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Show Panguitch • Panguitch Lake • Hatch • Bryce • Tropic • Antimony • Henrieville • Cannonville • Escalante • Boulder Thursday, November 5, 2009 • Issue # 241 Laughter. It’s been said to be the best medicine In her immediate family, Christine Clifford Beckwith has dealt with heart disease, diabetes, dialysis and kidney transplant, hepatitis, chronic depression, drug abuse, and her own battle with breast cancer. Believe it or not, she’s still laughing! Breast Cancer survivors are invited to laugh with Beckwith at this year’s Breast Cancer Survivor’s Symposium: A day of Caring, Hope and Laughter on Saturday, Nov. 7. Presented by Dixie Regional Medical Center and Valley View Medical Center, past survivor symposiums “have been such resounding successes,” said Deb Christensen, Dixie Regional breast cancer coordinator. “Participants have expressed their appreciation for the classes offered and the opportunity to interact with other cancer survivors and co-survivors. We are thrilled to be able to offer another exceptional group of speakers again this year, and look forward to the personal interaction and nurturing moments that this event encourages.” Beckwith’s keynote message will focus on humor, survival, and seeing the bright side of life’s challenges. Breakout sessions will include: • “Do I have The Breast Cancer Gene?” with Ellen Arch, MD • Self Care through Tai Chi and Meditation with Melanie Paulk-Abderrahman, E-KYT and Bud Howard, Reiki Master • Coordinators Chorus “Cancer survivors deal with a wide range of physical, emotional, and finan- Sunny Sunny cial challenges throughout their lifetimes,” said Christensen. A cancer survivor is defined as anyone living with a history of cancer—from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life. Co-survivors are the friends and family members who support them. “This will be a day when we can all laugh and enjoy mingling together, sharing those common experiences that serve as a unifying bond. It will be a wonderful day of caring, hope, and laughter.” The Symposium will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Taylor Health Science Building just east of the Dixie Regional Medical Center River Road campus. Registration and breakfast buffet begin at 8:30 a.m.; hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development has financing for Single Family Housing and Guaranteed Rural Home Loan (GRH) program. Through the GRH program, a mortgage lender makes a home loan and the Rural Development guarantees the note on behalf of the Federal Government. Because the federal government is guaranteeing the loan, borrowers are much less likely to need a down payment or private mortgage insurance. The GRH program is designed to assist middle-income families who want to buy a home in rural communities in Utah. The amount of money loaned is determined by how much the borrower can afford to repay. The number of dependents and the amount of money earned by the buyer are also factored into the loan package. In addition, under the USDA Rural Development’s Direct Loan Program, low income individuals or families receive direct financial assistance from Rural Development in the form of a home loan at an affordable interest rate that can be reduced down to 1% if eligible. The full note interest rate will decrease on November 1st to 4.875 percent. Most of the loans made under this program are to families with income below 80 percent of the median income level in the communities where they live, and who would not otherwise qualify for a conventional loan. Direct loans may be made for the purchase of an existing home or for new home construction. weather USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in rural thursday communities. high: 66 Further information on rural housing programs is availlow: 33 able at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ut, or by calling a local USDA Rural Development office @ 801-524-4330 or visiting our National Housing Web site at www.rurdev.usda. friday gov/rhs/common/indiv_intro.htm. high: 64 low: 34 high: 62 low: 33 sunday Sunny high: 52 low: 23 monday Sunny high: 49 low: 23 tuesday showers Sunny Miner’s Auto Repair Complete Auto Service & Repair SAFETY INSPECTIONS 475 East Center St. • Panguitch, Utah 435-676-8994 high: 48 low: 24 wednesday PARTLy CLOUDY The event is free for breast cancer survivors and one guest each. Co-survivors are welcome. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Please call Deb Christensen at 435.688.5092 to RSVP or for more information. A Day of Caring is sponsored by the Foundation of Dixie Regional Medical Center with special thanks to the Lions Dixie RoundUp “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” Night. The Southwest Utah Public Health Department continues to receive weekly shipments of H1N1 vaccine. The Panguitch office is taking appointments to vaccinate high-risk populations in Garfield County. WHEN: Call for appointment: 435-676-8800 (or while supplies last) WHO: The following priority groups ONLY: ● Pregnant Women ● Children ages 6 months to 10 years of age ● All children with highrisk health issues (heart, lung, kidney,diabetes, asthma, etc) ● Parents/ caregivers of infants under 6 months of age (Other priority groups will follow in the near future) WHERE: Health Department 609 N. Main, Panguitch COST: No charge, but bring your insurance card if you have one. For updates on clinics and new priority groups, visit www.swuhealth.org. You will also find resources on H1N1 flu prevention and preparedness on this website. USDA Offering Rural Loans & Reducing Interest Rates saturday Sunny H1N1 Vaccine Availability high: 48 low: 29 IT’S PAST TIME FOR A CHANGE By Norman McKee – Panguitch paws@scinternet.net The recent controversy regarding the extravagant bonuses given to senior staff of the Utah State Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) recalls the problem that was brought to light in 2006. At that time, the Legislative Auditor General & the Legislative Fiscal Analyst gave the legislature an extensive report regarding SITLA. Much of the report dwelt with administrative staff compensation, which comprised only a few individuals. The report was very critical of the bonus program as set up by SITLA’s Land Board. It said it was unmatched by any other state, federal or government agency in the West. The Board’s argument that senior staff, and other SITLA employees, were only being rewarded for an extra-good job for increasing the revenues, just didn’t cut it. Instead, the report stated “we believe that SITLA’s increased revenues are not due to organizational performance as much as increases in natural gas and oil prices as well as an expanded land sales program - most recently selling prime trust land. Further, based on a review of historical revenues earned, we believe that revenue goals are set unrealistically low, making them easily attainable.” Senator Tom Hatch, Panguitch, decided to do something about the bonus situation. His Senate Bill (#217) was passed unanimously by the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment Committee, even though vigorously opposed by the chairman of the Land Board. Unfortunately, the 2006 Session ended before the bill could be acted upon, and Hatch retired from the Senate. No other legislator has been courageous enough to re-draft a similar bill. So the huge bonuses continue. Now it is 2009, and SITLA Director Kevin Carter is awarded a $71,000 bonus, in addition to receiving one of the higher salaries in Utah State Government. Even with a staff and budget of approximately 20 times the size of SITLA, not to mention a myriad of complex divisions and programs to administer, the Director of the Department of Natural Resources receives a substantially lower base salary and is limited to a bonus of $8,000 or less, if he were to get one. The Enabling Act of Utah Statehood designated that revenues from the scattered trust lands were to be distributed to the designated beneficiaries, mainly the state schools. In recent years the distribution has amounted to approximately $20 to $30 annually for each youngster in Garfield & Kane County schools, substantially higher than the state average due to our rural status. Each school child in Utah costs about $7,000 a year to educate. Do the math! SITLA’s contribution to their education is very minimal. Utah taxpayers would benefit substantially if their taxes for the schools were increased by the amount of the SITLA distribution and the trust lands were left undeveloped, especially those in rural areas scattered within federal lands. Garfield County School District recently announced a reduction in teacher pay for next year due to budget problems. Other school districts are wrestling with the same problem. So, tell me why an already over-paid administrator, and much of his staff of the very agency meant to help Utah’s schools, is getting annual bonuses that often exceed what many of our educators make each year as their base salary. Where in the Enabling Act does it allow the State Land Board to make this ruling? Truth is, it doesn’t. Since 1997, nearly $4 million in bonuses has been awarded to SITLA employees, with about one-half going to the handful of senior staff. The legislature authorized and has allowed this to continue to the point of becoming ridiculous. And now, Governor Herbert says it’s OK! Where is the needed courage by another legislator, like Senator Hatch, to get this nonsense stopped? Every hardworking government employee, be they city, county or state, who never receive a bonus, are no doubt, livid about this special treatment that only occurs in Utah’s SITLA. ATTENTION VETERANS AND FAMILIES: Panguitch Elementary would like to invite you to our Veteran’s Day Assembly at Panguitch Elementary School on November 11th at 2:00 p.m. We will be having a short program to honor our Veteran’s and would like to invite all veteran’s and families to attend. We will be having tables set up to display any memorabilia that you would like to bring. For more information or questions you have you can call the school at 676-8847 or Michelle Crofts at 6768698. Hope to see you there!! Phone: 435-676-2621 Fax 435-836-2700 PO BOX 472, Loa, Utah 84747 snapshot@scinternet.net Insane people are always sure that they are fine. It is only the sane people who are willing to admit that they are crazy. Nora Ephron THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER is owned and operated by Snapshot Multimedia and is distributed weekly to all of Garfield County. Its purpose is to inform residents about local issues and events. Articles submitted from independent writers are not necessarily the opinion of Snapshot Multimedia. We sincerely hope you enjoy the paper and encourage input on ideas and/or suggestions for the paper. Thank you for your support. ALL content for THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER must be submitted on FRIDAY before 5:00 pm to be included in the following Thursday edition of the paper. BOXHOLDER PRE-SORT STANDARD PAID LOA, UTAH PERMIT No. 5 |