A ‘Woman of Integrity’

Josie Luke

Delena Fish was announced as the 2008 Outstanding Woman of Southeastern Utah at the Women’s Conference held at the College of Eastern Utah on April 4. Fish, who lives in Elmo, is the first Emery County woman to win the award, and is known by many in the area because of her work at the Department of Workforce Services.

May Aquayo, who was the 2007 winner, introduced Fish and presented her with a small crown that her family had given to her the year before. Although many of her family members attended, Fish was surprised to receive the award. “I was just thinking this was a great woman that people were talking about and they were saying such nice things,” but after she recognized they were speaking about her, she revealed that “my heart was just pounding and I was just trying to hold my emotions back.”

She wondered at people actually giving her such an honor. “It’s a great recognition, but I was thinking, ‘I’m really not that good.’” She did relate that it in fact meant a lot to her to receive the recognition. “It makes it worth doing the things you do. To think that people do recognize, even though you don’t feel like you’re making any kind of progress, that you are making a difference in what you are trying to do,” she said.

Fish is known for her work helping many people who are in difficult circumstances.

In introducing Fish, Aquayo stated, “Our Southeastern Utah Woman of the Year leads by example and inspires all who associate with her. Those who know her have witnessed her sincere and impeccable integrity. The goals she sets and the heights she reaches inspire, lift and empower others to do better and to be better.”

Explaining her desire to help people, Fish stated, “I’m committed to help the people that I have a responsibility for. I’m out trying to make it easier for individuals by connecting them and providing the resources that will allow them to have the same types of services that other people have available.”

Her co-workers also look to her for optimism. One said, “Any day is brightened by her positive attitude. She is beautiful, intelligent and has a big heart. She has earned the respect of all who work with her. She does not allow any barrier or obstacle to get in her way.”

Aquayo included comments about Fish’s personal life saying, “She is a very loving wife, a mother of four, a grandmother of 15. She works in her yard, teaches at her church, plays with her grandchildren, helps her neighbors and is a community volunteer.”

Fish’s husband attended the event and she later expressed her gratitude for him saying, “He’s a part of it. He’s been the support. He’s taken care of the kids at home when I’ve had to travel and take care of assignments. He’s been the cement, the balance that has allowed me to do the things that I needed to do at work.

Aquayo also spoke about Fish’s reputation in the community. “She is the doer of Castle Country and puts the rest of us to shame when it comes to productivity. Despite her own physical challenges, our woman of the year has made a significant difference in our community, in the lives of countless individuals and she is a great asset to Southeastern Utah and we commend her dedication to making our families and community stronger.”

Old jail sold during auction

Kathy Ockey

Emery County held its annual surplus auction on April 5 at the old Sheriff’s Complex in Castle Dale. The purpose was to dispose of some equipment and supplies they no longer used, including the old jail itself. Randy Anderson from Emery was the auctioneer.

Emery County officials and Castle Dale City previously made an agreement to trade some property by the Museum of the San Rafael for the land the former sheriff’s office building is on. The city wanted the land cleared of buildings and any other items or equipment the county had on the property because the city plans to construct a park where the old sheriff’s office was in the future.

The building, furnishings and also some county equipment and vehicles were sold in the auction. Commissioner Jeff Horrocks said he was pleased with the outcome of the auction and what the equipment sold for.

Darren Hurdsman purchased the building and has six months to dismantle it, including the asphalt and cement. When asked what he was going to do with it he commented, “Salvage it out and see what happens.”

Coal Mine Safety Act signed

Josie Luke

Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman traveled to the College of Eastern Utah’s Western Energy Training Center on April 3, to sign the Coal Mine Safety Act and to recognize the work of State Senator Mike Dmitrich. “I am here to recognize some good legislation and also to pay tribute to Mike for his 40 years of great service to this state in the legislature,” Huntsman said.

He explained that after the legislative session concludes, the executive branch has a 20 day signing period when he “gets to sign or veto all the legislation that falls on our desk.” He revealed that with over 500 bills this year the visit was “among our very first visits in signing these pieces of legislation.”

Huntsman began, “First and foremost, we have the coal mine safety act that was really moved by a good many people in this room,” and told of Dmitrich’s work on the bill. He then went on to explain the purpose of the bill saying, “I’m here to tell you that mining is here to stay. It is a part of who we are. It is a part of how we fuel our economy. Our only hope is that through legislation like this, we can focus even more on safety. We can focus even more on collaborative efforts with our federal agencies with whom we all must work.”

He continued, “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to the good many people in this room who came together for weeks and weeks and did the work on the mine safety commission, which really has resulted in this piece of legislation. We’re going to be a better state because of it. Were it not for the many different personalities with diverse perspectives and different backgrounds coming together, taking a good look at this issue, I don’t think we’d be where we are today.”

The bill creates the Utah Office of Coal Mine Safety and provides for the appointment of the director along with the Mine Safety Technical Advisory Council and establishing its duties. It addresses the reporting of safety conditions in coal mines and requires annual reports on safety by the commission, office, and council. It also provides for the commission by rule to require certification and recertification of other coal mine occupations including the certification of a new coal miner.

Senator Dmitrich praised the Governor for his work. “The governor really pushed this coal mine legislation and I think it’s very important,” he stated. He also noted how fitting the site was for the signing saying, “This coal mine safety act is so important to us, and what an appropriate place—the Western Energy Training Center.”

He went on to explain his view of what the Mine Safety Administrator should work toward. “I think this mine inspector should visit a mine every day and visit with coal miners, visit with management, visit with MSHA inspectors, and open a communications line between the federal agency, between the state agency, and I think it will lead to better mine safety. I really think it will work,” said Dmitrich.

As part of his visit, the Governor also visited with educators in Emery County earlier that morning at Huntington Elementary, telling them that one of his major goals is to help educators. After the signing at WETC, he also hosted a Republican luncheon in Price.
Fatal crash closes SR-10

An accident on April 2 between a tractor trailer owned by Savage and a dump truck owned by Eph Henrie Construction closed down Highway 10 for over six hours.

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, the Eph Henrie truck, driven by Darwin Hunt, which was turning from SR-122 onto Highway 10 pulled out in front of the tractor-trailer traveling south on Highway 10 and was struck on the left side, sending both trucks into the northbound lane. The Savage truck’s cab began burning with driver, Arsenio Velasquez, pinned inside.

Both drivers were transported to Castleview Hospital. Hunt was treated and released, but Velasquez was transported to the University of Utah burn center with burns on over 50 percent of his body. He passed away early the next morning.

Jon Huntsman Sr. Makes donation to memorial

Josie Luke

In a quiet but significant way, Jon M. Huntsman Sr. recently supported the construction of the monuments for the miners who died at Crandall Canyon Mine, by sending Huntington City Mayor Hilary Gordon a check for $100,000. The check was presented to the mayor by his son, Governor Jon M. Huntsman Jr.

In a letter to the mayor, Huntsman Sr. wrote, “My heart has been literally broken since the Crandall Canyon mine disaster – and our family has thought so many times about the nine lost miners and their sweet families. It is a great honor to send you a check for $100,000 to help build a lasting memorial in the names of those nine stalwart men who valiantly gave their life.”

He also revealed that Gov. Huntsman “has commented repeatedly on the affection he feels toward the people in your area, and particularly the families affected by this tragedy,” and asked that the mayor “express to each family member the great love of the Huntsman family toward them.”