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Show Page 2 The Gunnison Valley Gazette Thursday, September 22, 2011 Redistricting questions under consideration By JOHN HALES "Sanpete County is the poster child for terrible [district] map drawing," he told redistricting committee members at a meeting last summer. "No one is representing Sanpete County when it comes to redistricting, so my question is who of you will represent Sanpete County ... "We humbly ask, pray, beg, scream, everything short of standing in front of a bus and yelling 'Hell no, we won't go!" Cox has submitted an alternate version of the House map to committee members for their consideration. "While it becomes incredibly difficult to start moving lines around without affecting the entire map, we can simpli- Okerlund, from Sevier County and one of the committee's co-chairs, said redrawing the SALT LAKE CITY map isn't quite that simple. — Close, but no cigar, some Though Sanpete's battle is a are saying about the plan curworthy one, he said, it's one rently under consideration to the county could lose if it inredefine legislative districts sists on fighting it. for the Utah House of Repre"It's kind of a long shot," sentatives. Okerlund said. That plan, submitted two "A couple weeks ago we weeks ago by House members were very close to losing a ruof the Legislature's Redistrictral seat, and we weren't sure ing Committee, would split which one it was going to be," Sanpete County between two he said. "It took a lot of work House districts, rather than the all in one day to keep that ruthree it's been divided among ral seat intact so we didn't lose for the last 10 years. one of those rural districts. "Sanpete County has been There's a risk, if we go into torn up in three pieces. Now that process again ... that we'll we're looking at two," said lose one of those rural seats if Gunnison Mayor Lori Nay, we try to get a Sanpete County who has been vocal in calling district." for a unified SanThe implicapete County district tion is that if a rural in the State Legisseat is lost, Sanpete lature. "I guess it's County could once some kind of imagain get drawnprovement, but it's and-thirded to make not at all conquerup the difference. ing the problem." But there's The comanother reason the mittee's proposal plan could fail. The current map for the Utah House of Representatives splits would place the "You have to Sanpete County among three different districts. Much of the Gunnison Valley is with Sevier County in District 70, which inlcludes a portion northern half of worry about the inof Emery County and most of Sevier County. Sanpete County cumbent, which is Central Sanpete is in District 68 with western Juab County and all of Millard. Northern Sanpete's District 67 includes portions of with the heaviestsomething the law Carbon, Utah and Juab counties. None of them is currently represented by someone from Sanpete populated area of says you can do," County. Juab County, and Okerlund said. a portion of Tooele Rep. Patrick County. That would Painter and Rep. be District 73. Bill Wright are District 68 those incumbents. would lump SanPainter is from Nepete 's southern half phi in Juab County. with Millard CounUnder Cox's proty and the West posal, the writDesert portions of ing on the wall for Juab, Tooele and him would be easBeaver counties. ily read if a unified The map now considered by Utah's Legislative Redistricting The map does Sanpete County Committee splits Sanpete in two. The southern half of Sanpete would be in District 68 with Millard County and western portions of Beaver, do something Nay backed one of its Juab and Tooele counties. wanted to see hapown as a candidate Northern Sanpete would be with eastern Juab and a portion pen: It separates the against him. of Tooele County. Gunnison Valley Wright, from The Gunnison Valley would no longer be in a district with Sevier County, and none of Sanpete would share districts with Emery and Sevier County, Millard County, or Carbon as in the past. which have long could face a similar been joined at the threat from Tooele hip in legislative County in Cox's districts. version of District Nay said early 68. in the redistrictCox admitted ing process that it that without the wouldn't be unlikesupport of Rep. ly for anyone from Painter, it would the Gunnison Valbe unlikely his plan ley get elected to would have much the State House as traction to move Sanpete County Commissioner Spencer Cox has presented an long as the two arforward through alternate plan that keeps Sanpete County entirely whole in one district eas were combined the committee. (District 73), though it would include a portion of Juab County. in a district. But on MonCox has presented his plan to the Legislature's Redistricting Committee and is lobbying committee members to adopt his recommendation. Notwithstandday, Cox said coning that change, versations he'd had Nay called the new with some legislaHouse plan "a very poor solu- fy matters greatly by combin- tors led him to believe "there's tion." ing the two districts [68 and a really good chance we could "We need to push for one 73] and redrawing only the get this done." seat for Sanpete County," she dividing lines between them," He said he would continue said, adding that both districts Cox wrote in his email. to lobby legislators to support would end up creating "threeCox's map does that, "and the plan, and encouraged Sanway dogfights" between coun- the results are logically beauti- pete citizens to do the same. ties when it came to electing ful," he wrote. "At a minimum, contactstate representatives. Cox's map keeps Sanpete ing members of the LegislaSanpete Commissioner whole in District 73, but in- ture, especially those on the Spencer Cox used the very cludes the eastern, more-pop- committee is the best way to same language in an email he ulated area of Juab County in do that," he said. "It never sent to officials and other no- order to come up with the right hurts to send an email to senatables in Sanpete the day after district-population number. tors and representatives letting the redistricting committee reThe other district (68) them know how we feel." leased the map. keeps Millard County whole, The Redistricting ComCox has led the charge for maintains the western portion mittee plans to vote next week a single Sanpete district, both of Juab and Beaver counties, on maps to present to the full in rallying the forces at home and incorporates all of western Legislature, which is schedto create a strong, unified Tooele County to reach the de- uled to convene a special sesvoice, and then in making sure sired number. sion on Oct. 3 to consider and legislators heard it. But Utah Sen. Ralph adopt final maps. Cr azette GUNNISCON VAL L EY Lane Henderson, Publisher Mark Henline, Editor & Advertising Jodi Henline, Office Manager Call: (435) 528-5178 for subscription, news or advertising. FAX: (435) 528-5179 E-mail gazette@gtelco.net The Gunnison Valley Gazette is published each Thursday by Gunnison Valley Gazette, L.L.C., 328 North Valley Drive, P.O. Box 143 Gunnison, Utah 84634. Bulk rate postage (permit No. 11) is paid at Gunnison, Utah. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gunnison Valley Gazette, P.O. Box 143 Gunnison, Utah 84634 Deadlines: News and advertising, Noon, Monday prior to publication. Subscription prices: One year, $25 in Sanpete County, one year, $30 outside Sanpete County. Single copy price 75 cents. Advertising rates available upon request. All articles and photographs submitted for publication are subject to editing and only will be used if the editor deems them newsworthy. The editor reserves the right to hold submitted news items for space reasons. Copyright Gunnison Valley Gazette, Gunnison, Utah 2005. All rights reserved. Reproduction, reuse or transmittal of all matter herein is prohibited without prior written permission by the publisher or editor. WEATHER Thursday 80/46 Sunny Friday 83/48 Sunny Saturday 82/48 Sunny Sunday 84/48 Mostly Sunny Gunnison's Weather is brought to you by Gunnison Telephone Co. Hopi Reservation service project For the past few years, local volunteers have made annual trips to the Hopi Indian Reservation in Northern Arizona to give aid to the Hopi people. This year, volunteers have organized with the LDS branch on the Reservation to present food preservation workshops. LDS Humanitarian Services has started a gardening project with the Hopi people and it has grown immensely with the gardens numbering in the hundreds now. This food preservation workshop is the next step in helping to teach self-reliance to these people. On September 29th and October 1st, volunteers will work with couple missionaries and local branch leaders to present bottling and canning sessions for meat, potatoes, corn, apples and tomatoes. The goal is to provide basic techniques so that the native people will be able to preserve what is grown in their own gardens. If you have a desire to help in this cause, the following things are needed: new wide-mouth pint jars, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet corn and funds to purchase the meat. Donations are needed by September 26th. Please call Matt at 435-2010590 with any question or if you would like to join in. GVHS FFA Officers • 1959 Larry Cambron, Frank Willardson, Ellis Peterson, Kent Jensen, Gary Westenskow and Everd Squire Sponsored by HERMANSEN'S MILL 204 South 1st East • Gunnison 528-3136 Feeds • Grain Storage • Fertilizer Seeds • Farm Supplies • Chemicals ,Subscribe to the Gazette Only $25* per year! • I Name I Address P.O. Box I I I I I City Zip I *Outside Sanpete County $30 per year. GUNNISON VALLEY I azette Now Playing at P.O. Box 143 Gunnison, Ut 84634 J Tice Casino Star Theatre The Help Change begins with a whisper Playing September 25rd - 29th Monday - Thursday - 7 pm Friday b- Saturday: 7 b- 9:30 Thursday Night is Bargain Night! All Seats are just $3.50 CONTAGION aanno aion Rink roT316 sr76aos du FEAR CONTAGION Friday September 30th Movie Ticket Prices • $6 - Adults $4 Children under 12 & Seniors 78 South main Street Gunnison 528-STAR www,casinostartheatre,com The Casino Star Theatre "You" Nometoson National Treasure!" |
