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Show T i i December 31, wrap-u- p I top news events affect citizens throughout Basin with varied impact 1 991 The past year in the Uintah Basin has been a year of diversity and change. Changes that will have a lasting effect cn the future of the Duchesne County community at large were put in motion; political decisions were made that changed the future; tragic events that changed personal lives occurred; and progress moved its slow, ponderous wheels over the area in spite of our sometimes lack of belief that it could. We offer you what we view as the top ten stories of the year 1991, as covered by the Uintah Basin Standard. Passages with quotation marks indicate that information was taken directly from the original story in an issue of the Standard. Jurisdiction Arrests, court cases, dismissals, judges opinions, sovereignty, proof of Indian blood, more court cases..,1991 has seen a steady stream of jurisdiction-relateevents, with no conclusive action taken still, though some precedentsetting cases have entered the courts. Early in the year, District Judge Lynn Payne stated, "Anyone could walk into a courtroom and say that he was an Indian, and the state would be powerless to prove otherwise." d A mixed-bloo- d family, the Gard- ners, have been a focal point of many of the jurisdictional issues regarding those who are no longer listed on tribal roles as Utes. Tribal leaders have proved to state and national leaders, through court rulings, that the tribe has full jurisdiction over its members; yet questions remain regarding other citizens and their rights within the boundaries of the reservation. Tribe Passes Amendment to Severance Tax and operating on reservation land. According to Cris Castillo, director of the tribes tax department since February of 1991, the intent to of the amendment is create tax incentives that will increase oil and gas activity on reservation land, and to create an incentive for oil companies to hire tribal members. two-fol- UBAG Kitchen Wins State JTPA Award, Then Gets Fired Gordon Kitchen has become the second Program Director fired in the five months since the January hiring of UBAG executive director, Reinhard Ruf. Kitchen, JTPA Program Director, was terminated May 24, just weeks after he had won a state award as the outstanding JTPA professional of the year. Randy Montgomery, director of the Procurement Outreach Program, was terminated in February. Kitchen has worked as director of JTPA for two years, including the.period of just over a year when there was no UBAG Director. Although Kitchen was fired by UBAG Director, Ruf, members of the PIC (Private Industry Council) believe he was unjustly terminated and was doing an excellent job of administering JTPA programs." Then later, With a final tally of to 2, the UBAG Board voted to reinstate Gordon Kitchen in his position as JTPA Director Wednesday, June 19. Although the vote was overwhelmingly in his favor, the reinstatement was accompanied by a reprimand and certain conditions affecting continued employment. 10 UBAG Director Rcsi Ordinance Post For Persona Reasons The Ute Indian Tribe Tax Department has passed an amendment to the tribal severance tax ordinance that offers incentives to oil and gas companies for drilling Reinhard Ruf, director of Uintah Basin Association of Governments, handed in his l resignation on Wednesday, October 9 after just nine short months at the ofTn-ia- helm. When questioned as to whether Ruf left on his own accord or was asked to resign, Carol Scott, Chairperson of the UBAG Board, declined to comment except to say He stated in his resignation that he would be leaving for personal reasons. Some members of the UBAG board think there may have been other reasons behind the resignation of Ruf. According to Max Adams, I think the interview he gave with the Uintah Basin Standard is what got him in trouble. He shouldn't have said those things, and when he did, he should have told the paper not to print them. After saying those things, he couldnt have legally gone and done them." Those things is referring to the statements which Ruf made in regard to firing a member of the current UBAG staff in order to pay for the accountant which he hired. Editors note: Because the Uintah Basin Association of Governments is funded through state and federal agencies, their activities affect everyone; A great deal ofgood has been accomplished by theAOG, but problems with administering funds and personnel continue. A U of commitment for $6 million of the cost of the expansive project: The State Water Resource Board, the State Drinking Water Commission, and UCWID bonds will complete all but $2.5 million of the costs; that final amount awaits a hearing in Februaiy before the State Community Impact Board. Editors note: The Upper Country Water Improvement District has worked throughout the year to obtain funding and clear the way for a culinary water system in the Duchesne County area north of Highway 40 and west of Roosevelt. Their years efforts culminated, with the Bluebell hook-up- district will continue their . i . tofigrgg The activi- ties. $2 Million Awarded To Build City Complex Kappcn of the Ducltcsnc County Water District points out some information on a map. Improvement Bluebell gained water through the system in December 1991. WATER A $2 million package has been offered to Roosevelt City for a MONEY-T- cd Uintah Basin customers of US West Communications have received phone service from that company, or its earlier parent company, Mountain Bell, for well over 20 years. But that service has come into question recently, as more and more customers find the company falling short of the service for which US West applauds itself. Duchesne County Hospital spokesperson Tim Cox spoke for many when he stated, We feel the whole community is suffering from a lack of upgraded equipment Other areas ofthe nation have new switching stations, Uintah Basin Telephone customers have updated services. Our area is literally behind the nation in service. Editors note: Duchesne County Hospital, Duchesne City, Roosevelt City, the Duchesne County Chamber, and individuals have all expressed concern over faulty service and obsolete equipment operated by US West The company has promised to bring the area up to date with new switching equipment by Fall 1992.' While Uintah Basin Telephone customers enjoy 91 1 service, the cities served by US West await emergency service as well g, call-waitin- g; Many residents of the Bluebell area have hauled water for at least two years in order to have a culinary supply of natures vital gift. But those residents received a different kind of gift in relation to their water supply recently, with the hook-u- p of water lines for the Upper Country Water Improvement District. The area includes 53 lines now runningin homes that have hauled water or used drastic conservation measures for various reasons, including insufficient supply undrinkable or tainted water, or poor wells. The district has received letters MANGLED MACHINERY personnel do their part to save a life as (lie twisted heap that was once a pickup reminds everyone how quickly life can be gone. Jarred Ablard and Mark Hammons were both killed instantly in the collision with a semi driven by James Baker last October on the Ncola Highway. Baker suffered minor injuries. UHP Photo . municipal complex after a Thurs- day, September 5 meeting with the Community Impact Board. A $500,000 grant, $500,000 loan at and $1 million loan at 3 2 percentinterest was previously offered to Roosevelt City back in August, but the major difference the second time around is the first loan payment has been deferred until 1995. It is an attractive package, and the best we are going to get from the Impact Board. . .They (Impact Board) would like to see us break ground next spring, said Brad Hancock, City Administrator. Editors Note: The new municipal complex will be built at the location of the old elementary school. It took most of 1991 to get the school demolished. The site was cleared by November 1991, but many watched with mixed feelings as they remembered school days of the past. st 1-- and resulted in serious injuries to one adult male. James R. Baker, 48, was westbound in a semi owned by Flying J Oil and Gas Friday when an 1987 Ford Ranger driven by Mark Hammons, 19, entered the intery section of Highway 121 and Comer without stopping at the stop sign. He and his passenJarred Ablard, ger, 13, were ejected from the pickup after the vehicle struck the rear dual wheels then collided with the axle of the tractor. ..The two youth were pronounced dead on arrival at Duchesne County Hospital. Reported during the first week of August, "Two one-caccidents took three lives on Uintah Basin highways last week. The first accident occurred on Tuesday, July 30, when.. Shawntel M. Dean, 17, of Roosevelt, veered off US 40 near Hilltop hitting a tree. Both the driver, and her mother, Dixie Crazier Dean, 37, a passenger in the car, were killed instantly. The second accident occurred on Friday, August 2.. Sharon Wissiup, 37, Ft. Duchesne, was killed when she attempted a turn one mile south of FtDuchesne on what is called Dead Mans Curve. During a tragic week in June, Ober-hansl- step-nephe- w ar old Roosevelt Elementary came tumbling down, while residents of the area LAST DAYS-T- he who attended the school watched with mixed feelings. Pictured during the razing process, the location is now rubble. . . and memories. A new municipal complex will be built at the location. young Holden Farnsworth was killed in a farm accident in Ioka; two Roosevelt teens were struck in a incident in Roosevelt that brought citizens forward in an angry protest march during the month of March. Untimely accidents will remain the news that is most difficult and jarringfor everyhit-and-r- . one. Underground storage tank problems Underground storage tank owners are angry. EPA and state regulations have put most of them in impossible situations. Some are looking at cleanup requirements that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some service sta tion owners are planning to close rather than comply, but that wont help either, since they will down still be liable for the cleanup and may face fines of thousands of dollars. Editors note: Soil contamination, tank testing and registration, tank removal and mare problems faced those who owned underground tanks, as well as those who merely discovered underground tanks that had been there for years, as was the case at Union High. Myton Water Main Bursts School was closed, and Myton residents went without water Monday, after a water main burst, sending a flood of water down Main Continued on page 14 Accidents Claim Lives An accident Friday evening October 4 east of Neola claimed the life of two Roosevelt teenagers, . l.w" Disgruntled Bluebell Residents Have Water TRAGIC SCENE--Utah Highway Patrol officer checks out an accident near U.S. Highway 40 across from Todd Elementary School, which claimed the life of Dixie C. Dean and Shawntcl Dean, July 31. The photograph was taken after the ambulance had left the scene of the accident. 13 US West Customers Upper Country Water W'J Ml Page (Basin Life Uintah Basin Standard Year-en- d 1991 - New Years Eve dance The community of Neola will host a New Years Eve dance for all ages. The dance will begin at 8:30 p.m. at Neola Elementary. Everyone is welcome. Chamber luncheon The first Duchesne County Chamber luncheon for 1992 will be Thursday, January 2, 12 noon at the Cow Palace. The Chambers Economic Development Committee will present more information on Basin West 2000. This project offers every individual the opportunity to be a part of the economic development process, and to help determine what that process will be. The public is invited. AL Services The American Legion Service Officer will be in Roosevelt on Tuesday, January 7, 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Roosevelt Job Service. He will be available to assist eligible individuals in applying for VA benefits. This is a free service, and you need not be a Legion member to qualify for assistance. Book Group The Book Group will begin the 1992 season on Wednesday, January 8, 7 p.m. at the CityCounty Library in Roosevelt, with a discussion of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The reading and discussion series is sponsored by the Utah Humanities Council; this seasons theme is The Restless Spirit. Hawthornes classic novel is set in Puritan Boston and explores individual liberties in comparison with community constraints. Cecelia Farr from BYU will lead the discussion. Anyone is welcome to participate; pick up your copy of the book at the library in Roosevelt |
