October Tricks / Treats ~~ Bear Essentials Oct. 24, 2019

Life in the Rural West

~~Possible Fallout from the "BIG Little Question" on Nov. Ballot

By Bill Keshlear

"However, any eventual change brought about in good faith across party lines could foster a sense of electoral fairness among all county residents – a crucial ingredient in bridging San Juan's monumental divide and successful governance. Democratic Party intransigence, real or perceived, could widen the divide even further than it already is."

"It's a countywide vote, and countywide votes don't go well for liberals in San Juan. The county remains deeply anti-monument and deeply conservative, even with a slight majority of Navajo residents (Here's an under-reported factoid: Navajos can be, and are, conservative and Mormon).

• Not one pro-Bears Ears National Monument candidate came even close to winning a majority of county votes in any race conducted across San Juan in November. For example, county voters handed pro-monument congressional candidate James Singer, a Navajo, a landslide loss. Same with Jenny Wilson versus Mitt Romney for U.S. Senate. Democrats didn't even field a candidate against Phil Lyman, the former county commissioner, in his bid for the Utah Legislature.
• Former commissioner Rebecca Benally, an anti-monument Navajo, lost a squeaker of a primary race last year to Kenneth Maryboy despite winning her district’s two Navajo majority precincts. Liberal voters in and around Bluff put him over the top.
• Tally up the total number of votes countywide that put Grayeyes and Maryboy on the commission. Those two pro-monument candidates got 2,022 votes; Kelly Laws and Bruce Adams got 2,354 (2,957 if you count the write-ins against Maryboy).
• The Aneth Chapter, the largest of the Utah Navajo chapters and the only one wholly within the state’s border, voted against monument designation. It also is closest to Bears Ears."

~~ The Real Question that Needs to be Asked in Presidential Debates:  What about the National Debt?

~~ Socialism has Failed in Every Country Where it's Been Tried

~~ Information ad In Navajo on KNDN  - Information on SJC Gov Study 

~~ County Citizens to Vote on Study Concerning Form of Government

~~ Whistle Blower Reinstated in Nevada Grazing Dispute

~~ Utah's Unemployment Rate Continues to Improve

~~ Judge Rules that Lyman Does Not Have to Increase Restitution Payments

"misdemeanor charge for illegal use of ATVs and conspiracy for organizing a 2014 protest ride through a canyon."

~~ People of All Faiths Invited to Show up for Sabbatt to Show Unity Against Hate 

~~BLM Speeds OIl And Gas Leasing Despite Concerns 

~~ ACLU Claims Navajos Aren't Informed Regarding Ballot Issue

    Ryan Benally disagrees with article: "The county was at every chapter meeting...With TWO Navajo liaisons describing the election. Back in SEPTEMBER...."  

~~ County Officials Considering Tax Increase  San Juan Record

"Despite the fact that San Juan County is already the highest-taxed county in the state by percentage, a property tax increase of 22.9 percent is being considered by three separate entities associated with San Juan County."

~~ Liberals of America Want Public Lands Protected Via More Monuments

                           This is what happened instead: Graffiti at Moki Dugway 

~~ Where are Funds Coming From to pay for False Publicity like this?

~~ How to Handle Overcrowding In National Parks

~~  Moab City Officials Disagree with NPS, Hope to keep ATV's out of Arches

"A recent order by Acting Regional Director of the National Park Service, Palmer “Chip” Jenkins, to allow off-highway vehicles such as ATVs and UTVs into Utah’s national parks is positioned to possibly stall out when it is scheduled to go into effect Nov. 1."

~~ Moab Sun Times Writer, B. Blosser,  Disagrees with ATV's in Nat'l Parks

~~ Public Land Workers Face Assaults and Threats/ Montana

~~ Studies on Arches Traffic May Last through 2020

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~~ Discussions / Decisions from Oct. 15  SJ Commission Meeting

 SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - COMMISSION ROOM AGENDA
                                                      October 15, 2019

  9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. Public Hearing - Mexican Hat Special Service District
a. Public Hearing to receive input from the public with respect to the issuance of the Water Revenue Bonds for the Mexican Hat Special Service District and the potential economic impact that the improvement, facility, or property for which the Bonds will pay all or part of the cost will have on the private sector.
2. Economic Development & Tourism Update Regarding Economic Diversification Summit & Tourism Tour - Natalie Randall, San Juan County Economic Development & Visitor Services Director
3. School District Briefing on SITLA and what it does for the School District - Kyle Hosler, San Juan School District
4. Road Department Procurement Request for Spreader - Ben Musselman, San Juan County Public Works Director
5. Jared Kropf Property Reassessment - Greg Adams, San Juan County Assessor
6. Lisbon Valley Mine Property Tax Pay Off Proposal - Greg Adams, San Juan County Assessor
7. Briefing on Potential Property Tax Increases - John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
8. Discussion of At Your Leisure State Parks 360 Trail Mapping Project - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
9. Proposed Manti-La Sal National Forest Plan Revision - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
10. Discussion of Utah Back Country Pilots Association Request - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
11. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
12. Updates - Jerry McNeely, San Juan County Liaison

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. Recognition - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
4. Approval of Jared Kropf Property Reassessment - Greg Adams, San Juan County Assessor
5. Approval of Lisbon Valley Mine Property Tax Pay Off Proposal - Greg Adams, San Juan County Assessor
6. Approval of Grant Application for County Road B127 La Sal Regarding Utah Federal Lands Access Program - Ben Musselman, San Juan County Public Works Director
7. Approval of Road Department Procurement Request for Spreader - Ben Musselman, San Juan County Public Works Director
8. Approval of proposed Manti-La Sal National Forest Plan Revisions - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
9. Ratify Approval of an Independent Contractor Agreement with Ricky Richardson for IT Repairs - John Fellmeth, San Juan County IT Director
10. Ratify Approval of the annual All Weather Inc. agreement for Aviation Support and Maintenance of Cal Black Memorial Airport - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
11. Ratify Approval of a Google Street View 360 Mapping Agreement - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
12. Ratify Approval of Notice to Residents Regarding Potential Property Tax Changes - John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
13. Consideration and Adoption of A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SAN JUAN COUNTY TO PROVIDE FISCAL AGENT SERVICES FOR THE OLJATO CHAPTER DROUGHT ASSISTANCE GRANT
14. Consideration and Adoption of A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND UPDATING THE REMAINING REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNTY MEETINGS AND MEETING LOCATIONS FOR THE 2019 ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE PURSUANT TO SECTION 52-4-202 OF THE UTAH CODE.

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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