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Show TheEmeryCountyReview.com Rival Rematch Wrapped in Support B1 Junior high schools battle it out REVIEW A6 Emery County The Volume 2, Issue 42. 75 Cents Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Local News, Local Voice, Locally Owned Budget cuts decimate emergency service grants Josie Luke Photos by Josie Luke Emery High School students and instructor Jim Keele work to construct the walls of the new Children’s Justice Center. PTogether ulling for a Cause Construction project brings students, community together Emery High students have constructed nine houses over the years, but this one takes on special significance because it will be used to help abused children. (Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part series on the creation of a new Children’s Justice Center in Castle Dale.) governments, the construction classes got to work. They broke ground for the center on Sept. 19, and they plan to be finished by May of 2009. The justice center is altogether a different project for Keele’s classes. Usually they build residential buildings, but because of the use of this building there are many more regulations they must follow. “From an educational perspective this is really different,” Keele commented, “especially because of the fact that it’s commercial and not residential, and that we have to follow ADA guidelines.” But as with the homes, he feels it helps the students learn to work and gain character. “Just like the habitat for humanity homes, it makes you feel like you are doing something to help others. I think we inherently want to do things for people. It’s the same reason I became a teacher,” Keele explained. Since its development, the project has garnered attention from many sides. “A lot of people have been excited because it involves kids helping other kids,” explained Wright. This is not overlooked by the students who are building the center. Keele stated, “They may not really be willing to say that they are making a difference, but T Josie Luke he Emery High construction classes have built nine homes since instructor Jim Keele developed the program, but their current project is different. Instead of building family homes, they are building a Children’s Justice Center which will serve abused children in Emery County. The construction classes became involved in the project after Shelley Wright, director of the Carbon and Emery County centers, turned to the Emery County Commission for assistance after the owner of the home which housed the previous center sold the property. During a meeting, it was suggested that because the Emery County School District owned building lots near the high school used for the construction classes, that Wright might consider contacting the High School about being involved in the project. After the School District agreed to donate the land, and other roadblocks were cleared with assistance from local Continued on Page A3. Ferron agrees to issue business license to treatment facility James L. Davis The nearly year-long debate over a residential treatment facility for troubled teenage girls in Ferron may end without a prolonged court battle following Ferron City’s agreement to approve a business license for the center. In a letter sent to Charlotte Williams and her company, Pine Meadows Treatment Center on Sept. 17, Ferron City Recorder Adele Justice indicated that the city was prepared to issue the center a business license, with conditions, namely that the home also located on the property where the center will reside either be vacated or that separate water and sewer connections be installed and that the facility pass fire and building inspections. Williams said the letter’s tone is a positive one and in it Justice writes that the city looks forward to a good working relationship with the center and wishes the business success. The letter came as a relief to Williams, who has been struggling to obtain a business license for almost a year. Most recently Williams, through her attorney, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court on Aug. 6 against Ferron City following a back and forth battle for a license to open the business that began in December of last year. The issue of permitting the development of a residential treatment facility for troubled teenagers in the city has divided the community. When the issue first came before the planning and zoning committee in December of last year there was not a quorum present to vote on the zoning request, and when the issue went before city council that same night the city approved a business license to Williams for her facility, pending clearance by planning and zoning. With what she felt was conditional approval to open her business; Williams invested on renovations to the building she had leased to prepare it for operation. In the interim residents living close to where the fa cility would be established Continued on Page A3. Many of the effects of the recent round of budget cuts made by the Utah Legislature were well covered in the media. But one cut, which could have huge effects on Emery County Emergency Medical Services, was not well documented. The information was initially revealed by Sheriff Lamar Guymon at the Emery County Commission meeting, Oct. 7. Guymon, a member of the Utah EMS Grants Committee representing law enforcement, recounted the cuts during the public comment portion of the commission meeting. He explained that the legislature had slashed $1 million from the grants committee budget, in addition to a 20 percent budget cut earlier in the year. “This impacts every EMS agency in the state,” Guymon said. “Our committee funds equipment for designated fire, ambulance, dispatch and search and rescue grants. This takes away 50 percent of the funding that they’ve received in past years. These have been a big benefit to the county.” Guymon explained “We’ve never had any funding losses like this before.” -Sheriff Lamar Guymon that these grants are “built into” the Emery County ambulance budget each year, and so without this funding, the losses may fall back on tax payers. “We’ve never had any funding losses like this before,” said Guymon. The committee had viewed their designated funds as “untouchable” in such circumstances, so with two rounds of losses this year, they are frustrated. “We as a committee are very concerned that the legislature can do this with designated funds,” Guymon said. “Our biggest fear is that they may attempt to do this again next year.” The sheriff was hesitant to say what effects the cuts would have on county EMS services, but he said that the situation was one that the commission and ambulance services needed to address. Photo by Josie Luke County and BLM leaders gather around the recently unveiled kiosk at Swinging Bridge. Historic bridge’s history celebrated with kiosk Josie Luke The Swinging Bridge played a key role in the history of the San Rafael Swell region. The site is now a local recreational spot which draws local visitors along with visitors to the area. On Oct. 8 the bridge was marked with the unveiling of an interperative kiosk describing the history and geology of the site and that of the surrounding area. The kiosk features historical and more recent photographs of the area and interpretive graphics, along with text describing how the suspension bridge is the last of its kind in Utah. The kiosk also details the construction of the bridge by the Civilian Con- servation Corps between 1935 and 1937 According to Ray Peterson, the kiosk project “had its roots in a bridge restoration project conducted four years ago.” While the restorations were being made, those involved suggested the site would benefit from such a sign. The Emery County Historical Society then applied for a grant for the project and received matching funds from the Utah State Historical Preservation Society. When plans were initially made to install the kiosk, the Swinging Bridge was one of two suspension bridges in the state, but since the other burned Continued on Page A3. |