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Show T T OPINION Pm, 3 April 6. 1999 -- ; Uintah Basin Standard i i Attacking the Teen Pregnancy Problem In Uintah and Duchesne counties, from 7, there were 171 reported births of to teen girls ages 15-- 1 7. those births where to uned mothers, who vill 1993-199- One-hundred-- face many problems physically, emotionally, finaiwially.arvd socially, but mostofalL, there is the personal tragedy ofthe arrival of a child into a world w here it may not be wanted or loved as every child deserves to be. Not only are teen births a hardship for young parents, they result in tremendous costs to society.Tcen mothers aremuchmore likely to be unmarried than in the past. The fathers are unlikely to prov ide support Teen mothers are much less likely to graduate from high school, and therefore, have very limited earning potential. Their children score lower in mathematics and reading recognition and in reading comprehension. These children are also much more likely to be school dropouts. Tiose fault is it? Is itthe fault of the boy about the parents, the schools, and girl? Are the churches? they to blame as w ell? Is it ' movies and society's fault, because ofR-rate- d does it and books? television happen and Why could it have been prevented? Who should pay the cost of this ignorance, the child? Numerous private agencies, state and local government agenc ies, churches and schools are involved in addressing teen pregnancies and lock births. But attacking this problem out-of-w- ed requires more thanjust focusing on prevention of teen pregnancies. Teen pregnancy is one risk factor closely associated with others, such as: household, being being bom in a single-pare- nt poor, and having parents with low educational attainment. With continued effort from federal, state and local governments, from many private agencies, churches, schools, and most important, parents, continued improvement is possible. The savings in tax dollars could be enormous. How ever, the greatest benefit is that the number of children could be reduced, and conversely, the number ofteenagers having brighter futures than raising children in poverty would increase. at-ri- sk 1 When u lota of money coiningthein.county the oil cam in it EDITORS NOTE: The Uintah Basin Standard welcomes and encourages opinions from readers in the form of Utters to the editor. Letters may be utilised to express opinions or comments, to highlight outstanding service ofan individual or 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 articular event or purpose. Lh 1'lfcRS MUST CONTAIN 400 WORDS QR LESS. BE TYPED OR WRITTEN LEGIBLY. SIGNED. AND INCLUDE SAME. 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 request if the nature of the letter is positive, and to edit Utters. Letters may be submitted to at 263 S. 200 E., Roosevelt. Utah. 34033 by 'the published deadline (normally Thursdays at 5:00 pm)All letters become property of the Uintah Basin Standard. to a special person A tribute gave lota of income from the property tax on drilling riga and other aenricea that came with it Rulon Andeiton waa on the county eommiaeion and he disagreed with the other two commissioners. They wanted to cut property tax, and Rulon eaid that people have money to pay taxea ao let'si make the county roads. I had been active in politico at that time. I ran for atate aenate but didn't feel bad about toeing aa my opponent waa expected to be the next governor. I won two of the five countiea and Ducheanc County gave me nearly all of their votee. Rulon naked me to contact aome of the people I thought would help him get the job done and he finally d. Rulon waa a nice man and a hard worker. He had a large family and got than a good education; he farmed and ran cattle until hia eyes went bad and then he add out hia operation apd.jnqved ,t4 the Waaatch IVont. I tor one want to thank him for hia accomplishments, and aa all of ua drive on the paved roada, leta give a thought of thanka to him. Respectfully, Vic Brown The truth or a lie? Dear Editor, I am writing thia atory for the sake of people who weren't living at the time ao they may have aome appreciation of thing that happened in the past that changed our live. Uintah County had the asphalt on the west of Vernal when they were able to pave the roada in the county. In Duchesne County the only paved road waa Hiway 40. Hardly any other roada were graveled ao tire chains were standard equipment. When you crossed the county line you would see paving start. In the west end of Uintah County it came a little slow, but Ashley Valley waa practically all paved. I am sure that where most of the population lived and the plant waa close. I had a heart attack in 1984 and since that time my wife and I enjoy traveling all the backmada in the Uintah Basin and wa find that nearly all are paved. When the oil boom came, the mjor oil companies leased practically all of the land thia aids of Vernal. The way it turned out a lot of the land didnt have oil, but they paid good money for leases ao there Dear Editor, If something is not the truth, in my opinion, it must be a lie. When wa asked for the names and addresses of the companies who wen participating in the bid pro- cess for locating a prison in Ducheanc County, the county commission responded with, We dont have that information Some time later it was discovered that this same commiaaion had signed a resolution giving exclusive support to one ofthe bidding companies mouths before we requeeted the information. As a result of the information not being given to ua, and being assured that the issue was dead, wa did not pursue initiating a referendum on the issue. Now wo learn that the issue is not dead, but that if the company wishing to locate here is awarded the bid, it is a dm deal. If we had been allowed the referendum, everyone would have known exactly how the entire voting population felt about it As it stands, those of us who arc against it have been denied our right to participate in the decision-makin- g process. 1 call on the Duchesne County Uintah Basin Standard Inc. Periodical portage pari St Rooscwcfe and DucSeme. Uufc (USPS 646-900- ) Published weekly at 261 S. 200 E, Roosevelt. Dlrti 44066-310-9 POSTMASTER: Send adihera changer to Ac Uintah Batin Standard at 261 S. 200 E . Roorcvctt. Utah 44066-310- 9 to I 00 pm. Monday. Phone 900 am to 3 00 pm Tuesday thru Friday. PRODICTION: Writeis. Aldnn article. Mare Want Lema Stradinger. It Stacy Mediant Production; Colette Ashby. Bonn Pamth. . Kariys Mcycn. Kim Mks iacee Ashby and Shaun Gilbert CORRESPONDENTS: ROOSEVELT - Teresa Hannston 722-231ALTAMONT - ; BLUEBELL - Shaia Lee Locrtschcr 434-397- 6. HANNA - Tracy Roberts 444-341- 7; LAPOINT Maricnc McClure 247-237- 3; MONTWELL - Note Nelson 333-434- 4; MYTON -TRIDELL - Lrnna McKee 247-235-0; NEOLA Ntnndi Taylor 333-4- 53 WHITE ROCKS - Vvgmia Ferguson 333-434- 4. DUCHESNE Ontria Gee 734-26- Subscription Rates: la the Uintah Basin - Yr. S24 2 Yr. $37 1 Out of the Uintah Basia I 1 Yr. SJ6- -2 Yr.S56 1 I Name. I Address. I City .2ip4. CuherChrcanlv. SerrvSaCkiners j a atop to it, he said. Leavitt said Associated Press Gov. Mike Leavitt says the courts should resolve his power struggle with Attorney General Jan Graham, despite the coat to taxpayers. Leavitt said ha knew from the outset the issue of who decides what civil lawsuits the state will file would wind up in court. Your Would I like it not to bo? Yes, Leavitt said during his monthly KUED news conference last Thursday. There will be some expense involved in (the lawsuit), but its a Dear Editor significant policy question. Utah Thia is written for the boy who taxpayers will pick up the legal bills used the ruae that ha needed to use for both aides. The contentious dea bathroom ao he could gain access bate surfaced late last month ea to the back room of Superwash, on Republican lawmakers pushed abill that would give Leavitt sole Saturday, April 3, at about 5 ao he could steal ten dollars ity to decide which civil lawsuits the if .state would file. The bill ..waa .the office oa hia way out.. Did you do it on a dare to show rushed through the Legislature with your accomplices how smart arid two Republicans breaking ranks in vote. Leavitt gutay you are, or were you showing an otherwise party-lin- e them how? Or was it a gang initia- signed the bill last Tuesday, altion? When you returned to the pick- though a provision .which Repubup they were waiting in, (tha ahe licans see as a concession delays with the tinted windows), did tlfiey its implementation until 2002, afcongratulate you and give you high ter Graham, who doesn't plan to seek another term, ia out of office. ! fives? Graham said she will challenge When you look in a mirror arc you proud of the smart boy yod the law in court and plans to fils a think you see, or are you ashamed suit before June, so voters casting to look at the face of a liar and a ballots in the 2000 election know if thief? theyre voting for "as attorney genYour accomplices are not friends. eral or a rubber stamp Its going to be decided, ultiThey are your enemies! Enemies will encourage you to lie and cheat, mately, by the courts, and thats to ruin or waste your life and do the where it ought to be, said the gov- kind of things that can land you in , ernor. Under the old law, the guver-jai- l and attorney general had to or prison, or to be lesa than yotf-mo- r could be. Friends are those who love agree to file a lawsuit If tha attoryou enough to want the best for you, ney general did not agree a suit who hope you will grow up to be the should be filed and the governor best you can, who are willing to persisted, he could seek outside question what you do, to restrict counsel. Leavitt said the new law you when you do wrong, or to insist merely defines the attorney generthat you live a productive and hap- al's client as the state officers, and py life that you can be proud of ii makes it the attorney general's responsibility to accede to the clients' your later life. Parents, police officers, school wishes. In other matters: .The governor teachers and other authority figures are your real friends. You are reiterated his contention he did not known by the company you keep,; know about tha bribes and cash Think about it young man. You have payments given to International two hands, two arms, two legs, two Olympic Committee officials by tha eyes and a brain to control them1 Salt Lake bid committee to help with. The greatest of men have had secure the games. I wish I had no more, and soma have had even known before. If I had I'd have put leua. It is your decision. Do you already have a police record, or are you working on getting one. Do you look over your shoulder every time you see a police officer, wondering if he is ready to arrest you? Or ia that something you still have to learn to do? To thoos who read this do you know this boy? He is about 15 or 16 years old. He is about 5'6 tall, solid built, but not fot. He has brown hair and a round face. Hie parents apparently take good care ofliim, aa There are times when everyone he waa well dressed with clean neat needs an edge in a conversation. clothes. Is he. perhaps, your friend, or a brother, or a son? Do you know The following facts may be just what where he was at the above time, end you need for just such an advantage. who he was with? An ostrich's eye ia bigger than Reid Goodrich its brain. Attendant Superwash The cruise liner, Queen Elizabeth II, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel it burns. Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older. Thirty-fiv- e percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married. The worlds termites outweigh the world's humans 10 to I. When Heinx ketchup leaves the bottle, it travels at a rate of 25 Wilfred Benltex Is the youngest anles per year. world ehampkm In boxing hisOn average, 100 people choke Ho waa 17 12 whan ho won tory. to death on ballpoint pens every the light welterweight title In Ms year. horns country of Puerto Rico In In 10 minutes a hurricane re1976. leases more energy than all the world's nuclear weapons combined. friends arent your friends p4, ' talk ideas Fax. 722-41DEADLINES: F all New. Legal Nonces. Clawfic A Advcttomg. the Deadline Thmday 3 pm PUBLISHER: Craig Ashby EDITOR: Lczkc E. Whiting ADVERTISING: Michelle Roberta OFFICE MANAGER: Tracy Womack Clip and Send to: lliatah Basin Standard 268 S. 200 E. Roosevelt, Utah 840660109 Governor addresses dispute with Graham, Olympics & polygamy More table OFFICE HOURS: 400 am. Commiaaion to correct thia injustice by rescinding Resolution. If they refuse, then maybe thia is the time to tender their resignation. Since two of eommiasionera are officer ii' Jh Church, I challenge the CYftrch to either justify the telling ofthese untruths, or explain to melhow I can give testimony as to 4he Church being true. These men have violated the laws of the Church and the Bible, and I ask that the appropriate actfon be taken. 1 Keith Coleman . that while ha may have met with IOC members chUdrenwho received scholarships from the Salt Lake Olympic bid committee, he did not make tha connection between the children, the scholarships and Salt Lake's bid. T knew nothing about scholarships, ho said. "If we had connected up the dots we might have gotten to the bottom of this process sooner.'SixIOC members have been thrown out of the body for accepting payments from Salt Lake bid members. Leavitt said the state is not in a position to say if the IOCs action was adequate. Leavitt said ho vetoed a bill that would have used proceeds from the state's lawsuit against mqjor tobacco companies to eliminate a tax on hospital .slays because he. doesnt think the tobacco money should be spent piecemeal. lts a real opportunity, he said. You don't get a chance to spend $836 million on health-relate- d issues very often and wa ought to use it carefully and that's why I'd like to see it all debated aone time and not sliced up in little pieces. Leavitt said he plans to call a special legislative session when the state finds out how much money it will receive and when to expect it. Despite Idaho and New Mexico rejecting the proposed Western Regional Primary, and Arixona Republicans also resisting the idea, Leavitt said he still expects five ed . states Montana, Wyoming, Utah, In a story in last weeks Standard on tha Public Hearing by the Utah Task Force on Racism gave the incorrect impression that the B1A police searched and harassed a young Native American giri accused of shoplifting. The BIA police were called by the girl's family, but did not harass or search the giri. Colorado and Nevada to make the primary a success. Its still going to be 150-plu- s delegate votes, ssid Leavitt "With candidstcs already scheduling campaign trips to the area, its safe to say we already have more eay than before. The governor opposes an effort by Rep. David Zolman, to erase the etates constitutional ban on polygamy. Zolman says legalising the practice, outlawed when Utah received statehood in 1896 but still practiced among Mormon splinter groups, would bring the polygamist groups out of the margins snd into mainstream society. Leavitt disagrees. Polygamy ia against the lsw," he said. Tt ought to be. Bf priMrri Mm M I fll Census Bureau Predicts Population of 8 Billion by 2026 The Associated Press The world's population, nearing 6 billion, will climb to 8 billion by 2026, the Census Bureau ireports. The total will reach 93 billion by 2050, the agency projected in a re- port released today. The growth of human population has been, ia now, and in ths future will be almost entirely determined in the world's countries, the Census report said. It concluded that 99 percent of natural increase the difference ocbetween births and deaths curs in the developing regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America. By early in the next century, deaths will exceed births in the mors developed nations and all of the net growth will be in developing countries, tha report added. The world's age structure also will shift, becoming progressively older. by Cheryl Uecham Since Eqsterjuat passed IVe been thinking about how 1 celebrate holidays and how other people do. It really boils down to tradition. When I waa a kid my father pretty much left holiday planning to my mother, who wasn't very enthusiastic about any one of them. She did, however, like birthdays. When I turned seven my mother baked round cakes and stuck plastic doll in the center of it. She then commenced tosmear pink frosting from its neck down over the cake. At once the monstrosity waa transformed to Scarlet O'Hara. I was impressed. So was my mother, I have several pictures of myself wearing a party dress proudly posing with tha dolly caka. Luckily I waa too young to be embarrassed when we cut off slabs of the dolly's dress and left her naked and smeared with frosting and caka. Mother bathed ths dolly and gave her to me a couple of days later. She wae dressed in a frayed scrap of fabric tied around her midriff secured with a small safety pin. She had lost her birthday glamour, and wax just another doll. There ia hardly anything more than Christexciting in Kid-dumas. The day after Thanksgiving -one of those boring grown up holidays, we'd beg for a Christmas tree. It wasn't that mom didn't like Christmas, she loved the spirit of the holiday, but, aha didn't enjoy the extra work involved. So we'd trim the tree and she'd help us make a few Christmas cookies and aha waa done. Of course she had spent weeks shopping and wrapping, but that's one of those grown up secrets wa didnt know about then. When I was very little, mother would buy me a drees complete with an Easter bonnet, lace stockings and ahiny leather shoes. It was a short lived tradition though. One Easter, momenta before we were to leave for church I derided to visit the barn yard ... and slipped. The beautiful outfit, even the stockings and shore were forever stained. Now that I'm one of those boring s I still love holidays. But, what ia it I love? I spend lota of money, work my tail off getting the house ready and cook and cook and cook, and have tons of people over and by the end of the day I am really wiped out Then it take me a week to recuperate. What is it? I don't think it'a the holiday itself that is meaningful, but the reasons we Arid to celebrate it that ia important. That ia what my mother handed down to me, the significance of the day, not the way we celebrate it Tradition? I guess so, but the tiona would be meaningless without the meaning. grown-up- Poor |