Sanpete Messenger Gunnison Valley Edition | 2005-01-19 | Page 2

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black A2 Sanpete Messenger-Gunnison Valley Edition Wednesday, January 19, 2005 Caucus Hansen (Continued from A1) BRUCE VAN DER RIET / MESSENGER PHOTO Former Ephraim city clerk and Sanpete County landfill treasurer Wendy Hansen, center, releases emotions as she talks with supporters following sentencing hearing. ers have maintained that she never should have been prosecuted. Her prominent defense attorney, Ron Yengich, rejected that sentiment. He said Blackham faced a set of facts that constituted a violation of law and prosecuted accordingly. “Anybody who claims Mr. Blackham had ulterior motives or another agenda is just plain wrong,” he said. Yengich said the resolution of the case considered public feelings and the feelings of Hansen, “who has suffered considerably public approbation….” He also maintained that Hansen, although a public employee, should receive the same treatment as any other person with no previous record who was convicted of the same offenses. “We want to treat everybody the same,” he said. Hansen told the court, “I know I have responsibility for this, and I’m sorry for what happened.” She said she had been offered a part-time job with the Snow College music and theater departments after the case was resolved. “I just want to move on with my life (and) help some of the students. (I want) to get on with it,” she told Mower. While admonishing Hansen that her actions in depositing thirdparty checks into her personal account had been the source of her problems, Mower told her, “This is not a death penalty case. Your life will go on. Hopefully the public will let it go on.” Referring to the emotion the case stirred up in the community, Blackham told the court, “Despite the talk in the coffee shops and on the streets,” the Hansen case was unique and not necessarily comparable to other cases involving misuse of public funds, Blackham said. Hansen’s prominent defense attorney, Ron Yengich, echoed Blackham’s sentiment. Many people who have commented on the case, he said, “aren’t privy to all of the facts.” CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS... In a recent letter to the editor regarding Wilbur Braithwaite, Steve Allred and Russell Nielson invited former students to post memories, experiences or thanks to Coach Braithwaite on a web site. The Sanpete Messenger unintentionally published the wrong web site address. The correct address is: http://home.comcast.net/ ~devenjritchie/. We apologize for any inconvenience and regret the error. Sanpete News Company, Inc., publishing the GUNNISON VALLEY EDITION (Continued from A1) merly served by Michael Styler of Delta. Earlier, Huntsman had tapped Blackham to head up the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, while Styler had been named director for the Department of Natural Resources. Peterson, who formerly represented Juab County and parts of Sanpete County in the Utah House, and who made a strong bid against Blackham in a primary last year, won the Senate seat. He will represent Juab, Sanpete, Sevier, Piute, Garfield and parts of Tooele and Utah counties. Newcomer Richard Wheeler, a vice president and former acting president at Snow College, won the House seat. His district includes portions of Millard, Juab and Sanpete counties. In a speech to delegates, Peterson said as a House member, he had made friends and built a reputation for honesty and integrity that would carry into the Senate. “I have capital,” he said, adding “I’m going to spend that capital on you.” Peterson won by 11 votes, 6453, over runner-up Eddie Cox, Darrin Peterson addresses the caucus after his victory. CEO of Central Utah Telephone in Fairview and a former Sanpete County commissioner. Bradley Johnson, a Utah House member from Aurora and Dan Jorgensen of Salina were also vying for the seat. Johnson received 27 votes while Jorgensen tallied five. Peterson ran a close race against the incumbent Blackham for the District 24 Senate seat during the primary elections in June. In fact, the race was so close that a count of provisional and absentee ballots was required before the result could be determined. Peterson used that momentum to take the seat at the caucus. Wheeler told the assembly that the most important role of government is to protect individual rights. “The most important thing your legislators will do is protect your…rural values,” he said. Wheeler won by 11 votes over Mary Greathouse of Millard County. Other hopefuls for the seat included Robert Bessey of Manti, Kirk Crosby of Delta, and Warren Peterson of Delta, who withdrew from the race at the last minute. Bill Fagergren, political director with the Utah Republican Party reported that turnout for the caucus was good and that “there’s been pretty high interest” in the replacements. Much of that interest came from Sanpete County. As co-chair of the Joint Appropriations Committee of the Legislature, Blackham had been instrumental in moving a multi-million dollar library project for Snow College up the priority list of state building projects as well as getting funds for turkey growers. As for the leadership role that Blackham played for so long for Tsunami Relief We will be accepting blankets/quilts to send to the victims of the recent Asian Earthquake/Tsunami. We will take all donated items to the Latter-Day Saint Humanitarian Center to be sent to the victims of the Tsunami. Please contact the credit union for Quilt Guidelines. You may drop off blankets/quilts to any of the Credit Union Offices. Moroni Feed Credit Union 84 West Main, Moroni 268 South Main, Ephraim 520 South Main, Gunnison 435-436-8288 or 800-795-6328 Member NCUA Must be eligible for membership. Copyright, Sanpete News Company, Inc.©2005. All rights reserved. Reproduction, re-use, or transmittal of all matter herein is prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher. Published each Wednesday for 75¢ each, $24.00 inside Sanpete County, $27.00 outside Sanpete County, by Sanpete News Company, Inc., 35 S. Main, Manti, Utah 84642 Phone [phone], fax [phone] E-mail publisher at: [e-mail] E-mail sports to: [e-mail] E-mail school items to: [e-mail] E-mail news to: [e-mail] E-mail ads to: [e-mail] Deadline: Thursday, 5 p.m. Manti: 35 S. Main, Hours: M-F, 9 am to 6 pm Periodicals Postage Paid at Manti, Utah 84642. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Sanpete Messenger, 35 S. Main, Manti, Utah 84642 Editor & Publisher ............................................. Suzanne Dean Associate Publisher ................................................... Lloyd Call Senior Reporter ...................................................... Sean Hales Assignment Reporter .............................................. John Hales Office Manager ................................................... Jacque Marsh Administrative Assistant .............................. Lindsay Kogianes Webmaster ........................................................ Kelly Hancock Ombudswoman .............................................. Karen Buchanan Staff Manti ................................................. Judy Chantry (835-8010) Ftn. Green, Moroni ............................... C. R. Truitt (445-3326) Gunnison ........................................ Geoffrey Pace (528-3922) Centerfield .......................................... Elva Jensen (528-3382) Axtell ................................................ Audrey Boore (528-3309) Mayfield ........................................... Margaret Amy (528-7076) Spring City ...................................... Holly Nicholes (462-2758) Staff Writers .......................... Erika Johnson, Kathy Eggleston Sports Writers ............................ Doug Johnson, Jeff Ericksen, Craig Cox and Coaches Photographers ........................... Sean Hales, Vern Buchanan, Peter Goss, Russ Beck Columnists ............................ Roger Baker, Corrie Lynn Player (Continued from A1) there needs to be a paid position to do the book work.” Mayor Scott Hermansen was sympathetic but concerned that Gunnison City might already be bearing a disproportionate share of fire department costs. Councilman Rodney Taylor any decision about hiring a staff member would be up to fire depart- Arrested: Michael Royal Olsen Address: Ephraim Date of Arrest: 1/13/05 Location of Arrest: Ephraim Charges: Possession of counterfeit money, theft. Bail: $5,587 Arrested: Gina Marie Howard Address: Sterling Date of Arrest: 1/13/05 Location of Arrest: Ephraim Charges: Two counts possession of forged document, and two counts of theft Bail: $11,174 Arrested: Trischa Thurston Address: Sterling Date of Arrest: 1/13/05 Location of Arrest: Ephraim Charges: Possession of a forged document and theft Bail: $5,587 Arrested: Kirk L. Olson Address: Moroni FARM FOR SALE UPS# 3284-0000 Haz-mat ment advisory board. The board “needs to make decisions and bring the funding requests back to the city councils,” he said. The Gunnison Valley Fire Department Community Advisory Board was formed in January 2004 to allow the city councils of Gunnision, Centerfield, Mayfield and Fayette to pool their funds and work cooperatively to respond to fire and other emergencies. BOOKING REPORT FARM SERVICE AGENCY Deadlines, Post Office & Contact Information District 24, particularly his home of Sanpete, Peterson acknowledged that it takes time to gain tenure and positions of power, but said, “There’s another way to have influence. If you treat your fellow legislators with respect, you will get a response.” Peterson said that he would have to get more input from local SEAN HALES / MESSENGER PHOTO governments before he Snow College vice preseident Rick takes a stand on Wheeler will represent the residents of projects such as the District 68. Snow College Library. He explained that one man in it takes to keep the family farm or the Senate cannot tackle the eco- maintain the family business. We nomic development of a region. “It live differently down here.” takes county commissions, city Wheeler said no county in councils and school boards,” and, Peterson’s or his district needs to he continued, “I always take my worry about proper representation lead from local officials. They in the Legislature. know what’s best for their commu“Darrin is committed to repnities.” He also said he is a fiscal resent the whole district, and I’m conservative but vowed to “get committed to break my neck to get every dollar for this area that I can.” to the other side of the mountain Wheeler said his main focus (Millard County) and represent my would be protecting the rights and whole district. It’s not about geogvalues of rural Utah. “Wasatch raphy. We have common issues— Front legislators don’t know what a rural lifestyle to protect.” (16.47 acre, former dairy farm - includes 3-bedroom home, corrals and outbuildings, two culinary wells and 6 shares Piute Canal water. Priced at $120,000). The property is being offered for sale to those individuals Farm Service Agency (FSA) considers to be qualified beginning farmers or ranchers, and all prevailing claimants in the civil action Pigford vs. Veneman. Qualified beginning farmers or ranchers who are prevailing claimants will be given first priority consideration in the purchase of this property. If more than one beginning farmer or rancher who is a prevailing claimant submits an application, priority within this group will be determined by lottery. Qualified beginning farmers or ranchers must be in need of FSA credit assurance either in the form of direct FSA financing or an FSA guaranteed loan. For other requirements and information on how to qualify as the beginning farmer or rancher, you may contact your local FSA office. The property is subject to any existing easements and rights of way for county roads, canals, etc. Financing may be available subject to the availability of funds. If financing is not available at the time of the sale, the selected applicant will be given the opportunity to lease the property for up to 18 months or until such time that Agency funds become available, whichever comes first. Applications can be picked up at the Sevier FSA Office. Applications must be completed and received by Jan. 26, 2005. The government reserves the right to cancel the sale at any time, and the right to reject any or all applications. For additional information contact FSA at 340 North 600 East, Richfield, Utah 84701. Phone [phone], ext. 5. 1/5,12.19GM Date of Arrest: 1/13/05 Location of Arrest: Moroni Charges: DUI, driving on denied license Bail: $1,382 Arrested: Heather Lynn Cadaday Address: Manti Date of Arrest: 1/11/05 Location of Arrest: Manti Charges: Booked and released for court on charge of assault Arrested: Kelly Jack Shepherd Address: Manti Date of Arrest: 1/11/05 Location of Arrest: Manti Charges: Sanpete Justice Court Warrants, and Mt. Pleasant Justice Court Warrants Bail: $2,017 Arrested: Deidre Stannon Rigby Address: Mt. Pleasant Date of Arrest: 1/9/05 Location of Arrest: Mt. Pleasant Charges: DUI Bail: $1,332 Casino Star Theatre Gunnison • Mon.-Thurs: ...... 7 pm • Fri. ................. 7, 9 pm • Sat. ............ 2, 7, 9 pm Meet the Fockers Rated PG-13 Adults: $5.00 Seniors and Children 11 and under: $3.00 Jan. 21-27 Jan. 25 Bargain Night! All seats $3.00 casinostartheatre.org - 528-STAR ADULTS: $5.50 CHILDREN & SENIORS: $3.50 MATINEES (BEFORE 6 P.M.) AND TUE. NIGHTS (EXCEPT DRIVE-IN): $3.50 MOVIES SUBJECT TO CHANGE CLOSED SUNDAYS For the Week of a Jan. 21-27 SOUTHTOWNE CINEMA 1&2 687 So. Main • Ephraim • 283-6121 Now Playing 6:45 & 9:00 Sat. Matinee 4:30 Now Playing 6:15 & 8:45 Sat. Matinee 3:45 Elektra [PG13] Meet the Fockers [PG13] TOWNE THEATRE What do you think? Write a Letter to the Editor 21 No. Main • Ephraim • 283-4711 Now Playing 7:45 Sat. Matinee 5:30 Racing Stripes [PG]