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Show t Page 2 - April 12. 1994 a ditOTUlC iCIintah Basin Standard Pay Taxes, or Buy a House Just how much will U.S. taxpayers Federal Taxes as a Share of Median hand over to Uncle Sam this April IS? As the accompanying chart proFamily income: 1948-199- 2 vided by The Heritage Foundation 3H shows, the average family of four now pays approximately of its income to the federal government each year. When state and local taxes are added in, government takes $38 out of every $100 the average family earns. It wasnt always this way. In 1948, the average family of four paid just 2 percent of its income to the federal government. If the same held true famtoday, a typical middle-incom- e about four ily of $47,787) (earning would pay $812 in federal taxes. Yet 950 1955 in 1989, that family paid $10,872 Note: Figurn iri lor i moduli mcoiM limily ol tour and its gone up since then. This is a Sown: Hontigo Foundation Tn Modal, mcomo dill horn U.S Coniui Buraiu difference of $10,060, more than enough to pay the average home mortgage, which was $7,380 in 1992, according to the National Association of Realtors. No wonder it now takes the income of two wage-tamejust to make ends meet in most families. The primary reason for this crushing tax burden is the eroding value of the personal exemption. In 1948, median income for a family of four was $3,468 and the exemption was $600, effectively shielding 68 percent (or $2,400) of family income from the tax man. To have the same value relative to famiiy income as in 1948, the exemption woulu have to be tripled, to more than $7,000. families are poorer these days. Its not because theyre Its no mystery why middle-incom- e is Sam Uncle earning less, its because demanding more. one-four- th rs Electric Building nominations will be taken for the election of a Board of Directors and representatives of the Affiliated Ute Citizens of the State of Utah, a federally recognized organization. Five of Bix possible positions on this Board of Directors will be available to persons wishing to be considered for possible election by a majority vote. Voting for seating on this board will be at a later Lake Moon EDITOR'S NOlli: The Uinuh llaiin Standard welcomes and encourages opinions hum readers in the foim of letters to the editor. I .alters may he utilized to express opinions or comments, to highlight outstanding service of an individual or organization, or any other worthwhile puiposc. Letters may not he used to replace advertisements or Cards ofThanks, or to list sponsors, participants or contributors to a particular event orpurposc. IxUcrs will be published unless they contain libclcus or defamatory statements. We reserve the right to withhold a name by request if the nature of the letter is positive, and to edit letters. All letters must he typed or legibly written, signed and include name, address and phone number of the author. letters may he suhmiued to the Standard olfitt! m IfiH S. 2f)OH.y Roo!Vch,w Utah, 84066 by Ihc published deadline (normally Fridays at 5 p.m ). All letters become property of Ihc Uintah liasin Standard. Walk for justice date. The time is now upon us that we need to come together under a common banner so that the peoples voices can be heard. All must do some soul searching and come up with candidates for these positions. Education is the key to make this work. Representatives elected groups-individua- & ;MMo,fcquia Mixed-Bloo- d d Mixed-Bloo- d Dear Editor: Could you please publish this in your next newspaper, please? We would like to show our appreciation and Bend a "Big Thank You" to the individuals and business for their donations and contributions, support in helping with feeding andor caring for the people on the "Walk For Justice, 1994." They did not hesitate when asked to help. They helped make the walkers feel welcome in an unfamiliar area. Agnin "Thank you" to the people and businesses that make living in the Basin enjoyable. Kaye and Tpresa Black, Leonard Peltier Support Group. Full-Bloo- Ute Tribe Board of d Mixed-Bloo- Directors election Dear Editor: This letter is written in an effort to reach voting members of the band. On original Mixed-Blon- d April 16, 1994, 11:00 a.m. at the Mixed-Bloo- d d "'Uintah Basin Standard Inc. (LSIS POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Uintah Rasin Standard at 268 S. 200 Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 OFFICE HOURS: :00 p.m Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm. Tuesday thru Friday. 722-414- 0 Phone DEADLINES: all News, fogal Noticics, Classifieds, & Advertising, the Deadline is Thursday at 5 pm. PUBLISHER: Craig Ashby EDITOR: Mike Ross ADVERTISING: OFFICE MANAGER: Tracy Womack Craig Ashby 1 ' for Iu: PRODUCTION: Writers; Karla Cox, Aklon Rachelc, Delyse Add ley and Cheryl Mecham. Production; Colette Ashby, Suzanne lladlocfc, Ronnie Parrish, Robin Taylor, Fay Rehcis CORRESPONDENTS: ROOSEVELT - Tresa llannston ARCADIA - Evelyn G. Mullins HANNA - Tracy Roberts MONTWELI. - Nola Nelson NEOI.A - Zola Spencer DUCIII-SN- Orinda Gee 738-263- 8 ; ALTAMONT - Naomi Maxficld 454-320HLUERELl. - Shana Lee Loenscher 454-397LAPOINT - Marlene McClure MYTON ; TRIDELL - Loma McKee 247-235WII1TEROCKES Virginia forguson 722-2- 5 1 Angels of mercy, .... . lUnn lll3nK jUll " r JSditeri,,;vrVk?i We wanted to find a way to thank some wonderful people in Bridgeland, Utah and thought maybe we could do it through your newspaper. After a satisfying day of sightseeing at Dinosaur National Monument, we were returning home, when our van overheated and it sounded like the engine was on the verge of ruin. We want to thank a lady (whose name we didnt obtain) who offered us her parents phone at the end of the lane. We made it about a mile further, noticing another home, where we stopped. They told us most end up walking from the main highway, so we know they have helped numerous others. We want to thank Earl and Sadie Knight, Steven Weight, and Kellie Fitzgerald1 of Bridgeland, who were so gracious and helpful. As we had prayed for help, they were our "angels of mercy" that came to our aid. We especially pay tribute to the professional mechanical skills of Kellie, who located a thermostat that was sealed off, removed it, and sent us on our way. Additionally, she would not accept payment for her labors. We thank these great people, who leave us with good feelings for those living in the Roosevelt, Duchesne areas of Utah. Rayman and Micheie Meservy, Orem. Executive director of native civil rights Second Clast postage paid at Roosevelt and Duchesne, Utah Published weekly at 268 S. 200 Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 8:IX) a.m. to together. Allen Reyos. gather information concerning afTairs of the issues, situations we will likely be in, and options we will have. Hopefully the minority will make good sound decisions. It iB very important that the Ute Indians have an organization elected by the majoriUte Indians ty of the so when the time comes and we are asked if we have a representing body we can say, "Yes! Yes we do!" Some very important issues will be presented to us this year and we need to stand united as one group. Only as a solid group do we have the power to make change. We cannot change the pain and suffering, or hurt that our elders and ourselves have endured but we can chnnge the future so future generations of children do not have to go through what weve seen. The Ute termination policy hns been a very painful policy for the Ute people. Dividing the people among ourselves and causing much hardship, and distrust. The Ute termination policy was a kind of Ute divorce of the Ute Indians and the Indians engineered by the U.S. Government. Something that should not have hnppened but did. Painful to all of ' and full Blood us alike, separating family from family and friends from friends. Mixed-Bloo- thanks local people ls Along with this divorce came the splitting up of the household goods, (you get this - I keep that, etc.). Among the goods were certain things that could not, for all practical purposes, be divided. The car... (hunting rights, water, oil, gas, mineral rights, etc.). Both names are on the title, one cannot sell without the others approval. Like it or not we are going to have to work together. We may not get along after this so called divorce, but we can be powerful allies. We must stand Dear Editor: For the past 30 years or so the Affiliated Ute Citizens of Utah board of directors has been holding meetings, collecting money from its "membership" and filing lawsuits in federal court over the Ute partition Act that have, except for the Felter Case, accomplished nothing and served only to anger the courts and further confuse the facts and issues surrounding PL1 671. ; Dora Van, who bills herself as executive director of the Native Civil Rights Project, started out being an opponent of AUC, stating in 1990 that the organization had no legal standing and had been replaced by the Ute Distribution Corporation. Now she is working hand in hand with AUC, and their intent seems to be to disrupt and derail efforts of the recently formed North American Indigenous Persons Corporation, which is working for repeal of PL 670. The d m Sftj mixed-bloo- Caik or Chock only. Sorry No Chargti J membership should be asking the board and themselves Why? . Dora has launched an outright attempt to discredit the NAIPC, its Bennett Park concessions bill overwhelmingly clears senate park visitor "which is our ultimate responsibility." '"Die main beneficiary of todays victory will be the park visitor. Increased competition in the system will sharpen the performance of while Bennett current a concessionaires, improvements, change says will ensure better service to the promoting innovation and new ideas ofinterested bidders. Better service leaders and attorneys as the and better facilities add up to a foremost litigator of cases involving better experience fur the pork visitor, which must be our first priority," Indian law, including termination Bennett said. in modern times. "Thirty years ago the federal There are many among the wisely enacted the membership who would like an- government Concessions Act of 1965 to Policy swers to a few questions, such as: entice individuals to come to the Dora has decided Why suddenly that AUC is the legal representa- national parks and provide services tive of the mixed bloods when a for visitors in what were considered short time ago she was saying it is marginal locations. The system not? Why does Dora Claim that. worked, but unfortunately is no sufficient to deal with the AUC is a "subdivision" of theUte longer increased demands on concessionTribe when the Tribe clearly does aires and the significant increase in. not recognize that organization? visitation. The law must be park Where is Dora getting the money to reflect the changes in the to rent and maintain an expensive changed market place. No longer are these office in Salt Lake City? What are locations, but some of the Dora and the AUC really trying to marginal most popular tourist spots in the accomplish? Up until the NAIPC world, and what was sufficient 30 came on the scene, the AUC board years ago may no longer be adeopposed repeal of PL 670, saying quate," he Baid. they dont want to be tribal memBennett, a member of the Senate bers. and Natural Resources Energy The history of AUC and its which has oversight Committee failed lawsuits is an open book. for the National Park responsibility filed Each time it has one, the crafted the new reforms Service, courts, from the U.S. District Court with Senator Dale Bumpers in Salt Lake City to the 10th Subcommittee on Circuit Court of Appeals and the Chairman of the United States Supreme Court, have Public Lands, National Parks nnd The bill makes changes in ruled that the AUC is not the legal Forest three areas of the current main representative of the Mixed Blood it First, policy. opens up the bidding Ute people. the concession contracts fop process This proclamation pertaining to which prevents current concessionone of their failed lawsuits apfrom aires "freezing out" potential peared in the Federal Register on and eliminates the competitors 1961: as "AUC, orgaAugust 25, current "preferential right or nized pursuant to Section 6 of the which allows renewal" contract U.S.C. with SecretariAct, 25 677a, al approval, ceased to exist August holders to match any bids of potential competitors when their contract 27, 1961 at 12 midnight Joint expires. therehad management authority tofore been irrevocably delegated to "If a concessioner was lucky the UDC. The AUC that brought enough to secure a concessions this action is a bogus organiza- contract in the parki 15 or 30 yeara tion..." ago, under the current system we An opinion from another case have him a lifetime right lost by AUC reads in part: "In to thatgranted contract. We have guaranteed Affiliated Utes, the Supreme Court to hang on him an also left another important mes- to the contract and rightits benefits reap sage. It spelled out that the Affilof in the marketiated Ute Citizens represents no regardless changes is still best and he whether place one. It ceased to exist in 1961 when to suited those services. provide it transferred its powers to the "Under our bill, a concessioner UDC. The Government does not dispute this. Both the Regional Solicitor and the U.S. Attorney for the district have insisted this is true for years... the named plaintiff (AUC) has no standing, represented no one, and did not even exist." Yet they continue on their merry way, filing lawsuits and conducting business. If even the courts cannot convince them that they dont exist, who or what can? Are they so "I am Diane Freston, the Ducharrogant that they believe they can esne County Auditor, seeking force the legal system to accept said Mrs. Freston. "I them? Are they so lacking in have been the County Auditor knowledge that they believe what since 1982 and have worked for the the courts say doesnt matter? Or is county since 1978. I have eryoyed there another motive behind their serving the county and feel that I actions? have done an excellent job." "As County Auditor," she said, "I Anyone who wants to verify the outcome of cases filed by the AUC am responsible for preparing and can contact Floyd Hendricks at administering the county budget, accounts receivable, accounts The Utah Bar Association should payable, county employees payroll, be interested in knowing that Dora, central billing, fund balances, in her capacity as executive direc- property tax levy certification tor of the NCRP, has appeared process, property tax abatements, before the. 10th Circuit Court of exempt properties, Board of EqualAppeals and more recently before ization, disclosure notices and a federal judge in Roosevelt claim- information, sale of delinquent tax ing to be the legal representative of sale property (May tax sale), numerous monthly, quarterly and the remaining original members and taking part in legal annual reports for local, state, and proceedings. Is this practicing law federal agencies, State Tax Comwithout a license, or not? mission, Utah State auditor and auditing the records of all depart Emily Hendricks Hone. The U.S. Senate voted 90-- 9 March 22 to approve a bill sponsored by to Senator Bob Bennett increase competition among vendors in the national park system and return money to the parks fir needed h) -- (D-Ar- ), open-ende- d 3 will be required to legitimately compete for renewal of his contract The visitor has the right to the bes? service possible apd the govern ment must have the flexibility toj choose the person or organization" that can provide it. i "I have had the experience, at.! every business person has, of having existing suppliers come to" me and bid on a renewal of their,; contract In almost every case stay with the current supplier! because of his expertise, but, I , want the right to pick a new.; supplier in case the current one-sli- ps in his service. This is what i competition is all about. It is the existence of this right, created by ; our bill, that will sharpen performance of the existing conces- sionaires and thereby improve the experience of the park visitor," he ' added. Second the bill provides for the return of concessions franchise fees th: . ' to the national parks and enables individual parks to retain a portion of the fees for use in natural and cultural resource protection pro-- . jecte. Under the 1965 Act, finsn-- . chise fee revenues are deposited in the general treasury and not cycle back to the national parks. "With these changes, some ofthe fees paid at Lake Powell can stay at Lake Powell for improvements to boat ramps, docks, etc., just as revenues generated from fees in Arches will benefit Arches, not ai national park on the other side of the country," he said. Third, under current law, concessionaires hold a "possessory r -- interest" in all structures andj improvements they build on park lands, and are entitled to current' replacement value if their contract expires. This arrangement haq., been a barrier to competition and has impaired the Parks Services; ability to ensure that the visitor has tire best experience possible.'! The reform legislation preserver, the right of the existing concession:--? aires to the possessory interest for the duration of their current! contracts. However, when expires, the concessioner'' would begin to depreciate the possessory interest, the value of the structures and improvements, over a period of 39 years. A similar measure is pending in? the House of Representatives. the-contra- ; 9 Diane Freston seeks reelection as Auditor mixed-bloo- d to ments of the county." Freston said the county auditor has many bosses-T- he pub! it!, commissioners, Utah State Auditor, Utah State Tax Commission, Utah Legislature, Utah Association of Counties, Internal Revenue Service and other federal regulators. "It takes hours studying tha law, ahd hands on experience to be a good County Auditor, and to do justice to the responsibility." " Diane Freston was born In Morgan County and raised in Davis County. She married James Wendell Freston of Roosevelt In 1966. "We presently reside on our farm in Arcadia," she said. Jim and Diane are the proud parents of four daughters, ana grandson Andrew, three and two ions. "I would appreciate your support in Diane Freston," she said. sons-in-la- |