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Show PANGUITCH • PANGUITCH LAKE • HATCH • BRYCE • TROPIC • ANTIMONY • HENRIEVILLE • CANNONVILLE • ESCALANTE • BOULDER Thursday, December 24, 2009 • Issue # 248 BENNETT DRILLS FED OFFICIALS OVER UNFAIR TREATMENT IN UTAH LAND DEVELOPMENT ISSUE Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah) questioned federal officials today during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing regarding the administration's unfair treatment of a bill Bennett sponsored that would turn over two acres from the federal government to the town of Alta. The Obama administration wants to charge Alta residents a fee to make the switch, but just yesterday supported the transfer of thousands of acres for free in similar Democratic-sponsored legislation. "Has the administration chosen to give Democratic sponsored land conveyance bills a free pass while holding other delegations to a different standard?" questioned Bennett. "The bill I have introduced simply eliminates the red tape that is causing unnecessary delays and wasting taxpayer dollars. This issue is over whether the federal government is the best landlord for this plot of land in Alta, when in fact the town of Alta is much better suited for such a role." At today's hearing, Harris Sherman, undersecretary for natural resources and environment at the Department of Agriculture, testified that although the department is supportive of the goals of Bennett's bill, they are demanding fair market value for the property. Such a request would cause the residents of Alta to pay the difference. Bennett questioned the administration's inconsistency, citing that just yesterday several land conveyance bills sponsored by Democratic senators were successfully reported out of committee, giving those states thousands of acres free of charge. While the town of Alta is home to Alta Ski Resort, the majority of the small community's residents are categorized as low-to-moderate income. Such a request by the administration to pay the difference of "fair market value" is an unfeasible alternative because the community does not have the tax base to raise the funds necessary to purchase the land. Bennett's bill, introduced earlier this year, would convey approximately two acres of Forest Service land in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest to the town of Alta. The land sits within the incorporated boundary of Alta and is used for public purposes. Currently the town has office and city buildings on the land that are authorized under a Forest Service special use permit. The permit has to be renewed on a continual basis, and the town must ask permission from the Forest Service to perform even routine upgrades and maintenance on the sites. This bill would resolve that issue, making better use of public time and resources. The Forest Service would be required to survey the land and determine the exact boundaries of the areas to be conveyed. WEATHER THURSDAY MOSTLY SUNNY HIGH: 24 LOW: -2 FRIDAY SUNNY HIGH: 24 LOW: 0 SATURDAY SUNNY HIGH: 29 LOW: 8 SUNDAY PARTLY CLOUDY , CLOUDY HIGH: 32 LOW: 10 MONDAY HIGH: 33 LOW: 9 TUESDAY PARTLY CLOUDY HIGH: 35 LOW: 9 WEDNESDAY .......; MOSTLY CLOUDY Member of: tor Utah Press HIGH: 35 LOW: 12 ***** IFPA. INDEPENDENT FREE PAPERS OF AMERICA Lkoi OVER $393 MILLION DELIVERED TO RURAL. UTAH The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development has released its 2009 Annual Report for Utah. The report reveals $393,020,159 was infused into the state's rural economy to assist in areas of housing, utilities, cornmunity facilities, business, telecommunications, and energy. "USDA Rural Development is a leading advocate for rural Utah as our annual report reveals. We offer an array of programs that bring a greater quality of life to rural areas. These benefits are multiplied when our resources are leveraged with those of our many partners," stated USDA Rural Development Utah State Director Dave Conine. The report reveals that 2,108 households became rural homeowners, which has more than doubled from last year's 830 house- holds. Eighty four existing rural homeowners received needed home repairs. Over 1,020 tenants compared to last years 700 tenants of our Rural Rental Housing Program were assisted with affordable rents. Fifteen Community Facilities Projects benefitted by receiving funds for a new charter school, a health clinic, emergency vehicles, and rehabilitation of two community libraries. One Utah community received a $100,000 Economic Impact Initiative Grant, to fund a new ambulance and built housing units for physicians. These funds made it possible to serve over 46,042 Utah rural residents. A dependable supply of quality water will be delivered to rural residents via several water projects. These loans and grants totaling over fifteen million helped nearly 6,474 rural HUNT ALL THREE DEER SEASONS Jan. 4 is the first day to apply for Dedicated Hunter program You can hunt all three general buck deer seasons for the next three years if your application is drawn to join Utah's Dedicated Hunter program. You can hunt those seasons in the region of your choice. Applications to join the program will be accepted starting Jan. 4. Before you can apply, however, you must complete the program's free online orientation course. The course will teach you more about the program. You can take the course at wildlife.utah.gov/dh. "The Dedicated Hunter program is a great program for the state's deer hunters and for the state's wildlife," says Rhianna Christopher, volunteer services coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "The program gives participants a chance to help mule deer and other wildlife by helping with habitat projects," she says. "In return, you get to hunt deer all three seasons in the region of your choice." Christopher says the program is capped at 10,000 hunters. About 4,000 spots are open for 2010. To be included in the draw to join the program, your application must be received no later than 11 p.m. on Jan. 19. In addition to the required orientation course, wildlife. utah.gov/dh also provides an overview of the program. You can also call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or (801) 538-4711 for more information. residents in five communities with water and waste management projects. A popular Elementary school recycling project in the state has been so successful it is still ongoing after the initial two months. Through various Rural Development business programs, approximately 192 rural jobs were created and or saved. Rural Business Enterprise Grants funds assisted truck driving training, rural tourism, transportation, job training, and establishment of a business resource center. Rural Business Opportunity Grant supported two feasibility studies and a business plan for tribally owned enterprises. Renewable Energy will increase as one rural business acquired solar panels for energy conservation efforts, and two feasibility studies were funded for renewable (wood) energy generation projects. Technical assistance was provided to a number of individuals and groups interested in submitting applications for cooperative funding assistance. Assistance included bio-diesel and marketing ventures, cooperatives specializing in financial & agricultural services. "It is Rural Development's desire to become a household name as the "Lender of first opportunity" and an asset in the financial needs of each rural community," stated Conine. "We encourage rural residents and communities to contact us about the needs of their rural area." Visit www.rurdev.usda. gov/ut or call 801-5244320 for a free copy of our annual report or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you. (435) 896-8250 X 110 Contact: Donna Birk @ 435835-4111 x27 HOLIDAY CLOSURE OF VISITOR CENTER AT BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK The Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center will close at 12:00 PM Thursday December 24, 2009 and reopen at 8:00 AM Saturday December 26, 2009. The Bryce Canyon Visitor Center is open from 8:00 to 4:30 daily throughout the winter except as noted. The orientation film is shown upon request. The Bryce Canyon Natural History Association bookstore sells a variety of maps, calendars, fun games and other items of local interest that would make excellent holiday gifts. For more information, please contact Bryce Canyon National Park at 435834-5322. New Year's Eve Party 2010! Come Join Us At The New Ebenezer's Barn & Grill As We Celebrate The Coming of The New Year! THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 Featuring: MEMI_STEZEIVS BARN & GRILL LIVE DJ "ADAM RUE" 9pm to 12:30am (Free Admission/Family Atmosphere) New Year's Special Stay At The Best Western Ruby's Inn Or The New Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel For 2 Nights At discounted Rates And Receive The 3rd Night Free. 117-ER 90)-(E1Lts Ruby's Inn $45+Tax Per Night www.bryceres.com/rubys Promo Code: newyears Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel $65+Tax Per Night www.bryceres.com/bcg Promo Code: newyears 1-866-866-6616 or 1-435-834-5341 www.rubysinn.com EsTA8bISHEO 1916 HWY 63 BRYCE CANYON CITY, UTAH 84764 LOSEST ACCOMMODATION TO THE ENTRANCE TO BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PAR Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty. PLATO 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. ■7111D. •- Phone: 435-676-2621 Fax 435-836-2700 Multimedia PO BOX 472, Loa, Utah 84747 snapshot@scinternet.net 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 |