Permit approval clears way for marina opening
James L. Davis
The owners of Joe’s Valley Resort and Marina plan to have the store of the marina open by mid July as they work to make their business a focal point for recreation in the area.
The Joe’s Valley Resort and Marina, owned by Scott Labrum and Darrin Hurdsman, received its permit to operate from the Forest Service on June 13, leaving only a building permit from Emery County to go before work can begin in earnest. The old marina has already been cleaned and old equipment removed in preparation for renovation.
With the permitting complete, the work can begin on a long-term process to make the marina a destination for recreation, according to Jonathan Fauver, marina manager.
Right from the start Fauver said they intend to make the marina a hospitable location for boaters by offering use of the boat dock at the marina free of charge during the day. For docking after dark or long term docking fees will apply.
“We want to make this a place that is hospitable and that people want to come and visit.”
While the store will open in July, other projects to transform the marina into a destination spot will continue for the next two years, according to Fauver.
Once the store is open the renovation of the commercial kitchen will take place throughout this winter and the development of a dining room and lounge will begin next spring.
When complete the owners plan to have a marina with a restaurant, lounge and deck with a view of the bay. They also plan to develop cabins around the marina and will rent everything from jet skis to four-wheelers and camping equipment.
“Our plan will take five years to develop and when its complete we’ll have a fully functioning recreational opportunity up there with water activities only being between 30 to 50 percent of what we’ll offer. We’ll rent generators, trailers, ATVs, tents, cabins, everything you’ll need for recreation,” Fauver said.
When the marina is fully developed it will be open on select dates year round as well.
When all is said and done the marina may not be on the scale of huge, multi-million dollar resorts, but it will offer everything a visitor could want for recreation.
“It’s a small project with great future potential,” Fauver said.
Reflections on Fatherhood
James L. Davis
To say that the Stream house is kid friendly might be something of an understatement. In every neighborhood it seems there is one house where children always seem to be pouring out or pouring in, coming in this door and going out that door and such has been the case for the home of Steven and Carol Ann Stream of Huntington for years.
Through it all they have held on as the stream of children swirled around them, smiling happily and enjoying the ride. As Fathers Day approached Steven Stream paused to consider the experience of being the father of 11 children.
“It’s always been fun. We said we wanted 10 children and we got a bonus,” he said, sitting on the patio in his back yard, Carol Ann sitting beside him and around them play toys wait for children to find them. With their youngest now 15 years old the toys still have eager hands to play with them as children from Carol Ann’s Sunny Day Preschool arrive each day.
Over the years the Streams estimate you can add another 300 preschool and daycare children to the 11 of their own who have grown and played, laughed and learned in the Stream home. With only two children still living at home and one of them only two weeks away from marriage, you might wonder if the Streams will find the prospect of an empty nest deafeningly quiet. You needn’t.
“It’s not too quiet. We’re looking forward to being empty nesters,” Carol Ann said. “We were married and nine and a half months later we had children, so we’ve never had a time without children. Little things mean a lot to us. Just being able to go on a walk together or to the grocery store is very enjoyable to us.”
The path that from there to here that led two strangers to become parents of 11 children started with a blind date in Seattle that both admit they never wanted to go on. It was simply a matter that Steven’s sister was insistent on him taking one of her co-workers on a date. They both said yes just to make her stop pestering and were married a year and a half later.
When they met Steven was working at Fisher Mills in Seattle and Carol Ann was working at Boeing. Shortly after they were married Fisher Mills went on strike and the couple was expecting a child, so Steven was able to get a job at American Coal and the two moved to Carol Ann’s hometown of Huntington in 1976.
In 1980 Steven left the coal mines and went to work as a deputy for the Emery County Sheriff’s Office and by then they had three children, all girls. There would be two more girls before a son arrived and then one more girl, putting the Stream household up to seven children, one boy in a sea of girls. And then they had the opportunity to adopt three brothers who needed a home, which overnight had the Stream household bulging at 10 children. Two years after that they adopted the half brother of the first three and the Stream household was full at 11 children.
“Adopting four children created some big challenges for the family, but we adapted,” Steven said.
Today, with nine grandchildren and one more on the way, and most of his children now on their own Steven is reflective on his role as a father of 11. He has developed a philosophy when it comes to raising children and it consists mostly of accepting the fact that you can’t have a cookie-cutter approach to raising a child.
“I think you have to set a good example. You have to be a good listener and you have to try and develop a close relationship with each of your kids. Every one of them is different. Just when you think you have it down you have to change. You have to parent on a case by case basis,” he said.
The one approach that has been universal with his children has been to get involved in his children’s activities. In the back yard of their home they have created the “Field of Streams,” a large grassy area they devote to a friendly neighborhood wiffle ball league in the summer.
“It’s just a lot of fun. That’s what we like to do. Have barbecues, play games and have picnics,” he said.
Two years ago Steven Stream became Judge Steven Stream as he left his job at the sheriff’s office to become a judge for the 7th District Court, a job he says he loves.
“It’s been wonderful. No graveyards, no weekends and my evenings are free,” Steven said.
While he enjoys the benefits of a more regular schedule, his children miss out on the opportunity for practical jokes with their dad on a regular schedule. When he worked for the sheriff’s office on graveyard shift and slept during the day his girls had the chance to play a trick or two on their dad, which they often did.
“Once they put barrettes all over my hair and somebody came to the door. I didn’t realize I had them in my hair and they just kept looking at me,” Steven recalls with a grin.
Having a sense of humor is something Steven feels is invaluable as a parent and having fun with your kids makes for an enjoyable life for everyone.
When it comes to fatherhood Steven’s qualities are most appreciated by his wife.
“He looks at everything objectively and he doesn’t jump to conclusions and I know that I do,” Carol Ann said. “At family reunions and family gatherings Steven is constantly concerned about the children having a good time. He is optimistic about everything, even when problems arise.”
On Father’s Day weekend not all of the Stream children were able to make it home but they planned to do what they love to do, have a barbecue in the back yard and enjoy each other’s company, have a game of wiffle ball perhaps and a laugh or two, just like old times.
“When all 29 members of the Stream family get together it gets a little hectic, but even during all the noise and hubbub the grownup children will stop, step back and say I have missed this,” Carol Ann said.
And if you were looking for a testament to your life on Fathers Day, perhaps it couldn’t get any better than that.
Green River budget debate
ends with a compromise
A sometimes contentious public hearing on the Green River City 2008 budget was resolved amicably after a long and sometimes drawn out debate of funding priorities.
The major issue for debate was the budgeted funds for the Green River Community Center. Representatives of the community center had hoped for a budget of $12,000 for 2008, which would be used to cover the cost of operation and maintenance of the center and Mayor Ed Bentley had only slated the center’s budget for $10,000.
The Green River Community Center is no longer officially affiliated with the city and acquires the funding for its programs through donations or grants, but when it comes to funds to pay the center’s utility costs it cannot acquire those funds through grants and relies on the city to budget money to pay utility bills.
Community members pointed out that there was more money in the city budget being allocated to 4th of July celebrations and the shooting club than was being asked for or granted to the community center.
Also at issue between the city and the community center was a request for assistance from Green River City to pay half of the cost for concrete work that was done at the skate park/basketball park, totaling $4,000. The money was not in the proposed budget.
Councilman Kent Johnson addressed the park concrete by saying the community center went ahead with the work prior to receiving the funding from the city.
“We thought we were being strong armed for the $4,000,” he said.
Representatives of the community center responded by saying that they were not trying to strong-arm the city and if the city couldn’t provide the funds then they would go somewhere else.
Connie Copenhaver of the community center presented the mayor and city council a list of utility bills for the community center that totaled approximately $11,000 so far for the year with still one month remaining in fiscal year 2007.
After reviewing the utility bills it was noted that $3,000 of the bills were utilities to operate the Thrift Store, which is managed by the community center. The Thrift Store operates in an old building with no insulation and it was agreed by both parties that maintaining utilities at the building was expensive.
The mayor and council indicated that since the thrift store was a business the city would not be able to assist it with utility payments. In the end the budget was adjusted, providing the community center $8,500 for O&M costs and $3,500 for to assist in paying for the concrete at the park, for a total of $12,000.
The budget for 2008 was finally voted on and passed unanimously by the city council. After the meeting Mayor Bentley said the compromise met was a good one.
“Budgets are always tight. There’s always more needs than there is budget,” he said.
Jonie Pace, Green River Community Center director, said that she was also satisfied with the final budget and of the expensive nature of operating the thrift store she said they had a choice that had to be made.
“We’ll either have to move a new building or find a better way to insulate that one.”
Construction of Elmo Town Hall moving along
Josie Luke
The construction of the Town Hall was one of the subjects addressed at the Elmo Town Council meeting held June 13. Mayor Kurt Rasmussen said that the work “is moving along.”
The floors of the new building are nearly ready to pour and they hope the construction will be finished by November.
A public Hearing was also held to amend the 2007 budget and to adopt the 2008 budget. The 2007 budget was mostly held to. The main ammendment was in the money spent on the park, but they were able to move money from the cemetery fund along with the insurance fund to cover the difference.
The 2008 budget was nearly equal in the estimated income and the estimated expenditures and was passed unanimously.
One problem discussed in the meeting was the number of secondary water connections in the town that were not paid for. It was decided that letters would be sent out as a courtesy before considering turning the water off.
Nicole Smith also attended the meeting in order to tell the counsel about an opportunity she has as the state Future Business Leader of America vice-president to attend trainings at the National FBLA conference in Chicago later this month. She was awarded a $100 donation to assist with her expenses.
The next town meeting will be held on July 11 at 7 p.m.
Wildfire protection plan unveiled
Josie Luke
The Regional Wildlife Protection Plan was presented by Tyre Holfeltz from state forestry to the Emery County Public Lands Council during their June 13 meeting. The plan covers Emery, Carbon, Grand, and San Juan Counties and can be found on the internet at www.utahfireinfo.gov.
The document states, “The goal of the Southeastern Utah RWPP is to enable community members and government agencies to collaboratively work together and coordinate efforts in identifying high fire-risk areas and prioritizing areas for mitigation, suppression, and emergency preparedness management throughout the project area.”
Risk to the area is defined as the likelihood that a wildfire will impact a community through damage to or loss of property or life.” The results of a risk assessment on the area were 33.62 percent of the area being classified as low risk, 60 percent as medium risk, 5.91 percent as high risk, and 0.47 percent as extreme risk.
One of the reasons for the risk is the fact that fire has been so long suppressed in the area, because of the view that fire is, “solely a destructive force.” The results of this view are seen in “unprecedented levels of flammable materials,” so that now fires burn hotter and are more dangerous to control. These are particularly dangerous in such a drought-prone area.
The plan puts the managements of the county’s watersheds as a top priority, along with acquiring funds for further projects. The document explains, “A significant factor for Emery County is that its western boundary bisects the upland watersheds that supply much of the county’s drinking water. As in much of the Southwest, a fresh-water supply is of great concern for Emery County, which has no substantial aquifers. The importance of managing these watersheds cannot be overstated.
“However, management activities are made more complex by political boundaries likely drawn for expedience rather than following the natural lay of the land. Therefore, management of these upland watersheds may be more complex than in other areas and may require greater cooperation with neighboring counties and multiple entities.”
The document gives recommendations and information on the fuels in the area, weather patterns, topography, and needed treatment along with suggestions. Suggestions to the areas in Emery County range from reducing fuel in drainage areas, and near the communities, along with areas near the watersheds. One of the suggestions to all of the communities is the development of a Community Wildfire Prevention Plan.
The plan explains that one key element in the community fire planning process is, “the meaningful discussions it generates among community members regarding their priorities for local fire protection and forest management.”
This plan also lists steps that people can do to protect themselves, their homes and properties. Including:
1. Clean roof surfaces and gutters of pine needles, leaves, branches, etc., regularly to avoid accumulation of flammable materials.
2. Remove portions of any tree extending within 10 feet of the flue opening of any stove or chimney.
3. Maintain a screen constructed of non-flammable material over the flue opening of every chimney or stovepipe. Mesh openings of the screen should not exceed 1/2 inch.
4. Remove branches from trees to height of 15 feet.
5. Dispose of stove or fireplace ashes and charcoal briquettes only after soaking them in a metal pail of water.
6. Store gasoline in an approved safety can away from occupied buildings.
7. Propane tanks should be far enough away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of fire.
8. Keep area clear of flammable vegetation.
9. All combustibles such as firewood, picnic tables, boats, etc. should be kept away from structures.
10. Garden hose should be connected to outlet.
11. Addressing should be indicated at all intersections and on structures.
12. All roads and driveways should be at least 16 feet in width.
13. Have fire tools handy such as: ladder long enough to reach the roof, shovel, rake and bucket for water.
14. Each home should have at least two different entrance and exit routes.
Mischief threatens future of
Castle Dale Skate Park
Josie Luke
The skate park in Castle Dale has lately been the site of many acts of mischief and destruction, most recently a decapitated raccoon being found at the park. With current discussion on city budgeting, Councilman Joel Dorsch is being forced to consider whether or not to ask for funds for maintenance and improvements for the park.
Castle Dale is the only city in Emery County to build a skate park, and Dorsch said that talking another city into building a park would be difficult. He wrote on a sign to be posted at the park, “I need to decide one of two things. Either I budget funds for skate park improvements, or I suggest that the skate park be removed. I have not decided yet.”
Dorsch also listed some of the problems that have been occurring. He said that a lot of time is being spent cleaning up garbage, trees are being broken, picnic tables are being skate boarded on, and baseball field signs have been ripped down along with the dead raccoon. He asks that these things be stopped so that the city can continue to fund the park.
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