OCR Text |
Show 70fh Year ' No. 27 7, 1983 Thursday July , Roosevelt, Utah 18 Pages 25 Cents Schools: Do they teach whats wanted? parents can pay for his education elsewhere." I have concerns when I read about the purchase of $100,000 worth of computers and my kid comes home and says he doesnt have a ruler. If they can of the money from transfer- 10 buildings to books and supplies then they should do so." Cut hobby classes, drivers education. Limit sports programs to a minimum. How about graduating students who can do something besides have fun and hit or throw a ball It's disgusting to be waited on at a public store by someone who doesn't know how to add or subtract much less count change." These are just a few of the comments from STANDARD readers who responded to a recent questionaire. How do you feel about the present learning conditions in our schools," brought about a wide variety of answers from good to poor to too ' EDITORS NOTE: This is the second ' of three articles dealing with the schools and attitudes in Duchesne Countys education system. These comments and quotes were taken from the questionaires returned by the STANDARD'S readers.! Schools today have a country club I atmosphere. There are only minimal stimulus to get students to do a given task or learn a piece of irformation. Taxpayers money should be used equally for all students to give them the basic four Rs (reading, writing, arithmetic and rhythms). When schools the size of Duchesne have one teacher for English, one for science, one for math and then a bunch of coaches mainly for boys who have an athletic flair, Fd say the money is not being usedequallyl Grade school atmosphere is stifling. Why so much review? Dinosaurs, Indians, Morman history and Mountain Men only deserve so much time. Certain years are almost raXtirely review in math, spelling, etc. Nub are capable of more. Any child after grade eight who does not want to abide by the rules of the school should be expelled. His . - " ; intense. As the questionaires were tallied felt the learning atmosabout 70 phere in the countys schools could improve. There were only just a few that contended the classroom size in Duchesne County wu too large with recognising the efforts of administrators to reduce class sizes but encouraging them to do it even more. There were many who commented that students are being kept home for some very "flimsy reasons. Parents who keep children home for flimsy reasons. Who send them to school hungry, or with a chip on their shoulder, do harm to the atmosphere. Every disruption takes time away from teaching," said one parent. Parents were urged to support their children with their school dealings. Encourage them to learn and to participate and to have a desire to go to school. Make learning bin for your children by helping than at home was a suggestion made by another parent. Athletic involvement in schools was the biggest hit topic by area readers. It's time that athletics took a back seat to education." "In my opinion, a learning atmosphere in our schools is sadly lacking due to too great an emphasis being placed on sports and extra curricular The attitude of many activities. teachers and students seem to be one Continued on page 3 the majority Myton Homecoming slated for July 8 & 9 During its early history, Myton was 'the center of economic activity in ; HAPPY BIRTHDAY ' AMERICA Fireworks July celebration off in fireworks while most of the other residents of topped the Duchesne Monday evening. About 100 people were at. the park to watch the fourth1 enjoyed the extravaganza from their homes. This year's weather couldn't have .been better for the holiday. 'DIVINE INTERVENTION' Duchesne County. The majority of the freight brought into the Uintah Basin lame into Myton via Price. That small wiiriteicbrate fta'ibubdirig weekend with the annual Mytoff Daze" celebration. On July 7, 1905, the Department of the Interim: approved the sections of land, which would later be known as Myton, to be reserved as an official Government Townsite. For this reason, Theodore Roosevelt did set aside the land to be known as Myton City. This year there will be 78 candles on the Annual Homecoming Cake, and all area residents are encouraged to come and help celebrate the anniversary. All events of the two' day celebration be held at the Little Park mi Main Street by the Fire House. Friday, day. The July 8 will be a warm-u- p various clubs and craftsmen in the area will begin setting up their booths to show their wares. Out of town visitors will also begin to arrive. will . The Fire Department concession stand will be open all day Friday and Saturday, featuring charcoal grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, homemade donuts, cookies, and candy. There will also be a new event added to this year's celebration: Everyone fh town is asked to look around their house or garage and find something to donate to the White Elephant" or rummage sale. If you find something for the sale, put it in a box and wrap it up. The next step is to place a price tag on the item, not to exceed $8. The package should also be marked aa to whether it pertains to adults or children. Anyone wishing to donate items for either sale may leave them at Sonia Suttons' or Ludy Coopers'. The activity director from the first and second muds of the LDS Church will provide entertainment for the youngsters from noon on, both days. The Ladies Aide and the American Legion Auxiliary will provide games such as checkers, chess and bingo. The main events of both days will be the opportunity to meet and greet old friends. At 7:00 p.m. Friday evening there will be a variety program featuring local talent. At 9:00 p.m. there will be a dance at the park, Jiaturday .morning there ?wrifl. be Chuck Wagon Breakfast sponsored by the Seouts from 7:00 to 9:00. This will be followed by the Children's Parade at 10:00 a.m sponsored by the LDS Primary and the PTA. The remainder of tiie day will be spent in visiting and games. Saturday evening will begin with a talent show and the big event of the evening, the Myton Lions Club Barbecue. The Saturday night grass danee will begin at 9:00 and continue ' until 1:00 a.m. Prizes will be given for the best entries to the parade. For more information regarding the parade, contact Mary Perkins, Kathryn Abeg-tfeor Adelia Riehens. For information about the activities contact Elsie Myer or Psm Killorn. The Homecoming Chairperson is Sonia Sutton. family surviv ord The timing of everything wu just great, a case of Divine Intervention if Fve ever seen one," said Lee Swenson, of his two hours sprat at ; 'fciuiyuuib. and Ms daughter, Kristin, ilS, were held hostage for two hours on fthe morning of June 29. 1 Swenson wu awakened by s knock the door at about midnight He turned on the porch light to see who ,fwu there. According to Swenson, he thought the man at the door wu a man The had been fishing with a few days before, and the shotgun he appeared to be a fly rod case. Ton u u he soon Swenson said the door knob he realized the man had fa shotgun. At this time the gun wu i pointea at Swenson and there wu no j!way to get away, according .to 'Swenson, so he opened the door. 5-Swenson said, the gunman, Niel T. .Mortensen, 88, of Provo, immediately ordered him down ra the floor. 7 Swensonj wife, Linda, said that by .this time she had left the house . through the bedroom window. She said f she went to a house about a block away so the gunman wouldnt hear her knocking. She said she' also n ; she went to a house where a at home in case the Sf - : Swenson said kb daughter, Kristin, : heard the commotion at about thb time and came into the living room. Mortensen also ordered Kristin down ra the floor, Swenson said he told her to do what the gunman said beeauu he . ! wu serious. The gunman forced Kristin to tie ' Swenson urn bee dwon, with card that already had slipknots tied in- it. according to Swenson. He said- the gunman then tied Kristin up, bee clown, with duet tope. Mortensen - retied Swenson because the knots were said Hadden asked him questions about loose, and yelled at Kristin because she the situation and he gave Hadden tied lousy knots. strange answers just to let him know Mortensen began playing what .the situation wu not good. Swenson Swenson called polish roulette. He said he decided to take a chance and held tiie pistol to Swensra's forehead told Hadden Tm tied up and there b a and spun the cylinder so Swenson could gun being held at my head. see there were bullets in every Hadden asked to talk to the gunman, chamber. Mortensen would then pull, but Swenson said the gunman said no the hammer part way back and let it Mt way," and shook hb head. He then told the primer. Swenson hu extensive Swenson to hang up. Swenson hung up and wu forced to knowledge of muzzle loaders and said it wu just a matter of luck that the pistol lay cm the floor and was retied. didn't go off. The gunman then did the Morteneen, according to Swenson, same thing to Kristin. began playing with tiie shotgun and At thb time, Swensm said he pistol, and wu pointing them and Swensra's and hb decided to ereate a diversion so hb wife holding them on their could get out to get help if she hadnt daughters head while he already gone. Swenson told Mortensen that he needed to use the restroom. He According to Swenson, the gunman figured tiie man would either let him told him that he assumed the SWAT use the restroom, or keep him tied up team would be there any minute. Swenson said the gunman then ut in onthefloor. The gunman untied Swensra's bet the chair for about ten minutes. and allowed him to use the restroom. According .to Swenson, Mortenun Up until thb time the gunman talked about being in Viet Nam and thought Kristin wu Swensra's wife, how bad it was. Swenson said the according to Swenson. When he uw gunman told him that the shotgun had Kristin in ti light of the bathroom he number four buckshot in it, and asked if Swensm knew how big of a whole It realized she wu a young girL As they came out of the bathroom would make in a person. Swenson said Mortensen asked him Swensm said Mortensen asked him where hb wife wu and at thb time the if he wanted to go for the shotgun. phone rang. Swenson said thb wu Kristin said the gunman asked great timing because he didnt have to Swensm if he wanted to fight and blast himself out. explain where Linda was. The gunman asked who would be At thb time Swensm said the calling. Swenson told Mortensen that gunman uw car lights m the living he b an EMT, and that he often gets room wall and told Swensm that he eaUsbte at night; and hb daughter could be hi trouble. Mortensen asked Swensm what he Swensm then asked the gunman would usually do, and Swenson told what hb name wu and Mortenun him that he would answer the phone. said, 07 name b Confused. " Kristin Swensm said the gunman allowed said she told the gunman, my name b him to answer the phone. The caller Scared." wu Glade Hadden, dbpatcher for the Swensm uid at thb time the County Sheriffs Department Swenson gunman asked about hb wife, and he u . ut told Mortensen, "let her sleep," and the gunman dropped the subject. According to Swenson, at thb time the gunman said 1 gueu you got me," and unloaded the guns. Mortensen used Swenson's pocket tnifa to cut him and hb daughter loose. He then gave Swenson the shotgun and pack that contained the rope and duct then called the dispatcher him he wu erasing out there Swensm said the gunman a bmb from that and was a meek point until the police took him out the door Swenson, the head environmentalist for the Bureau of Reclamation in Duchesne, said the gunman told him he wanted a job interview and wanted to get Swenson's attention. Swensm said he had never seen the man before. According to Swenson, hb ten year old son. Mike, told him that he woke up about 12:30 a.m. and was going to go out to the living room to see what wu going on. Swenson uid hb son told him there was a glass wall" at hb bedroom door and that he couldnt get through so he just went back to bed. Swenson said this had to be Divine Intervention because hb son, Mike b. usually the first one up when he hears noises. Swenson said Mortensen smelled of alcohol and wu staggering. Chief Deputy Sheriff, Doug Horrocks, said six deputies arrived on the scene and cleared the area around the Swenson home. Horrocks wu the first officer to enter the Swensm home and uid the gunman apologised and gave up without a fight Horrocks uid the gunman claims to remember going to the Swenson home and knocking ra the door, but does not remember anything after that The and told u A ut lightening storm was just a small part of the strange weather we have been experienced this year. Despite the strange weather and storms many people take the oDDortunitv to enioy the sunny days. STRANGE WEATHER This |