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Show OPINION Page 2 - January 9. 2W1 Uintah Basin Standard Waiving to Good-By- e School Funds No bigdcalj ust sign the papcrand Jack and Jill dont have to pay school fees. Itdoesntrcally cost anybody anythi ng and mom and dad save money. Yeah, right. There are big lizards with wings that fly and spit fire, to. There are no fee wai vers. It costs money to do things in school, at home, on vacation and everywhere in between. The fees arent waived, they are transferred. The money has to come from somewhere and in the case of fee waivers, the money comes from taxpayers and the students who do pay fees. The only waving that gets done is waving goodbye to $25,000 at Union I ligh alone thisyear. School administrators readily admit the program isabused. Applicants are essentially taken at their word because no one has the time, or access to records, to check the information submitted. Someofthoseapplyingrcfuse to fill out the forms completely, omitting information they don't feel like writing down, stuff like assets and income. Rather than offend anyone, the waiver is usually granted as a matter of course, with that direction coming from the state. Try getting money anywhere else without filling inall the blanks! Fee assistance should be available for those with a real need. Every kid should have the chance to get an educatioa The process needs to be fairto everyone, including those who pay the bills. School administrators need to follow the guidcl ines in place and refuse to waive fees for those who dont comply. They should know they have the backing of the whole educational system when they follow the procedure. The second part ofreforming the system is teachi ng kids that to be responsible for themselves. There are few high schoolers who arent capable of earning the money for their fees during the summer. Work may be a four letter word, but it is one dvery kid should learn. Moon Lake announces District Nominating Meetings this month Consolidating the Debt You've gotten the notices in the mail, right? Consolidate your payments with one new loan, spend less each month and reap the benefi Is of the extra cash. Duchesne County pays a tremendous amount of money each year to fund schools. Its time to consolidate the debt. The economy ofscale represented in the Duchesne 0 report is County School Districts 1 be to too striking ignored. Union I ligh School will spend $3,8 8 per student this school year. Tabiona will spend $7,081, Altamont $5,470 and Duchesne $5,068, a difference of $3,263, $1652, and $ 1 250 respectively per student to produce the 999-200- 1 same product. The inescapable fact is that larger schools opportunity for the same money. Administrative costs are reduced. Maintenance costs are reduced. Redundant staffpositions are eliminated. More money is available to spend on learning opportunities. There is no denying the aesthetic and community appeal of smaller schools, but at what cost? Change is inevitable. It is often feared by those who think more in the past than die future, but change is the only way to make any situation better. Paddling the educational boat in circles isnt getting it done. It is time to look at real change in Duchesne County s schools, time to offer our kids the educationand skills they need to enter an ever more technicaLwork place. 1 to help improve soccer program and encourages opinions from readers in the form of ? letters to the editor. Letters may be jj to express opinions or utilised S comments, to highlight outstanding service ofan individual or organisation. or any other worthwhile purpose. Letters may not be used to replace Cards Thanks, or to list sponsors, yof : participants or contributors to a particular event or purpose. LETTERS CONTAIN 4IX) WORDS QR LESS. BE TYPED OR WRITTEN : LEGIBLY. SIGNED. AND INCLUDE : NAME. ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF THE AUTHOR. Letters will be published unless they contain ; libelous or defomatory statements. We reserve the right to edit letters and to Z withhold a name by request if the nature I of the letter is positive. Letters may be ; submitted to the Standard office at 268 - S. 200 E., Roosevelt. Utah, 84066 by the I I published deadline (normally Thursdays at 5 INI p.m.) All letters become property of the Uintah Basin ' Standard. TN Dear Editor, Recently I attended a Roosevelt City Council meeting to discuss the issue of soccer. Lindon Dye, who coordinates recreation for the city was there as well as myself and other concerned parents of soccer players. The mayor and city council members were positive and supportive of improving the quality of tlie citys soccer program. While Mr. Dye admit- ted there had been problems with this years scheduling, he was frank in saying that many previous attempts to improve the program had not succeeded in the past. It was mentioned that other sports programs have been improved by creating a parents board to take on the organization of that sport. As I see it, the upshot of the meeting is that if we as parents of soccer players want to have a better program for our children, we are going to have to get behind it and make it happen. Roosevelt city has neither the personnel nor the money to hire the personnel to run a program at the level we as parents would like to see Uintah Basin Standard Inc. Periodical postage pud Roosevelt and Duchesne, Utah 268 S 200 E . Roosevelt. Utrii 84066-310- 9 POSTMASTER: Send addics changes to the Uintah Basin Standard at 268 S 200 E . Roosevelt. Utah 84066-310- 9 OFFICE HOURS: 8 00 a m to I 00 p m Monday, 9 00 a m. to 5.00 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday. 1. Phone Fax. 722-41DEADLINES: For all Ncs. legal Nonces Classifieds A Advertising, the Deadline is Thursday at S p m PUBLISHER: Craig Ashby EDITOR: Lezlce E. Whiting ADVERTISING: Michelle Roberts OFFICE MANAGER: Bonnie Parrish (USPS 646-90Published ecll K Dear Editor, CORRESPONDENTS: Subscription Rates: In the Uintah Basin . Yr.S24- -2 Yr.S37 Out of the Uintah Basin I 1 Yr.SJ6- -2 Yr.S56 1 Name Address ath Zipti. Sanv So Charges andev-erythingth- j will begin at 7 p.m. Members who reside within the District where aboard vacancy exists are invited to attend the nominating meeting and participate in nominating individuals for the position of director. Nominations at a meeting of a Member District shall be restricted to no more than four individuals by a majority vote of members present at the meeting. The Need information on Duchesne County Dear Editor, I have been assigned a report for school. I am in fourth grade so this year I study Utah counties. I have been assigned a report on Duchesne County, so please get me anything, you can on your county. You can il me at zdog771hotmail.com, or mail me at: 833 North 325 East Brigham City, Utah 84302 Thank you so much from Sam. E-n- at Santa Claus sends greeting b thanks ROOSE VE LT Teresa Harmston ALTAMONT - . BLUEBELL - Shana Lee Eaiertschcr 454-397HANNA - Tracy Roberts 848-541- 7; I.APOINT Marlene McClure 4; MONTWELL - Nola Nelson MYTON -- ; 247-235TRIDELL Loma McKee NEOE.A - Mondi Tavlor 353-475- 3; WH1TEROCKS - Virginia Ferguson 4. 4 DUCHESNE - Ormda Gee' Cash nr Check happen. Yet, if we pull together I fully believe we could make a great difference. Mr. Dye pledges his support of assisting a parents board to improve the soccer program. The mayor opened the city building as a location to hold meeting to organize such a board. So, parents of soccer player, Iguees it's up to us. It is a lot easier to whine and complain then it ia to get in there and fix it. One comment that was made was "Youll find that then are a lot more parents who want their kids to play ball than there are wiling to help support the program. In a way, they are right. I would certainly rather sign my kids up, Bend themofT to play, and just sit back and watch the game. But to do that, wed be living in a bigger city (with bigger crowds, worse traffic, crime goes alongwith all that)! We are here by choice and part of living in a community with leas crowds, is that there are fewer resources for things like this. Since this is where I'd rather be, then I need to accept this part ofit, too. Ifl want my children to have the great soccer experience that is possible, I need to do my part to make it happen. I know that are other parents out there who feel this way also. We will hold a meeting Jan. 16 at 7 p.m in the Roosevelt city building to organize a parents soccer board. Iencourage all parentsofsoccer players toattend. If many hands are willingto help.it will not be an overwhelming burden for anyone. Ifyou read this let ter, you can do your part to help by spreading the Thankyou, VelindaW. Mitchell PRODICTION: City members living in and around Rangely, Colorado, will meet in the Johnson Banquet Room at CNCC in Rangely. Each nominating meeting word! Writers. Aldnn Rachele Production. Colette Ashby. Andrea Harper Nathan Ashby. Amanda Jenkins, Kim Marks and St.auna Gilbert Clip and Send to: I'intah Basin Standard 268 S. 204 E. Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 Duchesne, Randlett, Myton, Arcadia, Bridge land, and the Bouth section of Hancock Cove, will meet on Monday, Jan. 22, at Myton Elementary. On Monday, Jan.15, District 7 istimetoconsolidateoureducationaldebtload and reap the benefits. Parents are needed The Uintah Basin cludes area in and around Ft. 1 can provide equal educational opportunities for students at a lower cost per student than smal schools, or in the alternative, provide more EDITOR'S NOTE: I; Standard welcomes Moon Lake Electric officials have selected Jan. 15, 22, and 23 aa the dates for this years Director Nominating meetings. District 4 members, which are those members living within the boundaries of Roosevelt City, will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Moon Lake Electric headquarters office in Roosevelt District 5 members, which in- Ho, Ho, Ho! Im back at the North Pole relaxing with Mrs. Claus after the long night of leaving toys and presents around the world on Christmas Eve. While I was in the Basin, I enjoyed all of your holiday decorations. We would like to thank all of the children that left goodies out for me, and give s big thank you to all of the post offices in your area for getting all of the childrens letters to me. A special thank you to the Roosevelt and Myton post, office for their extra help, and thankyou to the Uintah Basin Standard for the article in the paper, lettingpr rents and children know that they should include their return addresson their letters. It sure did help a lot. WE would like to thank all our basin elves for their help. We hopeyou all have agood year and remember, children, I am watching every day. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus Teen seeks oppor- tunities for service, voluhteerism Dear Editor, I am on a mission. I want to change our worlds views of teenagers by proving that they can contribute to our society in wonderful ways. I need your help. I am organizings bulletin board and web site at Union High School for students to quickly locate service and volunteer activities complete with descriptions, locations and contacts. I want to encourage any readers who are aware of services, which responsible and caringyoutha opn perform, to let me know. You ad adults have the responsibility ofallowingus these opportunities, because someday we will be the citizens that make the decisions and support change. Because we must be the change we want to see in the world, it is important for youth to become active contributors to their communities at an early age. Please call me at Thankyou Katie Duncan 722-473- 6. During his entire 47 years In office, Herbert Hoover turned over eech of hie Federal sslery checke to chsrity. He hsd become Independently weelthy before entering politics. director candidates will then have approximately twelve weeks to cam- paign in preparation for the Cooperatives April 12th Annual Meeting. Grant J. Earl, Moon Lakes General Manager, stated that directors are elected for threeyear terms and meet twice each month to transact the business of the cooperative. At then meetings, they adopt policies, approve budgets, rates, operating rules and regulations. Candidates that are nominated will be voted upon at the April 12th Annual Meeting by members who reside within the District where elections are beingheld. Those members residing in Districts 4, 5, and 7 will receive a ballot mailed March 2. Members may return their ballot by mail or vote in person at the Annual Meeting of Members, which will be held April 12 at Union High in Roosevelt Earl encourages members living in Districts 4, 5, and 7 to attend these imoortant nominating meetings. Roosevelt Refinery information meeting to be held Jan. 10 Roosevelt city will host public information meeting regarding possible future plans for the Roosevelt Refinery. The meeting will be held Wednesday Jan. 10, 7 p.m. at the Roosevelt Crossroads Community Center. Kent Hatfield of KHI, Inc. will be the guest speaker. He will be educating the community on the benefits and drawbacks ofhaving an etha nol plant in the KHI ia the engineering firm that has been working for the past several months on the feasibility study and business plan for the Refineiy.They will specifically address thefeedstock issue asit relates to theUintah Basin. Potential feedstocks include corn, barley, and other grains. This meeting will be especially informative fertile local agricultural community. KHI has been working with the local extension agent offices to ascertain the local current and potential feedstock capacity. The publics input and information at this meeting will be greatly appreciated. by Cheryl Mecham I never knew one simple, moderatelChristmas present could spark so much debate in one household aa a satellite dish until ours was installed. Its not the dish itself or the cost of programming, because theyre cheap. The problems stem from the shows themselves, because I refuse to believe in aliens, Bigfoot or sea monsters. Ifl lived solely with women there would never be a debate because women are not highly interested in such things. Wed watch the home and garden channel! and romantic movies. Theres no way a smelly old Sasquatch ia going to compete with Brad Pitt or Harrison Ford! But, boys is a different matter y-priced roof-mount- They say the pyramids are more ancient than the Egyptians no one knows how tiuy got here, one son says to another, his voice all mystified and reverent. "Have you heard of slave labor? Isn't that whatyou accuse meof when I ask you to take the garbage out? I quip, restoring reality to the picture, or so I believe. "No, listen, he goes on. "There's one where they found this opening that was so small no person could get through, so they put this robot them-selvesa- through on wheels with a camera and on the other side the corridor opens up bigger and there's a door that is sealed so it cant be opened from that side, the boy continues. They are both in deep thought. Now Im completely disgusted. Oh come on! So what does that mean? It's probably the room where they sealed in the dead Pharaoh's dirty laundry. Probably some weird Egyptian law prohibited the garments of royalty to be touched so they just puton new clothes every day and it's a huge pi le of tuniesand silk robes with wine stains and bits of date stuck to them. Has anyone thought of that? I snort. Thats when a mask of tolerance and mutual understanding fells over their faces. They must believe that if they patiently persist, oneday I'll see the possibilities. Anyway, so there's this plaque written in Egyptian characters in one pyramid that says the secret of life is in a room under one of the pyramids, so they used a sonic detector and found evidence ofa huge room under They are spellbound. This has gone too far. "So, according to the purported evidence ...THEY think some kind of little green Martians made nwsteri-ou- s corridors and rooms. Forwhat?So they could hide papyrus scrolls with instructions to contraptions inside? It has happened. They have grown weary of the unbeliever. "Okay, how do you explain the massive earth sculptures that can only be seen from the air, built longbefore aircraft was ever invented? Art, appreciated from the mountain tops! I dont know. All I know is that belief in Martians is unreasonable to me. I dont care if people have sighted UFOs! I don't care if there are weird designs cut out of farmers fields, and cows come up missing their eyelids and udders. How many people do you know that have ever communicated with an alien? Why cant you just open up your mind to the possibilities?" they plead in unison. "Because there are too many possibilities. You start believingin aliens and Bigfoot and sea monsters, and then its gnomes and fairies and creatures that hide under city manholes and under the bed. There are ghosts and goblins and vampires, talking hamsters and the theory of evolution! Now Ive got them, so I go on, "There are those of us on this planet who'd like to believe there some order to this uni verse! And, I can tell you that in myvery longlifetime Ive seen enough dirty clothes to fill an entire room, but Ive never come across a little green man," I conclude, my chest heaving. Never have I been in auch rare form. They fall silent, perplexed, I am sure, by the significant depth of my intellectual argument. Then one asks the other, "So what's on tonight? TV watching has never been this stimulating before, thanks to technology. Earthly technology, I might add. anti-gravi- ty |