OCR Text |
Show ifield County/ J PANGUITCH • PANGUITCH LAKE • HATCH • BRYCE • TROPIC • ANTIMONY • HENRIEVILLE • CANNONVILLE • ESCALANTE • BOULDER Thursday, May 27, 2010 • Issue # 270 ACLU OF UTAH ANNOUNCES ROLE IN UTAH SUPREME COURT ELECTION CASE The American Civil Lib- the signatures were "e-sigerties Union of Utah Foun- natures." The Lieutenant dation, Inc. (ACLU of Utah) Governor argued that those and cooperating attorney were not "signatures" under Brent V. Manning today Utah State law. Prior to submitting his filed with the Utah Supreme Court a notice that they will nominating petition, howrepresent Farley Anderson, ever, Mr. Anderson asked an independent candidate the relevant County Clerks for governor whose petition to certify each signature to be placed on the ballot on his nominating petition. was wrongfully rejected by The duty to certify voter the Lieutenant Governor in signatures is expressly delegated under the Election March 2010. Mr. Anderson seeks a Law to the Clerks of the ruling from the Court that various counties in Utah. "e-signatures"—signatures Four County Clerks—incollected on-line—should cluding those in Salt Lake be treated the same as hand- and Washington Counwritten signatures for pur- ties—certified as valid "eposes of independent candi- signatures" submitted by date nominating petitions. Mr. Anderson. If those Mr. Anderson also seeks a certified "e-signatures" had ruling from the Supreme been counted by the LieuCourt on the constitutional tenant Governor, Mr. Anright of independent po- derson would have had well litical candidates to fair and above the 1,000 signatures equal access to the general necessary for inclusion on election ballot. Oral argu- the ballot. "The issues here are simment is scheduled for June ple," said ACLU cooperat2, 2010. "This case raises sig- ing attorney Brent V. Mannificant issues of statutory ning. "Since the earliest and constitutional law that days of the common law, impact every voter in the a 'signature' was any mark State of Utah," said ACLU that the signing individual of Utah Executive Director intended to be his 'signaKaren McCreary. "We are ture.' That was true whethproud to represent Mr. An- er the mark was on paper, derson in his effort to en- on wood, on a wall, or on sure that independent, non- a cow. For the Lieutenparty candidates are treated ant Governor to carve out e-signatures' as somehow fairly by the State." On March 18, 2010, less worthy of recognition Mr. Anderson presented to than any other 'signature' the Lieutenant Governor a contradicts the established nominating petition signed law of this State. Utah law by over 1,000 Utah voters, provides that a signature as is required by the Elec- `may not be denied legal eftion Law for independent fect or enforceability solely candidates wishing to run because it is in electronic for statewide office. The form.' The Lieutenant Lieutenant Governor reject- Governor has violated state ed Mr. Anderson's petition law in imposing additional because a small portion of requirements for signatures WINDY! WINDY! THURSDA HIGH: 71 LOW: 42 FRIDAY HIGH: 66 LOW: 32 SATURDAY PARTLY CLOUDY HIGH: 64 LOW: 33 SUNDAY MOSTLY SUNNY HIGH: 69 LOW: 38 MONDAY MOSTLY SUNNY HIGH: 71 LOW: 41 TUESDAY PARTLY CLOUDY MOSTLY CLOUDY HIGH: 71 LOW: 31 WEDNESDAII HIGH: 68 LOW: 41 RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM FUNDING Agriculture Secretary energy costs is Energex rural businesses and farms submitted by unaffiliated Tom Vilsack recently an- American, Inc., a Mif- conduct energy audits. Elinounced that USDA is seek- flintown, Pa., pellet manu- gible applicants include a candidates." "The State also requires ing applications from farm- facturing firm. In 2009, unit of State, tribal, or lounaffiliated candidates to ers, agricultural producers the company received a cal government; institutions submit petitions far in ad- and owners of rural small $476,685 grant to help of higher education; rural vance of the time when ma- businesses to purchase re- fund the installation of an electric cooperatives; or a jor party candidates must newable energy systems industrial dryer powered public power entity. The be certified for the No- and make energy efficiency by woody biomass. The program is designed to provember ballot," noted Ms. improvements. The funding company reduced its an- vide energy audit assistance to farmers, ranchers, and ruMcCreary. "The imposi- is provided through USDA nual demand for propane ral small businesses. USDA tion of onerous and unfair Rural Development's Rural by 150,000 gallons and Rural Development has enrequirements for indepen- Energy for America Pro- realized energy savings of tered into a memorandum dent, non-party candidates gram (REAP), authorized nearly 98 percent. Eligible projects include of understanding with the for office unconstitutionally by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 installing renewable en- Natural Resources Conexcludes from the electoral (Farm Bill). ergy systems such as wind servation Service (NRCS), process unaffiliated candi"Through this program, turbines, solar, geothermal, which is implementing an dates and those voters who farmers and agricultural biomass, anaerobic digest- energy audit program for would support them." producers will be able to ers, hydroelectric, and farms, to minimize duplicaThe group Utahns for tion of services by sharing upgrade or replace out- ocean, or hydrogen systems. information about funding Ethical Government (UEG) dated, inefficient systems Funding may also be used recipients. The NRCS iniplans to seek permission in their operations. That to purchase energy-efficient tiative (the Environmental from the Utah Supreme not only saves money, it equipment, adding insula- Quality Incentives ProCourt to submit an amicus supports job creation." Aption, and improve heating gram - EQIP) will entail apcuriae, or "friend of the plications are due June 30, and cooling systems. In fis- proximately 1,000 on-farm Court," brief in support of 2010. More information on cal year 2009, this program Mr. Anderson. UEG has how to apply for funding is helped fund 1,485 REAP energy audit evaluations in until August 12, 2010, to available in the April, 2010 projects in 50 states, the ter- selected states. Information about EQIP is available collect the 95,000 signa- Federal Register, or by call- ritory of Puerto Rico and by visiting the following tures required to place their ing the Utah State Office @ the Western Pacific Islands. website: www.nrcs.usda. ballot initiative on the 2012 801-524-4301 or 4322. Under REAP, grants are gov/programs/eqip/EQIP_ ballot. A Supreme Court One rural company that also available to interme- s ignup/2009_signup/index ruling on the validity of used REAP funds to reduce diaries to help owners of html. "e-signatures" could play a significant role in whether UEG can meet its August deadline. Utah law requires that the courts read broadly the requirements for independent candidates to access When: June 3, 2010 the ballot. "Those requireWhere: Triple C Arena ments include the signature Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00PM collection process, includWhat: Offering small and large animal vaccinations, consultations, ing in this case the coland wellness examinations lection and submission of To schedule an appointment or request specific services, medications, etc. please call in advance 435-865-7264 e-signatures'," said Mr. Manning. Color Country Animal Hospita/ Winter Vaccine Clinic UTAH BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER PARTICIPATES IN NASBE TASK FORCE TRANSITION INCENTIVES PROGRAM Farm Service Agency in Dixie Allen of the Utah State Board of Education has Utah announced that sign been selected to participate in the National Association of up starts today for the TranState Boards of Education (NASBE) newly-established sition Incentives Program Task Force on Rural and Frontier Education Issues. The (TIP) - a new program untask force is charged with providing specific policy recom- der the Conservation Title mendations and legislative language to Congress and the of the 2008 Farm Bill - to U.S. Department of Education to help rural and frontier encourage retired or retirstates turnaround their low-performing schools. The Department has previously issued four solutions to ing owners or operators to turning around these schools: firing the principal, replac- transition their land to being the staff, changing the publicly operated school to a ginning or socially disadcharter school, or closing the school altogether. These sug- vantaged farmers or ranchgestions, however, do not adequately address the unique ers. staffing and infrastructure problems faced in rural states "Ensuring that our naand districts, where retaining staff is difficult and attracting tion's land is returned to new teachers more so. production using sustain"While the mission of state boards of education in able methods is critical not every state is to develop and implement policies to help only for our future food students receive the best education possible, the logistics supply, but also for the ecoof completing that misnomic future of our rural sion are different in rural communities," said Dougand frontier states than in more populous areas," said las. "Access to land is one NASBE Executive Director of the greatest challenges On Main Street Brenda Welburn. "This task faced by new farmers. The Saturday, May 29th force was created from and Transition Incentives ProOver 30 tables of treais being driven by the con- gram is one more tool in sures, collectibles, cracts cerns of state board mem- the USDA toolkit to protect and goodies. 9 AM until bers from rural states. Their family farms and support ??? Tables available for participation strengthens beginning and socially dis$ 1 O. the voice of state boards in advantaged farmers." Contact every state and helps ensure If all program requireCheryl Church 676-8197 they are fairly represented ments are met, TIP provides Bobbi Bryant 690-0044 in continued federal educa- annual rental payments to tion policymaking." PANGUITCH YARD SALE When you feel in your gut what you are and then dynamically pursue it - don't back down and don't give up then you're going to mystify a lot of folks. Bob Dylan Multimedia - the retiring farmer for up to two additional years after the date of the expiration of the CRP contract, provided the transition is not to a family member. To learn more about program, producers interested in applying and participating in TIP should visit their local USDA Service Center or FSA county office or www. fsa.usda.gov. To be eligible, TIP requires that the retired or retiring farmer or rancher: * Have land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) that is in the last year of the contract. * Agree to allow the beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher make conservation and land improvements. * Agree to sell, or have a contract to sell, or agree to long-term lease (a minimum of 5 years) the land under CRP contract to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher by Oct. 1 of the year the CRP contract expires. Phone: 435-676-2621 Fax 1-888-370-8546 PO BOX 472, Loa, Utah 84747 snapshot@scinternet.net — Member of: fir Utah Press, * **** IFPA. INDEPENDENT FREE PAPERS OF AMERICA Lac_i 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 |