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Show r T T Pace 2 January 22. 2W2 OPINION -- Uintah Basin Standard What Is Right With Kids Today- - Hes Perhaps what is even more incredible about this A Itamont 1 igh junior is that he wanted no notoriety. I hc modest and soft spoken teen was not the one who let the word out about what has turned into a story of such magnitude that it has been spread across the country. The When ycu licsir folks grumbling about kids today," tell them the story of Jedadiah Curry. An unassuming teenager from a small town, wilha fantastic family, who in the faccof serious 1 physical cncumberments, spent hisyouth doing things like earning every single merit badge the Hoy Scouts offered. And at the same time, be sure to tell them that he knew the glory was not his alone. Jed is the first to tell you there arc many people who arc responsible for his incredible Referring tochurch and scout leaders, parents, friends, and people from the community of Altamont, Jed said, "I want to thank all the people who have helped me. Without them there's no way I could havedone this. A Scout can never do it alone." Jed isa truly exceptional youngman. The Altamont youth was recently awarded his 2.3"1 Hoy Seoul merit badge. It's an accomplishment tliat by all accounLshasonly been achieved byahandful of youngmen. Its a feat that Jed tackled at the same time he was shouldering physical challenges that include cystic fibrosis, diabetes and asthma. stringofac-complislimenl- ncwsdidntcomc fromhisfumilycithcr. In fact, when Jeds story first broke hcandhis parents preferred that it focus mainly on his Scouting and make minimal mention of his ailments, mainly because the teen neither wants, nor s. expects sympathy. Hut, as is so often the case ina world where good news is at apremium, the touching story of this hardworking, youngman was told and consumed like medicine fur others battling (ioliaths of their own. For both young and old, Jedadiah Curry is more than just a fine example of youth, hes an inspiration. Others who face daily physical adversity can look at Jed and know that his achievements test i fy that they toucan preserver; those whose have mi physical I imitalionsarc reminded they have nocxcusc to fall short, orever complain. goal-orient- 1 ed Thinking Out loud EDITOR'S NOTE. The Uintah Matin Standard welcomes and encourages opinions from Haulers in the form of letters to the editor Letters may he utilized to express opinions or comments, to highlight outstanding servite of an individual or organization, or any other worthwhile purpose. Letters may not he used to rrilace Cards of Thanks, or to list sponsors, participants or contributors to a event or purjme LL1TLKS Ktcular wyxl..yR TYPED OR WRITTEN LEGIBLY. SIGNED. AND INCLUDE NAME. ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF THE AUTHOR letters will he published unless they ctmiain hbehms or defamatory statements We reserve the nghl to edit letters and to withhold a name by request if the nature of the tetter is positive, loiters mav he submitted to the Standard office at 26H S. 200 E., Roosevelt. Utah, R40M by the UAS, ME published deadline (normally Our fourth grade rM from help. We would like your reekn- - to send ua poMlranlR or letters telling hr about state. Thanks Cor your help, Jour send the information to: Fourth grade U.S.A. Project, GilTord Grade School 188, P.O. Box 70, GilTord, IL 01847. Hanna Mennenger Jane? Out. My eye was now t witchi ng in rhyth- mic spasms. The Ghost and Mr. Chicken? Sorry ... out. Ghost Busters? Noe.H Oil, just kill me now! I cried. No I lalloween movies in the entire store. Old Yeller wouldn't do, and Aladdin was out of the question! Anything without the scream factor would seem like a cheap attempt at our party. People who dont return movies should he put behind bare! I announced as my children led me from the store. It worked out okay, I guess. We took the kids through our haunted woods and as we walked among the trees with one dim flash light we explained that some who walked the woods had never been seen again. The kids got jumpy and by the time we were half way through had broken into interm iltent screams. It was a success. So, where do we gu from here? I dont know. Jail time seems mild. Maybe the electricchair. tnetty nose. when you mess with How about. Something Wicked America's entertainment youre This Way Comes? I asked deeper- - messing with the very heart beating in all of us. 2002 Salary Schedule for Elected and Statutory County Officials ( nmly Commission C fiaimcrson Mcmncr Commission County Assessor County ( ounty Attorney County (.'ounty Recorder ( 'ounty Sheriff County Treasurer JusticcCourt - Fast Side Justice Court - West Side lerk-Audit- IXKhrvc thruuph IK 4. 2n2 Th ounty ( ommivwon minute f By 5 3 .60 $38,875.20 $38,875.20 $43,680.00 $38,875.20 $23,608.00 $30.61 7.60 or Jwufw 1 Annual ulHin effective .'mi I, jyri 71 2S2 Uintah Basin Standard Inc. LSPS M PcfKkta.il povtiff petd M Konervdi tod Dutfe-vne- . Puhtutav! tract ly t 208 S 200 1... OiMKidt, l.'uh 8406-110- 0 ri) POM MAM SR: Vnd iiUitrw vhsrgts in tfie L'tnuS Bift Standard 208 S 200 k . Roosevelt, l ull M0M-1I- t'Uh M OniCCIKNRS: lOGsni lolOOpm Monday. V 00 m to 500 p m. Tuesday Itifu Inday ta Phone 722-41- Df.ADt.IMS: I wall Ncus.la-ita- lawfirdv ! PI RMM4I R: ( ra ( Avhhy ADM RTISIsr;: Kyla AM 4L the Deadline u Thursday at Spin Advent I.DITOK: IjerSet t. Whiting OfllCR MANAGI.R: Bonnie Pamth PRODli 1IOV Wntert. Aldon Rachrfc, Thenrr.a Momtt Production, tokur Aff.hy. Andrea Harpet. Vaktie Winn. Henoch Kyla Allrod and li CDRRLSPOSDtMS: MKJStVf.tT - Teresa llarmwon . Lee Lnmschcr HAKMA Marime McOure MOM ALTAMOM - ; RLL'flHLL Shana LAPtNM Tracy Robert 848-541247-217- 5. WI LL Mota Nctsnn MYTOV . ; - Mondi WHIT I RtX'KS. IXJCMI.SNF. TRIM.LL: lay tot Ormda One 718 2414 722-25- I I I I I I - Subscription Rates: Clip and Send to: Uintah Basil Standard 268 S. 200 E. Roosevelt, Utah 84066-310- 9 I the Lint ah Bavin I Vr.S24-2Vr.S- 37 J Out of the L'Intah Batin I I Vr. S36 2 Vr. $56 I I Address. I Cy. Cask or ( Snrdnsrfr Zip4. fcnaitaiyis e. Musihgs of an Outback Eskimo $36,892.80 S35.692.80 $38,875.20 $60, metliamphet-amin- The two cases were unrelated. David I. Ricketts, 49, Ccdarview, appeared in 8 District Court Monday, Jan. 14, and was ordered to serve a term of five years to life in the Utah e State Prison on a felony count of operation of a clandestine meth lab. Ricketts entered a guilty plea to the charge over a year ago, however, In a deal with the Duchesne County Attorney's office he was allowed to enter a seven-mont- h drug treatment program in Wyoming prior to sentencing. Judge Lynn Payne told Ricketts he was being sentenced to prison because of his past criminal history he was on felony probation for drug-relate-d violations out of Wyoming when he was arrested by the Uintah Basin Narcotics Strike Force agents in August 2000. The case broke when law enforcement officers received a lip that Ricketts may be operating a meth lab out of the garage at his Cedarview home. Ricketts was arrested during a traffic stop prior to the bust and was found in violation of his probation because he had a weapon in the car. In addition police found $18,000 in cash taped to his stomach. During a search of his garage, investigators found meth lab equipment stashed in hidden compartments in walls and rafters. A video surveillance system had also been installed In the garage. During sentencing State Corrections Agent Brad Draper produced an audio tape which allegedly contained recorded threats that Ricketts first-degre- ately. Out. Wlmt Ever Happened To Baby half-a-doxe- n GilTord Grade School ia studying the United Stales and we would like your Judge orders two men to prison for manufacture of methamphetamine the manufacture of half-a-doze- n Student seeks information on the Uintah Basin Separate Cases Involve 2 Meth Labs A Ccdarview man and a Tabiona resident were both ordered to serve prison lime for their convictions on charges that they were involved in pre-teen- Thursdays at S.00 pm) All letters become property of the Uintah Basin Standard. Dear Editor: Lasl week I heard that a woman in Pennsylvania was jailed Tor seven days for not relurninga video she had rented. Ilallelqjah! Finally there is justice in this unbalanced world! A fitting punishment for a heinous crime. Why such a strong opinion, you ask? Because my friends, I have liecn on the victim's side of this sort of criminal behavior. It was a long lime ago, but I recall it just as if it were yesterday (due to the traumata: nature of Hie thing). We were having a Halloween party. s There were lots of young coming and nobody wanted to do not even the Kent A magic tricks Gorilla guy so we decided to rent a video movie. But, it couldnt just be any movie. No. It had to be one that had lots of suspense, a topsy turvy story line, and could really creep you out; minus - slashers, topless teens or cursing. interviews So, after with video store clerks and logging preview hours on mild I lalloween movies, I asked that Lady in While be put on their reserved list the Saturday before Halloween. You can guess what happened. No movie. A very negligent member of our video store hud failed to return lady In While, and the video clerk hadn't been able to reach them, even during the ten attempts I insisted on as I was standing there drumming my fingernails on the counter. Probably at a I lalloween party, the clerk jested. Thai's when that vein started pulsating wildly across the bridge of my 002 wwwkorry5carroofl3.com j ri nTBS&w I believe someone, somewhere has put a curse on my daughter, Sara, and 1. It seems the harder we work at fixing things, the worse things get. I ll just run through a lint of a few of our undoings chronologically. Last summer I spent hours in the heat was it ever anything else but hot last summer? loading trash from the pasture into my horse trailer. I was so hot and exhausted when I swung out of the pasture, I didnt even notice I took the gate and its support post with me. Weeks later while I was ratcheting bolts into the newly cemented post (next time I lake out the gate 1 want to know it) the ratchet slipped and hit me firmly in the mouth. The nice little scar on my lip serves as a memento of the curse. Just before fall I tried to convince Sara tohelpmepaintlhefamily room. Obviously, she is more in tune with the curse than I, for she argued that yellowofT-whit- e dirty walls in a multi-ton- e hue were good enough for two klutzes like us. She finally succumbed against her better judgement, and just as she declared she was the best inter in the world she extended r reach te roll the last bit of paint onto theceiling, she fell olTihe ladder and onto the mantel, which immediately fell to the floor. We managed to reinstall it just in time to bold the nativity and Christmas stockings. After hauling hoses around the place for moat of the cummer, we celebrated when we finally discovered how to turn on the water to two distant faucets. We were pulling out C Cum Colin of our long drive for the weekend following this discovery when we noticed water flooding the drive entrance from a broken pipe attached to one of the faucets. Sara managed to ruin our other water source by pounding a metal poet through its main supply pipe while fixing the pig pen. The curse still remains strong on the water front. In September Iliad my culinary water pump fixed because there was a little air in the line. Three days and $300 later the pump really broke and flooded my entire finished basement. I applauded my decision to got a submersible pump thereby eliminating any further chance of basement flooding. Now Instead of basement flooding I have a little stream flowing at the well, and a new three-tire- d pond, all for the cost of the $2,000 submersible. Just before Christmas I had my four grandchildren over to my house for a slumber party. The day before I four painted hop scotch, square, and twister on their bedroom floor to help keep them entertained. I was thinking I must be the beat grandma in the world. I even tried not to yell at them when their dress up clothes covered the enliie floor of three rooms, or when my foot got trapped In one of their hangers. They had desned up most oftheir mesa and had just gotten into bed when the smoke slam sounded. I quickly took my flaming toast, toaster and all, out to tbs porch, and then yelled at the sleepy children to evacuate the house. What a great teaching opportunity Why had they not left immediately? Don't my children give them any safety training? Lucky they have me. I only made them stand barefoot in the enow a abort while before I made on Drapers life. Draper told Myton. Prosecutors said they believed the judge he believed Ricketts was a the lab was used to cook methamdanger to the community. Ricketts phetamine in a Roosevelt residence. defense attorney declined to listen to The second man involved in that meth lab, Max Slilaon, was sentenced to the tape. Duchesne County Attorney Herb Gillespie also argued for prison time for Ricketts who still faces trial in March on federal weapons violations. who was supported in Ricketts told the court by family members judge he had a problem, but was doing better since completing his drug n rehabilitation program and was takingpart in prison earlier on numerous charges. drug-relate- d plan-ningo- Defense attorney Stanley Adams maintained that Rickctt's garage was being used by friends who were making methamphetamine, hut denied his client was involved in the process. Ricketts said the surveillance camera was installed in the hack of his home so that he could hidq (iis drpg habit from his wife. In Issuing his decision to sehd Ricketts to prison, Judge Payne said possession and distribution of meth is one thing, but pointed out that he had pleaded guilty to actually manufacturing the highly addictive drug. In an unrelated meth lab case, Tabiona residentGaiyClegg,52, was ordered to serve a term of 0 - 6 years In the Utah State Prison. Clegg was arrested in February of last year by Uintah BasinSlrike Force agents and e charged with felony possession of a clandestine laboratory, equipment and precursors. Clegg, who also had a prior criminal record for drugs, entered a guilty plea to the charge earlier. Clegg was convicted for his part in y a portable methamphetamine which investigators uncovered in the crawl space beneath a trailer home on the Lake Boren Road near Gary Clegg third-degre- labo-rator- allowed them to return to the smoky house. Fifteen minutes later my asth- matic grandson, Tyler, couldn't breath. I called my son Lance to let him know the curse had struck again. He mumbled something about going and expressed his hunting at 4 regrets at letting me have hia children for the night. In apite of his grumblings he hurried over to watch (he other children while I rushed Tyler, Saras ion, to the hospital. I knew Tylers impending death would be my fault, for had I let the children stay in their rooms, he wouldnt have been exposed to the smoke. After being told by the doctor that we smelled like burnt toast, and after a few treatments we were ready for fast food at the drive up window, something I would never do if I hadnt almost killed him. I take some solace knowingothera are similarly cursed. When 1 asked the previous owner how he managed to lose half the bam to fire, it made perfect sense when I found out he was burning nasty tumbleweed at the time. Finally I decided to try to break the curse. I opted to spend my mornings walking, my afternoons taking naps with the cats in the sun porch, and my evenings reading. Surely, doing essentially nothing is better than getting further behind. However, last week 1 couldn't resist starting the dishwasher before dosing o(T during my afternoon nap. When I reentered the house after my nap, the smell of burnt electrical wiring was overwhelming. Luckily the house was intact and only the dishwasher was broken. It looks like I can't even stay In bed without something going wrong, so maybe I should just keep on keepin' on, a saying of John W. Hilton, best known as the dean of America desert painters and father to Kalhl Garvin of Roosevelt. ml all-nig- ht David I. Ricketts Commission makes Planning and Zoning Board appointments Duchesne County Commissioners recently made three appointments to the county's Planning and Zoning Board. Michael Bameck will represent the RooseveltMyton area, Leon Sweat will represent the Fruitland res, and current board mem her Alan White was reappointed as the Upper Country representative. These men will serve on the board for a four-yea- r term. Earth Day nominations deadline nears The deadline for nominations for the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Minings 2002 Earth Day Awards is fast approaching. Nominations must be received no later than Jan. 31. Earth Day Awardsare presented each year to companies, organizations or individuals who go beyond what is required by regulation to protect the environment while dewlopmgUlahs natural resources. Awards are presented in each of the three areas: oil and gas, mineral mining, and coal mining. Specific award categories include environmental improvement to an active minesile,exploration site, or producing field; outstanding results following applies lions of innovative environmental technology; and outstanding final reclamation or site restoration. For more information, or to obtain a nominationTonn,eoalact Vicki Bailey at (801) 638-632- 7 or Jim Springer at (Ml) 638-57- POOR |