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Show I T t Pace 2 - Match 24. 1998 : Editorial Uintah Basin Standard Support Your Local Caucus Meeting Tonight (Tuesday, March24) Republican and Democratic Neighborhood Caucus meetings will be held throughout Duchesne and Uintah counties. These meetings givecitizensa chance to shape and share inthe future oftheir communities at the grassroots level. The delegates chosen during the caucus meetings willdctermine which candidates from their party will run in the primary election. At the neighborhood caucus meetings delegates to the state conventions are also selected, and EDITOR'S NOTE: The Uintah Basin Standard welcomes and encourages opinions from readers int he form of letters to the editor. Letters may be utilised to express opinions or comments, to highlight outstanding service of an individual or organization, or any other worthwhile purpose. Letters may not he 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 PHONE NUMBER OF THE AUTHOR. Letters will be published unless they contain libelous or defamatory statements. We reserve the right to withoulda name by request if the nature cf the letter is positive, and hr 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 cf the Uintah Basin Standard. Utah should adopt Megans Law Dear Editor, Twice during this paat week, I have been approached by mother in Uintah County wanting to know why they were not told by authorities that convicted sex offender are living in their neighborhood. I did not have an answer that either woman found .acceptable don't like I that. Uintah County citizen party members have a chance to reaffirm their stand on the political and moral issues they will put their votes behind. The neighborhood caucus meetings are typically not well attended, thats a shame because they provide the fundamental forumthat citizens must take part in ifour democratic system is to work. Take the time to attend your neighborhood caucus meeting tonight and get involved in the traditional American democratic process. dence, pedophilia is incurable. Thus, child molesters deserve unique treatment under the law. Whether society warehouses them in prisons, jdaces them in mental hospitals, or as one prominent social scientist suggested, paints them bright green, child molesters must be kept from children. If pedophile are not locked up, then our communitys mothers and fathers and children deserve to know who the child molesters are and where they work and live. Some suggest that Utah pass a strict Megans Law.' After the murder of young Megan Kanka by a released sex offender living in her neighborhood, New Jersey passed the law that bears her name. It requires that neighbors be notified if a released sex criminal movea in. Utah does not have such a law. It is true that a Utah citizen who wishes to jump through bureaucratic hoops and make application to the headquarters of the Department of Corrections, may obtain the names of registered sex offenders for a particular sip code area. Nine months after such a request, Tm still waiting. The blather of the American Civil Liberties Union and others who oppose any form of a Megan's Law presupposes that giving someone a second chance uieans the people around him don't have the right to know he blew hi first chance. Thats unfair to the rest of us. Megans Law would be a good start for Utah. It is only a start. We need to take responsibility for the safety of our communitys children. Legal loopholes which allow church officials to hide sex offenses against children must be repaired. At least twice in the past year, children have been sexually abused long after a report to church leaders. A simple phone call to the appropriate child services office or law enforcement agency would have prevented repeated molestation. Our community media reporters, both newspaper and radio, must carefully, sensitively and accurately report sex crimes. I still don't have an answer for the two mothers. I dont have an answer tor their daughters. I'll do my best to send these two pedophiles to prison Just as their publicly-funde- d criminal defense lawyers will do their very best to keep them on the shouldn't like that. Utah's elected legislator and Utah Department of Corrections official ought to change it. One man, recently arrested a superb and diligent investigation by Detective Dylan Rook of tiie Vernal City Police Department, is a convicted sex offender who moved to Uintah County to be near family member. One such family member i employed in the rehabilitation industry and held a moral obligation to warn the mother to whose children the arrested man had access. The family member didnt and children suffered. The other convicted sex offender recently arrested, is from our community and recently returned from street a stint at the Utah State Prison. Hi Kenneth R. Wallen tine offenses involved little children near Chief Deputy Uintah County elementary schools in our commu- Attorney nity. Hie fact that he was in therapy ordered by the Board of Pardons did not stop him. Nor was he slowed AUC Board by the fact that he regularly reported to a parole officer. inaccurate What works to prevent sex ofDear Editin', fenders from repeating their crimes? In response to the Uintah Basin Nearly 20 years after investigating the first sex crime of my career as a Standards Article "Affiliated Utah Board Found Guilty of Civil Conpolice officer, and after many prosecutions of pedophiles, I still don't spiracy" dated March 10, 1998. We generally appreciate the reknow. This I know - there is no criminal more repulsive than he or porting by your newspaper and on she who befouls the innocence of occasion, we find an article in which we know there is more to the story children. than what has been reported. Hie According to all data and evi says story was Th Uintah Basin Standard Inc. a i i Periodical portage paid Roosevelt and Duchesne, Utah (USPS 646-90- 0) Published weekly at 26( S. 200 E., Roosevelt, Utah S4066-- 3 109 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Uintih Bawi Standard at 26S S. 200 E.. Roosevelt, Utah (4066-310- 9 OFFICE HOURS: (.00 am. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, 9:00 am. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday thin Friday. 1 00-42 7 --(679, Fax: 722-41Phone DEADLINES: For all News. Legal Notices, Class ifiedsA Advertising the Deadline is Thursday at 5p.m. EDITOR: Lezlee E. Whiting Pt'BUSIIER: Craig Ashby ADVERTISING: Michelle Robem OFFICE MANAGER: Tracy Womack PRODUCTION: Writers: Aldon Radicle. Cheryl Meehan. Dixie Brown and Waas Chapoosc Production , Colette Ashby, Bonnie Parrish, Kaelyn Meyers and Kim Ames CORRESPONDENTS: ROOSEVELT - Ties Hamuton 722-2- 5 1 (: ALTAMONT -- ; BLUEBELL - Shana Lee LAPCHNT-MarleMcClure Loertscher 454-397-6; HANNA -- Tracy Roberts (4 4; 5; MYTON -- ; TRIDELL - Lorn McKee MONTWELL - Noti Nelson S, 4; NEOLA - Zola Spencer WHITEROCKS - Virginia Ferguson DUCHESNE -- Orinda Gee 731-26- I I . Subscription Rates: I I I I I I I I I I Address. I City. Cash or Check only. Sorry No Charges mmm I j m Article referenced above is just such an article. There are several errors in the report that should have been substantiated before it was stated a feet which the Reporter could have draw through a simple phone call, however, not having done that, we wish to correct the errors in the report for printing in the next edition, as follows; 1. Affiliated Ute Citizens was not sued, the suit was against the individuals and not in their capaci- believe every bullet stop at the intended target? What about the bulleta that mia the sign or gate poet and continue apeeding through ty. the trees and on into the darkness? 2. A "federal" court judge did not How long will it be before one of find Affiliated Ute Citizen guilty of thoae stray bulleta kill someone or anything dealing with the subject something? matter or this Article. I hopeyou can withhold my name 3. The Tribal Court Judge, and address, aince I dont want my Tah-Bon- e has never reGeorge to become a target of thia property to sponded any complaints regardcraze. Some of my friend hooting ing UDC, one way or the other. have been chosen for target, and it 4. Last December, the "Utah haa a terrible burden on State... not United States... Dis- them.placed sad a comment on life in Its trict Court Judge Frank G. Noel issued a ruling and granted Plain- the Basin, when peoplehave to wortiffs (UDC) motion based on de- ry about their safety at the hand of fault ... not facts of law, there was immature juveniles. never a hearing requested by either (Name withheld by request) party and the judgement issue is for hearing. being However, no court, or person, or entity can violate anyones First Amendment Rights to "freedom of speech. 5. The Ute Distribution Corporation filed for garnishment of Ms. Van's proceeds distributed by UDC Dear Editor, which is not only a conflict at interSix year ago a am all group of est but the proceeds are not business people met in Duchesne in gamishable under a Federal Act attempts to improve the downtown ), and UDC area. Heavy raina caused flooding (Public Law knows it. The issue is still before into some businesses and the Gatecourt way to the Uintah Basin was in 6. Public Law 671, 1954, did not need of renovation. The Duchesne memterminate the Mixed-Bloo- d City Business Council was formed bers of the Ute Indian Tribe or their along with a dream of the future. assets from federal supervision or While founding member Bill Federal Trust Cook moved away, Eddie Brown, The issues of Ute Distribution Craig Kelsey, Jenny Adama, and a Corporations legal statu under few others kept the idea alive. Eddie Federal Law had been entered into served aa president of the Council. a Federal Court Case filed by UDC Hie Duchesne County Chamber of Commerce and Director Irene against the Secretary of the Interior and Ute Indian Hibe involving Hanaon provided tremendous mathe sale of elk on the reservation terial and personal support to help and UDCsjoint management rights the idea get off the ground. A kick in tribal property which was disoff meeting was held in Duchesne. missed by Fedenri District Court Over 300 local citizens showed up to take part in the vision and express Judge, Bruce S. Jenkins at the request of UDC and the Hibe on their support. March 13. Soon the project officially beHie issue of the dissolution of longed to the City of Duchesne with UDC and its joint management support from the founding members and others. Joe Bistiyski proright in tribal property will quite vided a key role in helping obtain a probably come up again in the future and it will, in deed, be in a Forrest Service grant. Sunrise EnCourt of Competent Jurisdiction. gineering was employed to provide Very Truly Yours planning and engineering and help The Board of Directors obtain Additional financing. CIB Affiliated Ute Citizens and CDBG grants were received to Dora Van, Sonny Van, Glennia continue the process. Reed Daniels, Margaret Reed Finally it was time to seek fundArtelgo ing for actual construction of the project. The Community Impact Board would not provide fends without our first having acquired a sufficient matching amount We appealed to the Utah Department of money, Transportation for a mqjor portion at their discretionary fond from lives may Region Three. While UDOT DirecDear Editor, tor Alan Mecham was sympathetic Tm writing in regard to the armed to our cause, a massive lobbying attack being made upon highway effort was required before we received a $250,000.00 commitment signs, gate posts, and other inaniOur Representative Beverly Evans mate structures along our country roads. While I'm strongly in favor of provided key support in this effort our right to bear arms, Fm disappersonally attending a number of pointed at the irresponsible manmeetings. Mayor Kim Hamlin and ner in which these arm are bearing numerous Duchesne City Council down on our neighborhood. members including Jill Ketterer, I dont know who has been shootClint Park, Kris Bancroft and Paul Tanner attended aome ofthese meeting at the signs, but it seems that young people would be the most ings as well as CIB meetings to obtain additional funds. Irene likely suspect. A question for parents: do you know if your children Hanaon Florence Smith, Eddie have guns at their disposal? Do you Brown and Craig Kelsey helped know what kinds of guns they have throughout access to? Like the question goes, During the course of this project "Its ten oclock, do you know where we received help from all parts of your children - and yourguns - are?" the Uintah Basin. Mayors from all Since shooting at object is probcities and towns as well as commissioners from Duchesne, Uintah and ably the result of immature decision making, maybe its time a more Dagget Counties provided letters of adult attitude takes over, like that support for ua to take to funding of a parent, a custodian, or a mementities. Moon Lake Electric is prober of the sheriffs department I viding equipment and support for don't look forward to catching and installation of street tamps. Duchesnk County will also provide punishing the shooters, but rather having them wake up to the damequipment and help. And of course for the employees of the City of age thiy are doing, the risk they are Duchesne this haa been an adminputting others under, and the need for themselves to grow up! istration challenge and will require Aside from the expense to the a tremendous effort during the construction period. taxpayer tor replacing the signs, lives are being unnecessarily placed Last but most important is the in danger - both human life and the support of the people of Duchesne lives of animals. Then are people themselves. Nothing is free. Part of the CIB fund are a loan that the everywhere, and even more animals in this upper country. Do those of people of Duchesne voted to back. you who are shooting at the aigns Projects dont just happen. Peo Efforts of many make Duchesnes goal a reality Immature acts cost cost ple make things happen, in this case hundreds of than. Thanks to all I have failed to name. Congratulations to all of ua. Workman Construction Company has already began Work. Within 90 to 120 days Duchesne will have a new storm drain system and a main street that will be much more representative of the Gateway to our Uintah Basin. of hard work, perseverance, and a whole lot of patience, my dream became a reality. So now I own my house, a luxury car, and a show vehicle. I do not owe anyone money for any ofthem. But instead ofbeing praised for all my hard work, I have had nothing but problems. Since the completion ofthis vehicle, I have been harassed, discriminated against, and even arrested. Why? Because I was one of the few people who actually dared to go against the "grain. It has become so bad, I cannot even drive this vehicle 2 Free of miles from my home without being Dear Editor, harassed or victimized in one form I would like to take a few mo- or another. We are existing in a society that ments to share a few of my opinions on what it is like to live in the good tries to encourage us to "become our old State ofUtah. First, lets take a own person and to live life the way look at the paat. It use to be that we want But in reality, they only when someone worked hard to surwant us to live life as They see it vive in this world, heshe was conshould be lived: do as I do, be as I sidered a saint. HeShe could live am. Ifwe do become our own person, where they wanted, drive where they shun us and turn ua into the they wanted, and they could dress outcast until we finally give in bethe way that they wanted, and they cause ewe just cant take it anywere still considered part of the so more. Do you want your children called "nonn. Looking at how things growing up in a society that tells are now, it is hard not to find the you how to live? You know, just differences. If you work hard and another screw in the machine? Or, you are under a certain age, everydaybuwntcitq9w-'u- and thing that you have is automatical- - become strong; unique individuals ly thought to have been bought by whio actually make a'difrenencein Illegal" income. For those of you this world? who doubt this or simply do not America was founded by unique understand, please let me broaden individuals, whom each had their your horizons to the feet that this is own ideas of how they wanted to happening and it ia happening in live and how they wanted their counour very town. try to be. This is why America beFor example, I am a 22 year old came such a great nation... But, male that has worked hard and now it is all falling apart So you tell saved money since I was 15 years me; The Land OfThe Free? Aa for old. For years I have always wanted a I am concerned, whoever told you a vehicle with which I could enter that is your enemy. into a car show and compete. A Sincerely; A Tired Victim (Name withheld couple of years ago, I purchased a vehicle with the intent to turn it by request) into a show vehicle. After 18 months Tom Golinski This isnt the Land the Vandalism County officials worried about damaged road signs By Dixie R. Broum Duchesne County officials are worried about what they consider an alarming trend - the destruction and vandalism of street and traffic signs. Signs all around the county are being used for target practice and officials say the results could be dangerous. "It hasn't hindered us yet from being able to respond to an Emergency call said sheriff Ralph Stansfield, "but I know that with all the growth we have had in the county, ti: at day is coming soon. That concern was echoed by Duchesne County Road Supervisor Doug Nielsen. "All it takes is three bullet holes through one of those signs and you have no idea what street it is. Whats going to happen one day when the ambulance cant find a house, because the sign is all hot up? Officials also worry that one day they will have to respond to more than a vandalism call. Both Stansfield and Nielsen point out that a stray bullet or a ricochet could cause injury or death to people or livestock. According to Nielsen, often you can look through the bullet hole and see a house in the distance. According to Stansfield, the vandalism is occurring all over the county, but areas around Talmage seem to be the hardest hit Apparently the aigns, which reflect at night are a perfect target for marksmen. The County Road Department budgets $10,000 each year to replace stolen and vandalized signs, that figure does not include the poles they are placed on, the labor or the vehicle costs involved. "A typical stop sign costs us $25, aid Nielsen. By the time you add, the pole and the labor, each sign will coat well over $100. The sheriffs office is asking for the assistance of area residents to help stop these crimes. "Unless we have an eyewitness, it's a tough case to prove, said Stansfield. He is asking for anyone that thinks they may have witnessed someone vandalizing or stealing a sign to jot down the license plate number then call his office. "If we have a plate number or a good description ofthe car it sure gives us a better chance of being able to prosecute the case, he stated. Bumper Banter A day without sunshine is like, well, night. Save the whales - collect the whole set Atheism is a organization. On the other hand, you have different fingers. Honk if you love peace and et quiet Seen it all, done it all, cant remember moat of it How much deeper would the ocean be without sponge? Hie American Legion Magazine Buckle Up and Save A Life! Public Service AuMWKtnwBt Ulstib BhJii Standard ty Ik POOR |