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Show Basin OPINION. Pace 2 - January 19. 1999 Uintah Basin Standard Become Informed on Proposed Prison The communities of Roosevelt and DuchesnestandtobesubstantiaUyimpactedif one ofthe two private prison construction and management companies bidding on a state contract win the aw ard. Right now is the time for citizens to become informed on the pros and cons ofbecoming a prison community. The knowledge will help those who raise their families, earn their livelihoods and retire here decide ifit is inthe communities best interest to medium secuback efforts to build a 500-be- d rity correctional facility in Duchesne Count)' or if they feel the plan is one they should be lobbyingagainsL proposed private prison could forever change the face of the area - perhaps for the best, perhaps in a way we don't want, or maybe a mixture of the two. As concerned citizens we must take all the information we can gather and make a responsible, informed decision on this issue. While winning the bid could bring anticipated economical gains such as new jobs, new housing, and the possibility ofadditional businesses coming into the area to service expected growth, we must also be cognizant of the fact, that by its very nature, becoming a host to a prison also carries adownside. By becoming informed perhapswrcan safeguard ourselves from problems other communities who are home to large correctional facilities have found themselves caught up in, too late. If there are things that as a community we don't Too often we fail to take the time to become involved in issues ofimportance, feeling our voice wont count, or that others will look out for us, only to find that when it is all said and done, we are too late. Too late to complain and undo w hat has been done, or too late to bring back something we should have claimed because it would have been advantageous to our community. Certainly there are numerous rumors making the rounds both good and bad -t- hat are easy to consume and pass along. We urge you to attend a public hearing planned for this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Crossroads Center in Roosevelt to find outfirst-han- d want to happen, then as one private prison official urged, by all means spell it out in a contract The most recent downturn in theoil industry definitely makes us see and feel the need to be economically diversified. The lure of a new industry right now is particularly attractive, let's Recruitment Efforts Continue Agency wants to improve lack of licensed child care in Basin leam more about it to find out if bringing in a private corrections facility is a bandwagon we want to be on. how the nual training and no health and safety inspections. A lot of people who have gone to Recently the amount paid to d child care provid- the effort to get credentialed feel it ers increased. The increased rates ia unfair that the state is paying the are good news to providers who are taxpayers money for children to be homes , cared for in license-exemlargely underpaid, but have resultsaid Anderson. whose ed in a rata hike to parents Another new category of child child care ia not state subsidized. The higher rates have caused some care providers put into effect by the families to seek less expensive child Utah Stats Legislature last year ia care which ia usually with family a "residential certificate. Thia enables a care provider to take in eight members. own Centers are losing children be- children plus the cause families are taking children children. An initial criminal backto family grandma, aunt, sister -- ground check ia done and five hours which can affect the stability of of initial training ia required. These child-car- e providers are subject to care,aaid Celeste Anderson, Director of Child Care Resource and Re- an initial inspection and to an anferral. WeVe not saying family isn't nual inspection, after beinggivRn a ' y notice.1' , . ,v4. good, but there- needs to be alternatives. We are also 'Parents are never notified when concerned for providers who go to a residential certified person breaks the effort of getting b censes when any of the rules, said Anderson. the state pays the same rate to pro- There is no way to enforce health viders who are not licensed and safety regulations. The new daily rate for infant Among the more preferable childcare ia $17.25; its $15 a day for care providers, licenses are given to toddler and preschool age children a licensed family provider. This care. The care-givcan take up to eight chiland $13.80 for after-echostate pays providers what they call dren including her own, and have the market rate which goes up in only two children under the age iff accordance with what the state pays. two. She explained that there are difIt is much better for quality, ferent levels of licensing including said Anderson, explaining that this group and family homes with or provider is required to undergo a without helpers that can handle a yearly criminal background check, an annual health and safety inspeccertain ratio of children to care protion and 20 hours a year training. viders. Then there is a "license exclasthis Child Cars Resource and Referclassification. Under empt sification literally anyone can proral offers low-cotraining in child vide care for children. There ia no care throughout tha vear. Classes criminal background check, no on By Mary Werts your from. Larry Topanotes Jr. Tabeguache, Band Member, Ouray, Reservation state-sponsore- Work to improve yourself daily pt Dear Editor, EDITOR'S NOTE: The Uuaak Basie Standard welcomes and encourages opinions from readers in ike form of Utters to the editor. Letters may be Dances at Crossroads are open to all utilized to express opinions or comments, to highlight outstanding service of an individual or organization, or any other worthwhile purpose. Letters may not be used to replace Cards of Thanks, or to list sponsors, Dear Editor, In response to the letter to the editor in last weeks newspaper re- participants or contributors to a particular event or purpose. LETTERS MUST CONTAIN 400 WORDS OR BE TYPED OR- - WRITTEN!-LEGIBLSIGSED, ASD ISCLL'DE NAME. ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF THE AUTHOR Utters will be published unless they contain libelous or defamatory statements. He reserve the right to wtthauld a name by request if the nature of the letter is positive, ami to edit letters. Letters may be submitted to the Standard office at 268 5. 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. LL Exercise individual band rights Dear Editor, Uintah Band members and Y. garding to New Year's Eve activities from a concerned citizen. If you are interested in having fun dancing, we encourage you to come out to the Crossroads Senior and COMMUNITY Center. We offer a dance on the third Friday of every month as well as on New Years Eve. The next dance will be the Sweetheart Ball which will be held on Friday, Feb. 19. We encourage people of all ages to participate (parents bring your children and children bring your parents). We encourage anyone who is interested in helping or would like to help organize more activities to contact Roberta at the 6 Crossroads Community Center or Lurrine Duncan at 722-429- 722-293- 3. Cut out our schedule and keep it for the year. St Patrick's Dance, March 19 Easter Hunt Dance, April 16 May Day Dance, May 21 Summer Swing Dance, JunelS Fourth of July Dance, July 16 UBIC Dance, July 30 Clair and Lurrine Duncans 50th Wedding Anniversary Dance and Program, August 20 Harvest Festival Dance, Septem- White River Band member, to all who reside on the Uintah Reservation: Are you aware that when you vote you should use your individual voting rights as under the Uintah Valley Reservation! That includes you hunting, fishing, and any agreements signed must be within your own county that you reside in. You should exercise your individual band ber 17 rights on your individual area of the Halloween Dance, October 15 reservation The Uncompahgre. Thanksgiving Dinner Dance, You have a separate area of the November 19 reservation called the Ouray ResChristmas Dance, December 17 ervation Not the Uintah ReservaNew Years Eve Dance, Decemtion section. Are you conscious of ber 31 this? There are 2 separate parts of Lurrine Duncan the reservation. You should exercise your right to vote in your area Uintah Basin Standard Inc. (USPS 646400) Periodic portage pad rt Rootcvcfe and Dodwoic. Utah Published weekly at 261 S. 200 E RonsewR, Uuh 14066-110- 9 POSTMASTER: Send addma changes to the Uinuh Basin Standad at 266 S. 200 E- - Roosevelt, Uuh 64066--3 1C? OFFICE HOURS: 100 am to I 00 pm Monday. 900 am to S00 pm Tuesday thru Fndav Phone I Fax 722-414- 0 DEADLINES: For all New. Legal Nonces, danfiedi A Advertising, die Dadhne a Thursday i p m. PUBLISHER: Craig Ashby EDITOR: Lezlee E Whiting ADVERTISING: Michelle Roberts OFFICE MANAGER: Tracy Womack PRODUCTION: Writers, Aldan Rachele. Mary Wertz. Lome Stradmgcr. Stacy Mediant A Bob Grosman Prahiciion. Colette Ashby. Bonnie Pamsh. Kartya Mcyen, Kim Ames and Shauna Gilbert CORRESPONDENTS: ROOSEVELT - Teresa Hamston 722-251- 6. ALTAMONT - ; BLUEBELL Shots lee Locrttchcr 414-197- 6. HANNA LAPOINT -Tracy Roberts 641-141Marlene McCknc 247-237MONTWELL - Nota Nelson 313-414- 4. MYTON - ; TRIDFLL Loras McKee 247-231- 0: NEOLA Mondi Tevlor 3J3-473313-416WHITEROCKS - Vegima Ferguson DUCHESNE - Onnda Gee 736-26- I Subscription Rates: and Send to: I Clip Uiatak Basin Standard I 268 S. 200 E. I Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 I la the UiRtah Basil 1 Yr. S22 2 Yr. SJ4 Oat of the Uintah Basia 1 Yr. S36 2 Yr. 556 - -- Zip4. CasherChrekembr Sarrv he Outers eare-giver- , ia always one person who we can count on. That is God our Eternal Father in Heaven. Prey to Him, in the name of Jesua Christ our mediator between us and God our father. If you do not feel dose to God, it is not that ha has moved from ua, but that we have moved from Him. He ia always then. We just have to ask for his help. You all have a nice week. Fran your friend Mr. Whitney R. Checkette Former county commissioner praised for his service Dear Editor, Just a note of appreciation to outgoing Commieaioner Lorin Merrill for a difficult job, done well. And aa they aey, behind every great man stands a great woman, which has been the case withNoreen. Lorin devoted two terms of his expertise, honesty and hard work, even through much personal strife and illnesa. In a job that reaps more complaints and persecution than anything elae, I wish to say thanks, to a man whose word has always been good. You may not havo always agreed with him, but you could always trust him. Anyone who has served in the political arena finds out quickly that it can bo easier to just go with the flow, than to take a stand. Lorin Hha never been afraid to stand up for what he believed to be right. The man has a backbone and a conscience, which is so rare in todays civil servants. I wish the Merrills much happiness and peace as they exit from the center stage life and thank them for their eight years of devoted service. ' Tammy D. Meacham could save a child's live Dear Editor, Aa I attempted to pull up to the curb to let my daughter off at.the East Elementary School, a mini-vacame flying up from behind and pulled right in front of me with its back-enstill out in the middle of the road. Even before the van had unloaded its children, another car d ed 90-da- ' -- ol er at coming towards ua, whipped a fast and cut in front of the van that had cut me off. It parked halfway into the cross walk, with children coming across it, and the other half also sat out in the street, blocking a line of cars behind it and to the ids of me. The doors fly open, the kids are shoved out and down the toed they race, with email elementary age kids everywhere. Yea, I was aggravated by the whole scene! But then felt a chill tingle down my spine ae I thought of the times that I too waa in a hurry and may have not been aa conaciene-e-a as I should have been. For a moment, I imagined the feeling of a hard thump on the bumper. A fleeting glimpse of a little hooded heed ae it went down in front of me and underneath my car. The realisation that in a split second, its too lets! Having to tell a mother and father that you took the life of their child. Somehow, saying I'm sorry but 1 was in a hurry, just Wouldn't bo good enough. Please... lets all alow down a little end take care of each others little ones. Its a choice we all get to live with! Thank you, A concerned Parent! Legality of tribe's agreement is questioned Slow down, it 'e - time to be better. Remember Then n ,1 Address. I City. Every time I see the advertisement on TV about under arm deodorant, I think of what one of my older brothers told me almost 60 yean ago. He said, 1 found something better than deodorant Take a bath! "Wow! but it ia true. Sometimes in our life when we do wrong we like wise try to cover it up or blame someone elae for our mietakea. When we ahould of topped doing the wrong thing and repent of them and become clean The only safe path in thia life, is to work to be better and improve each day. The only person we need to judge is our self Look in the mirror; are you the person you want to be? If not; Just taka one step at a Dear Editor, Recently your paper ran an article by Lezlee Whiting entitled, Trio Files Complaint to Oppose Landmark Jurisdiction Agreements. I must say that I agree with the trio's efforts arid applaud their opposition concerning the city, county, state and tribe agreements that have taken place over the past months. However, 1 suggest a mare powerful issue is being overlooked -that being the legality of tha agree-- ments within the bound ofFederal law and the UB. Constitution. Accordingly, states, counties, and cities are extremely limited ae to their legal authority, especially within the realm of entering into any such agreementa andor treaties with Indian tribes. Perhaps most local county and stats officials, along with their attorney are inclined to forget that under federal law, Indian tribes hold a unique status referred to as, "Domestic Foreign Governments. Respectfully yours, Shane P. Knowlden Jurisdiction agreements should be litigated Dear Editor, Thia ia regarding the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, whereby, among other issues, the Ute Tribe was granted the right ofCivil Jurisdiction pertaining to a significant lands that, to portion of non-truthe present, continues to remain under civil jurisdiction administered by county government Even in light of tha statements and written agreementa made by the Tribe that they will not exercise their high court granted authority of civil jurisdiction, which includes taxation of thoeo lands, and further, regardless of such intent or agreements, the counties are, in legal fact , still void of any court granted authority to assume and continue that jurisdiction; jurisdiction, in any form, including regulation and or taxation. One must understand that it ia not a simple matter to skirt around or nullity Supreme Court granted authority through simple agreements. I suggest the legality oftheae issues should and will be brought to the courts attention through further litigation. Respectfully yours. Palmer B. Knowldrn are varied and deal with everything from parenting, child diacipUne and family communication, to small business skills and health and safety issues. All classes an available to the pubUe. She said both Roosevelt and Vernal need more child-car- s providers. In Vernal there are only four pri- vate centers: two are child-car- s group and two are family providers. It's not enough, said Anderson. Not even a drop in tha bucket." She said Roosevelt currently has a pretty good amount of slots open in the one public and two private centers, but that availability in Roosevelt has dropped by more than half Recording f&. Aftdfrs on. is that the average fag;--, ily can't afford to pay for child care. and that Utah has the highest rate of mothers working outside the home. Statistics from a quarterly report show that Duchesne County has 659 children under six living with parents in the workforce. Five hundred and children under six have both parents working; another 89 children under six live in single parent homes where the mother works and another 16 children under six live in single parent homes with a father who works. These 659 children need some fifty-fo- kind ofchild care. In Duchesne County there are 173 licensed slots for children in child-car- e centals. Of these, 133 are filled leaving 40 vacancies, and 526 children under six being cared for by unlicenced providers. Child Care Resource and Referral is funded by the Department of Workforce Services and offers incentives to care providers willing to become licensed. They will reimburse fees for training, buy a provider a fire extinguisher and if the provider takes infanta, give him or her a piece of infant furniture. If providers taka toddlers and preschoolers they areoffered a package of supplies and educational information. Once providers are licensed, the nonprofit agency adda them to a list of preferred providers in the area which it distributes to families seeking child care. The next recruitment will start Jan. 20 in Vernal at the Ashley Valley Education Center in the preschool room at 7 p.m. For more in- formation about Child Caro Re- source and Referral phone st fb. i- -J ; s? Submitted bv Our Readers Officer thanked for good deed I would like to exprem my sincere thanks to officer Nathan Thompson for his kindness A professional courtesy. He found my brother walking along Hwy 40 by LAL Ford at 3:20 a m. Dec. 25 after getting off the greyhound busline at a frigid 10-1- 5 below 0. With no phono near by, my brother a disabled veteran had many thanks for officer Thompson. When he invited him into his car and delivered him to my doorstep. Boy what a Christmas Surprise!! Sincerely Jackie Preston |