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Show W Thursday 801 JS3 Price, Utah 11 1th Year -- No. 90 November 7, 2002 Democratic candidates dominate Carbon County elections PRWID The Price River Water Improvement District board met Hiesday and one of the main issues on the agenda involved the near hnal plans for the water system at the Hill subdivision southwest of Price. Since the last meeting, we got the engineering study from the WIa occupy me commissioner s seat on Carbon government Steven Burge received 3,865 endorsements from 67.46 percent of the county 's voters to defeat Republican Kimball Johnson for the developer's engineer, explained district manager Phil Palmer. Now, we need to decide if we can send it back to them with some suggestions for changes or send it to another firm for further study. Palmer reported that he, several staff members and board chair Steve Denison had met with die developer, Richard Lee, that afternoon and discussed the situ- com missionersurveyor position. In the Utah House of Represen- tatives District 69 race, incumbent Brad King outpaced Republican De Lamar Gibbons not only in Carbon County, but the region. King earned 3,405 ballots or 85.27 patent of Carbon's vote. In the United States House of Representatives District 2 race, 3,993 or 69.32 percent of Carbon's voters supported incumbent Jim Matheson at Tuesday's polls. Re- ation. We reviewed the report and die engineer did agood job," said Palmer. But we hine some question on the hydraulics, some elevation questions. publican challenger John Swallow finished a distant second, with 1,689 or 29.32 percent of Carbon's ballots. Palmer pointed out that the staffmembersatPKWIDfeltthe At press time, preliminary election figures issued by the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office indicated 200 feet west of the main tee was too far away to maintain the pressure needed. Matheson captured 108,488 votes 1 to District 67 die tee. Placing the pump there will give us the most flexibility with our system, said Palmer. The PRWID manager was also worried about one of the con-ced- ed seat center stage, isA pumps that the engineer suggested be installed in die system. One of my other concerns is that one of the pumps that they have suggested be installed in the system is one I have never heard of stated Palmer. That doesnt mean it isnt a good pump -- 1 just never have heard of it There was a discussion by the board concerning pressure and the worry of making sure the water supplied to the area would be adequate in the event a fire should occur. The health department has approved the project, said Palmer. And the fire marshal has stated in a letter that he feels the fire department can fight a fire with 500 gallons of water a minute. The problem of the number of hook ups that may surface in the future was also discussed. Sane board members were concerned about the possibility of too many hookups for the supply. When the plat was designed, it was for five acre lots, pointed out developer Richard Lee. But once it was sold, there are only two lots with less than six acres. Some of the areas have 12 or 16 acres. The total of 26 hookups is very conservative. There will be many less than the original number. I am willing to look at whatever pumps works the best." PRWID legal council Nick Sampinos advised the board members to look at the current zoning and make sure the subdivision water plan meets the requirements. The board decided to send the plan back to the developers engineer for tweaking with the PRWID staffs suggestions. If the engineer approves the changes, the staff will poll the board to determine whether the project should be approved based on the updated design. Addressing an unrelated business matter, the PRWID board listened to a report from Delynn Fielding on the status of the economic development areas that have been set up in the county and Wellington city. The development areas impact the water improvement district because of services that may have to be provided when businesses move in. Fielding also pointed out that he has been talking with businesses that are considering the Carbon County Airport as a possible location. One of the businesses is an industry that disassembles old planes and refurbishes them, said Fielding. In addition, Palmer informed the board that the district hud bid and was ready to proceed with the utility relocation project in conjunction with the Utah De- partment ofTransportation improvements on U.S. Highway 6 between Price and Wellington. Eveiything is ready, but the ducks are not in a row with UDOT, indicated Palmer. They have verbally told me that they have the rights of way in the area, but we hare no written confirmation. Johansen Construction, the company that submitted the winning bid, wants to start right away and put two crews to work to complete the project Because of complications on page 2A) expansion rates remain stable in Utah, US. V Economic growth remains relatively positive in Utah and across the United States, despite a significant manufacturing I) weakness. r The water improvement district manager said the staff felt that the pump station should 10 to 15 feet away from compared to Swallow's 106,473. Although the lieutenant governor's office had not counted all absentee Dfliiots in district, owsnow the election to Matheson during a news conference Wednesday. Republican Dann Petersen captured 717 or 67.96 percent of Carbon's vote for the Utah House CEU athletics taka reviews subdivision By RICHARD SHAW Staff reporter Incumbent Bill Krompel garnered 3,840 votes or 67.11 percent of the ballots to squelch Republican challenger William Palmer's 500 ; The growth pace of the nations economy improved during third quarter, but the 3.1 percent real annualized expansion rate was slightly weaker than expected by budget analysts. Nevertheless, the third quarter rate was up from the sluggish 13 percent second quarter pace, according to the latest Zions Bank small htnanem index wynrt. Growth in the current quar- ter is projected to register at 23percent, but financial analysts expect strengthening of the economy in the first half of 20Q3s fist halt The small business index for Utah dipped to 77.1 in October 2002 versus a revised 773 in September, pointed out fie report. Ibtal Utah employment fell by 12,900 jobs during the last 12 months, an improvement over larger declines in recent periods. The U.S. Federal Reserve is likely to cut its key short-terinterest rate at least mice before the end of the year, indicated the Utah small business index report. Weakness in job creation and continued anxiety in financial markets have raised fie odds of further interest rate cuts. The Federal Reserve cut the interest rate - the key short-terfederal finds rate 11 times last m m -- year. In contrast, the Federal Re- serve has made no change to date (Continued on page 4A) DWR prescribed bum draws attention of area residents on Hiesday afternoon The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources working with the county fire warden and the BLM started a fire in nearthe top of Mudwatar Canyon on hiesday afternoon to rid the area of densely packed sagebrush that was inhibiting wildlife growth. According to Chris Colt of the department the bum will now provide better habitat for big game as well as for rabbits and rodents. In addition when their numbers grow it helps the raptor population as well because it helps the prey base. Around 20 acres were burned in the action and it will be reseeded to provide ground cover. Price city implements utilities disconnect policy By KEN LARSON Sun Advocate publisher Price officials have changed the citys utilities disconnect policy. Discussing the new policy, Mayor Joe Piccolo assured Price residents fiat, if local consumers should encounter financial problems, city government is willing to work with the individuals to resolve the situations. We can work wifi residents on alternative sources or payments that are available, such as heat programs, indicated the Its a long ways up from street level Jack BeHmriu to remove old singles from the roof of ttw bowling alley in Helped Befl says that they had a hard time findkigi contractor to do the job because it was not only steep on the top, but high as weiL Price mayor. The last thing we want to do is to create more problems for our citizens," added Piccolo. At fie last city council meeting, fie new disconnect policy outlined by a committee. I The guidelines recently POOR - COPY ! .V .1 : adopted by city officials include: The first billing cycle will be moved from fie 15th of the month to the 20th. The due date for the first billing cyde has been extended from 10 to 15 days for customers who are on a fired income and receive checks money at fie first of the month. The second billing cycle will continue to be billed on the last working day of the month. Hie due date for the second billing cycle will also be extended five days, also giving fie customers 15 days to pay. The Price city mayor and council members wanted to find a way to help the community members stay current on payments for utilities. In order to achieve the objective, the officials formed a committee to review the citys exist- - a ing utilities disconnect policy. The committee membership consisted of the mayor, Price council members, utility department personnel, the city attorney and fie municipalitys community director. When the (rid utilities policy was still in' place, Price city utility customers were disconnected for nonpayment, making it more difficult for the services to be restored. The customers would owe two months of bills before the utilities would be shut off And a third utility bill was on its way to fie residents. According to the mayor, here wul no longer be a48-hodoor-hangin- g" ur second notice to mind customers to pay delta? quent utility bills. It was really hard for most of the customers to pay to get their - i;. . . services turned back on, once their services were disconnected, pointed out Piccolo. But wifi the new policy in place, the customer will have to much to get service turned if disconnected for non- Eas payment City officials are also encouraging customers to take advantage of the direct pay program, which comes out of checking or savings accounts automatically. People who need'to discuss problems wifi officials should contact Heather Wichmann at 637-31to make arrangements. Our goal is for Price city residents to benefit from the services we provide. This will help de97 crease Price citys debts that are not collectible which, in turn, will help provide necessary services for Price city residents, concluded Piccolo. u |