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Show r I December 29. 1998- - fj 0. Pace 13 Basin LIFE f I- Uintah Basin Standard Clair Poulsons 5th Novel Point of Impact poignantly delivers message brought about by a true story By Lorna Stradinger West Duchesne County Justice Court Judge, Clair Poulson, is the author of a new book that he hopes will influence young and old about the dangers of drinking and driving. Inspiration for Poulsons fifth novel, "Point of Impact," came in the form of a phone call from a Salt Lake Tribune reporter, who asked Poulson to describe his feelings concerning an automobile homicide involving a drunk driver. "Taking that phone call was one of the most humbling and sobering experiences of my life," explains Poulson. "I have a reputation for being real tough on drunk drivers. Paul Guy Bredehoft, was sentenced by Poulson after his sixth DUI to ten days in jail, a $1,500 fine, and alcohol counseling. The maximum penalty for driving under the influence is six months in jail and an $1,800 fine. One year and four DUI offenses later, Bredehoft drove under the influence again, but this time, he killed a Highland High School boy who was changing a tire alongside in Salt Lake City. Bredehoft vewas convicted of second-degre- e hicular homicide and sentenced to serve the maximum penalty of 15 years and a $18,500 fine. "I have seen a lot of human tragedies in my many years of law enforcement, but this incident prompted me to write a story, with the hope that I may influence more people to change their thinking about alcohol," says Poulson. "Point of Impact is Poulsons fifth fictional publication. It is a story about teenagers in a small Utah town and the impact of drinking on their lives. Poulson says his Mi & tv1-- - ? ' f . ; f !. V kA.sJF city truck, rigged up with a snow blade and sunder, is gelling ready to hit the streets lust With the Wednesday. temperatures staying close to zero and lower, the streets ha e been hit heavy this year with sand and salt. LOAD K UP-T-his City crews lay down more sand in 4 days, than in 4 years resident Clair Poulson, a Justice NEW NOVEL RELEASED-Duches- ne Court judge, displays a copy of his latest novel which is now on sale in Utah bookstores. The fictional work, Point of Impact draws attention to the problems of underage drinking, drunk driving and alcoholism. target audience is mainly those between ages 12 and 25, but he hopes that everyone will read this account and become more involved in solving the serious problem of drinking. Poulson expresses some frustrations with lenient sentences handed out by the judicial system, but says he has been encouraged by the district courts who are starting to clamp down more. "It is a complex problem as I see it and I recognize that there are no solutions strictly through punishment," states Poulson. "Our com- munities must become more proactive. "I want to change attitudes toward drinking. I am sympathetic to the struggles of recovering alcoholics. But the grief, anger, and on page 24 By Jacfe Ashby With the recent storm - and, by the way, we havent had one like it in 5 years - Roosevelt Citys road crew has been very busy keeping up with all the snow and ice. With the temperature dropping well below zero and staying there, the slick issue may continue throughout the holidays. "The residents here locally need to remember that during these conditions we just need to slow down and give ourselves some time, Roger Eschler, Roosevelt City's Mainte- -- What will the New Year hold? Predictions for 1999 nance Superintendent, advises. The city road crew was busy lust week trying to keep up with keeping all the snow off the roads, and laying down a sand and salt mixture to improve traction. Starting Saturday morning, Dec. 19, George Dean and his crew were out preparing the two dump trucks to outfit them with snow removal equipment Striving endlessly to keep the mqjor roads and hills clear of snow, they receive a call that LifeFlight is coming in and they need the runway cleared. So they drop everything that they were doing to go and clear the runway. "We've had four Life Flights this storm, says George Dean, road department manager. With the major streets and intersections, hills, the hospital, schools and churches, the road crew stayed pretty busy over the weekend trying to make driving a little safer. "It makes it hard to keep the roads clear when its so close to Christmas and on a weekend. Everyone is out packing the snow down, comments Dean. "But for the most part, everyone cooperates very well. The city of Roosevelt has over 30 . , r- - miles of oiled roads, most of which are residential. In the laBt four days the city has laid over 50 tons ofsand and sa It on these roads. Thats more than the city has used in the last four years. We feel we have an adequate supply of material, says Eschler, but we also need to consider the environmental impart. The city uses a mixture of one part salt to two parts sand if the weather is really bad like we are having. But will normally mix one part salt to three or four parts sand. You cant use just sand or it will glaze the ice, George says. But we don't have the budget that UDOT has to lay straight salt. The county helps bring in the salt from the Redmond Clay and Salts salt piles. For the most part, the public is very grateful for the service we provide," says Dean, "but sometimes we do get complaints. Most ofthe complaints deal with how the road crews prioritize their snow removal routes. The crews determine where the problem areas Continued on page 24 ' HIS BEEF? James Lisonbee's New Year prediction is: Paul Wells will sell his black semitals (a breed of cow) and buy black angus. WHATS IN 1999-- We will graduate! predict seniors Chad Barker, Andrew Purcell and Cole Christensen. Scout Will Collect Trees After Christmas Andrew Spencer will collect Christmas trees in Duchesne city only for his Eagle prpject Please leave your old Christmas trees on your porch or in front yard by the road to be picked up and chipped by Moon Lake. The chips will be available at the county fair grounds free of charge for those who come pick them up. The trees will be picked up about a week after Christinas. HOOP PREDICTION- -! predict that Duchesne will be 0 in basketball this same time next year, stated Bob Hoopes. (The Duchesne's boys basketball team is currently 5-- New Years Dance Roosevelt West Stake will host a New Year's Eve Dance for youth at the Roosevelt West Stake Center from 8:30 pm to 12 midnight. Ages 14 and older are invited to come rock in (he New Year. Duchesne Stake Youth New Year's Eve Dance and Party will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3 1 from 9 p.m.-1- 2 a.m. at the Duchesne Stake meetinghouse for youth 14 and up. Dance, food, games, videos, and lots of fun. Dean stands by his truck rigged up CITY TRUCK IN ACTION-Geor- gc for snow plowing. He says that the hours aren't always cooperating, the doing the service for the community is rewarding. IfitW? BILL CLINTON will only get a slap on the wrist, David Jensen predicts of the year 1999. TV fflkff Attention All Veterans The Service Officer from the American Legion, Salt Lake City will be in Roosevelt, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1:30 3 p.m. at Roosevelt Workforce Service. The officer will assist you in understanding and applying for rightful VA benefits, preparing and documenting application for compensation, pen, sion, hospitalization, and other benefits. -- Defensive Driving Course Defensive Driving The Utah Safety Council is now offering a four-hoCourse for people in the Vernal area. The class will be held on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 8 a.m. -- 12 noon at Job Service. This class is for those age 25 and older only. There is a fee for the class. To register, or for additional information, 0 ext 305 or please contact the Utah Safety Council at ext 305. 262-540- L COPY Clinton TO KEEP won't be impeached (forced out of office). People dont want to go through it all, says Suzzann Y oung when asked her New Years predic tion. JOB-Presi- dent WE WILL GET warmer weather in the year 1999. predicts Bill Cook. REALISTIC PREDICTION-U- te Tribe Business Committee member Raymond Murray believes that residents of the Uintah Basin must join together in all aspects of life and business to succeed in the coming year. He also predicts that the Sheep Ridge road must go through to aid the local economy. COOL NEWS "We will have record snow fall for 1999, and colder weather. Now everyone will hate me, says Sue Wight of Duchesne. |