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Show I Pge2- - September I J 13. 1994 Editorial Uintah Basin Standard Wise choices put UBMC in good position for change no such merger is ever likely. The new healthcare movement encourages good health and less time in the hospital. Even now, the average length of stay at UBMC is 2.6 days, while the state average is 4, and the national average is 6. Uintah Basin Medical Center owns and operates the doctor clinics and Home Health, and is tied in with other medical-relate- d services. The physicians who practice at UBMC are already contracted with the hospital, integral partners in its success. Again, they are right in step with the current movement toward physician and hospital partner- - Uintah Basin Medical Center is in a good position to lead the way in healthcare reform. We applaud the leadership and wise decisions in the past that have placed the local hospital at the cutting edge of rural health care. Integration is occurring all over the U.S., with lots of healthcare organizations merging, selling, absorbing smaller facilities into oblivion while looking for the biggest dollars. This trend is changing healthcare dramatically. But the integration must be limited, carefully chosen, and sometimes guarded against, or it can be harmful. Hospitals much like ours have been ship. Though it operates independently of any county funding, it remains linked to the county and the primary group of citizens who support it. With the continued support of that group, it will stand apart from facilities that are little more than corporate pawns, removed from the citizenry that utilize them. With the current healthcare movement towards PHOs and capitation, UBMC is in a positive position that would be impossible without the wise actions of the past, and the purchased by big hospital corporations, in integratici moves that showed little concern for rural communities. Uintah Basin Medical Center (then Duchesne County Hospital) steered away from similar offers. It now stands as one of the strongest faciliin ties of its size in the state, several key ways. UBMC is integrating elements within the local community, for cost savings and lower prices, instead of being gobbled up in an outside merger. And officials assert that well-plac- The ed Right-- or progressive thinking of the present. Paying Taxes Rite-- of jails (not necessarily adequate); some wastea lot of ful programs, but all educational expense, which is hard to dispute; a few incentives, and some basic, and benefits. And often rather personl, It seems that around. a less to theres lot go the closer it gets, the better its used. So, when it comes time to pay property taxes on our businesses, homes, ranches, farms, investments, resorts and toys, its a good idea to remember that those taxes are probably doing more for each of us than any others we pay. We could try to bring in new business interests by giving random breaks that may or may not pay off in the long run; but would we increase the overall support and benefit of the community by doing so? If Jefferson and his friends paid that visit, they would most certainly ask us to stand together in matters of mutual interest, but take care of our own personal debts and ventures. When the tax bill comes, dont balk. Sign the check. That was probably money; kiss it goodbye if you must. But recognize in your sacrifice that we are what we are and have what we have because we take part in that painful but necessary rite-- or rightof taxes. Our Founding Fathers were strongly against taxes when they wrote the Declaration of Independence. Little did they know that taxes would eventually become as much a part of American life as, well, equality. If Thomas Jefferson and his friends made a visit to our time, would they be aghast at what our free and independent nation has become? Perhaps. But the fact I is, until a better system is in place, we pay state taxes to operate government-coun- ty, and federal. Being the fact of life that they are, lets briefly analyze what those taxes pay for: On the federal level, we get interstate roads, wages for government employees, the federal court system, prisons, military and other protection, innumerable programs, subsidies, endless red tape, bureaucratic pork barrel nonsense...well, so much for analysis. Some of it is certainly worthwhile. How about state taxes? Again, roads, well-intende- day-to-d- courts, prisons, employees, and programs; also education, protection, and a few incentive measures to make sure people know we have a pretty, great state. A lot of waste, admittedly, but much better. Now we reach the county level: Same roads, paychecks, courts, law enforcement. d, ay hard-earn- ed volunteer program to meet the needs of "special needs" kids A By Cheryl Meeham King Arthurs Children belong in the world of Came lot, s place where the pedal needs" of these children are met. And because of the great love and volunteer spirit of Barbara Knudsen, the owner of Camelot Resort in Fruitland, they will have their "Camelot The idea to host an "enrichment retreat for s pedal needs children ofDuchesne County was born after a visit last October to Camelot Resort by Con Amore School children. "They touched our hearts," Mrs. Knudsen reflected. "We had wantedto do a community service prqject for the county and that is how the idea tee "King Arthurs Children evolved," she said. The prqject ran for three days a week for eight weeks during the summer at Camelot Resort, and served 25 spedal needs children. With over 20 volunteers, the children were treated to a host of interesting and educationally enriching activities, including crafting, painting, sculpting, baking, singing, and story telling. The participants also enjoyed game playing, nature hikes and entertain- Please note that the following agenda is tentative due to Press schedules at the Uintah Basin Standard. Because of publication deadlines, some agenda items may not appear. TUESDAY, August 13, 1993 9:00 a.m. Prayer, reading of minutes. 9 .'30 a.m. Road matters. 10:15 a.m. Commission correlationcounty attorney - Discussion of a cooperative agreement with Uintah County to share a deputy attorney to do county forfeiture work. 10:45 a.m. Auditor - Vouchers - Tax adjustments - Finances 1 1 30 a.m. Treasurer - tax adjustments. 1 1 :45 a.m. Assessor - finalization of Board of Equalization hearings 1 30 p.m. Elected official and department correlation 2:00 p.m. Zone change hearing - Senor Mortensen- - 1 to RA 1 2:15 p.m. Zone change hearing - Greg Gardner - 1 to 2,5 A 230 p.m. Zone change hearing R.S. West Enterprises 1 to 2,5 A 2:45 p.m. Zone change hearing - Grant Hansen 1 to 2,5 A 3:00 p.m. Budget discussion with Auditor Freston and Independent Auditor McNeil Duncan. 4 p.m. Melody Arrowchis - Discussion of impact monies related to the Neola Community Park and consideration of the adoption of Resolution AND ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. .The Board of County Commissioners of Duchesne County, Utah, will meet in regular public session every Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Commission Board Room. Tentative Agenda courtesy of County Clerk Pat Stratton. -- A-- -- A-- A-- A-- 94-1- 6. ister. "I would say that this campaign was extremely successful in getting parents to get their children their immunizations, and in raising awareness of the need to get children immunized, said Uintah Basin Public Health Department in order for Barbara to secure the grant. She is in need of volunteers, and contributions oftime, talent, or kills. Donated craft supplies or financial donations would also be appreciated. King Arthur's Children were welcomed back recently during the "Celebration ofAutumn" which was hosted by Camelot last Friday. The children were treated to games, crafts and entertainment For more information concerning the program, contact Barbara Knudsen at Camelot Resort, in tri-coun- area ty ment Barbara is the recreational activities director for the resort. Her experience ensured a well organized and plentiful agenda. She admitted that planning activities is "easy ... like brushing my teeth. She is quick to point out that she alone is not responsible for the success of the program. Barbara explained that Duchesne County School District offered their support by providing transportation, lunches and teachers. Also involved in the effort was the Fruitland Locals take advantage of free immunizations Tlie Uintah Basin Public Health Department, with assistance from several local businesses, just completed "Uintah Basin Immunization Month, August 1994." Over 200 people took advantage of free immunizations with vouchers during Uintah Basin Immunization Month. Information packets, with vouchers enclosed, were distributed via Davis IGA pharmacies in Vernal and Roosevelt The First Lady of Utah, Jackie Leavitt) voiced a public service announcement (PSA) for the immunization program. This PSA aired on all four local radio stations, KLCY-KVE- L and KNEUKIFX, with over $2,000 in air time donated. Coverage was also in the local papers and on the local television channel. The Vernal Area Rotary donated printing costs for the program, in addition to $1,000 toward the $1848 cost of administering the vaccinations. The Uintah Basin Public Health Deportment provided the additional $848. There were a total of 616 immunizations administered under this program. Each immunization costs $3.00 to admin- ifCommunity support is needed Unemployment up health officer Joseph Shaffer. "Thank you to everyone involved for their help. We couldnt have done it without you." Response from the clients, which is the revealing statistic, was positivs. For evaluation of the Uintah Basin Immunization Month August 1994, immunizations given over a five year period were averaged and compared to August 1994. Even though this particular campaign is over doesnt mean that state in terms of unemployment Forecasted unemployment rates from July to August nee slightly in Duchesne and Uintah Counties, and remained unchanged in Daggett County. According to figures recently released by the Roosevelt Job Service Office, last month the jobless rate for the Uintah Basin District was 7 percent Thats up by just .1 percent from July. A breakdown shows the unemployment rate for cent ty Immunizations are important for young people locally, statewide and nationwide. If there are any questions on immunizations, call or your local Health Department office. 781-547- 5, The jobless rate in Uintah County went from 6.1 percent in July to 6.2 percent in August One year ago unemployment in Uintah County stood at an even 6 percent In Daggett County the jobless rate for August remained unchanged at 4 percent, but posted a sharp decline from the August 1993 high of 5.7 percent The statewide unemployment rate for August was 3.6 percent Nationally unemployment last month came in at 6.1 percent "Uintah Basin Standard Inc. (USPS 646-90- 0) Second Pubiiihed weekly 1:00 . children do not need to keep current on their immunizations. It is important for parents to keep their children current. A survey of how parents feel shout immunisations and whether their children were current or not, and why or why not, was given out and collected at the IGA pharmacies. The majority of parents frit immunizations were important, but found that often their child was sick when the shots were due, therefore becoming behind on immunisations. Another issue mentioned was cost If need be, fees can be waived at all offices of the Uintah Basin Public Health Department October is Child Health Month. A national campaign on immunization will then kick off and involve the American Academy of Pediatrics, McDonalds and other nationwide companies and organizations. Duchesne County at 8.9 percent That figure is up by .5 percent from last month, and up by 1 percent from a year ago. Last month Duchesne County had the second highest forecasted unemployment rate in the state. Garfield County comes in first at 9.4 per- The numbers are in and the tricounty area continues to top the county-by-coun- Advice ii like mnMt ; the Mifter it fullM, the longer it dwell uton, ami the deeier it oink into, the mind. Smnuel Taylor Cok-ridg- e She has received donated items such as a kiln for ceramic work and volumes ofbooks to provide a "mini library, as well as wood working tools, but explained that "the clubhouse cannot accommodate all of branch of the American Legion, which helped to raise money for the project, and volunteers who donated many hours by working with the children during the summer. Her experience left Barbara wanting more for special needs children: more space for the children, more community support, more experiences ... and more children! "We do need community support, we need more volunteers. We need people with musical and theater backgrounds! Included in her future plans is "a nicely rounded program" which will involve acurriculum for slow achievers and a tutoring program. Discussing the problems that today's youth free, srw disclosed, "We want to be a part of the solution. Barbara is also applying for a grant under private foundations to secure funds for a new building at Camelot for the children. un. Clui pottage paid at Rooteveh and Duchesne, Utah M 268 S. 200 IL, Roosevelt, Utah S4066-310-9 POSTMASTER: Scad addmu changei to the Uintah Batin Stwidard at 261 S. 200 E.. Rooacvck, Uuh 14066-310- 9 OFFICE HOURS: lo 1 OOpjn Monday, 9:00 un. to 5 :00 p.m. Tuuday IhniFiidiy. Phone Fax: 722-41DEADLINES: For all New. Legal Notice, dauifiedi, k Advertiting, die Deadline ii Thinday rt 5 pm. PUBLISHER: Gnig Ashby EDITOR: Lexkc E. Whiting ADVERTISING: Craif Athby OFFICE MANAGER: They Womack PRODUCTION: Wiilen; Karla Cox, Aldoa Radicle, Delyte Addley nd Cheryl Medum. 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