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Show Panguitch Looks At Natural Gas PANGUITCH Panguitch City Manager Allen Henrie estimated that some 75 Panguitch residents attended last Thursday night's meeting where representatives represen-tatives of Mountain Fuel presented the company's proposal to bring natural gas to Panguitch. Henrie said Panguitch had been working on obtaining natural gas for the city for the past three and one-half years at least. He said the first time natural gas was a possibility for the community was in 1987, but citizens rejected it. The community had been looking at several alternatives when Mountain Fuel came up with its offer. The company's original estimate had been $2.7 million for the system, but had since revised its estimate to $1.5 million, agreeing to finance the system over a period of 15 years. Present for the meeting were Mayor Elaine Baldwin, all city council members and Henrie. Five Mountain Fuel representatives represen-tatives were on hand to explain the proposal. Carl Galbraith, director of Mountain Fuel Customer Service took the lead. He was accompanied by Doyce Coates, manager, Southern Region; Steve Smith, public survey specialist; Mike Shaw of the company's Richfield Rich-field office; and Alan Allred, liaison for Mountain Fuel who will communicate com-municate with the state agency governing utilities. Mayor Baldwin outlined the history of the city's actions with regard to natural gas. Galbraith explained that the source for the city's gas would be Mountain Fuel's line in Dog Valley, and that local rates would be the same as those in Salt Lake City. Residents, however, would pay a monthly surcharge of $30 a month for the next 15 years to pay off the cost of the system. Gas lines will be run to residences where owners have signed up at no cost, except for a $144 one-time premise fee which can be paid off in 12 monthly payments of $12 each. Galbraith's figures were based upon an 80 percent signup, estimating 595 residential hookups and 119 commercial hookups. Property owners who sign up will be expected to switch at least one appliance to natural gas within the first two years. Galbraith said that natural gas surpasses other fuels in cleanliness and in costs of operating appli- ances, such as heating furnaces, clothes dryers, stoves, etc. He said it frees up property owners who live elsewhere in the winter to leave for the winter without draining their pipes, or worrying about pipes freezing if they are away a few days. Minimal heat, enough to prevent freezing, is supplied on a steady and even basis with natural gas at minimum cost to the property owner. "If we can do it now, the city's streets won't be torn up a second time," said Henrie. "They'll complete com-plete it next summer. Gone will be the days of hauling and storing wood and coal," said Henrie. "Well be able to just set the thermostat and leave when we like." Henrie said that city council member Craig Twitchell had spearheaded the effort to obtain natural gas for the city, working long hours on the project. He said that some time ago the city had conducted its own survey, asking citizens to prioritize needs for the city. When tallied, the response showed that natural gas was seen as the most critical need, with sewers in second place. The city is (See Panguitch Looks At Natural Gas On Page 3A) Panguitch News (From Page 2-A) Laine and Dorothy Norton have been in town with daughter Joan Norton. Laine is helping Joan with house and yard work. The native Panguitchites recently had their 50th wedding anniversary. The Neighborhood Watch is on the job. Even or especially at 3 o'clock o'-clock in the morning. If youngsters are on the streets after 10 p. m they are sent home. Richard and Irene Tebbs came from Cedar City, picked up mom, Verda Tebbs, then all went north to see a new grand and great-grandchild. The Sewer crews are working full blast. They are about one third of the way through but will be stopped if and when winter storms blow in. Sherril Henrie has been called to serve as the Director of Public Affairs for the Panguitch LDS Stake. The Church is stressing volunteer vol-unteer and cooperative services. If one has time and desire to serve, Sherril can tell you where help is needed and who to get in touch with to volunteer. Phone 676-8462. Panguitch native Harry Houston, 93, died in a Salt Lake Care Center. His parents were James General and Lydia Talbot Houston. His sister here was the late Berniece (Ruland) Veater. Early on Wednesday, Oct., 2 the Panguitch 4th grade students and their helpers climbed on board the big school bus and headed out for Tropic where the Bryce Valley kids sot on board. The bus hurried to J Calf Creek between hscalante and ; Boulder, where everything was set ; up for the Garfield School Districts 4th Grade two-day field trip. Tables, tents, supplies were all there. The youngsters poured off the bus like a herd of young deer being let loose from a corral. They ran, jumped, shouted and raced. Instructors from Southern Utah University and others conducted workshops in botany, geology, archeology, Indian culture and crafts. The theme was 'Intrigue of the Past'. The kids ate it up as well as all the well prepared food. At 4 p.m. the rain came and came and came. Because the tents had had to be set up on the flood plane with that much water they couldn't be used so everyone was returned home that night at II p.m. On Thursday morning everyone climbed aboard the bus and went to Bryce Valley School to finish an exciting and fun learning experience. |