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Show Press Conference reviews SWUCPF's position In a news conference following the Southwest Utah Power Cooperative Federation's and the Southwest Power Agency's meetings. SWUCPF board directors replied to objections raised by Cedar City Councilmen Gordon Slack and Arlo Larsen to Cedar City possibliy joing the federation. The councilmen had voiced their objections in a news conference which was held approximately ap-proximately two weeks ago. Cedar City is the only incorporated area in CPNational's electrical power system which has not joined the federation for the possible purchase of that system. Cedar City does have a representative on the federation's negotiating team and has joined the Southwest Power Agency which is planned to make the financial arrangements for the possible pur-. pur-. chase. Councilman Jack Whiting was named Vice Chairman of the agency's Board of Directors last Sat. In answer to a question of whether the federation would be able to finance the purchase of the CPN system without Cedar City's participation, par-ticipation, federation and agency board director Leon Bowler replied, "My position would be that it is still feasible but not nearly as feasible as if it was done together with Cedar City." He said that he would hold out firmly for a unified action but emphasized em-phasized that cedar City had to make its own decision. John Vaugh another federation director and recently elected agency board chairman said, "I don't want the federation to try to dictate to Cedar City or their city council." Bowler clarified that agency's role saying that Cedar City would contract for its share of the power system from the agency and would not be directly responsible for bonding for the possible purchase. Bowler further stated that according ac-cording to SWUCPF's attorney George Fadel, that CPN's present contract with Utah Power and Light is for perpetuity. Slack and Larsen had stated that after speaking with UP&L officials that the perpetuity of this contract was questionable. They said that after 1985 If CPN no longer owns the powere system that UP&L might not be obligated to honor the agreement. Bowler also felt that condemnation proceedings for purchasing the CPN system should be avoided. The councilmen had questioned whether the federation would be obligated to purchase CPN's system at a court set price if negotiations can not reach a satisfactory agreement outside of court. Bowler said that tying the case up in court could take years and that both parties would loose. He said that other alternatives should be con-: con-: sidered before going into condemnation.. con-demnation.. Fadel had clarified a federation bylaw by-law . in the earlier meeting. The councilmen had objected to the bylaw by-law but Fadel felt that it had been misinterpreted. He said that only 35 percent of the federation members were necessary to hold a meeting, but that a majority of board directors were necessary to conduct business. , i The councilmen and other Cedar . City officials have objected to the fact that Cedar City would not have a weighted vote on the federation's ; board of Directors. If Cedar City joined the federation it would have one representative on the nine member board. Bowler did not feel . that this was an inequity and , said,"Every board member has the ; responsibility to look out for the entire ; area. I think that the present , organization does give everyone fair ; representation." Forrest Hunter and Doran Fox ' representing Citizens For Fair Power 5 reported that they now have 6ver 500 ' signatures on a petition which could ' make Cedar City decide by public '' vote whether it sould join the 'i federation or not. Federation " directors stress stressed that the petition was completely separate from the federation and being . promoted by the citizen group. : Fox said, "Some of Cedar City's ;: most prominent citizens are responsible for getting these petitions ': ouot." |