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Show SPANISH FORK Covering what matters most WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009 • A3 Farmers have difficulty harvesting the window and said, "Officer, I should warn you not to argue with my husband Shirlene R. Ottesen when he's been drinking." There is an old saying ^ chuckje^ for' the that "April showers bring we^k: A^policeman pulled May flowers." So what a car over and told the man does an overabundance of 1 driving that he was going June showers (rain) bring? 50 mph in a 40 mph zone. This year it brings some ; "I was only going 40" serious concerns to farmers protested the driver. "Not especially when it rains ev• according to my radar," ery day and all of your first the officer replied. "Yes, crop hay is down! Given the I was!" the man shouted price of hay and the impor' back. "No you weren't" the tance it plays in the daily policeman said, starting to diet of cattle, horses, sheep, ' get annoyed. With that, the etc. I think many of us will man's wife leaned toward agree that enough is enough There and Back Again already! There are fields in our community where the hay has been cut for going on three weeks and the weather has been such that is won't dry enough for a farmer to get it in the bale. So the hay lies there and it's getting whiter every day. On a non-rain day, a few farmers have gone into the field and turned the hay so it could dry on the underside only to have it rained on - again! I'm sure that by now much of the nutritional value has been lost. Because of the continued rain it will soon turn moldy and animals don't like moldy hay. So it will be a loss and another contributing factor to a downturn in a farmer's slim income. I know, everybody's income is affected by the current economic situation. It's just that the weather plays such an important role in what we are trying to accomplish. Our corn is growing each day and so are the weeds. It needs to be cultivated before it gets much taller or we can't do it with our tractors. Paul has the cultivator all ready to go, but the fields are too wet. BYU education week coming Zabriskie couple. ••• Also choosing Friday, June 12,2009, as their wedKathleen Olsen ding day were Randi Mae Mike Lundell, son of Ragle of Nephi and J D . WilBetty Lundell and former liams of Benjamin. A lovely resident of Benjamin, re- garden reception honoring cently traveled to Wash- them was held at the Doyle ington D.C., where he was and Ann Coombs home in presented the E.H. Har- Nephi. They plan to make rimian Memorial Award. their home in Spanish Fork. . This prestigious award was J.D/s parents are Wendell , given to Mike for his excel- and JanaLee Williams and . lent work in safety through- his Benjamin grandparents out his railroad career. He are Richard and Janet Erworked for many years in ickson. We wish.J.D. and this area and then had the Randi the very best in their opportunity to work in Aus- life together. tralia, helping to upgrade ••• . the safety practices with the It's good to have Jackie railroad there. He presently Richardson Mortensen and works for the Willamette her three children visiting and Pacific Railroad in Ore- here from Puerto Rico. The gon where he serves as vice family is staying with Jackpresident of transportation ie's mother, Verla Richwith an emphasis on safety. ardson and visiting with We offer our congratula- other family members and tions to Mike and his family friends. for his outstanding work. ••• ••• It is difficult to think we Nickelle Corliss became are talking of BYU's Camthe bride of Casey Zabriskie pus Education Week already on Friday, June 12, 2009, A but, nevertheless, we are. reception in their honor was Volunteers, 18 and older, are held that evening at Wadley needed to help in a variety of Farms in Lindon. Nickelle ways with Education Week. is the daughter of Michael Those who served as volunand Jan Corliss of Benja- teer workers received a full min and the granddaugh- event pass for the week to ;• ter of former Benjamin attend classes when they are resident, Mary Jane Dixon. not serving. Sounds like an Congratulations to the new excellent opportunity. 'Round and About Benjamin Madison's Avenue I guess I shouldn't complain. We are grateful for the snow and the rain that have filled our reservoirs which will insure sufficient irrigation water when the weather does turn hot. In some area's of our country they are still in a terrible drought with no signs of relief. So, while we have too much, maybe too much is better than too little. Well, we mothers had our day and now it's the fathers turn to have their day. At this point in my life, I have no living father, or father-in-law and my chil- dren's' father is not with us anymore. But, it will still be a day to celebrate and honor them for the lives they lived and for their exceptional contribution to our lives. My son, son's-in-law, and married grandsons, who have children, are all good fathers and I thank them for that, I appreciate the way they treat my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Thanks to all of the fathers around us, for your hard work, for your good examples and all that you do for your family. Happy Fathers Day! Letter to the Editor Taxes and schools This letter is in response to a press release from the Utah Taxpayers Association dated 19 June 2009 and attached hereto for reference. The Utah Chapter of the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) would like the taxpayers of Utah and the Nebo School District to consider the following facts when reading the opinion of the Utah Taxpayers Association. The Utah Taxpayers Association contends that because the stock markets have decreased in value and unemployment is rising throughout the United States that this is not the time to raise taxes for new school facility construction. We would agree. We think it should also be noted that the Nebo School District agrees and that is why, in point of fact, their pending bond election will not raise taxes, but maintain them at today's rates. It should also be noted that along with the recession, came significant decreases in the cost of construction from the period starting in November 2008 and continuing today. The cost of school facility construction had achieved average levels approximating $170 to $190 per square foot before September of 2008. The recession has forced suppliers and contractors to reduce those record levels and we have seen that school construction projects which have been able to bid during this recession period are enjoying construction costs in the range of $ 128 to $150 per square foot. This has meant millions of dollars in savings to Utah's taxpayers in providing vital facilities for the education and development of Utah's most precious resource, our children. Specifically, the National Producer Price Index has decreased by 30 percent from a high in the fourth quarter of 2007. Since the worldwide spike in the cost of construction materials 18 months ago, a reduction in the market price for key national cost drivers such as, asphalt pav- ing mixtures and blocks, steel mill products, diesel fuel, cooper and brass mill shapes, lumber and plywood, aluminum mill shapes, etc. have all contributed to the present favorable construction environment. It should also be noted that economists agree that the way to stop the recession, create jobs, and move toward recovery is to put money back in the pockets of Americans. The Utah Taxpayers Association indicates in their press release that Utah consumer spending has dropped significantly as evidenced by a 10.4 percent decrease in Utah's sales tax collection this year. It is not difficult to connect the dots and see the big picture supporting the premise that putting money in the hands of thousands of contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, architects and engineers will increase consumer spending and help to stop the recession and maintain or create new jobs in the process. Another factor in this equation is student enrollment growth. It is estimated that student enrollment growth in the State of Utah between 2009 and 2018 will" approach 150,000 new students. The need for new and replacement classroom space is not the musings of an out-of-touch futurist, but simply a fact of predictable growth in the state of Utah. Waiting for the economy to rebound before investing in school construction will not save the taxpayers construction costs, nor will delaying construction meet the growing educational needs of the children of the Nebo School District. Nebo School District should be applauded for having the foresight to ask their patrons to assist them, in seizing the opportunity to build school facilities for less while helping the economy of Utah and the nation recover. Dr. Bruce Penland, President Utah Chapter of the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) by"BigAI"and"Farnzy" MADISON / HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING • Service • Furnace Replacements • A/C Add Ons • Green Sticker • Financing OAC bryant H*atlng & Cooling Systems ©2009 Madingo L.L.C., Allan Olsen and Darren Fames "Mr. Dugan and Mrs. Smith just called. 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