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Show C M C M Y K Y K In Our Opinion Continue to support fire service district “Like all things, it starts with a kernel and then rolls into a project.” That’s how Graciela Torino Meyers describes the story of the Indianola Valley Fire Department. It was true when the fire department was created in 2005 a couple years after a few people, concerned because of fires that had destroyed homes in the area, created the North Sanpete Fire Council: concern became a movement, became a council, became a department. And it is true now, when a proposal seeks to change the fact that the IVFD is a fire department without a station: a kernel of a few dollars per person could roll into a life- and property-saving project. It’s a good proposal, and continues the county’s track record of good decisions when it comes to the IVFD. We urge residents to support it. The proposal would create a “special assessment area” (SSA) with roughly the same geography as that served by the department. Property owners within the SSA would be charged about $6.50 per lot per year (the “assessment”), and the money thus collected would pay off a $340,000 loan used for construction of a fire station. (Another $440,000 would come from grants). Indianola Valley residents would get a $780,000 project for only a kernel of the price. The assessment, along with the loan payoff schedule, would last for 20 years, and property owners could pay off their entire 20-year assessment upfront or at any time. With the presence of a fire station, property owners could save an average of $50 per year in reduced fire-insurance premiums. You pay $6.50, get $50 back. Not a bad deal. Not to mention the savings much-improved fire protection would provide to homeowners whose houses would otherwise be destroyed when and if fire hits. What’s more, it’s difficult to see much risk the county would have to assume because in the plan. When you look back at decisions that turn out to have been the wrong one, it’s called second-guessing; when circumstances make it evident that a previous decision was the right one, it’s called foresight. There can be an awful lot of second-guessing when it comes to government decisions, but the county’s decision to create the Indianola Valley Fire Department in was all foresight. The Salt Creek Canyon Fire two years later proved that. That’s when the department was luckily ready to respond to the huge fire, which threatened hundreds of out-of-theway, difficult-to-protect homes. The county now faces another decision with regard to fire protection in the northern county. The decision officials are leaning toward seems in keeping with their previous foresight, but they can only make that decision if residents allow it. Support the creation of the Indianola Valley Fire Department Special Service Area. Al Taylor and Rolling Thunder Production Admission: $5.00 includes party favor, roasted smores & entertainment Letters 835-4255 87 N. Main, Manti Party starts at 9 pm 14 & under FREE! to the editor... We welcome and enjoy letters sent in by our readers. Please be aware of the following policies when submitting Letters to the Editor: 1) You may submit Letters to the Editor by • email: news@sanpetemessenger.com • fax: (435) 835-1493 • mail or in person: 35 S. Main Street, Manti, Utah 84642; 2) Letters are limited to 500 words in length, and to one letter per month per reader; 3) Letters must include the author’s name, hometown and phone number (phone numbers will not be published); 4) Letters must not contain potentially slanderous or libelous language, insults, personal attacks, commercial promotions or personal messages; 5) The Messenger reserves the right to edit Letters to the Editor for any reason deemed appropriate, such as for clarity, taste, grammar and space. Thanks to supporters of Heifer International We would like to thank all those who generously donated to the Heifer International program we sponsored this year in Sanpete County. Thanks to your generosity we were able to raise $892.37, which allowed us to give a water buffalo, sheep, llama, goat, pig, a hive of bees, some rabbits, a flock of geese and ducks, and a flock of chicks to needy families. These animals will be going to Southeast Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, Africa, China, India, and other areas. What a wonderful way to reach out to lift others and make a real difference in their lives. Rev. Vicki Tate and The Johannine Christian Community, Manti City should reconsider fees for low-income individuals I’m a retired senior citizen living on a very low Social Security monthly amount ($559) who recently moved into Manti Senior Apartments (USDA Rural Development assisted). I’ve been a tenant in a number of HUD or USDA Rural Development-assisted apartment complexes for the past five years in four western states. In none of these towns or cities—big or small—was I required to pay for “street improvement,” “fire-district fee,” etc., as I’m told I have to pay here in Manti, since moving in: $16 per month. For me and other Senior Tenants of Manti Senior Apartments, that represents a significant deduction from our only source of income, Social Security, and I believe this is wrong. Typically, such fees are assessed to business and property owners. Given the return on their respective investments, that makes sense. I appeal to the Mayor of Manti City to review this policy, which presently places an undue burden on our lowincome Senior citizens living in subsidized apartments. I have been thinking for the last month or so: what if China wants to collect what we owe them and wants to be paid right now? What do we do if India gets mad and decides to use all of our tax and credit info and use it to take out loans in our names? What do we do if all of the countries that make our military gear decide to use them against us? What do we do if we are attract Bigtime? Do we have enough troops to defend ourselves here at home? How do we get the equipment to fight a war? Do we go to WalMart and order it from China? How much of our Federal Parks have already been sold to China, Japan, Korea, Germany, and how many more? Why have we let this happen? Why do we give all of these countries billions of dollars in aid just to have them turn around and burn our flag? They take our money with one hand and stab us in the back with the other. Most of them have been fighting between themselves for 2,000 years. What makes us think that they are going to stop anytime soon? Their religion tells them to hate anyone that is not that religion. So why are we wasting our time? Just think: if we saved the aid money for one quarter we could probably pay off our debt. Think about it. Neil Hall Manti Why have we let this happen? Louis T. Carabillo, Jr. Manti We hope the season delivers good cheer and good times to you and your family. Moroni City wishes everyone a sincere hope for a bright future. Mayor Ron Pipher Councilmembers: Food & Live Countdown! A7 Sanpete Messenger-Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition Wednesday, December 24, 2008 David Crosland Orson Cook Greg Morley Paul Green Todd Pay During this holiday season, we wish to thank you for your support over the past year. We look forward to serving you in the coming year. Seven States Recycling Ephraim C M C M Y K Y K |