Seasons and Times are a Changin'/ Bear Essentials 9/12/2019

Happenings in the West
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SJC Transparency in action

Recording of 9/4 SJC Commission work meeting

Recording of 9/4/ SJC Commission Meeting

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Agenda for Sept 17 Commission Meeting at bottom of page (in Monticello)

~~ Spanish Valley Residents Push Back on Commercial Development

~~Freedom of Information Act Search-- Requires Patience and Longevity

Kudos to Jim Stiles and Bill Keshlear for their tenacious digging!

~~ Six Candidates Move On in Moab City Council Race

~~ Utah Launches Optional Gun Safety Program in Schools

~~ Trust and Training Range Land Exchange in SW Utah 

 Counting the Costs

~~ Proponents investigate Splitting the State of Washington  

Some believe "splitting Washington would be a win-win scenario for rural conservatives who live east of the Cascade Range and urban liberals who live in western Washington."

~~ BLM Purchases Private Land to Better Protect Desert Tortoise

~~ Climate Change A Power Grabbing Scam  Free Range Report

~~ Counties Demanding Federal Land Reimbursement 

~~ Judge Rejects SUWA's Involvement in Kane County Public Lands Case

San Juan Record: 

      "This landmark case will move forward, but with a significantly limited role for SUWA after Waddoups wrote, “SUWA has no legal right to be in this case.”

“It was clear SUWA had the intent to take a lead role in this litigation – a lead to which it had no right to take,” Waddoups writes. “A lead that could well harm the actual parties who do have a right to be before the court.”
       The judge stated that SUWA filed actions that delayed progress on the case. In fact, it was SUWA’s role in delaying the case that may have triggered Judge Waddoup’s ire. The judge writes of one particular instance, “For over two years, Plaintiffs’s time and resources were taxed as they addressed SUWA’s defense before the Utah Supreme Court on an argument that ultimately was struck down as absurd.”

~~ All Things NAC -Confronts Maryboy's Fake History Concerning Bears Ears 

~~ Blanding City Council Takes Official Stance on Civility in Meetings

~~ Science Should Take Precedence Over Political Agendas

~~ Separate Town Hall Meetings Address Simmering Controversies

~~ BLM Renovating/ Upgrading Virgin River Recreation Area

~~ $4 Million in Drugs Seized on New Mexico Reservation

~~ Grand Staircase Plan Developing In Spite of LItigation

~~ NTEC Purchases 3 Coal Mines in Wyoming

~~ How Tribal Sovereignty Really Works,  by Jack Ahasteen

"How Tribal funding REALLY WORKS...

As President Jonathan Nez stated before the US Congressional Committee on Appropriations which regulates expenditures of money by the government of the United States,
"....the Navajo Nation seeks to strengthen the sacred trust relationship and Assist the Navajo Nation in furtherance of self-sufficiency and tribal sovereignty...."

Sovereignty?....funded by the American tax payer??? How is that possible when the annual tribal budget is completely dependent on the US taxpayer?"

~~ Liberal Activists Work to Change the Color of Conservative States

"Outside groups are organizing an army of liberal activists around the country to campaign for local races in states where they don't live. Organizers said the spending is strategic, honing in on states and specific seats where they can have the most significant effect. The top targets include Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina."

"To Coloradans, the strategy looks familiar. Republicans almost entirely controlled the state power structure until 2004. That's when a group of four wealthy Colorado Democrats — Tim Gill, Rutt Bridges, Jared Polis, and Pat Stryker — teamed up with political strategist Al Yates on a plan to transform the local politics. According to a 2008 article by the Washington Examiner's Fred Barnes, the group targeted vulnerable Republican incumbents, creating pop-up activist groups drawing on support from labor unions and national liberal organizations. The project was a success. That cycle, Democrats won control of both chambers of the general assembly for the first time in over four decades. Two years later, they upped their spending and won the governor's office. The total tab for securing state control was reported to be $9.5 million, which was less than the average expenditure on a successful U.S. Senate campaign, but an enormous amount for state elections."

~~ Johnny Depp's Dior "Sauvage" Ad Draws Ire of Native Tribes

~~ Utah Dineh Bikeyah Intent on Playing the Racial Card

"“Anglo residents in San Juan County have learned that when dealing with conflict-avoiding cultures like the Ute or Diné peoples, who live according to principles of reciprocity, that aggressive, intimidating, loud and bullying behaviors work,” Benally said. “In most other border towns, Native Americans are treated respectfully, but in Blanding we are treated like outsiders.”

~~ Biased Reporting Stifles Truth in San Juan County

~~ House of Representatives Working to Cripple America's Oil Supply

~~ Couple Writes Graffiti in Tribal Area, then Posts on Instagram

~~ Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Faces Growing Suicide Rate for Youth

~~ Ribbon Cutting in Cameron, Snubs Some Groups

~~ Two Serious Accidents on Moab's Main Street

~~ Zions Overcrowded for Labor Day Weekend

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Sept. 17 Commission Meeting agenda 117 South Main Street, Monticello

9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. Follow up discussion with Library Director regarding a possible property tax increase for the library fund - Pat Smith, Library Director
2. Discuss McElmo Creek Bridge repair agreement with NDOT - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
3. Review amendment to Road Agreement with USFS for emergency road repairs - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
4. Review an application for San Juan County Planning & Zoning Commission - Walter Bird, SJC Planning & Zoning
5. Discuss Planning Issues in the Spanish Valley Area - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
6. Discuss Maintenance / Building Issues - Monty Perkins, SJC Maintenance
7. Discuss comments to be sent to various federal agencies regarding the designation of a part of the west-side regional energy corridor through San Juan County - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
8. Updates - Jerry McNeely
9. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - August 6, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. A RESOLUTION POSTPONING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF WATER REVENUE AND REFUNDING BONDS AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND POSTING OF NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND NOTICE OF BONDS TO BE ISSUED.
4. Approve Comments to be sent to various federal agencies regarding the designation of a part of the west-wide regional energy corridor through San Juan County - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
5. Ratify amendment to road agreement with USFS for emergency Road Repairs - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
6. Approve McElmo Creek Bridge repair agreement with NDOT -  Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
7. Approve Planning & Zoning Commission Member - Walter Bird, Planning & Zoning
8. Out of State Travel request - Linda Simmons, SJC EMS Director
9. Approve Board of Equalization Recommendations - John David Nielson, SJC Clerk & Greg Adams, SJC Assessor
10. Beer License Renewal - John David Nielson, SJC Clerk
11. Commission Reports
12. Executive Session to Discuss Pending or Imminent Litigation

"Be Nice" Revival -- Following Divisiveness in Meetings Bear Essentials 8/30/2019

Life Beyond the Wasatch Front

~~ Incendiary Provocations Close Doors, Undermine Bridge Building

~~ Election Integrity: America's Biggest Issue

~~ New York Times Trying to Rewrite History to Fit Its Biases

~~ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Loves to Hate the Electoral College

~~Massive Rock Fall in Zions Injures Three Hikers

~~ Commissioners United in Ending Lawsuit Concerning Redistricting

~~ Two Town Hall Meetings held Recently: Monticello and Mexican Water

    The objective and balanced reporting in this KUER article is appreciated.

~~ New Dinosaur Dig South of White Mesa  KUER

"Just south of Blanding, researchers are excavating seven giant dinosaur vertebrae. They are part of a 70-foot-long diplodocus skeleton that will be on display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County."

~~ Patagonia Shame Patch/ Public Lands Council 

     The Public Lands Council iron-on clothing patches are designed to cover the logo on Patagonia merchandise and cure “Patagonia Shame.” These patches were developed in response to the profit-driven marketing efforts of multinational retail corporation Patagonia, who promoted false claims about national monuments in the wake of the recent decision to appropriately scale Bears Ears and Grand-Staircase Escalante.

Visit http://publiclandscouncil.org/ to get your patch today!

~~ Gavin Noyes Claims Concerning Cultural and Political Divide: 

 "The issue is that the white people live in the north, and the Native American people live in the south, and those are two different worlds that don’t interact."

~~ Accusations from M. Maryboy Fly in the Face of Open Meeting Concept

  Quotes from Mark Mayboy's rant at Aug. 23 meeting, Mexican Water Chapter House 

Here are a few moments from Mark Maryboy's unprovoked rant at the Mexican Water chapter of the Navajo Nation Aug 23 during a town-hall meeting (comments were directed at a handful of San Juan County residents – of group members only one was male, several were Navajo – who drove down from the northern part of county).

Maryboy was scheduled to talk about water rights at the meeting, according to its agenda (below). He went off script. Two reporters were there – Zak Podmore, from The Salt Lake Tribune, and Kate Groetzinger, from KUER radio in Salt Lake City. Both have access to national media. It's likely Maryboy knew they were there and would report his every word.

Maryboy is a board member of the Salt Lake City-based activist group Utah Dine Bikeyah and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and a long-time advocate of creation of Bears Ears National Monument. He's been quoted extensively as an authoritative source in hundreds of regional and national reports published by the nation's most prominent news outlets.

* Navajos on the BLM's Bears Ears advisory committee are "tame Indians" just trying to get something from "white Mormons."

* To a questioner who suggested she and Maryboy might be related through an aunt: "She's too ugly to be related to me."

* “All I can say is that you have an idiot aunt,” Maryboy used that adjective several times.

* A question on November's ballot about possibly changing the way county commissioners are selected came from "racist Mormons from Blanding and Monticello."

* The petition was pandering to "illiterate" Navajos.

* “Red-neck Mormons is what they are … They are probably all members of the Ku Klux Klan.”

* “Which part of the Ku Klux Klan do you belong to?”

* “If they don’t let the Navajos (govern) … all I can say is go back to Missouri where you came from.”

~~ Zak Podmore's SL Trib's Version of the Mexican Water Meeting Aug 21

Response by Nicole Perkins after reading his article: " 

"I didn't know that Zak was a such an adept gymnast. He has really mastered those backflips and somersaults, twists and handsprings as he carefully danced and twirled his way oh so delicately around Mark and his rantings. Fascinating performance with quick turnabouts as he savagely painted a red target on the back of a Navajo lady with such masterly, dastardly precision. I give it a 10 for his fairytale performance but sadly a 1 for actual journalism."

~~ Worsening Road Conditions on the Navajo Reservation

~~ Is Johnny Depp's "Sauvage" Perfume Ad Appropriate Use of Sacred Land?

~~"Facebook Bias Regarding Conservative Views, Alive and Well"

~~ Hikers Have Adverse Effect on Elk

~~ SL Tribune Gehrke Spews Racist Remarks about San Juan County

          Does this look like San Juan County is Racist? We (Hispanic, Navajo, Anglo, Ute) all joined together in 2016 because of what was being done to us and our county because of Pres. Obama's excessive declaration of a 1.9 M acre Nat'l Park...7/27/2016 Senator Lee and other State officials spoke and people from all walks of life, and cultures spoke and were listened to.

~~ Old News in case you missed it: Conservation in the West/ Nat'l Geographic Article: 

“It is encouraging and inspiring to see Congress renew America’s long, bipartisan tradition of conserving lands, wildlife, and waters, bolstering rural economies, and guaranteeing public access to the outdoors for the enjoyment of all,” said Molly McUsic, president of the Wyss Foundation, whose founder the Jackson Hole, Wyoming-based businessman Hansjörg Wyss announced last autumn that he was giving $1 billion to the cause of conservation. Wyss and McUsic are hopeful that strong support for the Dingell Act might serve as a wakeup to the Trump administration in realizing that environmental protection is a winning position. This passed in March, and affected several parts of Utah

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Description/Agenda: SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING Sept. 3, 2019

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - COMMISSION ROOM
AGENDA

  9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. San Juan Stampede Update - Karah Nay, Rodeo Director
2. Review of Draft Agreement between the Bureau of Land Management and San Juan County regarding law enforcement services - Sheriff Torgerson
3. Briefing regarding a possible request for a Library Fund tax increase for 2020 - Pat Smith, Library Director
4. Review a request to purchase a truck for the Public Works Department - Ben Mussselman, Public Works Director
5. Discuss contract modifications with the U.S. Forest Service regarding cattle guard installation and certain road treatments - Ben Musselman, Public Works Director
6. Discuss a resolution authorizing outside legal counsel to file cross-appeals to 2019 appeals filed by taxpayers subject to central assessment - Kendall Laws, SJC Attorney
7. Discussion of a possible employee compensation study - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
8. Follow up Discussion of a resolution regarding oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands near Hovenweep National Monument - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
9. Updates - Jerry McNeely, SJC Liason
10. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - August 6, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Accept the 2018 financial audit findings - Jon Haderlie, Larsen and Company
4. Approve new pay schedule for sworn officers in the Sheriff's Office - Jason Torgerson, SJC Sheriff
5. Approve the Public Works Department truck purchase -Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works Director
6. Approve contract modifications with U.S. Forest Service regarding cattle guard installation and certain road treatments - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works Director
7. Out of State Travel - Paige Wray, USU Extension
8. Approve a letter of support for a SITLA range improvement project - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
9. ADOPTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAN JUAN COUNTY, ACTING AS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF MEXICAN HAT SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT, OF A PARAMETERS RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE BY MEXICAN HAT SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT OF A WATER REVENUE AND REFUNDING BOND IN AN AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 AND CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING RELATING THERETO
10. Approve a resolution authorizing outside legal counsel to file cross appeals to 2019 appeals filed by taxpayers subject to central assessment - Kendall Laws, SJC Attorney
11. Approve a resolution regarding oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands near Hovenweep National Monument - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
12. Commission Reports
13. Executive session to discuss pending or imminent litigation
14. Approve resolution designating individuals to participate in mediation on behalf of the Commission with regard to attorneys' fees owed to the Navajo Nation