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	Local News, Local Voice, Locally Owned
	Volume 2, Issue 17 Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Edition

Giving Back

-Emery County RSVP met on April 16 to recognize the senior citizens involved in the volunteer organization.

Higher taxes loom as property values soar

-State mandates county raise property values.

Emery County Democrats decide on candidate

-On April 17, Democrats chose Laurie Pitchforth to run for county commission.

Ferron residents face off for commission seat

-Drew Sitterud and Laurie Pitchforth are running against eachother for a seat on the county commission in November.

Huntington rejects moratorium on outside water connections

-Huntington City Council members declined amending the inter-local agreement between Huntington City and the Castle Valley Special Service District which would have resulted in a moratorium on outside-city-boundary water and sewer connections

Giving Back

Josie Luke

Emery County RSVP held a brunch April 16 at the Museum of the San Rafael to recognize the service of Emery County senior citizens involved in the volunteer organization. The group, which in one year has grown from 120 to 185 volunteers, has completed more than 10,000 hours of service in less than a year.

The RSVP program is a division of Senior Corp, which also includes the Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions programs. Addressing the seniors, Laurie Pitchforth, Emery County Volunteers of America Senior Services Coordinator remarked, “I’m in awe all the time spent in the service you give to our community.”

The Emery County group has grown to include 133 women and 53 men, with the average age of volunteers being 70. More than half of the group attended the brunch and were treated to a meal provided by Drew LeRoy.

Many seniors also participated in a performance by the Emery County Senior Citizens’ Band and were able to listen to several speakers. Near the end of the event, a drawing was held where nearly every senior who attended received a prize, thanks to generous donations from local businesses.

Pitchforth was pleased with how well the event was attended and said, “I think the seniors that were there had a good time. It’s an event that they look forward to all year, and we are pleased to be able to do it, because we really appreciate all they do.”

Higher taxes loom as property values soar

James L. Davis

Emery County finds itself once again mandated to do something about what the state views as undervalued home and lot values in the county, or the Utah State Tax Commission will take action on its own.

In 2007 the county raised home values by 18 percent to bring the assessed values of homes within 90 percent of what they were actually selling for in the county. The state’s desire is to have counties assess homes at 100 percent of their market value and 90 percent is the minimum it will allow. With the 18 percent raise last year Emery County Assessor Kris Bell hoped that pressure from the state regarding home values would ease, although she knew the state still took issue with lot values, which are assessed significantly lower than they are selling for in the county.

But in 2008 the demand for homes county-wide has resulted in home sales significantly higher than even the increased values they were assessed just last year. Which is why the state is again calling, demanding that the county do something to bring its property values in line or face the state raising all home values to 100 percent of market value, instead of the minimum of 90 percent.

Exacerbating the problem is the fact that lot values are significantly lower than what they are selling for within the cities of the county, which is brought about by a demand for property within cities and a limited supply of land for sale.

“It’s a sellers’ market right now. The land in the cities is valued lower than it is selling for. We had one lot that was valued at $1,500 and it sold for $19,500,” Bell said.

Vacant lots and lots within cities being undervalued, is what is causing much of the problem the county is facing as it tries to come to terms with state expectations on property values. It isn’t a new problem, according to Bell.
“We tried to raise lot values with our previous (county) commission, and we actually did, but when it came time for the board of equalization the commission reversed everything. That’s kind of why we are where we are. Nobody wants to make their values go up, we’re just trying to get in line with where we are supposed to be,” Bell said.

During the April 22 meeting of the Emery County Commission, Bell discussed the problem the county was facing along with Kimm Lacy, with the Utah State Tax Commission.

Lacy explained to the commission that if the county did not raise its home and lot values to be within 90 percent of market value, then the state would step in and it would have to raise the values to 100 percent of the market value.

The commission, for its part, was reluctant to agree to any action regarding the matter, but made a motion for Bell to raise home and lot values the bare minimum required to bring the county into compliance with the state mandate. The end result of increased home and lot values will be an increase in property taxes at the end of the year, “It’s safe to say that county wide values are going up,” Bell said.

As for how much home and lot values are going to raise, Bell could not give a definitive answer because it varies widely based on what property and homes in the area have been selling for. Home and property owners will be notified of their newly assessed property values when disclosure notices are distributed in July.

In an attempt to bring lot values in line with what the state requires, lots within city limits will be assessed for their value, even if the property is currently being used for agricultural purposes. Property used for agricultural purposes that meet zoning requirements for building will be valued at one half of a lot value and lots within cities that have existing utilities in place will be valued a full lot value. Property designated as green belt will continue to receive green belt designation.

Property values often prove to be a double edged sword for owners, depending on what they are planning for their property. If a home or lot owner is interested in selling, than high values mean the property will sell for a higher price, but for those wanting to hold onto their property, high values mean higher taxes.

The state, for its part, is looking at what homes and property are actually selling for in the area. Just like appraisers, the state looks at comparables based on information it receives from surveys the county assessors office sends out to property owners who have sold land or homes. They analyze what the property was sold for versus what it was valued for and expects the county to have property values set at a minimum of 90 percent of what they are selling for.

The problem arises when there is a demand for property, as is the case for property within the borders of most cities within the county that exceeds what is available. Property owners can ask for more than what the property is valued for and get what they area asking, which raises what the state sees as comparable property values in the same area.

Bell said she sees things eventually leveling out within the county, but not until property values more closely resemble what they are selling for.

“What people need to realize is that we don’t raise taxes, we just set values,” Bell said.

Emery County Democrats decide on candidate

Josie Luke

The Emery County Democrats held their county convention at the Museum of the San Rafael on April 17, where Laurie Pitchforth won the Democratic nomination to run for a position on the county commission over Don J. Riddle.

Pitchforth received 70 percent of the 32 votes cast by county delegates, which was more than the 60 percent required to negate the need for a primary. She will be running for the position on the commission against the Republican incumbent, Drew Sitterud.

Both Pitchforth and Riddle were given the opportunity earlier in the convention to explain their experience and reasons for running for the position.

Riddle related his military experience and his union activity, and then expressed his disgust with what he had heard from many people in the county were “self-serving county commissioners.” He pointed specifically to what he called the “deplorable” $6,000 raise the commissioners passed for elected officials. He asked the audience, “When was the last time you received a $6,000 a year raise? If I were elected, it would never happen.”
He also noted what he viewed as a lack of lack of economic growth, saying that he would provide change if he were elected. “Change in the right direction, change you can count on,” he concluded.

Pitchforth related her family’s’ “long history for the love of politics,” and the political experiences she had while she was growing up. She also pointed to her experience, especially her work on the Ferron City Council and as part of Volunteers for America as the coordinator of senior services, which includes the RSVP senior volunteer program.
She described taking over a program that was “dead,” and told of how she, with the help of others, “turned it into one of Emery County’s finest assets.” Pitchforth also expressed her belief that “public office should not be considered a career, or a way to make a living, but as a way to make a difference.”

Many others also spoke at the convention, including Senator Mike Dmitrich, who is retiring this year, Representative Brad King, who is running for Dmitrich’s position, County Commissioner Gary Kofford and Sheriff Lamar Guymon.

A number of state delegates were also elected at the convention. The Democratic State Convention will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center on May 10.

Ferron residents face off for commission seat

James L. Davis

Following the Emery County Democratic Convention last week two Ferron residents will face off for the one open county commission seat in the November election.

Democratic challenger Laurie Pitchforth is looking to unseat incumbent, Republican Drew Sitterud as Emery County commissioner.

Sitterud, who is finishing his second term as a commissioner, is running for reelection looking to continue what he terms as an ever broadening vision for the county.

“Because of my training, knowledge, and position I now hold and the coalition of local, state, and federal leaders I know and work with, there are many more opportunities for me to serve more effectively as your county commissioner. My reasons for running are not self-serving. I do not have a personal agenda. I’m a conservative, open minded citizen who cares about the future of Emery County. There have been many improvements made for Emery County over the past eight years as I have served as your commissioner. However, there are still many issues that concern me and I have a desire to continue to work towards their solutions,” Sitterud said.

Sitterud currently serves on the Community Impact Board and said his presence on the board has helped in the communities of the county in their efforts to receive grants and loans from the board.

Sitterud resides with his wife, Julie, in Ferron. They have two children and two grandchildren. Sitterud said his family is his “greatest accomplishment.”

Pitchforth has served as a councilwoman on the Ferron City Council and for the past seven years has been the coordinator for Volunteers of America, the RSVP Program and Foster Grandparent program. She is also an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a counselor at Girls State.

She said she believes that with her past experience in city government she can bring a calm, reasoned voice and a progressive, positive viewpoint to the office of the commission.

“Economic development is a must. The possibilities are endless. There is no reason why Emery County should not be a destination place. We have to find ways for more infrastructure and employment while at the same time helping to support the local business,” she said.

In her position as a coordinator for Volunteers of America she said she has learned of the power of people working together for the common good, as well as how everyone can make a difference in the lives of others. Pitchforth has been married to her husband Shane for 30 years. They have four grown children and four grandchildren.

Huntington rejects moratorium on outside water connections

Josie Luke

During the Huntington City Council meeting held April 16, the council declined amending the inter-local agreement between Huntington City and the Castle Valley Special Service District and therefore rejected what would have been the resulting adoption of a moratorium on outside-city-boundary water and sewer connections.

The council voted 4-1, with Councilman Travis Larsen casting the lone vote in support of the amendment. For those who voted against, they cited the fact, as voiced by Councilwoman Cathy Cowley that “We’re surrounded by North Emery Water District. I don’t think Huntington City, because of that unique fact, needs this. I think that’s just another law that doesn’t need to be passed.”

Larsen disagreed, saying, “I think we should have these properties annexed in so they pay taxes to the city.”

Opposing the agreement, Councilman Bob Mills stated, “The county commissioners have spent a lot of time and there’s a lot of conditions that people have to meet in order to build in the county. We ought to support them in what they do. If people have to get the annexation through before they can build, they’re going to go someplace else and build. All we’re doing is telling them we don’t want them to move in.”

Two business licenses were also approved during the meeting. The first license was given to Cindi Edwards, who is opening a new café which will be located at 170 S Main, next to Christy’s Salon Sensations. The second was issued to Karen Hesselman for the “Counter Balance Wilderness Program.”

Councilman Larsen addressed the ongoing city cleanup revealing that many citizens are actively participating. “One yard at a time, we are plugging away,” he said. He also discussed plans to begin awarding a “Tidy Yard Award” to six Huntington homes per month. The first awards would be given in May, and those who won would be given $25 gift certificates to any Huntington business.

	Local News, Local Voice, Locally Owned
	Volume 2, Issue 17 Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Edition

January 1, 2008 Edition

January 8, 2008 Edition

January 15, 2008 Edition

January 22, 2008 Edition

January 29, 2008 Edition

February 5, 2008 Edition

February 12, 2008 Edition

February 19, 2008 Edition

February 26, 2008 Edition

March 4, 2008 Edition

March 11, 2008 Edition

March 18, 2008 Edition

March 25, 2008 Edition

April 1, 2008 Edition

April 8, 2008 Edition

April 15, 2008 Edition

	Local News, Local Voice, Locally Owned
	Volume 2, Issue 17 Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Edition

Emery FFA journeys to state competition

-Emery High did extremely well at State FFA.

Emery High dominates at Region Choir

-Three Emery High Choirs made state at the Region 8 Choral Festival.

Achievments
Missionaries
Tributes

Emery FFA journeys to state competition

Tamra Luke

Members of the Emery High School FFA Chapter joined with 1,200 other FFA members at the Utah FFA State Convention at Southern Utah University April 9-11. The members, with advisor Corinne Dalton, had the opportunity to attend workshops, listen to various speakers, and receive awards on the state level.

As a chapter, Emery received the Superior Chapter award, the Food for America Award and the Five Star Chapter award. Three of Emery’s seniors, Keven Jensen, Colton Grange, and Morgan Clark, received their State Degrees. Keven Jensen also received the IFA Scholarship for his contributions to agriculture.

Last year at State Convention one of Emery High’s own, Kaitlin Reaves, was selected as the State Sentinel. Becoming a state officer is one of the most prestigious awards in the FFA with only six members in the state selected. She gave her retiring address at convention this year entitled, “It’s Your Choice.” Having a member of a chapter become a state officer is rare and having two in a row is very rare, but that is just what happened for Emery this year. Keven Jensen, Emery’s FFA president, ran for state office and was selected to replace Kaitlin Reaves as State Sentinel.

While at convention Emery’s students had the privilege of attending breakfast with the National FFA Western Region Vice-President Kari Boetcher and the opportunity to meet Dr. Larry Chase, National FFA Advisor. The students also enjoyed the speeches of other retiring officers as well as one from renowned impersonator Jason Hewlett.

The Utah FFA State Convention was a great opportunity for these students to learn and be recognized, as well as to associate with other students dedicated to the future of agriculture.

Emery High dominates at Region Choir

Casey Wood

Emery High School hosted the Region 8 Large Group Choral Festival on April 17. Region schools Carbon High School, Delta High School, North Sanpete High School, and Juan Diego Catholic High School joined Emery for festival.

A total of 10 choirs were present and took turns singing throughout the day. When all was said and done six of the 10 choirs made it to the State Choral Festival on May 9. The choirs that qualified for state were Carbon High A Cappella, Delta High Mixed Choir, North Sanpete High Mixed Choir, and three of Emery’s choirs, the Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, and the Mixed Choir. All three Emery choirs received straight I superior ratings.

The Emery High School choir director David Bird said, “These kids gave up their lunch three days in a row to practice. The men gave up lunch for two and a half weeks to practice. It was a big sacrifice for these kids, but it paid off!”

Elder Craig Guymon

Elder Craig Guymon has been called to serve a mission in the Alabama Burningham Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will enter the Missionary Training Center May 7. He will be speaking April 27 in the Cleveland 2nd Ward at 9 a.m. He is the son of DeMar and Janice Guymon of Cleveland. He is the Grandson of Russell and Arlene Griffiths of Nephi, and the late Dal and Darlene Guymon.

Elder Kaleb Fail

Elder Kaleb William Fail has been called to serve in the Mexico Puebla Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will be speaking in the Green River Ward on April 27 at 10 a.m. Elder Fail will enter the Missionary Training Center on May 14. He is the son of Brad and Kalynn Fail, and the grandson of David and Pat Behling, and Enid and the late Vaughn Fail.

Harold Edgar Sitterud

ORANGEVILLE—Harold Edgar Sitterud, age 85, returned to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, in Provo, Utah. Harold was born on November 4, 1922 in Kenilworth, Utah to John Edgar and Nora Hawks Sitterud. He married Roxie Majors on January 5, 1944. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple on June 12, 1945.

Harold joined the United States Army in 1943 and served his country during World War II. Harold was an active member of the LDS church, and served in many capacities, including, ward clerk and gospel doctrine teacher. He served as a Temple worker with is wife Roxie in the Ogden LDS Temple for many years. He worked as a miner for many years in Emery County. He also worked for the Department of Defense for over 35 years as a computer operator. Harold enjoyed hunting, fishing and being in the outdoors in his younger years, and those that knew him could attest to the fact that he always had a sweet tooth.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, who loved his family. Harold always had a smile on his face and loved to share his fun loving personality with everyone.

Harold is survived by his wife, Roxie of Orangeville; children: Michael (Anne) Sitterud of Orangeville, Harold B. Sitterud of Ogden, and Phil (Bonie) Sitterud of Hooper; two sisters: LaRee Brown and Marilyn (Lavoy) Hardee, both of Orangeville; seven Grandchildren and seven Great-Grandchildren. The family would like to express a special thanks to the Miner family for all for the loving care that has been given.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Norma Wilde.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Orangeville City Cemetery, with military honors provided by the American Legion Post #39 of Orangeville / Castle Dale. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary.

Helen June Phelps

Huntington - Helen June Phelps, 88, died April 14, 2008 in Huntington, Utah. She was born June 6, 1919 to Victor LeRoy and Marie Hansen Ungerman.

June was raised in Huntington where she attended and graduated from North Emery High School. Upon graduation, she moved to Salt Lake City where she spent much of her life. She also lived a number of years in California. She was married twice and had one daughter. Upon the death of her sister-in-law, she retired to take care of her brother Reid until his death. She then moved back to Huntington to take care of her sister, Beulah McElprang, until her death. Some of her hobbies and interests were reading, writing stories, poems, and she loved crossword puzzles. She was a very brilliant lady and still had a wonderful memory until the time of her death. For the last seven years, June lived by herself with the help of her niece, Carol.

June is survived by her daughter, Mickey (Greg) Van Orman of California, four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, and three sisters.

Funeral services were on Friday, April 18, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Huntington LDS 1st Ward Chapel. A viewing was held Friday, April 18, 2008 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Services were in the care of Fausett Mortuary.

Brian Pritt

PRICE - Brian Keith Pritt, 41, of Price, Utah, passed away April 14, 2008 in Price, Utah.

Brian was born June 10, 1966 in Cowen, W. VA., to Paul Newhouse and Marlene Pritt. The family soon moved to Idaho and settled in Nampa where Brian helped his mom take care of his brothers and sisters. He was always the big brother and rock of the family.

At an early age Brian started work and found his calling working in Alaska as a logger. He also logged in many places throughout the Northwest. The last four years Brian worked in the coal mines in Price, Utah.

Brian loved the outdoors, he was always active, never sitting still. He played and worked hard. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved exploring the remote locations of the Owyhee Mountains.

Brian was loved by his family, he treated his nieces and nephews like his own children. He was very proud of his children and nieces and nephews. He leaves a big hole in everyone’s heart and will be greatly missed. T.B.F.T.S.E.

Brian’s family would like to extend their thanks to the community of Price, Utah who have helped with support and understanding. Sincere thoughts and prayers will always be with the families of the lost miners, Brian’s friends and coworkers.

Brian was preceded in death by 3 cousins, Shelva Hicks, Rhonda Pena and Shantall Driskill.

Brian is survived by his children, Nathan Cole Pritt, Price, Ut., Cody Morgan Pritt, Price, Ut.; his mother, Marlene Harris; father, Paul Newhouse, West Virginia; brothers, Terry Pritt, Buhl, Id., Kevin Harris, Buhl, Id.; sisters, Brenda Childers, LaPine, Or., Mary Daniel, Buhl, Id., Goldie Harris, Buhl, Id., Rita Harris, Buhl, Id.; brother-in-law, Danny Childers; aunt, Larstene Donaldson, Nampa, Id., numerous, nieces, nephews and cousins in Buhl and Nampa.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m., Thursday, April 24, 2008 at Farmer Funeral Chapel 130 N. Ave. N. in Buhl, Idaho. Local arrangements were entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price.

Dwane “Pinky” Nelson

WELLINGTON—Dwane “Pinky” Nelson, age 83, passed away April 18, 2008 at his home in Wellington, Utah. Pinky was born on December 1, 1924 in Emery, Utah to Clarence and Elisabeth Jorgensen Nelson. He married Lola J. Erickson on March 27, 1948. Their marriage was later solemnized on October 31, 1987 in the Manti LDS Temple.

Pinky served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy. He worked as an electrician for many years for Plateau Mining before retiring. Pinky and Lola spent their winters in the South for 10 years after his retirement.

Pinky was an active member of the LDS church and served in many capacities including High Priesthood Group leader. He was an avid camper who loved to fish and hunt. He also loved to read, especially about history. Pinky found the secret to golf. He just wished he had discovered it when he was younger. But the thing Pinky loved most of all was being with his family and friends.

The family wishes to thank Dwane’s dialysis family whose loving care and friendship gave us five bonus years with him.

Pinky is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lola; two children: Chris (Laurie) Nelson of Price and Julie (Doug) Ehler of Elmo; two sisters: Renae Hill and Beth Barnier; five grandchildren: Greg (Amanda) Nelson, Ryan Nelson, Jared Buck Ehler, Will (Amber) Ehler, and Cara (Bud) Jenkins; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Twila Barnes.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Wellington LDS 1st and 4th Ward Chapel (50 North 100 East). A viewing will be held Tuesday, April 22, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary in Price (680 E. 100 S.) and Wednesday one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will be in the Wellington City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Missionary fund or the U of U Dialysis Center (230 N. Hospital Drive – Price, Utah). Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary.

Donald Willard Stream

HUNTINGTON-Don Stream, age 81, passed away April 16, 2008 at the Emery County Care and Rehabilitation Center in Ferron, Utah.

He was born July 17, 1926 in Portland, Oregon to George Cooke Champlin and Irma Louise Adams. He was later raised by his mother and step-father, Stewart Wayne Stream in the Bellevue and Seattle areas of Washington.

Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy V-12 Program after high school at the age of 16 and was a commissioned officer at the age of 19, rank of Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Prior to completing the V-12 program and receiving his commission, WWII ended and he served a number of years in the Reserves, as a Lieutenant J.G.

While in the V-12 program, he completed his bachelors degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Washington. He was later employed by companies such as Boeing, and McDonnell Douglas, among others. Some of the projects he worked on were the B-52 Bomber and several Apollo Space Missions.

He is survived by a brother, Robert Stream (Mary) of Fort Meyers, FL; children, Steve (Carol Ann) Stream of Huntington, UT; Gaile (Gavin) Gifford of Toledo, WA; Donna (Tom) Driggers of Mt. Pleasant, TX; Suzy Stream of Las Vegas, NV; Chuck Stream of Hollywood, CA; Stepchildren, Gary Manchester of Panama City, FL; Jerry (Lois) McWilliams of Temecula, CA; JoAnn (Tom) Jaeger of Norco, CA; Twenty-eight grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren.

Viewing was scheduled for April 19, 2008 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at Fausett Mortuary, 720 N. Center, Castle Dale, UT 84513. Graveside service were on April 19 at 3:00 pm at Huntington Cemetery, Huntington, UT. Services in the care of Fausett Mortuary.

Robert Eckright

EAST CARBON- Our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Robert Bevere Eckright, age 98, passed away April 17, 2008 in Price.

He was born February 8, 1910 in Republic, Washington to Clarence Bullis and Nellie Catherine Hooker.

Married Florence Jones August 21, 1955 in Chehalis, Washington.

Robert Eckright was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Granger, WA when he was 17. He spent much time during his life sharing the Bible with others. He helped to build the Coolee Dam, worked as a machinist in the Bremerton Navy Yard, drove tractors, combines, and was a truck driver. He worked for the Sun Advocate, UDOT plowing snow, and as sign man for a road construction crew.

Survived by his wife, Florence Eckright, Sunnyside; one son and six daughters, Eberle (Cheryl) Eckright, Snowflake, AZ; Karen (Kevin) Pires, Ooltewah, TN; Teresa Ernst, Douglasville, GA; Joyce (Joel) Meyer, Seale, AL; Nadyne Wallace, Pendelton, OR; Mildred White, Moses Lake, WA; Florence Lutcavich, Ibera, MO; sister, Emma Jordan, Yakima, WA.

Preceded in death by his parents, an infant son named Milton Eckright, brothers, Leonard Bullis and Oliver Steward.

Funeral service, was held Monday, April 21, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home. Family was at Mitchell’s Sunday evening from 5:00-6:00 p.m. and Monday one hour prior to service. Interment, Wellington City Cemetery.

George Starzel

“Uncle George”

East Carbon-”Uncle George” Starzel , age 87, passed away April 17, 2008 in Price.

He was born January 18, 1921 in Rouse, Colorado to Ludwik and Pauline Banck Starzel.

Longtime resident of East Carbon. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

George loved to fish, hunt, dance, sing and play the harmonica. He was a loving and happy person who loved family get-togethers and will be dearly missed by all.

Survived by sister, Mary Vincent, Duncan, AZ; nieces & nephews, Betty Jo Franco, and her son, Frank; Louie (Michelle) Starzel, and son Louie Jr; Doris Van Gerven, and her son Chad; Annette (Jacques) Van Liere; all of East Carbon; and many other loving great-nieces and nephews and dear friends..

Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Walter, Johnny and Joe Starzel; special sister-in-law, Joyce Starzel.

Funeral Mass Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 10:00 a.m., Good Shepherd Catholic Church, East Carbon. Vigil service Tuesday evening 7:00 p.m. at the church in East Carbon. Family will be at the church Tuesday and Wednesday one hour prior to services. Committal service Price City Cemetery. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home.

Norman Dale Larsen

PRICE – Norman Dale Larsen graduated from this life on April 20, 2008. He was born October 7, 1930 in Spring Canyon to Norman and Ethel Fletcher Larsen. He married Peggy Banner October 8, 1953 in the Manti LDS Temple (later deceased). Norm married Carol Hains Williams June 10, 1978 in the Provo LDS Temple.

Norm, or Dale as he was known to his family, was raised in the Coal Camps of Carbon County. He graduated from Spanish Fork High School. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master degrees from Brigham Young University. Norm served in various callings including bishop, and stake clerk in the LDS church and fulfilled a fulltime mission with Carol in Norman, Oklahoma. Together they served for five years as ordinance workers in the Manti LDS Temple.

Norm’s passion was education. He shared this passion with the hundred of students who passed through his math and chemistry classes at the College of Eastern Utah where he taught for forty-three years. He showed his appreciation for life through his enjoyment of family, bird hunting, fishing, and gardening.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Carol and children: Jan (Dave) Cox of Price; Scott (Glenda) Williams of Nephi; Ben (Jodi) Williams of Garden City, KS; Lynn Hunt of Price; Greg (Kelly) Williams of West Jordan; John (Ruth) Williams of Laramie, WY; Kirk (Michele) Williams of Henderson, NV; and Troy (Jan) Miller of Logan. His legacy includes 37 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Brother, Jim (Peggy) Larsen of Spanish Fork; and sister, Carol Ann (Nick) Castleton of Eureka.

Preceded in death by his wife Peggy and son Dale.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Price 4th Ward Chapel (545 East 400 North). Viewing will be Wednesday, April 23, 2008 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary (680 East 100 South – Price, Utah) and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Special thanks to Dr. David Nichols, Dr. Sterling Potter, the nurses, and staff at Castleview Hospital and Parkdale Care Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the College of Eastern Utah, Norman Dale Larsen Scholarship Fund. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary.

	Local News, Local Voice, Locally Owned
	Volume 2, Issue 17 Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Edition

Business
Health

April 15, 2008

Un-Citified

Emery County looks to play off ‘brand’
of San Rafael Swell to entice vacationers to the area

James L. Davis

There’s nothing citified about the San Rafael Swell. For those who make the journey to Emery County, most aren’t looking for a climate controlled experience, they are looking to get dirty, go a little extreme and have a lot of fun.

When it comes to developing a marketing brand for Emery County, it already has one uniquely its own in the San Rafael Swell. The trick is to develop the brand in such a way that it benefits the people and businesses of the county, which has been no small feat for those looking to capture tourist dollars.

In years past the county has pooled its tourist efforts with Carbon County and the Castle Country Travel Bureau, but a change of philosophy by county planners has resulted in a renewed focus by the Emery County Travel Bureau on the San Rafael Swell rather than other attractions in the area.

“We’ve just come to the conclusion that we need to invest our travel money in a way that we have a return on our investment,” said Mike McCandless, director of Emery County Economic Development. “And the way that money is returned is that we fill up the motels and hotels in Emery County, which is primarily in Green River, Huntington, Castle Dale and Ferron.”

Developing a marketing strategy that focuses on the Swell means that when it comes to tourism, the county will for the most part go it alone. Completely contained within Emery County, the San Rafael Swell is a giant playground for the extreme, and one the county is striving to develop strategies for that will benefit businesses of the county.

“We want to make sure that we promote our San Rafael more so than we promote things on the mountain. It is very difficult for us to realize any revenue from activities that are promoted on Skyline Drive. How are they going to get there? They are going to buy their fuel from Fairview or someplace like that and we’ll never see them,” McCandless said. “That doesn’t mean we’re giving up on the mountain and don’t think it’s important, it’s still part of our strategy, but when we do our promotional efforts, that’s our first consideration, so we are trying to re-brand ourselves and that brand is the San Rafael country. We actually think that’s a more recognizable name than Castle Country. The San Rafael is known world wide.”

Focusing on the San Rafael also means that the county will try to attract tourists to events that will keep them (and their dollars) in the county, which has long been a problem.

“We’ve been in a relationship with Carbon County and the Castle Country Travel Bureau and we’re not abandoning Carbon County, but frankly, on many of the activities we end up filling up Price hotel rooms when there are more hotel rooms in Green River,” McCandless said. “We’re not in any kind of fight with Carbon County, they’re one of our best partners and we will continue to work with them very closely, but we believe we have a slightly different clientele who are interested in coming to our area then in the way they market. We see the more extreme visitors, the mountain bikers, the river runners. Carbon County is targeting more of the museum goers, the Nine Mile Canyon viewing visitors, more of the family type of market. Our clientele are more inclined to bring a four-wheeler with them or horses. They are more focused on the activities that you can do in the Swell than the amenities we can offer once you get here.”

Areas of the Swell the travel bureau will focus attention on include attractions such as Goblin Valley, the Wedge, and Swinging Bridge and many of the activities that the county will use to lure visitors in are events that are, for the most part, already in existence. Events such as the Castle Valley Pageant, the Emery County Fair and the individual city celebrations held in the county are a draw for visitors. Events such as MECCA’s San Rafael Swell Bike Festival in September and the ATV poker rides, such as the Swell Cure for Cabin Fever ride held April 12, draw hundreds of visitors to the county each year. This year a triathlon and a marathon will also draw a league of athletes (and their families and friends) to the county.

“These are largely existing activities; we just need to do a better job of promoting them. We don’t want to put all of our eggs in one basket. Our focus is that activities like the pageant, like the fair, will get them to come here and spend more than just one day here. Those who say there isn’t anything to do in Emery County, well that just isn’t true anymore,” McCandless said.

During the summer months the possibilities to draw tourists to the area exist every week, so much so that many events overlap, creating possibilities to keep visitors to the area for extended stays.

As the travel bureau works to take advantage of and define the brand of the San Rafael Swell, the hope is that the number of possibilities for activities in the county to draw visitors will grow ever larger.

“The San Rafael has a brand that has already been established, we’re just going to find ways to take advantage of that brand and use it to generate revenue, rather than just have the people impact us and have no benefit,” McCandless said.

Medical Reserve Corps Looking for Volunteers

Josie Luke

After President George W. Bush’s 2002 State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country, the Medical Reserve Corps was organized. The local unit, the Southeastern Utah MRC is currently looking for volunteers.

“MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and promote healthy living throughout the year. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources,” the MRC website explains.

The SEUMRC is organized under the Southeastern Utah Health Department and is currently looking for doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, veterinarians, mental health professionals, pharmacists, dentists and emergency personnel, including firefighters, EMTs and police, along with anyone else who is willing to help in an emergency.

“We are looking for people who are willing to do what needs to be done,” explained Cynthia Grant, SEUMRC Coordinator. “Basically, the people we can use is anyone who is willing to work in an emergency situation and who is dedicated and willing enough to give back to the community that they would do that without getting paid.”

Those who would volunteer for the SEUMRC, would be those who would not already be involved, including those who are retired, not working full-time, working in another field, or not currently working.

Some of the situations Grant sees the SEUMRC volunteers working in are in circumstances like the Crandall Canyon mine disaster, or in the event of a pandemic, flood or earthquake. In such instances, they could help to shelter those involved, provide for medical and physical needs, assist with communications, or anything else that was needed.

Grant said the group is just getting off the ground, but eventually, she would like to see a group of 12 to 20 volunteers in each county, with over 70 percent being lay people, without much medical experience. The program will also have a team leader in each county, who would be paid for five to 10 hours a month. In a team leader, Grant said she is looking for someone with strong people skills, who would take initiative and “quickly catch the vision of the MRC”.

The MRC is designed to be of service in the community in which it is located, and so unlike the Red Cross, the MRC has much more flexibility in how it is organized and how volunteers are used.

Grant sees volunteers supporting local health initiatives and any other community event where medical experience might be needed. She revealed that in some instances, like the bus accident last year near Blanding, people were needed to “just comfort people who were involved”, or to help with logistics and record keeping.

Volunteers would need to go through required trainings in eight core competencies, including training in the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which trains volunteers on how to react in emergencies. The trainings can be taken online and according to Grant, won’t require a huge amount of time.

For questions about the Medical Reserve Corps, or to volunteer, contact Grant at (435)748-2997, on her cell phone at- (435)749-2998, or email her at cgrant@utah.gov.

	Local News, Local Voice, Locally Owned
	Volume 2, Issue 17 Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Edition

Emery County Republican Convention

Baseball Tournament

Slow Pitch Softball

‘Womanhood – Enjoy to the End’

Miss Castle Dale Pageant

Book Drive

Emery All-Star Cheerleading

Paint the Town

RSVP ‘Walk to Hawaii’

Festive Fridays

Lions Club Yard Sale

Food Handler’s Class

San Rafael Classic Triathlon

Vendors Wanted

Emery County Recreation Information

Emery County
Republican Convention

The Emery County Republican Party Convention will be held April 25, 6 p.m. at the Huntington Elementary School, 70 North 100 East (use the east entrance). For more information call Bill Dellos, party chairman, 748-2488.

Baseball Tournament

Those interested are invited to participate in the annual Huntington Baseball Tournament on May 2, starting at 6 p.m. at the Huntington Ball Complex. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Emery High School’s Girls Softball Team. There will be a men’s and women’s division. Call Cheryl at 687-2403. Registration fee is $130 with three games guaranteed.

Slow Pitch Softball

Emery County Recreation is currently registering teams for women’s slow pitch softball and men’s slow pitch softball. Men’s league will be a metal bat league. All forms must be returned to the recreation office no later than May 16. Full registration fee must accompany the form. You may pick up a form at the Recreation office, located at 75 S 400 E, Castle Dale, or go to the web site www.emerycounty.com/rec to download a form. For more information contact the Recreation office at 381-2108.

‘Womanhood –
Enjoy to the End’

The Castle Dale Stake Relief Society will be hosting a dinner and program April 24 at 6 p.m. at the Stake Center in Castle Dale. YW’s Laurels are also invited to attend.

The program will be by three dynamic women who have charmed many a gathering throughout the U.S. with their touching, and sometimes hilarious renditions of music that captures the day to day struggles we face as women, parents, and members of the human race.

Please come and enjoy an enlightening and enjoyable evening.

Miss Castle Dale Pageant

Castle Dale City would like girls from ages 4-21 to be contestants in the Miss Castle Dale Pageant. Contestants must live in Castle Dale. Each contestant will be judged on appearance, talent and the results of an interview. Winners will receive cash prizes, crowns and a bouquet.

To ensure a successful experience, an opportunity will be given to each participant to practice prior to the pageant. The winners of each age division will participate in parades and Castle Dale City celebrations throughout the year. The Miss Castle Dale pageant will be held June 6, at the Emery High School Auditorium. The deadline to enter the pageant is May 16. A Miss Castle Dale application may be obtained at Castle Dale City Hall. For more information please contact Jeanette Woolsey at 381-5558.

Book Drive

The Castle Dale Elementary PTA and the Castle Dale Youth City Council is sponsoring a book drive. Bring your “gently” used books to Castle Dale Elementary from now through April 30, and they will be donated to a local charity. Please deposit them in the box located in the front hallway. You can also exchange your gently used books from 3-5 p.m. on April 30 at the school, during the Read-a-Thon.

Emery All-Star Cheerleading

Emery All-Star Cheerleading Elite competition team tryouts will be held May 13, 14, 16, and 17 at Larae’s dance studio, ages 10-18. If you are not able to attend you may schedule a private audition. Please call and register to receive a tryout packet. Some fees are due upon making the team. No auditions necessary for regular cheer classes, ages 4-14 years. For more information call Becky Bunnell at 749-1582 or 687-2632.

Paint the Town

Orangeville is sponsoring “Paint the Town.” This program is for Orangeville citizens to help in their home maintenance. The city is encouraging citizens to clean up their yards and homes. If your home is in need of a new paint job you can go to the city office and pick up the information you will need, go to Jones Ace Hardware and receive $6 off each gallon of outside house paint. Jones Ace Hardware is offering $3 off per gallon of paint and Orangeville City is matching that amount for a total of $6 off per gallon of paint. The city is limited on available funds for the program, so it will be on a first come, first served basis until funds are exhausted. Pick up your Paint the Town certificate at City Hall. Help make Orangeville a “Pretty Little Place” to live, work and play.

RSVP ‘Walk to Hawaii’

RSVP is sponsoring a “Walk to Hawaii” contest for all senior 55 years and older. They will be keeping track and combining all of the miles they have walked. When they have enough miles to reach their destination they will have a Luau to celebrate their success. They will also supply free pedometers to all participants. Call RSVP at 381-2765 for further information.

Festive Fridays

Festive Fridays are back. Sponsored by the Utah State University Extension Office, there are a number of classes coming up over the next few weeks. Among the classes are:

Fun Family Reunions & Picnics on Parade. May 2. Things to make and do with those you love this summer. Please add your ideas for family reunions. Have them ready for copying and deliver to Chris at the Extension Office by April 25. There will be a picnic. The cost is $2.

All classes begin at noon and last approximately one to one and a half hours. The classes are held upstairs at the Emery County Courthouse. Please RSVP to classes at the Extension Office, 381-2381.

Lions Club
Yard Sale

The Huntington Lions Club is having a Relay for Life Yard Sale on April 26. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Old City Hall. The old city hall will be open the Friday before from 5-7 p.m. if you want to bring things down for the yard sale. We want everyone that’s going to do spring cleaning to take part. That means attic, basement, closets, sheds. Please donate and help us with the upcoming Relay for Life. For more information call Judy Lang at 687-5349 or Sally Walls at 687-9307.

Food Handler’s Class

The Southeastern Utah Health Department will be conducting Food Handler’s Classes at their office, 25 West, Main, in Castle Dale on the following dates: May 22, June 19. All classes will begin at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. For more information call 381-2252.

San Rafael
Classic Triathlon

The San Rafael Classic Triathlon will be held June 28 at the Huntington State Park staring at 7:30 a.m. In its first running the event is being organized by the Emery County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and will include a half-mile swim across Huntington Lake, followed by a 15 mile bike ride and then a 5K run, ending back at the lake. There will also be a kids’ triathlon. For more information visit the triathlon website at www.sanrafaelclassic.com

Vendors Wanted

The Emery County Fair is now accepting applications for Food and General Vendors for the Emery County Fair, which will be held on July 30, 31 and Aug. 1, 2. You may pick up an application at the Emery County Recreation office, 75 South 400 East, Castle Dale at the hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. or visit the website at www.emerycounty.com/fair/vendor. For more information call Emery County Recreation at 351-2108.

Emery County Recreation
Information

We hope the following information will be helpful to the public. Office hours for Emery County Recreation are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. The office phone number is 435-381-2108 or toll free 1-888-601-8075 PIN 1399. Fax is 435-381-2194. The office is located at 75 South 400 East, Castle Dale. Website address: emerycounty.com/rec. Board member representatives are: Kalynn Fail, Green River; Ryan Jensen, Elmo; Richard Murdoch, Cleveland; Cathy Cowley, Huntington; Dan Whiteleather, Castle Dale; Bart Cox, Orangeville; Jerry Price, Clawson; Jordan Leonard, Ferron; Marie Anderson, Emery; John Nielson, At Large; Jim Jones, At Large; Commissioner Drew Sitterud, At Large. Recreation director, Shannon Hiatt.

	Local News, Local Voice, Locally Owned
	Volume 2, Issue 17 Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Edition

Spartans Flying High

-Emery Baseball team wins double header.

Softball team stretches winning streak to 7

-Emery extends winning streak to 7 in a double header against Carbon.

Spartans Flying High

Josie Luke

With gusting wind whipping up dust from the infield in a doubleheader April 15 against their rival, Carbon, the Emery baseball team gave the Dinos the ol’ one-two, knocking them down in the first game 10-0, and finishing them off 5-2 in the second. They then continued their great play, beating Delta 4-1 on April 18.

Coach Jimmy Jones attributes the Spartans solid play to good defense. “The last six or seven games we’ve probably only made two or three errors. We’re playing really well defensively,” he said. “We just haven’t been giving up many runs.” That solid defense includes great pitching. “Our young pitchers are coming along. They’re throwing the ball really well,” Jones commented.

In all, the Spartans have won six of their last seven, to bring them into second place in region and an overall record of 9-8. “We’re playing some really good baseball. I mean hitting, you just kind of never know what you’re going to get there, but if your pitching and defense are consistent, you give yourself a chance,” Jones said.

Emery scored 10 points on 10 hits in the first game against Carbon, and Brett Mecham maintained his dominant pitching, shutting out Carbon, to end the game early after the sixth inning. Jason Giles started the scoring for the Spartans in the first inning and although the team never had an extra-base hit in the game, they steadily chipped away at the Dinos to do well offensively.

Tayler Tanner, Mecham and Derrick Allred each supplied two RBIs in the game, Jordan Gee and Mecham each delivered two hits and Blake Mortensen scored twice.

With Carbon keeping the score much closer in the second game, Emery found themselves down 2-1 after the top of the fifth. They responded to the challenge scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth, while holding Carbon scoreless in the last three innings, to end the game, to the relief of remaining windblown fans, with a score of 5-2.

Defense definitely helped Emery to win the game. Gee and Allred both had two hits in the second game, and Skyler Jorgensen had the team’s only two RBIs, but the Dinos allowed three runs on three errors to give Emery the win.

Later in the week, Emery traveled to Delta, where Spartan pitchers Mecham and Skyler Jensen held the Rabbits to only one run in a low scoring game. Ryne Jones scored the first run for the team in the second inning, hitting a single and then being advanced to second after Colby Snow reached base on a Delta error, and scoring after Gatlan Huntington hit another single.

Delta scored their only run in the third inning, but Huntington scored again in the fifth, as did Mecham. Snow scored in the seventh, to put the game out of reach for Delta. Gee had two RBIs on two hits in the game. Jones and Huntington also each had two hits in the game and Allred and Snow each had one.

Emery will travel to face Gunnison next week on April 23, before Juan Diego arrives on April 25 for an important region game, where Emery hopes to make up for difficult losses to the team earlier in the season.

Softball team stretches winning streak to 7

Josie Luke

The Emery Softball team stretched their winning streak to seven games, with resounding wins in a doubleheader against Carbon on April 15 and in a game against Delta on April 17. The Spartans allowed only six runs to score in three games, continuing their dominant play.

The team jumped on Carbon in the first inning of game one of the doubleheader, starting with lead-off hitter Jalee Jensen racing around the bases for an inside-the-park home run. The Spartans didn’t stop there, Adriane Weihing reached base on a Dino error, Chelsea Skinner hit a double, and then Leslee Lake and Candice Norton both sent bombs over the fence.

Carbon never recovered, losing the first game, 14-6 and getting shot out in the second game, 12-0. Exhibiting their great offense in the second game, every Emery player recorded a hit. Jensen had four, Lake and Keera Allred each had three, Weihing, Skinner and Whitney Allen each had two and Norton, Bailey Kay and Markette Tanner each had one.

The game against Delta again showed the Spartan’s strength, both offensively and defensively. Lake was solid, striking out nine and allowing only one hit in a shutout. The Emery hitters also did well, racking up 16 hits in the game, including five doubles, by Jensen, Lake, Kay, Allen and Allred, to bring the Spartans the win over the Rabbits, 9-0.

Although Coach Beau Stoker still sees some defensive lapses, which he is working with the team to solve, he doesn’t believe that their already prolific offense has yet reached its peak. “We’re scoring a lot of runs, but I still don’t think our offense has lived up to its potential,” he said. “The girls are making adjustments on the fly, and it’s going to be scary if we can get all nine bats clicking at the same time.”

If the Spartans can really increase their offense after scoring 35 points in their last three games, and 77 in the seven games they have played over the last two weeks, opponents should be scared. In fact, according to the Deseret News, the Spartans score the highest number of runs per game in Division 3A, at 9.22. They also hold their opponents to the third lowest runs per game at 2.89, for a difference of 6.33 points scored per game.

Part of the reason for their success is the pitching of Leslee Lake. In the three games against Carbon and Delta, Lake racked up 22 strike outs and with the help of her teammates allowed only 6 runs to score on 14 hits, with only a single hit keeping her from another no-hitter against Delta. Stoker described the job Lake is doing saying, “Leslee has been a rock for us. She’s taken the ball and shut teams down every time we’ve gone to her. I’m not sure we could ask for anything more from the circle.”

With a win this week against Juan Diego on April 24, the Spartans can match their previous winning streak at eight games. Emery could also match or overtake Juan Diego’s record atop the Region 8 standings, if Juan Diego were to lose one of their games against Carbon, who in fact handed them their last loss.

	Local News, Local Voice, Locally Owned
	Volume 2, Issue 17 Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Edition

Other News
Dazed
Casey's World
Swell Recipies

Back to the Classroom

Josie Luke

Ryan Thomas, who has served Eastern Utah for seven years as president of the College of Eastern Utah, recently announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the year.

Thomas, unlike many, does not step down in the wake of controversy, nor is he leaving for a more lucrative position, but is resigning to pursue his love of teaching and to be near family.

The president will accept a teaching position at Weber State University in the fall, where he will teach in the business and education departments.

“I’ve always loved teaching. That’s really where my heart is and it’s what attracted me to education. I always intended to be a full-time teacher. With six kids, the financial realities were that I made more as an administrator than I did as a full-time teacher,” Thomas explained.

“I suppose if I’d just wanted to make money, I would have stayed in law, but even working as an administrator, I’ve always had the opportunity to teach, both here and at all the other institutions where I worked.”

In fact, at CEU Thomas taught a number of classes in areas from philosophy and sociology to criminal justice and even Spanish. He covered whatever needed to be taught. “We found we needed a quick substitute [in Spanish], so I proved to be the quick substitute for a year,” he revealed.

The new position provides the perfect combination for Thomas and his wife, Ann. “It puts us closer to family and puts me back in the classroom, and that combination is hard to beat. I’m excited to have that opportunity. It’s what I really love, “he said.

Their family has grown while they have been at CEU, with a son, Mike, and a daughter, Megan, meeting their spouses in the area. The Thomas’ view this as one of the happiest results of their time here. “We have told our children and our children in-law that if that had been the sole result of us moving here, it would have been worth it,” he said.

Their children have also attended college at CEU. As of this spring, they will have three of children and two children-in-law, who will have graduated from CEU.

So, Thomas and his wife, Ann, don’t leave without some emotion. “This has been a wonderful home for us. We had the opportunity about a month ago to drive through Emery County on the way to St. George and we sort of got teary eyed as we were driving through all of the towns that we now know so well,” he related.

They have also come to have a great love for the people of the area. Thomas said, “I love them and our family loves them. It has been truly a wonderful thing for us for us to live here and to feel at home. It’s been fun whenever we’ve gone to any sort of an event to see people that we’ve come to know and love. Even just walking through the grocery store, it’s fun to see you know such a large percentage of the people that you see.”

Thomas’ family ties in the community are well known. His father grew up in the area, and his great-grandparents are buried in Emery County, but his contacts with Carbon and Emery County go beyond family connections. While in law school, he sold real estate in the area, and after graduation he did some land development and attempted to sell coal out of Emery County.

Thus, Thomas knows the area well and has respect for the people. “We’ve come to appreciate the tradition of hard work and commitment that really characterizes this area. When I came, someone said to me that anyone who wanted an easy life left long ago. Surely, those who are here are people that are committed and dedicated, and that is really what I think it has taken in this area to create communities,” he commented.

He and his family have also developed strong relationships with faculty and staff at the college. Thomas expressed his love for them saying, “I have so many dear friends. It’s been really hard to say goodbye.

Many members of the faculty and staff have also expressed sadness at news of his resignation. Russell Goodrich, Dean of the Professional, Career and Technical Education Division said, “While his accomplishments are numerous and significant, what has impressed me the most is Ryan Thomas the man. President Thomas has always demonstrated great honesty and integrity.

“There was never a hidden agenda or a secret motive; it was apparent to everyone that worked with him that he simply wanted the best for each employee, each program, and for the communities he served.

“Ryan is an optimist, and his approach to leadership has been to listen openly to all views and to look for positive solutions. I have always found him to be open, honest, and accommodating. As with any leader, he has made mistakes, but he has left a positive, lasting mark on the college and the community. His humble, positive leadership will be greatly missed.”

When Thomas came to the college, there were several difficult issues that needed to be resolved, including the debt the college was in. When he came, the deficit had reached $1.9 million. He leaves with the college producing a surplus of $200,000 in the 2007 fiscal year.

Another of the issues he had a great desire to resolve was the strained relationship between the college and the community. “I wanted to do what I could do to reestablish those. It seemed to me a shame. This college really serves some really incredible communities and it saddened me to see that those relationships had been strained,” he explained. He sees his attempts at mending the relationship as one of the proudest accomplishments.

Some have commented on Thomas’ ability to deal with these tough issues. He explained his opinion, saying he attributes it to “having dealt with really serious issues fairly early in my career. Almost anything that would come up, I could think, ‘Well, I think I’ve seen something worse than this before.’”

Thomas was also involved in the development of the Western Energy Training Center. “I think the Western Energy Training Center is a great reflection of people coming together with a shared purpose, particularly in light of the Crandall Canyon disaster last year. I think WETC is going to serve an important role in insuring safety in the energy industries locally and that’s something I care about, having a couple of great-uncles who died in the Scofield Disaster,” he stated.

Mike King, Provost and Vice-president of Academic Affairs summed it up, stating, “CEU as a whole, and I personally, will miss President Thomas. He has had a significant impact for good on the college. He has worked tirelessly in the community, within the Utah System of Higher Education, with the legislature and others to help them understand the challenges of higher education in rural Utah. I appreciate all he has done for CEU and wish him all the best. CEU will always have two great friends in President Thomas and his wife Ann.”

-Dazed-

Manly Endeavors

James L. Davis

There are occasions in the lives of most men where you cross the line from manly behavior to unmanly behavior. These occasions almost always occur due to the fact that you are married.

I considered the cold, hard truth of this fact while holding my wife’s purse in the women’s section of a department store in the mall. I am not sure what store it was, other than its name looked French and could only be said with a lilt in your voice and a skip in your step.

I hadn’t put the strap of the purse around my shoulder, but was about to because I noticed a cute blouse I thought my daughter might like and I wanted to take a better look. That was when I noticed a portly guy with a three-day growth of beard smirking at me from the front of the store. So I put the purse in the crook of my arm like a football and smirked back, as menacingly as I could with a purse tucked in my right arm. But his wife soon found him at the front of the store and handed him her purse while she went to the fitting room, and her purse was pink, so portly smirking dude stopped smirking fairly quickly.

Carrying your wife’s purse from time to time comes with the job of being a husband I have learned, although I don’t recall having been told that carrying your wife’s purse was part of the job. I am positive it wasn’t in the vows, because I was listening rather intensely for any loopholes that might let my bride out of the deal.

Standing in the women’s section of a French sounding store, surrounded by women’s delicates and holding a purse it occurred to me that things that used to threaten my manhood no longer seem to bother me. And since I no longer wished to shop for cute blouses for my daughter while waiting for my wife to return from the fitting room, I decided to consider what other areas of my life I have let be swayed to a more feminine nature.

Besides holding my wife’s purse in public, one of the areas that I can most identify as having gone decidedly feminine in my life has been my smell. We’re it not for the manly, nauseating smells that I have the fantastic ability to produce at any given moment; I believe that I would smell downright pretty. That is because I no longer use manly soap, I use pretty smelling soap that smells of peaches, or pears, or strawberries. In case you were not aware of it, peaches, pears and strawberries are most definitely feminine smelling fruits. If there are manly smelling fruits (and I’m not convinced there are), they are probably oranges or lemons, Any fruit used to make an industrial cleaner would qualify as a manly smelling fruit.

I don’t know exactly when all of the soap in our house turned womanly in nature; I wasn’t paying close enough attention, I suppose. But somewhere along the line my Lava Soap and Irish Spring were replaced with Dove and Caress. Of all soaps in existence Lava Soap is by far the manly man’s soap. When you wash your hands with Lava you are clean down to the bone.

But now the pumice in our soap comes from the new bars of Caress my wife bought. I don’t really believe it is pumice in the bars of soap. I believe it is quite probably little bits of melon and melon is not and never will be anything close to pumice. Pumice is volcanic glass, which is why when you use a true manly soap (like Lava) with pumice you feel, well manly. You are using glass to scrub your hands. What is manlier than that?

But of course, I no longer have Lava in my house. I have sweet smelling soaps with bath oil. When I wash my body now I am afraid to climb out of the shower too quickly because I might slip and shoot across the floor like, well like a bar of soap. If I had to go to the doctor because my body was so smooth and silky after showering that I slipped and fell, I do not believe my manliness would ever fully recover.

My wife returned from the fitting room and after giving her back her purse and snarling at the portly, three-day beard man holding the pink purse, I followed my wife on to the next store, which was somehow much worse than the store with the French sounding name that required a lilt in your voice and a skip in your step to pronounce. It was a store that looked like it exclusively sold bath oils and exotic forms of soap, all of them with one form of fruit or another in their name, all of them smelling so very pretty, and none of them made by Lava.

My wife said she would be just a moment, so I took her purse, threw it over my shoulder and waited outside.

-Casey’s World-

Finding Time for the Things you Love

Casey Wood

As we move through this life we are constantly finding things we like, or dislike. That’s what makes life interesting, the countless joys we meet and excel in. Everyone at some point experiences such joys, but in the hustle and bustle of daily life we at times forget or neglect them. I have learned this countless times.

In the past weeks as I have redesigned The Emery County Review website (www.theemerycountyreview.com), I have reintroduced myself to the joy and excitement of web design. It is so exciting to watch a project come together, and work correctly.

Time and again I find myself remembering my forgotten joys, or making time for my neglected ones. I’ll go without playing the guitar, forget the chords and have to relearn everything; go without making a movie and have to relearn the programs, filming techniques, and production steps; go without designing a website and settling for simply updating, and forgetting the joy of creating something myself and seeing my ideas on the net; or go without writing a short story and having an output for my creative side, or writing music and increasing my talent and ability, for weeks, sometimes months. Finally something drags me back into it and I realize how much fun I’ve missed out on.

If we get too busy for our passions, they will elude us, and we will begin to forget and neglect them. Eventually we will make time for them, but we will have missed out a lot of opportunities with them.
The world has changed so much that it seems like getting ahead requires giving up the things you care about most. All that matters anymore is being the best and making the most money. Passion. Joy. Excitement. None of those things matter. All that matters is that you are doing better and making more money than the next person.

We are at a peak of depression in our country, and it’s not a surprise. We are so pressured into being better than everyone and working hard continually, that we are willing to quit and forget all the things we love.

At what point are we going to take a stand for the things we care about and stop letting the world push us into overworking and missing out? At what point are we going to make the time to live out our passions? I believe the time is now. We must take a stand against overworking and give ourselves the opportunity to pursue what we love, and never again fail to recognize, and remember, the things that make us, us.

-Swell Recipes-

Palate Delights from the Kennedy’s Kitchen

Judi Bishop

Ron and Linda Kennedy of Cleveland share the chore of preparing culinary cuisine in their home.
When Ron’s wife Eileen passed away several years ago, he became both father and mother to his six daughters, along with working at the special service district. It became his job to not only cook for them, but to teach them the task of caring for their home and learning to cook as well. He became well known for his mouth watering treats at Christmas time around Cleveland. When he and Linda married in 2002, she says she won the lottery. Getting a fantastic hubby like Ron, with six daughters to become mom to, and as an added bonus he can cook.

From the Kennedy kitchen, come a few of their favorite recipes.

Garlic Pork Roast

4-5 lb pork roast
½ to 1 cup garlic paste or ½ cup garlic powder
1-2 cups lemon juice
1 roasting bag or large plastic bag
Mix garlic and lemon juice together. Rub all over the roast. Place the roast in bag in fridge for at least 8 hours. Put roast in roasting pan with lid and baste well with juices. Bake at 300 degrees until crispy on the outside. Continue to baste from time to time while cooking.

Sweet and Sour Meatloaf

2 lb Hamburger
½ tsp poultry seasoning
2 eggs
1 tbsp parsley flakes
1 medium onion diced
¼ cup vinegar
1 (6oz) can tomato sauce
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp prepared mustard
1 tsp pepper
2 slices of dried bread crumbled
1/2 cup diced green pepper (to make it hot use chili pepper)
Preheat oven to 375. Combine tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and mustard. Mix well, set aside. Combine hamburger eggs, onion, salt pepper, bread crumbs, peppers, parsley flakes, poultry seasoning and half of the tomato mixture. Mix all these ingredients well and then place in a large loaf pan. Cut a slit down the middle. Bake for 30 minutes and then drain off all the fat. Pour the remaining tomato mixture over the top and bake for an additional 30 minutes or longer if so desired. This meatloaf is very moist and delicious.

Eileen Kennedy’s Caramels