Contestants prepare to strike a pose and slip on a dress for 'Miss Relay' Contest

James L. Davis

It's a safe bet that the dozen or so contestants in the Miss Relay Contest have never been in a beauty contest of any kind before. Which, all things considered, is probably a good thing.

But despite their inexperience with a pageant of the magnitude of Miss Relay, the contestants are anxiously awaiting their moment to shine and preparing to look their best.

"I've been preparing for this," said Jess Nelson, his steely eyed stare betraying just a hint of concern about how his dress might fit. And then there is of course a concern about what to do about body hair. "I'm leaving the goateee, but the legs have got to go," he said, opening his cell phone to display a picture of himself in a dress. The sight is, well, interesting, much the same way that a car accident is interesting. You don't want to see, but you can't help looking.

Nelson, who is representing the Wylie Nelson Team, is just one of the men who have agreed to slip on a dress or other women's attire and strut around the Emery High track on June 29 during the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. The Miss Relay contest was dreamed up this year by event organizers to draw attention to the relay and bring people out to cheer on the group of brave men and donate to a worthy cause.

The Miss Relay contestants will parade around the track throughout the evening and be involved in a talent contest (a frightening thought to be sure) as they attempt to collect donations for the relay. The contestant who collects the most donations wins the contest, the Miss Relay tiara and a claim to fame they may never, ever want to talk about again.

For Jace Winn of Elmo, he has known since before school was out that he was being targeted for the Miss Relay contest. The Cleveland Elementary student council told him he was the candidate before school ended. "I think it's because of my hair," he said with a laugh. He plans on wearing one of his grandmother's skirts. She may not be aware that is his plan, but that is his plan regardless.

Like Winn, Kyle Holmes was drafted for the contest. Representing the Pink Elephants on Parade Team, also known as the Emery High Honor Society, he said Tamra Luke told him he was going to do it and that pretty much ended the discussion. When asked if she was aware she had such powers of persuasion Luke nodded matter-of-factly.

For Jake Frandsen, who is representing Emery Telcom, as the day draws closer his nervousness grows more acute. He may make it to the event without an anxiety attack, maybe.

"I'll be okay, but I'm getting more uncomfortable every day. But I’ll be okay, it's for a good cause," he said. Frandsen plans on wearing a drill team uniform, but he hasn't completely decided. And, if you're wondering, he'll be okay.

The introduction of the Miss Relay contestants will take place following opening ceremonies and the Survivor Lap at 6 p.m. The talent show will begin at 8 p.m.

Community prepares for Relay for Life

This year's Relay for Life has the makings to be a huge success as the community rallies to the cause of finding a cure for cancer. There are 23 teams who will raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

The relay will start on June 29 at 6 p.m. and end with breakfast on June 30 at 9 a.m. The theme this year is A Circus with a Purpose.

At 6 p.m. on June 29 the event will begin with a Survivor's Walk around the track. The Miss Relay contestants have between 6:30 and 10 p.m. to parade in their dresses and get donations that will lead to the crowning of “Miss Relay.

There will be a dinner for those who attend for $5 and a Memory Wall is being planned. If you have lost anyone to cancer, organizers of the relay would welcome the opportunity for you to honor then on the memory wall. Those who wish are asked to submit a picture and a short biography to Sandy Behling at sammyjo@etv.net or mail to P.O. Box 554, Ferron, UT.  84523.  For more information you can call her at 384-2983.

There will also be a MECCA bike ride taking off from the relay after the opening ceremonies. For more information call Jami Jensen at 653-2219.

As always, individual teams with have a variety of activities going on throughout the night to help raise funds for the relay.

Huntington mayor resigns

Josie Luke

After many years on the Huntington City Council and nearly two years into her second term as mayor, health issues forced Jackie Wilson to resign her position.

Her formal resignation was given at the Huntington City Council meeting held on June 19.

Many were saddened at the news, Hilary Gordon a member of the city council expressed her hope that the former mayor's health will get better quickly. She said, "This city isn't going to have anyone who is quite like Jackie. She loves being mayor and she loves the city."  Wilson explained that this is "a really hard time" for her. She is disappointed to have to step down.

Councilman Bob Mills will serve as mayor temporarily until the council appoints someone to serve for five months until another mayor can be elected in the November elections. The person elected will serve the remaining two years of the term.

Anyone interested in serving as mayor until the election is asked to submit a letter of intent to Huntington City in early July. Those who wish to run for the two year term will also need to file in July for that position. The City Council will appoint the new mayor at the city council meeting on July 18.

Agreement gives Castle Dale teeth

to enforce ordinances

An agreement between Emery County and Castle Dale paves the way for cities in the county to have the legal muscle to better enforce ordinances.

The agreement passed by the Emery County Commission during its regular meeting on June 19 and by the Castle Dale City Council in its June 14 meeting allows the city to use the county justice court to prosecute misdemeanor offenses for violation of the city's municipal code, land development code, building code and other city codes enforced by the city.

The terms of the agreement specify that any fines or forfeitures collected by the court in city cases will be split, with half going to the county and the other half going to the city. The city would also be responsible for providing its own legal counsel.

The agreement means that Castle Dale now has a legal avenue to pursue residents who are in violation of city code. Prior to the agreement the city had little recourse to enforce fines against residents should the violator choose not to comply.

In approving the agreement, the Emery County Commission indicated that it would approve the same agreements from other cities in the county should city leadership wish to pursue such an avenue to enforce their ordinances.

Safety Fest proves successful for WETC

James L. Davis

The College of Eastern Utah's Western Energy Training Center held its first Safety Fest June 20-22 at its Helper facility, opening the door to safety training like never before to employers and employees in the energy fields throughout the area.

The energy industry, which covers everything from construction work, to the mining industry and the oil and field industries, among others, comes with a long list of job hazards and requires a focused and complex safety training curriculum. Filling that safety training requirement has been no small order for companies in the past and smaller companies were especially hampered by the need for safety training but limited in places to go to receive the training.

The WETC was designed to help energy producers train their employees in a large variety of fields and the Safety Fest brought a number of classes to the center to meet training requirements.

In its first effort at the Safety Fest, organizers were pleased with the results.

"For our first time this has been a big success," said WETC Director Steve Burge.

In preparing for the Safety Fest, organizers said they were overwhelmed with the support they receive from the industry. Trainers from organizations such as Timken Corporation, D&M Wire and Rope Company, ConocoPhillips, the Mine Safety and Health Administration and Utah Occupational Safety and Health Administration all sent presenters at no cost to provide training in everything of general safety to first aid, confined spaces, leadership responsibilities and blood borne pathogens.

It has been phenomenally successful for our first time," said Robert Litster, director of training and development for WETC. "To get so much involvement of industry, fro vendors and suppliers to presenters and the diversity of those involved have been amazing."

During the three day Safety Fest there was also scheduled a roundtable with industry leaders where the WETC managers hoped to gain more information on the specific needs on the industry when it comes to training.

While organizers were pleased with the response to the first Safety Fest, even before the event was complete they had identified areas where they will adjust before the next Safety Fest.

According to Litster the WETC will look toward a late fall timeframe for the Safety Fest for 2008. The summer months are often the busiest time of the year for energy producers and most companies try to schedule their training for the fall and winter months, when the workload is not as hectic.

For the next Safety Fest they are also exploring the possibility of offer to companies and the public the possibility of picking what classes they want to attend. For this first Safety Fest there was one registration fee that entitled the entrant to attend all of the classes, rather than an individual registration fee by class.

"It's all part of the WETC's efforts to be responsive to the customers it serves.

"We are here to meet the industry needs," Litster said

There were a number of sponsors for the Safety Fest who helped to bring the event to the area. Among them were: PacifiCorp Energy, Savage Services Corporation, Arch Coal, ConocoPhillips, Timken, Washington Group International, MSHA, UOSH, Tram Electric, D&M Wire Rope, Bill Barrett Corporation, Peczuh Printing, Price Mine Service, Fairmont Supply, Nelco Contractors Inc., and AmerCable.