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Show T OPINION Pane 2 - June 2ft. 2X) Uintah Basin Standard Turmoil is Not Productive the commission. This appears to be the only explanation fortheeventsthathavetranspired. A bid that was rejected is suddenly resurrected and awarded to a company that did not have a businesslicense in thecountynoranoffice prior tothebidbeingawarded. Bonding requested in the original bid suddenly is not required Commissioner Thayne says you can not get a bond for this type ofbusiness? The Uintah Basin Standard recently received a letter to the editor from a con- cerned citizen that addresses issues going on within the Duchesne County Commission that the Standard has previously brought to the attention of our readers. The letter was not signed by the writer, presumably for fear of retaliation. The Standard has chosen to edit and print the letter. From the outside looking in there seems to be a great deal of unrest within county government. County employees say morale within the Office space is given to Sherrick Computers in the old county complex so they have a place to assemble the computers free ofeharge. county has nosedived. We have questioned why county commissioners have done things Duchesne County Commissioners also gave them $70,000 in advance since this company previously unheard of in tlieirbiddingprocess. We would like to see our county commissioners get to the root of these concerns and had no funds to purchase tlie equipment needed to fulfill their contract. Why has the County Commission put these people into business when they cant seem to make iton theirown? Now they accept another unsolicited proposal to take over the county computer department by Sherrick Computers for more than take action. Dear Editor, Ive stood by watching our new county comm ission flounder as they try and get their feet under them. It appears to me this may never happen because the appearance is similar to what Uintah County has put up with for a number ofyears: commissioners who have a personal agenda align with one another and $ 1 90,000. Does the proposal have details in itasto what they will provide and no financial analysisofthe proposal is reviewed to see if it really is cost effective? The commission says they feel it will save the county up to $60,000 ayear, this information came to the commission by Sherrick Computers. In reality it will probably cost the taxpayers $60,000 to have Sherrick Computers take over the department. Another concern is with over $ 1 90,000 spend county dollars to accomplish their goals, while pretending to be conservative. Theonly voiceof common sense we have is Larry Ross, but hes the odd man out and seems to be shunned by Thayne and Stradinger. Its amazing that one new commissioner can cause so much turmoil within the county. Commissioner Thayne now has his true colors being spent why has this not been put out to bid? Again why would the commission go out of their way to put and keep these people in business? Something is terribly wrong in the rooms numbered 1 thru 4 at 734 North Center showing and with Commissioner Stradinger by his side. They are jointly causing fear and trepidation among the employees and departments overseen by the commission. Common sense seems to be a thing ofthe past. The whole atmosphere in the county complexes changes for the better when the two commissioners are Street in Duchesne City. Has the time come to have a change in county government? I feel that this may be the only way to keep this type of corruption from happening in the future. Common sense has a better chance of staying in the forefront when outofthe building. As this computer mess has taken shape with the new commissioner on board, Im surprised that Duchesne County has not been taken to court for the improper bid practices being used by the commission. It isobvious to all that ifthe competing vendors forthe com- you have seven county council members instead ofthree county commissioners making decisions affectingour tax dollars.Uintah County citizens have had enough and a proposal is before the electorate in Uintah County this fall tochange'the form ofcounty government from a commission to a council. Maybe we as citizens in Duchesne County need to consider the same to protect us from what appears to be a new way ofdoing business in county puter bids would file in court they would receive part of the just compensation they have coming. The manner in which the commission is acting towards Shcrrick Computers is aploy to put an individual in charge of the computer department who appears to have something on Court cases have The jury awarded Ms. Liebeck $200,000 for economic loss (medical loss expenses) and (pain and Buffering.) However, because the jury found Mr. Liebeck 20 percent responsible for causing her own injury, the jury reward was reduced by 20 percent to $160,000. The jury also found tliat the overriding cause of Ms. Liebecks' iryury was the outrageously hot Had the coffee been even 20 degrees cooler, the likelihood of an injury as severe as Ms. Liebecks would have been remote. The jury awarded $2.7 million in ic been misrepresented Dear Editor, For the last week, I have heard the recent case in California against Philip Morris compared to the tempera-tureofthecofle- Lets get the McFacts right about the McDonald's case. It is possibly the most misrepresented case in the entire liability debate. In 1992 Stella Liebeck of Albuquerque, New Mexico spilled scalding McDonald'scolTce in her lap. The coffee was served at about 185 degrees Fahren heit or about 45 degrees hotter than the coffee generally served at home. Ms. Liebeck suffered third-degre- e burns in her groin area that required skin drafts. She asked McDonald's to puy her medical expanses, about $20,000 but the fast food giant refused a forced a trial. Th punitive damages against McDonalds, (representing two days ofthc companys coffee sales,) as punishment for disregarding its customers safety. Thus, we hear the continued public out cry that the little lady received millions for spillingcoffee on her self. No one ever tells the rest ofthe story, which is that the trial judge later reduced the punitive award to Uintah Basin Standard Inc. IerkxJicdl postage paid a Roosevch and Duchesne, Utah (UNIS 646-90Published weekly al 268 S. 200 E.. Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 POSTMASTER: ' a Send address changes to the Uintah Basin Standard 2fX S 200 E.. Roosevelt. Utdi 84066-310- 9 OFFICE HOURS: 8 00 a m to I oo p m Monday, 9.00 a m. to 5.00 p m. Tuesday thru Friday. Fax: 722-414- 0 Phone DEADLINES: For all News I egal Ni.'kcs. Classifieds & Advertising, the Deadline is Thursday a 5 p nt PUBLISHER: Craig Ashby EDFIOR: Ledee E. Minting ADVERTISING: Michelle Roberts OFFICE MANAGER: Bonnie Parrish PRODUCT ION: Mnters. Aldon Richcle, Katie Nelson, Thcrena Morrill Production Colette Ashby, Andrea Harper, Amanda Jenkins. Kim Marks and Phyllis Fowler Subscription Rates: 268 S. 200 E. Roosevelt, Utah Name . Address C'iiv 84066-310- 9 ! 37 Out of the Uintah Basin I 1 Yr. S36 2 Yr. S56 - . 8. CLARIFICATION The Division of Family Services and the Bureau oflndian Affairs Law Enforcement agency a Iso have representatives on the Children's Justice Center 7.ptA. Cash or Cheek ivA. Strtv So Charges j A change in the fiscal Year 2001 2002 pay schedule for Roosevelt City Council does not represen t a pay raise for the five Council members and mayor. In fact, the elimination of a health insurance benefit actually means a pay cut for the council. In the new fiscal year budget adopted last week, city council members will receive a monthly wage and annuity of $650, and have no option of health insurance. Each council member had their own health insurance and did not need the benefit Previously, the amount they received in annuities rose in proportion to the amount the city would have paid in health insurance premiums, however, the amount they receive in annuities will be frozen. City Council member Beverly Hansen said the decision to do away with the previous benefit option which allowed the five City Council members and mayor to chose to have their health insurance premium paid, or take an equal amount out in an annuity is expected to save the city -- money that will go towards raises tor employees. All city employees will receive a five percent pay increase when the new budget takes effect July 1. In addition, the city will pay the full cost of increases in insurance t premiums for employees. Last year, the mayor got $1, 055 a month, and the City Council got $655 a month if they took the annuity and wage, explained finance director Mike Davis. This year the mayor will receive $1,050 a month, and council members will each receive $650, a $5 pay cut from the previousyear. However, for the 2001 - 2002 fiscal year, the change in the benefit package means a $50 drop from what they could have expected in their annuity as it kept pace with rising insurance premi- urns, 'Ifthey had not made the change, their wage $150 for Council members and $550 for the mayor would always styy the same but the annuity rose along with health insurance. This year they froze it, explained Davis. "We did that to set an example to the community and as a good will gesture to the employees. It will save the city some money," said Hansen. Red Cross issues call for 500 volunteers for 2002 winter games LI The American Red Cross is seeking volunteers for the 2002 Olympics. First aid station and disaster relief workers are asking for 500 volunteers to help out in Salt Lake and Summit counties during the Games, especially evenings between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m. Red Cross volunteers will not be a part of public safety or medical crews operating inside the Olympics venues, organizers said, but workers may be asked to help out at the torch run. ilM I r ii'lll the medals plaza and during other outdoor events. "No matter the language spoken by visitors, the one gymbol they wall look for in an emergency is the Red Cross, said a recruitment statement issued Monday. The reliefgroups Greater SaltLake Area Chapter also said it was inter- ested in finding medical professionals not already recruited by official Olympics organizers to donate their time at first aid stations. Volunteers should call for more information. Spell Check I m By Of UUMTBR. Multi-Disciplinar- y Cheese doodle Citi- Roosevelt Police are offering a reward for information leading to the recovery ofabrandnew swamp cooler that was taken from a business at 400 East and 200 North on Friday, June 8, sometime between 2 and 5 p.m. Anyone with information should contact the Roosevelt Police Department by calling Central Dispatch at 722-455- Ib the Uintah Basin 1 Yr.S24-2Yr.S- By Lezlee E. Whiting Correction Reward offered for missing swamp cooler ROOSI.VIT.T - Teiesa Harm Mon 8. ALTAMONT - ; BLUEBELL - Shana Lee Loertsehcr 454-397HANNA - Tracy Roberts LAPOINT Marlene McClure 5. MONTWEI I. - Note Nelson 4, MYTON - ; 353-475NI Ol.A TRIDFLL; Mnr.di Taylor MIIITERIXKS; DUCHESNE 4 Ounda (ice raises for city council members Liebeck. Both the McDonalds case and the Eye halve a spelling chequer Boeken case in California against it came with my pea sea plainly marques four my revue Philip Morris have been claimed as It "outrageousawards. Do we not trust Mass steaks eye kin knot sea. the verdicts ofthe jury? The decisions Eye strike a key and type a word are based on weeks of heard testimoand weight four it to say nies. Bothjurore must have been outWeather eye am wrong oar write raged at the industrys misconduct. As in the McDonald's verdict the It shows me straights weigh. trial judge, on appeal or in a postverdict settlement can also reduce As soon as a mist ache is maid the Boeken verdict. With the Tobacco It nose bee fore two long And eye can put the error rite Company the hazardous product remains on the market and its sales Its rare lea ever wrong. continue to benefit the manufacturer. Eye have run this poem threw it McDonalds reduced their hot drinks temperature and put warnings on I am shore your pleased two no Its letter perfect awl the weigh the hot drink cups. When serving on a jury you take My chequer tolled me sew. the evidence shown and render a verdict for the ftill magnitude of the damages shown. And if the law and the evidence showed a verdictofgreat magnitude due, you would not hesi- tate to render it. Twelve strangers on each case have The father of Landon supplied the veracity, the integrity, and the decency to a system that ShurtlefTis Wade ShurtlefF. A story in works. Twelve people much like you last weeks Standard stated otherand I and much like what was done wise. The Standard regrets the error. 2,000 years ago. LaRee Miller Executive Director of the Utah zens Alliance For Safety and Accountability. CORRESPONDENTS: Clip and Semi to: Uintah Basin Standard e. $480,000, after which the parties entered into a confidential settlement with a gag order placed on Ms. City budget does not include Task Force. These two agencies were n'it listed in a story in Iasi week's WE"RE CALLING ON YOU TO EDITOR'S NOTE. The Uintah Basin Standard welcomes and encourages opinions front readers in the form of letters to the editor. Letters may lie. utilised to express opinions or comments, to highlight outstanding service of an individual or organisation, or any other worthwhile purpose. Letters may not be used to replace Cards of Thanks, or o list sponsors, participants or contributors to a particular event or purpose. L ETTERS MUST CONTAIN 4i)0 WORDS OR 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 defamatory statements. We reserve the right to edit Idlers and to withhold a name by request ifthe nature of the letter Lx positive. Letters may be submitted to the Standard office at 268 Utah. 84116b by the S. 2IHIE.. Roosei-elt- , published deadline I (normally All Idlers Thursdays at 5:00 p.m become property of the Uintah Basie. Standard. BE OUR EYES AND EARS! There is so much out there! Vast undiscovered territory and weve hardly scratched the surface with thousands of feature stories and news articles. With a limited newspaper staff and somuch geography to cover its no wonder! For this very reason were callingon any and all who are willing to be our eyes and ears out there in YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! Were lookingfor storiesofordinary folks who may do extraordinary things. Have a neighbor who carves teacups with a chain saw? Give us a call! Do you know someone with the worlds smartest goat? Or maybe the neighbor kids have the most elaborate tree hut you've ever seen. We need local stories that illustrate life in the Uintah Basin! Tlie funny thing is, when folks know about something - they expect everyone else knowsit too! But wed like to assure you that just the opposite is true. Thats why were callingon you to pick up the phone, us or drop us a line and let us know whats ha ppeninginyourneck of the woods. Be our eyes and ears and who knows ... the Uintah Basin Standard may just start to grow right before your eyes! JINTAH BASIN STANDARD (22-414- 0 fax business phone TOLL FREE NUMBER jbsnew&(a'ubta.net (68 so 200 east Utah 84066 (22-513- 1 |