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Show C M C M Y K Y K A11 Sanpete Messenger-Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Templarettes take second place at region By Alec Barton Staff writer RICHFIELD—It came down to the prop category, and that’s where the Manti Templarettes slipped and were forced to settle for second place at region drill team competition at the Sevier Valley Center last Wednesday. After an evening full of difficult headstands, impressive kick lines and flamboyant props, Manti and six other teams, including rival South Sevier, waited in anticipation for the awards ceremony. It soon became clear Manti and South Sevier would face a head-to-head battle for first place. South Sevier posted a win in military. Manti answered with a win in dance. In both cases, the opposite team placed second, and Richfield took third twice. Then, Manti placed third in prop, opening the doors for a South Sevier cumulative win. Richfield took second in that category, and South Sevier again placed first. Manti took second overall, with Richfield and Grand following in third and fourth places. Despite a region loss, the Templarettes have several accomplishments to their credit. Along with San Juan, Manti was one of the smallest teams to compete at region, with just 11 or 12 students per dance. Size wasn’t a negative factor in the team’s overall performance, however. Nor was it a factor in the drill down, when McKenzie Hatch, a senior, bested two Richfield girls for a win in the individual competition that is much like “Simon Says,” only much harder. The drill down tests a dancer’s physical and mental abilities, and to win the competition requires discipline and practice. Manti and South Sevier, along with Juab, Millard and Kanab from other region, enter state competition this weekend as favorites. South Sevier has claimed the state title for two consecutive years, with Manti and Millard splitting third and second places on alternating years. Before that, Manti had placed first five years in a row, a state record. Meanwhile, the North Sanpete Spiriteers placed second in military and prop, and third in dance for an overall region placement of third. State competition for Manti, Gunnison and North Sanpete High Schools is this Saturday at Utah Valley University. A complete schedule of event times is available at the Utah High School Activities Association website: www.uhsaa.org. News Ordinances (Continued from A1) and advocates who showed up at the public hearing had advocated. One of the group-homes’ spokesmen at the hearing was Paul Bailey, owner of Lighthouse Academy near Fountain Green. As a local county resident from Moroni, Bailey did not fit the stereotype that had been cast of group-home operators as out-of-towners seeking only to make money by exploiting the county with a proliferation of the homes. “I don’t think you should just listen to the group that’s barking the loudest,” Bailey said, speaking of the citizen protest of group homes that had brought the issue to the fore. “It’s not the bad thing it’s being made out to be.” And, referring to the months of meetings and research since last spring that had culminated in the ordinances, he said, “Just because a lot of work has been done on this, doesn’t mean it’s right.” Lighthouse co-owner Steve Frazee continued that point. “One of the things that troubles me a little bit is that the results of that effort is not backed up by any of the research that people have put years and years and years into,” Frazee said. He noted that, even though prior to last week the county did not regulate numbers of group-home residents, operators did not build homes for hundreds of residents, but usually 2024. “The number 24 comes from mounds and mounds of evidence and research,” he said. “If you are limiting a facility to under 12, you are limiting their ability to function the best way possible. “How does it run with 12, how does it run with 16, with 24, with 6? If I’m in your shoes, those are the questions I would ask,” he said. “Those are the types of things that you take a look at before you pass something that’s like this.” Frazee invited commissioners to take more time to study the issue more thoroughly before making a decision. But Commissioner Jarr e t t s a i d , “ I d o n ’t k n o w where more study gets us. We all went on the Internet, we all looked at research. “I do think we want a number that conforms with the character of the county but also provides the services that help these troubled youth. They’re residents of this county, just like any one of you, and we’re responsible for all.” Commissioners were swayed somewhat by the arguments of group-home operators. “I was leaning toward the 12 number coming into this. I will tell you I’m leaning higher than that now,” said Commissioner Spencer Cox after hearing their case. Cox suggested changing the ordinances to the 20-resident, 2-mile provisions that were eventually adopted. In so doing, he addressed the difficulty of seeing, and even sympathizing with, both sides of the issue. “This is a tough issue,” he said. “I understand the feeling of those who live close to these facilities and their concerns. One of the things that is so attractive, one of the reasons we see so many of these homes, is because we have something special here. I worry that if those homes get too large and too crowded together then we lose the very thing that was attractive for them in the first place.” At the same time, he s a i d , “ We a l s o h a v e t h e concern of looking out for ® Power to all your appliances in .000795 of a second. Or it’s free. © 2009 Rocky ckyy Mountain Power THG-08920 ® Go painlessly with Thera-Gesic ALEX BARTON / MESSENGER PHOTO Manti Templaretts perform military drill at recent region competition that saw them capture second place. “ DELIVERING SAFE, RELIABLE POWER IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.” You probably don’t think much about it. You just turn on your microwave, toaster or TV and the power is there as you soon as you push the button. We take great pride in providing you the electricity you need when you need it. And every day we’re looking for ways to deliver it even more efficiently and more consistently. That’s our commitment to you. For energy-saving answers visit us at rockymountainpower.net. Man Tries Out For Pro Team After Using Thera-Gesic BEXAR COUNTY- After applying Thera-Gesic to his sore right knee, Tom W. tried out for his favorite basketball team. When asked why a 5’9” older man could possibly think he would make the team, he painlessly replied: “None of your dang business!” those with disabilities and the rights that they have clearly defined in federal law. I think it’s legitimate to weigh the job aspect: we don’t get a lot of great jobs that come pouring into Sanpete County. Those employees really believe they’re m a k i n g a d i ff e r e n c e f o r these kids. They’re passionate about what they do.” Go Tom Go C M C M Y K Y K |