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Show Lt Gov. Olene Walker Takes Leavitt Criticism PANGUITCH Lt. Gov. Olene Walker and Governor Leavitt' s staff met with some surprises in Panguitch Wednesday night, Sept. 8, as they came to declare Panguitch Utah's "Capital for the Day." Walker's opening promise of future e-highways that will open up many business and job opportunities oppor-tunities in the Panguitch area was met with less-than-enthusiastic response. Most county residents seemed skeptical about the rosy projection. They preferred to focus on the county's high unemployment, unemploy-ment, personal property rights, business slump that is coupled with rising taxes, RS2477 roads and water rights, Bureau of Land Management plans, school funding, and gun control. The Garfield County Teenage Republicans (TARS) presented Walker with a corsage and their appreciation for her hospitality -when they were her house guests last June before the State GOP convention. Some 75-80 people attended the meeting held at the Panguitch High School auditorium. Unfortunately, the corsage represented repre-sented the only flowers sent her way as the tone of the evening's meeting became more serious and testy. Governor Leavitt came under repeated criticism for his apparent disregard for the changing lifestyle and economy of Garfield County and for his failure to defend southern Utah from federal land grabs. Some believed that private control is being lost through Leavitt's compromising attitude with the federal government. "We're sick and tired of the federal governmentencroaching on our rights and we're sick and tired (See WALKER on Page 5-A) WALKER From Front Page of the Governor being willing to turn it all over to wilderness," said Carl Shakespear, Tropic. He was applauded by all except the state entourage who seem stunned at the anger and distrust expressed of both state and federal government. Rep. Tom Hatch, Panguitch, agreed that "rights are constantly being eroded." He acknowledged that the state government is bound on some federal issues, but stated, -"enough is enough." He sees the BLM Proposed Management Plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante as filled with flaws, and stated that Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt has repeatedly violated State law. He urged Gov. Leavitt to give Garfield County stronger support. Residents tried to explain to Walker that their anger stemmed from their inability to influence the changes impacting their family life and their livelihood. Bill Cox, Boulder, who serves as Garfield County Republican Party County Chairman, asked for a show of hands of all who were working two jobs to provide for their family, nearly everyone in the room raised a hand. Cox expressed distrust of Babbitt and the promises of the BLM. Walker remained calm and composed, listening sympathetically sympatheti-cally and allowing everyone time to speak. She, and other staff members mem-bers who were called upon to speak, assured those attending that Governor Leavitt is fully aware of the countywide and that solutions were currently being studied or formulated. She emphasized the concern at all levels of state .; government for the Garfield County area. She urged county residents to "have the vision to look ahead." She reminded everyone that it is difficult to resolve conflicts without communication and negotiation. She said that was the governor's goal in meeting with Secretary Babbitt. Walker said that the governor had "taken the hard course" to work ; with the federal government to resolve problems for the best for Utah, to gain degree of victory on . the conflict with the federal . government. She said she felt strongly that Gov. Leavitt "will 1 draw the line in agreement with the .7 federal government." In answer to a question about the Governor's position on gun control, Walker said, "The Gov- . ernor strongly supports the Second ; Amendment. But he feels that guns do not belong in churches, schools, ; courts, mental institutions, or on -,, planes. Earl Roe, Panguitch, said that he had taught Hunter Safety class at ... the local school for many years. He 3 said that youth completing the , classes were safer hunters as a -j result. Sometimes schools or churches are the only buildings in small towns where Boy Scout .j marksmanship and hunter safety ; classes can be held. Most at the meeting agreed that ; existing gun laws should be fully enforced before passing additional , gun control laws. Lamar LeFevre, Tropic, was joined by several other businessmen in complaining about the slump in business and increasing cost of operations. He said that the antici- pated tourism had failed to materialize. materi-alize. "Tourists coming through ,1 are not spending much money and ? yet are costing the county a great 1 deal in services provided," LeFevre (See WALKER on Page 7-A) : 1 WALKER From Page 5-A said. Walker praised the young Republican teenagers present, and said that the county is in good hands with them in leadership positions. posi-tions. Yolanda Pollock, Tropic, serves as TARS chair; Marshall Thompson, Thomp-son, Cannonville, as vice chair; Tamra Moss, Cannonville, secretary; secreta-ry; Lace Walker, Cannonville, delegate; and Rosa Lee Thompson, Cannonville, Constitution chair. |