nation would forever be dedicated: a pro- tht slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men. Do we 21st century Americans know what we are fighting for? Have we acquitted ourselves like the men Washington addressed? The current , national political scene makes it difficult to answer in the affirmative, regard fess of which side of the political spectrum one examines. Liberals have fer decades advocated and - a rejection or me united argeiy consummated government of the founding in favor of a modem welfare state. Starting about 100 years ago, George Washington understood these principles well, and knew what his army was fighting for when he addressed his Revolutionary War evolving, unlimited government This makes it all the more ironic that it was Wilson who forsince he mocked . mally established Flag Day what he called the "blind worship" of the found-te- g and complained that "some citizens of this - Editor I read Mr. Aoyagis concerns for the wildlife that will be affected by the covering of canals in the area. I too am very concerned with this issue, but trying to get any answers to questions on the subject I have found im- tington Cleveland Irrigation Company (HCIC), state government and state agency people, the state engineer (water rights), and hydrologists for Canyon FueL The Sun Advocate article dis- cussed, in some detail, the possible. Is it true that the water drips that were supposed to be connected for the wildlife were cancelled? Or are there some already installed? ' Im sure there are many of us who feel we are the custodians of amount of water intercepted (15 to 20 cfs), the age dating and chemical analysis of the water, and the problems and expense involved in pumping that much water out of the mine. A pumping project, possibly located in Flat Canyon to dewater the sandstone layers below the permit area was also discussed. One idea is to pump part of this water to Sanpete County. Left out of the article were concerns expressed by Utah Power, HCIC, and the state engi- animals who are defenseless against machines and progress. They need someone to look out for them and at least question what is going on. If you have the knowledge on this matter perhaps you would be so kind as to publish it and put our minds at rest Nadine Morris neer. Let me say that HCIC favors finding a fair and equable dewatering solution for the Skyline Mine. We realize that many jobs in this county depend on Canyon Fuel being able to continue mining their permit area. However, Editor A recent headline article in die Sun Advocate discussed a meeting held May 31at the Skyline Mine near Scofield. The meeting was called to discuss dewatering solutions concerning the large amounts of water intercepted m die southwest sections of the Skyline Mine. Some of this permit area is being mined and some will be mined in the future if dewatering can be accomplished. . let me outline some of the concerns expressed at that meeting but left out of the Sun Advocate article. 1 . All of the major mine water intercepts have been on the Huntington Creek drainage. HCIC feels that this is appropriate water belonging to the water rights of HCIC At present much of this (Continued on 8A) . I? tection of the individual rights of citizens to life, liberty, and security in their private property. It was out of dedication to securing these rights mat me leoerai government was established, and out of concern for maintaining these rights that government was strictly limited in scope. troops with these words in 1776. "Remember officers and soldiers, that you are freemen, fighting for the blessings of liberty county commissioners of Emery, Caibon and Sanpete counties. Also in attendance were representatives of Utah Power, Hun- Discharge to proper drainage What does the American flag stand for? Claremont Institute At the meeting were the Also concerned about wildlife progressives like Woodrow Wilson decided that the Declaration and Constitution were "out of date, and inaugurated the idea of a constantly Letters to theeditorshould focus on public issues rather than private personalities pr.C submissions must be VerifiTf' jf ratifies;-Ato piior publication. The paper reservesffite': pt ff.right to edit letters not only to satisfy jspace cons traints, but potential liability concerns. - Sis Advocate (Continued on page 6A) The voice of Carbon County since 1892 . ADMINISTRATION Publisher Telephone: (435) Fk KcnLaran ADVEB-nsiN- ' Advertising Director Shiriey Stubbs Sales : (435) 637-073- 2. 637-271- 6. r. Send change at addrex to 845 East Main Street, Price, Utah 84501. ' Claxifiede deadline: Monday it 10 am. fat Tuesday's publication and Wedneaday at 10 am. for Thursday1 publication. Lynnette Lessar rata Address: 845 East Main, Price, Utah. ' Subscription rates: 50 cents per eopy, 837 per year in Cuban and Etnety counties, $40 in Utah and $54 outside of Utah per year by mail, i Publication No. (U5PS issued Price, Utah. Periodical ei ) paid al PriceUtah, and at addi-- office PO Boot 589, Castle Dale, Utah 84511 174-96- JwKS-AJWek- OFFICE Office Manager . Linda Thayn . Receptionist 'Lynda Barnett ' .. ' ' Entire contents copyright 02801 San lac. Al rights rastnod. No part st the pdbUcatian xay ba repradaesd Gradation Advocate Daria Lee b taf hours Monday Internet: htqKAmwminatLeonV frnxO:edgtornnxiLconi,adiflSMxdjconi ' Friday 830 am. to 5 pm. ' |