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Show Pape 2 - January 13. 1998 EditoriaC Uintah Basin Standard Want A Voice? Its Your Choice by the people for the people remains firmly America! The land of liberty, opportunity and law - many laws. Citizens are being squeezed on every side these days as more and more rules and regulations are handed down that effect our private lives. Never before in our history have there been more laws governing private property, business enterprise and our very own health and in tact. Monday, January 19 the Utah State Legislature will convene to hammer out issues that face its citizens today and in the future, session and what they decide in the will effect every one of us and surely our ') children. Any public citizen may be a part of the process - even up until the last day of the session to give their elected officials information and opinion about state and local issues, indeed Sen. Alarik Myrin stated that public input is helpful to him to see all sides of the issues. Anyone with internet access can examine the house and senate bills at the Utah 45-d- safety. cant live recklessly in America without breaking a law, you cant live irresponsibly in America without breaking a law. As society has progressed so has the stream of government mandates to preserve, protect and encourage progress. Ourcolonial forefathers would certainly be shocked to see the volumes of restrictions and regulations Americans live under today - but their time is not our time - and while not all laws are just or beneficial the majority are, and the democratic process, You State Capital address -- www.le.state.Ut.Us, and they may write their senator or representative at: 319 State Capital, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114. we arent good enough to adopt. So you just place these kids back into tribal homes even if its not for their best interest all because of prejudice and politics. We as foster parents should be ashamed for ever trusting that the tribe and state could ever get along. This letter doesnt apply to all tribal members who have children in fos- EDITOR'S NOTE: The Uintah welcomes Basin Standard and encourages opinions from readers int he form of letters to the editor. Letters may be utilized to express opinions or comments, to highlight outstanding individual an service of or organization, or any other worthwhile purpose. Letters may not be used to replace Cards of Thanks, or to list sponsors, participants or contributors to a particular event or purpose. LETTERS MUST CONTAIN 400 WORDS OR LESS. BE TYPED OR WRITTEN LEGIBLY. SIGNED, AND INCLUDE NAME, ADDRESS AND OF PHONE THE NUMBER AUTHOR. Letters will be published unless they contain libelous or defamatory statements. We reserve the right to withould a name by request if the nature of the letter is positive, and to edit letters. Letters may be submitted to the Standard office at 268 S. 200 E, Roosevelt, Utah, 84066 by the published deadline (normally Thursdays at 5:00 p.m.) All letters brcnfne property of the Uintah Basin internet ay ter care, just most of them. Sheila Bird Animals have feelings too for them. They get new puppies or kittens and dump the old ones. Most animals are abounded in Taxpayers association opposes property tax elimination Winter, and most people cant take in these discarded animals. I cant. I have two dogs and three cats. Fve had one dog for six years. The dog I had before these, I had for 17 years. I love my animals. I wouldnt have gotten them if I didn't plan on taking care of them. They could not survive on their own, dumped on some dirt road. The big red dog wont survive either. It will wonder around until it starves, gets hit by a car or someone shoots it. Maybe it will freeze. I know this story has been told before, many times, and it will be told again and again, but will it ever touch the hearts of this kind of person. Christmas is just over, but I cannot find any love in my heart at all for humans that throw away part of their family. Karen Fonger Citing concerns about damaging Utah's strong economy, loss of local control of city, county, and school district budgets, and creating serious tax inequities, the Utah Taxpayers Association is opposed to efforts to eliminate Utahs property tax system. Elimination of Utahs property Dear Editor, tax system - particularly without I moved back to my hometown 3 adequate study, input from affected years ago. I moved to Roosevelt taxpayers, and specific details of Heights (South Hancock Cove) At how policymakers plan to recover that time, there was a pack of dogs $1.2 billion in lost revenues - would loose. one One came running by they be one of the greatest tax policy up missing. Fm guessing someone blunders in the history of Utah, killed them. Once friendly dogs, in a warned Greg Fredde, Vice Presipack, will attack other dogs and dent of the Utah Taxpayers Associsometimes humans. ation. this someone Early spring, The Associations position was vyould dropped a big dog and little dog off taken in response to plans by some on our road. The first time I saw oil legislators who support a constitthem I was on my way to town. On utional amendment to eliminate state my way. back they.wpre indlJStrV and local property taxes in the uptoward town on Hwy 40. If these 3 J Standard. coming 1998 legislative session. One dogs did find their way home, did Dear Editor, The December 23 and 30 issues proposal, SJR 1, proposes to repeal their owners drop them on another contained four articles worthy of from the State Constitution all state dirt road? and local authority to assess and This summer, someone dropped comment and thanks from an apcollect property taxes. off a beautiful spaniel dog. It wonpreciative reader 1) American PeThe property tax is a critical dered from home to home, looking troleum Institute (API)s donations for its owner. Some neighbors asked for local needs (1223, p.29), 2) your component ofthe state's overall tax Dear Editor, ifit was mine because they had seen TOP Ten List, 6: Oil Field Produc- structure, insisted Fredde. Utahs d tax system Can you hear the cries of the trial it sitting on my steps. They said it tion (1230, p.l ft 3), 3) State Geolbalanced, foster children of the Uintah Baain? was chasing their chickens and they ogist's comments on Conocos Grand property, sales, and income taxes We as adults who are in the political might have to shoot it. That afterStaircase exploratory well (1230, has provided state and local entities with the flexibility and stabililimelight put these children aside noon I heard a shot and didnt see p.10) and 4) Mr. Wayne Hunts Letand think only of political issues, the dog again. ter to the Editor on land managety necessary to meet their respecnot the concerns of whats best for tive budgetary needs and, in part, Now theres another dog, a big ment (1230, p.2). these children. Im talking about red one going from home to home. I The oil and gas industry has an been responsible for Utahs recent what the judges, officials, and parunprecedented growth and business wonder what will happen to this important role to play in this reents (who have children in foster dog. Dont these people know when gion, providing local private-secto-r expansion, he said. Moreover, a care) of the Ute tribe have done to they drop off these dogs or cats that jobs and revenue to both the private these children is a disgusting shame. they try to find this home they had? and public sectors. Within the Baapective is necessary to protect the We, as foster parents of tribal sin, members ofthe petroleum comThese poor animals do have feelproperty rights of the lands ownchildren catch slot of flack from ings, even iftheir owners don't. The munity are friends and neighbors, ers. This can add several additional tribal members and the childrens first time I had my dog groomed, my participants in our local schools, years. families. We are accused of everyhusband laughed at her. She hid churches, community organizations Mr. Hunts letter relates the tragfrom under the contrian sun and Beside the being thing under the bed for three days. From government edy ofthe Lewis and Clark National abuser to being in it only for the then on, everytime she was groomed butions by individuals in the indus- Forest ofwestern Montana and Idamoney. Im here to set the record we tell her she is a pretty dog and try, associations like API make a ho. However, a similar debacle exvaluable contribution in the name ists right here in Utah, and, more to straight for myself and the other she is real happy. foster parents that I know, we are in Animals might not think like of the industry to local needs. the point, here in the baain. In our it for the children and only the chil- humans, but they do get hurt by the Thanks API and to UBS for offering local example, the managers of our dren. tone of your voice. Sit and think for them some recognition. public lands have already issued Someone needs to care for these Members of the oil industry are some leases for oil and gaa explorajust a minute how you would feel if children because its plain to see to your parents had taken you and reluctant to make predictions too tion and development. But midway any intelligent human being, that pushed you out of their car and left big or too for into the future: as you through the leasing, the BLM has the parents, nor the tribal judicial you on a dirt road. Think of your said, It certainly wasnt 1977, but been forced to stop that crucial stage system are capable of doing that. feelings as you watch the car drive it could be worse. However, the because of wilderness extremists We're good enough to baby-si- t your offwithout you. Why do people like investment by the one company you and what we may remember as HR children for years and years but these get animals if they dont care mentioned is an indication of what 1500." because of prejudice from the tribe is going on all over the basin. In A portion of the HR 1500 land addition to the oil production found grab is in western Uintah, southprimarily in Duchesne County, seveastern Duchesne and northeasteral companies with natural gas ern Carbon counties, where the peproduction in Uintah County have troleum industry has been involved plans for increased drilling that in exploration and development efUtah Periodical Roosevelt and al Duchesne. (L'SPS portage paid should stabilize the natural decline forts since the early 1950s. Geolog9 Published weekly at 268 S. 200 E.. Roosevelt. Utah of gas produced from existing fields. ical Survey reports indicate the poPOSTMASTER: This drilling and the subsequent tential for commercial natural Send address changes to the Uintah Basin Standard at gaa production will create more reve268 S. 200 E.. Roosevelt. Utah deposits. Consequently, both the sector and in the nue bring BLM and the State Institutional private OFFICE HOURS: additional revenue back to the state Trust Lands Administration 8:00 a.m. to :(X) p.m. Monday. 9:00 a.m. to 5:(X) p.m. Tuesday thru Friday. and counties through the sharing of Fax: Phone federal royalties. Besides this in (SITLA) have historically offered DEADLINES: field development activity, which oil and gas leases for competitive For all News. Legal Notices. Classifieds A Advertising, the Deadline is Thursday at 5 p.m. is considered to be lower risk by the eale. However, recently nominated PUBLISHER: Craig Ashby EDITOR: Lezlee E. Whiling lands in Duchesne County that are investment community, some comOFFICE MANAGER: Tracy Womack ADVERTISING: Michelle Roberts contiguous to lands already under PRODUCTION: panies are stepping out from existlease NOW are NO LONGER availfor and Writers; Aldon Rachelc. Cheryl Mccham. Dixie Brown and Wass Chapoose exploring ing production able for competitive sale. The sole fields. new Production: Colette Ashby. Bonnie Parrish. Kaelyn Meyers and Kim Ames reason: the lands are within the venCORRESPONDENTS: Exploration is a long-terROOSEVELT - Tresa Harmstnn ture. Research into the geology of broad boundaries of HR 1500. 8; ALTAMONT ; BLUEBELL - Shana Lee No one from the Utah CongresLAPOINT- - Marlene McClure HANNA Tracy Roberts Loertscher an area, like that done by the Utah sional delegation supports the bill, MYTON MONTWELL - NnU Nelson ; TRIDELL - Lima McKee Geological Survey, U.S. Geological another Congressman haa reinNEOLA - Zola Spencer WHITEROCKS - Virginia Ferguson Survey and private oil companies but troduced it, from New York no less. DUCHESNE - Orinda Gee often takes years to complete. Hie The bill is NOT law, in fact, since it science has been constantly changnever been reported out of Coming, with better understanding of has mittee its doubtful that it ever could the natural systems that create the Subscription Rates: be. Instead, it haa become extremethe petroby hydrocarbons sought In the Uintah Basin Clip and Send to: ly onerous bureaucratic policy. If leum industry. The Uinta Basin, 1 Yr. $22 2 Yr. $34 Uintah Basin Standard whose geologic boundaries go well the public is not successful in changOut of the Uintah Basin 268 S. 200 E. ing this BLM policy, the BLM, other beyond Duchesne and Uintah coun84066-310- 9 Yr.$36-2Yr.$- 56 1 Utah ties to include Carbon, Emery, mineral rights owners and the pubRoosevelt, Grand and Wasatch counties has lic will have suffered setbacks far received renewed interest because greater than the loss of lease rentof the basic geologic research pro- als and royalties. Logan MacMillan, Certified Provided by government and individufessional Geologist. develAs the geologic ideas are als. oped, leasing of lands deemed pro--- Proposal and impact NWgaflae Foster parents concerned about the children three-legge- --- . Uintah Basin Standard Inc. 646-90- 84066-310- 84066-310- 9 1 0 m 722-2- 5 1 -- 7; 4; -- 4; 8; - balanced tax structure which taxes wealth, production, and consumption in moderation - provides the best opportunity for tax fairness and equity, Fredde said. Talk about eliminating property taxes is not new, however. In 1996, the Tax Elimination Blue Ribbon Task Force met with the stated purpose of developing) a plan to eliminate or provide for a substantial reduction in state and local government reliance on property taxes. After meeting all summer, however, the committee was unable to agree on an alternative to the current tax structure and how best to n recover $1.06 billion in state and local property tax revenues. Elimination of Utahs property tax is not intended' by any of its proponents to result in a tax cut. State and local officials are unwill-in- g to lose $1.2 billion in revenues currently generated by the property tax. Proponents intend to shift this burden to other taxes such as increased sales taxes, corporate income taxes, or a new business gross receipts tax. The replacements to the property tax would increase the tax burden on renters and lower income families and endanger Utah's economy by shifting taxes to businesses, Fredde said. While repealing Utah's most hated tax seems very appealing, its elimination would have serious, negative repercussions for a diverse the-the- Agricultural Prices Prices received by Utah formers and ranchers during were up for all milk while barley was down slightly, according to the Utah Agricultural Statistics Service. November sheep prices were up compared to last year while lamb prices were down. The all milk price waa $13.50 per cwt, up 10 cents from the previous month and up 50 cents from December 1996. Barley, at $2.35 per bushel, waa down 3 cents from the previous month and down 25 cents from December 1996. Baled alfalfa hay waa $85.00 per ton, down $1.00 from the previous month but up $7.00 from December 1996. Other hay, at $70.00 per ton, was up $24.00 from last year. er spectrum ofcitizens. Elimination of the property tax in favor ofincreased sales tax would shift the tax burden to those least able to pay. Elimination of the property tax, in favor of additional sales taxes, would shift a heavier tax burden onto the third of Utahns who rent, noted Fredde Most renters will not benefit from the elimination of property taxes in the form of lower rents, but, nevertheless pay the higher sales tax, Fredde said. In addition, local businesses would likely be the target of increased taxes. In 1996, the Tax Elimination Committee expressed interest in New Mexico's business gross receipts tax, which authorizes the state and local entities to levy a maximum 8.125 tax on the total gross receipts of businesses operating within their respective jurisdictions. Any attempt to impose- a gross receipts tax in Utah could have a chilling effect on the states strong economy and would significantly increase the volatility of state and local revenues, said Fredde. In addition to ita impact on taxpayers, eliminating property taxes at the state and local level would significantly hamper local entities abilities to meet their legitimate budgetary needs. The property tax is the only major revenue source available to local taxing entities -including local school boards - which may be easily adjusted, within statemandated limits, to meet budgetary needs, Fredde said. The November 1997 sheep price waa $35.00 per cwt, up $5.00 from October 1997 and $9.00 more than November 1996. The November lamb price, at $81.00 per cwt, was down $5.00 from October 1997 and $2.00 less than November 1996. er If it smells like pig poop, then its pig poop Its been estimated that buckets and buckets of pig manure were dumped squarely in front of the front doors at Union High school sometime during the early morning hours last Friday . The pig poop froze Uintah County Sheriff Rick (as pig poop will when it gets below Hawkins would like to remind the freezing) and when custodians arresidents of Uintah County of some rived about 6 a.m. that morning to getting the school ready foi safety factors when travelling in or begin the day the froijt doors would not recreating in the mountains of budge. Uintah County. Police quickly seized up the situSheriff Rick Hawkins advised and taking into account the ation, that the Uintah County Search and Rescue Unit haa been called out to words written in red in the snow, search for overdue parties three "Uintah rules. Union sucks, top this times in the last three weeks. In all one turkeys (or something like three cases, the people were not that), they realized they were dealdressed properly for mountain trav- ing with more than just a "disgrunel and didn't let anyone know where tled pig former. Once the pig manure was rethey were going. - which took moved quite a while Be prepared for the severe winand of waa NOT pleasant course, ter we are experiencing in the mounUnion High administration is tains this year, said Sheriff the sued a message over the P.A. sys Hawkins. "When you go into the tem telling students the culprit: mountains, dress appropriately and had been caught (yeah, right) anc let someone know the approximate time you will be returning as well as not to plan to do anything in retaliation. where you will be, just in case your And lets face it, if Union wai vehicle gets stuck in a snow bank. going to do anything to get back al We wanfpeople to enjoy the outtheir arch rivals from just down thi doors, but keep in mind that the would have to be somethin weather can change drastically in a road, it short time and we want them to be pretty darn creative to top the pq poop prank (not that we are advo prepared. eating something like that in an: Sheriff reminds to to plan ahead in cold weather way). |