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Show OPINION Uintah Basin Standard Control Should Be Left In the Hands of the Community Theres a reason teamsters always hitched have merged where and when it was applicable and practical to do so. The oxen and the mules take turns pulling, all for the common good. Will legislation forcing educational facilities, who are not in as enviable aposition as ours, to the same breed ofanimal up in a team. Mules could pul together. Oxen could pull together. Teams of mules were good for some pulls, teams of oxen better for others. But nobody with any sense tried to hitch a mule with an ox to make an al purpose team. Instead ofthe best ofboth worlds, a teamster would end up going in circles all day because one side of the team would always be moving faster than the other. It seems Governor Leavitt would like to boldly go where no man has gone before. He wants legislation to hitch the ox and the mule together. I Ic wants vocational school experience td count as an associate degree in state colleges. Why? Because allthat vocational time ought to count for something. Gee, wethoughtitdid. It is an opportunity to learn a trade. Isnt that the purpose of a vocational school? Ifastudent wants an associate degree, they go to college. High school kids don't have a problem figuring that out. I come up with overlapping programs serve anyone s needs better than having two entities focusedondifferentaspectsofeducation? A 1 approach means that very few all will end up with exactly what they need and everyone else wi make due with what they get Control should be left in the hands of communities and the educational facilities in those communities. They knowwhat they can and can t do and they are in the best position to 11 assess the needs of their students. They can concentrate on giving students an education that meets their respective college or vocational goals. That is much more important than giving them a piece of paper, an associate degree, that will mean nothing outside ofUtah. We urge the legislature to recognize and respect the differences in programs and communities and not throwanother legislative rock in our state mandated backpack. RooseveltsUSUcenterandUBATChave complimented each other with their presentation ofopportunities for students. Program lines laying "sorry" while praising Chinai efforts to see that of our crew. Our pathetic well-bein- . g reac- tion to this crisis demonstrates that BillClintonslegutoPreeidentBuah EDITOR'S NOTE: The Uintah Basin Standard welcomes ami encourages opinions from readers in the form of letters to the editor. Letters may be utilized to express opinions or comments, to highlight outstanding service ofan individual or organization, or any other worthwhile purpose. 'act Cards ; . 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. Utters will be published unless they contain libelous or defamatory statements. Hi reserve the right io edit letteW hnd Up withhold a name by request if the nature rtf the letter is positive. Letters may be submitted to the Standard office at 268 S 200 E.. Roosevelt. Utah. 84066 by the : published deadline (normally' Thursdays al 5:00 p.m.) All letters become property of the Uintah Basin Standard. Truth vs. words on China Dear Editor, It looks as t hough weve won. Officials inside and outside the Bush administration are hailing Chinas positive response to our carefully crafted letter of regret as validation orthePresidenL'squietdipknuuy. The truth, however, is quite differ- ent. The moral issue in the crisis is being widely ignored. There should be no mistake about the ultimate responsibility for the collision between the American reconnaissance plane and the Chinese jet fighter China is the guilty party. The fad that China poses a military danger to America is what makes our surveillance missions necessary. It is China's status as a potential aggressor that created the perilous situation in the first place. That the Chinese jet was flying so dangerously close to our plane only underscores China's culpability. It is Beyingthat should he conveying since re regret" to the family of the lost Chinese pilot. Instead, it is Washington that is ILS-Chi- tiw na includes more than a foreign policy of accommodation. Bush has absorbed the deepest Clinton legacy, the willingness to pervert language in order to hide from the truth. The moral approach to this situation shoulij be to treat China as the enemy it is by its own statements and actions. An excellent beginning would be the frill diplomatic recognition ofTniwan. We should also ignore b11 objections raised by China against our selling arms to help Taiwan defend itself against aggression. This would reverse the disgraceful policy Dftryingto curry favorwith Be jing by pretending that Taiwan has no moral rights to erdst. And ifChina continues to arm itself in a way that endangers America or if it continues to threaten U.S. allies ifit continues m provide military support to such . memies as North Korea and Arab we lespots in the Middle East iliould even break diplomatic relations with China and then end all rede. China isagrowingdanger to free-lorand it is becoming increasingly imboldened. No matter how hard wr foreign-polic- y appeasers try, they '.annot redefine deadly dictatorsand it is time we recognize hip his fact. Andrew Lewis lost of nationally syndicated radio n, FBLA appreciate community support administration and custodial staff for their support FBLA also appreciates the local community for their help with with ticket and CD sales. Thanks also to everyone who attended the concert. Wehadahuge crowd and truly appreciate your attendance. UBATC FBLA Chapter Officers and Advisors adver-tisingalo- Firing range is creating safety concerns Dear Editor, This letter to the editor ia to inform residents living within one mile of Zufelt firing range. Also to parents of children who attend Russell Todd Elementary andWestJr.HighSchooL A meeting has been called with Uintah County ConAlMdqtfWIttWv enforcement agencies and concerned citizens concerning the safety of the Zufelt firing range. A metting will be held April 18 at the Uintah County Commission Chambers at 7 p.m. in Vernal. Currently the Zufelt firing range has neither a building permit, nor is this area zoned for this type of activity. I have personally experienced a near miss from a bullet projectiles leaving this range and hitting in my yard. This dangerous situation needs to be addressed in the interest of public safety. If you cannot attend this important meet ing, please call or write you county commissioners regarding the safety issues involved in operating a facility of this nature. Sincerely Allen Reyos at concert Dear Editor, The Uintah Basin Applied Technology Center Future Business Leaders of America student organization would like to thank the people of the Uintah Basin for their awesome support of the Charley Jenkins and Jordan Allen Concert on Friday, March 307 The officers and advisors would like to thank the Uintah Basin Standard for the coverage the concert received. We would also like to thank the Administrative Team from the Uintah Basin Applied Technology Center and the Union High School Commissioner defends stand on county property policy Dear Editor, In last weeks editorial, former Commissioner John Swasey stated that he was disturbed that the Duchesne County Commissioners "whimsically failed to follow the goneonrecordinfiillsupportofthat Given the circumstances, the commissioners accepted the land use proposal from the Division of Wildlife Resources with the condition that after a five year restoration prqject paid for and administered by the nWR, the Jandwill be sold back into private ownership, Additinnallv Duchesne County Land Use Board thoroughly reviewed the proposal and adrised the commission to consider the purchase offer. Furthermore, we did not change the countygeneral plan, thats why our action is called a variance. Last but not least, it is interesting that Mr. Swasey would single me out favor property rights. How my stand regarding this situation can possibly be constructed as not favoring property rights is amazing in light of the pulblic record and recorded dialog tween myself and the DWR. Of course, how would John know? He wasnt present at any of the meet- ings. LomaStradinger Ticketing accident victim was insensitive Dear Editor, Our son, Max Richman, was in an accident on March 27, when he hit some was boards on a city road. The truck rolled, throwing him out, and then rolled on him. He sustained a compound fracture ofhis left leg, tore the ligaments in the right led, re ceived concussion brain injuries and has possible internal injuries. He was in shock and incoherent. give your Home afresh new Coot , this spring. CORRESPONDENTS: Get up to $50 back on select Fuller O'Brien Interior or Exterior paint. Nniaimum 2 gilloa purchase Subscription Rates: Clip and Send to: Uintah Basin Standard 268 S. 200 E. Roosevelt, Utah Name. 84066-310- 9 P! In (he Uintah Basin . 1 Yr. $24 2 Yr. $37 Out of the Uintah Basin I - 1 Yr.S362Yr.$56 I BlUEl tSSlBf Jo rises PAINT & GLASS 140 E 100 N Roosevelt, UT 435-722-39- Life-Flig- not (I JSPS KOOSEVH.T - Teresa Harmston ALTAMONT - ; BLUEBELL Shana Lee Loertwher 454-397- 6; HANNA - Tracy Roberts 848-541LAPOINT Marlene McClure 247-237MONTWELL - Note Nelson 353-454- 4; MYTON TRIDELL; NEOLA - Mondi Taykv WHITEROCKS; DUCHESNE Orrnda free 738-263- 4 ht plan, but as often happens in the real world of politics, the interests ofstate and federal governments ttke precedence over local governments or private individuals, whether we like ir or not Had John been at the open work meeting with the DWR and the commission, he would have known that the purchase of the 4900 acres from JJNF Ranches throughNatures Conservancy by the DWR is authorized by the state and will take place whether the commissioners agree or Uintah Basin Standard Inc. 646-00Periodical postage paid al Roosevelt and Duchesne. Utah Published weekly at 268 S. 200 E., Roosevelt, Utah 14066-310-9 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Uintah Basin Standard at 268 S. 200 E.. Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 OFFICE HOURS: 1 00 a m to 1 00pm Monday, 9:00 a.m. to p.m. Tuesday thru Friday. Fax: 722-41Phone DEADLINES: For all News. Legal Notices, dassifieds A Advertising, the Deadline is Thursday at 5 pm. PUBLISHER: Craig Ashby EDrrOR: Lrztcc E. Whiting ADVERTISING: Michelle Roberts OFFICE MANAGER: Ronnie Parrish PRODUCTION: Writers, Aldan Rachelc, Katie Nelson. Thercna Morrill Production: Colette Ashby, Andrea Harper, Amanda Jenkins, Kim Marks and Phyllis Fowler After Max was taken to the Roosevelt Hospital, two city police officers and one highway patrolmen remained with him, who seemed to be treating this as a criminal investigation instead ofas an accident Three officers seemedalittleexcenive, since Max was obviously in no condition to offer resistance or run away. These in officers delayed the Life-Fligorder to have blood drawn. This could have been done after he arrivedat the Salt Imho hospital. Then the police officer leaned over Maxs stretcher and told him he was giving hin a ticket and tried to insert it beside him. The nurse prevented thia and told bum to hand it to a family member. Because ofthe brain trauma Max cant even remember the accident; he certainly would not have remembered a ticket that moat likely would have been lost during county general plan calling for a no let loss policy. The general plan-statethat the county opposes the sale of private lands to government entities unless equal acreagees are returned to private ownership. IfMr. Swasey would have availed himself to the facts, he would have known that all three commissioners have 26 When you hear the crash, think ofJones Paint & Glass ht transport accident This was s Thera was no one else who needed their rights protected by an immediate issuance of a citation, especially since he received another one two weeks later in the mail. Shoving a ticket down beside outinjuredewvss he lay one stretcher being prepared to Salt Lake City, to be was, at best, insensitive. We feel it showed a callous disregard for some-one suffering from potential life threatening injuries, ft is, he what we have come to expect in our Hgalings with some of the law en- force ment of this area. On our return from the hospital two weeks later, the road he wrecked on had been graded smooth, something that should have been done much earlier. Sincerely, Ed and Betty Richman our children attend school. Our request was not meant to cause a problem or hurt anybodies feelings, but simply solve a problem that we have with busing our children to school. The outcome of this meeting has not changed where we . are sending our children toschool, we will send them to Duchesne. What it did change was my personal feelings about some ofthe school board members thatl have known and respected most of toy life. Sheryl Litster . Community needs to work together to support recreation for kids one-vehic- le t Life-Flight- ed Bussing issue was unfairly represented by school board I am very concerned about the lack of investments in our youth here in the basin. I realize that the influen- - theif wtelfrbfeand recTeatioh.1 I' just'"1 wish that they would put some of the 100 of thousands of dollars they have and some time and effort into our basins foture (The Kids). I hear everyone in the basin say the same thingand have for decades. Everyone here in the basin knows that the common man here in the basin cannot afford to do this. So hey instead ofbuildinga (new) club house for the golfers how about fixing that one (which is still perfectly good). If it isnt big enough just add on. It would be alot less money and you can therefore use the money left over to build a facility for the kids to have things to do. The insurance on such a place is unrealistic for just one or two families to run. We need the county to help us get such an establishment going. They are helping these people with golfcoi Dear Editor, I have always heard that it doesnt hurt to try, as of April 6 1 learned that it does hurt to tiy. I with some of my neighbors attended a school board meeting on March 8 to ask a simple yes or no question. The question was, could we have a school bus run past our homes and take our children to Duchesne. As is right now, the bus takee the kids to bus stop to go to Altamont or to Myton. The majority on our road through grants. I am sure they could do the same for the kids, I have children and I am proud to say that thmr have not been in trouble with thela w or pregnant myyoungest will be graduating this yr and will be going to a trade school which I must point out somewhere besides here because we have no mechanic classes here in the basin., .but believe me the percentage of the basin kids who do get into these things is It is the same old problem this basin has had for decades. There is nothingtocal for these Hdi to do with the exception of the bowling alfey and the theater, Thank God far thorn at least. So really what is there for these kids to do? Most ofthe working farms that were here lOyrs ago have folded up so farm work is just about passay (sic). All I'm trying to say and trying to make a point of is that this community including the county seat itself needs to stop and think about getting something going for these kids to do and work just as hard for them as they have for getting grants And other money's going for s new clubhouse. Come on lets think of our kids. When I listen to the news and here how they are getting thousands of dollars for their project it just astounds me to think that their is that much money here in the basin and still these kids are left out Doesnt anyone sea something wrong with this picture besides me? If there is any committee or something I could do to help these kids where I knew it would succeed and that we had the community and the county backing us just let me know . Thank you. Terri McMurray g. prefer to send our children to Duchesne. One of the reasons ia sim ply ell the friends they go to church with attend school in Duchesne. few years ago the school board allowed the bus route to ha changed to allow the parents of Arcadia to bus their kids to Altamont, and we wanted to know ifthe same could be done for us. Moet of us already drive our kids to the church everyday to catch the bus to Duchesne. When we presented our question to the school board they said that they would look into it and let us know the answer at the next meeting. I was not able to attend the meeting on April 5, but what I hear happened appalled me. The school board had went to the Myton school and told the staff things that blew the whole question out of proportion. We hadnt even said anything about the Myton school or its staff in our request, and don 't understand why they were even brought into it. When it was time for the issue to come up to our spokesperson believing that she was going to get an answer was put under fire by many people she or any of the others that was with her didnt even know. The School Board acted very unprofessional in dealing with the way this question was answered. Instead of just saying we have looked into this issue and weean not cross over school boundaries with school buses, they involved the Myton school staff, t ing them that we were sending out kidst Duchesne and it was our fault the student numbers were down. None of our children have ever been enrolled in Myton; therefore, their student numbers are down for some other reason, not because of where Dear Editor, . Article on forest health misleading and inaccurate Dear Editor, One ofthe many wonderful thingB about America is our right to free speech including the right to criti- Continued on page 3 t |