OCR Text |
Show Page 2 - March 3. 1998 ; Uintah Basin Standard i'-I ; f Do Ya Wanna Buy a Monkey? The deadline is near for signing up to run for local and state office. Three seats will be open on the Duchesne County Commission along with the officesofall other elected county r, sheriff, assessor, treasurer, and surveyor. Two school board seats are available for contest. The State House ofRepresenta-tive- s and State Senate positions are up for election this year. There are people (even some individuals who have served) who will tellyou that serving in public office is a little like suckering to a salesman with a monkey for which you have no use. Once they have the monkey on their backs, there is nothing to do but put up with it until they can find someone else to take over. Theres no doubt about it, public service is a mostlythanklessjob. We admit without shame that we scrutinize and criticize many actions of public officials as we attempt to fulfill our position as watchdogs of the community; many citizens condemn silently or in random conversation. Its simply no fun to be the people making the decisions that everyone else thinks they could make better. Yet we need those people, and more like them. We need people who can take the verbal abuse, knowing within themselves that though officials-attor-ne- official decisions may not always be perfect, they We need people who have a are love forthe community, knowing that everyone in the community may not love them particularly after a disagreement over an official action. We need people who care enough about the area and its citizens to give more than most will give, knowing that still more will be expected until they have given all they can and are drained from the giving. We need people who can laugh at themselves and their mistakes, knowingthat many will call every move they make amistake, even though a lack of understanding is sometimes the greatest mistake made. We need people of integrity, with a strong sense of direction when it is time to set policy and carve the unalterable stone that becomes the future. We need people who will serve. Yes, we need public servants who will stand to up all of us who are so ready to sell them a useless monkey. We need those who will take that monkey and teach it to pick the locks in doors of opportunity and vision, and convince all the detractors thathe was worth every penny oftime and y, clerk-audito- March 7 -- 17 Filing dates are approaching for those seeking elected office energy. We all need to take a turn in serving. Whos turn is it now? Do you wanna buy a monkey? By Lezlee E. Whiting All elected offices in Duchesne County - with the exception of one Time to Get Back to Business grateful for help from neighbors Dear Editor, I would like to thank everyone who helped me move into my new home and also thoee who offered to help. Im sure well eryoy living her lot. Thank you again. Kit Sprouse Suggestions sought on place for girls feam to practice Dear Editor, For nine years the girls high school softball team has traveled to the Constitution Park to practice and play all their games. Constitution Park is a good softball field but the lack of washroom facilities and water until around May 1, and the distance from the high school has made the team look for a better facility. About a year ago there was talk of putting a three field park on the school districts 40 acres south west of the high school. The idea was II" Uintah Basin Standard Inc. Periodical postage paid at Roosevelt and Duchesne. Utah Published weekly at 268 S. 200 E. Roosevelt. Utah 84066-310- 9 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Uintah Basin Standard at 268 S. 200 E.. Roosevelt. Utah 84066-310- 9 OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 a.m. to :00 p.m. Monday. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday. Phone 0 Fax: DEADLINES: For all News. Legal Notices. Classifieds A Advertising, the Deadline is Thursday at 5 p.m. PUBLISHER: Craig Ashby EDITOR: Lezlec E Whiling ADVERTISING: Michelle Roberts OFFICE MANAGER: Tracy Womack PRODUCTION: Writers: Aldon Rarhele. Cheryl Mediant, Dixie Brown and WassChapoose Production: Colette Ashby. Bonnie Parrish. Kaelyn Meyers and Kim Ames CORRESPONDENTS: ROOSEVELT - Tresa Harmston 722-25- 1 8; ALTAMONT -- ; BLUEBELL- - Sham Lee 6; HANNA - Tracy Roberts Locrtschcr LAPOINT- - Marlene McClure 4: MONTWELL - Noli Nelson MYTON -- ; TRIDELL - Lorn McKee 0; NEOLA - Zola Spencer 4; WHITEROCKS - Virginia Ferguson 4. DUCHESNE - Orinda Gee (USPS 646-90- Subscription Rates: I Clip and Send to: I Uintah Basin Standard I 268 S. 200 E. I Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 In the Uintah Basin 1 Yr. $22 2 Yr. $34 Out of the Uintah Basin 1 Yr. $36 2 Yr. $56 - I I Address. I City. -- Zip4. Cash or Check imh. Sorry No Charges J discussed and then got side tracked when a proposal for use of the old city pvk was brought up. Currently the old park idea has not materialized and the city needs the Consti-tutio- n Park fields for their recreation program after 5 p.m. starting April 15. I feel that the girls high school program is worthy of supporting and I am wondering why they keep running into obstacles every time they try and do something. I feel that building the complex on the school districts 40 acres is the best alternative and have yet to hear a good reason why it cant be done. If anyone has any ideas or comments on this I would really like to hear from them. Debbie Allen. Alert: Heart thief on the loose! Dear Editor, I am writing this as a warning to all teenage girls. There is a heart thief on the loose. His smile will melt your heart like a snow cone on a hot summers day. His eyes are as sword. His piercing as a hair is a deep, thick brown. He knows how to sweet talk and he likes to cuddle. He has firm muscles and drives like a maniac. He is irresisttwo-edg- ible. Ifyou see a young man matching this description and he makes your knees tremble, heart race, palms sweat, and stomach weak, then stay away. Hes my prom date. Yes Duane Zager, I would be honored to go to prom with you. Sincerely, Emily January Property owners may be eligible for $$$ assistance Landowners in Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah counties may now be eligible for assistance for improving grazing lands or riparian areas, according to David Webster, district conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Roosevelt Field Office. Through the Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP), landowners may receive up to 75 percent cost share for fencing, water developments, vegetative rehabilitation and other range management techniques if their land meets certain criteria, David said. This is a tremendous opportunity for landowners to defray the cost cost-sha- re forcible sexual abuse. The Associated Press 9 New resident EDITOR'S NOTE: The Uintah Stand arj Basin and welcomes encourages opinions from readers int he form of letters to the editor. Letters may be utilized to express opinions or comments, to highlight outstanding an of service or individual 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 NUMBER PHONE THE OF 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 become property of the Uintah Basin Standard. Most criminal cases end in a deal, not a trial missioners determined that pursuing the boundary litigation case as far as they could was in the best interest of their constituents. Ute Tribe leaders who first took the matter into a court oflaw, were doing what they felt was right for their people. Now, once again each side must examine what direction will choose for the good of their people. The road leading to improved communication, good will and better political relations should be the path chosen. After 23 years it appears that Duchesne and Uintah counties, along with theUtelndianTribe, wont have to spend thousands of dollars each year taking each other to court to fight reservation boundary and jurisdiction battles. Thats good news. Even better news would be ifcounty and UteTribe leaders movequickly ingetting back to the business of improving relations with each other. "" Each slde did what they thought was best for their people. Duchesne and Uintah County Com county commission eeat - are up for this year. Filing dates for two county com- mission seats and the offices ofsher- - Hie U E . Constitution may guarantee fair and speedy trials, but few of those charged with crimes ever face a jury. People accused of crimes often strike a deal with prosecutors. Indeed, the top prosecutors in counties along the Wasatch Front say upwards of 90 percent of cases are decided by agreement, not trial. ' Longtime .public defender Steve Laker said he believes 95 percent of the cases handled by the Weber County Public Defenders office are settled with plea bargains before they come to trial. Salt Lake County District Attorney Neal Gunn arson, however refuses to use the term bargain. I say plea disposition, because I dont think pleading to a felony is ever a bargain, Gunnarson said. Statewide, the number of deals isnt tracked. But figures do show that for 1997, only 15 percent ofthe felony charges filed had a change in their severity, indicating when prosecutors do negotiate, they're not giving up a whole lot In many cases, especially illegal drug trafficking, two felonies are often dismissed in favor of the defendant pleading to the e felony remaining two charges. In other cases, defendants plead straight up to the charges as long as the prosecution stands silent on sentencing. The negotiations happen in the most mundane cases and in the headline-grabber- s where everyone wants to know the facts. Ogden resident Jason Brett Higgins, for example, faced multie ple trials on 22 felony charges in nine rape cases. Instead, he withdrew his innocent pleas in December and was sentenced earlier this month on nine charges, three ofwhich were amended to second-degre- e felony counts of first-degr- first-degre- first-degre- Tri-Coun- While three of the charges don't reflect the reality of what Higgins did, Weber County Attorney Mark DeCaria said he believes, in the end, the sentence of 30 years to life was appropriate. If any of the victims had rejected the negotiation, DeCaria said the case would have gone to tpial. DeCaria said jilea birgahip, dcr 'WWfsJ spite about with victims in mind. Three years' ago, Fred Hansen shot and killed his wife and stepdaughter. DeCaria said no one was anxious to take Hansen to trial on the homicides because it would mean his daughter, who witnessed the Ogden killings, would have to ' testify against her father. Hansen agreed to plead straight up to the charges in return for prosecutors not seeking the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Negotiations also happen when there are evidence problems in cases, but still enough proof a criminal act was committed. It certainly doesnt mean the crime didn't happen It testa our ability to make proof ofthe crime. It becomes a compromise, where walk a fine line. Judges can reject plea bargains and go against the prosecutors recommended sentences. Second District Judge Michael Lyon said that the point of sentencing is to punish the offender, protect and compensate the victim and society, and reduce the likelihood of another offense. The public may be suspicious of plea bargaining as a gimmick to get out ofwork or to avoid the responsibility of prosecuting, but in my opinion just the opposite is true, Lyon said. I have not seen any abuses in our community. The cases that need to be prosecuted and tried are. Health offers ty 1st semester prenatal care A babys health depends on prenatal care starting in the first trimester of pregnancy. TriCounty Health Department offers first trimester prenatal care access to qualified women. This service is called Baby Your Baby (BYB) and is offered in conjunction with Women Infant & Children (WIC) Food Assistance. BYB offers initial prenatal counseling and referral for first trimester exam. The purpose is to provide prenatal care access to worn- - ofthese improvements while, at the same time, improving the overall health and productivity of their land, David said. Landowners interested in participating in the program have until March 27 to sign up. Contact David Webster at the Roosevelt orJill Case at the Vernal USDA Service Center 0 for more 1 or at infonnation. 722-462- 789-210- en who are waiting for Medicaid benefits. WIC offers nutritional food supplements to the expectant mother andor other children in the family. TriCounty Health Department also works in cooperation with Medicaid personnel to continue prenatal care from BYB to Medicaid enrollment for the remainder of the pregnancy. Health Department (TCHD) combined WIC, BYB, and Medicaid enrollment services to meet the needs of clients in a more comprehensive manner. Clients are assured access to the BYB, WIC and Medicaid programs by TCHD trained staff. It is the goal of TCHD to make prenatal care access comprehensive and convenient for expectant mothers. If you are interested in learning more about TCHD services or need prenatal care access, please call Lynne Gagon, WIC Director, TriCounty Health Department at 5 or ty 781-547- 722-508- 5. clerk-audit(a new this position year), treasurer, assessor, and surveyor will be March iff, attorney, or 7. This is also the time you can file to run for three open seats on the Duchesne County School Board, for the State Senate seat in District 26, and the State House of Representatives seat in District 54. If federal government ia more to your liking, then Rep. Chris Cannons seat in the 3rd Congressional District is also up for Rep. Beverly Evans has announced her candidacy for the Senate seat which will be vacated by Sen. Alarik Myrin Myrin announced earlier that he will not seek Rep. Cannon has already HW intention. to rvu for oil second teiminioffiMUaidmwqihtnw likely; the memribentfeih Duchesne-Coun- ty will file to retain their seats . Here's the list of incumbents in Duchesne County: County Commissioners John Swasey and Larry Ross, sheriff Ralph Stansfield, attorney Herb Gillespie, treasurer Colene Nelson, assessor Greg Garff, surveyor Jerry Allred, auditor Diane Freston and clerk Pat Barker. This year the offices of the clerk and auditor will be consolidated, eliminating one elected official. Barker has announced she will not run for Those who file as candidates for county office must reside in the county for one year prior to the election. There is a fee if you are filing as a candidate for county office. The foe amounts to of the salary the position pays. Fees run from about $150 to $277 depending on the office. The three Duchesne County School Board seats up for election this year include: Precinct 1 - the one-eigh- th northwest RooseveltNeola Montwell area, held by Lynn Snow; Precinct 2 - Roosevelt City, held by John Hullinger, Precinct 3 - encom- passing the RooseveltIokaMyton area, held by Newel Richens. You can file as a candidate for school board at the Duchesne County clerics office from March 7. Accident in Colo, claims life of Roosevelt woman A Roosevelt woman was killed and two other Roosevelt residents were seriously injured when their car plunged off a steep embankment Monday, Feb. 23, in southern Colorado. According to a Colorado High- way Patrol trooper Steve Keller, the accident claimed the life of Glenda Kidd, 53. Kidds Bon, Tony Small, 24, and the driver pf the vehicle, Sharon L. Conetah, 24, sustained broken bones and other injuries. They were taken to Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, Colo, for treatment. Small was later transported to the University of Utah. Keller says the accident occurred at 9:15 a.m. and was caused by wet and slushy road conditions. Conetah was driving a 1993 Isuzu Trooper eastbound on Colorado Highway 666 just west of Yellow Jacket, Colo, when the vehicle hit a slick spot and spun off the right aide of the road, foiling 63 feet down a steep embankment, becoming airborn and rolling several times before coming to rest on its right side. Kidd, a passenger in the vehicle, and Conetah, the driver, were both thrown from the vehicle. Small had to be extricated by rescue |