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Show T Pge T I OPINION 1 - December 5. 2QQQ Uintah Basin Standard Strike Won boards control policy. Communities help define standards. Parents help, or at least should help, support the policies and standards so their kids can learn. Lawyers choke the system by creating legal road blocks, filing suits that As this is written (Monday, Dec. 4, a.m.), word is that the Duchesne District official the teachers are not supporting the Utah Education Association strike. Good for them! It was the right decision. TheofficialUEA statement cites the reason for the strike as the legislature's failure to develop a long term plan for education. Most rational folks would say a long term plan sounds like a good idea. Most nurses, law enforcement, oil field workers, factory workers, farm- demand the rights of the individual receive more consideration that the right of the students as a whole to receive an education. Pieces to the solution of education's dilemma must come from each of these groups. They will not appear simultaneously. Improvements will be implemented that will beget and the system will evolve. Creative teachers will lead the way with help from administrators dedicated to helping students. ers, clerks, newspaper workers, would also like in to have long term plans effect, but they dont either. Education has not been singled out in Howwouldastrikehelp?Byraisingaware-ncss- , getting tlie attention of the legi slature? Or that regard. There is no denying that education and educators face many problems. The inescapable part of a viable solution is that there are would it drive wedges that would then have to be overcome, taking time and resources better suited to the education problem that affects everyone: Johnnie still can't read. many players in the game. The legislature controls the money. Administrators and school the many programs administered by Trying to locate BuckyJack for hero award UBAG and a budget of $3.5 million. There were a few facts not men- The Carnegie Hero Commiaakm haa aaked the Standard to help locate Buck? Jack, of White rocks. Buck? acted quickly and selflessly to aid the victims ofacar accident last summer. Jeff Dooley, an official with the Carnegie Hero Commission has tried unsuccessfully to contact Bucky. If anyone knows where Bucky can be reached they are asked to call the Standard so he can contact Dooley at the Carnegie Hero Commission. EDITOR'SNOTE: The Uintah Basin Standard welcomes and encourages opinions from readers ini he form of letters to the editor. Letters map be utilized to express opinions or t comments, to nigiie hi outstanding , service of an individual or organisation or any other worthwhile purpose. Letters may not be 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 w HI be published unless they contain libelous or defamatory statements. We reserve die right to withoulJ a name by request if the nature of the letter u 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 pm.) All letters becomeroperty of tfie Uintah Basin LanisDastrup Grandparents helped make their day UBAOG Board failed in duties by firing director Dear Editor It seems the executive committee was meeting regularly but with out inviting Curtis to attend the meetings. Apparently, the composition of the committee changed without anyone telling Curtis concerning these . changes. The article in the paper outlined Tlw tioned in this part of the article. When Curtis was employed as executive director, the budget was 1.4 million dollars lees than the 3.5 million it is now. Thia increase was due primarily to the new programs. Self-hel- p housing and the Foster Grandparent Program, both of these pro-gracame to UBAG during Curtis term as director. These were grants that required a gnat deal of work from everyone in the office. These were team efforts. Another program developed during Curtis' term was the building of a house by prison inmates, directed by UBATC personnel as well as personnel from UBAG. This program received national recognition and gave UBAG some very positive recognition, something that hasn't happened for some time. Various programs funded by the state with state money and pass through federal; money, have been increased because of the improved image and relationship. One such program is the Home" program. Two years ago UBAG received $2&jOOQ, this year the program will receive over $300,000; all of which Will be spent in the are improving low income peoples homes. I guesa he UBAG board, or at least some of the board members don't want UBAG to succeed. Thia would be a travesty because with a budget of 3.5 million dollars that would be turned over 4 to 5 time before the money leaves the area; the loss to the economy would be over 15 million dollars. Some people have a hard time seeing the forest for the trees. It is hard to understand why an employee is terminated and given no reason when the image of UBAG has been imprisoned locally, nationally and on a state level. Dear Editor, We would like to express our gratitude to all the grandparents that took the time to come and spend the afternoon with their grandchildren at the Duchesne Elementary Grandparents Day held on November 21. We feel it waa a great experience for all the children and those who attended. We appreciate those that traveled and supported us in our project. A special thanks to: Duchesne Elementary principal Mr. Arko, the Uintah Basin Standard Inc. Penodwri pasip paid S Ronsevck aid Dudmnc, IM (USPS 646-90Published weekly 261 S 200 E.. Roosevelt l'u(i 14066-310- 9 POSTMASTER: Send sddreM chatfes to the Umuh BmSundad 200 E, Rowevek. Utah S4066-JI0- 9 261 OFFICE HOURS: 1 00 am to I 00 pm. Monday, 9 00 a si to 3.00 pm Tuodev (hr Fndxy 0 Fax Phone DEADLINES: for ell Nevx, Lcfil Notes. Clamifiedi A Advatwng. Sic Deadline n Tfeundm a J p m PUBLISHER: Crai Ashhy EDITOR: LctJcc E When ADVERTISING: Michdle Robert OFFICE MANAGER: Benue Panel! PRODUCTION: Wrilen; A Idea Rachels Prodnet m, Cokftc Adi by, Andrea Hwpcr Nathan Ashby, Anunda Jenkins. Km Mjrkj aid Shauns Gilbert a i CORRESPONDENTS: aid Send to: I Clip Uiatah Buis Standard I 268 S. 200 E. I Roosevelt, Utah I I I la the Uintah Basin I . J IYr.S24-2Yr.S- 37 Out of the Uintah Basin I 84066--3 1W 1 Yr.S36-2Yr.S- 56 I Name. I Address. CV-- . Car or Chrck m Zif4, onto. Snmv Vo Charwrs tow S" Dear Editor, According to the article in the paper concerningmy termination executive director of UBAG, I am supposed to know why I was terminated. At thia point in time, I do not know why I was terminated. At the UBAG board meeting on Nov. 9 the executive committee, after about 1 Vi hours of discussion by the UBAG board in an executive session, called me into Commissioner u at UBAG. I asked the three: Uintah County Commissioner Harrison. Duchesne County Commissioner Thayne, and Manilla Mayor Dickenson, "What was the reason or reason's for my termination. They wouldnt tell me, all they said was that UBAG is an "At Will' employer and they didnt have to give me any reason for my termination. After returning to the general board meeting, none of the other board members would give me a reason nor would they look at me, they all looked at the table or the floor but not one would look at me nor give me a reason. According to Commissioner Thaynee own words, earlier in the summer, the attempt to find some reason to fire me waa nothing more than a witch hunt and be wanted nothing to do with it. Most generally if you have an employee that isnt doing what they should or what you would like them to do, you work with that employee to work out the problem. In June of this year the UBAG Board established an executive committee. The purpose of which was to work with me on some co nee ms they had. This wis to occur race a month. We had a meeting at the inception of the committee and one other meeting a month later. I was never contacted again about any more executive committee meetinp. The things they were concerned about was that I hadn't sold by business. Basin Livestock. and that I wasn't spending enough time in my office. I began spending more time in the office which is hard to do when you have to be to various meet ingaround Lhe area as well as out of the area. I also sold my business Sept. 1 and haven't been part of the business e except for working on Saturday new owner. I had other people doing my farming and there ia a misconception thatlownBuchananFesd That belongs to my son. Curtis Daatrup More Christmas color in area Hi Subscription Rates: Dastrup: No reason . given for termination help-inglh- Teresa Honrntos ROOSEVELT - Shan ALTAMONT ; BLIT 9 HANNA LAPOINT lac Loertscbcr 454-397- 6: Tracy Roberts 141-541MONTWEIL - Note Nefcoa 353-454-4. Marine McClure 247-237- 5. MYTON . ; 0. TRIDELL - Loras McKee NF.OLA Mondi Tavk 353-475- 3. WHITt R(X KS 4. DUCHESNE Ortnda Gee Vefmia Ffffuenn 353-45- f I Duchesne Elementary ataff, the lunch ladies, our principal Mr. Young and our teachers for their support in giving us this opportunity and helping making this prqject a great success. Sincerely FCCLAMembera Carrie Hill Delaney Mecham Kirk Killian and Mra. Ellen Hill, advisor decorations? Dear Editor, What is Christmas? What is it all about? Where do wo get our spint of Christmas? Well, the first two questions every, one should know the answer to and I am not going to preach to you about it. What lam going to talk to you about has been bothering me for a few year now. Its about the Spinl of Christmas or I should say getting into the Spirit of Christmas. The stores, TV, newspaper aids, radio commercials Just about hear or see tells you that you must buy, buy, buy. Whai kind of Christmas Spirit can a person really get into by listening to and seeing all thia hype. Christinas is about Faith, Family, and Traditions. I dont know about you, but the first two I have and am very thankful for. It is the last me I am really worried about. How many of you have childhood memories of what used to be and wished they were still here? Try making some of your Christmas presents and see the look on the persons face light up when they receive it. Everyone says they dont have the time anymore, that life is too fast. Hey, who makes it that way? We all have control over how fast or slow we make our lives. If there is something really important to you, I know you would find a way to make time for it. If there is ever a time for important things and slowing down, it is at Christmas time. There is one tradition that I miss extremely especially nowadays and that is the tradition of color at Christmas. I go through Heber, Duchesne, and Myton to coma home and I see the traditional warmth and happiness of color. When we go to Vernal we see color. The spirit oPlhe color is Christmas. W. don't have that same feeling town. The snowflakes on Main Street are nice, but they make you think of winter, not Christmas. They need color! Christmas ia color! Look at Santa's suit or the Three Kings' outfits or Josephs robe. Are they just white? No! I am sure our children and the mere hanlsofour towns here in the Basin would love to see us have more spirit. Dont you? I am willing to adopt a couple of snowflakes ami replace the lights with color. How about someone else joining me? How about the businesses adopting the snowflakes in front of their stores. Im sure it cant be so expensive it cant be done. And I will also help decorate the Christmas tree on Main Street like it waa when I was a kid. What happened to the kids at school making ornaments to put on the tree. Are we afraid of a little litter from them bio wingoff onto the ground? So please, Roosevelt City, can we have some help? Cant we make the snowflakes different colors so that we can show at least some kind of Christmas Spirit? I know I am not alone in asking this. Everyone 1 know complains about no color on our streets at Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Thank you. Terri McMurray SAT scores low, but RMS heading in right direction Dear Editor, Student performance on recent SAT is certainly a matter ofconcern, but I'd like to mention soon really positive things that are going on at Roosevelt Middle School. While my window" into that echoolaprograms is limited, this is what 1 am seeing: Achallengingscience program for 5th grade so challen ging that parents may complain a little, but now wonderful to see the children learning a variety of scientific in formation, along with learning how to FIND needed information in books or on the Internet! Homework that makes sense in that tha materials have obviously been taught in the classroom, with homework serving the purpose of not merely an opportunity for parents todo the teaching. Efficient and timely review and grading of assigned work, with resent home andor posted on the ports Internet so that parents dont have to wait for a report card to find out how their students are doing. Especially important is the indication of assignments NOT HANDED IN. A parent can find out why, and seek to remedy condition of failure to complete work in the allotted time or feihirr to grasp the concepts taught Finatly, I see at least one child who Search of Family Traditions In How do you ... celebrate the holiday season? i What ia it that makes Christmas and New Year's celebrations unique for your family? Maybe it's a Special act Of service anonymously undertaken each year during the holiday. Or, it could be a Christmas Eve with friends and family. Maybe its a standard routine that the kids can count on each Christmas morning. It could be Ihst your traditions are related to a special food or homemade goodie. For your family, tradition may the involve sitting around the table in the summertime, busily preparing handmade items to deliver to friends end relatives in December. Perhaps it is an annual party or midnight outing that is counted on by family members aa a way to greet the New er Year. I - . t in n. ar VI VftsAJkJ The holidays are upon us once mors and iu time to compose the dreaded Christmas cards. Twenty years ago I loved pulling offthe cellophane enclosing 20 glossy cards that wished folksaMmy Christmas and Happy New Year, and setting about the task of penning ape greeting to our friends and family . Back then there were always a few cards left over and it took just on book of stamps to cover the postage. When our Christmas correspondence spilled from one box to two, I adopted the idea of writing a form letter and copying it off. It seemed a bit impersonal at first, but just signing; Love, the Mechama," under the tamped holiday wishes from some dispassionate printing press seemed worse. Second, a friend agreed that it was not only a good idea but highly practical and aha would follow suit if I did it first Today form letters are the norm, though etiquette specialists shudder at the very thought. To me thats like denouncing washing machines. Who in the heck wants to return to the old washingtuba and scrub boards?The answer aeems simple to me, "Write the letter." But I never realised what a difficult task it would be to turn our very mundane life into something worth reading about year after year. It's such a shame we ha ve friends who get promoted each year, aummer in Europe, are regularly invited to the governor's mansion, who have recently paduated with their masters and talk about the days when "we ewe struggling, when the most exciting thing we did all year was buy a new refrigerator m. on credit. I always start with green paper. Green forenvy (itsaChnstma color, too). I avoid talking about our professional lives, tha school's honor roll and the fact tha dog had to be put to sleep. Good holiday wishes hold good newt, so I focus on the positive, surl-ingo- ul with good blood pressure readings, our new academic pursuit learning the Window 95 program and the fact that noons in our family was arrested recently. I thumb through last year's calendar and highlight a few important events; root canal last February, $495, spread field manure in April, Bos Maybe your family tradition ia a very new one, just being formed. Or, it could be that your family tradition ia that has been steadfastly handed down from grnenilion-to-generatioWeareeskingour readers to share their favorite family traditions with us this year for publication in our 2000 Christmas edition on Dec. 22. Those who submit stories that are printed will be presented with a two-yesubscription to the Uintah Basin Standard. The deadline for stories rrcoupt-in- g holiday season family traditions is Wednesday, Dec. 13. Be sure to indude your name, address and phone number with your rntry. Spend aome time together aa a family recalling your family traditions and share them with us! a kit ofhotnework! wuiwut whining or complaining; committed to "getting it rirfit," and proud as can ha si hen the earns good grades! Tha test scores may not yet be where w want them, but I think Mr. Manningand hi staff are tobeenthu-siasticall- y commended for moving thing along in the right direction. Sincerely, Barbara A. Smith Lagoon trip in July (1U7 degrees, forgot Dratnamine) and oil change October 15, five quarts Penn roil 10-4-0 weight Then we top it off with the mushy tuff which is only 50 percent accurate "aura wish we were together thia holiday season (not including your kids), hope the New Year brings happiness and prosperity (like you need any I, and our hearts are with you always (this card is proof). Signed, "With love. The Mochams." communicaToday computer-ag- e tion makes it possible to our holiday messages to distant friends, saving the cost of a stamp ... something new for etiquette specialist around the globe to stew shout. As for our family, form letters are juat one of those beloved holiday traditions that well always cherish. Oh, one more thing to add! That new refrigerator of ours sure has a lot of shelf space, too! to host information meeting BLM On Wednesday, December 13, the Bureau of Land Management Vernal Field Office will demonstrate how to access information about lease, righu-of-wamining claims and other burrau lands and minerals records information using tha Internet. There will be two sessions; the first one starting at 2 .00 PM. and the second beginning at 6 00 PM. Both will be given at BLM Vernal Field Office, 170 South 600 East be no charge for the sessions. Seating is limned to 80 persona and ia made available on first oome, first serve basis. There will 4501, or by iUCSokofehv'.' ot bin; p.y, The BLM established a web from which the public can now v print, and downkiad information I the agency's LR2000 data ham. web ait e may be found on the Inte t an,i u signed to provide aroma to m land and minerals record infoi tion. In general, if something it signed a ULM case recondition n her, such at mineral leases, mm material sake, mining claim rights-of-wainformation ahoul available through this Internet s He. The demonst rations at the 1 Vernal Field Office will be oriei to those who have internet sore, |