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Show Page 2 - February 16. 1999 Basin OPINION Uintah Basin Standard and a dollar short A day late racy, citizens make their voice heard. That is part ofcivic duty and is a requirement for the It is an agreed upon notion that humankind are regarded as rational beings. Man is char- acterized by the use of reasoned speech or logic and deliberates upon the good or bad of development after securing local public input and local official support. Are the discrepancies of late due to citizen ignorance, public official unenlightenment, or private enterprise greed? It seems in this case, that the latter two are the innocent parties as citizens admittedly were ashamed ofbeing uniformed and late to boot. It seems highly unreasonable to admit ignorance, to admit public officials followed procedure, and inthe last hour, demand that our voice be heard. Great responsibilities rest upon citizenswho enjoy liberty' to not only participate indecision making, but to be timely and informed. This may have been a great lesson. Take time to become informed. This is the information age and there are no excuses. and passionately opposed city and county' official intheirefforts to bringaprivate prison facility to the area. As early as last March, the local news media has provided front page newspaper coverage as well as radio information regarding all aspectsofthe proposal. Public meetings were held which provided abundant information and a public forum for discussion. It s okay, in fact, it is absolutely necessary, that in a participatory representative democ 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 withhold a name by the letter is request if the nature 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. if Prison would allow community to progress Dear Editor, Growth should be a priority for Roosevelt. In response to an article from Feb. 9, concerning the purposed prison. rd like to add my thoughts concerning employment, pny udice, and again growth of Roosevelt. There have been negative comments about the prison. May I ask you citizens who are looking for work a few questions? 1) Who want to turn down $10 an hour or $19,200 a year. A starting salary! 2) Which business will turn down $2.5 million dollars being spent in Roosevelt? 3) Would there be any growth for Moon Lake Electric? Or Uintah Basin Telephone? Would there be a need for more employees? 4) Would our Hospital grow? 5) Who would like 135 newly trained police officers in our area? With all this progress to gain; what could we do for our children? Thee is now a limited choice of recreation for our city. With the tax revenue coming in, could Roosevelt gain with a larger library? There is one thing a person can count on in life and that is change. The way the change has been going for Roosevelt is not good when all you see are gas stations. "And with change comes progress! r k ill vote fas Progress , Myra Gooden Sather Camp follower asks what about forgiveness? Dear Editor, I am a Camp Follower. Yes my husband is in prison and I live in Gunnison. It hurts me that so many people want to judge and condemn those who have family members in prison. My husband did commit a crime many years ago that put him in prison but I Did Not Do It! I am not the criminal, I am a good honest human being. Please, don't stereotype all of us and don't judge us based upon the mistake of others. As for as I know, at this time, the only inmate families living in Gunnison have also lived here for many years. You know, there are families in Gunnison who have had members in prison from time to time over the years but no one knew because the prison was in Draper. We just thought these people had moved away to work and raise their families but I guess having the prison in Gunnison has pulled the covers foralot of people. I wonder if you think we should pack up each fern-il- y and send them away. Are they not welcome in Gunnison because someone in their family made an Uintah Basin Standard Inc. (USPS Ptnodkji postage pad m Roosevelt aid Dwheuie. Itah Published weekly 261 S. 200 E. RookvcH. Lt 64066-3I0- 4 POSTMASTER: Send addms chaiges to die Urtah Bout Staviad m 261 S. 200 E Roosevelt. Utah S4O66-3I0- V OFFICE HOt RS: 100 am. to 100 pm. Monday. 900 am to 500 pm Tuesday thru Fndai Phone Fax 722-414- 0 DEADLINES: For all Nm, Legal Nonas, Classifieds a Advertising, the Dead Unc a Thursday a 5 p m PUBLISHER: Craig Ashby EDITOR: Lericc E Whiling ADVERTISING: Michelle Roberts OFFICE MANAGER: Tracv Wwn.k 646-00- 0) a PRODUCTION: Wntom Aldan Rachelc. May Wert. Luma Stndingcr. A Stacy Meehan Production; Coictlc Ashby. Bonnie Parish. Ksdyn Meyers. Kim Marks Jacee Ashby aid Shania Gilbert CORRESPONDENTS: ROOSEVELT - Teresa Hanuton 722-- 2 J I . ALTAMONT - . BLUEBELL Shaia lee Loertachcr HANNA - Tracy Roberts LAPOINT 454-397- 6: 141-541- Marten McChue 247-237- 5; MONTWELL - Nola Nelson 353-45MYTON -TRIDEli. - Lonsa McKee 247-235NEOLA - Mnndi Taylor 353-475WHITEROCKS - Vugmia Fcrguam 353-45(-4. DUCHESNE - Omnia Gee 73( 2634 Subscription Rates: ! Clip and Send to: Uintah Basin Standard 26SS.200E. I Roosevelt, Utah I 14066-310- 9 la the Uiatah Basin - Yr. S24 2 Yr. S37 Out of the Uintah Basin I I Yr. $36 2 Yr. S56 1 Name I I Address. I CHy V Cosher Cheth mb. Strry Ho Chapter run - . - . - 7 I CANNOT TELL A LIE HOW ABOUT VOUt BILL? Hi I U5619111 A 1 1 E The embarrassment lies in the fact that a company spent over $ 1 00,000 in research and e, far am Kudu .-- factual. decent peopl e. agrarian area with down-homis it However, embarrassing, that at the last moment, area residents resurrected their apparent latent desire for civic participation Letters may not be used to replace Cards of Thanks, or to list sponsors, participants or contributors to a particular event or purpose. LETTERS UXITKl); STATES 9 the many weeks of front line local coverage from both radio and newspaper on the prison proposal for almost an entire y ear. It would be well to ask if the basis of the outcry is gossip or mansofttimesabandonmentofthevirtucsof reason and experience. A particular instance comes to mind during the recent heated and passionate controversy right here in the Uintah Basin. One can assume for arguments sake, that folks here can probably be categorized as possessing reason based upon experience, not unlike any other comparable part ofthe world. This is an utilised to express opinions or to highlight outstanding comments, service ofan individual or organization, or any other worthwhile purpose. m However, it portion of county residents completely missed things. What continues to be utterly amazing, is EDITOR'S NOTE: The Uintah Basin Standard welcomes and encourages opinions from readers in the form of letters to the editor. Letters may bit Q I j error in judgement? If you read the local papers, yot will notice, there is a fine line be tween those who work end thorn who live at the prison. An office went to prison for sexually abusinj the children hie wife babysat Social Worker who teaches angei management clasaea at the priaoi waa arrested for beating the tar out of his wife. A Lt was arrested foi physical child abuse. The eon of t Lt, arrested numerous times fin drugs. A son of a Psychologist at tht prison, arrested for auto theft. nurse, in desperation to make somt fort money to help ua get caught u ton our tithing arrested-buy- )! dnigs to takaipto.lbepripoo, jityi you read in the Salt Lake Tribunt about the corruption of the officer! and administrators who work a) the Draper site? It'a all about choie es and some of those good people mode poor choices but there an many good people who haven't don so. How can you honestly blamt inmate for the criminal acta of some of the people who live in this valley' Say, if you were called to go into tht prison aa a religious volunteer, dc you think it would rub off on you! Would you become e criminal too? 1 could to on and on but what is the print? All of my life, I have been taught the principles of love, repentance, and forgiveness by the people who live and teach (both school and Sunday School) in this valley but I have learned the hard way that it is only talked about, not lived. If you worship the same God that I do, you must know that you are required te forgive all people. Once a man haa served his sentence and paid the debt that society required ofhim, do you or anyone else have the right to continue punishing them? What about forgiveness? Sincerely, Kathleen Olsen Setty, Moab Questions motives of those fighting prison plan Dear Editor, Aa a person who sees daily the frustrations of people who are struggling to feedtheir families, pay bills and generally just trying to keep themselves afloat, I felt I needed to respond to the negative publidtj about having a prison facility in Roosevelt. Even though the decision has been made by the city council to no) accept the proposal, added to the fact that tha company withdrew it interest, I hope that does not close discussion on the possibility on ani future interest in having any kind of prison in Roosevelt. So, on behalf of those who became excited at the prospect of jot opportune ties in our own backyard' I question the motives of those wh were against tha prison proposal. Many of the arguments against th prison seem to be, at best, self serving and irresponsible and at worst, a complete denial of peoples right and needs to be able to be gainfiillj employed, therefore becoming and having the ability t give back into our community. One of the letters that reel!) caused me some concern was th one from J. Rulan Anderton published in last weeks paper. 1 found this letter to be selfish and very short sighted. I suggest that next time someone asks him what peopl are like in the Uintah Basin, h could try being honest with them. The people of the Uintah Basin ar Consolidated Dispatch reports 604,592 total transactions for 1998 By Mary Wertz The Uintah Basin Consolidated Communications Center reports that dispatchers handled over 6,000 calls in 1998. The 911 dispatch center, which serves Duchesne, Uintah and Daggett counties, is strtfed by 10 dispatchers and is located in Vernal. Consolidated Dispatch contracts with 40 agencies including law enforcement, ambulance, state lands and forestry, State Corrections, State Parka and More than 25,000 phone books to be delivered The new US WEST Dex Vernal yhite And Yellow Page wQl b6 ''mailed to homes and businesses throughout the Vernal area beginning Feb. 9, with delivery continuing over the next two weeks. We are committed to making the phone directory that handles this region handy, useful and tha best available resource kit for shop-pen- , says Pam Norman, spokesperson for US WEST Dex. Community Pages provide attractions, events and general-intereinformation unique to this area. Tha maps will get you where you want to go. The Plume Service Pages answer questions you may have regarding your phone service. Area codes and consumer tips are included, too. The Index behind the Yellow Pages section makes finding what you need easy. The US WEST Dex phone book delivery will run through Anyone who does not receive a book or needs additional copies should call US WEST Dex, Inc. at Area residents can also order phone books from nearly anywhere in the world from Paris, Texas to Paris, France, by calling 3 The Directory Source at 1(800) ext. 350. st 422-879- - 422-879- the same as anywhere else, some good, some not so good, and some who are downright evil He might also tell them that many have joba and are able to support their families adequately or better. Then he could tell them that many more would like to have jobs to support their families, with something better than minimum wage. Another suggestion is, he could tell them how more than 1,200 families consistently need the services of the Duchesne County Food Pantry far emergency and supplemental food. As for comments made by others about families moving in to bo by their imprisoned family member, bringing trouble with them, there are many people in the Uintah Basin who have family members in prison. Many are good, honest, decent people and wantingtobe nearby for convenience of visiting, does not make them undesirable people. We need to look at the big picture and embrace the opportunity toexertiee our love and compassion, both for those who are in our community and those who may choose to come here. Whet her it be i prison or some other ind iwtiy , growth is inevitable and it should be encouraged. People who come for whatever reason, will just be variations of those who are already here, some good, some not so good and some who are downright eviL Thera are many of ua who are up to the challenge. So next time the opportunity present itself, lets get it right for all our sakes. Sincerely Lesley Ilamston Director Duchesne County Food Fantiy Recreation, Bureau of Land Management, Division of Natural Resources and the U.S. Foreet Service. Calls to 911 in 1998 totalled 12,017, down from 1997s total of 12,418. These emergency calls are usually incidents in progress where fire, medical or police services are needed immediately. Administrative calls which are and such aa Wal-Ma- rt calling about a shoplifter, were also down in 1998 from 1997. In 1998 a total of 269,381 administrative calls were relayed compared to 291 ,595 in 1997. The state computer waa utilised more in 1998. This computer is used to conduct transactions which usually request information from the Motor.Vehiclf Qjxwofc Tbim.r driver license checks, warranto: fors cy arrest checks, or to find out to whom a vehicle is registered. Incident calls were also up in 1998. Incident calls are any call that requires service, such as keys being locked in a car. Most 911 calls in 1998 were logged in the hot summer months of July and August followed by March and October. Calls numbered from a low of 859 in November to a high of 1,311 in July. "Usually July ia the highest month, said Laconna Davis, Dispatch manager. It ia k peak time for tourists there are two holidays and we do a lot more for Daggett County. Dispatchers take calls from citi-ten- s, dispatch calls on the radio and they input information into a computer system which keep a record. - Dispatch rsazanaduty 24houra flax days a mrmL 'aitf nm Suspects in home invasion robbery arraigned on charges Two Vernal men, accused of forcing their way into tha homo of a Hancock Covo couple and threatening their lives while robbing them, appeared in 8th District Court on Monday, Feb. 8 in Duchesne for arraignment Steven D. White, 22, formerly of San Joae, California, and John T. Williams, 20, were both given attorneys. Williams will be represented by Joel Berrett. Duchesne County public defender Randy Kinard wifi represent White. A preliminary hearing is tentatively act for March 1. White and Williama both face first-degrfelony counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated kidnaping and third-degrfelony counts ofwitness tam-peri- court-appoint- ed ee n. The men were arrested shortly after the robbery aa they were headed east on Highway 40. Items allegedly taken in the break-i- n were recovered in their car. White ia the former handyman of County Commissioners receive appointments for 1999 By La m Stndinger the victims, Boyce and Kathy Garvin. White and Williams, allegedly dressed in Halloween masks and brandishing weapons when they forced theirway into the home west of Roosevelt, bound tho couple's wrists and anklet with tape and demanded money and jewelry. They got away with $105 cash and some credit cards. No one was iijured in the break-iBoth men remain incarcerated in the Duchesne County Jail. n. July 4th celebration held on 5th Fourth of July activities in Roosevelt will be held this year on Monday, July 5, since the 4th ia on a Sunday. This is the 8th Annual 4th of July Celebration sponsored entirely by Roosevelt city. The Great American Outhouse Race will beginatS:30p.m. on Main Street followed by the Parade at 6 p.m. The Program will begin at 7:30 p m. at Constitution Park and fireworks at dark. Concession stands are available for organiations.To sign up for the Program, contort Pat For all othStringham at non-prof- Tht 1999 Duchesne County Commission Reorganization and Assign- ments designated Commissioner Larry Ross the responsibility of overseeing the Revitalisation Board, the Childrens Justice Center Board, the Library Board, and tha Health Department Rom will oversee Buildings and Grounds, as well as direct public employees Karl Tri-Coun- Mott, county building inspector, Clayton Chidester, Planning and a Zoning; and George Adams, Management director. RoMwJliemainCcmmiaaionChaii man. Commissioner Ted Kappen is assigned to represent tha county in the Uintah Basin Association of Governments, and n tha Hospital Board. Senior Program, Revolving Loan Fund, Workforce Services, and Mental Health Department Kappen will also direct Jack Woods and tha computer depart- it 722-253- 4. er information, contact Beverly Hansen at 722-341- 1. UBIC to feature Friendship Feast, & marriage seminar ment There are two new events planned lor this year's UBIC. The Ute Tribe Business Committee and Roosevelt City Council have committed to a 'Friendship Feast at noon on Thursday, July 29 the opening day of the three-dasummer festival. If enough sponsors can be found, the feast will be free of charge. The feast will include Native American entertainers and a performance by Miss Utah, said UBIC President Perry Taylor. Maxine Natcheea will aenro as chairperson forthe event Commissioner Guy Thayne ia assigned the Duchesne County Fair Board, the EDD k RC&D Boards, the Uintah Basin Association of Governments, the Uintah Basin Strike Force, and the EMT k h Board. The Public Works Department and the Land Fill and Weed Department will be administered by the whole commission. tho works for the UBIC. The event will be held in the evening and will include a dinner and dance, along with an informational seminar on how to strengthen your marriage. Therewill he a charge for this event. The time and date have not been set. More information on both events will be announced later. y Die-patc- - y A marriage symposium is also in |