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Show THE ZEPHYR/SPECIAL ELECTION ISSUE..FEBRUARY 1993 PAGE 2 page two Jim Stiles Several years ago, Michael Spinks squared off with the then-Heavyweight Champion of the World, Mike Tyson in a 15 round fight at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Spinks survived the first 52 seconds of the first round before a devastating series of punches sent the battered challenger to the mat. Michael was out cold. Tyson threw his hands into the air in victory, proudly displayed his championship belt to the unhappy crowd (they'd come to see a fight) and then left the ring with his adoring entourage. Michael was still out cold. His trainers and handlers and doctors rushed to his side, spoke gently to him, jammed ammonium crystals up his nose, waited for Michael to return from the starry spinning world he had just been sent. “Michael...Michael! Can you hear us? Are you alright?" Michael Spinks looked up at his handlers, smiled dreamily through glassy eyes and said, "I like eggs." Grand County likes eggs. We are about to endure our third election in as many months and I think everyone is getting a little punchy. But have faith, fellow citizens...the end is in sight, the light is glowing brightly at the end of that once so endless tunnel. Whether the election plays out to our liking or not, we are close to the end of this marathon political drama that began almost a year ago. I write these words on Inauguration Day, a day of hope and anxiety for many of us...hope that the vision of the new President can be matched by the strength he and all of us will need to turn those dreams into reality...anxiety that dreams are really nothing more than that, and that our combined strength is still no match for the problems we face. But I am determined not to be the Cynic for a change. (I had to throw Ultimate Cynic Carl Rappe out of my house when he began to verbally harass President Clinton’s image on the TV screen, before he had even completed taking the oath.) In Grand County, I’ve already heard Doomsday predictions about the new government and the candidates that seek to run it. It seems to be coming from the same people who said the Initiative would never pass in November, and then in November said that no one would file for the open county council positions. Of course, 25 people filed, we’ve whittled it down to 14, and we'll make our final choices on February 9. We're all sick of politics, it’s cold and gray out there, the roof on my porch leaks and I wish I was somewhere warm and sexy right now eating lobster burritos; instead, I’m transcribing the interviews with the candidates I just talked to yesterday. Think about it...I listen to them once, then I get to listen to them on tape again. And again. And again. Transcribing interviews is one of the most tedious jobs I have ever had, except the time I stood next to a Purina Dog Chow display at an A & P Market in Louisville, Kentucky and counted how many people preferred the Hi-Protein for their dogs over the Regular. I think I got paid 3 bucks an hour for that gig. I’m drifting...where was I? Anyway, we're in the home stretch, we’ve come so far, let’s get the job done. On February 9, please go to the polls and vote for your candidates. If you're going to be out of town, get an absentee ballot and vote now. We're making history right here in Grand County, Utah in the middle of the redrock desert...in spite of the fact that... we like eggs. A few words about the interviews. Ken Davey and I taped these conversations over a 10 day period in mid-January. Things were going swimmingly until the 18th when we had arranged the at-large interview. Everyone had agreed to meet at my place on Monday at 5PM. Earlier in the day, however, we got a call from Dan Holyoak, who was flat on his back with the flu and a terrible hacking cough. I arranged to do a separate telephone interview with Dan the following day At 5, Haney and Hartley arrived, but Delbert Oliver never showed. I tried to call his house but got no answer. We waited until 5:20 and then proceeded without him. The following day, I did reach someone in the Oliver household who said that Mr. Oliver had gone to Arizona on business and would be gone a week. Since the Zephyr goes to press in less than a week, we have no time left to arrange another interview. I’m sorry that we don’t have 100% coverage of the candidates, but we did the best we could. Trying to edit these interviews to a manageable length also peoted to be an incredible challenge. For example, the original draft of the Mike Holyoak/Paul Menard interview played out at more than 5600 words, way more than could ever fit on the allotted two pages. I cut it to 4500 words and it’s still too long; I ended up bouncing two ads, which is one of the most painful tasks a publisher ever faces. On the other hand, the Ballantyne/White interview, after editing, is about 2500 words. The fact that there are so many fundamental differences between Mike and Paul led to a more spirited debate than we saw with some of the other candidates. Still, everyone had a lot to say that matters to the voters of Grand County. As you wade through this issue, I’d urge you not to try and do it in one sitting. There are about 25,000 words ahead of you; don’t burn out on this stuff. It will make you goofy. And if you find more typos than usual, well...you’ll just have to forgive us. Like I said earlier, we're dealing with about 25,000 words, compressed into 16 pages. Davey and I are going crosseyed, although part of Ken’s eye condition may have more to do with his one month old son Cisco than it does with proof-reading. Apparently, these newborns don’t keep regular sleeping hours...at least that’s what I’ve been told. I proofed each interview twice, but half-way through the second reading, instead of seeing spots before my eyes, I saw fields of 8 point palatino typeface. I’m sure you'll share my condition by the time you wade through this paper. eee This paper is not going to endorse local candidates but there are some issues that I think got a little hazy during the interviews. And, since this is an editorial, I’d like to express an opinion of my own. Ata road board meeting recently, in which most of the candidates attended, the idea was put across that the Board now sought "only" the right of way for the Book Cliffs Highway. It was the same old tired argument...we’ve already spent so much money; let’s finish just this one part of the project...it’ll cost just a little bit more. Come on, guys...we can see right through you. This board will do anything and say anything to keep the road alive. Anything. At that meeting, Gene Nodine (with a straight face) told the candidates that he would not accept re-appointment to the board until the new council was in place. 48 hours later, Jimmie Walker was pushing the lame duck commission to approve his appointment immediately. Candidates ot ing ission meeting who had also attended the Saturday meeting objected. Jimmie said they had misunderstood Mr. Nodine. Minutes later, Leavitt and Torres rubber-stamped Jimmie’s request for action and re-appointed Nodine. Business as usual for the Grand County Commission. It looks like they at least intend to be consistent to the end. But back to the "right of way." The Community Impact Board agreed in 1989 to loan the road district $3 million, as soon as the EIS gives them the right of way to proceed. That designation is all that stands between the road board and a multi-million dollar debt. They have said that they would not do anything without the approval of the new council. But I will be the cynic for a minute and say...does anybody believe that? What happened last Saturday? They couldn’t be consistent for two days. | believe that the current board will do whatever it takes to hang on to their road. Deception is the word that most often comes to my mind when I think of the way the Grand County Roads Special Service District has operated for the last four years. Do they deserve the trust and respect of the citizens of this county? Don’t forget to vote on February 9. tet t eee “IT know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion.” — Thomas Jefferson THE CANYON COUNTRY ZEPHYR P.O. Box 327 Moab, Utah 84532 (801) 259-7773 Jim Stiles, publisher political specialist & features Ken Davey contributing writers Jack Campbell Jane S. Jones Cherie Gilmore T.Scott Groene historical photos photo layouts Herb Ringer roving reporter Robert Fulghum THE CANYON COUNTRY ZEPHYR copyright 1993 all rights reserved The Canyon Country Zephyr is a monthly newspaper, published eleven times a year at Moab, Utah. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of its vendors, advertisers, or even at times of its publisher I want to say thanks to the people who made this special election issue possible. First, to the advertisers...not one of them could probably afford to take out an ad this time of year. This is the month they usually get to avoid me. But when I decided to make this issue a freebee, I knew I’d need the advertising to at least cover the printing costs and everybody was great. I really appreciate your continued support. When I thought I couldn’t transcribe another word, Kathy Aldous took over at the keyboard and gave me a several hour break... Thanks Kathy. Obviously, this issue would not exist if the candidates had been unwilling to participate. It was difficult for everyone to juggle schedules and alter plans so that these interviews could come off. For the most part, they went well. Whether I agreed with their politics or not, I’ve never encountered a more likeable, sincere, and decent group of candidates. I think all their intentions are honorable. Good luck to all of you. And to the Dean of Moab’s Press Corps, the irrepressible, the irascible, the irreverent Mr. Kenneth F. Davey...many thanks and pass me that bottle, would you please? Note: The next regularly scheduled issue of the Zephyr...the one you have to pay for...will be on newsstands March 3. subscribe to LHE-ZEPIAYE P.O. Box 327 Moab Utah 84532 one year (11 issues)....$15 two years (22 issues)...$28 three years. (33 issues)..$40 name address renewal new subscription |